Tuesday 22nd November 2005

Murder inquiry after
death of prisoner
by David Skentelbery

A MURDER inquiry has been launched following the death of a man found injured in Risley Prison, near Warrington.
Five male inmates at the prison have been questioned by police.
The dead man has been named as Patrick Butler, aged 41, from the Bushbury area of Wolverhampton.
He died in hospital in Liverpool four days after being found with serious head injuries at the prison.
A Cheshire Police spokesman said the man was found at about 10.10am on Sunday, November 13.
Five inmates were arrested the same day and interviewed by detectives before being released on bail to return to prison pending further enquiries.
The injured man died in hospital on Thursday.
The police spokesman said: ?We are now treating this as a case of murder.?
A Home Office pathologist has carried out a post mortem examination but the cause of death has not yet been revealed.
Police have given no details of the offence for which Mr Butler was being held at Risley.

Charles and Camilla
on parade!
by Gary Skentelbery

PRINCE Charles and Camilla arrived at Warrington’s Bank Quay station for a series of official engagements in the area, including presenting medals at a parade of the Kings and Cheshire Regiment.
Although they arrived together at the station, they soon went their separate ways as Prince Charles travelled alone to Warrington town hall where he presented medals to over 200 members of the Kings and Cheshire Regiment.
Soldiers from the Territorial Army received their operational and service medals from The Prince of Wales who presented medals to members from Cheshire, Manchester and Merseyside to recognise the service of King’s and Cheshire Regiment (KCR) soldiers in operational theatres worldwide.
The TA soldiers and officers juggle the demands of civilian life with serving with the military in their spare time.
Prince Charles also presented Territorial Decorations and Volunteer Reserve Services Medals to a number of the long-serving personnel.
The Prince of Wales is Colonel-in-Chief of both The King’s Regiment and The 22nd Cheshire Regiment, the two regular full-time Army battalions which the KCR supports.
The Duchess of Cornwall was meanwhile visiting the Royal Liverpool Hospital before the Royal couple were reunited at Liverpool’s Anfield stadium to meet youngsters taking part in The Prince’s Trust football initiative.
Meanwhile Prince Charles has launched legal action after insulting comments from his private journals were printed in a newspaper.
One of the comments that appeared in the Mail on Sunday described a group of Chinese diplomats as “appalling old waxworks”.

?5,000 windfall for
hospital radio station
by John Hendon

RADIO General, Warrington Hospital’s radio station, has been awarded ?5,000 from the Awards for All scheme.
The money, ?1,500 more than they actually applied for, has been spent on new outside broadcast equipment, allowing the station to improve and expand their programming options for patients at the hospital.
This year they have already been to events as diverse as the National Waterways Festival in Preston Brook and the Octoberfest Beer Festival at Parr Hall, as well as the recent Remembrance Day services.
Kevin Farrell, Radio General’s publicity officer, said: “The new equipment will make a massive difference to the station and our listeners. Recently we were doing an outside broadcast at Asda in Westbrook and had to play music down a telephone line which was not ideal, so this will really be a leap forward for us.
“On behalf of everyone at the station, I would like to thank Awards for All for their support.”
Radio General have been broadcasting at Warrington Hospital for more than 50 years, with the first broadcast being a Rugby League commentary as Warrington played Workington Town in the Challenge Cup in 1953.
The station offers a mix of programmes 24 hours a day for patients, with live broadcasts starting from 7pm each evening and throughout the weekend. These include specialist music programmes for a variety of tastes, a nightly request show and talk shows.
Kevin said: “Radio General is going from strength to strength. We have around 30-35 volunteers here who all put a lot of effort and commitment in either by presenting, commentating on local rugby or helping behind the scenes. We all have a passion for what we are doing and it is great to see people show that enthusiasm while developing their skills.
“The result of that is the positive feedback we have been receiving from patients and staff about how they enjoy what they are hearing. The station has also done well in the Hospital Broadcasting Association’s annual awards, with presenter Claire Grout receiving a bronze award.”
He added: “Our Awards for All success is the latest boost and we will be looking to continue to develop Radio General further and have a higher profile across Warrington in the future.”

Charity rugby match
raised ?5,105

A STAGGERING ?5,105 was raised for charity at Warrington earlier this year by a rugby game between Cheshire Police and the Bulls Head.
The game was played at Wilderspool Stadium in aid of the Stick ?n? Step charity which helps children with Cerebral Palsy.
About 5,000 people attended the game which was played on July 24 and resulted In a 39-36 win to the Police.
Medals and trophies were presented by members of Warrington Wolves Rugby League team after the game.
PC Lee Harrison organised the event and is making plans to repeat the event next year.
He said: “It was a truly amazing event with both sides providing a spectacular game of Rugby League for both themselves and the spectators. Everyone who took part should feel proud of their achievement.”

“Light up a Life”
appeal at hospice
by staff reporter

WARRINGTON?S St Rocco?s Hospice is preparing for its biggest ever National Light up a Life Appeal this Christmas .
The ?Light up a Life? Appeal is held by all hospices in the UK and in Warrington, St Rocco?s are offering the chance for people to sponsor a light in memory of loved ones on the huge Hospice Christmas Tree.
Every sponsored light gets a special entry in the hospice Book of Honour plus a dedicated Christmas Card.
More than 700 people are expected to attend one of two Light up a Life services at St. Rocco?s Hospiceon Thursday December 1 and Sunday December 4. At the service, the St Rocco?s Tree will be illuminated with thousands of tiny lights in memory of loved ones.
Last year the Light up a Life Appeal in Warrington raised over ?25,000 for St Rocco?s Hospice. Anyone who would like to sponsor a light should call St Rocco?s Appeals Department on 01925 575780.

Traffic calming –
with a hairdryer!
by David Skentelbery

A COUNCILLOR has suggested a new weapon in the battle against speeding motorists at Appleton – the hairdryer! The tongue-in-cheek suggestion came from Coun Brian Smith at a parish council meeting. He asked if it would be legal for him to wear a yellow, high visibility jacket and stand at the roadside holding a hairdryer. “Drivers do slow down if they think there are speed cameras around,” he explained. The council was discussing the continuing problem of speeding cars in Lumb Brook Road where some drivers have been seen travelling at more than 70mph in a 40mph zone. Insp Stuart Woodcock said there was nothing to stop anyone wearing a yellow jacket. But he cautioned against doing so on the road to try and slow down traffic. “Some drivers don’t even see high visibility jackets,” he said. Coun Smith persisted with the hairdryer idea and asked: “Could I be arrested for impersonating a police officer.” Quipped the inspector: “You’d be more likely to arrested for impersonating a hairdresser.”

House to become
solicitor?s office< /b>
by John Hendon