Adams says sorry
by Gary Skentelbery
SINN Fein president Gerry Adams has said “sorry” to Colin and Wendy Parry, who lost their 12-year-old son Tim in the IRA bomb attack on Warrington in 1993.
Mr Adams made the apology to the couple when the West Belfast MP met the family at Canary Wharf in London, which was also damaged in an IRA explosion.
They were attending an event organised by Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace, the charity set up after the death of the two boys.
Earlier Colin said he could not forgive the IRA. His son Tim died along with three-year-old Johnathan Ball in the explosion.
During the debate Mr Adams said the couple had “borne their loss with remarkable grace”.
Before the event, Colin said meeting Mr Adams and sharing a public platform him would be very challenging.
“However, it is a vital step on my own personal journey to reconciliation and a vital step too for the foundation in living up to its charter principles.”
Mr Adams said the foundation was an example of how people who had been grievously hurt, were able to produce something good and constructive.
“I therefore want to acknowledge Colin and Wendy Parry’s personal journey and how they have created this positive space from the place of deep trauma and grief they personally experienced,” he said.
“Irish republicans – the IRA – was responsible for what happened that day. It brought huge grief to these two families, as well as to others hurt in that incident.
“The IRA expressed its regret at what had happened… I have also expressed my personal and sincere regret, and apologised for the hurt inflicted by republicans.
“I do so again this evening. This is the right and proper thing to do.”
Knife threat – just to
steal a sandwich
by James Parr
TERRIFIED staff at a Warrington sandwich bar were threatened when they refused to serve a man who arrived just after closing time.
The hungry thief claimed to have a knife and threatened staff at Subway, in Bridge Street, before running off with a sandwich.
Police say they are treating the incident seriously because of the threat to use a knife ? even though the man did not actually produce a knife.
Staff were closing the shop in the early hours of the morning when the man entered and demanded a sandwich. They told him the shop was closed and refused to serve him.
He then became abusive before telling them he had a knife and would use it unless they complied.
Petrified workers then backed away, allowing the robber to leap over the counter and snatch a sandwich.
The offender ? who was picked up on CCTV cameras – is described as being 18, around five foot six in height, with dark brown hair and he was wearing a white T-shirt with black pants.
Anyone with information about the incident, which took place at 12.40am on Friday, October 26, is urged to contact Detective Constable Ian Hampson at the Warrington Specialist Investigation Unit on 01244 613 831.
Young “brickies” lay
first bricks at school
by John Hendon
YOUNGSTERS from Stockton Heath Primary School were given the honour of laying the first bricks as building got under way on the new school building.
A pupil from each class was chosen to lay a brick in a wall of the new school at a special ceremony attended by representatives of contractors Cruden Construction, education chief Coun Sheila Woodyatt and teachers and council officers.
The school is due to be completed in time for the new academic year in September next year. It will boast many new and improved facilities including bigger classrooms, a dance studio, a new library and a bigger and better playground.
Some items found during an archaeological excavation that took place during the summer were on show – including a Roman well.
Coun Woodyatt, the borough council?s executive member for children services, said: “The ceremony was an opportunity for pupils to play a part in building both their new school and a better future for pupils, parents, teachers and staff, as well as the wider community.
?The pupils at the school are well on their way to having the new, state-of-the-art school they need and deserve.”
The new school is only being built following a long battle by some residents to retain the original, 100-year-old school.
Lucky escape from
candle fire
by John Hendon
A LATCHFORD couple had a lucky escape when an unattended candle started a blaze at their Latchford home last night.
A passerby alerted the fire brigade after seeing the curtains ignite at the semi-detached property in Reynolds Street.
Fortunately the living room door was closed, preventing the blaze from spreading and the couple were able to escape while fire fighters tackled the blaze.
A fire station spokesman said: “This highlights the dangers of leaving candles unattended. The occupants were extremely fortunate that a passerby was able to alert the fire service.”
Heartless thieves strike
at home of woman, 90
by James Parr
A COUPLE of heartless thieves have struck at the home of a 90-year-old woman in Warrington.
One of the men distracted the elderly resident, who lives on Linkside Avenue, Winwick, by claiming that a washing machine had exploded somewhere in the road and he had to check her water supply.
After following the victim into her home and turning the taps on and off in the bathroom, the thief was then joined in the living room by another man and they both left the property claiming they would return the next day.
Only after they had left did it become apparent bedrooms had been searched.
Both men are described as having dark hair and were wearing dark overalls. It is still not yet clear whether they took anything from the property.
Police are issuing a fresh call to all Warrington residents to always ask for identification from callers who, if legitimate, will be happy to wait on the doorstep while their details are verified.
Anyone who may have seen the men, had them call at their home, or have any information about their whereabouts, are asked to contact police at Warrington on 0845 458 00 00.
Disability Partnership’s
festive programme
by Lesley Wilkinson
A CHRISTMAS tombola and Santa’s grotto are just two of the activities planned for the festive season by Warrington Disability Partnership (WDP).
The annual Christmas Tombola is launched on Saturday November 10, at WDP’s Disability Information Point – in the Rear Hall of Warrington Market).
It aims to raise funds for the charity’s vital services. Tickets are 25p each or five for ?1, and there are a host of prizes.
Visitors are invited to join Ollie Owl, Father Christmas and friends for the official opening of Santa’s grotto at 12pm on Saturday December 1, outside the Information Point. Entrance will be ?2.50 and includes a gift from Santa.
Dates for the tombola and grotto are available from the Information Point.
Tickets for the Christmas raffle will be on sale throughout November and December, and prizes include a 19-inch flat screen colour television, DVD player and Digital Freeview box. Tickets cost 50p and are available from Shopmobility, Legh Street Car Park, the Information Point, and the Centre for Independent Living, Beaufort Street, Warrington.
Death of popular
former councillor
by staff reporter
THE death has occurred of former member of Warrington Borough Council Mick Curran.
Mick, who was still a member of Poulton-with-Fearnhead Parish Council, served as a Labour member of the borough council from 2004 until 2006.
He was a member of various scrutiny and overview committees and also of the traffic committee and the licensing committee. He was also a leading figure at Cinnamon Brow Farm Community Centre.
Mick had fought a lengthy battle with cancer and died in S
t Rocco?s Hospice.
He was a popular member of the Warrington-Worldwide Reader?s Forum from 2005, posting a total of 2,274 messages on a wide variety of subjects.
Unlike many posters, he used his own name, listing his occupation as landscape gardener and main interest as ?grandchildren.?
The funeral takes place at Walton Lea Crematorium on Tuesday, November 6.
Tree ceremony
by staff reporter
A SPECIAL ceremony is being held at Walton Hall, Warrington, to commemorate the trees planted by young people during the current Mayoral year.
The Mayor of Warrington Coun Celia Jordan is taking part in the ceremony on Thursday November 8, to reinforce her theme, Our Children, Our Future.
It will also reinforce Warrington’s links with Hilden, Germany, Nachod, Czech Republic, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment (King’s, Lancashire and Border) and HMS Turbulent – Warrington’s adopted submarine.
