Archive

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Wrap up advises council

NEWTON residents should take extra care of themselves as the winter weather takes hold says St. Helen's Borough Council. Andy McCully, Council Health Promotion Officer, has urged the young and elderly to "freeze out" accidents in a special winter warning

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Blaze at house

POLICE are investigating the cause of a house fire in Alder Street, Newton, in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Firefighters had to force their way into the council house to tackle the blaze, which began in the kitchen and caused extensive damage

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Babysitter to the rescue

FIRE fighters cleared smoke from an end terrace house in Collingwood Road around 11pm on January 10. The fire had been controlled when the babysitter put wet towels over the grill of the cooker. A box on top had also caught fire. No one was hurt. Converted

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Musical Cinders

CINDERELLA with a difference takes to the stage for its opening night performance in Earlestown Town Hall on January 19. NADOS (Newton Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society) is to present its updated version of the classic pantomime until January 23.

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A first class home

AN HISTORIC post office in Thelwall is to be preserved despite its transformation into a home. The Bell Lane post office dates back at least 125 years and is regarded as a landmark at the heart of the village. The office closed almost three years ago

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They're spreading the news ... in old New York

A GLAZEBROOK couple had a holiday with a difference when they packed their vagabond shoes and started spreading the news in old New York with the Real Holiday Show. Michael and Marianne Bain, of Carlton Way, swapped sleepy suburbia for skyscrapers and

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Lottery cash for arts group

AN arts group is celebrating after being awarded a lottery grant. Activate, a dance and art collective for people with disabilities, has received £4,210 to help it continue with classes in the town. Wyn Higham, group chairman, said: "We are absolutely

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Beware the alien plants

THE WARRINGTON-based Environment Agency is urging owners to steer clear of alien plants which are damaging the environment. Species including Australian Swamp Stonecrop and Fairy Fern, also known as fairy moss and water fern, are clogging the town's still

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Clean up

HELP the VOLES, the volunteer ranger service, lay hedges at the entrance to Gatewarth Waste Water Treatment Works. The land is adjacent to the Trans Pennine Trail and public open space and the VOLES are aiming to clean it up and improve the landscape.

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Vicious attack on couple in their 80s

DETECTIVES believe that a vicious robber is targeting Warrington's elderly. Officers suspect the man is responsible for several raids on pensioners' homes during the past few months, often posing as an official caller before forcing his way in. In the

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Carlton Club set to close as another licence application is rejected

LICENSING chiefs in Warrington have put the final nail in one of the town's most famous clubs. The town's licensing committee rejected a fresh application from The Carlton Club for a new late-night drinking licence at Warrington Magistrates' Court on

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Flakes steal chocs from warehouse

POLICE are hoping their hunt for warehouse thieves doesn't crumble after the sweet-toothed criminals escaped with thousands of Cadbury's Flakes. The Flake-loving felons stole 32,000 boxes from a unit at the Trident Industrial Estate, Risley, last weekend

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Pair killed in bike horror

TWO men died in a road smash in Birchwood on Saturday afternoon. Michael Andrew Weaver, a 30-year-old firefighter, from Steel Street, and factory worker, Alan Peter Evans, aged 31, of Berkshire Drive, Woolston, died after falling from a motorbike on Birchwood

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Fewer at forums

THE NUMBER of people attending Warrington police's public forum has decreased slightly. An average of 35 people attended last year's meetings at the town hall, compared with an average of 40 people in 1997. Despite the slight drop police believe the forums

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Complaints rise

COMPLAINTS about Cheshire police increased by 21 per cent during 1998. The number of complainants also increased by 11 per cent between April and August 1998 compared to the same period in 1997. 230 complaints were received from 160 people, but police

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Snow adventure

A FEW tickets are still available for the fun educational play Snow Shoes at the Parr Hall on Wednesday, January 20. The visual adventure for under-eights is a journey through the deep snow of a mountain to discover its hidden treasures. The performance

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Pipes of peace

THE pipes will be playing at the Mersey Hotel, Mersey Street, on Thursday, January 21, when Warrington Juvenile Pipe Band celebrates Burns Night. The band is fundraising for a trip to Northern Ireland and hopes donations for the traditional Scottish treats

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Labour candidate wins by-election

LABOUR has retained control of the seat vacated by veteran councillor Geoff Orange after a by-election in Rixton and Woolston. Party candidate Edmund Coop triumphed with 762 votes, defeating Conservative choice Alan Freeman, who polled 381 votes, and

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Woman refused to reveal driver

POLICE investigating a three car pile-up discovered only one driver had been involved - and he was only aged 14. Two of the cars had been parked and the third was owned by Donna Preston, aged 34, who would not reveal the identity of the driver, magistrates

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Young spending less time on dole

YOUNG people in Warrington are spending less time on the dole queue since the launch of a government jobs creation scheme, according to latest figures. New statistics show the number of under 25s out of work for more than six months has dropped by 10

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Homeless are a cut above

WARRINGTON'S homeless are hoping to be a cut above the rest with the launch of a free haircutting service. Stylists from Michele and Co have given up their free time to help out at Warrington Action for Homeless. John Hughes, from the charity project,

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Roadside tributes to crash victims

FLORAL tributes mark the spot where two men died in a motorcycle accident on Saturday afternoon. Factory worker Alan Peter Evans, aged 31, of Berkshire Drive, Woolston, and Michael Andrew Weaver, a 30-year-old firefighter from Steel Street, died after

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Major changes in climate forecast

GLOBAL warming could have a major impact on life in Warrington over the next 50 years, according to a new report. Forecasters predict that average temperatures in the area will increase by between 0.8 and two degrees centigrade by the year 2050. Winter

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Challenge for young workers

YOUNG council employees will be encouraged to scale mountains and enjoy adventurous camping holidays, if a new scheme is given the go-ahead. Borough leaders want to introduce the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme for its workers to encourage teamwork, initiative

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Fears over 'cabinet' council

PROPOSALS to elect a government-style cabinet to govern Warrington's affairs would be a blow to democracy, claim concerned councilllors. The radical move will come as part of plans to streamline Warrington Borough Council, believe worried opposition councillors

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Australia suffers from brick thowers too

Greetings. As an ex-Warringtonian resident in Sydney since 1966 it is so convenient to keep in touch with the news from home via the internet. I would like to comment on the story re- the brick which hit the truck on the motorway. We are experiencing

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Fault sparks pet shop blaze

FIRE and smoke swept through a pet shop in Orford Lane on Tuesday night. Three fire crews from Warrington and Birchwood were called to tackle the blaze at Nadin's Pet Store. Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames which

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JUNIOR SOCCER SUCCESS

TEENAGE hot shot Chris Barber scored twice as Biddulph Moor Saracens won a junior soccer title. Chris' brace came in his side's 2-1 victory over Knutton in the final of the Staffordshire six-a-side indoor championship at Keele University. The under-16

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BADMINTON RESULTS

CONGLETON thrashed Crosses A 8-1 away to go third in mixed division one of the Crewe badminton league. The easy win sees Congleton 10 points adrift of leaders Welsh Row, although they have two games in hand over the table-toppers. Stella Booth and Gary

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THREE GOALS FOR GRAHAM

BORN-AGAIN striker Graham Dodd made it three goals in four games on Saturday by securing three vital points for Congleton Town. Dodd has been recalled by the Bears' new manager Glyn Chamberlain after being out of favour since the start of the season with

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SPEED LIMIT UNDER REVIEW

TRAFFIC experts are to look at the merits of a reduction in the speed limit in Padgbury Lane, Congleton. The road is the third in a priority list of 13 sites for traffic analyis surveys due to be carried out across the borough over the coming months.

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MILLENNIUM REVAMP PLAN FOR WOODHOUSE MIDDLE

WOODHOUSE Middle School in Biddulph is in line for a revamp in the year 2000. The school is being earmarked for a £40,000 grant as part of a £2.4 million of planned improvements at Staffordshire secondary schools. The money will be spent on refurbishing

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SCANNER SUCCESS

SCANNER appeal bosses are celebrating hitting their £1 million target. The Mid Cheshire NHS Trust has placed an order for an MRI scanner for Leighton Hospital following the success of the appeal. The hospital serves Alsager, and the appeal will continue

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NEW BUS SHELTER IS ON THE WAY

BUS travellers from Church Lawton are in line for a new shelter. The shelter could be in place by the end of March on the east side of Congleton Road South. The location is earmarked for a new shelter due to the increased number of passengers using the

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WEST HEATH PRECINCT PLAN SPARKS TRADE ROW

SHOPPING centre owners claim the redevelopment of Congleton's West Heath precinct would take trade from the town centre. TBI, which owns the West Heath centre, wants to redevelop the precinct into a 30,000 square foot supermarket and eight small shops

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CHURCH SETS UP SUPPORT CENTRE

CHILDREN whose parents are separated or have split up are being targeted in a new initiative by church leaders. A so-called Child Contact Centre is due to open next month in Congleton, the first such centre in the area. The project is the brainchild of

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LOTTERY BOOST FOR VILLAGE HALL

NATIONAL Lottery bosses have given a new year boost to plans for a new £200,000 village hall for Church Lawton. Members of Lawton Memorial Hall Trust have raised £23,000 towards the hall, and have planned 14 fund-raising events for 1999. They have also

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WESTLANDS TO CLOSE IN £8M EDUCATION REVAMP

EDUCATION Secretary David Blunkett gave the green light this week for an £8 million transformation of Congleton's high schools. Two 1,100-pupil schools are to be created for the town's teenagers in the largest project ever undertaken by county education

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MENINGITIS FEARS SPREAD

WORRIED parents are demanding anti-meningitis inoculations for their children after two more suspected cases of the deadly disease in Congleton this week. A five-year-old boy and a pre-school child are being treated for suspected meningococcal septicaemia

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FIRMS HELPED TO BE BUG BUSTERS

BUSINESS Link across South and East Cheshire is running special seminars to explain the issues surrounding the Millennium Bug. Many companies will not have taken action to prevent the Millennium Bug spoiling the year 2000 but Business Link is offering

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QUALITY STREET

Crewe Alexandra - 3 Norwich City - 2 ANY supporters leaving before the final whistle missed one of the most dramatic endings to a Crewe game for some time as a rousing fightback, including a double strike from supersub Kevin Street, snatched victory from

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SUPERSUB BENCHED

CREWE supersub Kevin Street may still be forced to bide his time on the bench this Saturday despite an inspired performance against Norwich last week. A double strike from Street helped the Alex recover from a seemingly unassailable two-goal deficit to

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HELPING BARN OWLS TO FEATHER THEIR NEST

BARN owls are being given brand new homes across Crewe and Nantwich in a bid to halt the decline in the numbers of the birds. Cheshire Wildlife Trust, British Waterways, the borough council and local landowners are working together to increase the number

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BOOST FOR CANCER SERVICES

EXTRA clinics and a new specialist nurse are to be brought in to Leighton Hospital following additional funding for cancer services. The £52,000 for Leighton Hospital is part of £87,893 which has been given to South Cheshire to improve colorectal cancer

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PRIZES GALORE AWAIT BRIDE OF THE YEAR

THERE is still time to enter this year's GUARDIAN Bride of the Year competition which has a superb package of prizes worth more than £1,000 on offer. The wedding fayre organisers are offering a £100 voucher to be spent at any of the bridal firms taking

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RURAL AREAS COULD BE EXCLUDED FROM BYLAW

RAMBLERS in Crewe and Nantwich look set to win the right to relief without damnation at a council meeting today, Thursday. The Environmental Services Committee agreed in November to introduce a new bylaw to stop people urinating and defecating in public

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ARMED POLICE SHOOT BULL ON THE RUN

PHONE calls from terrified residents alerted Crewe police as a bull ran loose around the town's housing estates. The adult bull, which had escaped from Newton's butchers in Haslington, ran into the Ashley Meadow cul-de-sac where officers from the Armed

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TRIBUTE IS PAID TO ONE OF BOROUGH'S GOLDEN CITIZENS

CIVIC leaders have paid tribute to a life-long good samaritan who died on Christmas Eve. Miss Marion Goldthorp, affectionately known to her many friends in and around Nantwich as 'Goldie' was honoured several times by the community she helped and by the

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DOUBLE CELEBRATIONS AT CREWE HALL

THE owners of Crewe Hall had a double reason to celebrate last week as the landmark looks set to become a fully fledged hotel. At a meeting of the borough council's planning committee on Thursday, members agreed to give the green light to plans for the

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SPORTS SCHEME COULD SAVE SCHOOL

TROUBLED Ruskin High School is to apply for a £2.8million lottery grant to build a new sports complex and help the school escape the axe. The bid, to be submitted in June, would fund the re-siting of the Crewe and Nantwich Gymnastics and Community Association

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£385m investment boost

THE North West has won inward investment projects worth £385.2m in the first half of the current financial year, according to the latest figures. The projects have either directly created or safeguarded more than 5,000 jobs. Speaking at a reception organised

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Twin town visitors

AIR Miles, Warrington, played host to two guests from twin town Nachod in the Czech Republic. Mr Lubomir Smida, chief executive of Nachod and Mr Petr Tyc, head of Nachod's chief executive's department, visited the company as part of a tour of the Warrington

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Better use for cash

MAY I say that once again the council did not disappoint me with its total disregard of its tenants. One week they are saying that they need umpteen million pounds to bring their housing stock up to date and that rents will have to be increased, then

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Exhausting Commons

IN "Letter from the House" in GUARDIAN January 8, by Helen Jones MP is a warning of the exhausting legislation that she faces in the coming year. This, after the three week Christmas holiday, another week in February plus at least 14 weeks in summer.

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MIGHT I add to Mr Charnley's letter, in the GUARDIAN on December 30, by endorsing his comments about

The council seem to be in a thoroughly apathetic state with regards to motorists and parking (or lack of it). The council has known for years about the potential death-trap of the junction of Park Avenue, Latchford and Knutsford Road. Motorists leaving

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Let's bring pressure

IF ONLY pollution was the only problem cars bring and could be solved by a technical fix as Mr McKie believes, then we would have solved it years ago. Unfortunately reality is more complicated. Yes, car engines are becoming more efficient, but this is

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Sharon's essential ingredient for health

THE sweet smell of success changed Sharon Ryan's life quite literally. Deciding that there had to be more to her existence than being a cleaner, Sharon took up aromatherapy five years ago. Today, she has a rewarding lifestyle that she wouldn't change

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Just one voice

ALONE in her room with her LPs of legends Judy Garland, Billie Holliday, Marilyn Monroe and Shirley Bassey - is how timid Little Voice spends her time. LV (Jane Horrocks) has barely spoken since the death of her beloved father. All she has left of him

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Appeal for home videos

HOME Truths is a national appeal for home movies being made by the Museum of the Moving Image. The Museum is seeking the loan of film footage which shows the experience of ordinary people from the everyday to the extraordinary, as portrayed in home movies

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Back to the future

THE Jim Davidson influence was evident throughout the pantomime Cinderella - on stage at the Palace in Manchester until January 23. Prince Charming - Darren Day - was a definite hit with all the young teens in the audience and there was a tangible affection

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WARRINGTON SOCCER LEAGUE ROUND UP

THE weather again took its toll as Warrington Soccer League's fixture list was decimated by waterlogged pitches and only 13 games survived. Of the two matches played in the Premier Division, it was doom and gloom for bottom club Winwick Utd as they crashed

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ATHLETICS CLUB'S COUNTY FAMOUS FIVE

WARRINGTON Athletics Club achieved a remarkable success at the Cheshire Cross Country Championships. On top of a superb medal haul throughout, all five of their under 13 boys' runners have been selected for Cheshire to compete in next month's Inter-Counties

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SUICIDAL LYMM

Lymm 16 York 17 LYMM threw away a 13 point half-time lead in this typical battle for survival. It was a converted try on the stroke of full-time which cost Lymm valuable points but they should have been out of sight by the interval after a period of having

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HAPPY HUNTING!

THE signing of Alan Hunte will give the Wolves just the lift they needed for the start of the 1999 season. All the talk by the new owners and plans to move to a purpose-built state of the art stadium is great but the fans have wanted to see action rather

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WARRINGTON ANGLERS' ASSOCIATION COLUMN

WITH a combination of snow, rain and fisheries iced over this past week all I can say is it can only get better for Warrington Anglers' Assocation Sport was dire on the canals with the Bridgewater matches only producing decent weights from isolated pegs

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EAGLE FADE OUT

Crewe and Nantwich...22 Eagle...5 AFTER leading for the first hour Eagle somehow lost their way in the final quarter. They conceded three tries to suffer a rare defeat in the Thwaites League. Crewe took the lead with a penalty but Eagle responded with

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SPORTS PERSONALITY SELL-OUT

WARRINGTON Sports Personality Awards' dinner is a sell-out. More than 200 sports stars and their guests will pack into the Village Hotel on January 22 for the announcement of the 1998 awards winners. It just shows the popularity of the event that all

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Warning issued over rogue craftsmen

ROGUE traders who trick elderly people into paying out for unnecessary repairs on the doorstep are being targeted by trading standards chiefs. Consumer watchdogs from the borough council have issued a warning to the public - to coincide with the current

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Teenager Karen recovers from meningitis

A YOUNG woman who contracted the deadly meningitis bus has received get well wished from a very special visitor. Warrington Wolves prop Gary Chambers took time out from his training to visit 19-year-old Karen Caley in Warrington Hospital where she was

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Award for special life-saver

LIFE-saver Frances Jones performed so well when training for her Bronze Award that she was given an extra certificate and medal from the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society. Frances was nominated by her swimming instructor Eileen Fox for the award,

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Rare sight in the Mersey

A RARE sight amazed onlookers when they spotted an unusual object in the River Mersey last week. A small crowd gathered around the river, by the railway bridge near the Village Hotel, when a seal was spotted bobbing up and down in the water. Christine

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Museum Street parking scheme could continue

A TEMPORARY road scheme designed to help ease parking at Warrington Police Station could be made permanent - after it was found to relieve traffic problems. Cars belonging to police officers and staff at the headquarters have been parking on Museum Street

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Win vouchers

RESIDENTS throughout Newton will have the chance to win £100 worth of Marks and Spencers gift vouchers by simply completing a survey. Home owners will be asked to complete the form sent to their homes, which will determine whether or not they are entitled

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Drink driving campaign will carry on

A POLICE campaign to clamp down on drink driving over Christmas has been declared a roaring success. The Merseyside Police operation, codenamed Nemesis II, was designed to make sure Newton motorists got the message, "Stay alive - don't drink and drive

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Awards for chorus members

GOLBORNE chorus members Eileen Boon and Pam McKenna were presented with 15 year long service awards last Friday. The two ladies, members of the Golborne St Thomas's Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society (STADO'S), were delighted at their acknowledgement

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Have a fling

CELEBRATE Burns night in style with the Mayor and Mayoress of Warrington at Walton Hall on January 23 from 7.30pm. Those attending the hot supper, which includes a "wee dram", pay bar, piper, music and poetry recital, raffle and Scottish theme quiz, are

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CONCERN over young 'gang' at block of flats

DRUG and alcohol-fuelled youths are making life a living hell for residents at a council-owned block of flats, claims a woman from Orford. The woman, who does not want to be named for fear of reprisals, is calling for the council to take action after

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Teeny firestarters

TEENAGERS started two fires in Woolston on Monday and Tuesday nights. Firefighters were called to extinguish the blazes which took place in the industrial estate in Grosvenor Grange. Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting

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Ten evacuated in fire

FIREFIGHTERS were called to Thelwall House at Warrington Hospital on Saturday night after a washing machine caught fire. The blaze was started by an electrical fault and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus extinguished the flames. Ten people were

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Police clamp down on dodgy motors

MOTORISTS driving with treadless tyres or blown brake bulbs could face police roadside checks in a bid to reduce the number of accidents on the town's roads. Officers from Warrington will be checking cars, trucks and motorcycles during the next two weeks

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Sue's political drama makes stage debut

A PLAYWRIGHT is celebrating a performance of her latest work at one of the region's most prestigious theatres. Sue Dodd's aptly timed political drama An Issue Of Public Standards debuted at the Chester Gateway this week. The Stockton Heath councillor

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Fraudsters returned to scene of crime

DOPEY fraudsters went on a £900 spending spree with stolen cheques - but were caught out when they returned to a shop to complain they had been given an empty box. When Clare McGinley and Christopher McWhirter realised the shop had not put the telephone

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Street stars football challenge

THE CORONATION Street All Star football team members will be showing off their soccer skills in a tournament to raise money for sick children. The team, made up of the actors from the popular soap opera, will play the winners of a competition which is

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Is it time our town became a city?

PROPOSALS to enter Warrington into the race to become Britain's 'Millennium City' could be decided by residents, say council officials. One British town will be given city status to mark the new Millennium and borough leaders have expressed an interest

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Cigarette sparks blaze

A STRAY cigarette set fire to carpet at a house in Linden Close, Woolston, during the early hours. Householders were woken by their smoke alarm the fire brigade put out the blaze. Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting

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Spate of car fires

FIRE crews were called to a number of car fires over the weekend. Three of the blazes took place on Friday night in Gypsy Wood, Clay Lane and Old Alder Lane in Burtonwood. Other incidents were at Bank Quay Trading Estate in Slutchers Lane and also at

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Stamping out cowboy builders

COWBOY builders are to be run out of town with the introduction of a 'Built in Quality' award scheme. The council initiative will give Warrington's builders the chance to win awards for high quality work, allowing them to use a special logo in advertising

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Book service for housebound

AN urgent appeal has been launched for more volunteers to deliver books to the housebound. People willing to spare a couple of hours are wanted by the borough council's library service - especially in the Burtonwood, Penketh, Great Sankey, Westbrook and

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Bodies stored on tables in mortuary

BODIES were stored on trestle tables and slabs in Warrington Hospital's mortuary during Christmas and New Year. Managers say this was a temporary measure and the situation is now back to normal, but it was confirmed that there were problems with overcrowding

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Leisure centre facilities open

BIRCHWOOD'S new Leisure and Tennis Centre is now up and running, giving residents the perfect opportunity to get fit for the New Year. The centre, which was set up with almost £2 million of lottery cash, will be officially opened later this year, but

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Spuds you like

WHEN the chips are down, the price of Britain's favourite takeaway usually rises. Many of the town's fish and chip shops are feeling the pinch after the cost of potatoes rocketed during the past month, leading to increased prices for a humble bag of chips

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Heartbreak as son dies in ambush

THE PARENTS of a man killed in Angola have told how but for an act of kindness he would have have been at home with his family instead of still working in the war-torn country. Mining engineer Patrick Bergin died when the car he was travelling in was

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Swapping office life for eastern adventure

AN ADVENTUROUS businessman is swapping wet and windy Warrington for the rough desert and mountain terrain of India in a bid to raise thousands for charity. David Teale, of Teale Consulting, based at St James Court on Wilderspool Causeway will be leaving

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Sunny outlook for Ben after drink ad debut

BUDDING actor Ben Lyon was Delight-ed when he was picked from thousands of hopefuls to star in a TV commercial. The 15-year-old Culcheth High School pupil auditioned for Saatchi and Saatchi in Manchester to win the part. He appears on our screens as a

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So close to being a millionaire

A SPLIT-SECOND cost a Warrington man the chance of becoming a millionaire on a top television game show. Ken Finney, who works at YMCA training in Rylands Street, was close to taking the hot seat on the hit show 'Who Wants To be A Millionaire' but another

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TOP ATHLETE'S CUP SUCCESS

TOP athlete Matthew Barnes received a cup to mark his outstanding success in the penthathlon. Matthew, aged 21, from Waggs Road, Congleton, is the current British junior champion for the modern pentathlon. He is pictured receiving a trophy from South

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TOP RUGBY DISPLAY

CONGLETON'S rugby men produced one of their best displays of the season on Saturday to beat Shell Carrington 12-3 in the league. Shell had inflicted a heavy defeat on Congleton earlier in the year, and Congleton were missing several players through holidays

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DEAD FUNNY COMPETITION

CONGLETON Guardian readers have the chance to win tickets for an award-winning play at the New Vic Theatre by entering this week's competition. In Dead Funny by Terry Johnson it's 1992 and the news that Benny Hill has died has just reached members of

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GOOD SAMARITANS PRAISED

TWO Good Samaritans were thanked this week for stopping to help a pensioner taken ill while out for a walk. The man, who has a heart condition, was walking with his wife in the Timbersbrook area on Monday when he felt a sharp pain in his chest. He could

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GUIDES SEEK SUPPORT

GUIDES are looking for cash help to enable them to promote themselves and produce training material. Congleton Town Council is being asked to support Congleton Division Guides by buying the group a £250 laminating machine. Assistant division commissioner

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PLAYING FIELDS COULD BE SKATEBOARDING PARK

YOUNG skateboarders are hoping to have their own purpose-built area in Scholar Green. Playing fields in the village are seen as a possible site for a skateboard park, which is being asked for by local teenagers. The youngsters approached Odd Rode Parish

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CYCLISTS SECURE GREEN AWARD

CYCLING fans Anne Scrase and Ruth Reeves have helped Congleton Borough Council land a national environmental award. The women organised an event aimed at promoting cycling which caught the eye of the judges of the Green Apple awards, which are run by

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POLICE WARNING FOLLOWS THEFTS FROM CASHPOINT

POLICE are appealing for people using cashpoints to be on their guard after a conman stole £100 from a woman. The theft in Congleton last Wednesday was the third in the town in as many months, and took place at Barclays Bank in the High Street. The 51

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ATTACK SPARKS WITNESS APPEAL

POLICE are asking for the public's help in catching two men who attacked a teenager after ordering him to hand over cash. The 14-year-old was set upon as he was walking down an alleyway linking Biddulph High Street with John Street at 10.40am on Saturday

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THANK YOU SO MUCH!

OVERJOYED parents George and Deborah Hammond are to raise money for the hospitals which saved their son's life. Six-year-old Adam Hammond is back home with his mum and dad after being treated for meningococcal septicaemia. He was rushed into hospital

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SANDBACH LEISURE CENTRE FIVE A SIDE LEAGUE RESULTS:

Division Two: BRISCA 3 Oakwood Strollers 2; Brazillian All Stars 2 Saxon Cross 1; BRISCA 2 Flowcrete Wanderers 3; Brazillian All Stars 2 Oakwood Strollers 3; Not Athletic 4 Saxon Cross 0; Roses Rangers 2 Flowcrete 0; Crewesaders 2 Route One 0; Buglawton

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CREWE CLIP EAGLE'S WINGS

Crewe & Nantwich - 20 Eagle - 5 IT was a happy New Year's start for Crewe & Nantwich RUFC when, in their first game of 1999, they defeated Warrington-based Eagle by a goal, two tries and a penalty goal to a single try. This was certainly a crucial

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VICTORY FOR THE DABBERS

A DOUBLE strike from Matt Borthwick launched Nantwich Town to their first victory in 13 games with a 3-1 win over Rossendale. Borthwick headed home the first goal from Ryan Baker's cross on 16 minutes, then recovered the Dabbers' lead with a penalty on

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GREEN SCHEMES ARE PLOTTED

ENVIRONMENTAL plans are being formed for the coming year as part of the borough council's Local Agenda 21 programme. A number of meetings and discussions have been held on different topics across the borough to promote and improve the local environment

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POLICE HUNT FOR MASKED RAIDERS WHO TIED UP POSTMASTER

POLICE are hunting two men in balaclavas who tied up a postmaster during an attempted robbery in Crewe. The incident happened on the evening of Tuesday, January 5, at 6.40pm at the Post Office on Newcastle Road in Hough. The 40-year-old postmaster was

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WINTER WINDFALL WILL REDUCE WAITING

LEIGHTON Hospital will be sharing in £210,000 from a multi-million pound government windfall announced in November. Mid-Cheshire Hospitals Trust, which covers Leighton Hospital in Crewe and Northwich's Victoria Infirmary, has received the money to help

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CCTV CAMERAS SPREAD TO GUARD TOWN CENTRES

SECURITY cameras look set to be installed and others upgraded across Crewe and Nantwich town centres. Some £30,000 could be set aside to provide two new cameras in High Street, Crewe and Pepper Street, Nantwich although this equipment would be relocated

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LEIGHTON CELEBRATES AS WAITING LISTS TUMBLE

CREWE'S Leighton Hospital has slashed waiting lists as part of record cuts across the region. South Cheshire hospitals, also including Chester and Macclesfield, topped the NHS waiting list tables in the north west after cutting nearly 3,000 people between

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THANKS A MILLION!

FUND-RAISERS at Leighton Hospital were celebrating this week after the Mighty Magnet Appeal hit the magic £1 million mark. The appeal to buy a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Scanner and suite to house it started in 1996 and has seen hundreds of fund-raising

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MEDAL FOR ALL OUR HEROES

A NANTWICH first world war hero has been honoured by the French government days before his 100th birthday. Lifelong Dabber Frank Penlington was presented with France's highest accolade, the Legion d'Honneur medal, at his home last Wednesday. As the only

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Eddie's the champion!

EDDIE Forkgen, training and safety manager with Business Express, Warrington, has been awarded the national title "Investor in People UK Key Champion" for leading his company's Investors in People programme. Business Express's entire UK network of 32

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International link for town

WARRINGTON's new International Business Centre will be incorporated in a purpose built office development known as Pisces at Gemini Business Park. Warrington 2000 Plus, which is setting up the new centre, has pre-purchased the building from the developers

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Community Noticeboard

pBusiness briefs WARRINGTON Careers Centre is organising workshops for people who want help with changing career, producing a professional CV and improving job seeking skills. The dates are January 20, February 17 and February 25. SENSORMATIC, Warrington

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Taxi was more expensive than London

WHILE still on the subject of greedy taxi drivers, I feel I have to tell you about this episode. On Monday December 28, at about 2pm I arrived at Bank Quay Station and hired a taxi driver outside to take me to Orford. It was a 10 minute journey and he

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People don't use buses these days

IN the Warrington GUARDIAN of December 30, 1998, an e-mail from Allen Jones gave his reasons why buses do not operate over the Christmas holiday and New Year's Day. He suggested that the buses do not operate in order that the bus drivers'can spend time

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Cancer charity appeal

FUND RAISING is going on in Warrington to support the Cancer Gene 2000 appeal, launched by Clatterbridge Hospital, Wirral. Satellite committees have been established over a wide area. The Warrington one is chaired by Janet Bashforth of Lymm, who set up

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East meets West

EAST will meet West at the Pembroke Hall in Walkden on February 6 when the venue hosts Britain's first Middle Eastern live music and dance extravaganza. A Taste of Cairo will feature a seven piece Egyptian band, Laialy Massr with guest drummers, Lebanese

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URE LEAVES WOLVES

WARRINGTON Wolves have released hooker Ian Ure part way through his apprenticeship contract. The club have paid up the 18-year-old's remaining contract money up front, told him he can continue with his college studies and said they will continue to support

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WOLVES HAVE AN EXTRA FIXTURE DATE

ALAN Hunte is in the running to make his debut for Warrington Wolves at Wilderspool against Kevin Tamati's Whitehaven Warriors on Sunday, January 24. Supporters are also likely to get their first glimpse of some of the club's other new signings too. The

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SHOCK TO THE SYSTEM FOR WARRINGTON RU

St. Benedicts 10 Warrington RUFC 5 WARRINGTON'S hopes of promotion were dented on Saturday as they unexpectedly crashed to defeat in Cumbria and rivals Workington cashed in as they won their game at Rochdale. The Thwaites League match in Whitehaven was

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TOWN THAMED

Warrington Town 0 Thame United 2 (aet) By PHIL HOWARTH TOWN'S Wembley dream slipped away when they lost their cutting edge against Thame United on Saturday. The young team seemed daunted by the occasion as they played this FA Vase clash in front of the

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WALKER MARCH ON

Maghull 1 Tetley Walker 3 TETLEY Walker's fine start to the new year continued when they completed a league double over Maghull on Saturday. Walker got off to a flying start scoring after six minutes when the home side failed to clear a high ball from

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AUSSIES BOLSTER WOLSTON ROVERS

GIVING up sunkissed Sydney for the mud and blood of Bennett's Rec is not everyone's idea of an ideal Christmas. But it was the beginning of a great adventure for Duane Millard and Greg Marshall, who travelled half way round the world to arrive at Woolston

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LYMM ANGLING CLUB COLUMN

OVER the past week frozen waters have dominated the scene for Lymm Angling Club members. Lymm Dam was still producing reasonable action for pike anglers despite being partially frozen. Bream was the only performer for the non-specialist anglers although

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WOLVES CHIEF HOLDS SLE PURSE STRINGS

WARRINGTON Wolves' chief executive John Smith has taken over part of Maurice Lindsay's duties. Lindsay is winding up his role as managing director of Super League Europe (SLE) before his retirement in March. Smith, who sits on the SLE board as a director

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WOOLSTON START TO TURN THE CORNER

Castleford Lock Lane 18 Woolston Rovers 12 ROVERS produced an improved performance on Saturday and were unfortunate to lose to a Castleford side in great form in the National Conference League Premier Division. Winger Steve Martin, returning to the side

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TRY machine Alan Hunte arrived at Wilderspool this week after some gentle arm twisting from old frie

Hunte says a 'phone call from the Warrington stalwart, who has been pals with the Great Britain centre since they were 15 years old, finally convinced him to commit his future to the club. He adds: "I go back a long way with Gary to when we were amateurs

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Become a better gardener

FANCY yourself as a practical gardener or expert reviewer of 20th century classics? Then the Warrington WEA is the answer you're looking for. Welcoming 1999 in style, the Workers' Educational Authority is offering several new courses to build on students

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Plans to include tenants' water bills with rent

COUNCIL tenants are being invited to comment on plans to incorporate water bills into weekly rent payments. The council wants to team up with regional supplier North West Water to collect charges as part of the gross rent from April 1999. Councillors

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Extra manpower to catch vandals

POLICE have launched a crackdown on vandals and yobs after a spate of incidents around shops in Dudlows Green, Appleton. Sgt Mike Jones of Stockton Heath police said that several small windows in the shops had been broken since Christmas, culminating

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Appeal ... from the heart

A WOMAN who has survived three heart attacks is urging couples to take part in a special service to help a cardiac centre. Sue McDonald, 40, of Keyes Close, Oakwood, wants Warrington couples to take advantage of the most romantic day of the year - Valentine's

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Non-uniform day for pupils

CHILDREN will be fund-raising for charity by turning up to school in casual clothes on February 5. International children's charity UNICEF is organising its eleventh National Non Uniform Day - A Day for Change - to fund the education of children in Mozambique

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Recycling trees

ENVIRONMENTALLY-friendly families joined forces with park rangers to recycle old Christmas trees at the weekend. Members of the public were invited to Walton Hall gardens and Gatewarth Household Waste Site for the event organised by the rangers. The trees

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Schools lose county title

EDUCATION chiefs in Warrington say they are prepared for new Government rules which will see school names changing later this year. The categories schools come under will change over the next few months, meaning the loss of the word "County" from their

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High praise for UK's first 'boot camp'

BRITAIN'S only 'boot camp' has earned high praise from the Chief Inspector of Prisons and could serve as a role model for other juvenile jails. Yet the achievements of staff and inmates on the High Intensity Training pilot scheme, says Sir David Ramsbotham

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Setting standards for others to follow

COUNCIL chiefs are hoping their cemeteries and crematorium service will set the standards for other authorities to follow. The department is waiting for accreditation to the International Standards Organisation which will officially recognise its quality

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Tense thrills on stage

'DEAD Guilty' is the title of the latest production to be staged by the Culcheth Players. This tense thriller is the story of Julia Darrow whose lover, John Haddrel, dies at the wheel of his car. John's wife befriends Julia and begins to take over her

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Electrical faults spark fire alerts at hospital

FIREFIGHTERS were called to Warrington Hospital on Tuesday and Wednesday after electrical faults sparked two fire alerts. Both incidents started in light fittings. The first took place when a small fire broke out in an operating theatre, just before surgery

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Desperately seeking Charles Williams

A FORMER Earlestown resident has a son 'down under' who is desperately trying to contact him or any remaining family and friends. Peter Stewart, of Bunbury, West Australia has discovered that the birth registration details of his father, Mr Charles Herbert

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THERE'S A TREE IN MY HOUSE!

TENANTS on the Wargrave Estate could take legal action against St Helens Borough Council for what they claim are decades of neglect. A group action on behalf of all residents to enforce outstanding repairs has been launched by St Helens' Trades Union

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Disabled man's mobility nightmare

A DISABLED man says a council overhaul of Earlestown shops should include measures to make the town centre more accessible to people with disabilities St Helens Borough Council is offering shopkeepers a 75 per cent capital grant to give the town centre