Couple’s terror wait
after calling police
by David Skentelbery
A TERRIFIED couple waited for police for nearly half-an-hour after reporting a burglary at a shop which adjoined their home at Warrington.
They had called police after seeing the offenders acting suspiciously outside the shop and were told officers were on their way.
But unknown to them, their call had been ?downgraded? as not requiring an emergency turn-out.
They made a second call after the raiders had smashed the shop window and entered the premises and this time officers arrived within 15 minutes.
The night raid was on a newsagent?s shop at Culcheth and the elderly couple ? who live in accommodation attached to the shop ? were alarmed when they saw two men outside and heard them banging on the window.
They called Warrington Police Station using the normal phone number because they did not think it appropriate to dial 999 as the raiders had not actually broken into the shop.
The couple kept watch and saw the offenders leave the scene twice, only to return each time.
They eventually dialled 999 after the burglars smashed their way through a display window.
The woman said: ?I was screaming at the operator, telling her the burglars were inside. She was telling me to stay calm and telling me not to go outside.
?I realise now I should have dialled 999 the first time as I knew full well they were going to break in. But at the time I thought I was doing the right thing.?
When police eventually arrived, the raiders had gone, taking a till containing a significant amount of money.
The woman said: ?The officers were great when they arrived. We couldn?t fault them at all. But they did have to come from Lymm, when I would have thought the Risley police station would have been nearer.?
A Cheshire Police spokesperson said: “We apologise for the way the lady’s non-emergency call was handled. Having listened to the tape it is clear that officers should have been deployed sooner . We view this extremely seriously and in light of this, the incident will now be used for training purposes to ensure that a situation such as this doesn’t arise again.”
Ancient treasure trove
found in farmer’s field
by Gary Skentelbery
A RARE, solid silver Roman bracelet has been unearthed by a Warrington based archaeologist in a ploughed farmer’s field.
Archaeologist James Balme didn’t even need his trusty metal detecting to make the discovery, which was gleaming in the soil.
He now believes he has unearthed one of his most important finds which looks set to be declared Treasure Trove and is currently residing at the British Museum in London.
James, who has previously discovered an unknown Roman fortlet and numerous prehistoric sites where he recovered large quantities of prehistoric flint tools and weapons, is now hoping to find more ancient treasures at Warburton near Lymm.
All his finds have been recorded by the portable antiquities scheme who are the official body working in conjunction with the British Museum. But his latest discovery has provided new and exciting information about the wealth and social standing of the Roman citizens who lived and farmed in the area almost two thousand years ago.
James said: ” my latest discovery is a very rare Roman solid silver snake bracelet dating from the 1st – 2nd centuries known as a Zoomorphic bracelet. But what is really amazing is that it has been reworked in ancient times, possibly by the Saxons, who straightened the bracelet and pierced holes in it to use as a form of decoration or ornamentation. The actual bracelet is unique in its design and the attention to detail especially the creature’s head is stunning. The head represents either a snake or possibly a sea serpent. There is little doubt that the bracelet would have been worn by a wealthy Roman citizen who lived in the area and could possibly be someone who was regarded as being of importance in the region.”
The bracelet is currently awaiting a formal valuation at the British Museum and has already attracted the attention of local museums, one of which has already expressed an interest in acquiring the bracelet for its collection and future display.
James added: “Whilst the discovery of the bracelet is in itself very exciting, it has a far more important part to play in my ongoing research and investigations into the previously unknown Roman activity in the area. The artefact was recovered from a completely new site that I have been taking a look at over the past few months. This latest find could indicate that I am very close to what was once possibly the site of a wealthy Roman villa or similar.
“Roman villas are a very rare occurrence this far north but the finding of the bracelet could be the first indication that this may no longer be the case. I will be investigating the site in much further detail over the next twelve months including the use of new aerial photography of the area. For very obvious reasons I will not at this time be revealing the location of the find. What I can say however is that the Roman occupation of the area may still have a few surprises waiting for us in the future!’
More information about the research and discoveries James has made can be found by visiting his official UK website www.jamesbalme.co.uk He can be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].
Helping hand for
care service
by Terry Johnson
A NEW non-medical care service for the elderly and those in need of support at home has itself been given a massive “helping hand”.
Warrington-based embryo business, Time to Care, has won free office space for a year in the Genesis Centre at Birchwood, where it is expected to see first-year growth to 30-plus staff.
Competition judges were impressed by Time to Care’s “passion and professionalism” as a start-up business.
Managing Director, Lesley McMillan, gets the keys to newly-refurbished office space at the centre, with business and water rates also paid for.
Said Lesley: “The business will provide direct employment for over 30 members of staff in the first year. Without this magnificent prize I would not have been able to employ so many people. It has given the business a boost from the very start.”
Manager of Genesis Centre, Jennifer Pratt, said: “Time to Care were worthy winners of this super prize. They demonstrated just what we wanted – a new business with masses of potential for growth.”
The free office has been fitted with a new BT phone system, courtesy of Wire Solutions, the Warrington BT Local Business.
Woman, 82, dies
after road accident
by David Skentelbery
AN 82-year-old woman has died in hospital at Warrington after suffering serious injuries in a road accident in the town.
The woman is believed to have been crossing the road in Blackbrook Avenue, Cinnamon Brow, near to its junction with Ballata Drive, when she was involved in a collision with a Ford Focus car driven by a 42-year-old man.
She was rushed to hospital by ambulance but died later despite the efforts of doctors.
The car driver was not hurt but was badly shocked by the incident.
Police are appealing for witnesses who should call PC Ian Stephenson on 01244 613813.
Kerry cautioned after
nightclub incident
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON “celebrity” Kerry Katona was arrested and cautioned after an incident in Panama Jacks nightclub in the town.
Police have confirmed that the 25-year-old former Atomic Kitten singer accepted a formal caution for common assault following the incident, which also involved a local woman.
It is understood the other woman was known to the former pop singer.
Running detective!
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON’S running detective hopes to raise hundreds of pounds for head injury victims through sponsorship i
n the London Marathon.
DS Keith McCausland completed the 26.2 mile course in 2004, but had to pull out of last year’s event because of cartilage trouble.
He will be back pounding the streets of the capital on April 23, hoping to beat his time of four hours, 26 minutes in the race two years ago.
“The marathon event is a real buzz”, said Keith, who has raised ?900 for heart research.
The 2006 marathon will see him running for the charity, Head Injury Support Services.
Said Keith: “A person recovering from a head injury needs a considerable amount of help and support.
“Due to the nature of police work, I see a lot of head injuries sustained by victims of assaults.
“HISS is a worthy cause and the knowledge that I’m running on behalf of a charity will give me greater motivation”.
Roots to
your past
by Terry Johnson
THE fascination with ‘family trees’ continues to gain strength….and Warrington Library and Museum is responding to local demand.
The service is to launch a series of family and local history courses – ‘Your Roots to the Past’ – running from the end of February until June.
A spokeswoman said: “The borough’s Library, Museum and Archives, in conjunction with Priestley College and Warrington Collegiate, is giving people the chance to discover more about their family trees and ancestors – and the towns and villages they live in.”
Courses will run at venues across Warrington, with a special ‘memories’ craft workshop in Golden Square in May, at the start of Adult Learners’ Week.
Pre-booking for the free courses is vital.
Bookings and further details at local libraries: Birchwood, 827491; Burtonwood,226563; Culcheth, 763293; Grappenhall, 262861; Gt Sankey, 231451; Lymm, 754367; Orford, 812821; Padgate, 818096; Penketh, 723730; Stockton Heath, 261148; Warrington, 442889; Westbrook, 416561; Woolston, 816146.
Smoke alarm
saves woman
by staff reporter
A SMOKE alarm probably saved the life of a woman at Warrington in the early hours of today.
Fire broke out in the bedroom of a house in Orange Grove, Padgate as the woman slept in bed. But she was awoken by the alarm and managed to summon the fire brigade who tackled the blaze before it could spread to other parts of the property. The woman was unhurt.
A Fire Service spokesman said the fire was caused by a “barley pillow” – a small alternative to a hot water bottle which is heated in a microwave and then placed in a bed, giving of heat to warm the bed.
He said: “They used to be quite common but you don’t come across them very often nowadays. We will be asking our fire safety people to look into the incident to see if any warnings are necessary about the use of these pillows. They would appear not to be 100 per cent safe.
“In this case the smoke alarm woke the woman up and probably saved her life.”
Book sale
A RUSH of bargain hunters is expected at Warrington’s Central Library from Feb 23-25 for the popular book sale.
Withdrawn books will go at knockdown prices, between 9.00am-4.00pm.
Prices will start from 10p and the sale will include hardbacks, paperbacks, textbooks, children’s books, CD’s and videos.
Further details: ring 01925-442732.
An apology
THE editors of Warrington-Worldwide wish to apologise to readers for the late publication of the news page on Saturday, February 11, which arose due to circumstances beyond their control. We would also like to thank those readers who drew our attention to the situation. Those who would like to catch up on Saturday’s news can do so by visiting our review of the week.
