NEWS FLASH
M62 closed by crash
POLICE closed the M62 between Junctions 7 and 8 at Burtonwood, near Warrington at 1.35pm today after a pile up involving a heavy lorry, a van and a Ford Mondeo. They warned that the motorway would be closed for several hours and advised drivers to seek alternative routes.
One driver was taken to hospital by ambulance and fire crews from Newton-le-Willows were helping Highways Agency officers to help manage traffic and clean up any debris.
The crash occurred on the Cheshire-Merseyside border. Drivers can call the Highways Agency information line on 0845 750 4030 for traffic information.
Binmen poised for
second strike
by David Skentelbery
BINMEN at Warrington are to strike a second time in the on-going dispute with the borough council over plans to modernise the environmental management service.
They plan a two-day stoppage early next month ? probably on Wednesday and Thursday November 8 and 9 ? unless some agreement can be reached before then.
Cemetery workers and street sweepers are also involved in the dispute which essentially means putting the workers on a four-day week in return for a longer working day.
Council chiefs claim the changes will mean most employees will benefit from improved pay and conditions and a higher level of service. But unions representing the workers ? Unison, GMB and T and G ? claim some workers could be up to ?50-a-week worse off.
Refuse collections were disrupted during the first strike ? a one-day stoppage on Wednesday October 18. Since then, workers have been operating a work-to-rule and overtime ban.
The council has put in place contingency plans to clear the backlog.
They are asking residents to put out their bins ? including the blue and green paper and garden refuse bins ? on the normal day. But if they are not collected, they are asked to take the bins in again.
A council spokesman said: ?The industrial action will not affect the council’s intention to modernise the Environmental Management Service. This will lead to most employees benefiting from improved pay and conditions. It will also provide a significantly higher level of service for local people in return for more flexible and effective working.?
Duke presents Royal
Seal of approval
by Gary Skentelbery
A pioneering Warrington event has been given the Royal seal of approval.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester visited Warrington to officially present The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to Disability Awareness Day.
The Duke honoured the event in a ceremony at the Town Hall where Dave Thompson MBE, Chair of Warrington Disability Partnership, collected the award on behalf of all those involved.
During the presentation Dave outlined the achievements of the partnership and Disability Awareness Day, which is is Europe’s largest annual voluntary event on disability and now in its 15th year.
Dave explained how the event, which is now being replicated at various venues across the UK and Europe and soon to be America, aims to show the wide variety of services available to the nation’s 10.8 million disabled people and to help them live as independently as possible.
Each year exhibitors, support groups, services or companies supplying the latest equipment showcase at Walton Gardens. The day also provides the opportunity to show what disabled people can do in the world of darts and sports.
The Duke also visited the Centre for Independent Living on Beaufort Street where he took a tour of the facilities, met with staff and volunteers and learned about some of the work done at the centre.
Dave said: “This award is real recognition of all of the work that goes into Disability Awareness Day and a real testament of the hard work of the thousands of volunteers who have made the event a success.”
Town to host women’s
rugby union match
AN important women?s Rugby Union match is to be played at Warrington on Sunday, November 12.
Cheshire will take on Lancashire in the women?s county championships at Warrington Sports Club in Walton Lea Road.
Hosts Warrington RUFC are hoping for a good turn-out for the game.
In the Cheshire line-up will be Natasha Corns, who has been developing a women?s side with Warrington RUFC for several months and has already been selected to play for the county on several occasions.
Kick-off is at 2pm.
This Saturday, the Cheshire squad will be training at Walton Lea.
Hotel evacuated after
blaze in basement
by David Skentelbery
A TOWN centre hotel was evacuated at Warrington after fire broke out in the basement.
Staff and guests from the Patten Arms Hotel, outside Bank Quay Station, fled as dense smoke filled the building.
Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus and using dry powder extinguishers tackled the blaze, which involved the electrical intake to the building.
Wilson Patten Street and Parker Street were closed for a time and this brought traffic chaos to the town centre.
A Fire Service spokesman said: ?It was fortunate the fire broke out during the day, when there were few people in the hotel. If it had been at night, it would have been much more serious.?
The basement, ground floor and first floor were affected by smoke.
An investigation has been launched into the cause of the outbreak.
Tax dodgers and benefit
cheats brought to book
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SERIES of checks on offenders ranging from benefit cheats to car tax dodgers were carried out at Warrington.
The initiative, led by Warrington Borough Council, also involved Cheshire Police, DVLA, and the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). It was aimed at tackling organised crime and ensuring that people complied with certain legislation.
It took place on the A562 Widnes Road, Penketh and a range of offences were tackled.
Results included the DVLA checking for un-taxed vehicles – one car clamped and one driver fined.
The council enforcement officers were checking for vehicles carrying waste – 40 vehicles checked, 14 notices issued.
A variety of notices were issued to drivers including a ticket for a defective tyre (?60 and three points), six fixed penalty notices (?30) to drivers not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone while driving or similar category offences.
Six drivers were issued with notices giving them 14 days to remedy defects, or face court action, 12 drivers were ordered to produce their driving documents within 14 days and 14 verbal warnings were given about general vehicle maintenance.
One tax disc was seized for possible fraudulent use and the VOSA checked the roadworthiness of vehicles and served 13 vehicle prohibitions.
The council’s benefit fraud investigators were also present gathering intelligence on benefit cheats and Trading Standards’ officers spoke with a number of businesses about dealing with cold calling.
Further similar operations are being planned in the town.
Coun Brian Axcell the borough council?s executive member for environment, said the initiative benefited from a multi agency approach.
“Some people may think that not having a tax disc, insurance and an MOT isn’t a big crime, but it is as for example if a motorist chooses to drive a car that is unsafe they are putting many people’s lives at risk. It is important that we raise awareness about these issues and make sure that people understand what it required,” he said.
Police spokesman Sgt Mike Jones added: “Research shows that such offences often lead to other forms of criminality. This joint operation aimed to disrupt that criminality, as well as issuing penalties for motoring offences. It’s about making the roads in Warrington safer for everyone.”
Woman suffers broken
arm in street robbery
by John Hendon
A 75-year-old woman suffered a broken arm and bruising when she was at
tacked and robbed by two youths in Willis Street, Warrington.
She was walking along Willis Street, from the direction of Fairfield Street when she saw two youths approaching from an alleyway.
As they passed her, one grabbed her shoulder bag and tried to pull it from her. She resisted at first but was eventually forced to let go when she lost her balance and fell to the ground.
The two youths ran off in the direction of Sainsbury’s, taking her cream coloured bag, which contained cash and store vouchers.
Both were aged about 16. One was about 6ft tall with short, black hair and was wearing a white jacket. The other had brown hair and wore a dark jacket.
Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. They should call DC Moira Hay on 01244 613835.
History project throws
up a local mystery
by David Skentelbery
A FORMER student teacher who was in Warrington in 1954-56 and is now writing a history of the former Padgate Teacher Training College has appealed for help from local people.
Elsie Newton is now secretary of the Padgate Old Students? Association and is researching for a book to be titled ?The Padgate Story: 1946-2006.? The book is intended to mark the 60th anniversary of Padgate as a centre for Higher Education beginning with the Emergency Training College set up for ex-servicemen after the war and ending with the change to University status.
Elsie, from Walton, Liverpool, was a student at Padgate Training College from 1954-56.
Her researches have thrown up a puzzle she is hoping someone locally may be able to solve.
At that time, local people referred to part of the college as ?Canada Hall? and it was understood it had originally been a camp for Canadian officers during the war. But Elsie has been told that, in fact, there were no Canadians there ? only Americans.
She said: ?If there were no Canadians there, why was it referred to as Canada Hall? If they were Canadians, where did the Americans fit in? I would love to hear from anyone who can give me accurate information before our book goes into print.?
Elsie would also welcome contributions from any former students of Padgate College, or the subsequent North Cheshire College, who were there at a time of significant change.
Research by Warrington-Worldwide indicates that the part of the college known as ?Canada House? was in fact later known as the Derek Newton Theatre, which after major refurbishment was re-opened as the North West Media Centre last year.
It is understood it is one of the few examples of a purpose-built theatre constructed during World War 2. But the origin of the name ?Canada House? remains a mystery.
Police clampdown on
“trick or treat” yobs
by Lesley Wilkinson
HALLOWEEN can be no “treat” for Warrington residents who may find themselves being harassed by youngsters.
Now police are taking action to stop unpleasant “trick or treat” visitors from intimidating people.
They are warning youths that in the run-up to Halloween, Tuesday October 31, troublemakers will not be tolerated. Police are clamping down on those who intimidate or harass residents.
Community Action Team officers across the borough are carrying out high visibility patrols at key times, particularly in the evenings, to prevent trouble.
Officers have already been out reminding parents of their responsibility to keep watch on what their children are up to during Halloween and asking them to help reduce the number of anti social behaviour incidents.
CAT officers have distributed special posters which local residents can display in their windows, saying “yes” or “no” to trick or treat callers. Copies of the poster can be downloaded in pdf format from the Cheshire Police website www.cheshire.police.uk
Police from other departments, including dog handlers, are supporting the CAT teams in the initiative, and action will be taken against offenders.
Insp Steve Precious said: “Local residents can rest assured that the tactics we are using will continue after October 31 in the run up to Bonfire Night to tackle any anti-social behaviour incidents involving fireworks.”
Officers are currently visiting firework retailers in conjunction with Trading Standards officers to ensure they are complying with legislation.
