Countdown to Burtonwood's first food and drink festival

SHIRLEY'S Pies, Taste of Belgium and Chilli Junkies are just three of the businesses that will be setting up shop when Burtonwood's first food and drink festival is opened next month.

The final preparations are now under way after months of planning to organise the event at the Burtonwood Community Centre.

From cask beer and cheese to pies and preserves, a range of products will be on sale on Saturday, June 27, to Sunday, June 28.

Visitors also have the chance to win a Mercedes to drive for the weekend in a raffle.

Other prizes include champagne, whisky and chocolates.

The event will open on Saturday from 10am to 11pm and on Sunday from 10am to 8pm.

Entry is free.

There will also be live entertainment, a bouncy castle and wood carving demonstrations.

 

Hunt to find star players for Burtonwood team

AN appeal has been launched to find rugby player to join the Burtonwood Bulldogs.

Budding sportsmen are needed for the under sevens, eights and nines teams.

To join pitchero.com/clubs/burtonwoodbulldogsarlfc.

 

Blood drive held to save seven-year-old's life

THE team at Asda Westbrook have issued a heartfelt thank you to all those who supported the Delete Blood Cancer drive last month.

Events were held across the country as part of a campaign to find a donor for seven-year-old Finn McEwen.

Finn, who is from Liverpool, has been diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS), a bone marrow disorder that in children can rapidly develop into acute myeloid leukaemia.

Joseph Hallett, who is a donor recruitment manager at Delete Blood Cancer UK, said: "We have received the amazing news that Finn has a very good match which is fantastic.

"It is a long journey ahead but it’s a great start for Finn, I’m certain he will be fighting fit in no time at all.

"I have had the pleasure of meeting so many inspiring, wonderful, caring and motivated people over the past two months.

"Thank you so much for all stepping up and supporting Finn’s Fight."

 

Bike marking event held to stop thieves in their tracks

OFFICERS staged a bike marking event in Burtonwood earlier in the month in a bid to deter thieves.

Over the past few months there have been a number of bicycle thefts in the town and cyclists have been urged to remain vigilant.

Police are encouraging anyone who owns a bike to reassess their current security to reduce their chance of falling foul to thieves.

A total of 23 bikes and one scooter were marked during the event.

Sgt Mark Spaven said: “As the summer is almost here, more people are getting on their bikes.

“Unfortunately this can mean that opportunistic thieves can take advantage of this.

“If your bike is lost or stolen in the future, it’s more likely to be returned to you if it is security marked as we will be able to identify who it belongs to.”

Owners can register their bikes and other property on the national property database by going to immobilise.com.

 

Sharp increase in cost to hire school facilities in Westbrook

CHALLENGING financial times have been listed as the primary reason behind increasing the cost of room hire at St Philips Primary in Westbrook.

Concerns were raised about the steep rise with fears raised that some groups will not be able to afford the new prices.

It is understood room hire has increased by more than 200 per cent but this figure has not been confirmed.

A spokesperson for the school said: “As a school we recognise and value the links with community groups and do all we can to support the community.

"However in these challenging financial times the school budget has to be used to improve educational provision for our pupils.

"It is with regret we have had to increase costs but the previous income gained did not cover half of the caretaker costs and did not include any utility costs.

"Members of the scout and beaver groups were involved in the decision.”