Plea to track down
needle attacker
by Gary Skentelbery
THE family of a teenager stabbed in the arm with a hyperdermic needle have issued a plea for help to track down his assailant.
Police at Warrington have now issued an e-fit of the “vagrant” who stabbed 19 year-old David Round with a syringe as he left a town-centre night spot.
His “crime” for the horrific attack was not having any cigarette papers!
David from Lymm, has been left living in fear of a contagion from infections like HIV since the attack outside the Big Bar in Warrington town centre.
The incident was first reported in Warrington-Worldwide a week ago.
He has been undergoing hospital tests to detect possible infections.
His mother Tina said: “The sooner this person is found the better and he should not be left to walk the streets.
“David has still a long time to wait for his results and it seems to go on for ever. Many people have told me not to worry as the chances of infection of HIV is very small – but the chance is still there!”
Police say David was stabbed in the arm by a scruffy-looking man of between 50-60, wearing thin-rimmed glasses, brown waistcoat and rigger boots.
The assault took place after the man asked his David for cigarette papers.
The middle-aged man stuck the syringe in his victim’s arm, pulled it out and threw it away. He then ran off.
Investigating officer PC Mark Smith, said: “We would appeal for witnesses to this incident – or anyone who recognises the description or e-fit to contact us”.
Councillors “raise the
roof” over house plan
by Terry Johnson
PARISH councillors at Croft, near Warrington “raised the roof” about a home-owner’s plan to extend upwards just one meter! They thought the proposed roof-raising was ‘excessive’.
And they also objected to a doubling of the property’s footprint off Lord Street, at the heart of a centuries-old farming community.
Residents of Lord Street also put in multiple objections. They included disruption, “oppressive effect” and compromised property values if the development – north of the historic Horseshoe pub – went ahead.
But the weight of parish and neighbour objections was not enough to dissuade borough planning councillors.
They approved a scheme submitted by Mr S. Sankey for the demolition of an existing extension and the building of a new, two-storey rear extension to his home.
Although it was accepted there would be overshadowing of two gardens behind Lord Street, this would be limited to morning light, with no demonstrable harm.
The scheme originally submitted was of a “boxy, suburban style”. But the latest plan retained the cottage’s character and was visually acceptable.
Nursing chief’s visit
The NHS’s Chief Nursing Officer Christine Beasley praised the dedication and expertise of North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust’s nursing staff, when she visited Warrington Hospital
She enjoyed a tour of the recently refurbished Accident and Emergency Department, as well as chatting with staff and visiting a Nursing and Midwifery exhibition in the Trust’s Postgraduate Centre.
Director of Nursing and Service Development Kath Holbourn said: “It was a tremendous honour to welcome Christine Beasley to the Trust, as well as a recognition of the fantastic work our nurses carry out every day to ensure their patients receive the best care possible.”
Victorian garden to
open to the public
by David Skentelbery
A UNIQUE Victorian walled garden at Warrington, which lay neglected for 20 years but has now been restored to its former glory, is to be opened to the public on four days during August and September.
Grappenhall Heys Walled Garden will be open between 10am and 6pm on Saturday August 13, Sunday August 21, Saturday August 27 and Sunday September 4.
The four-acre walled garden is all that remains of Grappenhall Heys, a large country house built by banker Thomas Parr in 1830. The house was demolished in 1975 and the Walled Garden lay largely neglected until 1995 when restoration work was started by English Partnerships.
In April this year the garden was taken over by Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council, along with a “dowry” to maintain it .
Eventually, the parish council would like to open the garden on a regular basis. But at present this is not possible so volunteers will be on duty on the four days to supervise visitors.
Coun Cliff Taylor, a member of the parish council, said: “We are trying to find a way to make the garden available to the public on a regular basis. But we can’t just leave it open, like a park, because of the risk of vandalism.
” The Walled Garden consists of a working kitchen garden and an ornamental pleasure garden, divided by a yew hedge and both enclosed within a continuous sandstone wall.
The kitchen garden is used by the Warrington Organic and Wildlife Gardening Society who maintain the garden in Victorian style.
There are a range of glasshouses, built around 1920 and two coal fired boilers originally used for heating the glasshouses.
The pleasure garden has three ponds with interesting stone structures and aquatic plants.
Long term vision for the garden is to retain its Victorian ambience and atmosphere while creating a resource for horticulture, education and enjoyment.
Anyone interested in visiting the garden should contact Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council on 01925 264918, Monday to Thursday, 2pm-4.30pm.
Motor cyclist “serious”
after crash with car
by David Skentelbery
A 22-year-old motor cyclist is in hospital at Warrington after an early-morning road crash.
The collision involved the motor cycle and a saloon car driven by a woman, aged 25, from the Altrincham area.
It happened on the A574 Birchwood Park Avenue at Birchwood, close to the Carphone Warehouse building.
Police said the motor cyclist, from Culcheth, near Warrington, had suffered serious injuries.
They are appealing for witnesses who should call Sgt Mike Jones on 01244 613813.
Family funday
prizewinners
by staff reporter
WINNERS of a free raffle held at a family funday at Brickfield Park, Warrington were Dylan Noone and Rebecca Kearns.
The prizes – a mountain bike and a Warrington Wolves rugby ball – were presented at a ceremony organised by Watkin Street Residents and Tenants Association.
Supermarket giant Tesco donated the bike.
Local resident Scott Cook, who is recovering from a serious illness was guest of honour at the ceremony, along with Martin Squires of Tesco.
Association chairman Les Stewart said: “The family fun day was a huge success and I wish to thank Tesco and Warrington Wolves for donating the mountain bike and rugby ball. We thought it would be nice to invite Scott along to reveal the winners and make the event a double celebration.”
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 3, 9, 10 and 11. There was one winner for the ?143 jackpot and the ?25 consolation prize went to L Healey.
Disabled parking
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order to introduce disabled person’s parking spaces in Alexandra Street and Thelwall Lane, Warrington. Anyone who wishes to oppose the move can within six weeks of July 28 apply to the High Court for this purpose.
No waiting
PARKING bans are to be introduced in parts of Norris Street, Gorsey Lane, Venns Road, Ridgway Street and various passageways in the area following pressure from nearby residents. Anyone wishing to oppose the measures must apply to the High Court within six weeks of July 22.
Open day
AN open day is being held at Birchwood Fire Station, Warrington, on Saturday August 27. Visitors will be able to learn useful fire safety advice – and also “dunk” a fireman!
The events starts at 11am and runs until 4pm.
[ 10.08.2005, 17:54: Message edited by: DS ]
