Mike Gregory loses
his bravest battle
by David Skentelbery
MIKE Gregory, the former Warrington Wolves loose forward and ex-Great Britain skipper has died after a four-year battle with a neurological disease.
The 43-year-old, born in Wigan, had been confined to a wheelchair for the last 12 months.
He lost consciousness on Sunday night and passed away yesterday (Monday). He leaves a widow, Erica and two sons, five-year-old Ben and nine-year-old Sam.
Members of his family have always believed his illness started with an insect bite while on tour of Australia with the Great Britain academy team in 2003. It is thought the bite caused him to develop progressive muscular atrophy, a form of motor neurone disease.
Gregory played virtually his entire career with Warrington and won 20 caps for his country, the most memorable of them in the third Test in Sydney in 1988 when his long-range try clinched the first British victory over Australia in a decade. He also captained Great Britain to two Test series victories over New Zealand.
Lord Hoyle, chairman of Warrington Wolves, said: “Mike served our club with distinction as a player for 12 years, including captaining Warrington in their last Challenge Cup final appearance in 1990.
“Mike’s brave battle against illness and his efforts to raise awareness of progressive muscular atrophy has been an inspiration to us all.
“He will be greatly missed, particularly by all his friends here at Warrington Wolves.”
Former team-mate and friend, Wolves? head coach Paul Cullen added: ?It?s a very sad day for us all, I have lost a true friend. My thoughts are with his family and friends?
Former Warrington captain Harry Bath and his wife, Gwen, who donated a Championship winner’s medal to Mike Gregory’s testimonial fund, sent a tribute from their home in Australia, via Warrington-Worldwide.
They said: “Please pass on our condolences to everyone who knew him. We are sure he will be sadly missed by everyone at Warrington.”
Gregory had been assistant coach at St Helens, coach at Swinton and assistant coach at Wigan before becoming Wigan?s coach in July 2004, guiding the Warriors to an 11-match unbeaten run ending with a Grand Final appearance. He was then given the job on a two-year contract, took Wigan to the Challenge Cup final the following May.
But that was his last match.
Fans wishing to leave tributes can leave them at the Brian Bevan statue at the Halliwell Jones Stadium. A book of condolence will be opened soon in the Wolves’ club shop.
warrington-worldwide can leave their one tributes on the readers’ forum at MIKE GREGORY RIP
Stab victim was to have
celebrated 21st birthday
by James Parr
POLICE have named the man who died after a stabbing incident at his home in Manchester Road, Warrington.
He was Christopher Michael Lambert, who would have celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday (Monday).
A post mortem examination was carried out yesterday afternoon, which revealed that he died from a single stab wound, followed by shock and haemorrhaging.
Paramedics who were called to the house at around 7.25am on Sunday (November 18) tried desperately to save him but he died at the scene.
Police are treating the death as a murder investigation. The house has been sealed off and other members of Christopher?s family have temporarily been moved out.
Two men and two women have been arrested and are still helping with detectives with their enquiries.
Police have made an application to magistrates to allow them extra time to question the four people.
College capers for
Children in Need
by John Hendon
STUDENTS at Warrington?s Priestley College gave their full backing to the BBC’s Children in Need campaign with a range of fund raising initiatives on campus.
The College Council organised a varied programme of activities aimed at raising money for the event which by the end of the television appeal had reached more than ?19 million.
Face painting, fancy dress, cake sales, a tombola, football and volleyball matches and a guitar hero Playstation challenge were all held as the Priestley College community got into the full spirit of the occasion.
The event was just the latest supported by the college in a month when more than ?1,000 was also raised for Breast Cancer charities.
College marketing officer Nat Ashurst said: “Priestley has a long tradition of fully supporting charitable causes with the Children in Need appeal providing plenty of laughs on the day.”
Underground recycling
centre to be unveiled
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON today unveils its first underground recycling centre.
Two underground containers which can accept glass have been embedded in the ground between Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School and Latchford Community Sports Centre, just off Knutsford Road, Latchford.
Each container can hold three cubic metres of material and people can ?post? their glass through a flap, which is only 3 ft above the ground.
When the containers are full, they are lifted out of the ground and their contents emptied into the back of a collection vehicle to be taken away for recycling.
The council received funding from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) for the containers and they are aimed at improving recycling in areas not well served by existing recycling facilities.
Roving advice centre
on how to keep warm
by James Parr
KEEPING warm, well and safe this winter has never been easier ? thanks to an advice road show on how to combat the cold, organised by Warrington Warm Winter Partnership.
All areas of the town will be visited by a special vehicle donated by Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
It will act as an information centre for elderly people to pop in and discuss their fears about the winter months and offer helpful tips on how to stay warm.
Warrington Primary Care Trust’s healthy aging co-ordinator Jannette Norton said: “Older people in Warrington could be at risk from winter related illnesses caused by cold weather, poor housing conditions and seasonal infections such as ?flu, but many can be avoided by ensuring appropriate actions are taken.
“The Warrington Winter Warm Partnership, which includes representatives from both the statutory and voluntary sectors, work hard during the winter months to advise and support older people to take appropriate actions to keep warm, well and safe. The Winter Warm ‘Road Show’ will ensure that people living in Warrington’s outer areas are able to gather relevant information and advice.”
The road show dates and venues are: Hollins Green Community Centre and Culcheth Shopping Centre, November 30, Stockton Heath, December 14, Lymm market, January 31, Birchwood Shopping Centre, February 29, Burtonwood and Westbrook, March 28.
Third time lucky
for kennels plan
by David Skentelbery
FARMER John Fenney has won planning consent to build dog kennels ? at the third time of asking.
Mr Fenney, of Brookside Farm, Lady Lane, Croft had twice previously been refused permission for the development.
But now planning chiefs have decided his proposals are acceptable ? despite objections from Croft Parish Council and nearby residents who feared an increase in noise levels due to barking dogs.
The plan involves a caged exercise area, 22 enclosed sleeping places for dogs and a kitchen area for the preparation of food.
Previous refusals were based on noise fears but Mr Fenney undertook to provide 100mm thick masonry walls, an external acoustic barrier, woodwool ceiling panels, 10 mm thick glass rooflights, acoustically insulated ventilation and solid core timber doors to minimise problems for neighbours.
Planners said the proposals would not damage the overall visual openness of the Green Belt in the area ? and could actually bring about
a slight improvement.
Mayor visits award
winning company
by James Parr
MAYOR Celia Jordan visited Warrington-based company Cap-It-All following their recent success in scooping two top industry award.
Cap-It-All, which supplies disposable tableware and packaging to the catering industry, was awarded two prizes at the Environmental Business Awards for its GoodLife range of environmentally friendly tableware and foodservice packaging.
Coun Celia Jordan was treated to a two-hour tour of the premises and enjoyed an informal lunch with the company’s management team.
The Sustainable Environment Business awards were launched to recognise and promote the work of local organisations and businesses that demonstrate an active commitment to good practice, and promote sustainable development.
Festive period
goes all Victorian
by staff reporter
VICTORIAN fever is certainly catching in Warrington as the Heritage Yard at Walton Hall Gardens is hosting several Victorian days in the build up to Christmas.
All of the yard will be transformed into a winter wonderland when scenes from bygone times are recaptured over three weekends.
A Victorian carousel, Yule log making and land train rides, will be just some of the activities on offer.
Father Christmas will be visiting the grotto, even staying at the gardens until Christmas day to make sure everyone gets what they want in time for the big day.
The Victorian Days will be held over the weekends of December 8 and 9, December 15 and 16 and December 22 and 23.
Children are charged ?4.50 to get in, with adults given free admission.
