Father and son beaten
up by gang of yobs
by David Skentelbery
A FATHER and son were taken to hospital in Warrington after being beaten up by a large gang of youths.
The apparently motiveless attack took place at Culcheth – the troubled village that was the subject of the borough’s first dispersal order.
A man aged 43 and his son, aged 20, were attacked by the mob in Church Lane.
They both suffered facial injuries which required stitching.
The youths involved in the attack were not known to the pair, according to police, who have launched an investigation into the incident.
A spokesman said: “There appears to have been no motive for the attack.”
Culcheth was made the subject of a “dispersal order” last year for a period of six months up until February this year.
The order gave police the power to disperse groups of youths – and to escort them home if necessary.
Police claimed the measure did reduce problems in the village. But local councillors feared the yobs simply regarded the order as a challenge.
Certainly since the order ended, problems have continued with gangs of youths harassing motorists and pedestrians of an evening.
Anyone who can help police in connection with this latest incident is asked to call PC Gallagher on 01244 312646.
College girls get
the soccer bug
by staff reporter
GIRL students at Warrington’s Priestley College have launched their own soccer team – and will be playing in the North West Women’s College seven-a-side league in the next academic year.
The college has a long history of fielding strong male sides but now the girls are taking centre stage.
They have already earned a draw against near neighbours Warrington Collegiate.
Team coach Danielle Toward is delighted with the progress the new side has already made.
She said: “The interest among the students for an all female team has been immense and that has already been shown on the field of play.
“I look forward to working with the team and also to this summer’s European Championships when we hope many more girls will wish to take up the sport.”
Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones stadium will be hosting some of the European Championship games.
Free benefits advice
for the over 60s
A FREE benefits advice service for the over 60s has been launched by Golden Gates Housing – Warrington Borough Council’s housing arm.
The innovative scheme is one of the few of its kind in the country and is open to all Warrington residents aged 60 or more.
Golden Gates assistant director Peter Fitzhenry said: “Anyone aged 60 or over can ask for a friendly advisor to visit them at home to review the benefits they receive, including pension credit.
The launch was attended by a wide range of service providers including Age Concern, the Pension Service, Warrington Borough Council, the Disability Partnership, Citizens Advice, Warrington Law Centre and Warrington Primary Care Trust.
GGH would also like sons and daughters to get involved by persuading their parents to call the company on 0800 195 9195 to make an appointment.
Golf driving range
was built too big
by David Skentelbery
PLANNING bosses at Warrington are to visit a golf driving range that was built too wide and too long before deciding whether to vary its planning consent to allow it to remain.
The True Fit Golf driving range fairway in Widnes Road, Cuerdley, is 7.5 metres longer than the approved length and its width has been increased by between 15 and 20 metres.
Overall, the length of the range has been increased by 25 metres and its internal level has been increased by 1.5 metres above the approved levels.
Members of the borough council’s development control committee decided they must visit the site before deciding whether an application by True Fit Golf to amend the planning consent should be allowed.
The company says it built the range contrary to the approved scheme to give access for disabled vehicles so wheelchair users to use the facilities. The level was altered to assist drainage.
Officers are recommending the changes be approved because they do not make any difference to the visual impact of the facility.
Mother and children
hurt in road crash
by staff reporter
A MOTHER and her two children were taken to hospital at Warrington after their car was in collision with another at the junction of Troutbeck Avenue and Lodge Lane, Bewsey.
The 33-year-old woman and the children, aged 10 and seven, all suffered cuts and abrasions and shock.
They were travelling in a Fiat Bravo when it was in collision with a Mazda MX-5 sports car.
Fire crews were called to the scene to help clear wreckage from the carriageway and hose away spilled fuel.
Police would like to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision who should call them on 01925 652222.
[ 09.05.2005, 11:47: Message edited by: DS ]
