Archive

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Maries win is off Pat

Widnes St Maries U15s 24 Wigan St Pats U15s 4 ST MARIE'S produced an excellent all round team performance to gain a comprehensive win over St Pats. Some ferocious tackling in the opening 10 minutes kept the visitors pinned in their own half. Sustained

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£100m sludge plans deferred

CONTENTIOUS £100m plans to build two extra incinerators at a Widnes sludge plant were deferred this week. More technical detail from Halton Council's environmental health officers and the Highways Agency were requested by the development, control and

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Killer would have been covered in blood - police

THE savage killer of a frail Widnes gran would have been splattered with blood, detectives have revealed. It is exactly a month since Agnes Hanrahan, 71, was found battered to death in her Baguley Avenue home in Halebank. "The individual who has done

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Families left devastated by arson attack

MINUTES after plucking their baby granddaughter to safety, a retired couple watched their dream home go up in flames. Fred Bowden and his wife, Margaret, were looking after 14-month-old Natasha for the first time. They say their lives were only saved

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FIVE STAR

VALE Royal Athletics Club hit a remarkable run of form on Saturday to take five of the nine team-events at the Cheshire Cross Country Championships. The event, held at Winsford's Knights Grange, saw Vale Royal AC exceed all expectations to claim the U15s

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New start

Broadheath Central 1 KNUTSFORD 4 KNUTSFORD Football Club began the second half of the Mid Cheshire League season with a crucial victory at bottom club Broadheath Central. Saturday's inspiring performance at Salisbury Road was as good a performance from

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New Year baby joy for couple

IT is all hands to the cot for one family in Middlewich who have welcomed their newest family member home. Helen and Neil Cameron were not expecting their bundle of joy for at least another week. But Helen, aged 24, gave birth to their first son, called

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Market plans sent back

A DECISION to award the running of Middlewich market to a private firm has been blocked by a select committee and put back in the hands of council leaders. At the beginning of December last year three councillors, Clr Derek Hough (Lib Dem), Clr Roy Giltrap

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FIVE STAR

VALE Royal Athletics Club hit a remarkable run of form on Saturday to take five of the nine team-events at the Cheshire Cross Country Championships. The event, held at Winsford's Knights Grange, saw Vale Royal AC exceed all expectations to claim the U15s

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Disabled get a ticket to ride

DISABLED daytrippers can travel with peace of mind thanks to the World. A grant from the World's charitable arm has helped fund a wheelchair accessible coach for Halton Community Transport. They provide vital transport for the community and had a massive

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Kind Kawneer's computer gift

YOUNG pupils will be able to develop their IT skills, thanks to a big hearted company. Kawneer has donated 12 computers to Victoria Road Primary School in Runcorn. Headteacher Ann Burnett, said: "I was delighted to receive such a generous donation. Information

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Art group's grand gesture

TALENTED market traders have raised almost £1,000 for cancer patients - from their painting skills. Widnes Market Traders Art Group held an art exhibition at the Queens Hall and donated some of the proceeds of their sales to Halton Haven Hospice. Brian

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Jailed for harassing young boys

A PREDATOR who preyed on young boys - known as Purple Aki - is beginning a six year jail sentence. Detectives launched a painstaking investigation, codenamed Operation Ice, to ensnare Akinwale Arobieke, aged 42, who persistently harassed young boys. Last

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Double despair for Moorfield U11s

Halton FH U11s 36 Widnes Moorfield U11s 6 THIS was a hard fought derby, which was well balanced until half time. Both teams threw the ball about well and were equally eager to tackle. Halton FH scored first with two unconverted tries. Moorfield came back

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Chris wings in for cup success

ENERGETIC air cadet Chris McShane is flying high after scoring success in a major football tournament. Chris, 14, of 306 (Runcorn) Squadron was the only cadet selected from 1,400 cadets in Merseyside Wing to represent the Wales and West region. "We played

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More agony for Moore

Oldershaw 22 Moore 0 MOORE'S miserable season continued when they were nilled by mid-table Oldershaw in this South/Lancs Cheshire league two encounter. As a result Moore remain rooted to the bottom of the table. However Moore can take some positives from

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Awards for top college students

SUCCESSFUL achievements of Halton College students were celebrated at an awards ceremony in the Queens Hall. A special award was presented to the best student in each curriculum area. Courageous people who had overcome personal problems, often against

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St Maries fail to keep Keepers out

Wigan Keepers 13 Widnes St Maries 12 DESPITE a superb display from the Saints they failed to spoil the league leaders 100 per cent home record. Wigan's man of the match, Eddisbury scored two early tries. After 28 minutes John Lepts and Mark Birmingham

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Minor injuries unit gets major facelift

HALTON Hospital's minor injuries unit has been transformed from an old style ward to a bright and modern new facility. Approximately £500,000 has been spent on the hospital's 'front door' since April. Sister Mary Thompson said: "I think it's bright, clean

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Last minute woe for Mond

Cheshire Cup Quarter Final Mond Rangers 2 Heswall 3 THE first half was fairly even with neither side dominating play. A shot from 30 yards struck the Mond crossbar at the other end, Eddie Droughton fired over the crossbar from a Ricky Thompson pass. Mond

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Narrow win for Chemics

General Chemicals 1 Maghull 0 Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One GENERAL Chemicals produced an excellent display against a strong Maghull side. New signing Lee Morgan took the number five shirt and together with Mark Robinson and Russell Whitehead

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Barbarians lose to pros

WIDNES Barbarians put up a creditable performance despite going down 58-6 to their professional cousins the Vikings. The Barbarians were made up of a selection from the town's amateur sides and the final score didn't reflect the contribution they made

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Oh yes it is!

TV stars bring the magical fairytale of Cinderella to life at the Queens Hall this week. Former Blue Peter presenter Tim Vincent, 31, who plays cheeky chappy Dandini, said: "It's good fun, I really enjoy it. "No two shows are the same, somebody shouts

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Hall Brass comes to Hough Green

TOP musicians will be talking about performing with one of the UK's leading orchestras all over the world at a special charity event. Five members of the Halle Orchestra are the latest guests to take part in a series of Challenging Speakers at a Widnes

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Three bands at the Masque

THREE of Liverpool's finest bands will be performing at the Masque Theatre, Seel Street, at 8pm on Friday, January 16. Inner City Sumo presents Ambulance, Cock Off and Lovecraft. Bristol's Big Joan are special guests. Call 0151-707 6171 for further details

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Loosen up at the Queens Hall

LOOSE Music Collective is holding its AGM on Monday, January 12,. It starts at 7pm in The Kingsway Hotel, near the Queens Hall in Widnes. The Collective started in 1997 to support and promote original music and musicians in Halton and everyone of any

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A Tall order for printing firm

A RUNCORN company is riding high after winning a contract with another of the country's leading financial institutions. Tall Security Print has been commissioned to produce around 700,000 cheques for Black Horse Ltd, part of the Lloyds TSB Group. This

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Good in principle

I WOULD like to register my dissatisfaction at the council's U-turn on planning approval for the urban village at its current planning proposal. In principle it is a good idea and the removal of an eyesore would be a great step forward but everybody who

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Well done

WELL done to Brunner Mond, its partners and Vale Royal Borough Council regarding the urban village. The cash boost will allow Brunner Mond to remain viable and provide jobs and the influx of more families will provide an economic boost for the town and

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Who is council working for?

THE proposed housing estate at Winnington is another dreadful mistake by all parties concerned. Northwich does not need any more houses, either at Winnington or elsewhere in the town, until the services and infrastructure can catch up with the demand.

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Village plan sparks a huge debate

THE approval of the Winnington urban village plan has sparked a great deal of debate in the Guardian postbag. While the main players in the decisive episode were heralding the development as a major piece in the Northwich Vision jigsaw, others were witnessing

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Helen learns her lessons about being a new mum

A NORTHWICH teacher received a special bundle of joy on New Year's Day. Helen Cameron, who teaches at St Nicholas Catholic High School, gave birth to her first son, Taylor, at 6.45am on New Years Day at Leighton Hospital. Taylor arrived weighing 7lbs

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MP Mike is no joker in the hunting pack

WEAVER Vale MP Mike Hall has been included in a colourful pack of cards that attacks MPs who support a ban on hunting. Mr Hall is the Four of Diamonds in the so-called Pack of Prejudice, created and sold by pro-hunt campaigners the Countryside Alliance

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Staff praised for New Year work

AMBULANCE chief Janet Davies has praised crews and managers for coping with a huge level of demand on the service's busiest night of the year. Mersey Regional Ambulance Service (MRAS) received more than 900 emergency calls between 8pm on New Year's Eve

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Mechanic killed in bus horror

A RUNCORN man died after being crushed under the bus he was repairing. Scott Allen was fixing the broken down vehicle in Garston in Liverpool on New Year's Eve. Police said they were called at 5.50pm after reports that a man had become trapped under a

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MBE FOR MERCY MAN

DODGING bullets and militia men, Michael Woods has delivered aid to some of the neediest and most dangerous places in Europe - despite using two walking sticks. His efforts have now been recognised by the Queen with an MBE in the New Year's Honours. With

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Claire shines on city stage

KNUTSFORD schoolgirl Claire O'Brien has landed a role in the Ghosts of Scrooge at Manchester's Library Theatre. The highly atmospheric and entertaining show is a new musical adaptation of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and produced by the same team

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NEW BOY TROY SET FOR SEVENS

WIDNES Vikings coach Neil Kelly has spoken of his pride at being selected to represent Great Britain in the 2004 Cougar Bourbon World 7s in Sydney. The Vikings applied to enter the $100,000 dollar tournament after discovering it took place during the

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Civic reception for rugby team

WARRINGTON Wolves players and coaches will head to the Town Hall for a civic reception with the Mayor on January 10. The occasion will be the first chance to see and hear some of the new signings for next season as the club hopes to build on its success

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Arrests made over two sex attacks

DETECTIVES have made arrests following an investigation into two separate sexual assaults over the weekend. An 18-year-old woman, from Warrington, was sexually attacked in the early hours of New Year's Eve, near Battersby Lane. Police cordoned off an

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Ex-student crippled by rare disease

A UNIVERSITY graduate wants to help find a cure for a disease before it kills him. Tim Loosemore, 25, could die of rare genetic disorder Friedrichs Ataxia before he is 40. But he is determined to raise £60,000 to fund research into a condition that has

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Club needs new venue

AN ENTHUSIASTIC artist is keen to share her skills with children and adults. Honours graduate Natalie McGahan set up the Elm Kids Art Club in September but is now desperately looking for a new venue as St Thomas's Church hall is about to close. "I have

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Awards

HALTON'S mayor, Cllr Ron Hignett, presented young people with awards at the Queens Hall in celebration of their achievements. Fifty pupils were recognised for their performance at GCSE and for their commitment in reaching their goals, which has been demonstrated

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Web storm

A RUNCORN Euro-MP is opposing calls to shut down a website despite claims it is used by neo-Nazis to threaten right wing opponents. A dossier prepared by the National Union of Journalists states the Redwatch website is being used to prepare a campaign

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Pensioner tricked by thief

A THIEF tricked his way into an old woman's home and stole cash in a 'despicable' crime. The man called at the 71-year-old's house on Quarry Court in Widnes at 3.30pm on Sunday, December 21. He told her he needed water for his broken down car but, once

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Callous yobs raid ambulance bus depot

BURGLARS raided Widnes ambulance station on New Year's Eve. An exhausted ambulance crew came back after working a 12 hour shift on their busiest night of the year to find crooks had kicked the door down. The raiders had broken into an ambulance, ransacked

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School mourns teacher's death

THE sudden death of a much loved Widnes teacher has left pupils and staff shocked. Andrew Woodman, 45, headteacher of Oakfield Primary School in Edinburgh Road, since September 2001, died on December 29, 2003. Graham Talbot, Halton Council's director

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Brave Sam loses fight for life

DAYS after being given the 'all clear' from leukaemia little Sam Evans died suddenly of an infection. Six-year-old Sam developed cancer a year ago and amazed doctors with his progress after a bone marrow transplant from his mum. But he fell ill in the

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Rivals prove a step too far

CHESHIRE Veterans Football League leaders Mobberley suffered their first defeat of the season against Stepping Hill. The home side played all the good football in the first half and were a decent pass away from many chances. However, they were helped

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Hero Pam is talk of the town with award

A SECRETARY from Middlewich has received a special honour this week. Pam Johnson, of Lewin Street, has been chosen as the winner of the Tesco's 'Search for a Hero' competition, being run in conjunction with by the Middlewich Guardian. Pam, aged 56, was

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FIVE STAR

VALE Royal Athletics Club hit a remarkable run of form on Saturday to take five of the nine team-events at the Cheshire Cross Country Championships. The event, held at Winsford's Knights Grange, saw Vale Royal AC exceed all expectations to claim the U15s

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Thieves and vandals strike at cadet group

GRAFFITI-spraying thieves made sure that the New Year got off to a miserable start for the Winsford Sea Cadets group. Youngsters returning to the charity's headquarters in Bradford Road after the New Year break were shocked to find the building had been

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Minosus could create jobs by end of year

MORE than 30 jobs could be created at a hazardous waste facility at Winsford Rock Salt Mine by the end of the year. And Minosus, the company behind the plans to create the facility, says it is also set to award the construction contract to a local company

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GANG TARGETS COUNTRY PUBS

POLICE are warning pub landlords to be on their guard after four pubs in Vale Royal were raided by thieves in the dead of night. The raids began at 2.42am on December 29. The licensee of the Shrewsbury Arms in Little Budworth was woken by loud banging

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Mine plan brings jobs boost

MORE than 30 jobs could be created at a hazardous waste facility at Winsford Rock Salt Mine by the end of the year. And Minosus, the company behind the plans to create the facility, says it is also set to award the construction contract to a local company

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Join Friends of Runcorn Hill

LOCAL people are being invited to join the Friends of Runcorn Hill at their special general meeting on January 15. People are being given the unique opportunity to come and join the group, have their say and find out about future developments taking place

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Daresbury plays key role in Mars mission

RUNCORN based scientists played in a key role in the building of the troubled Beagle 2 Mars probe. The Daresbury Lab engineers made sure the batteries worked in the cold Martian weather. Martian nights reach around minus 80 degrees. Unfortunately, the

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Bears unbeten run continues

West Bank Bears U11s 22 Crosfields U11s 16 THE Bears started the New Year in superb fashion. A poor effort before Christmas left Halton Hornets taking the spoils 34-8 but the Bears responded with this fine win over their Warrington neighbours. The forwards

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Wids lose to mighty Macc lads

Widnes U14s 5 Macclesfield U14s 45 WIDNES were well beaten by an excellent Macclesfield side that moved the ball out to their classy backs at every opportunity scoring four first half tries. The Wids had their moments with Newall and Winstanley going

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Yobs set fire to kids hampers

TEENAGE arsonists burnt hampers full of toys and gifts destined for the needy at Christmas. The culprits sneaked into the Kings Cross Project in Widnes and set fire to the hampers in the adjoining Trinity Church as they lay in bags awaiting distribution

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Top of the chops

CONGRATULATIONS to Stephen Jacks, 11, Katie Moran, 12, and Kay Jacks, 13, who have all gained their black belts in karate. The champion choppers have been attending the Tuesday night classes at Fairfield High School, Peel House Lane,Widnes, for four years

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Health crusader Pat retires after 30 years

WITH dedication, care and sensitivity she acted as a watchdog for local NHS patients - for almost 30 years. Pat Gerrard, chief officer of Halton Community Health Council (CHC), was honoured at a celebration retirement lunch in Runcorn Town Hall. Chairman

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Everyone's a winner

A GRAND raffle has raised more than £2,300 for Halton Haven Hospice. Top prize winner Pauline Chapman of Runcorn will be jetting off to Majorca for a week's holiday for two. Co-op Travel sponsored this prize. Mary Smith, of Runcorn won a TV and DVD as

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Tigers outsmart Lions

Eccleston Lions 6 Widnes Tigers 16 THE Tigers started well and looked the most likely to score first. However, a deep ball on the sixth tackle caught the Tigers wingman and full back in two minds and the Eccleston kicker collected and scored. The conversion

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Wids unbeaten run ends

Widnes RUFC 1st XV 14 Wirral RUFC 1st XV 17 NOT the best start to the New Year for the Wids as they lost for the first time in nine games against an improved Wirral outfit. Full credit to the visitors who outscored their hosts by three tries to two and

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Linnets' first home win proves elusive

Runcorn FC Halton 1 Hucknall Town DOMINIC Morley's first full appearance since September was still not enough to inspire Runcorn FC Halton to victory as opponents Hucknall Town soared to the top of the League by virtue of their 2-1 win. In the first minute

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See Snow White

SNOW White and the Seven Dwarfs will be entertaining audiences at Rainhill Village Hall next week. The panto is being performed by Rainhill Operatic Society from Thursday, January 8 to Sunday, January 11. Shows run every evening at 7.30pm with weekend

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Winners and losers

BRUNNER Mond may be the winners now that their planning application for 1,200 houses has been a success and some Barnton villagers may prefer looking at a group of houses as opposed to an industrial site but there is no doubt that the surrounding villages

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Celebration for grade A pupils

SUCCESSFUL achievements of Runcorn students were celebrated at a special awards ceremony. They returned from university to Widnes & Runcorn Sixth Form College to receive their A level certificates. Principal Paul Grainger, said: "We are particularly

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Do we really need all these new houses?

THERE you have it, democracy in action, local decisions being made by local councillors, elected by local people. Let the people who have to live with the consequences make the choices. I believe Mark Chitty only sees the millions of pounds of income

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Club sets up trust fund to help John

A HUGE fundraising drive in aid of paralysed rugby player John Blower is getting into action. Northwich Rugby Union Football Club has launched a trust appeal and appointed five trustees. They are trust chairman Andy Naylor, club member; trust deputy chairman

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Family gives thanks for fantastic support

THE family of a rugby player left paralysed by a scrum have spoken of their thanks for the overwhelming support they have received. John Blower, a 44-year-old father-of-three, had played as a prop forward for Northwich Rugby Union Football Club for more

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Traffic on agenda

TRAFFIC congestion in Northwich town centre will be high on the agenda next month when Hayhurst Bridge closes for lengthy refurbishment. The bridge will be closed from February until the start of November. Traffic will be taken clockwise from the Bull

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GANG TARGETS COUNTRY PUBS

POLICE are warning pub landlords to be on their guard after four pubs in Vale Royal were raided by thieves in the dead of night. The raids began at 2.42am on December 29. The licensee of the Shrewsbury Arms in Little Budworth was woken by loud banging

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Fire crews chip pan safety plan

A CHIP pan blaze at an elderly person's flat prompted firefighters to mount a safety initiative. Green watch carried out free home safety checks for residents living in sheltered housing at Cannell Court, Runcorn, run by Housing 21. Crews discovered that

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Keeping the touts from Wolves' door

PEOPLE looking to make a quick buck outside the new Warrington Wolves stadium could be out of luck. Club officials have expressed concerns that the new Halliwell Jones ground could be a magnet for hot food vans and souvenir sellers on match days. Now

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Arrests made over two sex attacks

DETECTIVES have made arrests following an investigation into two separate sexual assaults over the weekend. An 18-year-old woman, from Warrington, was sexually attacked in the early hours of New Year's Eve, near Battersby Lane. Police cordoned off an

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Investment

CHANTRY Developments Ltd, in association with Isle of Man based Capital Holdings Ltd, has made a further multi-million pound investment in the Ashville Industrial Estate on junction 12 of the M56 motorway at Sutton Weaver, Runcorn. They have acquired

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Civic reception for rugby team

WARRINGTON Wolves players and coaches will head to the Town Hall for a civic reception with the Mayor on January 10. The occasion will be the first chance to see and hear some of the new signings for next season as the club hopes to build on its success

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Keeping the touts from Wolves' door

PEOPLE looking to make a quick buck outside the new Warrington Wolves stadium could be out of luck. Club officials have expressed concerns that the new Halliwell Jones ground could be a magnet for hot food vans and souvenir sellers on match days. Now

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Time to palm off ideas ..

WINTER provides us with a chance to plan the future of our gardens in Knutsford. While they are in their skeletal form we can see their true structure and shape and decide what is best for them. Gardeners can photograph the leafless trees with a digital

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Coronation celebrations

THE town had only just finished mourning the death of King Edward VII when they were celebrating the coronation of George V in 1911 as can be seen in this favourite postcard of mine, pictured at the top of the page. The Salvation Army band is seen passing

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Jurors flee court as alarm sounds

JURORS were evacuated from Knutsford Crown Court yesterday (Tuesday) after a fire alarm sounded. More than a dozen men and women stood outside the town's library for 10 minutes reading books and newspapers while firemen searched the Sessions House in

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Lighting up the town in 1914

AT this time of year people are busy taking down all their Christmas lights while celebrating during the festive period. But Market Place has discovered how 90 years ago having an electric light was a novelty for people in Northwich let alone decorating