Hospital to open unit
for “battered” women
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Hospital is to open a special casualty unit exclusively for battered women.
The unit will be provided as part of the new ?5 million accident and emergency department at the Lovely Lane hospital – and it is believed to be the first of its kind in the North West.
It will have its own entrance so that women do not have to mix with other patients.
A spokeswoman for North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said: “The unit will be a sensitive area of A&E where women who have been assaulted can go and be examined in private.
“They will be seen by a doctor if necessary.”
The Women’s Health Unit is due to open in December.
Nationally, one in four women who end up in A&E have been the victims of domestic violence, according to campaigners. It is estimated that one in four women suffer domestic abuse during their lifetime. But it is not believed the situation is any worse at Warrington than elsewhere.
The town already has a refuge where women at risk of violence from their partners can stay.
Other improvements planned for Warrington Hospital as part of the ?5.3 million revamp include dedicated children’s services, separate minor injury accommodation and discreet assessment facilities for chest pain.
Ambulance access is to be improved along with new access to the casualty department for the disabled.
Morris Men’s
last dance
by David Skentelbery
MEMBERS of Thelwall Morris Men were light of foot but heavy of heart when they staged their 25th and, officially, last, August Bank Holiday Monday “walking tour”.
The walk, one of the Warrington area’s more colourful traditions, took in the villages of Thelwall and Statham and involved dances at various locations – mostly close to pubs or other sources of liquid refreshment.
Taking part were four dancers, two musicians and one “invalid” – dancer Geoff Bibby broke his ankle shortly before the day but turned up in full costume with his foot in plaster.
“I wasn’t going to miss the last tour, even if I couldn’t dance,” he said.
The group decided this year’s would be the last tour because of dwindling membership. They are down to six dancers – the minimum required to perform their dances.
Andrew White, the “foreman” or dancing teacher, said: “With only six dancers, we are in trouble if anyone drops out on a specific date.
“We adapted our six-man dances for four and managed to put on a display of sorts. But we known we were unable to do justice to the dances.
“Quite a lot of the people who turned out to watch us expressed concern that it would be the last tour, but we have made the decision.
“Only if we had a big influx of new members who wanted to keep the tradition going would it take place again.
“We have leafleted the whole village of Thelwall and made enquiries in other areas, but we cannot find new members.”
Andrew said the team would continue to try and recruit new members from any area.
“There must be some males out there who want an excuse to go round the pubs of Cheshire on summer evenings.
“We are not giving up. We will still be dancing, but our bookings will be very selective, with perhaps only a few outings each year when we can guarantee six men to turn out.
“There was a revival of interest in Morris Dancing in the 1970s so there could be another. We will try and hang in there until it happens.
“We have demonstrated that we can give a varied display with limited numbers, but the Morris is not seen at its best with so few.”
Those who took part in the “last” tour were Derek Bradburne, Rob Pracy, Geoff Bibby, Steve Guest, Andrew White, Jim Berry and Del Britchley.
The only booking they have so far for next year that is likely to take place is on Easter Monday when they will perform at the Saracen’s Head, Warburton, the Swan with Two Nicks at Little Bollington and the Pickering Arms, Thelwall.
Anyone who wants to know more about Thelwall Morris Men should visit their website www.thelwallmorris.org.uk
Towns join forces in
hunt for foster carers
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON Borough Council has joined forces with two neighbouring councils – Halton and St Helens – for the first time ever to encourage more local people to provide loving homes for children.
In a bid to combat a shortage of foster carers across all three boroughs, the three authorities are pooling their resources and working together this month.
A great boost to the campaign is the support of the three Rugby League teams from the towns.
Although great rivals on the pitch, the clubs are working together to help the most vulnerable children.
A spokeswoman for the organisers said: “From babies to teenagers, all children need and deserve love and security and over 1,800 foster carers are needed throughout the North West.”
The new “fostering4me” campaign highlights the fact that different types of foster care provision are needed and different types of people are eligible to care for children.
Some children need fostering for just a few months, until problems at home are resolved, while other children need permanent foster homes until they become adults and respite care for children with disabilities can be as little as just a few hours a week or a weekend.
Anyone aged 21 to 80, working, retired or unemployed can apply to foster. All foster carers receive training, support and a generous allowance, which doesn’t affect benefits Anyone interested should contact the fostering4me recruitment team on 0800 195 5221 or visit the website at www.fostering4me.com
Councillor hits out over
“botched” postal voting
by Terry Johnson
WOULD-be Warrington South Liberal Democrat MP Ian Marks has slammed as “arrogant” the Government’s postal voting experiment which resulted in many voters feeling incensed and disenfranchised.
Coun Ian Marks, also leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition group on Warrington Borough Council, declared: “Many people complained to me about what Government was doing. They wanted to be able to go to a polling station to cast their votes. I’m pleased this is the view of the Electoral Commission too.”
The watchdog Commission has found the voting experiment was “marred by problems”, which included the complex nature of voting, logistical issues and reports of abuse.
Coun Marks, (pictured) Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Warrington South, claimed the Government rode roughshod over the wishes of other parties and ignored the advice of the Electoral Commission.
“It appears they did this to gerrymander votes – because they thought they would gain more support in the North-West.
“Government plans to extend all-postal voting are now in disarray and it serves them right for being so arrogant.”
Coun Marks added: “This botched experiment has made electors even more cynical about the democratic process, which is a great shame.
“For the last decade, turnouts have been falling. We must find ways to reverse this trend.”
Thousands expected
at family show
by staff reporter
THE annual Woolston and district Show takes place this weekend – with thousands of local people expected to turn out at Woolston Park on Sunday.
Organisers are hoping for fine weather for the event, which starts at 12.30pm and offers a wide range of entertainment for all the family.
There will be a children’s fair, miniature railway rides, woodland craft demonstrations, a potters wheel, circus skills, vintage cycles and tractors and a “drum workshop” among other attractions.
There will be a horticultural show and entertainment from comedy juggler Rex Boyd, the Earl of Stamford Morris Dancers and music from Birchwood Community Brass Band.
Community and charity groups will also be manning stalls.
Admission is free and there will also be free parking off Kingsland Grange.
Refreshments will be available all day.
The event is organised by the Friends of Woolston Park and Woolston and district Horticultural Society, with financial support from Woolston Parish Council.
Food testing
laboratory
by business staff
A WARRINGTON-based food production company today opens a ?20,000 testing laboratory which, it claims, will save ?100,000 over a 10-year period.
Nutrition Point Ltd, of Westbrook, produces gluten and wheat-free food.
In the past it has sent its products to laboratories all over the country for testing to ensure the food meets the needs of people diagnosed with Coeliac Disease.
The on site facility has been built in anticipation of a new European Union directive – and also to save money on transport and testing fees.
The new laboratory will carry out stringent tests to ensure all the company’s products will maintain regulated gluten levels.
Police appeal over
malicious letters
by staff reporter
POLICE are appealing for information about a series of anonymous letters sent to homes all over Cheshire – including Warrington.
The letters falsely claim that neighbours of the recipients are paedophiles.
Police say the tactic is often use by animal rights organisations to target people working for pharmaceutical companies which use animals for research. But none of the people targeted in Cheshire are in fact involved in animal experiments.
A spokesman said: “These letters are entirely malicious and their contents can safely be ignored.
“But we would like to hear from anyone who has received one. The letters should be handled as little as possible and handed over to police as soon as possible for further examination.”
Arsonists on the
rampage again
by staff reporter
FOR the second night running, arsonists went on the rampage in Warrington – this time in the Latchford area.
Eight wheelie bins were set alight outside houses in the Slater Street and Myrtle Grove area.
Flames spread to adjacent garden fences in several cases – and at one house a newly-bought car suffered extensive heat damage.
A Fire Service spokesman said: “The best way to prevent this sort of incident is for people to put their bins out first thing in the morning – not the night before. It is asking for trouble to leave your bin out all night.”
The previous night, a number of skips and bins were set alight on and around the Riverside Retail Park, Warrington.
