Two charged with
village murder
by court reporter
TWO men have appeared before magistrates at Warrington charged with the murder of Alan Bell, aged 64, of Lymm.
William Collins, 35 and Gary Collins, 21, were both charged with burglary at Mr Bell’s home in Rushgreen Road, Lymm and also with his murder.
Angela Collins, 41, was charged with assisting an offender and a 47-year-old man from Manchester is due to appear before the court on Wednesday, also charged with assisting an offender.
The three Collins’ are all from Lymm.
Mr Bell, a native of Lymm, was found dead at his home on February 21 and it is believed he had been dead for some weeks.
But a post mortem examination has not revealed the cause of his death, according to police.
Former Tory leader in bid to
build “stronger community”
by staff reporter
FORMER Conservative leader Iain Duncan Smith – head of the Centre for Social Justice – will join Coun Fiona Bruce today to find out how the people of Warrington are working together to build stronger communities and help vulnerable people in the region.
During the day, pair will witness presentations from a variety of organisations who either have or plan to have groups in the town.
These include ADAS (Alcohol and Drug Abstinence Service) who are planning to set up a new support group in Warrington, MerseyFest, a charity which is setting up a major social action project in Penketh to involve young people and the Westy Christian Fellowship Group, which runs a range of activities for Westy residents, including dance and drama groups and a drop in centre for those suffering from the effects of drug and alcohol addiction.
Fiona Bruce, who is the Prospective Conservative Parliamentary candidate for Warrington South, said “This is a great opportunity to share some of the fantastic works being carried out by groups across Warrington with Iain.
“ADAS is one of the few organisations in the North West, which offers a successful drug abstinence programme. I am very keen to see it up and running in Warrington to support those impacted by substance abuse who want to get off and stay off drugs for life.”
She added: “There are so many community organisations like the Westy Christian Fellowship Group and Merseyfest putting in a lot of hours to encourage local neighbourhoods to strengthen community life.
“These organisations are the unsung heroes of our communities, plugging the gaps and giving sacrificially of their time and resources.”
Mr Duncan Smith and Mrs Bruce will both speak at an interactive event at the Parr Hall, Warrington at 7pm tonight, entitled “Warrington Together, Building Stronger Communities.”
They share a belief that strong families and strong communities provide the foundation for a strong society.
The event is open to the public and Mrs Bruce said: “My vision for this evening is that every single person who comes to the event goes away armed with some real, practical ideas which they can put into effect the very next day, helping them to strengthen community life in their part of Warrington”.
Post office
in a pub
by John Hendon
ROYAL Mail has confirmed that plans are in place for Glazebury to get a new post office – at the Grey Horse pub.
The scheme will involve conversion of a former dining room at the front of the pub in Warrington Road.
A Royal Mail spokeswoman said: “We will announce details of the opening date as soon as they become known.”
Glazebury has been without a post office since last summer when postmaster John Murray retired after 15 years in the village.
Market visitors get a
taste for fair trade
by staff reporter
VISITORS to Warrington Market were able to taste samples of fair trade biscuits and snacks at part of National Fair Trade Fortnight.
Other activities organised by Fair 4 All, the fair trade stall, included a wordsearch game for children and the chance to have the stall’s logo painted on their hands or face.
All the correct entries for the wordseach were put in a box, and winners were chosen by market managers. Prizes were presented by Councillors Ian Marks and Ray Hancock.
First prize went to Joe from Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, and was collected by his class teacher Mrs Daniels. Runners-up were Mark Dixon, Daniel Hazell, Taylor Mountain, Bethany Fisher, Laura Birchenough and her friend Sarah.
Coun Marks said: “The Fairtrade movement is going from strength to strength and now sells 800 products from 49 countries.
“It was great to see young people in Warrington taking an interest and congratulations to the very active Fairtrade Group we have in town for running this competition,” he added.
Education scheme
for employees
by Lesley Wilkinson
AIR Miles staff at Birchwood, Warrington will be able to take advantage of a unique education programme being launched by the company in conjunction with the University of Brighton.
The AirMiles Academy marks the biggest investment in staff development in the industry and is the first ever industry accredited in-house education scheme.
It offers training to its 650 employees, including the 400 based in Birchwood.
Staff will be able to work towards a company travel diploma at primary, intermediate and advanced level. Training could ultimately lead to a BA in Travel Management followed by an MA in the subject.
Drew Thomson, managing director, said: “We have developed The AirMiles Academy because we firmly believe in investing in the education of our staff. As an industry we employ some of the most talented and passionate individuals and we must nurture this passion if we want travel to be an inspirational place to develop a career.”
Residents give their
area a spring clean
by staff reporter
RESIDENTS of Howley, near Warrington, celebrated the new season by gathering to give their area a spring clean.
Volunteers from Howley Heritage Group were joined by Coun Yvonne Fovargue, as armed with litter pickers they decided to give Howley Heritage Trail a facelift.
The two-mile trail is a walk through Howley starting at St Elphins Parish Church, aimed at highlighting several centuries of life in the district. It covers Bishop’s Wharf, Warrington Academy and the Howley Suspension Bridge. Walkers may also take a break at the Marquis of Granby, built around 1660 as a gentleman’s town house.
Coun Fovargue said: “The trail is a real asset to the Howley area and the volunteers are to be commended for their community spirit in helping to keep the trail clean and tidy.
“The trail is a fascinating trip through time with glimpses of the historical Howley from the days of Oliver Cromwell and celebrates some of Warrington’s famous locals, such has poet Anna Barbauld. The industrial past is also celebrated with Bishop’s Wharf which was the hub of the tanning industry from as early as 1633,” she added.
She encouraged local people to visit the trail and said that further information was available from the heritage group at 15 Nora St, Howley, or by email to
[email protected]
