World Cup soccer fans
get a “binge” warning
by John Hendon
SOCCER fans in binge town Warrington have been warned of the likely penalty of drinking too much while watching World Cup games.
Whether they are watching games on the big screen at the local pub, or knocking back a few cans at home while an armchair spectator, the message is the same: ?Make sure you think drink-wise? Health chiefs at the Primary Care Trust, the borough council and the police have joined forces to promote sensible and safe drinking throughout the duration of the biggest competition in football.
As thousands prepare for a massive dose of World Cup fever, the message is clear: ?If you are going to drink, enjoy it but don’t overdo it!?
Warrington has the ninth highest level of binge drinking in the North West and alcohol now significantly reduces the life expectancy of both men and, increasingly, women in the town.
This, along with a growing number of alcohol related hospital admissions, places a huge burden on the NHS.
It is recommended men drink no more than three to four units of alcohol a day, which equals two pints of normal strength lager or bitter. For women the limit is two or three units a day, which could be two small glasses of wine.
Jane Knight, health promotion specialist for the Primary Care Trust, said: “Exceeding recommended levels of alcohol on a regular basis or through binge drinking will build-up your beer belly and your chances of developing diseases, such as heart disease, stroke and high blood pressure, associated with weight gain.
?Drinking too much will also increase your risk of depression, insomnia, and high blood pressure. More serious effects can include memory loss, liver and brain damage.
“Drinking sensibly doesn’t mean missing out on the fun of the World Cup. Taking precautions to keep safe and well before a night out – such as eating before you drink or having a non-alcoholic drink before every alcoholic one – will help you and those around you have a good time as well.”
One in five violent crimes occur in or around pubs and clubs and 80 per cent of assaults in nightlife areas are related to alcohol. Correspondingly, people who visit pubs and clubs more frequently are more likely to be victims of violence.
Drunk and disorderly behaviour, including urinating or vomiting in the street, could earn an ?80 fine, while a prosecution for fighting in the street or an associated crime could result in a prison sentence.
Chief Inspector Dave Griffin of Warrington Police said: “We want to make sure our towns and neighbourhoods are vibrant places to live, work and socialise at all times. During the World Cup my officers will continue to employ a range of measures to ensure that any disorder is dealt with swiftly and decisively.
“We are urging people to enjoy the World Cup responsibly, by not drinking to excess”, he concluded.
Hikers recreate historic
“Farmer’s Walk”
by David Skentelbery
NEARLY 20 walkers from Glazebury, near Warrington, walked 26 miles in the footsteps of their ancestors – hoping to hitch a lift in a boat!
No boats materialised at the appropriate time but five of the party completed the trek in a day while the others broke the journey at Gathurst and took two days.
The walkers recreated the “Farmers Walk” between Glazebury and the village of Sollom, near Southport – re-establishing a link dating back to the 19th century when the mosses around Glazebury were being prepared for farming.
The work was carried out by experienced farm workers from the Sollom area who had already converted their own local mosses to agricultural land.
Each Sunday they would walk the 26 miles to Glazebury, with most of their route along the towpath of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. After five and-a-half days’ hard work they would walk back to Sollom on Saturday afternoon.
Over the years many settled in Glazebury – and a group of their successors decided to recreate the walk.
But walk leader John Bent made a disturbing discovery – the canal towpath between Parbold and Gathurst was closed for about a third of a mile forcing a four mile detour to get back on track.
He said: “The detour would have made the walk too difficult for many walkers and the use of cars to drive around the detour would be contrary to the spirit of the walk.
“So we were hoping to find a boat owner prepared to ferry the walkers along the 600 yards closed stretch.”
In fact, no boat showed up at the right time – but the walkers were relieved to be allowed to walk along the “closed” section of footpath and avoid the length detour. On their return to Glazebury they all enjoyed a champagne celebration! All the “farmers” were walking in aid of charities linked to Glazebury Methodist Church – the Kath Hilton Memorial Fund, in memory of a retired teacher who died while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro for charity last year and the Phakamisa Project, which supports carers and orphans in South Africa. The total amount raised is not yet known, but at least two walkers raiders ?200 each.
Nobby Clarke dies
after long illness
by staff reporter
THE death has occurred of Derek “Nobby” Clarke – the former Warrington player who went on to become the club’s trainer and was chairman of the Past Players Association.
He died in hospital after a nine-year battle with cancer.
Affectionately known as “Nobby”, Derek, aged 72, had played an active role at Warrington RL Club for more than 40 years.
Tributes are pouring in from Rugby League players, officials and supporters from all over the country.
For a more detailed report on Mr Clarke’s death, go to our Warrington Wolves page by clicking here
Beat bobbies praised
for tackling yob problem
by staff reporter
BEAT bobbies at Woolston, Warringtgon, have been praised for driving down anti-social behaviour in three “hot spot” areas.
At a police Community Action Meeting (CAM) in the area residents were informed that incidents of youth nuisance at Holes Lane/New Cut Lane, Dam Lane shops/Grange area and Parksway had fallen by 50 per cent.
The reduction is due to targeted patrols, school visits and test purchases at local off licenses and the officers’ efforts have been recognised. The public agreed at the meeting how much better the areas are as a result of this focused policing. And a local retailer has also written to police congratulating officers for their work and support.
Action taken by the officers has included:
53 stop checks
Regular patrols at schools with a number of advisory notices and fixed penalty notice tickets issued
10 individuals cautioned for drugs offences
One youth made the subject to an ABC (Acceptable Behaviour Contract)
All local off licenses passed recent “test purchasing” exercises which aim to ensure that alcohol isn’t being sold to those underage.
Residents voted for police and partner agencies to focus on nuisance youths for the next nine weeks, but this time at three different locations, an alleyway between Warren Lane and Hall Road, Church of the Ascension and Woolston Leisure Centre, parkland to the rear of Nottingham Close, Lincoln Close and Cliftonville Road and the sports building on Hillock Lane opposite Hill Top Road.
Patrols are planned to take place at the weekends during the evenings and early hours of the morning when youths are known to gather in these locations.
Community Action Team (CAT) sergeant Michelle Rice said: “It was a very positive meeting and I was pleased to see so many people in attendance. As well as encouraging residents to vote at their local CAM, we are also appealing to anyone who would like to get involved with the local Community Speed Watch scheme by assisting PCSOs with the monitoring of traffic speeds.”
The next CAM is due to take place on August 31 at 7.30pm at the Church of the Ascension, Warren Lane, Woolston. Officers will be reporting back
on the progress made before setting the next priority.
Icing on the cake
for “brickie” Daniel
by staff reporter
BRICKWORK student Daniel Cahill is enjoying the sweet taste of success after getting through to the final round of Warrington Collegiate’s ?Anything You Can Do? contest.
The Generation Game-style event is being filmed as part of the Collegiate’s contribution to Warrington’s Big Idea project ? the community TV channel which will broadcast online later this year.
Staff and students from the college have been trying their hand at a variety of tasks during each stage of the contest.
Instead of slapping mortar onto bricks with a trowel, Daniel delicately applied icing to a cake with a knife in the semi finals of the competition.
He will now face the famous conveyor belt, complete with cuddly toy, in the final on June 16th.
