Gale force winds
bring chaos to town
by Gary Skentelbery
GALE force winds with gusts up to 100 mph brought Warrington to a standstill and caused major structural damage to a number of buildings including the Tesco store on Winwick Road.
The building which is less than three-years-old, had to be evacuated and cordoned off, after part of the roof was blown off.
Meanwhile part of a building collapsed at the Taylor Business Park at Risley and a number of employees were injured, although none of the injuries were believed to be life threatening.
Spokesman Paul Taylor said: “What appears to have happened is that a roof sheet popped off in the severe winds of up to 100mph and when the wind got underneath it, caused severe damage to the gable ends of the building.
“Some people were hurt by debris falling on them. The police, paramedics, ambulances and fire department were on here very, very quickly and we?re extremely thankful for all their help with this.
“The police recommended we evacuate the site in case any more debris started flying around off the roof. This was made even harder to do as a tree had been blown over on the entrance road, and vehicles couldn?t go near the exit road as the damaged roof was there.
“Fortunately the staff on site responded quickly and we had the tree moved into the field using our JCB,” he added.
At one stage yesterday (Thursday) all three motorways around Warrington, the M6, M62 and M56 were closed, including the Thelwall Viaduct after a number of vehicles, including a lorry were blown on their sides.
As a result Warrington town centre, which was also cordoned off due to falling trees and masonry, was completely gridlocked.
Council employees were warned to go home before darkness and many workers who live outside the town were left stranded as trains were also cancelled.
Warrington Borugh Transport battled on throughout the storm and any buses which failed to turn up were held up in traffic.
MD Nigel Featham said: “We are soldiering on no services were suspended, contrary to rumours.”
Elsewhere in the UK at least ten people were killed and many others were injured as the high winds and heavy downpours brought transport chaos and damage to buildings.
Richard Heard, 54, was killed on his way to his work as managing director of Birmingham Airport when a tree branch hit his car windscreen in Shropshire.
Another man, a passenger in a Ford Fiesta, died in Streatley, West Berkshire.
A lorry driver died when his vehicle left the road and overturned in high winds on the A629 Skipton western bypass in North Yorkshire.
A pensioner in her 60s was crushed when a wall collapsed on top of her in Marple, near Stockport in Cheshire and a 60-year-old man was killed by a falling tree while working on a site at Middlewich.
Flight arrivals were also suspended at Manchester airport.
Katy bids for next
African adventure
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON student Katy Quinn, 20 from Cinnamon Brow has kick started her new year by launching a campaign to find a financial sponsor for her second African adventure.
Having lived and been educated in the town all her life, from Locking Stumps Primary School to Birchwood High School, Priestley College and now to her second year at Warrington’s Chester University campus – Katy is working hard on a degree in Early Childhood Studies.
In August 2006, she spent three weeks in the Gambia working with young people helping to build new three new classrooms for the new President’s International Award Centre, as part of her Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Now she has set her sights on Kenya and Uganda.
Katy said: “I am one of the first students from the Warrington campus and full time resident of Warrington to be going to Kenya to teach. It is part of the successful Global Perspective scheme that the university runs giving all students the opportunity to learn abroad.
“As the university is a registered charity the students have to raise the money for this project. This year we have to raise ?1900 to cover flights, accommodation, food and insurance. In addition to that ?160 has to be raised for the medication I have to take whilst I am out there.”
Katy will use this year’s visit to Africa not only as part of her university studies but in working toward her Gold Youth Achievement Award.
Katy said: “People in Africa have very little but are so friendly and willing to help and go without for you. The smile and joy on the children’s faces when they’re given a pencil, football or Frisbee is a memory and image that remains with me forever.”
To contact Katy with your support, email her [email protected]
Party with a
difference!
by Mark Hemmings
A PARTY with a difference comes to Runcorn’s Brindley Theatre in January when the Warrington-based Centenary Theatre Company stage their next production, Abigail’s Party between January 30 and February 3 2007.
This modern classic play by Mike Leigh starred Alison Steadman and was a huge hit in 1977 when the BBC, as part of their “Influencial Play for Today” series, first screened it.
In its 30th anniversary year, Centenary will present a new production of this black comedy, which takes a satirical look at British social climbing in the 70’s.
Following auditions, Centenary’s cast will include, Julie Parry as Beverley, Daniel Grimes as Laurence, Clare Asprey as Angela, Seb Farrell as Tony and Cathryn Boyd as Susan.
A Centenary spokesperson said: “This is a perfect follow up to our most recent musical production, Hello Dolly!
“Clare Littlemore, is a new director for us and a member of Centenary who has played numerous lead roles in both musicals and plays with Centenary in recent years. She will do a great job.
“Once again Centenary is showing that it has both established and new talents to present a varied programme to entertain our audiences every year.”
Tickets for Abigail’s Party are now on sale by telephoning the Brindley Box Office on 0151 907 8360.
Church adopts
African village
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON’S Latchford Baptist Church has adopted a small African community and are now busy making plans to visit their adopted village.
Adopting the community of Uloma, in the Bondo district of Kenya, the small yet dedicated Latchford congregation are committed to improving the lives of the villagers there.
Deacon, Alan Critchley, who plans to visit the village in March, said: “We learned of the inconvenience to the villagers obtaining water from the river, having to walk four miles to collect their daily supply, usually by the children before they attend school in the morning at 7.30am.
“Many ways of helping were considered, but it was agreed that supplying water would be the most beneficial, and our first consideration was to provide the funding for a borehole.”
Starting the project, surveyors found a suitable site for the borehole and the digging began, by hand!
The preparation of a culvert and the primitive method by which the digger is lowered into the 75 feet deep shaft, mean that when the dig has been completed and the petrol driven pump attached the villagers will have clean water for the first time.
Alan said: “It’s the thought of the villagers being able to grow their own food and water their cattle that encourages us so much. Children will then be able to attend school without first having to carry water.”
All the funds raised are being controlled by a group of church people in the Uloma village with whom the Latchford congregation have direct contact.
Anyone who can offer financial help towards this essential project is advisd to make a donation to Latchford Baptist Church (marked for the Uloma appeal) Loushers Lane, Warrington, WA4 2RP.
Alan concluded: “Thank you to everyone who has assisted in the fundraising so far, your help has been amazing.”
MP urges sc
hools to
talk about cancer
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON North MP Helen Jones is supporting schools in Warrington who take part in Macmillan Cancer Support?s eleventh annual sponsored silence, The Big Hush, which takes place on Friday January 26 to mark the end of Cancertalk Week.
Cancertalk Week aims to get young people talking and learning more about cancer in schools. By getting involved in lessons and activities during the week and taking part in a story writing competition, children can increase their awareness of the disease and help reduce the fear surrounding cancer.
Money raised by children taking part in The Big Hush will go directly to Macmillan who provide the practical, medical, financial and emotional support which makes a real difference to people living with cancer.
Helen said:?I encourage schools to take part in The Big Hush as part of Cancertalk Week. It is an excellent and imaginative way to bring attention to an important subject that will affect so many pupils, parents and teachers.”
Macmillan already helps young people directly ? and recently launched Youthline which offers cancer information and support to 12 to 21 year olds who are affected by cancer, whether the caller is a patient, family member or friend. It also provides help to adults wanting to help young people affected by cancer (phone 0808 808 0800 Monday ? Friday 9.00 am to 10 pm or e-mail or log on to www.macmillan.org.uk
Cancertalk packs or information about The Big Hush can be obtained by calling 0845 601 1716 or by logging onto www.macmillan.org.uk/schools
Friends provide
special place
by Mark Hemmings
PUPILS at Longbarn Primary School Warrington now have a special place where they can build their friendships and make new friends thanks to Muir Housing Association.
The school approached Friends of Muir Group earlier this year for help to make their dream come true. They wanted a special place in their playground to relax, to rest in the shade, and for children to talk and build their friendships.
The Friends are a charitable subsidiary of local housing association Muir Group and gave a grant of ?1,600 to the schoolchildren, most of them, residents of Muir-owned or managed properties.
The children were encouraged to enter a competition to create an artwork or poem exploring the topic of friendship.
Friends of Muir Group manager Beverley Price said: “This was an unusual request because the children themselves had decided they needed a chill out area, and the application for support was in the form of their own letters and drawings.
“We are delighted to support this project which we hope will strengthen the links between Muir Group and the local community.”
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1,5,8 and 15. There was one lucky winner with a jackpot of ?1,153 and a runner up of ?25.
Free meditation
World famous Yogi Balakhilya das is giving a FREE mantra meditation class at Lymm village hall at 2pm SundayFebruary 4. All welcome for more info contact Dave on 01925 754 541.
