Hospital sends ?25,000
equipment to Indonesia
by staff reporter
VITAL medical equipment worth more than ?25,000 has been sent to help tsunami victims in Indonesia as a result of a massive fundraising effort at Warrington Hospital.
The equipment – which includes critical care monitors, defibrillators and syringe pumps – will be used by the main hospital in Banda Aceh in one of the worst-affected areas in the disaster.
Rob Griffiths, a senior operating department practitioner at Warrington recognised the need for equipment when he visited the region in January to carry out a survey mission for the Trust’s anaesthetic, trauma and critical care team.
He said: “The devastation out there was terrible and while the hospital in Banda Aceh looked fairly well established, they had lost a lot of equipment in the tsunami.
?Our skills were not needed out there as they had plenty of doctors, so we decided to buy what they needed and send it out to them directly. That way we could be certain it would make an immediate difference.”
Since that visit earlier this year, there has been a constant stream of fundraising and donations at Warrington Hospital. This has included collections, raffles and charity discos.
Rob added: “I would like to thank everyone who put the time and effort in to organise events or to support the fundraising by donating money, as well as the medical equipment companies who gave us some fantastic deals.
“Although the tsunami happened nearly a year ago, the people in Banda Aceh are still struggling to recover and get back to a normal life. Hopefully we have helped in that process in some way by getting the equipment to where it is desperately needed.”
Crackdown on adults who
buy booze for children
by Terry Johnson
TRADING watchdogs at Warrington are to swoop on adults buying booze for youths in a crackdown on the town’s under-age drinking culture.
The purge on early-teens drinkers is aimed at reducing anti-social behaviour incidents across Warrington.
Off-licences will be handing out notices to adult customers, warning they risk a fine up to ?5,000 under a new law if they buy alcohol for young people.
Posters inside shops will also stress the up-rated penalty, from the previous ?1,000 fine ceiling.
Warrington’s Community Services spokesman, Clr Pat Wright, said: “Young people are being turned away from off-licences when they appear to be under age or not able to produce ID. They then approach adults to buy drink for them.
“Some people might believe they are not causing any harm – but they need to think seriously about what they are doing.
“Adults should be setting a good example to our young people by acting responsibly”.
Ben to go live again
– in Warrington
by John Hendon
II?S been an eight-year break from live audiences….and comedy icon, Ben Elton plans to make his overdue return in Warrington.
The amazingly successful novelist and writer will be cutting it live with new stand-up comedy at Parr Hall on Friday, November 25, 8.00pm.
The author of seven novels – most of them best-sellers – Ben’s writing partnership with Richard Curtis gained accolades of four BAFTA’s and an EMMY for Blackadder 2, Blackadder the Third and Blackadder Goes Forth.
Tickets are available from the box office on 01925-442345.
Two trapped in
wrecked cars
by staff reporter
FIRE crews were called to free two people trapped in their vehicles after a two-car crash in Watery Lane, Winwick, near Warrington.
Cutting gear was used to release one casualty complaining of back pain while the door had to be removed from the other car.
Both casualties were taken to hospital by ambulance. Neither was thought to be seriously hurt.
Crews helped clear wreckage from the road.
Elsewhere, fire crews had a predictably busy weekend dealing with numerous small fires involving bonfires and fireworks.
But there were no serious incidents reported on Guy Fawkes’ Night.
aterers urged to bid
for standards award
by staff reporter
CATERING businesses are being encouraged to strive for a new standards award to be launched in Warrington.
Borough council’s Trading Standards and Environmental Health chiefs are about to launch an innovative Food Award Scheme that is designed to promote excellence in food hygiene and food standards in catering premises throughout the borough.
The scheme is offered at two levels and to be eligible catering businesses must meet qualifying standards. The food hygiene standards of the premises will be checked and the menus assessed for the availability of ?healthy options?. The Food Award Scheme makes good business sense as it will help promote premises and at the same time giving customers an assurance about standards.
Holders of the food award will display certificates and stickers, which show the level of the award and there will be additional recognition for ‘smoke free and ?breast feeding friendly? businesses.
Coun Pat Wright, the council?s executive member for Community Services, said: “In a recent survey of food premises, the Food Award Scheme was recognised as being an initiative that promotes high standards and as a result improves customer satisfaction. We have already received numerous enquiries about applying for the award, which will be formally launched early in 2006, and I would encourage Warrington’s catering businesses to apply.”
Any catering establishment can apply for the award, for further details contact the Food Safety Section, Palmyra House, Palmyra Square, Warrington, WA1 1JN, ring 01925 442585 or email [email protected]
Town at the centre
of broadband boom
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON and Cheshire is more ?switched on? to broadband than anywhere else in the North-West.
A BroadbandCONNECT non-profit initiative over the past 18 months has trawled in 80,000 homes and businesses.
Steered by Cheshire and Warrington Digital Development Agency and funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency, it aims to bring latest technology benefits.
BroadbandCONNECT has also made grants up to ?69,000 to projects which will benefit local communities.
They include a pilot wireless internet and internet-based telephone project for Venture Hotels, which has boosted its room occupancy by eight per cent and gained Cheshire Business of the Year and Warrington Business of the Year awards.
Warrington Disability Partnership is also helping keep people in touch and provide ‘real time’ advice via the internet.
Raiders break
into flat
by staff reporter
POLICE at Warrington are appealing for witnesses and information following a burglary at a flat in Boydell Avenue, Latchford.
The raidrs gained access to the ground floor flat by smashing a rear, ground floor bedroom window.
Once inside the premises a CD player and a quantity of CDs were stolen. The offenders are believed to have left the premises via the same way as they gained entry.
Police are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone who has any information as to the identity of the offenders to contact DS Chris McClellan, Stockton Heath Police Station 01244 612632 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
Kick-boxer Gary’s
striking success
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON kick-boxer Gary Swan had striking success in an inter-association event at Urmston, when he won his light heavyweight title belt.
Self-employed joiner Gary, who lives in Woolston, was making his debut in the ring .
He has been kick-boxing for the past five years, training at the Warrington Club, which is based at Woolston Leisure Centre.
Club instructor, Dave Latham, said: “Gary put in a very accomplished performance, his first time in the ring. He has a great future in the sport”.
The War
rington club has up to 35 members, but more are welcome to join on a ‘pay as you train’ basis. Contact Dave on 01925-570400 or Stewart on 01625-615455.
