Shadowy figure who
may have been a spy
by Lesley Wilkinson and David Skentelbery
A SHADOWY figure known as “the mad dentist” who was married to Ruth Ellis – the last woman to be hanged in Britain – lived and worked in Warrington 50 years ago.
Hundreds of local children may have had their teeth treated by George Ellis when he worked as a school dentist in the town in the 1950s.
On the face of things he was a dentist with a taste for the high life, who drank too much and – before coming to Warrington – was enjoying London’s clubland and the girls who worked there as “hostesses.”
But a new book, published to mark the 50th anniversary of Ruth Ellis’ execution, claims he may also been involved in espionage.
“Ruth Ellis: My Sister’s Secret Life”, written by Muriel Jakubait, Ruth’s sister, with journalist Monica Weller, seeks to show the blonde club hostess may not have been guilty of the offence for which she was hanged – the shooting of her lover, racing driver-playboy David Blakely.
Manchester-born George Ellis had been married before he met Ruth. But his drinking bouts and violent temper drove his first wife, Vera, away.
He frequented bars in London where the hostesses knew him as “the mad dentist” because of his lavish spending and hectic life style. He met Ruth at the Court Club, where she was working and married her in 1950.
But despite being treated for alcoholism, he was still drinking, often beat her and they split up. He moved to Warrington some time in the early 1950s and lived in Walton Road, Stockton Heath.
He worked as a principal school dentist for Warrington Education Authority.
George Ellis resigned his Warrington job in November 1955 – four months after Ruth, 28, was hanged. But he must have remained in the town for some years as, in 1958, he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly and causing a breach of the peace outside the Walton Road house.
A few weeks later he was found hanged in a hotel in Jersey – and it was assumed he had committed suicide.
Muriel Jakubait is now in her 80s and has fought all her life to clear her sister’s name. She has collaborated with Monica Weller on the new book.
Monica said: “Although George worked as a dentist, we believe he was involved in spying activities. He had been in and out of hospital being dried out for alcoholism.”
The book claims there are still doubts about the Ruth Ellis case, with allegations that a third person, linked to a web of espionage, pulled the trigger. But an appeal as recently as February 2002 concluded she had been correctly convicted.
At her trial, the jury heard she had used a 38 calibre revolver to shoot David Blakely outside a London pub. Her first shot missed, but her second hit him and she then stood over him and fired four more shots into his body as he lay dying. An off-duty police officer arrested her with the smoking gun still in her hand.
Although Ruth pleaded not guilty, she made little attempt to defend herself in court and seemed to accept she deserved to hang.
Muriel, who last saw her sister through the wire grille in the Condemned Unit at Holloway Prison, is still determined to clear her name. The book tells the story of their shared upbringing, abusive childhood and her sister’s troubled life.
She claims the film “Dance with a Stranger,” starring Miranda Richardson and made some 20 years ago, tells only part of Ruth’s story. She still believes her sister was innocent.
Villagers’ joy as
mast plan rejected
by David Skentelbery
VILLAGERS are celebrating after a planning inspector threw out controversial proposals to erect a mobile phone mast on historic London Bridge, at Appleton near Warrington.
The inspector ruled that the 12.5 metre mast would have a “utilitarian and distinctly modern” appearance in marked contrast to canal-side buildings and the special character of the area.
Telecommunications giant O2 had submitted two unsuccessful applications for permission for the mast to Warrington Borough Council and lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning consent.
They wanted to erect the mast on the bridge, close to the London Bridge pub.
Hundreds of local people objected – as did Appleton and Stockton Heath parish councils.
The inspector said insufficient account had been taken of the effect of the mast when viewed from the canal – even if it was designed to resemble a street lamp.
There was insufficient technical evidence of the need for equipment on the site to justify approval in such a location.
However, the inspector made it clear he was not refusing permission because of health fears as the mast conformed to international guidelines.
Alan Stephenson, Warrington environment services director, said: “The decision closely reflecgts our view that this prominent and distinctive site is an unsuitable location for telecommunications equipment.”
Young offenders
transform eyesore
by Gary Skentelbery
YOUNGSTERS from Thorn Cross Young Offenders Institute were drafted in to help tidy up eyesore hedgerows and landscaped areas around Fearnhead Cross Community and Youth centre.
Local councillor Mick Curran said: “People, including myself have been complaining about the state of the area for some time and to be honest this is work the council should have carried out.”
But after hearing how youngsters from Thorn Cross had been brought in to carry out a garden project in East Grove, Blackbrook, Mick decided it would be a good idea for them to get involved at Fearnhead Cross.
During the week long project they helped “transform” the area under the guidance of prison officer Len Mavis and Stuart Bright, Secretary of the Blackbrook Community association and youth worker Sue Emery.
“The lads have cut back all the hedge rows and got rid of a lot of rubbish,” added Mick. “It is now a lot tidier and moe secure.”
Meanwhile Thorn Cross are always on the lookout for community projects.
Social worker to judge
comedy competition
by Lesley Wilkinson
A LYMM social worker has been chosen as one of the judges for the prestigious Perrier Comedy Award at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Paul Maguire, 38, of Rushgreen Road, is “thrilled” to be selected for the role in the competition which launched the careers of such famous comedians as Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie, Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge) and Lee Evans.
There are 10 judges in the competition, seven professionals and three selected by competition. Paul, who is manager of a children’s home in Stretford, won a newspaper competition to be chosen.
“I am absolutely over the moon to be chosen,” he said. “Going to the festival has been an integral part of my social calendar for 15 years. And as a judge I will enjoy seeing as many acts as I can.”
To win the place he had to write a piece about his experiences of the festival, write critiques of several comedians and be interviewed in Edinburgh. He will visit the festival for two weeks on an all-expenses paid trip.
Paul, who is a great fan of all types of comedy, plays for Lymm Rugby Club and has taken part in its pantomime for nine years.
“It is amazing to be chosen as a judge – winning can have such an impact on the lives of comedians,” he said.
Factory plan angers
nearby residents
by David Skentelbery
A CONTROVERSIAL plan to erect a factory building on land in full view of a row of houses is to come before Warrington planners for a second time.
Members of the borough’s development control committee have visited the site, off Old Liverpool Road, Sankey Bridges, to see what impact the scheme would have on nearby homes.
They are expected to reach a decision on Wednesday, August 17.
Residents of Old Liverpool Road claim the development would have an unacceptable impact on their residential amenity and could lead to increased traffic.
They say directors
of Warrington Fabrications Ltd have displayed a total disregard to the impact on neighbours of their expansion plans and current 24-hour working patterns.
The company is seeking planning consent for the 25ft high steel framed building on land currently used as a yard between the River Mersey and the railway line which runs parallel with Old Liverpool Road.
Environment Agency experts have raised no objections to the scheme but say the floor level of the new building should be 27 feet above the minimum tide level as the site is within the Mersey flood plain.
The residents have won the backing of borough councillor Jeff Richards – a former planning chairman – who believes the development would have a damaging impact on residential amenity.
Planning officers accept that the main issue relates to the impact of the development on the residential amenity of people living on the opposite side of Old Liverpool Road.
They admit the building will increase the overall massing of the site when viewed from the houses, but as the nearest house is some 180 yards away and the site is to be landscaped they do not consider it will have any detrimental impact on residential amenity.
Conditions can be applied to control noise, smells or air pollution arising from use of the building.
Search for teenagers
with musical talent
by Lesley Wilkinson
EIGHT councils, including Warrington, are working together to find teenagers with musical talent to be nurtured by professionals.
And a Music Futures event is planned at Warrington on Sunday October 2.
One of the organisers Ian Pollard said: “This is aimed at 13 to 18-year-olds who are considering a future career in music, and will bring together established professionals from a range of music work, including classical, rock and pop.
“The young people can hear about the myriad opportunities they can pursue, and ask their own questions of the panellists,” he added.
The scheme is part of Amplifier, a partnership programme led by Cheshire County Council to boost youth music making in the county. Eight borough councils are working with organisations such as the Northern Chamber Orchestra, YMCA and Connexions to develop the project.
The Warrington event is free for young people. Music experts and young people’s organisations in the town are expected to be involved.
MP’s praise for
Green Flag sites
by staff reporter
TWO attractive sites have been praised by Warrington North MP Helen Jones for achieving Green Flag Awards.
She commended Burtonwood Cemetery and Risley Moss Local Nature Reserve for securing the award that recognises how good quality green spaces make a major contribution to quality of life and enhance the environment.
“The Green Flag Award scheme is an important part of the government’s commitment to delivering cleaner, safer and greener communities. It recognises the great achievements and dedication of those managing these areas and I would like to extend my congratulations to all involved,” she said.
