Two escape arson
attack on flats
by David Skentelbery
TWO people escaped unhurt after a determined arson attack on their home at Warrington.
The attack was late at night at Hamnett Court, Birchwood – a block of apartments mainly occupied by single people.
A bottle containing a highly inflammable substance was thrown at the building and a quantity of petrol was poured on the doorstep and set alight.
Extensive damage was caused to the building but the two people inside were able to escape.
A police spokesman said: “This had the potential to be a very serious incident indeed. Someone made a very determined attempt to set this building on fire. Lives could have been lost.”
Fire crews were called to the scene to extinguish the blaze.
Police are appealing for information from the public. They want anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any information at all to come forward.
Information should be given to Det Sgt Kate Tomlinson on 01244 613831.
Award-winning garden
is “a joy to see”
by Lesley Wilkinson
A GARDEN described as a “joy to see” created by Raymond Smith was the worthy winner of Golden Gates Housing’s Gardening Competition.
Raymond Smith, of Hilltop Road, Woolston, has a garden that features a well-stocked rose garden at the front. His back garden is filled with a mixture of annuals, conifers and heathers in 12 beds surmounted by pergolas supporting a variety of climbing plants.
Coun Sheila Woodyatt, one of the judges, said: “Mr Smith was a very worthy winner. His garden is simply a joy to see with every square inch given over to a huge number of flowers.”
Raymond propagates most of the annuals himself, using a temporary greenhouse that he takes down each year to make the most of space.
More than ?1,000 worth of prizes from B&Q were donated for the competition. Categories also included a section for the disabled, residents in flats, most unusual garden and best child-friendly garden.
Cliff Law, communications officer at GGH, said: “Once again, the standards of entries was very high. It was extremely difficult to select the winners and everyone deserved a prize”.
Other winners were: Most Unusual Garden, Steve Allsop, Tilston Avenue, Latchford, Best Child Friendly Garden, Mrs D Drinkwater, Orchard Ave, Lymm and Best Year Round Appearance, Winifred McNicholas, Bridgewater Ave, Latchford.
The Best Garden Round a House went Mr K Henry, Northway, Longford, Best Garden Round a Flat, Mr W Henson, Broomfields, Bridge Lane, Appleton, Best Disabled Persons Garden, Mrs Newton, Barrymore Ave, Latchford, Most Improved Garden, Dean Copping, Pigot Place, Latchford.
Brave parents who went
back to the classroom
by Lesley Wilkinson
BRAVE parents who went back to the classroom to help improve their children’s education were presented with certificates at a Family Learning Awards Ceremony.
Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington, Coun Hans and Coun Karen Mundry, and Norma Cadwallader, interim strategic director of children’s services, congratulated parents who had taken part in the Family Literacy course.
The parents and carers attended school one day a week for 14 weeks working with their children on fun activities to help the youngsters with numeracy and literacy skills.
It helped parents recognise and use educational opportunities in everyday life, such as visiting shops, parks and museums, and helped then improve their own maths and English skills.
Coun Colin Froggatt, executive member for children’s services, said: “This course recognises that parents and family members are our first, most familiar and influential teachers. Families have a powerful influence on our learning throughout our lives.”
The project was funded by the Learning and Skills Council, Education Standards Funding and is co-ordinated through the Lifelong Learning section of Warrington Borough Council.
Police warning over
doorstep conmen
by David Skentelbery
POLICE have issued a warning after two conmen managed to gain entry to an elderly woman’s home at Warrington.
The men – posing as water board officials – went to the house in Victoria Avenue, Grappenhall and told her they needed to switch off the water.
She allowed them into the house – but they then asked if they could see her pension book.
When she refused, they left the house, apparently without taking anything.
The woman called the police but was unable to give any description of the men other than that they wore suits and were of foreign appearance.
A police spokesman said: “We want to warn people that these men are active in the area. On no circumstances should anyone admit men to their house unless they have established beyond all doubt the identity of the caller and who they represent. Genuine callers will not mind enquiries being made.”
Anyone who has any information about the two men seen in Grappenhall are asked to call PC Jamie Thompson on 01244 612630.
Police in hunt for
would-be burglar
by staff reporter
POLICE at Warrington have today issued an efit picture of man alleged to have been involved in an attempted burglary almost three months ago.
The man is alleged to have tried to break into a house in Burford Lane, Lymm at about 1pm on May 5.
A householder arrived home and saw the man threw a downstairs window using a screwdriver-type implement to try and force the window frame.
The offender made eye contact with the householder before making off.
Police say the man was about 26-29, dark skinned, about 5ft 10 inches tall and was wearing a washed out, pale blue fitted T-shirt with short sleeves. He had short dark brown hair and stubble.
No property was stolen and the male did not enter the property.
A police spokesman said: “If anybody recognises the eFit they should contact PC Amanda Cotterell at Stockton Heath Community Action Team on 01244 612636/7 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
Crime figures
fall sharply
by John Hendon
A SHARP reduction in crime figures for Warrington has been recorded by Cheshire Constabulary during the past 12 months.
Home Office figures show there were almost 3,000 fewer victims of crime in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington this year compared to last year, and a four per cent drop in the numbers of recorded crimes.
And figures show that Cheshire is performing well compared to the national average – and in some cases is outstripping it.
During the year household burglaries dropped by 27 per cent, and there was a 13 per cent drop in burglaries at shops and businesses, compared with 20 per cent and 14 per cent nationally.
This means in Cheshire there were 1,500 fewer houses burgled during the year and officers attribute this to their Safer Homes initiative aimed at reducing burglaries.
Robbery fell in the country by 18 per cent and vehicle crime by 10 per cent, meaning 1,200 fewer offences in the year. But there was a 10 per cent increase in violent crime, with the majority in the less serious category such as common assault and harassment.
Model railway
exhibition
by staff reporter
MODEL train enthusiasts are invited to an exhibition being held at Woolston High School in September.
Warrington Model Railway Club stages its annual event from 10am to 6pm on Saturday September 3 and 10am to 5pm on Sunday September 4.
It will feature traders’ stands and 17 layouts of railways designed by members.
