Outrage as famous
old pub demolished
by David Skentelbery
ONE of Warrington’s most famous old pubs has been demolished – almost overnight.
The Bay Horse, in Winwick Street, was razed to the ground over the weekend, along with two adjoining terraced cottages.
All three were Grade 2 Listed buildings and, as such, should have been protected as buildings of historic or architectural interest.
The Rev Steve Parrish, vicar of St Ann’s Church – in whose parish the buildings stood – said: “A number of people have complained to me about what was happening.
“In all the development plans for the area, the pub and the cottages were shown as being retained. But now they have been demolished – apparently illegally.”
John Groves, Warrington Borough Council’s development control manager, said: “We are aware that the building has been demolished and that the necessary consent was not requested to carry this out.
“We are seeking a formal explanation from the owner of the site as to why this action has been taken and, based on the information received, we will then consider our response”
The Bay Horse has stood empty for about 15 years and has, over the years, suffered from vandalism.
At one time it was a haunt of vagrants and there were a series of fires on the premises. But the structure of the building was believed to remain sound.
Anyone convicted of demolishing a Listed building could face up to 12 months in prison or an unlimited fine.
Swimming foursome
on form again
by staff reporter
A QUARTET of talented swimmers from Warrington’s Priestley College have done themselves proud yet again after competing in two national swimming finals.
Having qualified from their regional heats in Birkenhead as winners, Kate Eccles, Rachel Hillam, Gemma Holmes and Laura Wilford all went well at the Bazuka National Finals held at the Neptune Centre in Middlesborough.
They originally began swimming together at Locking Stumps Primary School, Warrington in 1998 and were recently re-united at Priestley where they have rediscovered their form.
The competition saw them come up against some strong swimmers from all around the country, including students from independent schools and colleges.
The girls competed admirably and finished a respectable 6th in the Medley and 7th in the Freestyle.
With the summer rapidly approaching the quartet look destined to again be broken up with Gemma and Rachel coming to the end of their courses, while Kate and Laura are hopeful of finding new team-mates for the next academic year.
Head of Sport at Priestley, Nigel Howells said: “It was a delight to spend time in the company of the students, who continually remained focused on the task in hand.
“It’s disappointing that the team will soon be no more, but all good things come to an end and we remain confident that our swim team can continue to exist next year.”
Councillor’s apology over
“un-Christian” comment
by Lesley Wilkinson
A COUNCILLOR who called a Warrington church “un-Christian” has made a public apology.
Coun John Price was out of town and unable to attend the monthly meeting of Appleton Parish Council.
But he sent an apology to the trustees of Hillcliffe Baptist Church, Appleton, through Coun Brian Smith.
Coun Price’s comments were reported in Warrington-Worldwide last month in connection with the installation of a gate on a footpath which runs through church land.
He was critical of the church for restricting access to the path because it was risky for pedestrians to walk the alternative route along busy Red Lane.
The church installed the gate because of complaints of dogs fouling the path.
Parish councillors have since met church representatives, to try to find a solution to the problem.
Coun Smith said: “Dog owners are being asked to keep their dogs on leads, and to stop them from fouling the area.”
Coun Brian Axcell said there had been a “constructive” meeting with the church. It had been agreed to look at putting up signs saying it was a permissive footpath and asking dog owners to stop their pets from fouling the path. Provision of a dog bin was also being considered.
The parish council is to investigate the costs of bins and signs.
Fears grow for
missing woman
by John Hendon
POLICE at Warrington have renewed their appeal for information about a 31-year-old woman who has been missing from home since Friday (February 11).
They are becoming increasingly concerned for the safety of Elayne McWhirter (pictured) was last seen near her home in Warrington at around 11.30pm that night.
She is 5 ft 4 inches tall, of slender build and has blue eyes and dark brown hair. Her family say she looks younger than her age.
She may have been wearing a black tee-shirt and dark track suit bottoms.
Police say Elayne is “vulnerable”. But it is possible she has gone away and does not wish to return home at present. They are appealing to anyone who may have seen her, or to Elayne herself, to call family, friends or the police to let them know she is all right.
Enquiries have been made among her family and friends and house-to-house enquiries have made in the area near her home, but without success.
Anyone who can help should call Warrington Police on 01925 652222.
Woman falsely claimed
?11,494 in benefit
by court reporter
A WOMAN who falsely claimed ?11.494 in benefits from Warrington Borough Council and the Department for Work and Pensions has been sentenced to 160 hours Community Service and ordered to pay back the overpayment and costs.
Victoria Egan, aged 23 of Lock Villas, Latchford, Warrington, pleaded guilty to the offences at the town’s magistrates’ court.
She claimed the money by declaring she was a lone parent when in fact she was living with a partner, the court was told.
Between June 2002 and August 2003, Egan defrauded the council of ?5,406.39 in Housing Benefit and ?62.34 in Council Tax Benefit and the DWP of ?6,026.05 in Income Support.
In addition to the 160 hour Community Service Order, she was ordered to pay back the overpayment and ?75 court costs.
After the hearing, Adrian Webster, the council’s benefits manager, said: “Benefit cheats must realise that they cannot abuse the benefit system and steal from the rest of society. They are not just defrauding the government, but their own tax paying neighbours and communities in Warrington.
“Fraud is theft and this case is a clear demonstration of our determination to tackle benefit fraud. We are introducing new methods of data matching – the message now is benefit cheats will be caught – and we are reducing the amount of money lost through fraud and abuse.”
Fraud operations manager Roy Paul added: “This is an excellent example of government departments working together to combat benefit fraud. Our recent research shows that the public is fed up with cheats who steal money from the taxpayer that should go to those in genuine need of help.
“Tough action against benefit crooks is paying off, but we can’t do it alone.”
“Charity” firms are
selling to the needy
by staff reporter
A NUMBER of clothing collection companies are distributing flyers in the Warrington area – with the aim of “selling on” the clothing to people in need.
The warning has been issued by Warrington Trading Standards, who say people who receive the leaflets should read them carefully.
One company has distributed flyers to homes across the borough in a bid to get residents to leave second-hand clothes on their doorsteps for people in developing countries.
The small print on the letter states that “People in developing countries find it extremely difficulty to afford new clothes, but would be happy to purchase clothing you no longer require”.
The letter gives the impression that items will be collected fo
r charity, when the collections are actually being made for commercial purposes and then being sold on for profit.
The letter carries two contact numbers, which only allow queries to be left on an answer machine. The letter also carries an “Environment Agency” registration number, which simply allows the company to carry forms of waste (whether clothing, paper, etc) but lends no authenticity or authority to the operations of the company.
This type of advertisement is deemed ‘misleading’ under the Control of Misleading Advertisements Regulations, say Trading Standards.
Edwina Greenwood, principal Trading Standards officer, said: “There are so many genuine charitable organisations in your area who really do need your help. It is a shame that companies such as this, and numerous others, take advantage of the generous nature of so many people out there.
“As always, we advise that if you are in doubt as to the authenticity of a company/individual or operation you can always contact Trading Standards on 01925 442673. Alternatively, contact the Charity Commission Helpline on 0870 333 0123 to check if the collection is for, or on behalf of, a registered charity.”
[ 18.02.2005, 09:39: Message edited by: DS ]
