Archive

Date

Crackdown on hospital abuse

LOCAL hospitals have joined forces with health workers to campaign against violent and abusive behaviour from the public. North Cheshire Hospitals NHS Trust, who manage Halton and Warrington Hospitals, is underscoring its message that any patients who

Date

Do your bit at the charity store

VOLUNTEERS are desperately needed to help man the St Luke's Hospice shop in Hartford. The charity shop, situated on Chester Road, is searching for people who have a couple of hours to spare each week to help raise vital funds for the hospice. Growing

Date

Jury still out on decision

HAVING lived in Knutsford for nigh on 60 years I can remember that Knutsfordians have used the car parking facilities at the Sessions House for all those years except when a sign has been erected along the following lines: 'County Assizes/Quarter Sessions

Date

Death is matter of time

I KNOW that people are bored with hearing about cars and schools, but after witnessing some appalling driving outside Bexton Primary on Thursday last week it is obviously something people need to hear again and again. It is only a matter of time before

Date

Confused?

I FOUND Mr Higginson's letter last week a bit confusing. Is he saying that people who get elected to represent an area shouldn't question the actions of a partially elected body, which decides police budgets for said areas? I find that a poor way of advocating

Date

Look at our rates

I HAD my rates bill today - I was horrified! I rent two shops in Runcorn Old Town and I own two shops also. The rates bill on each shop is £76 per week and although I have been asked not to be quite so vocal about the state of Runcorn Old Town by a representative

Date

It's criminal

IN response to the letter 'Let's shop them'. Under-age drinking is an issue, which both the police and the consumer protection service take very seriously and under-age drinkers are frequently targeted by officers. Regulatory bodies are not allowed to

Date

See for yourself

LAST year the shop near me was granted a provisional six-month licence to sell alcohol. Nearly every night ever since there's between 30 and 40 kids, some as young as eight, gathered outside. Only last weekend some of them were seen coming out of the

Date

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

A MIDDLEWICH teenager fears that her job and personal safety will be put at risk if vital bus services are axed - and she is taking action to try to save them. Serena Blackburn, 19, of Moss Drive, uses the Number 33 service between Winsford and Crewe

Date

You get my vote

I WOULD like to support 'contented ratepayer'. I too must be an 'upstanding citizen' along with, may I add, all my neighbours who live in the Birchfield estate area. We were all consulted about traffic calming, which incidentally was requested by residents

Date

Fry saves the day

Middlewich Town 1 KNUTSFORD 1 A GAME that simmered and boiled and then fizzed at Seddon Street on Saturday finally ended in honours even in a repeat score line of last season's corresponding fixture. Much history lies in this fixture and with so many

Date

It drives me mad

I HAVE seen many changes in Halton, living in Widnes and working in Runcorn. Over the past four years, a 20 minute car journey from home to work has manifested into a 45 minute journey due to road works. Currently Widnes seems intent to isolate itself

Date

Rush hour gridlock following accident

COMMUTERS were faced with gridlock in mid Cheshire today, Wednesday, as Junction 18 of the M6 northbound was closed. An HGV had swerved and overturned shortly after 10pm on Tuesday, spilling its load - believed to be car batteries - across all three lanes

Date

It's a bumpy ride

I MUST agree with Colin Turton in last week's World about the number of humps and bumps appearing all around the town. Yes, we do need to curb our speeding, what we don't need is the amount of humps and bumps to do it. Take Blundell Road for instance,

Date

On the buses

I AM writing to highlight the appalling situation with Halton's public transport. I use the transport system every day and the old joke of 'if you want a bus there isn't one for ages and then three arrive at the same time' is very true for Halton. I am

Date

This system is far too taxing for small firms

THE Federation of Small Businesses is calling for changes in regulations to make the administering of the self-assessment tax scheme easier for everyone. The FSB believes that the Inland Revenue and taxpayers would both benefit from anything that spreads

Date

A healthy Valentine

SEND a postcard to your Valentine and improve your health! That's the invitation to couples from Halton's 5-A-Day campaign. "Send a postcard to someone you love and in return they will receive a bag of hearty goodies for themselves," said Heather Apsley

Date

Pupils get a fresh outlook

FREE fruit, milk and healthy food are giving pupils more energy and improving their behaviour, says a headteacher. Pupils at The Park primary school in Castlefields enjoy homemade soup twice a week and love tasting new flavours like raw broccoli and cauliflower

Date

There's just not enough cash to save Castle Park

I AM writing in response to criticism and comments made at the public meetings regarding the proposed plan to site the Rock surgery in a small area of Castle Park. I hope I can ease some worries and answer some of the queries raised. Some of the people

Date

Be a boss

EVER fancied a go at managing a football team? If so, Bayer JFC is on the lookout for new teams U12s and below. Also there is a new girls league for 2004/05, so if anyone is interested in starting up any of the above, please ring Chris on 0151-510 3314

Date

Moorfield fall foul of Folly

Moorfield fall foul of Folly Moorfield U11's 10 Folly Lane U 11's 40 A depleted Moorfield fell foul of a hard working Folly Lane outfit who sportingly loaned players to the home side. A failure to hold on in the tackles coupled with sporadic back up gifted

Date

Kirby bliss for Mond

Mond Rangers 3 Pavilions 2 Carlsberg West Cheshire League GOALS in the first and last minute proved decisive in this West Cheshire league derby. The game had an eventful start, Droughton bringing a save from Kirby in the Pavilion's goal within 10 seconds

Date

Housing landlord is one of the best

A HALTON landlord has been declared one of the best in the country by the Audit Commission. Liverpool Housing Trust (LHT), the first major housing association to be inspected in Merseyside, has received one of the highest ratings in Britain. David Bebb

Date

Warrington blow Moore away

Warrington 3rd XV 24 Moore 3rd XV 7 WARRINGTON caught Moore to score in the first minute but the visitors settled down and with the gale behind them were the stronger team in the first half. Allen scored and converted but then Brown dropped the ball when

Date

Reid set to lose Ottke appeal

ROBIN Reid looks increasingly unlikely to be granted a rematch against German champion Sven Ottke. Appeal officials in Venezuela announced late on Monday they had failed to reach a conclusive decision after weeks of deliberating. Reid launched the £6,500

Date

High drama

with twists and turns THE intense psychological thriller Trap For A Lonely Man, is at the Crewe Lyceum from Monday, February, 23, to Saturday, February 28. The production will see Peter Amory discarding his Emmerdale role of Chris Tate in his first play

Date

Hunt for racist attackers

MOTORISTS may hold the key to a racial assault in the Old Town. The 31-year-old victim, of Iranian origin, was walking down Bridge Street at 9.30pm on Thursday, January 29. He was approached by three men who spoke to him. But when he walked away he was

Date

CATs get more eyes in fight against crime

THE amount of community police officers has increased by 500 per cent. The Community Action Team (CAT) has increased from nine staff two years ago to 55 today. CAT officers now cover seven sectors in Halton in an initiative entitled 'Blue Lamp'. Every

Date

Study confirms borough's health problems

HALTON'S horrific health problems rank among the worst in the country because of obesity, smoking, poverty and isolation, a major study has revealed. The £200,000 report blames the way we live for our high death rates and overall poor health. Although

Date

Post Office move delayed

THE Post Office will NOT move to Widnes Road. Halton MP Derek Twigg blasted the decision as 'totally disgraceful'. The Post Office says the amount of work needed to re-open the site was more extensive than it realised. Widnes could now be without a main

Date

£20,000 REWARD TO CATCH KILLER

DETECTIVES have doubled the reward to find the killer of pensioner Agnes Hanrahan. They are now offering £20,000 to encourage witnesses to come forward. A public meeting is also being held tonight (Wednesday) in a social club behind the Halebank bungalow

Date

New arts centre has the wow factor

HALTON'S new £6.5m arts centre is due to open in September. Newly appointed manager, Claire Jones gave World readers a sneak preview of The Brindley, taking shape in Runcorn Old Town. "It really has got the wow factor," said Claire. "It has a huge double

Date

Bogus duo strike

POLICE are warning people not to let strangers into their homes without double-checking who they are first. Two men posing as house buyers called at a home up for sale in Runcorn but were turned away after the occupiers checked with the estate agent and

Date

Woman tricks pensioner

A WOMAN tricked her way into the home of an elderly Runcorn lady and stole her purse. The woman called at the pensioner's house on Grangeway and claimed her child's ball had gone into the back garden, and she asked to get it back. But when she left the

Date

Let's stick together for a healthy future

A UNIQUE partnership has been formed between Warrington Borough Council and the health service in a bid to boost co-operation and working together. The move will see Dr Rita Robertson, director of public health at Warrington Primary Care Trust, joining

Date

That's wheelie considerate

A LYMM pensioner is wheelie pleased with refuse collectors, who offered to push his bin down his drive and change the time of his collection, after he complained to the borough council. Last week William Whignall and his elderly neighbours on The Crescent

Date

Our visitors are in a very healthy state

HEALTH visitors have scooped a coveted award in recognition of their efforts to improve services for families and children in the town. The Warrington Primary Care Trust health workers were awarded the team practice development unit (PDU) status for the

Date

Low tax rise 'due to London pressure'

WARRINGTON'S Liberal Democrats say Government pressures have led to this year's council tax increase being lower than expected in the town. Councillors were meeting as the Midweek went to press to recommend a figure for this year's rise, expected to be

Date

Cast prepare for comedy

CHARLES Dyer's gentle comedy Rattle of a Simple man starts its run at Knutsford Little Theatre next week. It follows the fortunes of percy and his mates who have travelled from Manchester to London to see a football match. After the match, under the influence

Date

Win a trip to Italy ..

THERE are just a few days left to enter the Knutsford Guardian's super competition to win tickets to the 50th Puccini Opera Festival in Italy. One lucky reader will win a short break to the Italian city later this year to see one of Puccini's famous masterpieces

Date

Actors bare all on stage

THE FULL Monty musical comes to Manchester next month as part of a special UK tour. Hot on the heels of the success of the hit film this hilarious stage show is set to enthral and entertain. It arrives at the Opera House on Tuesday March 23 and runs until

Date

It's snow time

AN all-singing, all-dancing cast will bring extra sparkle to a well-known fairy tale next week. Vale Royal Junior Operatics will be performing a musical adaptation of Snow White at Winsford Civic Hall from Thursday, February 19, to Saturday, February

Date

Police in new appeal on fatal crash

Police have made a fresh appeal for witnesses to a car crash that resulted in the death of a 45-year-old man. Alan Turton, of Vickers Drive, Haydock, died at Warrington Hospital after sustaining injuries during a head-on crash on Ashton Road, Newton-le-Willows

Date

Museum of Science & Industry

Nitsitapiisinni: Our Way of Life: Explore the traditions, values and history of the Blackfoot people, runs until Sunday, June 6. Adults £4, concessions £2.50, under fives free, family day ticket £11. Splat the Rat's Energetic Adventure: Every Saturday

Date

The Duncan Society

Tuesday, February 24: Safe Motherhood: What do women want? Venue: School of Tropical Medicine, 3 Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3. Time: 6pm-8pm (tea & coffee from 5.30pm). Wednesday, March 17: AGM followed by Why should we care about the NHS? Venue:

Date

Jazz it up for love

DANCE band Jazz it Up is serving up a pre-Valentine treat. The seven-piece group will perform a selection of popular love songs in the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. During a 50-minute lunchtime programme music-lovers will be seduced with melodies such

Date

Learn war games

AS part of half term Splash Week, the famous Halton Daemons war gaming club is throwing open its doors to young people interested in this popular hobby. Beginners gaming and painting workshops will be held at Halton Lea library, the home of Halton Daemons

Date

Raiders flee in posh cars

POSH cars are being stolen from Knutsford by thieves with a taste for the high life. Police said some of the expensive motors had been dumped undamaged in Manchester and Liverpool. "It could just be they like the idea of driving round in a swanky car,

Date

Friends reunite to help Donna

A TOP singer headlined a 'brilliant' night of fundraising fun at St Basil's. Michelle Lawson performed her next single to a crowd of more than 300 people at the Hough Green club. They were raising urgent funds so Donna Kendrick, 30, can afford potentially

Date

Ditton delight

DITTON Community Caf has opened officially following a highly successful four-month pilot project. The Caf, part of the Sure Start Widnes Trailblazer scheme, was first opened in September 2003 and it has become a meeting point for local people as well

Date

War her remembered 90 years on

IT'S 90 years since a Widnes VC winner joined the RAF. Sgt Thomas Mottershead went from Widnes to the Western Front in France - and won the Victoria Cross in the process. He was born in 1890, baptised at St Paul's Church and was a pupil at Simms Cross

Date

Mood swings

YOU can tell a lot about your dog's mood by observing his tail. Everyone knows that dogs wag their tails when they are happy - perhaps at the prospect of going out for a walk, or greeting you back home when you've been out. When a dog is sure of itself

Date

Rescue hero honoured

A WIDNES man who pulled a badly injured crash victim from a burning and potentially explosive car wreck has spoken about his actions. Peter Sprotson was given a bravery award by the fire-brigade after saving the man's life on Aston Lane in Sutton Weaver

Date

Mere set for wish list make-over after grant

THE future looks bright for young and old in Pickmere, after the village won a grant to upgrade the mere's leisure facilities. Five acres near the lake, owned by the parish council, are a designated leisure spot. With the help of a Mersey Forest grant

Date

Cheshire is the best option

AN article in the Knutsford Guardian last week explained in some detail the three options for local government if voters decide in favour of a North West Regional Assembly later this year. I have to say that the totally unacceptable behaviour of Macclesfield

Date

Cuttings wanted

I AM writing a book on the history of our club, Junction FC. We used to play in the Warrington District Football league between 1981 and 1989 under the names of Lakeside and Railway (St Helens). I would like to know if anybody could supply us with some

Date

Inquiries to be made over wagons

A SUPERMARKET depot will be investigating its contracts with drivers following complaints from a Middlewich councillor. Middlewich town councillor Mike Parsons is concerned about the volume of heavy goods vehicles and lorries along Lewin Street. He claims

Date

Permission sought for traveller site

TRAVELLERS who set up camp in Middlewich are awaiting the outcome of a planning application to decide whether they can stay in the town. A caravan site for three families with six caravans, fencing and an underground cess tank have already been set up

Date

Is it necessary

I TOTALLY agree with the letters from Barry Miller and Harry Thomas. This council has lost the plot with regard to traffic management and are wasting money introducing schemes without undertaking detailed surveys to see what is really necessary to improve

Date

We're scapegoats

IN reply to the letter from Mr Colin Turton about the speed bumps in Highfield Road. Since asking a question at the local area panel in 2001, I have been concerned about the danger caused by vehicles speeding and have raised the matter several times since

Date

High price to pay

IT was certainly interesting reading that Cllr McDermott was working very hard on this year's budget with a view to keeping the council tax as low as possible. What a great pity he didn't work as hard last year. If the people of Halton would have known

Date

LET DOWN BY ERRORS

CONSISTENCY is the key to ongoing success according to Winsford United manager Dave Twite. Twite has seen his side outclass almost every side pitted against them so far this season and has experienced several excellent results. Yet he has also witnessed

Date

Rush hour gridlock following accident

COMMUTERS were faced with gridlock in mid Cheshire today, Wednesday, as Junction 18 of the M6 northbound was closed. An HGV had swerved and overturned shortly after 10pm on Tuesday, spilling its load - believed to be car batteries - across all three lanes

Date

Hornets buzzing after cup success

Ashton Bears U12s 10 Halton Farnworth Hornets U12s 16 North West Counties Quarter Final HORNETS progressed to the semis with another outstanding performance. In a closely fought first half, Hornets took an early lead following a scrum. O'Brien took on

Date

Wids U16s conquer Caldy

Caldy U16s 0 Widnes U16s 60 WIDS U16s were in top form scoring 10 outstanding tries in difficult conditions. They were quickly into their stride and centre Craig Nelson finished off a sweeping attack scoring out wide. The forwards were winning a plentiful

Date

Double joy for Mond

Mond Juniors 5 East Leigh 0 MARK Dundon was a four-goal hero as Mond Juniors thrashed visitors East Leigh at Pavilions in the Warrington junior league on Sunday. Josh Fisher completed the scoring for Mond who led 1-0 at the interval. Manager Gordon Thomsett

Date

Mini League news

Widnes Mini League FIVE teams share top spot in group one, all with the same points. Mickey Dignall scored two for Kestrels in a 4-0 win against Vultures. Ryan Ince for Hawks and Declan Smith for Robins were the main scorers. All the teams were well attended

Date

IT instructor is in the driving seat

AN IT instructor has become the first person in the world to gain a pioneering computer qualification. Halton College tutor Lorraine Dowd, 42, sat level four of the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) in just one day! It is the world's leading computer

Date

BARLA calling for applications

BARLA is now calling for applications from member clubs for the prestigious Foundation for Sport and the Arts, and CCPR, Sports Club of the Year Awards 2004. Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC, who received the first prize along with extensive local and national

Date

Albion lose to late late show

Orrell St James 32 Widnes Albion 16 TWO tries in the last 10 minutes gave Orrell a somewhat flattering scoreline against Albion. Again fielding a depleted side, they were 12-0 down going into the interval when prop Paul Davies crashed onto a short ball

Date

Leisure League news

WOOLTON stormed into third place following their 6-1 result against bottom of the table Bugle FC. Barchester Utd continued their winning ways with a 6-3 win over FCUK. Nick Jenkins scored a much-needed goal for the Village People as they drew 1-1 with

Date

Ram raid duo jailed

TWO burglars with tragic backgrounds were jailed for 16 months for a ram raid on a Widnes shop. Keith Henaghan's brother, Alan, died after being hit over the head with a bottle by a 16-year-old Widnes girl at a party in Stenhills Crescent, Runcorn, last

Date

Colts off to a Stockton flier

Widnes Colts 29 Stockton 15 WIDNES entertained north east side Stockton in the National Plate competition. Early signs of how difficult conditions were going to be resulted in a promising passage of play breaking down and Stockton racing away to take

Date

Turbo twins are in the driving seat

TWINS have followed in each other's tyre marks by jacking in their jobs for the joys of teaching from behind a steering wheel. Anne Knox and Sheila Darwin are identical twins with identical careers to match after both doing career u-turns to become driving

Date

Saints overcome brow

Warrington & District Football League THE Guardian Cup quarter final between St Michael's and Mill Brow produced a classic tie. Brow scored first through Graham Shone but Saints equalised through Adam Arkle just before half time. The game was evenly

Date

Darts round-up

Runcorn Apec Taxis Darts League SECTION four team Dev Superstars recorded their eighth successive league win, 8/1 against Quayside. Navvy lads retained the section leadership after beating Union Pods 5/4. Fiddlers III went third after beating Them Lot

Date

Fun with

comedians THE Victoria Hall in Stoke-on-Trent has teamed up with Jongleurs Comedy Clubs to bring the best in live stand-up comedy to the town, on Wednesday, February 25. Jongleurs, which is the name which launched the careers of Graham Norton, Rhona Cameron

Date

Treat for

romantics DANCE band Jazz it Up will be serving a pre-Valentine's treat for romantics. The seven-piece group will perform a selection of popular love songs spanning the last century in the charming surroundings of the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool. During

Date

Council tax will be kept to a minimum vows leader

COUNCIL tax will be kept down by a mixture of cost cutting and bringing in extra income, it is understood. And Halton Council's leader says 'front line' services won't be affected. Halton Council is aiming for a 4.9 per cent tax increase and it will make

Date

Soul glad to be back

MELT back in time to the legendary days of the soul all nighters! That's the tempting invitation to lovers of the famous Wigan Casino, which closed in 1981. The Queens Hall is giving away a pair of tickets for an exciting Northern Soul revival. Once Upon

Date

Fighting fire with fire

A NEW £150,000 state of the art fire engine has been unveiled at Runcorn Fire Station. Firefighters hope it will be used more frequently by crews offering free fire home safety advice than answering 999 calls. "The last resort is to respond to an emergency

Date

Man fights for life after crash

A MAN is fighting for his life after a traffic accident in Runcorn. He suffered chest and pelvis injuries and was trapped until fire-fighters could free him. He had been in a black Vauxhall Astra that was in collision with a Toyota Rav 4 on Halton Road

Date

Rush hour gridlock following accident

COMMUTERS were faced with gridlock in mid Cheshire today, Wednesday, as Junction 18 of the M6 northbound was closed. An HGV had swerved and overturned shortly after 10pm on Tuesday, spilling its load - believed to be car batteries - across all three lanes

Date

Salute for pioneering projects

TWO pioneering schemes set up by St Helens Council have made it onto the shortlist for top awards in local government. Both the Reducing Victimisation Through Partnership Working project and the Home Essentials for Life Programme (HELP) have won recognition

Date

Car slams into guide hut

A SQUAD of girl guides narrowly escaped serious injury when a car ploughed into the side of their hall, punching two massive holes in the wall. Moments earlier, a meeting to discuss the Rainhill Guides' forthcoming trip to Switzerland had just ended and

Date

Manchester Apollo

FORTHCOMING shows at the Carling Apollo, Manchester are as follows: Friday, February 13: Air. Tickets: £16 (standing downstairs), 7.30pm. Thursday, February 19: Black Eyed Peas. Tickets: £16.50 (standing downstairs), 7.30pm. Friday, February 20 &

Date

Wildlife winter wonderland

IF you want to try and attract what wildlife is about in winter your best bet is birds. The most important attractions in a bird garden are food supply, water for drinking and bathing, cover from predators and potential nest sites. Look for an area in

Date

Ruthless Rendell seals Linnets win

RUNCORN FC Halton recorded their first win of 2004 with an excellent performance against high-flying Alfreton Town. Quick in the tackle and hard working from the start, the Linnets never let the home side settle into any sort of rhythm. Not only did they

Date

Lightfoot doubtful

Player/manager Chris Lightfoot is fighting against time to be fit for Saturday's important away clash at Blyth Spartans. The Runcorn FC Halton player/manager suffered a cut just above his eye in an accidental collision midway through the second half of

Date

Police face taxing matter

POLICE will scrap plans to fund extra officers with council tax rises because of complaints from pensioners. Yesterday the Cheshire force said Knutsford had no chance of benefiting from proposals for 50 more recruits in the county. "We realise these are

Date

£2.2m plan for car park

A MULTI-MILLION pound solution to Knutsford's parking problems is due to be agreed next week. Macclesfield Borough Council is expected to set aside £2.2million for a multi-storey car park in Tatton Street. "It has gone through the budget process fairly