Cruel conmen steal
from elderly couple
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting two cruel con-men who stole from an elderly Warrington couple after tricking their way into their home.
The pair left a woman of 89 and a man of 85 badly shaken after the distraction burglary at their home in Longshaw Street.
It was in the late afternoon that a man walked through the back door of the couple?s home, knelt at the side of the elderly woman and engaged her in conversation.
He claimed to be from the council and said he had come about repairs to the garden fence.
The elderly man then accompanied the man into the garden to discuss the fence. The offender then left without re-entering the house.
But when the occupant returned he found another man inside.
He also left through the back garden and after he had gone money was found to be missing from the woman?s handbag.
Anyone who can help police with their enquiries is asked to call PC Anna Last on 01244 613864.
Village to get
new post office
by David Skentelbery
THE village of Glazebury, near Warrington, will have a post office again from Monday, November 14.
Royal Mail has announced that a sub post office will open at the Grey Horse public house ? more than 12 months after the old Glazebury Post Office closed on the retirement of postmaster John Murray.
The new branch will open from 9.00 am – 2.00 pm from Monday to Saturday and will offer the same range of services as the old post office.
Extensive alterations to the pub were necessary and will mean the post office is quite separate from the bar area, with its own entrance.
Warrington North MP Helen Jones (pictured) has campaigned for a new post office for the village ever since the old one closed last year.
She said: “Glazebury has had an important part of its village services restored. I am delighted that the Post Office has delivered on its promise and that the new branch will open later this month. I know that many residents were worried that the service had been lost for good when the sub-postmaster retired last year. I am sure the new branch will be well supported by the local community.”
Young people join in
Outward Bound challenge
by John Hendon
YOUNG people from Warrington and Manchester joined forces to take part in an Outward Bound challenge.
The event, which was organised by Golden Gates Housing (GGH) and Bramall Construction and held in Victoria Park, Warrington, introduced more than 60 youngsters to the work of the Outward Bound Trust.
Team challenges enabled the participants to develop a better understanding of teamwork, communication and trust ? and the weather held out just long enough to enable all the challenges to be completed.
At the end of the event, the organisers selected a number of pupils to progress through to phase two, a five -day adventure and challenge programme at one of the Outward Bound’s centres.
Coun Pat Wright,Warrington Borough Council?s executive member for Community Services, said: “It was great to see so many young people get together, not only to learn and interact but to have some fun as well”.
Pictured, left to right, with pupils from Beamont School are Phil Pemberton and Royston Willard of Golden Gates Housing, Coun Pat Wright and Paul Hughes from Bramall Construction.
Overseas visitors vote
garden centre ?the best?
by staff reporter
ALMOST 100 garden centre owners from all over the world travelled to Warrington to see how a family run business has become of the best in the UK.
It was the second year running that Bents Garden Centre at Glazebury had been chosen by American-based consultant Ian Baldwin as the venue for a research visit as part of his annual tour with 55 American garden centre owners.
The same day, Australian garden centre ?guru? John Stanley brought more owners from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and the Middle East.
Garden centre bosses were in this country for the trade show Glee.
Ray Thomson from Marysville described Bents as ?the best garden centre ever? while Matt and Ronni Horn from Spring Valley, New York admitted: “We are inspired with your passion.” Centre owner Ron Bent said: “We were delighted to be asked by Ian to host another visit as part of his UK tour and have the opportunity to share our ideas with more American garden centre owners. The feedback we have received following this year’s visit has exceeded all our expectations and we hope they take the inspiration they have found back across the pond.
“It was pure coincidence that John Stanley’s visit was on same day, but it provided us with a great challenge. The day was very busy, but we were able to show all our international visitors around while allowing the centre to operate as usual. I would like to thank all those colleagues involved in organising the day’s events as well as those who ensured our customers didn’t experience any disruption.” During the tours the visitors learnt about the Bents’ long history from its roots as rose growers in the 1930s to today’s successful and innovative business which employs nearly 300 colleagues. As an active member of the GCA – the garden centre industry’s standards and regulatory body – Bents is often approached to share its business philosophy with fellow businesses not only in this country, but also on an international basis.
Ron, who has on many occasions been invited to share his knowledge at garden centre conferences around the world, added: “Competition from larger retailers is always a threat which is why the GCA and our international links are so important to our industry. Events such as those we have hosted can only benefit all sides as we share information and ideas to create an even better destination for our customers.”
Police pounce to
recover stolen car
by crime reporter
A POLICE raid at a garage off Slutchers Lane, Warrington has led to the recovery of a stolen car and the arrest of a local man for handling stolen goods.
Officers from the Pro-active Policing Team (PPT) swooped on the industrial unit – which was being used as a garage – following a tip off.
They recovered a blue Peugeot Cabriolet which had been stolen from a hotel in Leigh in September.
The vehicle was in the process of being dismantled.
A 34-year-old man was arrested on and subsequently charged with handling stolen goods.
Walton Hall
recital
by staff reporter
TWO singers from the Royal Northern College of Music will perform music by Schubert, Schumann, Mozard, Gounod, Puccini and Nicholas at Walton Hall, Warrington on November 19.
The recital is the latest in the series organised by the Friends of Walton Hall.
Their programme will include Schubert’s well known “An die Musik” and Schumann’s wonderful song cycle “Liederkreis”, followed by arias from Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” and “Don Giovanni”.
The famous “Jewel Song” and equally famous “Farewell Aria” from Gounod’s Faust will follow. The final items include “O mio babbino caro” from Puccini’s “Gianni Schicchi” and “Usherette Blues” by Nicholas.
News in brief
Wolfpack party
THE Wolfpack – Warrington Wolves’ junior supporters club, is holding a Christmas party and disco buffet at the Halliwell Jones Stadium on Tuesday, December 6, 7-10pm.
Children get a buffet and selection box in the ?2.50 entrance fee – and adults accompanying children are admitted free.
Tickets are available on 01925 248888.
One way road
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order imposing making Kingsway North one way south east to north west between its junctions with Manchester Road and Bennett Avenue for a period of about four weeks. An alternative route is signposted.
Workshop plan
COACH firm Shearings have been granted planning consent for a vehicle workshop and office
s in Barleycastle Lane, Appleton, Warrington.
Supermarket extension
SOMERFIELD Stores have won planning permission for additional refrigeration plant in a new compound at their store in London Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington, and a new entrance door.
