Ex-council leader is
new health trust chief
EXCLUSIVE by David Skentelbery
ONE of Warrington?s best known public figures is to take over as chairman of the town?s Primary Care Trust.
John Gartside, former leader of the borough council and currently chairman of the 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust ? which deals with mental health in the area – will move to Warrington PCT to replace existing chairman Robin Brown.
Mr Gartside (pictured), who lives at Lymm, has had extensive senior management and leadership experience in a variety of public services and has been with the NHS for 10 years.
He was an assistant director at North Cheshire College ? forerunner of Warrington Collegiate ? and leader of Warrington Borough Council and a member of the council until he was ?de-selected? along with a number of other Labour councillors nearly three years ago.
Other posts he has held include membership of the Warrington-Runcorn New Town Development Corporation and membership of Cheshire Police Authority, chairing one of its main committees.
He is also a member of the London based Big Lottery Fund Board which distributes more than half of all lottery money. The Department of Constitutional Affairs has also appointed him to the Cheshire Courts Board. He has been a magistrate in Warrington since 1978 and has a particular interest in the Youth Court.
Mr Gartside, married with three children, is a Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, a Freeman of Warrington and was awarded the OBE in 2000 for services to Warrington.
He is a long standing Warrington Wolves season ticket holder.
New “baby” causes a stir
– with a number plate!
by Terry Johnson
JOHN Hooper’s ?new baby? is causing quite a stir on the streets of Lymm.
He has got himself a flash, bright yellow Fiat Baccata sports car, imported direct from Italy.
But the Lymm driver gets extra notice because of his registration plate….L3 YMM! The coveted plate was bought from an Internet site, for just ?199 plus Vat.
And the eye-catching 1800cc sports car? John picked that up from next-door neighbour, Lisa Baker, who found that a new baby boy and a v-room, v-room image were not quite compatible.
Said fork-lift truck driver, John, 55: “It’s certainly a car and plate that get me noticed in Lymm village. It’s a rare, left-hand drive sports car that Lisa drove home from Italy. She sold it to me because it was no longer practical for her family.
“I managed to buy the L3 YMM plate and, affixed to this car, it has proved a real head-turner.
“Now both neighbours have new babies.?
John added: “Some people may think I am having a mid-life crisis, up-rating my road image in a sporty car with a distinct registration. But my children have now left home, so I can enjoy the lifestyle change!”
Lisa, who is delighted with her own new baby, Robert, said: ?I?m just pleased the car has gone to a good home.?
18 arrested at festival
– but police “satisfied”
by John Hendon
POLICE say that overall they were satisfied with the policing of the Creamfields pop festival at Daresbury, near Warrington.
Eighteen people were arrested for various offences, including possession with intent to supply drugs and assault.
Of the 18 arrests, five were people held on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle from the Middlesborough area.
Five hundred extra police were drafted in to control the event, with the main aim to minimise disruption on local roads and prevent crime.
More than 40,000 people attended the festival, with many attempting to access the site by car, which, say police, led to some traffic congestion for a short period on Saturday afternoon.
However this was cleared quickly as officers adopted contingency plans and re-directed traffic, say police.
The majority of people behaved well and officers enforced the law and dealt with incidents of disorder quickly and robustly.
Chief Supt Nick Ingram said: “Overall we are satisfied with the policing operation for Creamfields. It achieved what we set out to do which was to minimise any disruption to local residents and to ensure that visitors enjoyed the festival in safety.
“We plan to invite local residents and representatives from local parish councils to a meeting in the near future to provide them with more detailed feedback on the policing operation, but also to seek their views on the policing operation.”
Members of the public have passed comment on the event through the Warrington-Worldwide Readers? Forum.
A number, who attended the festival, have praised the police and also the organisation of the event. But there have been complaints of traffic congestion, large numbers of ?undesirables? and ticket touts.
One reader spoke of a “mini-riot” in one of the marquees.
In addition, taxi drivers from Liverpool are alleged to have operated illegally, locally, overcharging people for taking them home after the event.
Some residents say the noise of a police helicopter was more intrusive than the festival itself.
Most private houses near the festival site had security guards on duty outside ? provided by the festival organisers, it is understood.
A chance to
meet the police
by staff reporter
ANYONE interested in finding out more about police work is invited to a public meeting being held at the Church of the Ascension, Warren Lane, Woolston.
The Police Community Action Meeting will be held tomorrow (Thursday) from 7.30pm.
People will have the opportunity to report incidents to the police and find out more about the force’s work in Woolston.
Books to help
abused children
by Lesley Wilkinson
A SERIES of books aimed at helping children who have witnessed or experienced domestic abuse are available from a Warrington charity.
The Relationships Centre, which supports those affected by unhealthy relationships, have launched the “What’s Up Junior” range of resources with funding from BBC’s Children in Need.
Pam Arnold, director of services said: “Within our client group, 9 out of 10 incidents occur with a child under the age of 16 within the home, the impact can be far reaching and manifest itself in a number of ways.
“We have created these resources in a fun and interactive way and we hope to provide them to the statutory sector and other agencies to assist children and parents to come to terms with these issues and successfully move on with their lives and future relationships,” she added.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the resources should ring the centre on 01925 246910.
Missing man found
safe and well
by John Hendon
A YOUNG man reported missing from his home at Lymm has been found safe and well.
Mark Maggs, aged 27, and said to be ?vulnerable? because of learning and physical difficulties, was found by Greater Manchester Police.
He had disappeared over the Bank Holiday weekend and was last seen walking with the aid of a zimmer frame in Oughtrington Lane.
Police said he had now been returned to him home.
