Editor jailed
– for charity!
by staff reporter
MEMBERS of the Warrington business community were put behind bars to help raise funds for charity at St Rocco?s Hospice’s annual jailbreak.
The event took place at Stockton Heath Police Station and those who stood in the dock included Warrington-Worldwideeditor Gary Skentelbery – accused of impersonating a newspaper editor!
Gary was found guilty and despatched to the cells but was eventually released after obtaining nearly ?2,000 in pledges.
It is hoped around ?20,000 will be raised when all bail money is handed in by the inmates.
This year will see 15 top local businesses support St Rocco?s Hospice through their jailbreak activities including Rsalie Barton from Warrington Collegiate, Birchwood centre Manager Gary Jones, Harry Moffatt from Harry’s cabs, Coun Jeff Richards, hospice fund-raiser Abi Taleb and Hospice Matron Beth Eccles.
Locked up with only a ?cell? phone and a pledge sheet, ?prisoners? called upon friends, family and colleagues in order to raise enough ?bail? to secure their release.
Each inmate had to raise a minimum of ?500 for St Rocco?s before the ?magistrate? (chairman of Trustees for the Hospice, Coun Celia Jordan MBE) would grant them bail.
St Rocco?s Hospice is Warrington?s only hospice. It cares for patients with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses, provides in-patients and day care, along with family and bereavement support. The hospice needs to raise ?1.7 million each year in running costs. All money is raised locally by the people of Warrington.
Anyone still wishing to sponsor Gary can do so via the website www.justgiving.com/garyskent
Pictures from the event can be viewed by CLICKING HERE
Storm over plans for
former country club
by David Skentelbery
A STORM has broken over plans to convert a former country club into 30 retirement apartments at Glazebrook, near Warrington.
Villagers have lodged strong objections to the application by club owner Christine Lucas to convert the building in Bank Street, Glazebrook.
Rixton with Glazebrook Parish Council is opposing the scheme on the grounds the three-storey development would have a damaging visual impact on the green belt, the inadequacy of local roads and a lack of shops, health facilities and public transport for what is an isolated site.
Over the year, 18 previous applications have been submitted to Warrington Borough Council for a variety of uses.
Plans for a house were refused in 1999.
In its heyday, Glazebrook County Club had a restaurant, bar, gymnasium, badminton and squash courts and staged cabaret with big-name artists. But it closed in 1991 after a major electrical explosion. Since then it has stood empty – ravaged by vandals and hooligans.
Some years ago travellers moved onto the site with 56 caravans and numerous lorries and cars. Mrs Lucas had to take legal action to get them removed – and afterwards erected fencing and mounding to prevent them from returning. But council bosses ordered her to remove it – because she hadn’t got planning permission.
Mrs Lucas says she still has problems with travellers, vandalism, arson and general abuse of the site.
She says six of the apartments would be “affordable” homes.
But planning officers say the development would add to an oversupply of housing land in the borough and the site is unsuitable for retirement homes because of its isolated nature.
Police still seeking help
over security van robbery
THIS is the Volvo car used by the masked raiders who stole around ?500,000 in cash from a security van on the Grange Industrial Estate at Woolston, Warrington on Wednesday.
Detectives investigating the robbery are appealing to the public for information about the whereabouts of the car since it was stolen in May last year from the Leeds area.
Also pictured is one of the cash bags missing from the Securitas van.
Eleven are missing from the van, each containing a smaller bag which in turn contained cash.
A police spokesman said: ?If you do come across one of these or have seen any of the bags since the robbery you should contact police.? Forensic analysis of the Securitas van is continuing but examination of the lorry and tractor used in the raid ? both stolen from the Humberside area ? has been completed.
Det Chief Insp Judi Heaton said: ?The investigation is very much active and police have received a good response from the public so far. We still need people to contact us if they have any information that can assist the enquiry.
“I would like to reiterate that at this stage there is nothing to suggest any link to the recent robbery at the Securitas depot in Kent.”
The amount of money stolen is between ?500,000 and ?600,000.
Anyone with information should call CID in Warrington on 01244 614893 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Warning over “bargains”
at one day sales
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON people are being advised to take care when attending one-day sales, often held in hotels, to avoid disappointment with their purchases.
People are being urged not to buy goods unless they examine them carefully and not to be drawn in by the initial free gifts or “very cheap” prices.
Warrington Borough Council Trading Standards department have issued the advice following complaints from people who attend the sales, which generally only last a couple of hours.
Officers say huge discounts are often advertised, but in some cases only a few of these are available on the day.
They advise people to be sure of what they are buying and that they feel the goods are worth the asking price, and to ensure they do not confuse brand names that sound similar to famous names.
People are also advised to ensure they have enough information about the company so they can trace them if there is a problem with the goods, and that if they buy something and later change their mind they have no legal rights to a refund.
Coun Pat Wright, Executive Board member for community services, said: “I would advise anyone who is thinking about going to one day sales and auctions to take note of the advice given by the council’s trading standards to avoid any disappointment on the day.”
Warning to drivers as
speed cops target town
by John Hendon
DRIVERS are being urged to watch their speed and slow down as officers armed with radar guns take to the streets of Warrington targeting speeding hotspots.
Over the next two months a campaign to improve safety on local roads will target drivers who are breaking the speed limit or driving too fast to be safe.
Officers will educate drivers about safety, as well as enforcing the traffic laws.
Sgt Yvonne Williams said: “There is clear evidence that excessive speed either for the road conditions or the limit of the road is a significant factor in the causation of road traffic collisions.
“All too often we see the devastating consequences of speeding and the victim is very often an innocent person who is someone’s loved one or friend.?
There have been 15 fatal collisions since January across Cheshire, four of which have occurred in the Northern Area.
Officers will educate drivers about the dangers of drink driving and using a mobile phone whilst behind the wheel, and highlight the dangers of speeding in a bid to prevent further collisions and to save lives.
Sgt Williams said: “Being in a hurry, late for a meeting, or simply not paying due care and attention to your speedometer is no excuse for putting your own or other’s lives at risk. Watch your speed and better still slow down.”
The operation runs until Sunday April 30.
New look bedrooms
with ?1.5m price tag
by Lesley Wilkinson
GUESTS can enjoy new-look bedrooms at the Park Royal Hotel, Stretton,
Warrington, which mark the first phase of a ?3.8 million refurbishment programme.
Owners QHotels has invested ?1.5 million to upgrade the 142 bedrooms. The stylish rooms feature a new design in tranquil shades of green, with crimson and amethyst highlights.
Four additional bedrooms have been created including new deluxe rooms and luxurious junior suites.
General manager Yvonne Jackson said: “The new bedrooms look fantastic, really fresh and vibrant, and this is reflected in the positive feedback from guests.
“The availability of WiFi and Sky TV in all rooms has also been warmly welcomed by our business travellers.?
The second stage of work has started with the renovation of the main reception area. Future work will include the complete refurbishment of the bar and restaurant, the conference facilities and leisure club.
The programme is set to conclude in the autumn and is part of QHotels’ wider investment of over ?50 million across its eight hotels throughout the country.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 2, 12 and 13 – but the jackpot went begging which means that next week’s top prize will be ?500. The consolation prize of ?25 was won by “Kate”.
Temporary closure
HAWLEY’S Lane, Warrington is to be temporarily closed to traffic from March 20 to around April 7 while work is carried on resurfacing the road. An alternative route, involving the A49 Winwick Road, Kerfoot Street, Folly Lane and Longshaw Street will be signposted.
Caravan access
PLANNERS have thrown out proposals for a new access for Holly Bank Caravan Park in Warburton Bridge Road, Rixton near Warrington.
Footpath closure
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order to introduce a temporary footpath closure on the south east side of Mersey Street, near its junction with Hall Street, while Street while work goes out on the diversion of underground equipment.
