Armed raiders hit
village post office
by David Skentelbery
ARMED raiders have got away with cash from the post office in Bridgewater Street, Lymm, near Warrington.
Staff were bundled into a rear room and tied up by two men, one brandishing a black handgun.
No-one was hurt – but staff were left badly shaken by the incident.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the raid or anyone who may have seen the offenders escaping in a green saloon car – possibly an Audi or a Mazda 626.
Another car – a dark blue four-door saloon, possibly Japanese – was also seen in the area and could have been involved in the raid.
The raid took place as staff were cashing up, just after the post office closed. The raiders forced their way into the premises through a rear entrance.
They threatened staff, forced them into a rear room and tied them up while they ransacked the premises.
Both are believed to have been in their 30s and one was wearing an orange fluorescent jacket of the type worn by postal workers.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Det Cons Mark Rowan at Warrington CID on 01925 652222.
Young film makers
give peace a chance
by staff reporter
YOUNGSTERS excluded from school due to behavioural problems have been involved in helping make a special anti-bullying video at Warrington’s pioneering peace centre.
Organised by the NSPCC, based at the centre built as a living memorial to IRA bomb victims Tim Parry and Johnathan Ball, youngsters were given the opportunity of being involved in all aspects of making the film.
As well as providing the subjects for the film the teenagers were given an insight into the technical side of producing a film.
David Purcell, Centre Manager for Rathbone Training, a registered charity which provides alternative education provision for Key State IV puipls said: “The peace centre provides a perfect venue and I would recommend any organisation working with young people to give it a try.
“It has provided a valuable experience for the youngsters who will have gained self-esteem and team building skills as well as some technical knowledge.”
The anti-bullying script and production work was provided by local media production company Vision for Dreams. It is hoped the film will be used in local schools in anti-bullying workshops.
‘Phones, radio and TV
for hospital patients
by staff reporter
PATIENTS at Warrington Hospital will soon be able to keep in touch with loved ones or watch their favourite programmes – all without leaving their bed.
Installation is currently on going at the hospital and once completed, patients will be able to use state of the art bedside television and telephone services.
Patients will be able to choose from 16 channels of bedside television, free radio – including the hospital radio channel Radio General – their own personal telephone number and answer machine.
Mike Atkinson, head of hotel services for North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust said: “We know that a stay in hospital can make patients feel anxious and lonely. The new service will provide a convenient and easy way of relieving tedium and staying in touch with family and friends.”
As well as improving services for patients, the service will mean less non-critical work for nurses, such as taking telephone messages from patients’ friends and family or wheeling a portable payphone to beds.
The new initiative is part of Warrington Hospital’s drive to improve and enhance patient services.
It gives patients the opportunity to choose exactly what they want and to watch without disturbing others, as each bedside unit has a headset. Telephone services will also become more convenient to use as patients have the facility to make calls from their bedside. Family and friends can call the patient directly at the bedside.
A top up card can be bought to make telephone calls and enjoy the paid-for television channels with reduced charges for patients over 60.
Some services will be free, including one hour of television each day, free television to children under 16, free 24 hour radio, answerphone, messaging service and information channels.
Opposition forces
re-think on baths
by David Skentelbery
OPPOSITION councillors at Warrington have forced a re-think on a controversial decision to drop plans for a multi-million ? new town centre swimming pool.
Liberal Democrat and Conservative councillors have joined forces to “call in” the decision by the borough council’s executive board.
As a result, the scrutiny committee will debate the issue at a special meeting on Tuesday. (Oct 5)
Liberal Democrat leader Coun Ian Marks said: “I think it is entirely right that this vital issue for the town should be considered by the scrutiny committee.”
Conservative leader Coun Keith Bland said his group had always believed there was a need for a new town centre facility to replace Warrington Baths, which closed earlier this year due to the mounting of costs of keeping the century-old building going.
He said: “At the very least, the meeting will give everyone a chance to have their say.”
The opposition groups sought to have the issue “called in” on three grounds, relating toe budget and policy frame work, available alternative options and lack of adequate consultation.
Two of the grounds have been rejected – by scrutiny committee chairman Coun Eric Bromley has decided his committee should examine in more detail whether the consultation process was appropriate to the decision to be made.
This means that the matter will be referred to the scrutiny committee for consideration only on the issue of ” appropriate consultation” and not the other two grounds.
The executive board reached its decision after considering a consultants’ report which suggested that Warrington had too much swimming provision and that a new pool could only be viable if one of the existing pools was closed.
Council leaders have not ruled out the possibility of a new pool at some time in the future, but say it is likely to be provided at a school for the joint use of pupils and local community, rather than in the town centre.
School reunion attracted
worldwide attendance
by staff reporter
NEARLY 150 people attended a special reunion for former pupils from the former Lymm Secondary Modern School, near Warrington.
Organised by former student Norma Ley, nee Stanforth, former students travelled from South Africa, United States of America, Canada, Germany, France and many parts of the United Kingdom at great cost to meet up with old pals.
Norma, who travelled up from Devon to organise the event at Lymm High School said: “It turned out to be a really good evening. It was lovely meeting up with lots of former school pals. Some have not altered at all which was really amazing.
“I would like to thank all those people that came along to our school reunion which made is very special.”
Norma also thanked Lymm Life magazine and website and the www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk daily online newspaper website for helping track down many of the former students.
Pictured from left, former students of Lymm Secondary Modern School brothers Alan and Kenneth Hulse look at school photographs with their wives Sharon and Helen.
Are you trying to trace an old friend or distant relative. Log on to www.lymmlife.co.uk or www.warrington-worldwide.co.uk and join our discussion forum or simply send us an email to [email protected] with the information you are seeking.
Three arrested after
fight in street
by John Hendon
THREE youths have been arrested after a town centre street fight at Warrington which left a
17-year-old boy with serious injuries.
The victim was kicked, punched and struck with a bottle in the brawl in Bridge Street.
Police said two groups of youths left a nightclub and the disturbance started when, it is alleged, members of one group attacked one member of the other group.
The 17-year-old, from Lower Walton, required hospital treatment for his injuries. He was discharged but will require further treatment.
Three youths were arrested, two aged 16 and one aged 15, all from the Manchester area.
Police are seeking witnesses who should call Det Cons Andy Cribbin on 01925 652222.
Utilities giant picks
up “excellence” award
WARRINGTON-based United Utilities has set the lead for businesses across the North West by achieving the new Investor in Excellence standard.
The water and electricity giant became the first company in the region to gain the award after a site visit from Excellence North West (ENW), the area’s assessment body.
United Utilities gained the North West Business Excellence Award for 2003, but the new standard recognises ongoing quality across all aspects of business activity.
The company had to show it had addressed the requirements of the European Foundation for Quality Management Excellence Model, a world-leading framework for achieving continuous improvement and organisational excellence.
Charlie Cornish, service delivery managing director, received the Investor in Excellence plaque from Dr John Swaffield, ENW chief executive.
Dr Swaffield said: “The requirements of the standard are demanding and you and your staff deserve hearty congratulations. Many more businesses across the country are now following your example and are committed to pursuing it.”
