Kidnapped lorry driver
beaten up and dumped
by staff reporter
A LORRY driver, beaten up and abducted by thieves was later dumped in Warrington after a terrifying journey in the boot of a car.
The cab of his lorry was later found, burned out, on the outskirts of the town.
Police from three forces are hunting the gang of four men involved the incident in which a lorry load of valuable tyres was stolen.
The drama started in Alfreton in Derbyshire when the driver was threatened and beaten up after the window of his lorry cab was smashed.
He was bundled into the foot of a car on the A38 and then had to endure a terrifying journey lasting more than an hour.
Eventually he was dumped, dazed and badly shaken, at Warrington.
The cab of his lorry was found burned out nearby and the trailer section was subsequently discovered at Burscough, near Ormskirk.
Police from Cheshire, Derbyshire and Lancashire are co-operating in the search for the offenders.
They are particularly anxious to speak to anyone who may have seen the driver being bundled into the car boot in Derbyshire or dumped in Warrington.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Derbyshire Police on 0845 123 3333.
Anger over speeding
drivers in village
by David Skentelbery
RESIDENTS of Croft, near Warrington are up-in-arms about speeding traffic through the village – and are demanding action.
A delegation attending a meeting of the parish council expressing concern over the speed of traffic on Lord Street and Smithy Brow – the main road through the village – and on New Lane.
A 30mph limit already exists on all village roads and 30mph signs have been painted on the roads.
But Coun Les Hoyle said: “This worked for a while, but now drivers seem to be totally ignoring the warning signs. It is only a matter of time before we have a serious accident caused through excessive speed.
“Residents are calling for chicanes to force drivers to observe the speed limit. As a result, the parish council has written to the borough council, as highway authority, asking them to consider this.
“We have also raised the issue with the police and hopefully the Croft Speedwatch team will be in action either this month or next to provide another deterrent. We have had Speedwatch volunteers trained and ready for some time but the scheme was delayed because of national concerns over the speed cameras.
“But these have been resolved now.”
Pool’s new disabled facilities
FACILITIES to help improve the service for disabled swimmers in Penketh, near Warrington were officially opened by Deputy Mayor Coun Linda Dirir.
New disabled toilets and a new poolside hoist have been installed at Penketh Pool and Leisure Centre in Honiton Way.
Pictured at the ceremony are Coun Dirir and consort, Coun Ann Milling, chairman of Penketh Parish Council, Ged Pinnington, centre manager, Colin Peach, deputy manager and Janice Bowen, clerk to Penketh Parish Council.
The main contractor for the work, which was funded by a grant from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN) was Podmore’s Building Maintenance Ltd, with other work carried out by Cheshire Industrial Doors Ltd, Sandhurst’s Ltd and Synergy Signs Ltd.
Gymnast Rachel will
compete for Britain
by John Hendon
A 19-year-old Warrington girl has been selected to compete for Great Britain in this year?s Special Olympics in Rome.
Gymnast Rachel Fairhurst, of Hudson Close, Old Hall, was named in the national squad after a string of top performances in regional and national tournaments.
Rachel, a student at Warrington Collegiate, recently won two golds and a brace of silver medals after competing in the beam, bar, floor and vault competitions in the North West regional finals.
She?s studying on the ?working towards independence? course at the Collegiate, but will fly out with the team in September for a week of competition against athletes from across the world.
Rachel began her training aged three at Grappenhall Community Centre. She now trains with the North Cheshire Brookfield Gym Club in Widnes.
Margaret Fairhurst, Rachel?s mother, said: ?It?s a tremendous honour and I don?t think it?s really sank in yet. We?re looking forward to seeing how Rachel does at the Games.?
Firms urged to enter
“Big Chip” awards
by Lesley Wilkinson
COMPANIES in Warrington are being urged to enter “The Big Chip Awards” for North West businesses excelling in the use of IT and digital technology.
Awards organiser Manchester Digital is inviting companies to submit their entries, for the only sector awards for the region, by March 13.
The competition is now in its eighth year and this year there is a new category for the best in Cheshire and Warrington, together with categories for Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire. Winners of each region are considered for Best Overall Entry.
Entries are welcome from the digital sector companies, and also businesses, creative agencies and organisations in other sectors which have undertaken digital initiatives in 2005 – everything from a company website to wireless technology.
There are 20 categories including Best Digital Marketing Campaign, Best Game and Best Not for Profit Project.
Entries can be submitted free online at www.bigchipawards.com
Winners will be announced at an Awards Dinner on May 24, at New Century Hall in Manchester.
Village “twinning”
link to be broken?
by John Hendon
CULCHETH’S 27-year link with the French town of Saint Leu La Foret looks set to be ended – because of apathy.
An appeal last year by borough and parish councillor Keith Bland has failed to generate any interest in the village and councillors in the French town – who were keen to keep the “twinning” arrangement going – seem likely to officially terminate the arrangement.
There has been little twinning activity since 1999 but shortly before Christmas the French made an approach to Coun Bland to see if visits between the two communities could be revived.
Coun Bland appealed for and Derek Buckley Hall – one of the founders of the original twinning arrangement – offered his support.
But apart from a couple of general enquiries, no interest was expressed.
Coun Bland said: “It is very sad – but I can only assume people just don’t have the time to dedicate to the scheme now.”
Tips on health eating
for young people
by Lesley Wilkinson
TIPS on healthy eating were offered to young people at a two-day ?Winter Games Festival? held at the Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Young People’s Centre at Great Sankey, Warrington, organised by the NSPCC.
The event, run by young volunteers, aged between 16 and 19, was supported by the Community Lifeline Fund. It focused on healthy eating, quitting smoking and following an active lifestyle.
Since 2003, Warrington Primary Care Trust’s food and health team have given advice about nutrition to more than 100 young people attending the NSPCC drop-in centre’s Sports Leader Training courses.
Team members Emma Bashall said: “Since we have been working with young people at the centre they have changed the food they serve there. They have altered the menu, got rid of fizzy pop from the vending machine and reduced the amount of fried food served. Healthy living and healthy lifestyles are an integral part of the activities that go on there.”
The training courses help young people develop skills and enable them to coach other children and organise events, allowing them to develop practical experience.
Jameel Hadi, NSPCC participation and development worker, said: “Promoting young people’s participation through sport develops confidence and makes a clear link between being active and the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.”
New busin
ess
director appointed
by business staff
WARRINGTON-based Adele Carr Financial Recruitment has appointed a business director, Andy Heyland, of Chester.
Andy, 30, graduated from Liverpool University in 1997 and worked in the financial services and publishing industries. He joins the company at St James Court, Wilderspool Causeway.
He moves from Hays Accountancy and Finance, the international recruitment specialists, where he has worked for seven years across Liverpool, Chester and North Wales.
He has recruited across a variety of sectors from newly-qualified management accountant level to finance director, and is looking forward to working with local companies.
