Teenager knocked
out in racist attack
by John Hendon
POLICE are investigating a racist attack at Warrington in which an Indian restaurant worker was knocked unconscious.
The attack took place outside an Indian restaurant in Warrington Road, Penketh.
Two members of staff were outside the restaurant when a gang of youths approached, shouting racist abuse.
The two restaurant workers had not provoked the abuse in any way and one ? a 17-year-old ? was punched in the face and knock unconscious.
Fortunately he did not suffer serious injuries and his companion was not assaulted at all.
The gang of youths moved on and witnesses were only able to give police a description of one of them ? a youth about 5ft 7 inches tall, of medium build and with short dark hair, shaved at the back. He was wearing dark trousers and a cream or beige jacket.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the incident which occurred in the early hours of the morning.
Anyone who can help is asked to contact PC Mike Molyneux on 0845 458 6385.
Vandals smash way
into country club
by David Skentelbery
VANDALS have launched a new attack on a disused country club near Warrington ? wiping out thousands of pounds worth of recently completed restoration work.
They gained entry to Glazebrook Country Club, in Bank Street, Glazebrook by tearing down security fencing, breaking through the roof and smashing a hole in a brick wall to get downstairs into the club.
Then they started two fires in the main assembly room.
A portable building used as a mess room by workmen restoring the building was also set alight.
Club owner Christine Lucas said: ?They have wrecked restoration work which has cost thousands of pounds. The scale of the damage makes it obvious this was not the work of children.
?I believe it was part of an orchestrated campaign by people determined to stop me re-developing the site. But I am just as determined. I have spent a small fortune on this site over the years and I must do something to protect my investment.?
Planning chiefs at Warrington turned down an application by Mrs Lucas earlier this year for 30 retirement flats on the site.
She has appealed against the decision but in the meantime is trying to restore the building so that it could be re-opened as a club.
The once-popular nightspot has stood unused for several years and has suffered from vandalism, arson and invasions by travellers.
Mrs Lucas believes the site will continued to be plagued by problems until it is redeveloped and brought into use.
Nearby residents and Rixton-with-Glazebrook Parish Council are opposed to the flats plan ? and also any plan to re-open the club.
Mrs Lucas says if she cannot redevelop the site or reopen the club, her only remaining option will be to accept an offer from a gypsy family to purchase the site.
Mayor presents
Green awards
by Gary Skentelbery
THE main prize at the Mayor’s pioneering Sustainable Business Awards was shared between a bus company and a firm that makes food containers from recycled foods.
Warrington Borough Transport and innovative food packaging firm Cap-It-All were crowned Overall Winners during the town hall event.
The awards, which aim to reward businesses for an active commitment to good environmental practice, were split into four separate categories, with a winner chosen in each. A runner-up and highly commended nominees were also named.
All four winners – woodland regeneration project, Our Wood, retail group United Co-operatives, Warrington Borough Transport and Cap-It-All – went forward to be considered for the overall award.
Cap-It-All manufactures biodegradable catering products such as drinks lids and food containers, made from corn starch, pulped reed and sugar cane waste, at their premises in Stockton Heath, Warrington.
Warrington Borough Transport was rewarded for increasing bus usage by 13.2% with one million extra bus journeys during the past 12 months.
Mayor Coun Linda Dirir, said: “I would like to congratulate the winners and thank all the nominees for taking part in these awards.
“The environment has been the focus of my term as Mayor and it is vital that all businesses get behind the campaign to reduce the effects of climate change and prevent further damage in the future.
“The initiative was aimed to reward and encourage and it has done just that.”
“Annie” brings down the
curtain on college hall
THE well-known musical “Annie” was brought into the 21st Century by students at Priestley College, Warrington.
And the show-stopping performance marked the end of an era as it was the final performance in the college?s existing hall.
Work is soon to start on the final phase of a ?7 million redevelopment at the Loushers Lane site, which will see the creation of a new media and performing arts academy.
The show tells the story of Annie, a girl who dreams of life outside her dreary upbringing, and includes popular songs such as “It’s the Hard-Knock Life” and “Tomorrow.”
Second year students brought the musical up to date and addressed some of the social, political and economic issues affecting today’s society.
Sarah Graham, head of performing arts, said: “The realisation that Annie is the final show in the current college hall has given the production that extra special edge.
“It can often be difficult altering the format and feeling of classical musicals but our second year students have done just that with ‘Annie’ and in the process have come up with an unforgettable piece.”
Claire Larkin, who played Annie, said: “Annie was a unique experience as we took the normal narrative out of context and gave it our own style. It was particularly pleasing to showcase the piece at the end of the year as it gave a true indication of the work we’ve all done in the two years previously.”
Hospital patients
are in safe hands
by Lesley Wilkinson
PATIENTS at Warrington Hospital are in safe hands according to an independent survey.
North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, has been recognised as one of the 40 best performing hospital trusts out of 130 throughout the UK that were reviewed.
The survey looked at a number of issues including a staff survey, mortality rates and waiting times.
It was carried out by research specialists CHKS, and it was the first time the trust has entered the top 40, although last year it was named Most Improved Hospital.
Chief executive Catherine Beardshaw said: “We are absolutely delighted with this accolade and feel it is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of all our staff. We always try to deliver excellence in every aspect of the work we do and believe this award is recognition of that.
“There are some exciting times ahead for the trust as we look to become an NHS Foundation Trust and further consolidate our status as leading provider of healthcare in the 21st century.”
Emily’s golden day
with Dame Kelly
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON teenager had the PE lesson of a lifetime when she trained with double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes.
Emily Ball, 16, was among 26 girls, who took part in the lesson when Dame Kelly visited Manchester High School for Girls to open its new ?3.7 million sports complex.
Emily, a member of Warrington Athletics Club, enjoyed the 45-minute training session. Like her heroine, Emily is both an 800 metre and a 1500 metre runner.
Emily said: “This was a fantastic afternoon. I have always held Dame Kelly as a role model and this experience will simply spur me to succeed.
During the visit Dame Kelly also talked to special assemblies at the school, where she answered questions on her work.
Culcheth student
in RFU final
by staff reporter
A CULCHETH man now studying at Sheffield
Hallam University was a member of the triumphant Yorkshire Under 20 Rugby side which defeated Devon 34-17 at Twickenham.
Jonathan Bishop, aged 20, a former Culcheth High School pupil has played for the Yorkshire RFU team in this year’s county championships.
After winning the Northern League and overcoming North Midlands and Kent in the quarter and semi-finals, the Yorkshire team went on to beat Devon in the finals in a curtain raiser to the Guinness Premiership Final.
Jonathan, who plays for Rotherham as a flanker, played a crucial role in the semi-final against Kent, scoring the match-winning try in the 31-22 victory.
Contemporary rock
season hits town
by staff reporter
EDITORS ? considered by many to be one of the most important UK bands of the decade ? are to kick off a season of contemporary rock at Warrington?s Pyramid and Parr Hall.
They will appear at the Parr Hall on Tuesday, May 22 before heading off to Glastonbury, V Festival and T in the Park.
John Bramwell, lead singer of Manchester trio I Am Kloot made his debut appearance at Pyramid back in February.
He is returning on Thursday, May 24 for the first of a series of regular acoustic sessions.
John will be joined each month by different musicians ? including best mate and fellow Kloot member Peter Jobson.
Sunday, May 27 brings Reading-based band Exit Ten to Pyramid with a potent mix of metal and hardcore with deft time signatures and epic vocals.
Already superstars in their native Iceland, flamboyant quintet Trabant will bring their unique brand of sexy electronic music with punky flavours of R&B and pop to Pyramid on Sunday, June 3.
Pyramid’s regular live band nights continue with The Big I Am, featuring some of the best local bands playing indie, rock and punk on Friday, May 25 and June 29 and on June 1 there is Plugged, the live band night especially for under-18s.
More information is available on 01925 442345 or from www.pyramidparrhall.com
Chance to win tickets
for blockbuster movie
THE follow up to the hugely successful 28 Days Later movie, picks up six months after the rage virus has annihilated Mainland Britain and now Warrington-Worldwide readers have a great chance to win tickets and merchandise for the sequel 28 Weeks Later.
The new movie involves the US army declaring that the war against infection has been won, and that the reconstruction of the country can begin.
As the first wave of refugees return, a family is reunited – but one of them unwittingly carries a terrible secret.
The virus is not yet dead, and this time, it is more dangerous than ever!
The cast is led by Robert Carlyle (The Full Monty, Trainspotting); Rose Byrne (Sunshine, Troy); Jeremy Renner (The Assassination of Jesse James, Dahmer); Harold Perrineau (The Matrix Reloaded/Revolutions, Lost); Catherine McCormack (Braveheart, Spy Game); Imogen Poots (V For Vendetta) and Idris Elba (The Wire). Also joining the cast is a talented young newcomer, twelve year old Mackintosh Muggleton making his feature film debut.
Now Warrington-Worldwide readers have a great chance to win one of five pairs of tickets and goodies for the movie.
Simply email your contact details by email to [email protected] before May 31 2007 and you will go into the draw for a pair of tickets and merchandise for the movie.
The competition is only open to those aged over 18.
Please state if you do not wish to receive any future email promotions from the Odeon.
