Question mark over
hospital lottery
by David Skentelbery
A QUESTION mark hangs over the future of the money-spinning lottery and book sales which raise nearly ?1,000-a-week for Warrington Hospital.
The lottery is struggling to survive and books sales have come to a standstill following a “ban” on sales of any description in hospital corridors to meet fire safety regulations.
As a result, sales outside the League of Friends office and outside the outpatients’ department have been banned.
League of Friends chairman Alan Woodward said: “The loss of income is in the region of ?40,000-?50,000-a-year – money which would go to the hospital to purchase vital equipment.
“The whole thing has left a sour taste with League members. Some members have resigned they are so fed up with what has happened.”
Problems started when a Cheshire Fire Brigade safety officer visited the hospital and ruled that trolleys and tables used by the League of Friends were a fire hazard.
Lottery ticket and book sales were immediately suspended and although the lottery has since resumed, ticket sales have been drastically reduced because of the loss of prominent sites in the hospital.
Organisers fear the lottery could soon become unviable.
One high profile site – outside the League’s office – was approved by the fire brigade for lottery sales provided an aluminium table was used, but banned by the hospital’s own fire safety officer because of a low ceiling.
Mr Woodward said: “We are extremely frustrated. We have enjoyed raising money for the hospital and the public have appreciate our efforts.
“The hospital management have tried to help, but have been unable to do so.
“This year we have supplied equipment costing ?68,452 to the hospital. We have a ‘shopping list’ of priority items from the hospital that would cost about ?140,000 but we only have ?40,000 left.
“We are maintaining services such as providing toiletries for the elderly care wards, manning two help desks, flower arranging, tea making, etc but with our fund raising so restricted we won’t be able to buy the sort of things on the hospital’s shopping list – things like an anaesthetic machine, urology probes, orthopaedic drills, etc.”
A spokesman for North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust said while there was great sympathy for the League of Friends, fire safety legislation had changed. Other organisations had also been affected, including the Trust itself.
Efforts were still being made to find a permanent solution to the problem and a temporary agreement had already been reached which was enabling the lottery to continue.
The work of the League of Friends was valued and appreciated by everyone at the Trust and he was confident a solution would eventually be found.
Tourist board appoints
marketing chief
by staff reporter
AN award-winning marketing professional has been appointed to a key role in shaping the future of tourism in the area.
Barrie Kelly, 35, has joined the new Cheshire and Warrington Tourist Board as its first Director of Marketing and Communications.
He was previously head of marketing and commercial development at The Mersey Partnership – the economic development, investment and tourism body for Liverpool and Merseyside.
A keen sportsman and Rugby League supporter, Barrie will be responsible for promoting the CWTB throughout the UK and abroad as the leading voice for tourism in the sub region, and ensuring that local tourism authorities, operators and attractions unite to make the most of the area?s untapped tourism potential.
He said: “This is a tremendous opportunity. We’ve got superb tourism assets here and a great product – we just need to make more noise about it and get our message out there!”
CWTB Chief Executive Chris Brown added: “I’m delighted to have such a highly motivated and successful marketing professional on the team. I’ve no doubt Barrie will help us accelerate our efforts to generate real benefits for the area’s economy.”
After working for a major advertising agency in Manchester, Barrie took up the role of communications director for The Data Protection Office in 1996.
He has had an outstanding track record of success in both private and public sectors. His achievements include a CIM SWOT Award for brand repositioning (1999), an IPA commendation for advertising effectiveness (1998) and most recently an award from England for Excellence for web site design (2003).
Courtroom drama
will stretch players
by David Skentelbery
WHEN the Culcheth Players, near Warrington, stage Agatha Christie’s courtroom drama “Witness for the Prosecution” at Culcheth Sports and Social Club next month, they really will be stretching their resources to the limit.
Not only will they have to transform the stage into a courtroom but they also face the problems of a very large cast and a great deal of backstage work.
Every member of the group will have a part to play, either on stage, backstage, front of house or brewing tea! In fact, one member plays two parts!
A Culcheth Players’ spokesman said: “As you would expect, the play has an excellent story line with a very dramatic ending.”
Members of the cast are: Ann Witter, George Barrett, Mark Taylor, Ian McLoughlin, David Hill, Ken Procter, Jack Beck, Margaret Fallon, Phyllis Longson, Ron Butler, Paul Catcheside, Alex Urmston, Milly Beck, Karen Morris, Alun Lewis, Allan Witter, Brenda Earl, David McManus and Jennifer Whipp.
The play runs from October 13-16 with the curtain rising at 7.30pm. More details are available from the club bar or from the ticket secretary on 01925 765136.
Housing service will
be “open”more hours
by John Hendon
WARRINGTON’S Golden Gates Housing has extended the hours that customers can contact its two customer service centres.
“Property Connect” deals with all Warrington Borough Council tenants repair and improvement enquires on free phone 0800 25 26 27.
“Golden Gates Direct” deals with all other GGH enquiries, such as Chooseahome, rent account enquiries and neighbour nuisance reporting on free phone 0800 195 9 195.
Both Services Centres already operate extended hours between 8.00am-6.30pm Monday to Friday. For a trial period of three months the opening hours will be increase as follows:
Property Connect – Saturday mornings 9.00am-1.00pm (repairs reporting and enquiries).
Golden Gates Direct – Thursday evenings until 8.00pm (all other GGH enquiries).
Warning to banks
over roofing scam
by Terry Johnson
BANKS and building societies in Warrington and across Cheshire are being alerted to a scam which threatens the life savings of vulnerable pensioners.
The warning that con-men can seriously damage the wealth of elderly customers comes after police pounced on two roof-fixers who demanded ?7,000 cash for replacing a few slates, after quoting just ?15 for the repairs.
The victims – both in their 70’s – were cold-called by the tricksters, who said some roofing slates on their terraced home had become dislodged.
The pensioners were quoted ?15 for repairs – but soon found that add-on ‘work’ had inflated the bill to ?7,000.
They were told that cash payment was required the next day. It was suggested they take out a bank loan to clear it.
But an alert cashier called in Trading Standards officers and the pensioners were advised to leave their money in the bank pending an investigation.
Police have arrested two men, aged 48 and 53, on suspicion of obtaining money by deception. They have been interviewed and released on police bail until August 22.
Cheshire’s trading watchdogs are now to launch a CD training package warning banks and building societies about such scams.
Trading chief, Paul McGreary, said: “An important facet of this case is that the elderly couple were not given details of cancellation rig
hts – now a legal requirement.
“Although they had parted with ?500 deposit, the story has a happy ending in that they did not lose their savings.”
He added: “We would strongly advise the public not to enter into agreements for building work, house repairs, gardening or anything else with people who ‘cold call'”.
