“Listening” Tories
target key seat
by Gary Skentelbery
TORY leader Michael Howard believes it is “absolutely critical” for the Conservatives to win the key marginal Warrington South seat at the next General Election if he is to become the next Prime Minister.
During a meeting with local business people following an invitation to the town by Warrington South propspective parliamentary candidate Fiona Bruce, Mr Howard pledged he would lead a “totally transparent” government if elected.
“We are already outlining what we will do in the first hour and the first day and the first weeks if we are elected. Through meeting local people it is very clear that we need to cut through all the red tape and bureaucracy.
“I have come to Warrington to hear what local people want, so we can make it a better country for the people of Warrington.”
He sees Warrington South as a “must win” seat if the Tories are to regain the seat they lost to Labour in 1992.
During his visit Mr Howard met local business people at The Gateway, a new one-stop charity and community centre and Dawson’s music shop, where he congratulated staff on their success in winning the music industry’s “Best Multiple Retailer” award at a ceremony in London on Wednesday.
He also met members of the public during a walk down Sankey Street and popped into a local hair salon for an informal chat with customers and staff.
The visit was part of a “Listening to Warrington” initiative set up by Fiona last year, in which key members of the Conservative Party are invited to the town to meet the local community, listen to their views and concerns and learn about a wide range of initiatives.
Fiona said she invited Mr Howard to Warrington to show him “what a good town it is!
“I gave local business people the opportunity to meet Mr Howard so he could listen to the people.
“Too often politicians do too much talking when they should be listening. When I was elected to represent the people of Penketh on the borough council I personally knocked on over 3,000 doors. I didn’t say to people ‘vote for me.’ I asked them what their local issues were and discussed ways of tackling them.
“Now I am a borough councillor I can pick up on these issues which are important to local people and help make a difference.”
Man “critical” after
being found in park
by John Hendon
A MAN is critically injured in hospital after being found lying unconscious in a Warrington Park.
The man was found by two passers by lying near the railway line which passes Marshall’s Gardens at Bridge Foot.
Two other men were seen running away from the scene – and later two men aged 28 and 19, both from Warrington, were arrested on suspicion of assault.
Police said two other people, both aged 28, had also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
A police spokesman said witnesses were being sought in connection with the incident.
Anyone who was in the vicinity of James Lee House, Warrington or the footpath which runs at the side of Mr Smith’s nightclub at Bridgefoot, who saw anything suspicious on Thursday afternoon was asked to contact DI Andy Smith on 01244 613833.
Popular headteacher dies
after early retirement
by John Hendon
A WELL-respected headteacher at Warrington has died – only months after taking early retirement due to ill health.
David Hudson, 54, formerly head at Woolston Primary School, retired earlier this year after suffering from ill health for a number of years.
Warrington’s education director Malcolm Roxburgh said: “Everyone has been shocked and saddened by this news. David was a very highly respected headteacher who was known to, and liked by, so many people right across our community. David had a passion for teaching and learning and he will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.
“The educational community in Warrington is offering their support and condolences to his wife Anne and her family at this time.”
Mrs Hudson is herself a headteacher – at Burtonwood Primary School.
Mike De Paolo, acting head at Woolston Primary said: “The children, staff and governors are saddened by the news and our sincere sympathies go out to Anne and the children during this difficult time. The children will miss him greatly.”
John Joyce, leader of the council and chairman of governors at Burtonwood Primary, said: “The whole of the school community at Burtonwood extends their sympathy to Anne and her family – our thoughts are with them at this time.”
Mr Hudson leaves leaves his wife, two sons and a daughter.
Exhibition turns back
the pages of history
by Terry Johnson
THE pages of history are being peeled back with an exhibition of the earliest man-made tools found in Cheshire which comes to Warrington in the New Year.
Thanks to a ?104,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant, the county’s archaeological heritage is on show at the Salt Museum, Northwich, until January 9, after which it will move on to Warrington, Nantwich and Macclesfield.
Many of the old tools are on public show for the first time ever.
The “Revealing Cheshire’s Past” exhibition celebrates the lives of people who lived in the Middle Stone Age period(10,000-4,000 BC) and offers a series of free historical fact sheets – one aimed at schoolchildren.
Most of the Stone Age tools were accidentally discovered by field walkers. But other objects were uncovered in a dig at Warrington’s Bewsey Old Hall, a Medieval moated site occupied by the Lords of the Manor.
Jill Collens, Cheshire’s Archaeology Officer, said: “Many of the items now displayed are from museum storage areas. It is an exciting, absorbing exhibition”.
She added: “Cheshire residents will also have greater access to our database via libraries and eventually the Internet which contains a wealth of information about all archaeological sites across Cheshire, Warrington and Halton.
“We hope this will prove popular with students and people researching the area where they live”.
“Flashing” incidents
may be linked
by staff reporter
TWO incidents of indecent exposure in Warrington may be linked, police believe.
In the first, a woman was walking near the Black Bear Park allotment site when a man jumped out of some bushes and exposed himself.
Then he asked her for a cigarettee – but made off when she refused.
In the second incident, a woman was walking on the Trans Pennine Trail at the rear of the Royal British Legion Club in Stockport Road, Thelwall when she saw a man seated on a bench who exposed himself.
The first woman described the offender as aged 35-40, about 5ft 9 inches tall. The second woman said he had black hair and withdrawn features.
Anyone who witnessed either incident, or who recognises the offender from the descriptions, is asked to call PC Graham Robinson on 01244 612636.
Awards for town’s
“green spaces”
by staff reporter
FOUR of Warrington’s “green spaces” have won awards in a scheme which sets the national standards for parks, recreation grounds, etc.
The Risley Moss nature reserve and Fox Covert Cemetery picked up the Green Flat award for the first time.
Walton Gardens and Walton Lea Crematorium retained the status for a further year.
Representatives from Warrington Borough Council will be attending a special ceremony on in Preston on Thursday, November 18 to collect the awards.
Coun John Kerr-Brown, the borough council’s executive member for neighbourhood services, said: “It is fantastic news for our green spaces and parks to achieve these awards and highlights the fact that the council is committed to creating and maintaining spaces that the whole community can use and enjoy.
“Warrington is brimming with parks, such as the picturesque Walton Gardens, for people to make the most of and to enjoy a pleasant day out.”
T
he awards scheme is managed by the Civic Trust, with CABE Space as the main funding partner, and recognises the value of green spaces in communities, particularly urban environments and rewards excellent standards of park management.
