Crime and vandalism
slashed on estates
by Terry Johnson
CRIME, vandalism and anti-social behaviour has been slashed on estates managed by Warrington Housing Association.
As a result, 3,600 tenants are leading happier, more stress-free lives, the association claims.
A survey of residents reveals a “significant reduction” in problems on estates, including anti-social behaviour, crime, noise, harassment and litter.
Vandal incidents dropped from 25 to eight cases, graffiti reduced by nearly two-thirds and problems with neighbours fell from 30 cases to seven.
Vehicle crime more than halved and incidents involving youths reduced by two-thirds.
Complaints about traffic noise and racial harassment had been stamped out.
The survey also shows a 50 per cent fall in cases of drug dealing.
Association chief executive Alan Kemp, said: “We have implemented a number of initiatives to improve our service and the quality of life for residents.
“It is very rewarding to hear from tenants that these steps are having a significant impact.”
WHA manages more than 1,200 houses in Warrington. Its services include an energy saving programme, mortgage rescue scheme and specialist accommodation for those with learning difficulties.
Six schools take part
in Shakespeare festival
by John Hendon
PUPILS from six Warrington high schools are taking part in the country’s biggest ever celebration of the work of Shakespeare next week.
They are taking part in the Shakespeare Schools Festival, which spans 22 different local authorities, 150 schools and involves 4,000 young actors making their debut on the stage.
The schools are Birchwood High, Bridgewater High, Appleton, Culcheth High, Great Sankey High, Lymm High and Sir Thomas Boteler CE High, Latchford.
They will be staging 30 minute versions of a number of Shakespeare plays, including A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, and Macbeth.
The festival opens at the Theatre Royal, St Helens on Tuesday (October 5) and continues until Friday (October 8).
The event dates back to 10 years ago, when 12 of Shakespeare’s most popular plays were abridged for TV. The adaptations are now a core resource for schools across the UK in teaching Shakespeare to 11-15 year olds.
It has the backing of the Royal Shakespeare Company and, locally, the Cheshire Building Society.
Each participating school has been given a half-day theatre workshop with Dramarama, an award-winning professional theatre company.
Bridgewater, Culcheth and Lymm stage their plays on Tuesday, Sir Thomas Boteler on Thursday and Great Sankey and Birchwood on Friday.
Pubs to introduce
smoking restrictions
by staff reporter
THE Warrington-based Burtonwood Brewery is one of 18 pub companies to sign-up to a charter that will severely restrict smoking in bars.
The amount of no-smoking floor space in pubs will be expanded to 80 per cent by December 2009 under the policy.
It will mean that 40 per cent of pubs in the country will be subject to no-smoking restrictions.
But anti-smoking campaigners say the move is not enough and is designed to persuade the Government and local authorities not to introduce a total smoking ban in public places.
Man attacked
and robbed
by John Hendon
A 37-year-old man was attacked and robbed at Warrington as he walked home in the early hours of the morning.
The attack took place in Smith Avenue, Orford and the man was robbed of his silver Sekonda watch.
Police said he was attacked from behind and struck over the head. He was then kicked by an unknown number of people as he lay on the ground.
But his injuries did not require hospital treatment.
Police are appealing for witnesses and also for help from anyone who might be offered the watch, which as a blue dial. Anyone who can help should call PC Dawn Akrigg on 01925 652222.
Russian pianist
to play in town
by staff reporter
RUSSIAN pianist Evgeny Soifertis is to give a concert in Warrington.
The internationally renowned musician will appear as part of the Live at St Wilfrid’s programme of classical music at St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, on Thursday, October 21.
Evgeny’s recordings have received the highest praise and he has recently been recording three Cds for Hyperion in their prestigious “Romantic Piano Concerto” series.
At Grappenhall he will be playing Chopin 24 Preludes, Rachmaninov Sonata No 2, Liszt Spanish Rhapsody and Glinka Mazurkas.
Tickets are available from Dobson’s newsagents, Lymm, Edwin Allen in Buttermarket Street, Warrington or by telephoning 01925 265146.
Girl victim
of sex attack
by staff reporter
A 15-year-old girl was indecently assaulted as she walked home along Wilson Patten Street, Warrington, in the early hours of the morning.
She was grabbed from behind by a man with dark hair, slight stubble and wearing black trousers, shoes and long sleeved shirt.
Police are seeking witnesses and anyone who can help is asked to contact PC Dawn Akrigg on 01925 652222.
TV stars kick
off for charity
by Terry Johnson
STARS of TV’s ‘Hollyoaks’ will be in Warrington tomorrow (Sunday) for an off-screen football friendly to raise vital funds to combat Muscular Dystrophy.
The ‘Hollyoaks’ actors will be at Warrington Town’s Loushers Lane, Latchford ground where Mersey Television Football Team meet a squad from Carphone Warehouse’s Warrington and Liverpool branches.
The game (k.o. 2.30pm) is expected to include Max Brown(who plays Kristian in the soap), Nick Packard(Tony Hutchinson) and Marcus Patrick(Ben Davies).
It is also hoped they will be joined by actors from former soap, ‘Brookside’ – including Paul Byatt(who played Mike Dixon).
Carphone Warehouse will be playing its own company football finale(k.o.12.00 noon) before the highlight ‘Hollyoaks’ match.
Admission to the ground is ?3 for adults and over-10’s, ?1 younger children.
A competition with top prize of a Siemens S65 camera phone and Bluetooth printer will boost the fund-raising.
Charles Horton, MS regional fund-raiser, said: “Both teams are really excited about playing to help us raise funds. This tournament raises the profile of our charity”.
News in brief
Book bonanza
WARRINGTON Library is to sell off top titles and intriguing reads for as little as 10p! The book bonaza will run from Tuesday October 26 until Thursday October 28 at Warrington Museum and consist of withdrawn library titles, including children’s books, adult hardbacks, paperbacks, textbooks, CDs and videos.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 1, 3, 4 and 12. There was no winner for the ?1078 jackpot which means next week’s top prize is likely to be around ?1,500 – and must be won. The ?25 consolation prize was won by H. Boyle.
‘Phones mast
PLANS to install a microwave radio antenna on an existing telecommunications mast at High Warren Reservoir, Appleton, have been approved by Warrington Borough Council.
Bar refused
HARTLEY’S Bar in Bridge Street, Warrington, has been refused planning consent for a rear extension to enlarge the bar area.
