Masked raiders in bid
to steal trailer unit
by John Hendon
MASKED raiders fled empty handed after police interrupted an audacious attempt to steal an articulated trailer unit at Warrington.
Four thugs ? all wearing balaclavas ? attempted to swap the tractor unit of the lorry for another they had stolen earlier at Sandbach.
A lorry driver was beaten up in the raid at Chesford Grange, Woolston.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the early hours raid on Thursday.
The offenders arrived at Chesford Grange, where the lorry was parked, around 5am.
They assaulted the driver and attempted to exchange the tractor unit for another they had stolen earlier
But police arrived ? and the raiders escaped by running onto Manchester Road at the Redwood Crescent end.
Anyone who may have seen the men or know anything about the incident are urged to contact DC Gordon Wilson at the Warrington Specialist Investigation Unit on 01244 615 842.
Festive markets bring
town centre to life
by James Parr
WARRINGTON town centre came alive as people flocked to sample the delights of colourful Victorian and Continental markets.
The town was awash with colour as meat, fish, jewellery and textiles stalls opened for business in the streets and in the old Fish Market building in Golden Square.
The past was recreated as Reardon’s fish stall moved back to trade on the same spot they had 151 years ago.
The business has been in the family since it first opened and current owner Peter Reardon wore his granddad’s flat cap to help keep him warm.
Paul Adams, who runs the bike museum at Walton Hall Gardens, brought some of his collection to the market and showed off the skills of the old fashioned knife grinder.
Paul said: “Sharpening the knives was an occupation for some in the Victorian era. They used to come down to market trying to earn some money by sharpening the knives of butchers and fishmongers. I’ve had lots of people asking me what I’m doing and the history behind it.”
Mayor Celia Jordan took a stroll round both the Victorian and Continental markets, taking in the atmosphere.
She commented: “It really is a spectacular event, a wonderful spectacle for all the people of Warrington to enjoy. It is great to see the space being used for its original purpose. It’s lovely to see the market come back to life.”
Bridge Street was decorated with a different kind of market, as continental traders brought flavours from foreign shores to sell to the public.
Warrington Market has already been inundated with letters of support and thanks for organising the two markets.
Market manager Steve Pickering said: “This is a great event to try and promote Warrington. The markets will be happening a few times a year, mainly because of how popular they have been so far. We’ve had absolutely fabulous feed back because I think it isn’t just a magical Christmas market, it’s a real magical Christmas market.”
Both markets will open until tomorrow (Saturday) illuminated by Warrington’s Christmas lights, switched on by pop star Simon Webbe last night (Thursday).
Rotary club ?1,500 hand-out
THE Rotary Club of Lymm has presented a total of more than ?1,500 to local good causes.
President Barrie Bramham handed over cheques at a meeting at Statham Lodge Hotel to various groups, including Oughtrington Lunch Club, Oughtrington Pre-school Play Group, the Gen?dai Martial Arts Club and the Cheshire Lowland Search and Rescue Team.
A donation was also made to Lymm Dickensian Day, which the club has supported for many years.
Student’s starring role
in Broadway play
by James Parr
A TALENTED student from Warrington is Broadway bound after landing a starring role in the play Borstal Boy.
Dale Curran, 18, from Woolston, will take up a lead role in the Tony Award winning play.
Dale hopes this can now be the springboard in achieving his dream of one day becoming a professional actor.
He and fellow Collegiate student Chris Elwood, 26, from Bewsey, have just returned from the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where they entertained crowds with their modern day take of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing.
Dale will spend two weeks in America before returning to the Winwick Road campus.
He commented: “It’s a great opportunity and I can’t wait to experience a Broadway theatre first hand.”
Blocked gullies cause
a “mini tsunami”
by Lesley Wilkinson
BLOCKED gullies in Ackers Road, Stockton Heath cause a ?mini tsunami? during heavy rain, according to a resident.
Albert Harris, of Ackers Road, told a meeting of the parish council there were five gullies causing problems near his home.
Roots of trees at Ackers Pit were also causing problems, he said.
“People drive down the road all the time, but nobody bothers to report the problems,” he added.
Members of the parish council and residents have been circulated with lists to enable them to note problem gullies.
Lisa Gledhill, operational manager, environmental management at Warrington Borough Council, said she would see what could be done to help ease problems.
Wanted: jeweller ‘worth
his weight in gold!’
by Lesley Wilkinson
A WARRINGTON town centre jeweller with his own workshop could be worth his weight in gold to the NSPCC.
Earlier this year the charity launched an appeal to collect broken gold items and goods were collected by The Village Godsmiths in Culcheth who arranged for them to be sold – and raised ?800 for the NSPCC.
Now the Culcheth jeweller has agreed to do the same again – and the charity is looking for a town centre jeweller to offer the same service.
Barbara Laycock, chairman of Croft and Winwick NSPCC, said: “The Culcheth jeweller has been collecting single gold earrings and broken gold jewellery on our behalf, weighing it in, and turning it into cash.”
Items such as unwanted or broken chains, watch straps or single earrings can be taken to the jewellers before February.
But if a town centre jeweller can be found to help out, people unable to travel to Culcheth could take their items them. Anyone who can help can contact Barbara on 07971196276.
The charity is also planning an autumn sponsored walk from Winwick Leisure Centre on November 25 at 12.30pm. The event is open to people of all ages, children, adults, grandparents and parents are all welcome to join the five mile hike.
Walkers follow a route to Newton le Willows and on return to the centre there will be refreshments, a raffle and a children’s disco. A similar event held earlier in the year raised ?800.
Police appeal for
identification
by James Parr
POLICE are desperately trying to identify a man who was involved in a serious road collision early this morning (Friday).
The unidentified male was travelling on a moped in Farrell Street, Warrington, at 5.50am when he was involved in the collision causing him serious injury.
Police are describing the male as white, in his 20’s, wearing a full black tracksuit with black size seven trainers and having receding, shaven brown hair.
He also has a distinctive tattoo on his left forearm, which runs from his elbow to wrist and says “Marra”.
No other vehicles were involved in the collision and police are appealing for anyone who recognises the description to contact the Warrington Specialist Investigation Unit on 01244 613 813 in order to notify his next of kin.
[ 21.11.2007, 16:27: Message edited by: DS ]
