A “first” for
town’s new Mayor
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON’S new Mayor “local lad” Hans Mundry has already achieved a “first” – by holding his Mayor-making ceremony at the town’s Parr Hall.
With major re-wiring taking place at the town hall the event was moved to the Parr Hall – and it was just as well with more than 80 of his family attending!
Another first included local school children being invited to the event.
In his first speech as Mayor Coun Mundry, who is of Polish descent but was born in Orford, said: “The people in this borough are among the best in the world, and we all have many stories to tell of the character and proud spirit of Warringtonians. As a Councillor, I receive many requests from people.
“One lady, in her 90s, requested I tell her son, who was in his 60s, he should visit her more often. I discovered that the lady was entitled to carer’s allowance. Now her son visits more often!
“The theme for my year will be ‘Caring for Families’. As a qualifying Youth and Community worker, I understand how important charities are in helping to improve and support the lives of families and society. The work they do is truly invaluable and I pledge to dedicate my time to help two very special ‘life-giving’ charities during my year in office.
“They are the Butterfly Project, which provides emotional and practical support to children with terminal illnesses and their families, and Home Start who offer support, friendship and practical help to parents with young children in local communities.”
Coun Mundry’s Mayoress is his wife and fellow Councillor Karen Mundry. They have a son, two daughters and two grandchildren.
Coun Mundry, who has been a councillor in Westy for 10 years added: “For those who do not know my history – my father was born in Poland and moved to Germany when he was very young, which led to my being named ‘Hans’ – not a typical Latchford name I’ve been told!
“I was born and bred in this town and studied at Orford Secondary Modern. I am proud to say that my mum was also born and bred in Warrington and part of the five generations of my family living in Latchford.
“My roots are to be found in sport – particularly rugby league – and at the age of 16, I had trials with the Wire when Alex Murphy was coach. Unfortunately I was not signed up (which I believe was a big mistake!) and instead moved into other community and voluntary roles, before being asked to stand for Council.”
Pictures show the Mayor making party including retiring Mayor and Mayoress Coun Ted and Pat Lafferty and Hans Mundry with his wife Karen.
Have you seen this car?
POLICE are asking for the public’s help in identifying the occupants of a Volvo 7 series saloon following a burglary at Lymm, near Warrington.
They believe the car, which was recently recovered by police, may have been involved in a burglary which occurred at Dane Bank, Lymm around midday on May 12 and also may have been involved in an attempted burglary on May 7 at a different address in Dane Bank.
The Volvo is biscuit/light grey in colour and is believed to have been occupied by three males.
Police are appealing for anyone who may have seen this vehicle in recent weeks in the Lymm area or any other vehicles in the Lymm area acting in a suspicious manner.
Police are also appealing for anyone who has any information with regard to the burglary which occurred in Dane Bank to contact PC Graham Davies on 01244 612633.
Kitty celebrates 100
years with sip of wine
by David Skentelbery
CATHERINE “Kitty” Parr has celebrated her 100th birthday with a family get-together at Holcroft Grange elderly person’s home, Culcheth, where she lives.
The sprightly great grandmother received her birthday greeting from the Queen, enjoyed a special birthday cake and sipped a little wine with friends and family.
But it was only a sip – for Kitty firmly attributes her long life to being a non-smoker, hardly ever drinking alcohol and going to bed early.
With her on her big day were only son Eric and his wife, Evelyn and most of her three grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
Kitty worked as a machinist at Lewis’ in Liverpool and it was there that she met her husband, William who was a tailor’s cutter.
He died in 1997, aged 92.
Eric and Evelyn live in Culcheth and their children are David, Elaine and Sharon.
David has two children, Janine, 20 and Michael, 17 while Sharon has Philip, aged 17.
Elaine’s son, Simon celebrated his 22nd birthday the day before his great grandmother’s 100th!
Man’s jaw broken
in park attack
by David Skentelbery
POLICE at Warrington are hunting a thug who attacked an 18-year-old youth near a park, fracturing his jaw in two places.
They are also anxious to talk to another youth who was with the offender but took no part in the attack on the driveway leading to Woolston Linear Park.
The victim, from Bruche, was walking home late at night and was on the driveway leading to the Ranger Cabin in the park when he was approached by two youths, aged 18 or 19.
As they passed, one of the pair, completely without provocation, punched the victim in the jaw three times, fracturing the jaw in two places.
The two youths then ran off into the park.
A police spokesman said: “This was a totally unprovoked attack and we would like to hear from anyone who witnessed it, or from the other youth who took no part in the incident.
” Anyone who can help should call PC Richard Kennedy on 01244 612645.
Schools celebrate after
recycling successes
by John Hendon
YOUNGSTERS in three Warrington schools are celebrating after scooping the top prizes in a recycling competition.
During the last eight weeks, 11,762 pupils at 40 schools across Warrington have taken on the Yellow Woods Challenge – a schools environmental campaign run in partnership by Yellow Pages, the Woodland Trust and Warrington Borough Council and supported by paper supplier UPM.
All 40 schools have been collecting old Yellow Pages directories for recycling and a total of 10.1 tonnes will now be recycled into corrugated cardboard.
St Monica’s Catholic Primary, Appleton is celebrating its success in winning the local ‘Gold Oak’ title and the top prize money of ?300 for collecting the most directories per pupil.
St Andrews CE Primary, Orford receives the ‘Silver Birch’, winning ?200, and also ?100 for collecting the most Yellow Pages directories in total.
Park Road Primary, Great Sankey, receives the ‘Bronze Beech’ title and ?100.
All participating schools will automatically be entered into the UK Finals, where they will have the chance to win ?2,000.
For every pound awarded to schools in prize money, a pound is given to the Woodland Trust to support its ‘Tree For All’ campaign, which aims to help plant 12 million trees during the next five years.
As additional support for the Tree For All campaign, Yellow Pages and UPM are awarding native tree saplings to the three winning schools and to Appleton Thorn Primary, St Elphin’s Fairfield CE Primary and Croft Primary for achieving fourth, fifth and sixth place in the challenge.
Coun Linda Dirir, the borough council’s executive member for Sustainable Environment, said: “This has been a fantastic competition and I would like to thank the children and everyone who has supported them and helped us protect the environment by keeping thousands of directories out of landfill.
“Schemes such as the Yellow Woods challenge are a good way of teaching children and young people in all our schools about what they can do to help protect the environment.”
Adult Learner’s
Week gets under way
by staff reporter
ADULT Learner’s Week gets under way tomorrow (Saturday) at Warrington’s Golden Square shopping centre – with the theme “You’re never too old to learn.”
New Mayor, Coun Ha
ns Mundry and Wolves’ coach Paul Cullen will open the all-day event, which will kick start the Week – part of a national scheme encouraging adults to set new goals and learn something new.
The launch event will feature more than 30 exhibitors, including Warrington Collegiate and other local education and training providers. They will offer practical information and support on improving career prospects or learning a new skill, giving the public the chance to sign up for free tasters and courses.
Alongside the exhibition, there will be a fun-filled programme of music and entertainment set for the day, with performances ranging from tai chi and yoga to Brass Bands and singers.
Pat Kitto, Director of Lifelong Learning and Co-ordinator for the event saids: “Whether you are a young parent keen to learn new skills to help with future job prospects or a senior citizen who would like to take up a new hobby and meet new people, it is worth making a visit to Golden Square on Saturday as the event will be both informative and fun, and it’s free and open to everyone.”
The Adult Learners’ Week extravaganza will take place in the Old Market Place, Golden Square between 9am and 5pm.
[ 23.05.2005, 11:49: Message edited by: DS ]
