Two men charged
with separate murders
by staff reporter
TWO men have been charged with murder, following two completely separate investigations by police at Warrington.
Barry Stone, aged 31, of Warrington has been charged with the murder of 22-year-old Nicola Sutton at Birchwood on Tuesday, September 26.
Dene Hickey, aged 43, also of Warrington, has been charged with the murder of a 50-year-old Warrington man at Orford on Thursday, September 28. Police stress there is no connection between the two deaths.
Both men are to appear before Warrington Magistrates today (Monday).
Regional fire control
centre wins
government backing
by Terry Johnson
A CONTROVERSIAL Warrington hub for fire and rescue services across the North West has received powerful Government backing.
Supporters of the new regional centre say it would be capable of responding to large-scale disasters and terrorist attacks.
But the Fire Brigades Union says plans for nine such UK super-centres, to replace 46 existing control units, are ?wasteful and dangerous?.
The Warrington centre is due to open at Lingley Mere Business Park, Great Sankey, in 2008.
It would be staffed by controllers transferred from existing control centres in Winsford, Swinton, Bootle, Preston and Cockermouth, although some new jobs would be created.
FBU President Ruth Winters, said: “To do this at any time would be dangerous and irresponsible. But the gamble with the efficiency of the fire service at a time when the threat of terrorism makes its efficiency a matter of life and death for all of us is almost criminally irresponsible.”
The union’s Warrington branch claims the centre’s technology is untested.
A Government statement on the issue says nine new networked centres would be able to step in if one were to fail or be overloaded, unlike current centres. Data sent to the cab of emergency vehicles would include travel routes, floor plans of buildings and hazards, water supplies and even how to dismantle various types of cars.
Wolves donate signed
shirt to students’ fund
by John Hendon
FUNDRAISING by Warrington students for a school in East Africa has been boosted by a donation from the Wolves rugby team.
Warrington Wolves offered to sign a replica playing shirt, which will be auctioned at Priestley College to help raise funds for its Runo School Appeal.
Students are raising money to help build and fit out a school in the East African Rift Valley in Kenya.
Captain Lee Briers and star import Paul Rauhihi handed over the shirt to four of the students who will visit Kenya in February on a fieldwork trip.
The college students are regular visitors to Runo and on the last trip were unhappy about the conditions in which orphaned children were taught. Since then staff and students have pledged their support to help build a new school.
Curriculum manager for Early Years and Health and Social Care Bev Whittaker said: “It was superb for us to be able to get both the support from the Wolves and the signed jersey.
“We are sure the auction item will be hot property on campus as our appeal begins to gather further momentum ahead of our next visit to Kenya in five months time.?
Binmen poised to strike
over new contracts
by David Skentelbery
BINMEN at Warrington are poised to take strike action.
They have voted in favour of industrial action ? possibly a strike ? in the ongoing row over the introduction of new contracts.
The vote runs contrary to claims by the borough council that all binmen ? and street sweepers, parks and cemetery workers covered by the same deal ? have signed the new contracts.
There will now be a three week period during which the men decide on what action to take.
Town Hall chiefs say the new contract modernises the environmental management service and will lead to most employees getting better pay and conditions while also improving the service to the public.
Union chiefs have said many workers will end up ?50-a-week worse off.
It is understood 70 per cent of affected staff took part in the ballot ? and 70 per cent voted in favour of industrial action.
Three unions are involved in the dispute, Unision, T&G and GMB. A meeting is due to take place today (Monday) to discuss what action will be taken if no agreement can be reached with the council.
A Town Hall spokesman said it was ?disappointing? that the men had voted for industrial action. But it was intended to press ahead with plans to modernise the service.
Musician Chris joins
up with childhood hero
by Lesley Wilkinson
WARRINGTON musician Chris Braide is “highly delighted” to be working with one of his childhood heros – Trevor Horn best known from 70s group The Buggles.
Former Woolston High School pupil Chris has joined other “back room” musicians to form a band, “The Producers.”
After years of producing some of the world’s best-selling songs, they have decided to form a band performing some of their favourite songs to live audiences.
Chris’ father Ken Braide, of Warrington, said: “Chris is highly delighted to be working with the great Trevor Horn, one of his idols since he was a small boy listening to The Buggles in his early years.
“Chris is now involved with his own production company and is setting up his own studio in Shepherds Bush, London, in between his busy life as a songwriter. He says he never thought he would ever get to work with Trevor Horn, but hey, one never knows!?
Trevor Horn produced bands such as ABC, Frankie Goes to Hollywood and the charity group Band Aid and their hit “Do They Know It’s Christmas.”
Stephen Lipson, producer and songwriter, who has worked with Annie Lennox, Grace Jones and Will Young, and Lol Cr?me, who supplied guitar and vocals for British rock band 10cc, also join the band. Ash Soan, a drummer formerly of Del Amitri, completes the line-up.
Chris, who has a one-year-old son, is a singer, songwriter and record producer. He wrote number one single “Anything Is Possible” for Pop Idol winner Will Young.
Chris has been interested in music since he was seven when he learned to play the piano. He had his first publishing deal at the age of 17. He has worked with a variety of artists including Kylie Minogue and S Club 7.
Photographic society’s
new winter programme
by staff reporter
A SERIES of talks are planned by Warrington Photographic Society as its new season gets underway.
The season started with the president?s opening talk and then the social evenings continue with Lands of the North by landscape photographer Paul Gallagher, the History of Burtonwood and a black and white special.
Future events include Accidents, Disasters and Ariel by a police photographer, underwater photography, steam railways and an evening of portrait and fashion photography, with expert tuition and a model.
The group’s new digital equipment, courtesy of a lottery grant, will be fully used with digital, digital AV and possibly a digital competition. There will also be members’ evenings, monthly and external competitions.
The group meets on Tuesdays at 7.30pm at the Quays Community Centre, Thelwall. New members are welcome and anyone interested should go along or contact Shawn Brierley on 01925 232495.
Early warning of perils
of a cold winter
by Terry Johnson
AFTER one of the warmest autumn season’s on record, health experts have sent out an early warning of the risks of winter ?Killer Cold.?
But a setback to campaigners is delay in making available the protective flu vaccine to the over-65s.
Health and social care staff at Warrington have been joined by MP Helen Jones in stressing the need for elderly and vulnerable people to keep warm and well this winter.
A Winter Warm Conference is to be held on October 5 at the Gateway Centre, San
key Street, to be followed by an afternoon information event for older people.
“Many older people in Warrington are at risk from winter-related illnesses caused by the cold, poor housing and flu infection”, stated Ms Jones. “The UK sees 30,000 extra deaths due to winter cold”.
Older people visiting the Gateway Centre on Thursday afternoon can visit 20 information stalls – ranging from home improvement grants, flu awareness to complementary therapies.
The town’s Primary Care Trust says: “Unfortunately the flu vaccine will not be available at the event, as advertised. People aged 65-plus will be able to organise their flu vaccination with their own GP – when it becomes available”.
Soccer star Danny to
take on Kiwi tourists
by Terry Johnson
TEENAGE footballing sensation Danny Toone, from Warrington, will be representing North of England schools against a touring New Zealand side at Northwich FC’s Victoria Stadium.
The 18-year-old Priestley College student is on the books of Warrington Town. He takes his place in a side selected from counties from Northumberland to Warwickshire.
The talented left-back is a product of Crewe Alexandra’s Youth Academy, where he played for seven years. He intends combining professional football with his BTEC National in Sport studies.
Richard Donnelly, of Priestley’s sports department, said: “We are thrilled with Danny’s success, which comes at a key stage in his footballing career”.
