Asbestos clean-up
operation after
distillery blaze
by David Skentelbery
TOWN Hall chiefs at Warrington have issued a warning to the public following the discovery of asbestos in deposits found after the disastrous fire at the Greenall distillery.
Deposits from smoke have been found in a clearly defined area, stretching from the distillery in Loushers Lane, across to Chester Road.
Analysis of the deposits by specialist consultants has revealed the presence of asbestos in some test samples.
But air quality investigations carried out by consultants and by the Health Protection Agency have shown that the air is clear of fibres.
Bob Williams, head of communications with the borough council said: “Asbestos is not normally harmful unless inhaled or ingested. Care should therefore be taken when handling any debris from the fire.
“As a result, arrangements have now been made for specialist contractors to begin a systematic clean up operation of the area.
“To reduce any concerns, residents within the affected area who find such deposits in gardens, driveways, or on their vehicles, are advised to wash or swill any fine material away, preferably by using a hose.
Where they have to use either a sponge or cloth this should be used damp and, once finished with, should be disposed of in a plastic bag and placed in a domestic refuse bin.
?Residents are further advised that they should not dry brush the material, as the intention is to avoid making dust.”
Mr Williams said if larger pieces of debris were found these should be reported to the council on 01925 458034 during the hours of 8am and 8pm up until Thursday.
?Should any resident wish to remove this debris themselves they should wear disposable gloves, dampen the material to avoid dust and then dispose of it in a plastic bag and put it in their domestic refuse bin,? he added.
Overnight rain in the area is believed to have helped the situation by reducing the possibility of dust.
?It is not uncommon for asbestos to be released following such a major industrial fire but residents in the area affected by the smoke and debris can be assured that every effort is being made to get the situation back to normal as soon as possible,? Mr Williams added.
Fire crews remained on the site during the night and were still there today, carrying out damping down operations.
Students seek X-factor
for talent contest
by Lesley Wilkinson
TALENTED entertainers are being sought for Warrington’s own version of the popular television show, X-Factor.
Warrington Collegiate students are looking for singers, dancers, musicians and comedians for their Pudsey’s Shining Stars live talent show.
Jessica Devon, a business student at the collegiate, said the top 20 performers selected from the auditions will appear in the final at the Parr Hall on November 15. Profits from the night will go towards Children in Need.
Auditions will be held at the Winwick Road campus tomorrow (Wednesday) and on Saturday (October 22) between 11am and 1pm.
Each act to reach the final will be asked to make a ?2 donation to Children in Need. Ticket prices on the night are ?4, and ?2.50 for senior citizens and those aged 14 and under.
Anyone interested in joining the auditions should contact Alan Johnston at the collegiate on 01925 494494.
Picture shows beauty and make up students preparing for the event by taking on the appearance of their pop idols – course tutor Sharon Barnes, as Sharon Osborne, Ava Goddard, 19, of Hollins Green, as Kate Bush, Teri Bennett, 18, of Great Sankey, as Christina Aguilera, and Charlotte Hughes, 17, from Thelwall, as Britney Spears.
Police hunt two thugs
after violent robbery
by David Skentelbery
POLICE at Warrington are hunting two thugs who carried out a particularly violent robbery in the town centre.
A man was punched and kicked about the head when he tried to stop the offenders from grabbing his girl friend?s handbag.
He was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries received in the attack in Museum Street, Warrington on Saturday night.
Police said the man, aged 44, was walking along the street with his 38-year-old girl friend when they were approached from behind by two men.
They tried to grab the woman?s handbag and in the struggle which followed, the 44-year-old suffered serious injuries from kicks and punches to the head.
Afterwards, the offenders ran off along Bold Street in the direction of Palmyra Square.
One of the men was described as about 28, of medium build and about 5ft 7 inches tall. He had dark hair and was wearing a dark top and three quarter length dark trousers with white stripes on them.
The second man was also about 28 but was thin with a shaved heard and was about 5ft 4 inches. He was wearing a dark tracksuit top with three white stripes on the sleeves. He was wearing a football shirt underneath.
A police spokesman said: ?This was a particularly violent attack.?
Anyone who witnessed the attack or who has any information about it is asked to call Det Sgt Keith McCausland on 01244 613833.
Christmas concert already
nearly a sell-out
by staff reporter
JUST days after tickets going on sale, the Saturday Christmas Concert by Warrington Male Voice Choir is almost a sell-out.
John Knowles, the choir’s ticket administrator said: “Our Parr Hall Christmas Concerts have been sell-out performances for over a decade. This year the extra demand has been overwhelming. The growing success of themed concerts, This England! and Last Night of the Proms, has attracted many new audience members.
“An unprecedented advance demand has resulted in the total sell-out of circle seats for the performance on December 17, and sales of stalls tickets are not far behind.?
Regular concert-goers are advised to book early for the show on Friday, December 16, which is also expected to be popular.
The Saturday concert will be a showcase for choir president and Mayor of Warrington, Coun Hans Mundry, to play host to many of the region’s civic leaders. Special audience guests will include the Mayor and Mayoress of Douglas, Isle of Man, and Scottish singing star Moira Anderson.
Guest brass band for this year is Leyland Brass, and soloist, the Manx soprano Karen Elliott.
Six arrested after
undercover operation
by staff reporter
SIX men have been arrested as a result of a covert operation by police at Warrington.
The operation, involving extensive enquiries and an analysis of town centre CCTV footage, was launched in response to a number of serious assaults committed in the town centre, mainly at weekends, over a period of several months.
Three are appearing before magistrates in the town today.
A 19 year old man is charged with three assaults and one offence of affray, a 21 year old man is charged with two offences of affray and one wounding and the third is a 20 year old man charged with assault and affray. All are from the Orford area.
Another three men, also from the Orford area, are due to appear before Warrington Magistrates in December.
The three, aged 18, 22 and 29 all faces a charge of affray.
Schools to receive
quality awards
by staff reporter
THREE schools in Warrington are being presented with Primary Quality Mark awards today (Tuesday).
Pat Collard, assistant director of the Basic Skills Agency will be presenting the awards during a visit to the town.
Primary Quality Mark awards will be presented to Statham Primary School, Lymm and Oakwood Avenue Primary, Warrington.
Green Lane Special School, Warrington will receive Primary Quality Mark and Secondary Quality Mark awards.
Pat Collard will spend some time meeting staff and pupils at all three schools.
Caravan blaze
FIRE crews were called to Adlington Court, Birchwood, Warrington du
ring the night to deal with a fire involving a caravan.
The caravan is believed to have been abandoned on the site by travellers and is thought to have been set alight deliberately, although not maliciously.
Firefighters extinguished the blaze and there was no damage to surrounding property.
