Memory of rugby legend’s
daughter lives on
by Gary Skentelbery
THE memory of a former Warrington girl who tragically died from a rare form of cancer now lives on through a new fund-raising website.
Diane Bath, the daughter of Warrington Rugby League Club legend Harry Bath, was just 47 when she lost her three year battle with the disease.
She had been given just 6-12 months to live after being diagnosed with Leimysarcoma but bravely battled on for three years, undergoing six operations, so she could spend more time with her two sons Drew and Trent, while also completing her dream of studying to become a teacher.
Now nine years on the Foundation Diane website has been launched by her close friend Carolyn Mountford, the daughter of another Warrington rugby legend, Cec Mountford, who coached the club for 10 years. Cec had previously played at Wigan and despite fierce rivalry on the pitch, became firm friends with Harry, who was Warrington’s captain.
Their daughters went to school together in Warrington and their friendship lasted up until Diane’s death in April 1996. They had discussed the Foundation before Diane’s passing.
Carolyn studied for her PHD at Oxford University and returned to Sydney where she has lived and worked since 1979. She is now a renowned scientist researching in early detection of cancer and human diseases.
Foundation Diane is the fundraising arm of the Institute for Magnetic Resonance Research (IMRR), a scientific organisation committed to researching, developing and applying magnetic resonance technologies for early, accurate detection and treatment of serious diseases, particularly cancers.
Carolyn said: “Diane gave me much encouragement to keep going in the days when our new technology magnetic resonance spectroscopy was considered to be “Black Magic”. Now it is being used worldwide helping people with a range of diseases to improve their outcome and make correct management decisions.
Diane’s parents Harry and Gwen, who retired back to their homeland in Australia after nine “very happy” years in Warrington, are delighted with the new website in memory of their Grappenhall born daughter, who celebrated her first birthday on the day her dad came home with the Challenge Cup in 1950.
Gwen, who has worked for Foundation Diane since 1998, said:” Diane never complained and I have to say she was simply the most wonderful daughter, Harry and I could wish for. I guess everyone says that of their children when they lose them, nevertheless she was an amazing daughter.”
For more information on the work of the Foundation visit the website at www.foundationdianne.org
Man jailed for
breaching order
by court reporter
A WARRINGTON man, who had been made the subject of an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO), was jailed for three months for urinating in a public street.
Karl James Breary, 29, of Longbarn, was specifically prohibited from urinating in the street when magistrates made him the subject of a two-year ASBO in September last year.
But Breary breached this condition and was arrested and charged. He was sent to prison on the same day by Warrington Magistrates.
PC Catherine Hilton said: “Anti Social Behaviour Orders are taken very seriously by police and the courts. Strict conditions are imposed upon offenders to protect the communities they have been affecting and positive action will be taken against anyone who breaches their order.”
Last year Breary was ordered not to urinate in a public place unless he used a public toilet.
He was also ordered not to enter an area of Warrington, bounded by the A574 Birchwood Way, Blackbrook Avenue, Liverpool to Manchester Railway Line and the M6 Motorway. Within a day of the order coming into effect, he entered the banned area and was remanded in custody for a month.
He originally appeared before Warrington Magistrates Court in September for offences of criminal damage and urinating in a public place and was sent to prison for a month. The ASBO came into force upon release.
Town needs more
low-cost homes
by David Skentelbery
WARRINGTON needs more low-rise, low cost starter homes – not high rise apartments.
This is the message behind a resolution to be put to the next meeting of the borough council by the opposition Liberal Democrat group.
Liberal Democrat leader Ian Marks will move a resolution asking the council to reaffirm its commitment to the regeneration of the town’s inner urban areas.
He recognises the Government’s planning guidelines for new building but asks that every effort be made to build low-rise affordable starter homes and family housing in the inner areas, rather than high rise apartments.
Coun Marks said the council should call on its MPs to put more pressure on the Government to encourage affordable and social housing to be built.
Mike is new
RFU president
by our correspondent
WARRINGTON Rugby Union stalwart Mike Cornelia is the new president of the Lancashire RFU.
He follows in the footsteps of four previous Lancashire presidents, who were also Warrington RUFC members, Jack Bradley, Reg Locker, Ces Birch and Bryan England.
Mike, from Appleton, made his Rugby Union debut in 1961 for the now defunct Warrington YMCA side. He joined Warrington RUFC in 1963 and played the first of more than 300 1st team games for the club in September of that year.
He is one of the few Warrington players to have amassed more than 1,000 points in a season, which he did in 1971/72.
Mike played his last first team game at the age of 42 and then went on to enjoy a further 600 games for the lower sides, ending his career in 1996, playing for Warrington Vikings.
He served in several administrative positions with Warrington since becoming a committee member in 1965, notably as club chairman for eight years and as president from 1998-2000. He was elected a life member in 2002. His association with Lancashire goes back to his election as Warrington’s county representative in 1977 and he joined the Lancashire Cup committee in 1984, becoming chairman in 1990. He has been assistant honorary secretary of Lancashire since 1993.
Still a keen sportsman, Mike continues to play cricket at Warrington Sports Club, where he has been president since 2001.
Council clampdown on
illegal motorway signs
by David Skentelbery
PLANNERS at Warrington are clamping down on unauthorised advertising signs along motorways in the borough.
Advertisers and landowners have been warned that signs erected without permission must be removed within 14 days if they are to avoid enforcement action and prosecution.
A survey by members of the borough council’s development control department identified 35 unauthorised advertising signs along the M62, M6 and M56 within the borough.
Most were the responsibility of advertising agencies rather than the firms whose goods or services were being advertised – and both advertisers and landowners were unaware of the consequences of displaying unauthorised adverts.
After the survey was completed, seven new signs appeared – but as a result of approaches to those involved, all but three of the 42 were removed.
Three were expected to be removed soon but one farmer was refusing to remove two signs on his land. An enforcement notice requiring them to be moved was to be issued.
A council spokesman said: “While action over the signage has required investment in staff time, the prominence of the signage, their impact on the visual amenity of the green belt and, crucially, the concerns expressed over possible threat to highway safety has justified the approach adopted.
“Ongoing monitoring will continue to ensure that new signage does not replace that removed. The successful removal of signage has prompted contact from a number of other local authorities requesting
advice on how they can proceed with a similar exercise.”
Girl power on
sports field
by staff reporter
GIRL Power comes to town next month courtesy of Warrington Wolves Active Communities.
A multi sports activity day is being organised for girls aged between 11 and 15, at Victoria Park, Warrington, on August 3 between 10am and 2pm.
Activities will include kick fit, dance, football and rugby league, and the fee for the day is ?5.
Places are limited so anyone interested in joining in should contact Dawn Cutts on 01925 248880.
Garden centre raises
money for hospice
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SERIES of events held at Bents Garden Centre, Glazebury, near Warrington, have helped raise ?1,500 for Francis House Children’s Hospice, Manchester.
The garden centre held a Barbeque Month and Art Exhibition with events to support its Charity of the Year, the Kirsty Appeal at the Didsbury hospice, during May and June. Money will go towards the grand total to be announced later this year.
The barbeque event, suggested by Matthew Dickinson, an assistant team leader in the leisure department, included barbeque and outdoor cooking demonstrations. A raffle for a ?250 gas barbeque was won by Mr Hardy of Leigh.
In June a Bryan Edmondson art exhibition also raised funds. A display of his watercolours was held, and a raffle for one of his originals was won by Mrs Pat Bishop of Leigh.
Record profits
bring new jobs
by business staff
RECORD profits have been announced by a Warrington firm and strong growth recorded for the first quarter of the year.
Martin Dawes Systems, which provides support to telecom operators and resellers, has announced a 100 per cent increase in profit. It has also provided 40 new jobs at its bases in Warrington and Limerick and further expansion is expected.
During the quarter revenues have increased by more than 50 per cent, compared with the same period last year.
Managing director Dew Thomas said demand for the company’s CRM billing solutions and service continues to grow.
“The billing analysis tool, Analyser, is proving to be successful with the market as the need for billing and cost analysis becomes more important to corporates,” he said.
Water supplies cut
as main bursts
by staff reporter
HUNDREDS of homes at Lymm, near Warrington were without water this morning after a major water main burst during the night.
The burst was in Massey Brook Lane, Lymm and engineers rushed to the scene to carry out repairs.
A United Utilities spokeswoman said it was hoped to restore supplies as soon as possible.
The burst affected homes and businesses and schools – some of which were considering whether children should be sent home if supplies were not restored quickly.
Caravan fire
was “suspicious”
by staff reporter
A FIRE which completely destroyed a caravan parked on the drive of a house at Warrington during the night is being treated as “suspicious.” The blaze was at a house in Marshall Avenue, Dallam.
Minor heat damage was caused to the house and the caravan was burned out, despite the efforts of firefighters wearing breathing apparatus.
Investigations are continuing to try and establish the exact cause.
