Band is set to
take centre stage
by Gary Skentelbery
FOUR teenagers from Warrington are facing the biggest gig of their lives when they take centre stage at the world famous Cavern in Liverpool, where the Beatles first made their name.
The four friends from Bridgewater High School, have formed their own band “Darien Gap,” named after a South American rain forest and swampland, following a successful school gig and are now looking forward to taking centre stage at the Cavern.
Their first planned gig in Warrington was cancelled when the venue discovered two members of the band were aged under 16.
But guitarist Rob Carroll, 16, from Appleton, vocalist Kial Jackson, aged 15, from Appleton, bassist Nathan Dakin aged 15 from Grappenhall and drummer Jordan Lilford, aged 16, from Appleton Thorn, have been assured their gig at The Cavern on March 14 will be going ahead.
Guitarist Rob has already performed there once before and managed to arrange the show for the new band, who will be taking at least 20 family and friends to support them. They are even considering doing a Beatles number to “get the crowd going.”
Describing the band’s style Rob said: “We mainly play rock music, a bit on the heavy side. But we have our own style and it is difficult to say who we are like.”
Although they only formed last October the band has already been in the recording studio and made their first single and have already penned around 10 songs for their show.
Rob’s father Tony has a link to the Beautiful South and they will be seeking some advice from them before the gig.
Beware of
rogue roofers
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON residents are being warned of rogue roofers by the borough council’s Trading Standards team.
The recent severe weather conditions have caused extensive damage to property and lots of residents will be trying to get tradesmen to carry out emergency repairs, particularly where there has been roof damage.
Trading Standards believe most decent, reputable firms will be at their busiest and may not be able to get around to repairing roofs.
These situations are welcomed by opportunist rogue traders who may knock at the door offering to carry out immediate repairs.
Trading Standards is urging residents, particularly the elderly or vulnerable, not to be panicked by traders who tell them that work has to be done as a matter of urgency.
Don’t let the relief of finding someone to carry out repairs override common sense, they say.
A spokesperson said: “You may find yourself agreeing to pay an exorbitant price for the work or paying for more work than is necessary. Even worse, the repairs may be shoddy and not stand up to the next bout of stormy weather.”
Trading Standards offers the following advice:
If you home is covered by building insurance, contact your insurance company. Many companies have lists of local, reputable traders to assess the damage and carry out necessary repairs.
Don’t agree to work being carried out by any trader who knocks at your door or until you have obtained at least two estimates from reputable traders.
If you feel that it is an emergency situation, seek a second opinion from a family member, friend or neighbour. Ask yourself ‘can anything be done on a temporary basis to prevent further damage to the property?’ e.g. could tarpaulin or something similar be used to stop leaks until estimates have been sought? Remember a bucket can be used to catch water to minimise damage for enough time to give you the chance to seek second opinions and call out a reputable firm.
Don’t hand over any money unless the trader is prepared to give you an itemised receipt with full details, showing the name and address of the firm.
Don’t assume that claims of “special” rates for senior citizens are genuine. Some are but always obtain more than one estimate. Coun Roy Smith, the council’s executive member for Community Services, said: “With the recent strong winds causing so much damage to property, once again we are bound to hear reports of cowboy traders chancing their hand by knocking on doors offering to carry out work. This method of obtaining work almost always results in misery for the homeowner. I urge residents not to be panicked into paying top prices for shoddy work, which may also be unnecessary. Reputable traders are likely to be inundated with requests for repairs. They are not going to be touting for business.”
If in doubt, residents should seek advice from Trading Standards on 08454 04 05 06 or contact Warrington’s Care & Repair Service on 0845 142 2064.
This is a service for older, disabled or vulnerable homeowners and private tenants that offers advice and help on home repairs”.
Leak leads to
hotel stay
by Lesley Wilkinson
RESIDENTS on a new Lymm estate had a temporary stay in a village hotel when their water supply was cut off.
Lymm Parish Council heard that people on the Bryant estate at Longbutt Lane/Oughtrington Lane were moved by the developer to the Lymm Hotel for a few days while repairs were carried out.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: “There was a bad leak in the houses, and then residents had no water.
“It must be disappointing to come to a new house and have to move to a hotel for a few days.”
Police hunt thin
faced sex attacker
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting a thin-faced man who carried out a sex attack on a Warrington women after pretending to take an interest in her dog.
The woman, aged 41, was walking her dog in Malvern Close, Great Sankey early on Monday morning, close to woodland near Whittle Hall Avenue, when she was approached by the man, who asked if he could stroke the dog.
He then indecently assaulted the woman before running off.
The man was aged 40-50, with a thin, bony face. He was unshaven and had yellowing teeth. He was wearing a dark coloured anorak fastened up to the neck.
Anyone who witnessed the attack or who recognises the offender from the description is asked to contact PC Samantha Rimmer Floyd on 0845 458 6385.
Connecting you to
council services
by John Hendon
A FREE event is taking place in Warrington this Saturday (January 27) for people to find out about council services and information available to them.
Organisers would like to see people from across the borough attend, particularly from minority ethnic communities to provide them with more information.
The council’s Community Services and Children’s Services Directorates are hosting the event, called “Connecting you…to information and services for you and your family” at The Gateway Centre, Sankey Street from 12 noon and 4pm.
There will be an opportunity to talk to council staff and share ideas about how services might be improved in the future.
Visitors will also be able to sample foods from around the world and enjoy the sounds of a live steel band from Penketh High School.
“Connecting you” has been organised by the council in partnership with Warrington Ethnic Communities Association and Warrington Multicultural Forum.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, executive member for Children’s Services, said: “We want to encourage as many people as possible to come along to this event even if its just for half an hour. Although there is a lot of important information on offer we also want it to be an enjoyable event where visitors can talk to council staff in an informal way about anything and everything.”
Coun Roy Smith, executive member for Community Services, said: “The council is committed to providing quality services to those people that need them. However, it’s important that we hold events such as this as there are some people out there who, for whatever, reason may not realise what services are on offer that could help them with a particular situation.”
For more information contact 01925 444227.
Grant to provide
canal
facelift
by Lesley Wilkinson
A GRANT of ?141,000 will help give the canal side in Lymm village centre a facelift.
Lymm Parish Council heard the grant had been approved by Cheshire Rural Enterprise Board, for improvements to the site.
Members heard the railings along the canal have been painted and that further improvements to the site will soon be carried out.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt said: “It is a boost to the village and will improve the look of the area.”
Public no show!
by Gary SKentelbery
PARISH Council chiefs in Culcheth and Glazebury near Warrington, have once again been left disappointed at lack of public support for Community Action Team walks in the village.
The aim of the walks is to pin point problem areas and get feedback from the public and local councillors.
But no members of the public showed up at last weekend’s CAT walk.
Previous CAT walks in the area have met with a similar response from the public.
Coun Ileyne Hutchinson said: “The walk started a 12 noon at the Millennium Gardens last Saturday. There were three PCSOs, two Special Constables and four Parish Councillors – but not one member of the public turned up!
“Let’s hope that we get some next Saturday, when we meet same place, but at 6pm.”
