Bank raiders foiled
by brave shoppers
by David Skentelbery
SHOPPERS and other members of the public confronted a gang of hooded thugs who raided a Warrington bank – and may have foiled their bid to steal cash.
A woman motorist pursued the raiders’ getaway car in her own vehicle.
It is not clear if any money was stolen in the early morning raid on the NatWest Bank in Warrington Road, Culcheth – but police believe the raiders may have fled empty handed.
A security guard was injured during the robbery and was taken to hospital with head injuries. But he was later allowed home.
Police said four men wearing balaclavas were involved in the raid, which took place while a cash-in-transit vehicle was at the bank.
They approached a security guard, brandishing baseball bats and knives, and demanded cash. The officer was attacked and suffered head injuries.
A police spokesman said: “The area was busy at the time and a number of members of the public confronted the offenders. One woman tried to follow them in her own car.
“They left the scene in a black Nissan Primera and drove to Crofton Gardens, Culcheth, where they switched to a black Volkswagen Golf and head off in the direction of Risley Prison.
“We believe many people must have witnessed the incident, or seen the Nissan or the Volkswagen before or after the raid. We would like to hear from them.”
Anyone who can help should call Warrington Police on 01244 613831 or the confidential Crimestoppers line 0800 555 111.
Wheelchair service victim
of its own success
by Gary Skentelbery
A Warrington based free wheelchair loan service has become a victim of its own success!
Launched by Warrington Disability Partnership three years ago with only 50 chairs, is in urgent need of extra help due to the high demand for the valuable service.
Although WDP has rapidly expanded its fleet of wheelchairs to 250,its still not enough.
The wheelchairs are available in all sizes suitable for young children to large adults and are available to members of the public ‘free’ for up to six weeks.
Over the past 12 months 689 people have benefited from the service. Currently there is a very high demand due to the summer, especially as many chairs are loaned out to families for their children or elderly relatives to join them on holiday or days out.
Due to this increased popularity WDP needs your help to raise ?1650 to purchase an additional 10 wheelchairs (6 children and 4 adults).
Any donation large or small will be gratefully received. Or if anyone is planning fund raising events in the future, WDP will be very happy to work on developing plans.
For more details please contact Jon Menzies on Tel 01925 638867 or email [email protected]
Meanwhile WDP recently benefited from eight new wheelchairs thanks to the genersoity of BNFL.
Through the generous donation of ?1012 from BNFL’s community fund, eight new chairs have been added to WDP’s growing free wheelchair loan service at the Centre For Independent Living, Beaufort St, Warrington.
Pauline Deans, Community Affairs, said: “Community involvement is a fundamental part of BNFL’s business and we are delighted to support the work of Warrington Disability Partnership by providing eight new wheelchairs for use by people in the local community.”
Family hotel is
Business of the Year
by Gary Skentelbery
THE family run Venture Hotels group which runs the Paddington House Hotel in Warrington is celebrating after being voted Warrington’s Business of the Year.
With another two hotels in Chester and one in Manchester, Venture Hotels pressed all the right buttons with the judges.
Sales have increased by 70 per cent over two years while profits have increased by 132 per cent and continuing investment in the hotel properties has strengthened the balance sheet by 191 per cent.
The growth and success over the past two years has increased the number of internal promotion opportunities and has lowered staff turnover to well below the sector norm. Collecting the award, director, Robert Abson, said: “Thank you to all my family, to the management team of all the hotels. As you will see over the next few years we will have hotels throughout the UK.
“Thank you to all the staff who operate all our hotels, it’s through them that we develop our company.”
Venture Hotels’ detailed entry impressed judges with the vision it showed for growth, forward planning, marketing and communications which has resulted in improved financial performances in all areas of the business.
With the Warrington Business of the Year Award tucked under their arm, the Absons have their sights set firmly on the future. They can see a business case for developing the two-to-three star hotel sector across the country and their ambition is to have hotels joining their group across the length and breadth of the UK.
For further information visit www.venturehotels.com
Concert band’s
third season
by Lesley Wilkinson
MUSIC lovers are in for a treat when the North Cheshire Concert Band starts its third season at The Pyramid, Warrington.
The local wind band starts its run with The Best of Great British Wind Music on Saturday, September 24.
Clarinet soloist Linda Merrick, from the Royal Northern College of Music, who has performed throughout the world and recorded many CDs will be guesting with the band.
Included in the programme are Edward Gregson, Festivo, Gustav Holst, Suite in E Flat, Stephen McNeff, Clarinet Concerto (premiere), and Adam Gorb, French Dances Revisited. It will be led by the band’s conductor Mark Heron.
Before the concert Linda Merrick will lead an afternoon Masterclass for local young musicians from 1pm to 6.30pm.
It is open to all flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon and saxophone players in full time education. All standards are welcome and the ?5 fee includes concert entry. Anyone interested in joining should email Hannah Sheldon at [email protected]
The Warrington-based band has about 40 players from throughout the North West.
Slimmers raise money
for guide dog charity
by Lesley Wilkinson
PACKING bags at a Warrington supermarket helped slimmers raise ?365 in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind.
A team of Weight Watcher members led by Michelle Garvin, Georgia Nunney and Lynne McGiver, packed shoppers bags for donations at Asda, Westbrook.
The three organisers have already held a sponsored walk, and have planned a charity ball to be held at the Village Hotel on Saturday September 10. Their fundraising has made more than ?7,000 so far.
Michelle said: “Along with our members we are working hard to raise cash for this important charity to sponsor a guide dog through it’s complete training costs ?5,000.
“Our aim is to raise the funds for two dogs that will go to local people, but we couldn’t have done it with out members.”
Tickets are still available for the ball, to include a healthy three-course meal. Details are available from Michelle on 01925 244966.
Rushbearing ceremony
at village church
by staff reporter
THE annual Rushbearing Ceremony takes place at Lymm this Sunday, August 14.
A procession of people bearing rushes – traditionally used as floor covering in churches many years ago – will proceed from Pepper Street to St Mary’s Parish Church on the A56 Church Road.
Traffic will be barred from parts of Pepper Street, The Cross, Eagle Brow, Brookfield Road and Church Road between 4pm and 5.30pm while the ceremonytakes place.
Arson attack
FIRE crews were called to Wilderspool Causeway, Warrington, during the night after vandals set fire to a derelict building.
A large quantity of gas cylinders were found inside the building, posing the risk of an exp
losion. But firefighters extinguished the blaze without any problems.
A spokesman said: “There is always risk of gas cylinders going up so we have to take precautions. This was just another incident of senseless vandalism.”
