Woman in double-death
tragedy was murdered
by David Skentelbery
POLICE at Warrington are investigating the death of a woman found strangled at her home – and the death of a man found lying in a park wearing an outdoor coat and slippers.
They are treating the woman’s death as murder but say they are not looking for anyone else in connection with the pre-Christmas tragedy.
The man, whose body was found in Sankey Valley Park at 9.30am on Christmas Day, has been named as Steven Rankin, a 47-year-old lorry driver, of Wellfield Street, Warrington.
On Boxing Day, police gained entry to his house using keys found on his body, and found the body of his partner for 15 years, 40-year-old solicitor’s secretary Donella Lorraine Schofield. She had been strangled.
A Home Office pathologist has carried out post mortem examinations on both bodies and has concluded that the woman had been manually strangled. Tests on the man have proved inconclusive and further toxicology examinations are being carried out.
When found, Mr Ranklin was wearing a dark coloured baseball cap, jogging trousers and an outdoor coat, but only bedroom slippers.
Detectives believe he may have taken a drugs overdose.
The couple were not married but had lived together for at least 15 years. They had no children, although Mr Rankin is understood to have a 23-year-old daughter by a previous marriage. He is believed to originate from Scotland.
Anyone who can help police with their investigation is asked to call 0845 4580000.
Warning against
publishing scam
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON businesses are being warned to be on their guard against a publishing scam operating across the town.
The Council’s Trading Standards team have issued the warning after being alerted by a local businessman.
A person selling advertising space in a publication claiming to provide support for members of the emergency services contacted a businessman in Latchford. The company claimed to be providing support for the men and women who worked for the emergency services.
As the businessman had previously supported other charitable organisations by advertising in publications he asked for more information and was surprised to receive a bill for more than ?110. When he checked with the local police, fire brigade and ambulance services it became apparent that they had nothing to do with the publication.
Coun Pat Wright, Executive Board Member for Community Services, said: “Rogue publishers are known to operate a number of scams. These include sending out invoices to businesses for adverts in fictitious publications, claiming to be from a legitimate publisher that the business has used before, claiming to be a registered charity or claiming that the publication is being sponsored by agencies such as the police. I would urge people to take on board the Council’s Trading Standards advice. “
Smaller businesses are usually targeted and the con men use deliberately misleading ‘sales pitches’ to sell advertising space in various types of publications – wall planners, diaries, yearbooks, crime prevention or drugs awareness booklets.
Costs usually range from about ?100 to ?1,000 depending on the size of the advert. Sometimes it is claimed the publication is being produced on behalf of some reputable or worthy sounding cause, or that proceeds will go to charity.
Trading Standards suggest:
Don’t agree to place an advert over the phone unless you are absolutely happy with the publisher you are dealing with and what you are being offered.
Insist on seeing written details and a copy of the publisher’s full terms and conditions before placing an order.
If you receive demands for payments for something you believe you have not ordered, send a written reply, stating clearly why you feel you do not owe any money. Always keep a copy for your records.
Some victims are threatened with having goods or belongings seized. The only lawful way the publisher can do this is to first obtain an order in the county court instructing you to pay (for which there has to be a hearing that you are entitled to attend and defend yourself). ” Further information and advice is available by phoning Trading Standards on 01925 442678.
Ed’s Note:warrington-worldwide was contacted by the same “publishers” but quickly rumbled the scam and insisted on being sent email/contact details of the company which never materialised!
James hails Cypriot
mission a great success
by Gary Skentelbery
A Warrington based archaeologist who discovered a breathtaking hoard of over 47 ancient Cypriot vessels and artefacts dating back to 2000BC in a loft in the leafy village of Lymm has returned from a mission to the island in search of evidence to prove that the hoard is genuine.
James Balme who has made many discoveries of previously unknown ancient sites and artefacts, includsing a Roman fortlet at Warburton near Lymm, spent two weeks on the island, carrying out intensive research into the hoard.
He said: “I was astounded by the evidence I uncovered whilst I was based in Cyprus. I have no doubt whatsoever that the hoard discovered in Lymm is totally genuine and its archaeological value is priceless.
“Most of the artefacts can be dated accurately to the early Bronze Age period of approximately 2000BC. Some of the artefacts date from the early Roman occupation of the island whilst three of the ceramic vessels are clearly from the Byzantine period. The Byzantine period is very interesting as it was formed shortly after the collapse of the Roman Empire, as we know it. These vessels clearly carry images of the earliest Christian symbols known to man and the fact that they are etched into the pottery is very significant indeed!”
James has been amazed at the size and quality of the hoard.
“I fully intend to give the hoard the recognition that it deserves. There is an amazing story to be told here and I will be approaching several television companies in the near future in an attempt to secure more media coverage about this unique and exciting find. Many members of the public are very keen to learn more about these ancient artefacts and they make a spectacular display when exhibited.”
While on his mission to Cyprus James decided to fly to Egypt where he took the chance to visit the ancient Pyramids of Giza. He added: “This was an opportunity too good to miss and to visit and actually go deep inside the Pyramids was an experience not to miss!! I even visited the Cairo museum to witness the amazing treasures recovered by Howard Carter back in the early 20th Century.”
Meanwhile throughout the winter James is concentrating on his latest discovery of three pieces of Viking hack Silver he has uncovered in the Warrington area which he believes could be part of a much larger Viking hoard awaiting his discovery.
Any discovery of Viking silver is a rare and extremely important find to be made and it could once again re-write what we know of Viking activity in the area.
James who recently featured on BBC1s ‘Inside Out Series’ highlighting his success, said, ” I am now busy preparing to start filming for my next documentary which will highlight some of the latest wonderful discoveries I have made during recent research and the film will be the third in my ongoing series of films that I have written and produced covering my work in the region. I can’t wait to see what else we may uncover during filming.” For more information about the work James does around the region visit www.jamesbalme.co.uk.
Accountants who care!
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON accountants Watkinson Black transformed their Orford Lane offices into Santa’s grotto, helping raise hundreds of pounds for childrens charity Claire House Hospice. Visiotrs to the grotto included the town’s Mayor and Mayoress, councillors Hans and Karen Mundry.
Santa was al
so on hand to meet local children who received gifts in exchange for a donation to the hospice.
WatkinsonBlack have adopted Claire House as their chosen Charity for the past two years and have now raised more than ?2,500 towards their funds. Claire House offers support to children with life threatening illnesses and their families. They rely solely on voluntary donations to raise the ?200 required each hour to provide this support. Picture shows the Mayor and Mayoress visiting the grotto with David Watkinson and Margaret Black, from Watkinson Black and Janet Croker from Claire House Hospice and Santa’s little helper!
Festive cheer at
the Children?s Ward
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Wolves players Logan Swann and Danny Lima visited the Children?s Ward of Warrington Hospital to bring a little festive cheer to the children staying in over the holiday period.
The players handed out selection boxes to the patients, which were kindly donated by United Co-operative.
Danny said: ?Logan and I both understand what it?s like not to be at home with loved ones at Christmas and we wanted to make it special for our young fans who can?t make it home this year either.?
Games console turned out
to be two house bricks!
by David Skentelbery
POLICE and Trading Standards officers have issued a warning after a Warrington man paid up front for what he thought was an expensive game console ? only to find he had bought two house bricks.
The man had ordered the X-Box 360 from a website and agreed to pay cash on delivery.
When a box was delivered to his home he handed over his money without checking the contents.
After the delivery man had left he found the box contained two house bricks.
A police spokesman said: ?We would advise anyone buying online to be extremely careful and not to hand over any money until they have checked they are getting what they have ordered.
?We would also like to hear from anyone else who has had a similar experience.?
Trading Standards can be contacted on 01925 442678.
New first
for Flanagans
by Gary Skentelbery
A NEW coach, the first of its kind in the country, has joined the fleet of vehicles at John Flanagan Coaches based at the Stretton Distribution centre near Warrington.
The Mercedes Esker Touring vehicle can accommodate 35 passengers and up to five fixed wheelchairs.
The vehicle joins a fleet of eight vehicles at Flanagans and is the “pride and joy” of Managing Director Janette Flanagan.
“This is the first Esker Touring vehicle to arrive in the country which is wheelchair accessible,” said Janette.
“We have invested in this mid size vehicle to make it more economical for group bookings, especially schools.
“It has the ideal number of seats for school class size bookings and nursing home outings.”
Meanwhile Flanagans have again been chosen to provide the transport for the Paralympic Gold Cup event which is set to take place in Manchester again in 2006.
Top ten Bridge stars
by John Hendon
DOCTOR Steve Geoghegan and his partner Ralph Procter from Culcheth Daten Bridge club have turned in a top ten performance in a major national competition.
The competition was held to raise money for Children in Need when over 1700 players took part playing the same hands in clubs throughout the UK and Europe.
Club Secretary Joe Ridyard, commented ?Steve and Ralph are two of our most experienced players and to come 9th out of over 1700 players is an excellent performance. Everyone enjoyed the event which raised over ?180 for the Children in Need charity.
Panto time!
by Gary Skentelbery
FOR the fifth year running the Newchurch Strollers, featuring the Northern Starr Dance Academy are presenting a pantomime at Newchurch Parish Hall, Culcheth near Warrington.
This year’s panto is Jack and the Beanstalk taking place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 26, 27 and 28 January at 7.45pm. The Matinee on Saturday 28th is already sold out.
An all star cast is raising money for the Parish Hall Development fund. Tickets (?3.50) are available by phoning 01925 811265 or from Mollineaux’s Florist, the Parade, Cucheth.
