Sledgehammer gang
in raid on jeweller
by David Skentelbery
FOUR men armed with sledgehammers forced their way into a Warrington jewellers? shop in broad daylight, smashed open display cabinets and got away with a large quantity of jewellery.
The raid was at A Baker and Sons, in Walton Road, Stockton Heath at about 10.20am yesterday (Tuesday).
Two members of staff and a customer were in the shop at the time. They were not hurt but were left badly shaken.
The four raiders left in a silver Skoda Octavia which was driven in the direction of Walton at a high speed.
Police said they had subsequently recovered another car, a black Ford Focus C-Max, in Hough Lane, Walton.
It was believed this vehicle had also been involved in the raid.
A police spokesman said they were anxious to speak to anyone who had witnessed the raid, or who had seen either of the cars in the Stockton Heath or Walton areas yesterday morning.
Anyone who can help is asked to call DC David Griffiths on 0845 458 0000.
Leisure complex shows
off ?90,000 improvements
by John Hendon
A WARRINGTON leisure complex opened its doors to the public to show of a ?90,000 package of improvements and new facilities.
Visitors to Birchwood Leisure and Tennis Complex enjoyed a wide range of activities including a balloon race, aerobics demonstrations and a tour of the new gym, which is fitted with all the latest fitness equipment and plasma screens.
Coun Roy Smith, the borough council?s executive member for Community Services, said: ?Staying fit is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle and with the facilities at Select Leisure centres in Warrington, it can also be very enjoyable!
?The recent investment in Birchwood and other centres shows how committed the council is to improving the health and well being of residents.?
Fully qualified gym staff were on hand to advise on the right type of exercise for individual visitors and with all instructors are on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS), it meant everyone was in safe hands.
Workers can get help
with words and numbers
by staff reporter
WORKERS in Warrington who want to improve their basic number and literacy skills are being offered help.
The offer comes from Warrington Collegiate and follows the Government?s challenge to employers to sign up to a skills pledge to improve the abilities of their staff in light of skills envoy Sir Digby Jones branding employees? skills as ?shameful.?
The Towards a Gold Standard for Craft report, which was released at the same time, argued apprenticeships should be more employer-driven with workplace training.
Support and development officer Chel Wiseman, from the Collegiate’s TUC education department, said the college could help employers overcome these issues.
She said: “What we are hoping to do is find some major employers who could benefit from good recommendations and getting their staff skilled up.
“We want to raise the profile of this and get employers to sign up.”
Speaking at the launch of the skills pledge, which was attended by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Sir Digby said Britain’s unskilled adult population would prove ?fundamentally damaging?.
The Department for Education and Skills also urged employers to invest in their employees’ skills as a way of improving their businesses for the future.
Chel Wiseman said advice was on hand at the college for any businesses wanting to improve employee skills and working environment.
“Anyone who is interested in finding out more can e-mail [email protected] or can call me on 07748 753024 or 01925 494675,” she added.
Business chief takes
her own advice!
by business staff
THE former chief executive of Business Link Cheshire and Warrington, has followed the advice she?s been giving entrepreneurs for more than 20 years – she has set up her own company.
Sandra Brusby?s Link International Business Solutions aims to ?link businesses around the world? through support and networking opportunities.
Mrs Brusby, who this year received the OBE for services to business in the North West, will continue to work from the International Business Centre in Warrington, the former headquarters of Business Link which has now set up a regional operation in Preston.
A champion of export enterprise, Mrs Brusby aims to continue to forge links with developing markets in India and Eastern Europe.
?We will be able to provide all the support necessary for those businesses looking to expand into overseas markets.?
Mrs Brusby, who will also be helping new businesses become established through Warrington Business Venture, decided to go it alone after six years as head of the Cheshire and Warrington Business Link.
She said: ?I have a passion for this area, its people and the networks that have been created. Cheshire has one of the most successful economies outside London. There?s low unemployment and it?s a fabulous place to live. Much of that is due to the passion of the business people who work here.
?Now I?m experiencing the ups and downs of setting up a business first hand, but it?s the right thing to do and I?m really looking forward to the challenge,? she added.
Pupils pick up tips on
nuclear engineering
by John Hendon
FIFTEEN children from three Warrington schools are attending a unique nuclear engineering course at Manchester Metropolitan Museum.
Youngsters from Lymm High, Penketh High and Woolston High are among a group of pupils, aged 14-16 from schools across the North West taking part in the initiative.
Nuclear engineering company Nexia Solutions, which has offices at Risley, has teamed up with The Smallpeice Trust to offer the youngsters the opportunity of gaining an insight into the world of nuclear engineering.
The course offers an introduction to the sometimes complex subject of nuclear engineering through a series of simple analogies and experiments. The teachers will break the complexities of nuclear science down to a basic level and help the students solve problems using basic scientific and engineering principles.
Mandy Mayor, of Nexia Solutions said: ?Students will take part in experiments that show how ?ordinary? science can be used in nuclear science. By examining how much radiation is in the objects they encounter in everyday life, they will gain a clearer understanding of the subject and have fun at the same time.?
A number of topics will be discussed, notably radiation, which will be explained through examination of the varying radioactive properties of everyday materials, such as smoke detectors, brazil nuts and rocks in the ground. The pupils will also improve their knowledge of curriculum subjects such as maths, science and technology, and gain personal skills development through team working, presentations, communication and problem solving.
The course is run by the independent charity, The Smallpeice Trust, as part of an ongoing programme of residential courses designed to help young people aged 13 ? 18 learn and develop skills in engineering, design and management.
Footpath to close
for three months
by staff reporter
A PICTURESQUE footpath at Lymm Dam is to be closed for about three months while work is carried out to make it an easier route.
Footpath No 40 leads from Crossfield Bridge and the section to be closed from tomorrow (Wednesday) runs for about 340 metres in a northerly direction.
The temporary closure will be in place as and when signs are placed on the site. An alternative route will be via a nearby bridleway.
Improvements to the path are required for an ?easy access? trail around the Dam.
