100 firefighters
in all-night battle
by David Skentelbery
NEARLY 100 firefighters fought through the night to control a major fire in Warrington town centre.
Sixteen fire engines, plus two aerial appliances were involved in the operation at a multi-occupancy industrial unit in Norman Street, off Orford Lane.
The building was rocked by several explosions during the fire and two firefighters were taken to hospital, one with burns to his neck and another with something in his eye.
About 100 people, including children having dancing lessons, martial arts players and people watching the England match on television were evacuated from Evans House and 40 nearby residents of St Peter?s Way were evacuated from their homes.
Police set up a 200 metre exclusion zone which resulted in several road closure affecting the A49 Lythgoes Lane at its junction with Orford Lane, St Peter?s Way and Battersby Lane.
Three fire engines were still at the scene this morning, carrying out damping down operations.
A Fire Service spokesman said the building was divided into five units. The blaze started in a garage and spread to a paint store.
Poor water supplies in the area hampered fire crews. But they managed to prevent flames from spreading to adjoining properties.
Fire crews from Merseyside, Greater Manchester and other parts of Cheshire assisted local firefighters in the operation.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is now under way.
Shopper wounded
in machete attack
by David Skentelbery
A CUSTOMER in a Warrington newsagent?s shop was wounded with a machete during a bungled robbery.
The man suffered cuts to his arm and stomach in the raid at Martin?s newsagents in Admiral?s Way, Birchwood.
Two masked men burst into the shop at about 9.40pm ? one brandishing a machete.
There was a scuffle in the shop ? during which the customers received the cuts.
The raiders fled empty-handed after an intruder alarm was set off.
Police said the man with a machete was about 5ft 7 inches tall, of slim build and dressed all in black and wore gloves.
The second man was small and stocky and was wearing a dark, hooded top with a red rim. He had a scarf covering his face.
Detectives are appealing for witnesses of the raid to come forward. Anyone who has any information is asked to call 01244 613730.
Chance to win a piece
of World Cup history
by Gary Skentelbery
LOCAL charity Warrington Disability Partnership is holding a unique raffle throughout the World Cup campaign.
WDP has secured a signed replica 1966 England World Cup Winners shirt with the signatures of nine players from the legendary team including Geoff Hurst, Nobby Stiles and Martin Peters.
WDP spokesman Jon Menzies said: “Worth an estimated several thousand pounds and with only 500 tickets available at just ?5 each it could prove to be the best ?5 investment you?ll ever make!”
The signed 1966 England shirt will be on display with tickets available at the Golden Square?s World Cup event this Saturday June 24 10 – 4pm, Old Market Place.
Tickets are also available from Warrington Disability Partnership at their Beaufort Street office. Alternatively you can call WDP fundraiser Jon Menzies on 01925 240064 or by visiting online at www.disabilitypartnership.or.uk for further details of this great raffle prize.
Honour for wheelchair
archery champion
by Lesley Wilkinson
WHEELCHAIR archer John Stubbs, of Woolston, Warrington, has received an award in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
John, who is a world champion in his sport, has received the MBE for Services to Disabled Sport.
Last year, he took the gold medal in the compound-bow men’s open class final in the International Paralympic Archery World Championships at Massa Carrara, Italy.
He has been in a wheelchair since loosing one leg and becoming paralysed in the other in a road accident in 1989. He is a member of Warrington Wolves Archery Club.
Before concentrating on archery, John, a representative for a firm manufacturing lightweight wheelchairs, represented England at wheelchair cricket.
His family, friends and fellow archers are all delighted with news of his honour.
Mayor bikes
it to work
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON’S Mayor Linda Dirir got on her bike and cycled to work as part of National Bike Week.
The town’s first citizen was joined by her husband consort Allin as they cycled from their Penketh home to work at the Town Hall.
Coun Dirir, an enthusiastic environmentalist, decided to leave the Mayoral car in the garage and cycle to work as part of national Bike Week (17-25 June).
Together they cycled along the special cycleway alongside Sankey Way, and advanced planning meant they left a change of clothes at the Town Hall the day before.
Bike Week (17-25 June) is the UK’s annual celebration of cycling, with a mission to get ‘more people cycling more often’. It provides a unique opportunity to promote cycling as a great way to ‘have fun, get fit, feel free!
The Mayor’s theme for this year – environment, climate change and sustainability – is wholly supported by making a small change in the way people travel to work.
Coun Dirir who completed her journey in around 15 minutes, said: “Cycling to work, even if its only occasionally, is a great way to stay fit and healthy, and ‘do your bit’ to help reduce congestion and CO2 emissisions. Looking after our environment is very important for communities and for generations to come and it is important that we all take steps, both small and large, to help safeguard it.”
To celebrate this year, Council employees were offered a ‘Bike Buddy’ – a regular cyclist to ride alongside and help build the confidence of less experienced cyclists. Several staff have taken advantage of this scheme and as a result will cycle to work more often.
Pupils step
back in time
by Gary Skentelbery
PUPILS from Appleton Thorn Primary School turned back the clock to relive the medieval tradition of “Bawming the thorn.”
Youngsters from the Warrington school performed the traditional dance around the thorn tree in the village centre while others entered into the spirit of the occasion in fancy dress – many flying the flag for England in the World Cup.
The history of the event dates back to the crusades and the tree is believed to originate from the famous Glastonbury Thorn.
The ancient tradition was revived in the 1960’s when the original tree was blown down in gales and the bawming ceremony took place to mark the planting of the new tree.
Day centre’s double
cause for celebration
by Lesley Wilkinson
THERE was double cause for celebration at the Dallam Day Centre, Warrington, when it scooped two top awards.
Warrington Borough Council’s annual presentation was held as part of Adult Learner’s Week.
The centre, in Back Dallam Lane, was presented with the borough council’s Lifelong Learning Award and also picked up the Volunteer of the Year Award won by Caroline Hollingsworth.
Coun Roy Smith, the council?s executive member for community services, said: “Everyone at the centre should feel very proud of this double scoop. A tremendous amount of work is put in by all those involved with the centre and fully deserve this recognition.”
Dave Taylor, manager of the centre, said: “We are very proud of our links with Warrington Collegiate and work hard to design courses that meet people?s needs. Everyone at the day centre deserves full credit for these awards – it’s a fantastic recognition of people working in partnership.”
Health checks for
carers campaign
by staff reporter
LOOKING after a relative or friend who is sick or disabled can take its toll on the ca
rer, according to a Warrington charity.
Crossroads Caring for Carers has joined a national call for the NHS to provide regular health checks for carers in the area.
The charity currently provides 1,200 hours of support each week to carers in more than 200 families in Warrington, Liverpool and Sefton.
It cites a major national survey in which three quarters of carers revealed they suffered ill-health as a result of their caring activities, with stress and depression among the most common complaints.
Sean Barrett, Crossroads business manager, said: “It’s too a high a price to pay for people who put in such efforts and significantly alleviate the burden on the NHS.
“Carers are aged between eight and 80 and for many, it’s not just a matter of doing a weekly shop or cooking an occasional meal. The fact is that one in three people involved in looking after someone special spend more than 20 hours a week in that role.?
One in seven carers provide more than 50 hours care each week and for some it can be as much as 24 hours a day, seven days per week.
The health check for carers campaign follows a national survey of more than 5,600 carers. Three quarters said that their health had been affected by caring, and many said this affected their ability to care.
Only one in four carers have been offered a health check by their GP, but nine out of 10 believed that all carers should be offered the service.
The campaign, which is backed by several charities, wants the NHS to introduce regular health checks within 12 months of someone becoming a carer.
Sean said: “The role and importance of carers has for too long gone unrecognised and I hope that the campaign will generate this long-overdue change.”
Mobile shop
by staff reporter
A MOBILE shop offering fresh produce from the Walton Lea Project is touring south Warrington on Thursdays.
The shop will visit a variety of sites including Walton Hall Gardens car park at about 12noon.
It offer a range of seasonal fruit, vegetables, plants, eggs and honey, all from the project’s site.
