Family who escaped death
too afraid to return home
by Lesley Wilkinson
A MOTHER-of-two whose Warrington home was smashed by an air-borne car is now too afraid to return home with her family until action is taken to stop speeding vehicles.
Louise Ingham, 32, told Stockton Heath Parish Council: “If we had not been on holiday when the incident happened, we would have been killed.
“I just cannot allow my children to be in that house unless something is done about the speeding traffic,” she added.
Louise, her partner Robert Gresty, 37, and children Nicholas, aged six, and two-year-old Emma needed medical treatment for post-traumatic stress following the “nightmare crash” on July 23.
They are living in temporary accommodation whilst their home in Fairfield Road, Stockton Heath, has ?18,000 of repairs carried out after a Fiat Punto crashed into their living room.
“I am now concerned about my family inside our house,” said Louise. “I shouldn’t have to be afraid of sitting in our home.”
She said the family had contacted police and Warrington Borough Council highway chiefs to take action to stop speeding vehicles on the bad bend.
Her sister, Katy, 33, who also lives in Fairfield Road, had taken a petition around the area asking for the speed limit to be reduced from 30 to 20mph. Louise said that many of the residents thought the speed limit was 60mph on the busy road.
The car smashed through a metal fence and into the lintel above the living room window demolishing the bay window, before ending up in the living room.
The family had just started a holiday in Cornwall when they were given the news. They dashed home to find the house uninhabitable.
The parish council agreed to ask the police and borough council to look at urgent traffic calming measures for the road.
Coun Sonia Boggan said: “This is a very dangerous bend, especially as the houses are at a sharp angle. It should be 20 mph on that road.”
Chair Coun Celia Jordan said there had been several accidents on the bend in the past and it had been reported to the police and the borough council.
“We now need to press for urgent action to help this family,” she added.
New council
chief appointed
by Gary Skentelbery
QUALIFIED social worker Diana Terris will be Warrington Borough Council’s new Chief Executive.
She is currently Deputy Chief Executive and Strategic Director, Children and Young People, at Halton Borough Council and will join Warrington at the end of the year when current Chief Executive David Whitehead retires.
Diana has worked in local government for over 20 years and before joining Halton held senior roles at Tameside and Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Councils.
Council Leader Ian Marks said: “It’s great news that Diana has accepted our offer to be Warrington Council’s next Chief Executive. She will be able to build on the very good work carried out by David Whitehead in restructuring and modernising the Council. There will be some exciting but difficult challenges ahead but with Diana as our Chief Executive I am sure we can meet them. All parties want Warrington to be an excellent Council ? not just by ticking the right boxes, but by the quality of the services we provide. Diana will play a vital role in achieving this ambition.?
Commenting on her appointment Diana said: “I am delighted to accept the offer to be the new Chief Executive of Warrington Borough Council, and look forward to working with all members of the Council. Also, it is abundantly clear that I inherit a strong, able team of Directors to work with me in shaping the future.
?I look forward to enabling the Council to position itself as a strategic leader within the North West and to secure improvements for the people of Warrington. I will be joining a Council with many, many strengths and a fundamental responsibility to all of the communities of Warrington to develop a vibrant, effective, efficient and high performing Council – committed to quality and success in all that we do.
?I am thrilled and look forward to the challenges ahead.”
Walk the walk 2
by Gary Skentelbery
A GRAPPENHALL man who helped raise ?4,000 in memory of his wife who died from breast cancer is stepping out for charity again.
Roy Kettle is organising a sponsored “Walk the walk 2” in memory of his wife Susan who died in April 2003 after a 10 year battle with the disease.
The walk will take place on Sunday October 29 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) starting at 11a.m. from the Grappenhall Community Centre.
It will be a 5k walk around the area on safe paths finishing at the Grappenhall Centre where refreshments will be available.
Roy has previously been involved in fundraising events and then decided to start organising his own in memory of his wife. Sponsor forms can be requested via email at [email protected] or phoning Roy on 01925 262851.
Changing role
of firefighters
by Lesley Wilkinson
STOCKTON Heath’s firefighters are planning to launch a cadet unit in the village.
They are also involved in a pioneering project, believed to be the first in the country, involving working with Young Offenders from Thorn Cross at Appleton Thorn.
The changing role of the fire service, which has changed with more people being rescued from car accidents than house fires, was outlined to Stockton Heath Parish Council.
Station manager Leon Parkes said Officers were also focusing on road safety, drink driving and the threat of terrorist activity, as well as tackling fires and fire prevention.
“There is a new dimension to training as the terrorist threat has increased.
“The Government has put a lot of money into fire safety rescues and training in terrorist incidents should they occur,” he added.
He said the service worked with other agencies, such as Warrington Borough Council, on road and home safety. Officers staged an event outside the Mulberry Tree pub in Stockton Heath focusing on the safety of mini motorbikes.
The service is also working with young people and is planning to set up a cadet unit in Stockton Heath and visiting primary schools to take about fire safety.
Officers are also working with young offenders at Thorn Cross young offenders institution to help them develop personal skills in a scheme believed to be the first in the country. He said that many of those were on track not to re-offend.
Mr Parkes said the service was also working in partnership with the Police Community Service Officers to tackle arson. He said officers were working with partners to ensure rubbish was removed promptly to minimise the risk.
Centre secures funding
to help confidence
by staff reporter
WARRINGTON based The Relationships Centre has successfully secured funding to continue to run its personal development course designed for women called ?Basically Positive?.
The course covers a variety of topics over a 10-week period such as: Money & Budgeting, Building Self-Confidence and Assertiveness and Improving your Communication Skills.
The course starts on Thursday September 28 at 10.30am at The Gateway, Sankey Street, Warrington.
Marissa Hankinson, Marketing and Centre Manager at The Relationships Centre says, ?We have developed ?Basically Positive? to meet the needs of our clients. Many clients want to get back into the workplace or to start learning again but don?t have the confidence to get them there.
“This course gives them the confidence to move forward with their lives in a positive way.? Any one who would like to refer a client on to this course or future courses then please contact The Relationships Centre on 01925 246910, alternatively you can email [email protected]
Barbed wire plan
to stop dippers
by Terry Johnson
Water agency, United Utilities, is to use barbed wire and non-drying paint against unauthorised swimmers at Applet
on Reservoir.
Children and youths have gained access to the valve control tower and used it as a diving platform during the hot weather.
Now United Utilities plans a barbed wire, paint and signs offensive to protect its property and the lives of swimmers.
Wounding charge
A 25-year-old man appeared before Warrington magistrates charged with section 18 wounding following an incident at the Highwayman pub on Manchester Road last weekend.
Michael Fowler was remanded in custody also accused of an aggrivated burglary at Helmsdale Close, Great Sankey.
Bungalow objection
Parish councillors at Appleton have objected to plans to demolish a bungalow in Hillside Road and replace it with a three-storey house – towering over bungalows on either side of the building plot.
They have told Warrington planners that a new, three-storey home the full width of the bungalow footprint at 31 Hillside Road would result in an ‘overbearing, oppressive building’ which would damage the street scene and mean significant loss of privacy for adjoining residents.
Beaten by the heat!
TWO Warrington businessmen failed in their bid to make a recording breaking juorney along Hadrian’s Wall after being beaten by the heat!
. Mark Watson and Mark Tomlinson started their 84-mile west to east trek today at 6am and were attempting to beat Mark Watson’s November 2004 unofficial record of 33 hours and 32 minutes, and raise money for charity.
Lottery results
The winning numbers in the League of Friends weekly lottery Week 2 were 2, 6, 7 & 12 and there was no jackpot winner. The Jackpot was ?256 and will no roll over.
[ 20.09.2006, 08:46: Message edited by: Gary ]
