Missing monument is
found – at scrapyard
by Lesley Wilkinson
and David Skentelbery
VILLAGERS at Stockton Heath, Warrington, are celebrating after tracking down a historic monument which “disappeared” from a shopping centre at dead of night.
The monument – which had stood for more than 30 years at the entrance to The Forge Shopping Centre – has been found in pieces at a scrapyard nearly 30 miles away.
It consists of old forge machinery and villagers say it is part of their heritage – but the scrapdealer wants ?1,400 for it.
Businessman Martin Caldwell – who originally donated the monument to the village – has offered to give ?750 and Stockton Heath Parish Council has agreed to match his offer.
Mr Caldwell said: “I feel a tragic mistake has been made. It is a historic piece of machinery and should be preserved.
“It is a tourist attraction and something to be proud of. Hand tools have been made in the village since 1770.”
The machinery came from Mr Caldwell’s family firm, Stockton Heath Forge Ltd., which had made hand tools on the site for 200 years before moving into Warrington. It is reputed to have been used to make spades used to dig trenches in the First World War and to dig the Manchester Ship Canal.
It was donated when the shopping centre was built in 1974.
But a major refurbishment of the shopping centre is now due – and developers JBZ Properties decided the monument was in the way. After months of wrangling over who was responsible for it, contractors arrived at 4am and removed it.
Furious villagers demanded to know where it had been taken – but no-one would admit to knowing. Local history enthusiasts Julie Kueres and Patrick Mullee started investigating – and found someone who had witnessed the 4am operation and noted a name on a crane. From there the pair were able to track the machinery down to a scrapyard at Bootle on Merseyside.
Mr Mullee said: “It was Julie who did the detective work. Several sub-contractors were involved, so it wasn’t easy. But now we have found it we won’t have any trouble arranging transport to bring it back and I have found somewhere to store it until we can find a new permanent home.”
A spokesman for JBZ Properties said: “We gave local people ample opportunity to remove the monument to a safe site. Eventually we told them if it hadn’t gone within a month we would have to move it. But we engaged contractors so we genuinely did not know where it had gone.
“We arranged for part of the monument to be removed a year ago at a cost of several thousand pounds so we think we are entitled to some credit for that. It is currently in storage until a site is found for it to be displayed.”
Parish council clerk Peter Briggs said: “There were difficulties over moving the machinery due to its weight. We had agreed to arrange a site visit with interested parties to consider its future – but then it disappeared.”
Pictures show Patrick Mullee and Julie Kueres examining the dismantled monument at the scrapyard and a shattered piece of the machine.
Watchdogs win top award
THE team which protects Warrington people from rogue trader scams has won a top award.
Warrington Trading Standards’ team beat off competition from 31 authorities to take the national Award for Public Protection Achievement.
Community spokesman, Tommy Wallace, said: “This is a fantastic scoop for the team, for Warrington and the Trading Standards Service”.
Warrington put the focus on increasing awareness of its trading standards services – particularly involving more vulnerable members of the community.
It managed to notch a 138 per cent increase in contact rate with the service by people living in the more deprived areas.
The project saw a 138 per cent increase in contacts by people living in deprived areas.
Across the borough more people are now accessing the advice and problem-solving service.
Executive member, Coun Roy Smith, said: “The team worked tremendously hard on this project. They deserved to win this prestigious award”.
The ground-breaking project is expected to make a real difference to people’s lives.
Added Mr Wallace: “A number of other teams within the Council helped deliver this project. It is a good example of partnership working”.
Ironman Fergus’ triple bid
to give charity a boost
by Mark Hemmings
TRIATHLETE Fergus Wiseman from Appleton, has always liked a challenge and just to prove he’s still ‘up for it’ the 36-year-old sales manager will soon become an “Ironman” – all in the name of charity.
Ironman is the brand name for a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run – all consecutively! The Ironman is seen as the ultimate long distance event for triathletes.
On Sunday (July 16) Fergus ? co-founder of the Warrington Triathlon Club – will be competing for his title in Austria.
Fergus said: “All those who have done the race have said that Austria is the best place to do the Ironman, thanks to the fantastic support that the locals give to the competitors and the great levels of organisation.
“There are 2,400 competitors on the day and over a third are from the UK. The swim takes place in the W?rthersee, a lake on the shores of Klagenfurt in southern Austria. The bike ride is two laps of a 56 mile course taking in a few of the Austrian “hills”, but what goes up must come down and there is plenty of downhill to make up for the climbs. The run is a figure of eight course through the town of Klagenfurt, which is completed twice.”
Hoping to complete the event in 13 hours, Fergus will be raising money for Warrington?s St Rocco’s Hospice along the way. He said: “I would like to support a locally based cause and I know that St Rocco’s does wonderful work for its patients and their families.
“Through the kind donations of family, friends and colleagues, I have raised over ?1,600 already. All the money raised will go directly to St Rocco’s, and there are no expenses being taken out to fund the trip.”
Making a donation to the “Ironman of Warrington” can be made via the Internet by visiting www.justgiving.com/ferguswiseman
Superloos may replace
problem toilets
by Lesley Wilkinson
PORTABLE superloos may be provided at Stockton Heath, Warrington to prevent “unsavoury things” taking place in the existing toilets.
Coun June Daynes said the existing toilets in the Forge Shopping Centre car park were being monitored by the police.
“Police are aware of unsavoury things going on there,” she said.
She had liased with borough councillor Sue Dodd who said she was trying to get the toilets replaced with portable ones. Police Community Support Officers have said they will support the campaign to change the toilets.
Coun Daynes said the borough council is providing the new toilets across the town. Members agreed to write to the council about providing the facility in Stockton Heath.
Death of Brian
Bevan’s brother
by staff reporter
OWEN Bevan ? younger brother of legendary Warrington RL player Brian Bevan ? has died in Sydney, Australia at the age of 79.
The Aussie centre made 55 appearances for Warrington, making his debut against Liverpool Stanley at Wilderspool on February 15, 1949 in front of a crowd of 15,000. Brian was also in the line-up.
Always in the shadow of his brother, he nevertheless totalled 96 points for The Wire ? 16 tries and 24 goals.
After his last game for Warrington, against Hunslet, he moved to Leigh.
Brian Bevan died in 1991, aged 67. He scored a world record 796 tries in 688 matches ? a record that is unlikely to ever be beaten.
A spokesman for Warrington Wolves expressed sadness at Owen Bevan?s death.
Cricket club pitches
in for Fun Day
by staff reporter
GLAZEBURY Cricket Club’s biggest fundraising event of the
year – the annual Fun Day – takes place at the Chat Moss pub on Sunday, August 6.
As usual, the pub’s beer garden will be transformed into a playground for young and old with a wide variety of events.
The event kicks-off at 1pm and attractions will include a laser shoot, the popular Pooh Stick race on the nearby River Glaze, a bouncy castle, tombola, beat the goalie and various other stalls.
A club spokesperson said: “We now run three junior teams as well as our two senior sides so the Fun Day is a vital fundraising event.
“We hope the whole village will turn out and enjoy themselves.”
Risley prisoners “at
risk” of bullying
by John Hendon
PRISONERS at Warrington?s Risley Prison are at risk of violence and bullying, according to a new report.
Thirty per cent of the 1,100 inmates say they feel unsafe ? with the figure rising to 54 per cent among black and ethnic minority prisoners, according to chief inspector of prisons Anne Owers.
The report says there are weaknesses in the prison?s efforts to tackle bullying, suicide and self-harm.
Too many prisoners are unemployed or do low-skilled work that would not help them gets jobs on release, the inspectors say.
Ms Owers says safety is the most serious concern at Risley.
?Risley is still not a sufficiently safe prison and more focus is required on violence reduction, supported by a more pro-active approach to prisoner supervision and a continued emphasis on combating illegal drugs.?
Although 45 per cent of inmates say it is easy to get illegal substances in Risley, Ms Overs says progress has been made in cutting drug smuggling into the prison.
Bullying problems mainly stem from drug dealing and gangs operating on the wings.
The quality of healthcare, however, is regarded as good and the report notes that a much-needed new segregation unit is nearing completion.
A review of the violence reduction policy carried out a year ago has resulted in some examples of prompt action following incidents of unexplained injury.
News in brief
Kitchen blaze
FIRE crews were called to the Cherry Tree pub at Culcheth, near Warrington when fire broke out in an extractor fan in the kitchen. The fire spread to the roof space and firefighters had to cut a hole in the roof to extinguish it.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital are 1, 2, 6 and 9 and there was just one winner for the ?100 jackpot. The ?25 consolation prize went to “Andrea.”
New entrance
PLANS for a new entrance at The Harrison Centre, in Boulting Avenue, Dallam, Warrington have been submitted to development control chiefs. The scheme also involves internal alterations, including a new disabled toilet.
Garage fire
AN electrical fire caused extensive damage to a garage at a house in Bancroft Close, Woolston, Warrington during the night.
Park problems
GRAPPENHALL and Thelwall Parish Council is to look into complaints from a resident that maintenance of Morris Brook Park is poor and that additional benches and litter bins would improve local walks.
Summer fair
Park Road Primary School, Great Sankey, is holding a summer fair tomorrow (Saturday) to raise money for a new play area. There will be a wide range of stalls and other attractions, including a beer tent and dancing, ju-jitsu and gymnastic displays.
[ 18.07.2006, 10:19: Message edited by: DS ]
