Boys charged
with murder
by Terry Johnson
TWO schoolboys, aged 14 and 16, have appeared before Warrington Magistrates, charged with the murder of missing 40-year-old David Raymond Atherton.
His body was found in the Mersey at Warrington, behind the Parish Church, on Tuesday morning.
Mr Atherton was discovered in the river a half-mile from his home in St. Katherine’s Way, Howley. He had been reported missing a week earlier.
A police underwater search team was called to recover the body, close to Kingsway Bridge, after an alert from a passer-by.
Identification of the body had proven difficult.
Two Warrington juveniles who have been helping police inquiries appeared in court yesterday(Friday).
They were charged with the murder of Mr Atherton, then remanded in custody until next Thursday(May 25).
The boys cannot be named, for legal reasons.
Uproar over demand for
more village restaurants
by Terry Johnson
VILLAGERS have expressed increased frustration at demand for new licensed restaurants, which is bringing huge changes to Stockton Heath, Warrington. They are worried that the character, quality and attractiveness of residential parts is under threat.
Planners have been told that ‘the rush for businesses to make money’ does not take into account locals welfare and facilities.
“We live in a village – not a city centre”, declared one worried resident, who said street attacks in nearby Warrington must not be allowed to spread to Stockton Heath.
Another protestor said: “Home-owners must be considered. What was once a nice, family-friendly village is quickly being turned into a mini city centre”.
Residents are incensed that a plan to convert the old village fire station on London Road into a 160-seat, two-bar restaurant will bring further noise and disturbance, taxi-horns, drunken patrons and shouting and screaming in the street.
Planners say concerns about late-night noise and disturbance relate to existing premises. It would be difficult to resist one extra restaurant in the village centre on the basis of problems from numerous other similar outlets.
Proposals submitted by Always Available LTD to change the use of offices in the old fire station, within the Village Conservation Area, are to be considered at a town hall Development Control meeting on Wednesday(May 24).
Kerry leads
moonlit walk
by Gary Skentelbery
WARRINGTON celebrity Kerry Katona is teaming up with at least 1,200 other women to take part in a special moonlit walk for charity.
Now organisers are urgently looking for marshals for the Friday June 16 event which has attracted a staggering response.
At least 1200 women will turn Warrington Pink alonside the former Atmic Kitten and “Queen of the Jungle” as they walk the first ever sponsored 13 mile ladies night walk in aid of St. Rocco?s Hospice.
The Starlight Ladies Walk is the first of its kind in Warrington. Starting at midnight, the Starlight walkers will begin their sponsored walk at Victoria Park and will follow a route through Latchford, Padgate, Orford and Central Warrington.
Amongst the walkers are many who are undertaking a personal challenge, whether its to ?walk the walk? in memory of loved one, to get fit or just to join friends and family for a good cause. St Rocco?s staff will be taking the challenge too. With first hand experience of caring for patients and their families, staff know what a difference Hospice care makes to patient’s lives, St Rocco?s nurses and clerical staff are all helping to lead the lady walkers on the night.
Local celebrity Kerry Katona, who launched the publicity for the walk, will also be starting the event on the night.
She said: “I am delighted to be involved with St Rocco?s Starlight Walk and proud that I have been asked to start the event. I will be taking part and hope that everyone will dig deep in their pockets to sponsor the lady walkers.
“I visited St Rocco?s recently and was so moved by the level of care provided by staff and volunteers to patients and their immediate families that I agreed immediately to support the Hospice wherever and whenever I can.”
One of the organisers, Lesley Groome, added: “We have been overwhelmed by the number of women wishing to take part in this event and now urgently need marshals along the route to ensure everyone’s safety.
Any one willing to help should call 01925 575780.
The scarecrows
are coming!
by Gary Skentelbery
SCARECROW season is fast approaching with Croft Carnival set to take place on Saturday July 1st.
Natalie Cox aged 16 will be crowned Carival Queen, while Harriet Doody, aged 8 will be Princess while Rosebud will be six-year-old Molly Flatcher. Grandma will be Shirley Elkin.
The scarecrow competition this year follows a red white and blue theme and don’t forget the World Cup will be taking place!
The parade will start at the Plough at 12 noon, with all floats in place by 11.30am. All entries for the fancy dress parade must take part in the event at some stage and walking entries should assemble on the Memorial Hall car park at 12.30.
Anyone wishing to take part in the parade should contact Liz Fletcher on 765787.
Any organisation wanting a stall should call Ann Royden on 762578 and anyone wishing to help out making dresses for the queens hould call Stella Fletcher on 765787.
Admission to the field costs ?1 on the day or by programme.
For any other queries contact Gill McCartney on 762954.
On target for
safety award
by Terry Johnson
WARRINGTON based Independent express delivery company, Target Express, has collected triple RoSPA gold awards – the only express carrier to net these top health and safety prizes in 2006.
Peter Cvetkovic, CEO of the Newton-le-Willows based company, said: “Target’s philosophy of ‘nobody takes more care’ does not stop at customer service. It permeates through our own organisation at all levels”.
Young pie eaters!
by staff reporter
A WARRINGTON bakery established more than 70 years ago in the front room of a terraced house has branched out again with new premises in the town centre – making it shop number four!
Famed for their “world famous” potato and meat pies at their Willis Street pie shop and started by Bessie Ardern in 1932, the bakery is still in her family, now being run by her grand daughter Jo and her husband John Hull.
Bessie started baking bread at her home and soon became famous for her “Arderns potato and meat pies.”
As her fame spread the business expanded into neighbouring premises in 1952 to keep up with demand.
In more recent times the wholesale side of the business has expanded supplying other retail outlets such as newsagents, sandwhich shops, with their forth shop now open in Legh Street.
To help mark the occasion youngsters from Latchford Under 8’s were on hand to help open the new premises – and eat all the pies!
