Masked men in
raid on pub
by David Skentelbery
POLICE are hunting two masked men who burst into a Warrington pub just before midnight and threatened staff with what may have been a gun.
The raid was at the Ring ‘o’ Bells in Chester Road, Daresbury.
Two men entered the bar area through an insecure side door and brandished what staff describe as a bag from which a tube was protruding.
They believed it could have been a firearm.
The men – who both wore stocking masks – demanded cash and one reached over the bar and grabbed a handbag before they both ran out of the building.
One was described as in his early 20s, between 5ft 4 inches and 5ft 11 inches tall of slight to medium build. He was wearing a dark coloured track suit.
The other man was in his mid-20s, between 5ft 7 inches and 5ft 10 inches tall. He was wearing dark track suit bottoms with a white stripe on and a dark top.
Police are appealing for witnesses, or anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area of the pub to come forward.
Anyone who can help should call DC Chris Jones on 01244 613952.
Man attacked and
robbed in street
by David Skentelbery
A 23-year-old Warrington man was attacked and robbed by a gang of youths in the early hours of the morning ? just after withdrawing money from a cash machine.
The attack took place in Dorchester Road, Great Sankey, near to its junction with Hood Lane.
Police are appealing for witnesses of the robbery which took place shortly before 4.30am.
The man was walking along Dorchester Road when the gang of thugs caught up with him.
They had followed him from the nearby cash machine where he had withdrawn money.
He was struck about the head and knocked to the ground. Then he was punched and kicked about the head and body as he lay helpless. His wallet and cash was stolen.
Eventually he managed to get to his feet and run away.
Police say one youth was wearing a black hooded top and another a blue and cream top with horizontal stripes.
Anyone who can help with information is asked to call PC John Forster on 01244. 612620.
New board will promote
well-being of children
by staff reporter
PROMOTING the well being of children and young people across Warrington is the priority for a new multi agency initiative.
Through the Children Act 2004, the Government placed a duty on every local authority to set up a Local Safeguarding Children Board by April 2006, to replace Area Child Protection Committees.
The Warrington Safeguarding Children Board, officially launched this week, brings together representatives from each of the main agencies responsible for helping to protect children and young people under the age of 18 from abuse and neglect and for promoting their welfare.
These agencies include the borough council’s Children’s Services, Police, Health, Probation and Connexions together with the NSPCC and other voluntary agencies.
The board will be responsible for agreeing how different services work with each other to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Warrington and for making sure that these arrangements work effectively.
Coun Colin Froggatt, the borough council?s executive member for Children’s Services, said: ?The new board will build on the excellent child protection services in the borough but also examine how other risks to our children and young people can be reduced.
“Road traffic and other accidents and unexpected child deaths will also be monitored and strategies developed to reduce such tragedies to an absolute minimum. The work of the board will be part of a wider range of children’s services, which are currently being consulted upon and which will be in Warrington’s Children and Young People’s Plan to be published in April”.
The board will be chaired by the council’s chief executive and will be subject to government inspections.
Tom gets on his
bike for cancer care
by Lesley Wilkinson
A STOCKTON Heath man is getting on his bike in a bid to raise more than ?2,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Tom Lawson will be one of 500 people taking part in the 670km route as part of the charity’s event The Great 500 Cycle Challenge, which aims to raise a million pounds nationally.
Tom, who is 38 and works as an environmental manager providing advice to schools and hospitals, said: “I lost two good friends to cancer last year and my father has recently been diagnosed with prostrate cancer.
“I was very impressed with Marie Curie’s Nurse of the Year’s talk at their Brain Game in Manchester towards the end of last year and was cajoled by work colleagues to enter for the event, details of which were given by Edwina Currie,” he added.
He is looking forward to cycling 500 miles in less than a week in the event that starts on September 9. The 500 riders will complete one of five routes into Warsaw, Poland, from neighbouring countries meeting in Warsaw city centre, the birthplace of Marie Curie.
Tom said: “Finding time for training is a bit daunting. It’s not so much the cycling a long way in a day, it’s having to do it one day after the other for almost a week. There’s no time for aching limbs and sore bits to recover. So training for the Great 500 is going to take more time and effort than the event itself.”
So far Tom has not taken part in any long-distance events. He enjoys cycling in his spare time but has “never gone more than a few dozen kilometres.”
He has set up a website at www.justgiving.com/tomlawsonspage, for people interested in donating.
Police merger: authority
considers its position
by John Hendon
THE body responsible for policing in Warrington meets on Tuesday (February 21) to consider its position over the proposed merger which could lead to the town?s Police being controlled from Merseyside.
Members of Cheshire Police Authority will consider the Home Office plan to amalgamate the force with Merseyside Police.
Home Secretary Charles Clarke has given both police authorities until next Friday, February 24, to agree to a merger or he will begin a parliamentary process to seek to impose it.
All three political parties on Warrington Borough Council have voiced their opposition to the merger and both police authorities have also expressed concern.
The Cheshire authority will be briefed by the Chief Constable on the potential benefits for policing in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington from increased capacity and capability to deal with serious incidents and organised crime but that there remain a number of major concerns which require clarification from the Home Office. These include:
Reassurance that the current level of policing in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington will be maintained, particularly in respect of neighbourhood policing.
Currently council tax levels are higher in Merseyside than Cheshire. It is unclear how this will be dealt with.
An acceptable process for dealing with those staff affected by the merger and will enable the Authority to meet its responsibilities as an employer.
Sufficient additional Government monies to enable the costs of a merger to be met without placing these costs on the communities of Cheshire Halton and Warrington.
If these concerns are addressed by the Government in progressing the merger, the capability of the new force to tackle serious and organised crime across both Cheshire and Merseyside would be improved but there are risks which need to be fully explored, the Cheshire authority believes.
Chairman Peter Nurse said: ?This is a very important decision for the authority and the key deciding factor has to be the improvement of policing and protection for the people of Cheshire, Halton and Warrington. We earnestly hope the Home Secretary will provide the reassurance and additional information we have asked for. I
t is crucial that local people are in the best position to influence the future of this vital public service.?
Theatre company’s
nine nominations
by Mark Hemmings
WARRINGTON-based Centenary Theatre Company has received a staggering nine nominations for this year National Operatic and Dramatic Association Awards.
The nominations have been won in competition with other productions staged all over the country during the year.
Chairman Mark Murphy, chairman of the company said: “This is a record year for us. We were nominated for seven awards last year, and that was our best so far, but this has beaten every other year.”
Six of the nominations are from one production ? ?Dial M for Murder.?
They are Best Actor, Mark Murphy (Tony Wendice), Best Actress, Jane Rigby (Sheila Wendice) Best Supporting Actor, Rob Gregory (Inspector Hubbard) Best Director, Sheila Cummins, Best Staging and Best Play.
Other nominations received are, for Best Musical Director, Jill Hyde (Oklahoma!), Best Supporting Actress, Kate Potts (Cheryl in Visiting Hour), Best Choreographer, Julie Parry (Gypsy).
The results will be announced at the NODA conference in Blackpool on Sunday April 30.
News in brief
Hospital lottery
WINNING numbers in the weekly lottery run by the League of Friends of Warrington Hospital were 5, 7, 8 and 11. One winner claimed the ?1,192 jackpot and the ?25 consolation prize went to “Olwen”. Next week’s jackpot will be ?200.
Pig sty
A PLANNING application has been submitted to Warrington Borough Council to convertg a pig sty at The Red House, Underbridge Lane, Higher Walton, into residential accommodation.
Pub extension
A CONSERVATORY at the rear of the Old Red Lion pub, in Manchester Road, Rixton, Warrington, is to be demolished to make way for a new UPVC framed conservatory with a tiled roof. A new rear external drinking area will also be provided.
Nature tour
ORGANISED tours of the Moore Nature Reserve, near Warrington is taking place on Sunday February 26, between 9am and 4pm. Every bird hide on the reserve will be manned by an expert with a telescope to help visitors enjoy their tour.
[ 20.02.2006, 17:59: Message edited by: DS ]
