Massive by-election
victory for Lib-Dems
by David Skentelbery
THE Liberal Democrats won a massive victory in the Poulton North by election at Warrington.
Their candidate, Sharon Wilson polled 1358 votes – 853 more than Labour candidate Kevin Bennett.
Tory Francine Leslie came a poor third and the Green candidate Michael Jackson trailed in fourth.
The result makes the Liberal Democrats the largest single party on the borough council with 26 seats and may throw into question the future of the “alliance” between the Lib Dems and the Tories which currently controls the council.
Full results were: Sharon Wilson (Lib Dem) 1358; Kevin Bennett (Labour) 505; Francine Leslie (Cons) 209.
Michael Jackson (Green): 43.
Coun Wilson said: “This is a great victory for positive Liberal Democrat action to tackle important local issues like crime and graffiti and a rejection of Tony Blair and Labour spin nationally and in Warrington. I will be a strong local voice, as part of the Liberal Democrat team for our area, standing up for the residents of Cinnamon Brow, Fearnhead, Padgate and Longbarn who have elected me today.”
Coun Ian Marks, Liberal Democrat leader of Warrington Borough Council, added: “Sharon’s spectacular win today shows that, with Liberal Democrat leadership, Warrington is moving forward again after years of Labour neglect. Our action since May to tackle crime has received strong backing from local residents voting for Sharon. Sharon Wilson fully supports Liberal Democrat initiatives to introduce more Police Community Support Officers for our area and to set up alcohol-free zones in parks. With Sharon as part of our Liberal Democrat Council Team we can move even faster to implement these plans.”
Binmen’s strike –
the row rumbles on
by David Skentelbery
THE row over the threatened binmen’s strike at Warrington rumbled on today with union bosses disputing council claims.
Town Hall chiefs say only one of 175 binmen, street cleaners, gardeners and cemetery workers has failed to sign a new contract involving a four-day week.
But the unions claim the majority of workers only signed under the threat of losing their jobs – and that nearly 70 of them subsequently retracted their acceptance of the contract.
In the meantime, all the workers – members of the Unison, GMB and T and GW unions – are to be balloted on industrial action.
According to the unions, the 175 workers were originally asked to sign new contracts in July.
Only 68 signed – with 118 rejecting the new contracts. Later the 118 were again asked to sign – and told they could lose their jobs if they didn’t. As a result they signed, without having seen the new contracts.
Later, after taking advice from their unions, nearly 70 retracted their acceptance of the contracts.
Dance hopeful Kathryn
heads for the bright lights
by Mark Hemmings
VIVACIOUS dance hopeful Kathryn Cooper will soon be heading for the bright lights set on a dream career in theatre.
The 18-year-old from All Saints Drive, Thelwall will make her home for the next three years at London Studio Centre where she will begin the professional training in dance she has been working toward since she was four.
With 14 years of study completed with the Felicia Burns School of Dance in Great Sankey, she is hoping her time in the capital will be just as successful.
In 2004, Kathryn won an amazing 100 trophies in all the dance styles and this week she scored 95 per cent in an advanced examination in modern.
Leaving Lymm High School this year with A-levels in physics, chemistry and maths, Kathryn proved she had brains as well as artistic talent.
She said: “I think it was seeing the Black Swan in Swan Lake do the famous 32 Fouett? that convinced me that I wanted to be a dancer. I hope that I will do that one day!”
Not only has Kathryn been training to dance in Warrington, she has been gaining additional training at The Hammond School of Dance in Chester and performing with Centenary Theatre Company since 2003. She made her first appearance with the company, as a guest performer in their production of “Carousel”.
Kathryn said: “I love ballet but appearing in a musical like “Footloose” or “Chicago” would be fantastic too.”
London Studio Centre was Kathryn’s first choice, but she had also successfully auditioned for the Northern Ballet School, Laine Theatre Arts and The Urdang Academy.
Kathryn leaves her family for London next week to begin her BA honours degree in Theatre Dance.
Town Hall’s new chief
to be named next week
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON borough Council?s new chief executive will be named next week.
An extra-ordinary meeting of the council has been called for Thursday (September 14) at 6.30pm.
The council will consider a recommendation of the chief officer employment committee, which will meet behind closed doors the previous night to interview selected candidates.
But before that, all members of the council are being invited to an open evening when they can meet the candidates.
The rumour mill has been grinding for several weeks with some Town Hall insiders saying the controlling Lib Dem-Tory group has already reached a decision.
Hints have been dropped that at least one existing Warrington officer is in the running for the job.
The new chief executive will take over from David Whitehead, who is to retire after holding the post since 2004 following a period as interim chief executive.
Mr Whitehead joined Warrington from Cheshire County Council in 1997 when it became a unitary authority. He was previously director of Social Services.
Man attacked by
gang of thugs
by John Hendon
POLICE are hunting for a gang of four young thugs who attacked a man as he walked along Lovely Lane, Warrington in the early hours of the morning.
The 27-year-old was near The Hatter public house when he was approached by the gang who demanded cigarettes.
One struck him on the side of the head cause bruising and swelling to his left eye.
The gang then robbed him of a packet of cigarettes before making off.
Police say the four were aged 16-17. One was wearing a grey hooded top.
Anyone who can assist detectives is asked to call DC Stuart Eales on 01244 613833.
Milkman Stuart hits
an online poker jackpot
by John Hendon
A MILKMAN who delivered daily pintas to a Warrington-based betting firm tried his hand at their online poker – and played himself into a ?1.3 million international tournament.
Ice-cool Stuart Rimmer will be jetting off to Barcelona next week to take part in the four-day European Poker Tour’s first event of the season.
Stuart, 32, from Culcheth, near Warrington played himself into the event at the Casino de Barcelona playing from the comfort of his own home through bedfredpoker.com
He only took up poker online last year – and already he is beginning to pick-up some useful money.
Said Stuart: “It’s just a bit of fun really. It’s relatively easy to play online and I’m now beginning to win regularly, but it’s not the money that’s the draw, it’s the fun and excitement.”
Last year 325 players entered the tournament, with Frenchman Jan Boubli taking the top prize of ?280,000 from a total prize pool of about ?880,000. This year’s pot is estimated at ?1.3 million, with the winner taking home about ?406,000.
Stuart, who delivers milk to betfred’s Spectrum call centre in Warrington, opened an account with betfredpoker.com in August last year.
On August 25 this year he entered a satellite qualifier for $4.25. Winning that entered him into the next qualifying stage later that evening and another win gave him an online seat in the EPT Barcelona Open Super Satellite.
In the early hours of September 3, he won again, turning his original ?2 entrance fee into a ?4,700 package into the EPT Ba
rcelona, with a shot at the ?1,3 million prize pool.
Betfred will now fly Stuart out to Barcelona and put him up in a luxury hotel as he prepares his steely stare which will hopefully make him a rich man.
Stuart added: “I’m really looking forward to it and I will be trying my best not to let myself and my country down.
“I didn’t start playing online poker as an alternative career, I began playing because it is fun, but who knows, if I win the top prize I might be able to give up the milk round and have a lie in!”
News in brief
Open garden
ALAN and Su Williams will be opening their garden at Leckonby Cottage, Whitbarrow Road, Lymm on two days for the sale of bric-a-brac, plants, cakes, ceramics and other art work in aid of Amnesty International. The two open days will be on Saturday, September 30 and Sunday, October 1 between 1-5pm. Tea will be served.
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 2, 4, 6 and 10. There was no winner so next week’s jackpot will be about ?155.
Warm and well
WARRINGTON Council for Voluntary Service are holding a “Warm and Well” event for older people at the Gateway in Sankey Street, Warrington on October 5 where there will be stalls, giveaways, prizes – and a free flu jab on offer. Further details are available from 01925 843725.
Farm plan
PLANS have been submitted for a two storey rear extesnion, detached garage and increase in roof height at Walnut Tree Farm, Walnut Tree Lane, Appleton.
