Jungle Queen misses
show after hospital scare
EXCLUSIVE by Gary Skentelbery
CELEBRITY “Queen of the Jungle” Kerry McFadden had to pull out of appearing at a star studded “girls night out” charity fashion show in Warrington after being rushed into hospital.
The former Atomic Kitten star from Padgate, who won TV’s “I’m a celebrity get me out of her” was taken to hospital suffering froma suspected chest infection.
Hundreds of fans were left disappointed when it was announced she was unwell and unable to attend the event in aid of Warrington’s pioneering peace centre.
Kerry had been hoping to help raise funds for the internationally renowned Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball Trust based at Warrington Peace Centre. TV reporter Paul Crone was a last minute substitute.
Guests attending the event included celebrity hairdresser Lee Stafford along with a series of fashion shows featuring a number of celebrity models including stars from Warrington Wolves, Widnes Vikings and St Helens, plus boxing World Champion Robin Reid.
The packed audience were entertained by a variety of models, including many from Warrington Collegiate who did their own hair and make up as part of their Foundation art course.
Money raised at the event will go to the peace centre, which offers residential accommodation for 40 people, a cyber-caf?, games room, 18 PC suite, classrooms, an arts and crafts room, conference room, counselling rooms, training rooms, sports hall, lounge and dining facilities and is open to children from all walks of life.
Event organiser Wendy Parry, mother of 12-year-old Tim Parry who died in the Warrington IRA bomb attack on Warrington eleven years ago with three-year-old Johnathan Ball, said; “We received a phone call from Kerry saying she was unwell and was in hospital with a suspected chest infection. A lot of people were disappointerd but these things can’t be helped.
“The event was still a great success.
“The team at the centre have been overwhelmed by the response from all those taking part who have given their precious time completely free of charge.
“It is a shame Kerry couldn’t be there because she is very popular in her home town.”
Power line scheme:
“We must fight on”
by David Skentelbery
NEW proposals have been put forward for a 13-mile overhead power line running through green belt land in South Warrington.
The scheme – first put forward more than a year ago by Power Systems, part of the Scottish Power Manweb group – has drawn more than 50 objections from people in the Lymm area.
It has now been amended – but according to local councillor Sheila Woodyatt (pictured) is still essentially the same.
She said: “The wording of the proposals has been altered slightly, but really there is no change at all.”
A public consultation exercise was launched earlier this year with a view to meeting local objections. But Coun Woodyatt said although there are minor amendments in other areas, the Lymm section is unchanged.
“The fight must go on,” she said. “Details of the proposals are on show at Lymm Library, but there appears to be no change. They will have a devastating impact on some of the last remaining open land in the area.”
The 132 kv power line will run through open country, including areas used by walkers and cyclists, according to objectors. It would be only 100 metres from houses and would also impact on sensitive wildlife areas, including New Hey Plantation, where a buzzard’s nest was recently identified.
Residents say an underground cable should be laid to safeguard the high quality landscape.
A Power Systems spokesman said the least damaging route had been chosen for the line. The advantage of an overhead line, compared to an underground one, was that it was less costly but also much easier and quicker to repair in the event of a fault.
The route had already been altered to avoid newly planted woodland and playing fields at Lymm High School.
Consultation had taken place with nature groups and the public.
The full proposal involves a 13-mile overhead line from Carrington to Lostock, near Northwich and Trafford and Vale Royal councils have also been consulted.
Students improve skills
FIRST-year advanced students of Priestley College, Warrington, took time out from basic lessons to improve their study skills – facing a battery of 18 tutors.
The special day of educational activities was aimed at the college’s highest ever number of first-time enrollers.
Learning performance seminars were held in the campus caf? bar, sports centre and learning resource area.
Seminar leaders looked at the best paths for students to learn, ranging from adding elements of fun to revision exercises.
College Vice Principal, Matthew Grant, said: “The seminars were a refreshing experience for the students. They will have gone away having learnt new tips and tricks, which will benefit them in the long-term”.
Spotlight on village’s
“nightmare” roads
by Terry Johnson
A VILLAGE with a ‘nightmare’ roads problem is to hold a special open day – to hear highways chiefs explain how they intend to deal with bone-shaker chaos.
Many village roads at Culcheth, Warrington, are pot-holed and falling apart, creating safety issues for frustrated drivers and pedestrians.
Now highways bosses have agreed a three months road re-construction programme, centred on the main shopping precincts. It includes new footways, kerbs and better street lighting.
Manchester-based Bethell Construction Ltd will carry out the major works, which will involve traffic diversions and impact on businesses and homes.
A public open day on October 6 will display plans for earthworks, drainage and other roadworks on the B5207 Common Lane.
A Warrington Council spokesman said: “Although the start date for this improvement scheme is not set in stone, officers are hopeful of pressing ahead in the second or third week of October”.
Villagers are to be invited to an exhibition in Culcheth Youth Centre, Church Lane, from 2.00-7.00pm to hear about the schemes and traffic re-routing.
Spokesman Phil Johnson said: “We want to keep disruption to a minimum. Involvement of the community and our response to their comments is vital. “I would urge businesses and residents to come to the open day to view the proposals and put questions. Throughout the works we shall be committed to maintaining access for all residents and businesses”.
Hospital patients asked
to bring own medicine
by Terry Johnson
HOSPITAL bosses plan to save ?50,000 a year – simply by asking patients to bring in their own medicines.
Special lockers are being installed for Warrington Hospital patients to keep medicines prescribed by their GP’s and also drugs from the hospital pharmacy.
The plan to cut waste means that more NHS funds can go into patient care. And prescribed drugs can also be kept more securely.
Anne Rickard, North Cheshire Hospitals’ pharmacy manager, said: “In the past, it was recommended that medicines be kept at home. But this means a patient’s prescription has to be duplicated. This wastes NHS money.
“The new scheme helps prevent wastage. We can re-direct more funds into patient care”.
There are also time-saving benefits. By bringing their medicines into hospital in their original labelled containers, patients help medical staff in drug processing.
Chief pharmacy technician, Jean Banks, said: “An audit will be carried out by Christmas to see what savings we have achieved. I am optimistic about this scheme”.
The savings initiative is backed by North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust.
Search is on for a
local “Poet Laureate”
by Terry Johnson
THE search is on to find Cheshire’s Poet Laureate for 2005.
The honorary, year-long post is up for grabs by poets who live, work or study in the county.
Th
e new banner bearer will write commissioned poems, appear in public and take the lead in development workshops.
Cheshire’s second Poet Laureate, John Lindley, completes a fast-paced year in December.
His commissions celebrating key events in the area calendar have included the Cheshire and Warrington Science Festival, Community Pride Competition and ‘Step into Cheshire’.
Education executive member, Councillor David Rowlands, said: “Our celebration of the written word is growing in popularity. Poetry is thriving and growing in Cheshire.”
The Poet Laureate’s work this year included commissions from organisations who normally would not have celebrated their success in verse – like the Cheshire Youth Games.
Deadline for applications is November 12. Details from 01244-602898.
Congelton-based John will be staging his ‘Cheshire Poet Laureate Showcase’ during National Poetry Day(October 7) at Ellesmere Port Library, with readings of his latest poetry, ‘Scarecrow Crimes’.
Police warning on
fake banknotes
by staff reporter
POLICE are warning shopkeepers in and around Warrington that counterfeit cash is being coughed up by criminal customers.
Shop staff in Cheshire are being urged to keep their eyes peeled when handling money after reports of fake ?50 and ?20 being used in the Frodsham, Helsby and Kingsley area.
Sgt Pete Minghella, who heads up the area’s Community Action Team, said: “We’ve received five reports of fake notes being used and local banks have confirmed that in recent weeks, they too have received counterfeit currency.
“We’re now in the process of looking at CCTV footage to see if we can make some in roads into who’s behind the scam. In the meantime, I’d urge all retailers to be on guard. Nowadays, there are some very good quality forged notes about.
“If people are suspicious and think they’ve been given a forgery they should report it to the police.”
A police spokeswoman said retails could take precautions to prevent themselves becoming a victim. They should feel the paper – it should be crisp – look for raised print where the words Bank of England appear, check the threat, which should appear as a solid line when held to the light, look for the watermark and check that the printing is clear and sharp.
On the ?5, ?10 and ?20 notes, the hologram can be checked using an ultra-violet light.
