Top dog wins
national award
by Terry Johnson
A DEVOTED guide dog which became the “eyes and ears” of a blind woman has been voted the nation’s top dog.
Vaughn, a nine-year-old golden cross-bred labrador/retriever, beat 4,700 UK Guide Dogs to take the prestigious Kennel Club Medal.
The dog is ‘best pal’ to Susan Jones,44, from Stockton Heath, Warrington.
Susan has been blind since birth and Vaughn is her third guide dog.
She entered Vaughn in the Best Working Guide Dog class of the Kennel Club competition but judges in London decided that he merited the overall title, Guide Dog of the Year’.
Susan, a part-time support worker at the Cheshire and North Wales Guide Dog Centre, Helsby, said: “I was staggered when Vaughn was named UK Top Guide Dog. I had only nominated him for a lesser, class event.”
“I think the judges were impressed because Vaughn adapted well when I had a sudden loss of hearing while I was out. He managed to get me home without any problems acting as my eyes and ears.”
In recognition of his efforts the Kennel Club awarded Vaughn a medal and certificate.
Now Susan plans to reward her loyal dog with an extra-juicy bone!
Police pledge to
keep a local level
by John Hendon
CHESHIRE police have pledged to mount a strong case to keep community policing at a local level – and not allow the force to be absorbed into Manchester or Liverpool.
The Cheshire Police Authority and the Chief Constable are considering the recent report from Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary Denis O’Connor advocating a restructuring of police forces in England and Wales, which call for forces to be restructured with many smaller forces being absorbed into larger units.
Cheshire Constabulary has already been through a major change process aimed at strengthening local neighbourhood policing and this stronger local accountability and identity has to be the foundation of any national change.
Both the Authority and the Constabulary agree that it is critical that local people and their representatives have greater influence over the way policing is delivered in their area while also having protection against the most serious forms of criminality and terrorism.
Police Authority Chairman, Peter Nurse, said, “The Cheshire Police Authority will mount a strong case that the policing of our communities should not be decided and governed from Liverpool or Manchester, although we will be prepared to discuss with other police authorities the use of joint arrangements to tackle terrorism and serious crime.”
Cheshire Chief Constable Peter Fahy’s added: “Clearly the continued existence of Cheshire Constabulary as a separate organisation is now under threat. I am in full agreement that policing needs to change if we are to meet the changing nature of crime and the expectations of the public. What is clear is that merely changing structures and creating bigger organisations will not, on its own, create public satisfaction.”
“The Home Secretary is consulting on the way forward over the next few months. During the consultation period, the Police Authority will work with the Force and, crucially, with local people, to develop a robust vision of the future of policing in this area. This will allow us to explore the various options for moving forward. In particular we need clarity on what any changes will deliver in terms of improvements for the public and for the officers and staff who serve this community.”
Patrols bring back
confidence in blackspots
by Terry Johnson
COMMUNITY confidence is ‘bubbling back’ in a blighted area of Warrington since police and local councillors teamed together for a series of problem-spotting ‘catwalks.
‘ The day and night-time patrols focus on low-level crime and social disorder in Poulton North which upsets home-owners and creates environmental nuisance.
Parish and borough councillors, backed by residents and two police van patrols, have swept housing and commercial areas.
They targeted teenager drinking dens, graffiti, discarded drug syringes and litter.
The patrols observed behaviour patterns of groups causing disturbance and hanging around shops.
“Community confidence is a lot higher than it was three months ago”, said Cinnamon Brow councillor, Geoff Settle.
He added: “This project gives the opportunity for the community to meet with the police and plan a way forward.
“It is no good continuing to be reactive. Community and police must be proactive, jointly tackling issues”.
Sarah’s French
adventure
by Gary Skentelbery
FORMER Priestley College student Sarah Raffel has had a lot to smile about after completing a number of notable achievements.
The out-going and friendly youngster from Birchwood has just returned from France where she has been helping out at Emmaus, a charity for homeless people.
Sarah spent a month of her free time working in Bayonne in the South of the country. She helped out in the charity’s clothes shop and worked with other volunteers from all over Europe.
She also stayed in a hostel for volunteers and took part in social events and excursions organised by the Emmaus community.
She spoke lots of French and made the most of this opportunity to help others, enjoyed herself and ultimately improved her French. It is a month she says she will never forget.
The former Newman High School pupil has always enjoyed the use of Modern Languages and showed her particular flare for French when she landed a grade A qualification in the A2 level this summer.
Sarah also notched straight A’s in all her other subjects which included Maths, English Literature and Politics, which allowed her to take up a place at the well respected University of Warwick, to study French and politics.
Sarah commented, “I’ll never forget my time in France, and the friends I made there. I’d especially like to thank Carol Mtitimila, my French teacher at Priestley for all her help and support in organising the trip, and Sylvie the French language assistant for telling me about the opportunity. Returning to such good results was just the icing on the cake.”
Bikers rally at
cycle museum
by Lesley Wilkinson
BIKE enthusiasts from throughout the North West paid a special visit to the Cycle Museum at Walton Hall Gardens and enjoyed a ride through the country lanes.
Paul Adams, curator, arranged the visit for members of the National Autocycle and Cyclemotor Club.
He said members were pleased to see the range of bikes on display including tandems, three-seaters and the oldest machine an 1868 English “boneshaker.”
Some of the members took part in an 18-mile cycle through Moore, Daresbury and Preston-on-the-Hill.
“The overcast sky and drizzly rain did nothing to thwart the enthusiasm,” said Paul. “Everyone enjoyed the visit to the museum.
Guests and visitors also had the opportunity to vote for the bike from the museum they would most like to take home. And the most-voted for was a 1946 New Hudson autocyle owned and restored by Derek Ashworth.
Members of the National Autocycle and Cycle Motor Club set out on a run from The Bicycle Museum, using Autocycles dating from the 1930s onwards.
School’s special service
by Lesley Wilkinson
NEW pupils at a Warrington high school were given a helping hand to settle into their changed environment when an Inauguration Evening was held at St Elphins Parish Church.
The service to help the 140 new Year Seven pupils settle into Thomas Boteler C of E High School was attended by the Mayor of Warrington Coun Hans Mundry.
Canon John Hall, chief education officer for the C of E National Society, gave the address. An arrangement of flowers was laid on the tomb of Sir Thomas Boteler in the church.
The service was attended by staff, pupils and head
teachers of the associated schools.
A spokesman for the school said: “Primary Schools will officially hand over the pupils to their secondary school staff. It marks the passage from one school to another and helps the pupils face the big changes before them.”
Cycle appeal
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 37-year-old male cyclist was found lying by the roadside with serious head injuries in Longbarn, Warrington, yesterday afternoon. (Sept 20)
The man who is now “comfortable” in hospital was cycling along Harper’s Road, Longbarn.
Sgt Mike Jones from the accident investigation unit is particularly keen to hear from anyone who knows the whereabouts of the cycle. He can be contacted on 01244 613813.
