Residents tidy up

LITTER pickers have been helping to clear up the New Cut canal in Woolston.

Around 30 residents joined members from the New Cut Heritage and Ecology Trail and with help from the Community Payback, they team collected Christmas trees, wheelie bins, doors, arm chairs, traffic cones, step ladders and buckets from the canal.

They filled three lorries provided by the Warrington Borough Council and the parish council, without whom the tidy up could not have taken place.

A spokesman for the trails said: “The rangers' and council's guidance was invaluable collating the effort of everyone involved.

“Everyone who helped gave 100 pe rcent. Thank you so much everyone from The New Cut Heritage and Ecology Trail.

“Hopefully more working parties will be held when the foliage has died back so it will be easier to see the remaining litter.”

Warrington Guardian:

Papal audience

THE president of a religious community has been to meet the Pope.

Chris Sykes, president of Cursillo England and Wales and a parishioner of St Benedict’s RC Church in Orford, visited the Vatican and greeted Pope Francis on behalf of Cursillo. Members of the group strive to live a life following the teachings of Jesus Christ.

There were 5,000 at the gathering in the audience hall where Pope Francis spoke for more than an hour.

He said the important thing about the Cursillo movement is that it offers friendship, kindness and Christian witness.

• To find out more about Cursillo, visit cursillouk.org.

Donation thanks

THE Longford Neighbourhood Service Centre would like to thank John and Irene Roberts, of Burn Grove, Orford, Warrington for the donation and contribution they have made towards the centre.

Charity swimathon

THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised after a swimathon was held in Woolston.

Individuals and teams took part in the event at Woolston Neighbourhood Hub to raise money for Marie Curie.

One participant, 11-year-old Caitlin Clarke, from Dallam, is a keen and passionate swimmer and trains with the swim club Warrington Warriors up to six times a week.

She raised £350 for completing a distance of 2.5km in 49 minutes.

Kim Sampson, from Leigh, who has been a regular at LiveWire’s Swimfit sessions for more than two years, was encouraged by LiveWire employer Chris Lawton to take part in the Swimathon.

She completed a 5km swim in two hours 20 minutes and raised £1,200 in five weeks through supportive work colleagues and friends.

Kim said: “I’m so glad I went ahead and completed the challenge. I am a regular swimmer but never had much to train for, this gave me something to work toward and focus on which has resulted in me raising a fantastic amount for Marie Curie.

“I’d like to thank my friends and family for their support and LiveWire for encouraging me to take part.”

  • To find out more about the Swimathon Challenge visit swimathon.org or to find out more about swimming in Warrington visit livewirewarrington.org.

Warrington Guardian:

Caitlin Clarke and Kim Sampson

Fun-draiser at park

A FUN DAY is being held at Brickfield Park on Saturday.

The Orford Lane Project and the Friends of Brickfield Park have organised the community day which will include a fair ride, stalls, a tombola, a table-top sale and refreshments from 11am until 3pm.

Cllr Tony Higgins said: “I’m determined to make Brickfield Park a real community park and with the help and support from local residents and community groups we will once again make this a park to be proud of.

“A public consultation is taking place on the day regarding new play equipment with the hope of turning it into a top-class park for its users “ n To find out more or to book a stall, call Cllr Higgins on 07768 177590.

Help team to tour

A RUGBY league team is fundraising to pay for it to tour Catalan.

Woolston Rovers u13s Golds rugby league team is hoping to raise £5,000 for the tour in 2016 to allow its players to experience French opposition but also make the most of their time by going white water rafting, canyoning and kayaking.

The money would also help fund a new tour kit, hoodies and kit bags.

  • To donate visit gofundme.com/Woolston-Rovers/.

Web tips session

A SESSION to help people navigate a government website is being held.

The department of work and pensions (DWP) is piloting sessions to help members of the public navigate their way round the gov.uk website through which people can access driving theory tests, passport information and council tax plus much more.

The free session is being held at Orford Jubilee Park Library on June 3 from 1pm until 4pm.

Call 572504 for more information.