Former finance
chief bounces back
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Skentelbery
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FORMER Labour Party finance chief on Warrington council Paul Kenny has “bounced back” landing a key role working for a senior Government minister.
He has been appointed to the staff of Ian McCartney MP – Chair of the Labour Party and member of the Cabinet – based in Wigan.
Paul’s role will also involve working for Neil Turner and Andy Burnham Members of Parliament for Wigan and Leigh respectively.
Paul, who will take up his appointment in early October after a family holiday, said: “I’m very excited by this appointment and looking forward to working for Ian, Neil and Andy.
“It’s early days yet but this represents a new challenge for me and I greatly appreciate the opportunity the MP’s have given me.”
Until the June 10th local elections he was the Labour Party’s finance spokesman on Warrington Borough Council.
Many party insiders believe he was a victim of a “boot 21” purge on the council’s Labour group, when 21 members of the controlling group were de-selected or moved to “unwinnable” seats during the local elections.
It followed a regional party investigation into infighting within the Labour group and resulted in former Council leader Mike Hughes and former leader John Gartside both being de-selected. Other notable casualties included former planning chairman Garry Cross.
While some opted to contest seats as independents and lost Paul contested the Latchford West seat for Labour but lost out to the Lib-Dems.
Corrie star backs
a real donkey!
by Lesley Wilkinson
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CHEEKY Chesney Brown alias actor Sam Aston made a surprise appearance at a charity donkey derby event held in Lymm near Warrington.
The Coronation Street favourite was one of more than 300 people who enjoyed “Lymm’s Ascot At The Races” event which included children’s donkey races, a host of stalls and a barbecue.
The night raised more than ?2,000 to for two local charities. Money will go to the 5th Oughtrington Scouts and Kabuki Research, in memory of Hannah Scales of Lymm, who died at the age of six from Meningitis after her immune system was weakened by Kabuki syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which causes various disabilities.
There were 12 donkeys to entertain crowds at the event held in a marquee off Reddish Lane. There were nine races with eight donkeys in each and visitors had the chance to bet on the outcome.
One of the organisers Alison Morton, a friend of Hannah’s family, said: “It was a great family night out and everyone was really happy as the donkey’s were such fun to watch.
“One donkey was racing along, and then just diverted to start eating a hedge. Another donkey was winning the race, and then just stopped suddenly,” she said.
Other attractions included a coconut shy, throwing wet sponges at a scout leader, a bouncy castle and a bran tub.
Alison said: “We knew that Sam (Chesney) was coming to the event with his family, but we did not publicise this. He was really popular with the crowds and signed autographs and had his picture taken on a donkey!”
Arson suspected in
town centre blaze
by Lesley Wilkinson
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ARSONISTS are believed to have started a blaze which resulted in part of Warrington town centre being cordoned off.
Staff from a sandwich shop on Bridge Street alerted fire crews when they saw smoke coming from the premises of A Rouge Fashion Store on New Market Way, near Warrington Market on Sunday morning.
Leading fire fighter on white watch, Mike Hobson, said four pumps attended the “intense” blaze. He said because of the site location fire crews had to split up with two tackling the fire from the front of the shop, and two from the back.
Police attended the scene and cordoned off a section of Bridge Street between Academy Way and Rylands Street.
Crime scene investigators believe the fire was started deliberately. They are appealing for witnesses who may have been in the area before the blaze started.
Officer Hobson said the door at the rear of the shop was open, and it is believed one, of possibly several fires was started in a concrete stairwell. In addition to the basement fire, there was also fire in the ground floor shop.
The intense heat hindered fire fighting, and in part of the building there was no ventilation and officers had to smash a hole in the wall and use special fans to disperse the heat.
All the shop stock was ruined and there was heat and fire damage to the building.
Police are asking witnesses with information to contact Detective Constable Karen Lawton on 01244 613837 or to ring the confidential Crimestoppers number on 0800 555 111.
Windfall for
musical youth
by staff reporter
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YOUNGSTERS with talent at a Warrington school are being given extra help in music lessons, thanks to a grant from the government.
Member of Parliament for Warrington South Helen Jones was invited by head teacher Viv Formby to visit Sankey Valley St James School. She was able to see how the Widening Opportunities Scheme, partly funded by government money, is being implemented.
Funding from the scheme means that extra help is available for children in violin and cello lessons. So far 12 youngsters are taking part in the project and the school hopes to increase numbers.
Helen said: “This is an exciting scheme that will enrich the curriculum of the school and the development of the children and demonstrates the government’s commitment to improving the education system and giving children the best possible start in life.
“Sankey Valley St James is a progressive school moving forward all the time. It’s success is down to hard work undertaken by the head teacher and staff whose professionalism is clearly visible throughout the school,” she added.
Pictured (left to right back) Janet Thorpe, Warrington Music Service, Helen Southworth, Viv Formby, (front) pupils Sam Lewis, Emma Fance, Connor Ryan and Kayleigh Taylor.
Family fun day
by staff reporter
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THE opening of a new play area for local children was the centrepiece of a family fun day at Robson St, Warrington at the weekend.
The event was made possible by an award from WREN, (Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd) a non profit making environmental body which distributes grants under the landfill tax credit scheme, following a successful application by local residents supported by local ward councillor Yvonne Fovargue.
The rain did not dampen the spirits of local children as they played on the new equipment and bouncy castle along with face painting courtesy of mums and dads. Coun Fovargue said, “ The regeneration of this open space will provide a much needed activity area for local children to enjoy and contribute to the life of this community and we are delighted that WREN were able to support this project.”
Pictured (back) Coun Fovargue with youngsters and residents at the family fun day.
News in brief
Taster session
There will be a reflexology taster session at Penketh Library in Honiton Way on Monday September 20 from 2pm – 5pm as part of World Reflexology Week. There is no need to book.
Cooker blaze
FIRE crew were called to a cooker fire at a house in Grammar School Road, Latchford, on Sunday evening.
Damage was limited to the cooker.
Car torched
A BLAZE, believed to be started deliberately, burnt out a Ford Focus car parked off Hermitage Green Lane, Winwick, on Sunday night.
