Racing dogs die
in arson attack
AT least 15 dogs, including pure bred racing greyhounds, died during a suspected arson attack on a Warrington farm during the night.
The animals, worth in excess of ?15,000, died during the blaze at Old Lodge Farm on Old Lodge Lane, Burtonwood, Warrington.
Firemen, who have warned farmers to be extra vigilant following a number of recent incidents, battled to control the large fire which involved outbuildings and a barn, destroying 1,000 tonnes of mixed stock (hay etc) and farm machinery.
Firefighters were unable to save a number of dogs, 15 of which were specially bred racing greyhounds.
But they did manage to save 25 stored caravans.
More than 1.5 tonnes of ammonia based fertiliser sent toxic waste out over the area but there was no danger to the public.
A total of eight pumps attended the incident.
A fire spokesman said: “Arson is strongly suspected and there is an ongoing investigation.
Any farmers who need any help or information in fire or arson prevention can contact their local fire station.
Unique parade to
remember the few
THE battling young pilots who saved Britain from the Nazi jackboot in September, 1940, will be honoured on Sunday (Sept 18) at a unique’Remember the Few’ ceremony in Warrington.
Members of RAFA Burtonwood join the Warrington, St Helens and Merseyside contingents at a Battle of Britain parade and service at Gulliver’s World, Westbrook.
Former servicemen and women from the RAF, Navy and Army will pay a joint tribute to those who put their lives on the line in Britain’s skies.
Brian Murphy, chairman of RAFA Burtonwood, said: “This will be a unique service, as we have veterans from the three services – mostly in their 70’s and 80’s – marching ahead of the youth of today”.
Warrington will be represented by Air Training Cadets of 1330 and 70 squadrons, the Sea Cadets of HMS Obdurant and the Cheshire Army Cadet force.
Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Couns Hans and Karen Mundry, will take the Salute.
Said Mr Murphy: “We shall be asking members of the public to dig deep and donate as much as they can for those men and women of the RAF and their dependents who fought to secure the freedom we enjoy today”.
RAFA receives no public funding. Money given during Wings Appeal underwrites welfare, care and support for serving and ex-RAF personnel and their families.
Winston Churchill said of the brave Fighter Command pilots: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few”.
Olympic success at
the double for Rachel
A Warrington student is celebrating after scooping a double medal success at the Special Olympics in Glasgow.
Gymnast Rachel Fairhurst, of Hudson Close, Old Hall, won two Special Olympics bronze medal after competing in the beam, bar, floor and vault competitions at the Special Olympics.
Rachel was just three when she started training at Grappenhall community centre and it was soon discovered she had a talent for Gymnastics. Now 18, she trains with the North Cheshire Brookfield Gym Club at Kingsway Leisure Centre in Widnes.
The Special Olympics are held every four years and more than 2,500 athletes competed in 23 different sports over 8 days at this year?s event.
Rachel, who is on a working towards independence course at Warrington Collegiate, travelled to Glasgow with around 20 other Special Olympic athletes from her gym.
Margaret Fairhurst, Rachel?s mother, said: ?Rachel was delighted with how she performed in the Special Olympics. Over the years she has got better and better at gymnastics and her favourite event is probably the floor.?
Working together
in the community
TWO new faces have been appointed at Birchwood High School to help improve community links with local businesses.
Tracy Lynskey has moved to the school after 10 years as Marketing Co-ordinator at the Cockhedge Shopping Park. Her new role is as Front of House and facilitator for the Business and Enterprise Meeting room situated within the high school.
The room is fully equipped for conferences, incorporating the latest Information Technology.
Jane Kinnaird is the school?s new Enterprise Co-ordinator. Since being awarded status as Warrington?s Business and Enterprise College in 2002 by the Specialist Schools Trust, the school has built strong links with the business community. Local businesses have been incredibly supportive of Business and Enterprise Activities and mentoring programmes and Jane will be looking to develop and extend these relationships to the benefit of pupils and local employers.
Once a month the school hosts a complimentary Business Breakfast in their Business and Enterprise Meeting room for representatives from any local or regional business to attend. There are now over 60 members from a wide cross section of industries, large and small enterprises all looking to network and market their companies. Anyone wishing to join the meetings or know more about the Enterprise Activities contact Jane on 01925 827322 extn: 240
More information about Birchwood Community High School can be found at www.birchwoodhigh.warrington.sch.uk
Yummy mummies in
charity pram push
“YUMMY Mummies” will be taking part in a 10-mile sponsored pram push on September 21….to help a children’s cancer charity.
The pram dash along the towpath of the Bridgewater Canal, from Lymm village centre to Dunham Massey – and back – is linked with ‘Yummy Mummy Week’.
Honda UK hopes to raise over ?100,000 for leading children’s cancer charity, CLIC Sargent.
Tv presenter, Alice Beer, mother of two-year-old twins, who is supporting the campaign, said: “This special week offers the perfect chance to get together to celebrate life, laughs and being a mother – while also raising money to help families who have a child with cancer”.
Every 48 hours, 10 children are diagnosed with cancer or leukaemia.
CLIC Sargent strives to keep families together when torn by devastating illness. The charity provides clinical, psychosocial, emotional and financial care and support.
More mums across Cheshire are being urged to register to take part in, or organise their own events. These can be anything from a picnic in the park, a family cycle day to a girls’ night out.
“You can even bake a cake, take it into work and sell the slices”, said spokeswoman, Debbie Crouch.
Event organisers should call 08451-206-658 or visit the website, www.clicsargent.org.uk/yummymummy
Risley Moss set to
celebrate silver jubilee
AN ARCHWAY has been built to celebrate Risley Moss Nature Reserve’s silver jubilee.
The reserve was officially opened 25 years ago on 23rd September 1980 by Professor David Bellamy OBE, who has since maintained an interest in this important national environmental asset.
To commemorate the silver anniversary, an archway feature was commissioned and paid for by Risley Moss Action Group with financial support from the Council’s Arts Grant Fund.
The arch is the brainchild of Risley Moss Rangers Charlotte Harris and Chas Purvis MBE and had been built by Jeff Leather of JL Fabrications, Warrington.
Coun Jeff Richards, Executive Board Member for Sustainable Environments, said: “The archway was fashioned from steel and with sculptures and wildlife images created by Jeff Leather and his team of craftsmen and it will make the entrance to the reserve much more inviting for visitors.”
The archway will be officially unveiled on Friday, September 23rd by the Mayor of Warrington, Coun Hans Mundry, who will also officiate at the raising of the Green Flag, as this is the second year that Risley Moss has achieved this prestigious environmental award.
Planners allow
garden gazebo[b]Parish
councillors who objected to a garden gazebo in the heart of Thelwall village?s rustic Conservation Area have been overruled by planning decision-makers at Warrington.
Grappenhall and Thelwall PC felt that the garden feature at the Old Post Office in Bell Lane would be ?highly visible?.
?It does not preserve or enhance the Conservation Area?, stated local councillors.
But planning officer, Sue Miller, said: ?The gazebo is visible from the west?.though the structure would not have a detrimental impact on the Conservation Area?.
Development Control councillors agreed and allowed the timber, hexagonal building.
NORTH Cheshire (Warrington) branch of the National Childbirth Trust are having one of their hugely popular nearly new sales of babies and children’s toys, clothes and equipment on Saturday, October 1.
The event takes place from 12.30 – 2pm at St Johns United Reformed Church, Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington.
Entrance by donation. Anyone interested in selling items should contact [email protected] in advance to register and receive a sellers pack.
