Death tragedy
on charity climb
by David Skentelbery
FORMER teacher Kath Hilton has died tragically while attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – the highest peak in Africa – to raise money for charity.
Kath, 56, took early retirement from Lymm High School last year and decided she would do what she had been urging sixth formers to do for years – see a bit of the world and try and make a difference.
But she suffered breathing difficulties after she had climbed 14,000ft – almost two thirds of the way up the mountain – and although she returned to base camp at 2,000ft and said she felt better, she collapsed and died.
Kath, from Glazebury, near Warrington, was aiming to raise ?4,500 for St Rocco’s Hospice, Warrington, which she had supported for years, fund raising, organising visits and acting as a volunteer driver.
Her niece, Ruth Hilton said: “It has been such a shock to us. Kath was a wonderful person and so full of life. She crammed so much into life.”
A keen fell walker, Kath had trained for the climb for months – mostly in the Lake District.
She had already raised ?600 with a calendar of photographs she had taken of Glazebury, comparing today’s village with that of yesteryear.
Next year she was hoping to be accepted for Voluntary Service Overseas and was planning a trip to Jordan.
Before leaving she said: “I’ve always urged students to try and do something different so I’m going to practice what I preach.
“It’s a way of seeing a bit of the world and doing something useful at the same time.
“I’m told it is not a particularly difficult climb – it is the altitude that is the problem.”
A close friend said: “I am sure the money she had been promised will still be given to the hospice.”
Market celebrates
750th charter
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON Market celebrated its 750th charter with a special cake cutting ceremony.
The town’s Mayor and Mayoress councilors Hans and Karen Mundry joined Market Manager Steve Pickering and Lord Boteler, alias Tony Whittaker, at the event.
Market traders, councillors and local dignitaries joined in the celebrations.
Rev Stephen Kingsnorth from the Warrington Borough Ministry said the town’s market was founded in 1255, which saw the first recorded use of the word market, meaning “a public place for the gathering of people and buying and selling.”
The 750th anniversary of the market charter was shared with the foundation of the city of Stockholm and the Sorbonne in Paris!
Picture shows Lord Boteler and the Mayor at the cake-cutting ceremony watched by guests and market traders.
A new chapter in
story of library
by staff reporter
IT was the beginning of a new chapter for Orford Library, Warrington, as it reached its 40th birthday week.
Many people joined in the birthday celebrations at Orford Library, which was opened in 1965 by the then joint Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science, Denis Howell.
Staff organised a day of birthday celebrations to mark the milestone and guests included the Mayor of Warrington, Cllr Hans Mundry, who gave a speech and there was plenty of birthday cake
Events and services at the library include children’s crafts during the school holidays, story time events, free access to the Internet and a wide selection of books, dvds and PlayStation games.
The Mayor and Mayoress, Councillors Hans and Karen Mundry, are joined by library staff as they cut the birthday cake.
Police search
for “flasher”
by staff reporter
POLICE at Warrington are seeking help from the public to track down a ?flasher? who exposed himself to a woman at Grappenhall.
It was just before midday when the man exposed himself to the 39-year-old woman at the junction of Chester Road with York Road.
He is described as being about five feet five inches tall, with mousey coloured shaven hair and he was wearing tracksuit bottoms.
The incident took place on September 20. The woman was unhurt but was shaken by the incident.
Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Amanda Cotterell at Stockton Heath Police Station on 01244 612630 or 0845 4586372.
House to become
clothes shop
by John Hendon
PLANNING chiefs have given the go-ahead for a new clothing shop in London Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington.
The scheme will involve the conversion of a terraced house.
Six nearby residents lodged objections to the scheme, claiming it would set a precedent for similar applications, would result in noise and disturbance and have a damaging impact on the character of the area.
They also claimed there would be inadequate parking space.
But planning officers argued that the property was within the retail area of Stockton Heath and no external alterations would be required. Highways engineers felt no off road parking was required
A similar application for the same property was turned down in June.
Distillery fire:
new alert
by staff report
FIRE crews were called back to the devastated site of the Greenall distillery in Loushers Lane, Warrington, because of a suspected gas leak.
Transco engineers were also on the scene after the leak was discovered in part of the building now being demolished to make it safe.
“There was no danger and the alert was soon over, but in the circumstances we had to check the site carefully,” a spokesman said.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 5, 9, 14 and 16 – and there was no winner of the ?350 jackpot. The ?25 consolation prize went to D Hodgson.
One-way street
WARRINGTON Borough Council intends to make a temporary order making Kingsway North, between the junctions with Manchester Road and Bennett Avenue one-way – from south east to north west – from October 31 for a period of about four weeks. This is to allow maintenance work on water mains beneath the carriageway.
New house
PLANS to demolish a house in Glazebrook Lane, Glazebrook and replace it with a new four-bedroomed house with a stable block at the rear have been approved by Warrington planning chiefs.
Hotel approval
VARIOUS fixtures and fittings have been approved at the Grade 2 listed Lion Hotel, in Bridge Street, Warrington.
