Council workers set
to strike again
by David Skentelbery
COUNCIL workers in Warrington are to stage their second one-day strike on Thursday, April 27 in the ongoing row over pensions.
The stoppage ? which is expected to involve a wide range of workers ? will affect local authorities across the North West.
Other regions are likely to be hit on the two preceding days as angry union bosses roll-out the stoppages across the country.
It is understood that further stoppages are planned and that one could be on May 4 ? the day of the local council elections.
This could plunge the elections into chaos as tellers and polling both staff could be on strike.
Candidates in the Warrington elections have been told that if there is a strike on May 4, the count could be delayed until the following day.
The council had to bring in agency workers last week to clear a backlog of refuse following the first strike the previous week.
It is understood the men rejected an offer of an extra ?43 per man, with an extra ?51 for drivers to clear the backlog – and that the cost of the agency workers was ?110 each.
Shopmobility given new
electronic wheelchair
by staff reporter
AN ELECTRONIC wheelchair was donated to Warrington’s Shopmobility, now located off Scotland Road, by Tony Ashton, proprietor of local business Independent Lifestyles.
He is pictured here with vice chairman of Warrington Disability Partnership Victor Pomfrett who received the donation.
Victor said it was a “fantastic donation” and would be of great benefit to members.
Shopmobility has been moved to Scotland Road because of the re-development of Golden Square and the demolition of the Legh Street car park.
WDP’s Easter tombola and raffle is launched today (Saturday) in the rear hall of Warrington Market, and runs for a week. And on Thursday April 13, there is a Coffee Morning and Quiz at the Dallam Day Centre. Both events are to raise money for improvements to the wheelchair-accessible “Wizard” narrow boat.
Students’ guessing
game with X-rays
HORRIFIC shooting injuries and broken backs were highlights of a talk by a leading medic to college students in Warrington.
Liverpool Royal’s chief radiographer, Helen Jones, described some of the injuries she has encountered to pre-medical course students at Priestley College.
X-rays graphically showed the impact of gunshot injuries on bones and head and skull wounds.
Helen was making a return to the college from where she graduated 17 years ago.
Said Jan Costello, head of science and maths: “It was a guessing game for us to work out which foreign objects had made their way into the human body – or, indeed, which bones had been affected by injury”.
Businessman installed
as new High Sheriff
by Terry Johnson
A WARRINGTON businessman behind a string of music stores and a lollipop company has been installed to an ancient office with its English roots 1,000 years old.
David Briggs became Cheshire’s new High Sheriff at a ceremony at stately Tatton Park, near Knutsford.
For the past quarter-century, Mr Briggs has been managing director of Warrington-based Dawson Music Ltd, whose chain of 11 musical instrument stores covers Cheshire, the North West and the South.
Mr Briggs is well-known in charity and voluntary circles as chairman of Warrington Youth Club since 1982 and also chairman of the Cheshire division of St. John Ambulance.
He qualified as a barrister in 1970.
Mr Briggs is also chairman of Bolton sweets company, Maxilin Ltd., the UK’s largest manufacturer of lollipops.
His duties as High Sheriff include attendance at Royal visits to Cheshire, escorting circuit judges and acting as Returning Officer for Parliamentary elections.
Forty guests attended the installation ceremony, including senior clergy, council executives and the judiciary.
Woman killed
in car crash
by David Skentelbery
A 22-year-old woman was killed early today when her car careered off the road and crashed into a tree near Warrington.
The accident occurred on the A50 Knutsford Road at High Legh, near its junction with Cliffe Lane and a short distance from the Bear’s Paw public house.
No other vehicle appears to have been involved in the crash. The woman – who has not yet been named – died at the scene.
Police are appealing for witnesses, in particular a man who knocked at the door of a nearby house and asked for emergency services to be called.
The woman’s Renault Clio car was travelling in the direction of Knutsford.
Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 01244 613694.
Centre offers help
for young runaways
by staff reporter
A CENTRE set up to help young runaways is holding an Awareness Week in Warrington.
The Relationships Centre is a local charity giving advice, emotional support and counselling to people in violent, abusive or unhealthy relationships.
Its ‘Talk…Don’t Walk’ project targets young runaways and the problems they face.
Project Manager, Alison McCausland, said: “Many young people run away due to serious and often long-standing problems within the family home. Their running away is linked to a number of problems they may be experiencing at school and in their personal life”.
The Awareness Week, starting on May 15, would spell out options to the ‘dangerous’ action of running away.
White goods firm
doubles turnover
by business staff
A WHITE goods company which launched in Warrington three-and-a-half years ago has produced ?champagne? results.
Business fizzed for Premium Appliance Brands which more than doubled turnover in a challenging market.
The company recorded ?11.3m, compared with ?5.6m turnover in 2004.
Managing director Guy Weaver said: “Many companies lost considerable revenue and business in the tough market of 2005. But there is always room for growth if you are providing retailers and consumers with a well-designed product that is stylish, practical and competitively priced”.
Premium Appliance Brands has been awarded the title Warrington Start-Up Business of the Year and has also been named one of the 50 UK ompanies to watch in 2006.
The firm has expanded its floorspace in Warrington and upped staff from 14 to 23.
Law firm lands
commendation
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON solicitors, Avalon, have been highly commended in the AXA Small to Medium Businesses of the Year Awards – dubbed by Gordon Brown as the ‘Business Oscars’.
The SMB Awards recognise entrepreneurship and innovation.
Management excellence in growing a business is highlighted.
