Archive

  • Family's tribute to tragic Alan

    THE parents of tragic Alan Davies have paid an emotional tribute to their son after he died following a late night assault. The 21-year-old from Fulbeck in Hough Green suffered serious head injuries outside Club Essential in the early hours of last Monday

  • Passer-by foils bungling raiders

    A MOTORIST guided police to a gang of bungling thieves as they made their escape in a battered getaway car. The trio stole a gas fire from B&Q in Widnes and then attempted to get to Warrington in a clapped out motor. But a quick-thinking driver -

  • Farewell to arms

    GUNNERS bid farewell to Widnes this week as they handed over Peelhouse Lane TA barracks to the Kings Cheshire Regiment. The restructuring of the reserve forces and the conversion of 103 Lancashire Regiment Royal Artillery from javelin air defence to field

  • Northwich girls bring home the medals

    YOUNG gymnasts from across Northwich have been chosen to represent Cheshire and Merseyside at a regional event. And the 10 girls from Hartford School of Gymnastics performed well at the North West Club Grade Finals on March 8 and 9. Grade six out of age

  • Girls abused over 15-year period, court told

    THE trial of a former Widnes man accused of 17 offences against children, including, rape, indecent assault and gross indecency has begun at Warrington Court Crown. Derek Rathbone, 53 and now of Mountain View in Helsby denies the charges, alleged to have

  • Helsby students net success

    THEY may not be the Harlem Globetrotters but two basket ball teams from Helsby High School have proved they have what it takes to cut it at national level. The U14 and U16 teams have both fought their way through to national finals after beating off competition

  • Winsford kids make waves

    THE medals are flooding in for Winsford Swimming Club's talented youngsters at the 2003 Cheshire County Championships. The championships are at the halfway stage and the swimmers already have an impressive tally of 15 medals, four gold, seven silver and

  • Family's tribute to son who 'love life'

    THE parents of tragic Alan Davies have paid an emotional tribute to their son after he died following a late night assault. The 21-year-old from Fullbeck in Hough Green suffered serious head injuries outside Club Essential in the early hours of last Monday

  • Let's try for Andrew

    A HEARTRENDING plea has been made to give a teenage sportsman, left paralysed after an accident, a new lease of life. Andrew Forbes, 18, learnt how to control a computer with a sophisticated headset, using his ears and mouth, whilst in hospital. He loved

  • Relegation is a reality for Winnington's ladies

    WINNINGTON Park ladies 1sts were unable to stave off relegation after losing 5-1 at home to table topping Sheffield Audi Hallam. The runaway leaders signalled their intent from the start and within 15 minutes had built up a healthy three goal lead and

  • Missing couple drama: bodies found in Spain

    SPANISH police believe the bodies of Widnes man Anthony O'Malley and his wife, Linda, have been found nearly eight months after their disappearance. They are carrying out tests on two corpses found in the basement of a house in the town of Alcoy, twelve

  • Youngsters take silver

    WINNINGTON Park U13s are celebrating this week after claiming second place in the Northern Championship. Park took on Alderley Edge in the final after beating all-comers in the earlier rounds and were unlucky to lose to the much fancied side 1-0. Coach

  • Hartford secure title

    HARTFORD Tennis Club secured its second title of the year with a draw against Nantwich on Sunday. The first team's single point ensured their arch rivals could not catch them in the Mid and South Cheshire League. Captain Andrew Moores said: "This is a

  • Nailers pin down Witton's hopes

    UniBond Division One - March 22 Witton Albion 1 Dicken 84 Belper Town 1 McNamara 72 WITTON have now gone five games unbeaten in UniBond Division One but sadly only one of those games has carried three points. This was Albion's fourth draw in five games

  • Vics are just too Meechan mild

    Nationwide Conference - March 22 Forest Green Rovers 1 Meechan 57 Northwich Vics 0 AGAINST a team that has only suffered one Conference defeat since they lost to Vics at Wincham Park at the end of November. And on a ground where Vics have never won it

  • THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME

    THE FACE of non league football is set to change from next season as the Conference undergoes some radical changes. For the season 2003/2004 the Nationwide Conference will increase from 22 to 24 clubs, a change which is set to pave the way for the introduction

  • Bulls' title charge falters

    Farnworth 16 Widnes Albion Bulls 16 A POINT lost in their championship challenge as far as the Albion are concerned was the result of this draw against local rivals Farnworth. After early skirmishes the home team took a 6-0 lead before a good passing

  • Ruskin Park 2nd 45 Widnes Vets 7

    ONCE again, the opposition matched the weather conditions and were far too hot for the Vets. Stuart Atkin was the liveliest player in the Widnes side who had some consolation in claiming the try of the match through Mike O'Keefe.

  • Talent scout for St Maries

    WIDNES St Maries are recruiting new players for the 2003/04 season at all ages, especially u14s. The club offers an excellent set up, a highly-motivated committee and thriving National Conference team coached by Bobbie Goulding. Rob Myler, ex-Warrington

  • Councillors should help us

    WHAT are our councillors doing in allowing our hospital to be taken apart, bit by bit and transferred to Warrington? Halton Hospital is one of the best in the North West and its doctors and nurses have saved many lives, including mine. This hospital belongs

  • We need bums on seats

    ALTHOUGH this subject may be trivial in today's world climate, I feel my views need to be aired. I am writing to ask the people of Widnes and surrounding areas why they are not responding to the great efforts on and off the pitch at the Halton Stadium

  • I am not alone...

    I RETURNED from Florida on Monday and to my surprise my phone didn't stop ringing with people calling me to tell me how much they agreed with my letter printed in the World. Thanks to all of you in return, it's good to know I'm not alone. That very same

  • Murphy calls on FA to help local clubs

    MIDDLEWICH Town manager, Terry Murphy, has issued a plea to the Cheshire FA to help smaller clubs prepare for huge changes to non league football. The current structure is set to change from next season as the Conference undergoes some radical changes

  • Reversal of fortunes

    A FAMILY has saved its Middlewich farm from closure with an innovative business scheme that will open for trade next week. Margery and Peter Reade and their daughter Trish have lived at Hopley House for 19 years but movement restrictions resulting from

  • A sign of the times as campaign grows

    SIGNS encouraging people in Middlewich to keep the town clean are being put up as part of a clean up campaign. Middlewich Clean Team has created the 20 signs and received funding from the town council in support of the project. The signs are to encourage

  • Letters raise hopes of cleaning up eyesore

    RESIDENTS in Middlewich are eagerly awaiting the outcome of a planning application to develop the derelict shop site at Hayhurst Avenue. An application has been submitted to Congleton Borough Council for two four-bedroomed houses by the owner of the shop

  • Town's reserves take spoils

    MIDDLEWICH Town Reserves warmed up for the cup showdown with the first team with a stunning 3-0 victory away to Barnton Reserves. A youthful Town side took the lead after just 12 minutes when Steve Wright bustled his way through two defenders to slam

  • ALL CHANGE

    THE FACE of non league football is set to change from next season as the Conference undergoes some radical changes. For the season 2003/2004 the Nationwide Conference will increase from 22 to 24 clubs, a change which is set to pave the way for the introduction

  • Red and yellow Wolves

    WARRINGTON Wolves are yet to complete a match this season with all 13 players having stayed on the field. Nathan Wood became the latest to suffer the wrath of referees when he was sin-binned late into the second half of Saturday's great victory over London

  • Appo receives praise

    A THUMPING try-saving tackle by full back Graham Appo 78 minutes into Saturday's clash with London Broncos summed up the team's desire to win and willingness to work. The game was already in the bag when London's former St. Helens wingman Steve Hall darted

  • What would you like to see field cash spent on?

    STAFF at Woodford Lodge High School are urging people in Winsford to have their say over what should be done with the money raised by selling off some of its playing field land Headteacher Steve Meeks is keen to ensure that residents contribute to the

  • Changes could have serious consequences

    GOVERNMENT plans to pay pensions and benefits directly into bank accounts could have serious consequences for the future of Winsford's post offices. The new scheme comes into effect next month and The Royal Mail has already warned that 3,000 small urban

  • Vital club reopens

    A VITAL Winsford after-school club is up and running again following almost a year out of action when it was forced to shut. Playspaces After School Club provided a lifeline for parents and children throughout the town but closed last summer when the

  • FOOTBALL - South Wirral Association League

    Results for March 22. Robin Hodgson division: Bebington Athletic 3 Sutton Black Lion 0; General Chemicals 1 Tricorn 6; Mersey Ferries 1 Vanser FC 0. Concorde Trophies division: Acorn FC 0 FC Trannie 6; Tricorn FC Res 3 Rangers Breaks 1; Vanser FC Res

  • Ministers unite to oppose war

    A GROUP of ministers in Northwich will be praying for peace during the war with Iraq. The Northwich Evangelicals is made up of 15 ministers who hold monthly prayer meetings. The Rev Rob Munro, of Davenham, Leftwich and Kingsmead parish, said the group

  • God speed and return home

    COMMENTING on the conflict in Iraq, David Sumberg, North West Conservative MEP, said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the British soldiers in Iraq and their families particularly those in the north west. "Whatever our political persuasion I would sincerely

  • ANN

    WINTERTON CONGLETON THIS is not a party political issue but one of the utmost national importance. I am 100 per cent behind our troops and their families at this time. I hope that this conflict will be resolved in as shortest time as possible with the

  • STEPHEN O'BRIEN

    EDDISBURY AS 45,000 British servicemen and women are preparing to risk their lives to disarm Saddam Hussein and uphold the rule of international law, it is vital that the public and politicians of all persuasions give our armed forces their full and unconditional

  • Bar staff training to make pubs and clubs safer

    PUBS and bars in Crewe and Nantwich will soon be a much safer place thanks to a training course specifically designed to minimise the effects of alcohol-fuelled anti-social behaviour. The Crewe and Nantwich Safer Communities Partnership is injecting thousands

  • MPs support Blair over Iraq invasion

    Following the invasion of Iraq by troops from the United States, Great Britain, Australia and other countries, the Guardian has asked your MPs to let the voters of Weaver Vale, Tatton, Eddisbury and Congleton constituencis know where they stand on the

  • Widnes u15s 58 Ormskirk u15s 24

    WIDS ran in 10 tries against a spirited Ormskirk who scored the first try before the Wids woke up and started to play with commitment. Chris McLoughlin, Michael Ostick and Sean Dalby did most of the damage up front with penetrating runs through the visitor's

  • Parents' plea after another accident

    A YOUNG school girl has been left with serious injuries following an accident at a black spot in Hartford last week - but there are plans to prevent it from happening again. Lucy Ashworth, aged 11, spent three days in hospital after being in collision

  • PRISONERS IN THEIR OWN HOME

    A FATHER and son from Weaverham say they were forced to barricade themselves into their own home last week because of a gang of thugs. Mark and Jake Allison have been living in fear of a group of teenagers that they claim has been harassing them by driving

  • Family's race hate hell

    A RUNCORN family has spoken out about the race-hate hell that made them afraid to walk the streets. The Khans of Egerton Street were tormented by neighbour Timothy Lyons who subjected them to a torrent of racial abuse and threatened to burn their house

  • Turn back time

    IMAGINATIVE students turned the clock back 400 years for an entertaining drama. They staged an adapted Elizabethan comedy called Volpone at a state-of-the-art theatre in Halton College's new £8m campus. The play was about greed, fraud and deception. The

  • Burglar caught with his hands in the...biscuit tin

    POLICE nabbed a hungry burglar - after he left his fingerprints on a biscuit tin. Cyrus Alexander was rumbled when he took a packet of biscuits from a house in Nortonwood Lane, Windmill Hill in September last year. He was later caught when he tried to

  • Daresbury future is safe

    DARESBURY laboratory's future is secure despite media claims to the contrary, says Halton Council's chief executive. Radio 4 said last week's launch of the construction phase of the Diamond project at Rutherford Laboratory spelled the end for the Runcorn

  • Cancer mum's dream come true

    TEARS of joy mingled with music as the delicate bride was wheeled down the aisle. Courageous cancer patient Lesley Walsh, 46, dreamed of a white wedding - but feared she was running out of time. Her fianc Graham May, 42, yearned to make her wish come

  • CDs stolen in raid on health clinic

    A UNIQUE CD - recorded for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy - has been stolen from a Knutsford treatment centre. It was among six CDs taken from the King Street clinic last week. "We're trying our best to help people and then someone does this,

  • Burglars take biscuit

    BURGLARS who fled with cash and credit cards from two Knutsford homes also took biscuits from each house. Sali Rogers said the thieves had rifled through cupboards at her house in Manchester Road while her children slept upstairs. They stole a camera,

  • Street of joy

    RESIDENTS were almost dancing in the street after being told that their neighbour had withdrawn plans to build six homes in their quiet cul-de-sac. "The reason we moved here was because of the nature of the close," Helen Dobson told the Knutsford Guardian

  • Don't give up, says family hit by tragedy

    A WOMAN, whose brother-in-law was cared for at the hospice, said further donations were needed to ensure the long-term future of the ward. Jean Capper, who lives in Knutsford, said it would be a shame if the beds had to close again because of a shortage

  • Church leader joins brothel row

    A CHURCH leader has criticised a Knutsford town councillor over comments he made about brothels in Crewe. The Rev Rob Wykes defended his town after Clr George Walton said men seeking sex should go to Crewe not look for an outlet in Knutsford. "He was

  • Evan's new album will stop you being bored

    THE Lemonheads were a bit of an oddity in the early '90s grunge scene - they wrote songs with memorable tunes that quite a lot of people enjoyed. However, underneath the sugary power-pop exterior, things weren't quite so rosy for lead singer and official

  • Life is not all it's cracked up to be

    CASTING agents have got it made these days. Need a slightly sinister, super-intelligent anti-hero, able to smoulder away and effortlessly carry off even the most mundane of movies? Open the drawer marked Spacey (K). That's not to say our Kevin's latest

  • Baaja take to the stage at the Cats Bar

    DIVERSE rockers Baaja will be performing at the Cats Bar in Middlewich this week. The three-piece, made up of Dave Speakman (guitar and vocals), Gareth Hughes (drums) and Trent Nixon (bass), will be displaying their unique sound at the bar on Friday,

  • See the Saw Doctors rock out on tour

    THE Saw Doctors return to the Parr Hall in Warrington next month as part of a new tour. It is more than a dozen years since the Irish rockers had their first taste of chart success with their breakthrough single Useta Lover, which remains Ireland's biggest

  • Non-stop rehearsals for Moulton actors

    A TEAM of actors in Moulton have gone to extraordinary lengths to prepare for their latest production. The Pantomime Players of Moulton completed a 24-hour non-stop sponsored rehearsal over the weekend to raise vital funds for their performance of The

  • Kelly gets smart over Hull defeat

    Hull FC 38 Widnes Vikings 18 NEIL Kelly will be hoping his team can "smarten up" before Sunday's clash with Bradford Bulls after needless errors led to their third consecutive Super League defeat. As with their games against Leeds and St Helens, the Vikings

  • Mond rise up in bottom club battle

    Mond Rangers Res 4 Capenhurst Res 3 MOND started off well in this bottom of the table clash and, following a spell of pressure on the visitor's goal, took a deserved lead in the 14th minute. O'Hara lashed in a loose ball from five yards to put them 1-

  • Sheridan out for Bulls clash

    RYAN Sheridan was this week all but ruled out of the Vikings' game with Bradford Bulls on Sunday. The 28-year-old has been struck down with colitis, a debilitating stomach complaint, and has already missed the club's tough Challenge Cup clash with Bulls

  • ...bad week for Runcorn

    Runcorn FC Halton 1 Lancaster City 4 AN injury-hit Runcorn side could not have made a worse start against Lancaster last week when they conceded a Brian Welsh goal after just seven minutes, writes Debbie Quaile. The home side rallied and Lancaster keeper

  • Annie's work takes

    to the stage THREE short plays written by local playwright Annie Holligan are being performed in Widnes next week. Halton's adult drama group Upstage has been working with Widnes theatre company Galligu to produce Embrace 3. The production is being staged

  • Go wild for drama

    AN ACTION-PACKED drama had children sitting on the end of their seats. Wild Girl, Wild Boy, a play by Pop Up Theatre Company, for youngsters over eight, proved so popular it was a sell out! The play was written by David Almond, regarded as one of today's

  • Not such a relief to me

    AS A retired person it was with a feeling of relief that I witnessed the arrival of a massage parlour in Knutsford, duly advertised in your organ. I was correspondingly distressed to see that a campaign was launched by the recipient of that advertising

  • Straight to the point

    THANK you for printing an article about Amy Clowes last week. However, I was sorry to see no mention of Amy's work for the United Nations Association. For about 40 years she was the mainstay of the Knutsford branch, which used to be flourishing. Amy gathered

  • Why high fans?

    A SPECIAL offer targeting kids in Halton saw the Linnets attract almost double their average attendance last weekend. The club sent around 700 free tickets to schools in Runcorn and Widnes - and saw around 250 taking the chance to watch them in action

  • Fry's day

    Pilkington 2 Knutsford 3 KNUTSFORD FC returned to action at St Helens on Saturday after a two-week break. Despite struggling against Pilkington before, they served up a resounding warning that they will chase the Mid Cheshire League title to the end.

  • From old 'un to golden!

    CREATIVE performing arts students have moved from Dickensian surroundings to a state-of-the-art £8m complex. Halton College's new riverside Runcorn campus has exceeded all expectations and a record 430 full-time and more than 500 part-time students have

  • Kids say it's kool to be a firefighter

    'PROBLEM' kids weren't just learning firefighting skills in Widnes last week - they were learning how to respect themselves. The Kool Down course was set up for Halton pupils in Years 10 and 11 who were having difficulty settling in schools. It was a

  • I want a fare deal from council - mum

    A MOTHER wants Halton Council to pay for a taxi to take her epileptic son to nursery. Joanne Trueman claims three-year-old Andrew suffers up to 10 fits a day and says the minibus he uses is not safe. The council had originally arranged for Andrew to take

  • Carpet firm lays foundations

    A NORTHWICH firm has ensured all-year-round exposure with a second major sponsorship deal. Britannia Carpets, the main sponsor of Northwich Victoria, has also stepped in to provide a cash boost for Oulton Park Cricket Club. They have agreed a two-year

  • Win is a Dodd-le for Park

    RFU Powergen North Two West - March 22 Winnington Park 19 Wilmslow 11 IT took a late try from Matt Dodd to secure the points for Winnington Park in what should have been, on paper anyway, a fairly easy victory. But facing a Wilmslow side who look destined

  • Parklands take the title

    Parklands Res 4 St Michael's Res 2 FOOTBALL: A CAPACITY crowd watched Parklands Res overcome local rivals St Michaels to clinch the Warrington and District League's reserve division three title in their first season. The two winning goals were scored

  • Albert stay on track for promotion

    Albert Park 22 Clock Face 8 ALBERT Park are now within a whisker of promotion from division four of the North West Counties following a hard-earned victory against second-placed Clock Face. With three teams going up, the Albert should be one of them but

  • Trophy misery for Widnes

    Wigan RUFC 22 Widnes RUFC 19 WIDNES crashed out of the Lancashire Trophy in a game they could and should have won. The reason for the defeat was an opening half hour when only Paul Borg performed anywhere near his potential and Wigan scored two tries.

  • Rob's on a high

    FORMER Knutsford High School pupil Robert Brophy is in the final of the Melbourne International Chamber Music competition. Robert, who is part of the international Enso Quartet, based in the USA, takes part in the final in July. They are currently the

  • A night of drama on the city stage

    IMAGINE the scene. You are a successful, rich, beautiful forty-something with everything money can buy. Life is sweet and you are the happiest you have ever been but then one day a young man, who you have never met before, breaks into your home and tells

  • We're being mugged!

    I WRITE with a plea to the good people of our borough to do something about the outrageous muggings happening in both Runcorn and Widnes. I am happy to name these shameless robbers; they are of course Halton Council. What right have they to up our taxes

  • We're paying the price

    HALTON Council blame the Government for the council tax rises when it is down to them not looking after their affairs. All councils had an average rise of 5.9 per cent and above inflation. They use our money like a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow

  • I'm not amused

    I AM a regular customer of Noble Amusement, Albert Square, Widnes. The girls who run the shop make you feel welcome and there is always a good atmosphere. I walked into the shop on Red Nose Day at about 10am. Two of the girls had dressed the shop wonderfully

  • Accident help line

    AT 12.45pm on Tuesday, January 14 I was driving my moss green R registered Jeep Grand Cherokee through Victoria Square in the direction of Widnes Road when it was involved in an accident just opposite the Grosvenor pub with a white Volvo HGV low-loader

  • Will we get value for money out of council tax rises?

    I WOULD like to echo the sentiments of Sandra Fox, Runcorn. All too often councillors/officers of Halton Council have grand ideas on how to improve services, but it will cost us. Will we see 19.8 per cent more police on our streets or a 16.4 per cent

  • Church

    thanks A THANKSGIVING Service for the repair and protection of church windows at St Michael and All Angels Church is being held on Sunday, April 13, at 6.30pm. To find out more about it and other church activities, ring the parish office, which is open

  • CONCENTRATION MUST IMPROVE

    MIDDLEWICH Town will have to show far more desire to win if they are to lift the league trophy at the end of the season. Saturday's draw at home to Linotype was their third in as many league games and came just a week after manager, Terry Murphy called

  • Vandals target primary school

    VANDALS went on the rampage at Middlewich County Infants School in Park Road, between 6.15pm on Thursday, March 20 and 6.45am the following day. Windows of cars and school buildings were smashed, with the total damage amounting to £600. Police are appealing

  • Phil wins top award

    A MIDDLEWICH farmer has been commended for his work in promoting his farm and the farming industry. Phil Smallwood, of Greenheyes Farm, in Stanthorne, received the farming ambassador of the year award last week at The National Farming Union's excellence

  • Carnival contest pulls in a crowd

    PEOPLE descended on the banks of the Trent and Mersey Canal on Sunday to see the Middlewich Boat Pull. About 60 people lined the banks to watch groups of men flexing their muscles in the boat-hauling contest. Competing were six teams of four who each

  • PUT ON HOLD

    A DECISION on controversial plans to create an animal waste treatment site near Middlewich has been put on hold. Planning chiefs at Vale Royal Borough Council agreed to defer the scheme - submitted by Gary Cooper and Son - until they had visited the site

  • Vale Royal girls lead the way for Cheshire

    THREE Vale Royal girls led the way last week as Cheshire's U16 girls football team beat local rivals Merseyside to claim the Northern Counties Schools Cup. Danielle Lydiate, Laura Robins and Sarah Drury (above) all took part in the match at Wincham Park

  • Winsford's survival is in their own hands

    WINSFORD United have been showing signs over the past two weeks that their troubles may well be behind them. Manager Gary Thomas has instilled a solidity in the side that appears to have paid dividends when looking at the team's recent results. In successive

  • Cullen's point about the league table

    WOLVES' head coach Paul Cullen was asked after Saturday's success over London Broncos how it felt to be in third place in Tetley's Rugby Super League VIII. He said: "It's where we are at the end of the season that matters to me, not where we are after

  • The importance of a good kicking game

    WARRINGTON Wolves skipper Lee Briers explained the importance of their outstanding kick-and-chase game in the win against London Broncos. He said: "In my view, there were two important elements to the victory - the character in the team was great and

  • Streets should stay clean despite company's finances

    WINSFORD'S streets should stay clean despite the massive financial troubles of the company that provided Vale Royal Borough Council's vehicles. Bethell Fleet Services had a "best value" contract with the council to provide much of the distinctive green

  • Protest group

    takes to the streets PEACEFUL protests against a war with Iraq have been continuing in Frodsham with a peace vigil last week. People braved the cold for two hours and took to Main Street with banners on Thursday night, for the vigil organised by the Frodsham

  • Conflict goes on school's agenda

    HARTFORD High School showed on Monday that the art of debate is still alive and well by staging a lunchtime discussion about the war in Iraq. Pupils and teachers held a lively and impassioned debate on the motion "This school believes that the war on

  • Reward offered to catch crematorium roof thieves

    A REWARD is being offered to catch thieves who snatched the roof from the Remembrance Room at Crewe Cemetery. The borough council is offering a reward for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the thieves who stole copper and lead from

  • Strikes to cause rail disruption

    RAIL passengers in Crewe are set to face fresh travel disruptions on Friday as the RMT starts a series of 24-hour strikes over safety issues. Rail Maritime and Transport Union train-crew members from eight operators will strike on Friday and Monday, as

  • GEORGE OSBORNE

    TATTON NO democracy embarks on military action without a heavy heart, because, as we have already seen, our young soldiers die and innocent civilians get killed; but I believe that war is justified in Iraq and that is why I voted to support the Government

  • Health chief: Hopsital changes aren't imminent

    HEALTH chief Paul Cronin said rumours that big changes are in store for Halton Hospital in June are 'simply untrue'. If follows claims by staff that the intensive care unit at Halton is to close and that consultants will no longer exclusively be based

  • High speed Italian all set to ride into town

    THE Thundersprint motorbike festival looks like providing motorcycle enthusiasts with a real treat - as celebrities and world champions sign up to take part in the Northwich event. Claudio Castiglioni, the president of Meccancia Verghera Agusta (MV Agusta

  • Happy ending as work starts on deaf centre

    THERE was a happy ending for employees of the Deafness Support Network, which had three offices ransacked and trashed last month. For work started at the weekend to completely decorate one of the offices which houses the youth services. It was between

  • Boundaries set to change

    THE political make-up of the Eddisbury, Weaver Vale and Tatton constituencies will completely change if proposed boundary alterations are implemented. The Boundary Commission for England has published provisional recommendations for changes to 10 of the

  • Come and see us in action, offers top cop

    A HIGH-ranking police officer in Vale Royal has answered the force's critics by saying 'come and see our problems for yourself'. Insp Alan Holt's open offer for the public to see the Community Action Teams in action, first hand, comes as he urges people

  • Prices go up but it's still good value

    INCREASES in the cost of leisure facilities in Vale Royal will come into force on April 1, with the price hikes ranging from two per cent to 10 per cent. However, the borough council claims it is still keeping its cost below the county average. A recent

  • Chefs cause a stir at awards

    CONCENTRATING with meticulous precision, teenage chef Ashley Price stuffed a quail inside a chicken breast. One false move and his culinary creation could be shattered. Four budding chefs have spent weeks practising an imaginative three-course menu for

  • Club donates kits

    MOORE Rangers FC u14s this week donated two of their old football kits to special schools in Halton. Club chairman, Laurence Berryman, presented the home and away kits to pupils from Ashley School, in Widnes, and Cavendish School, in Runcorn, on Monday

  • MP backs Iraq attack

    HALTON MP Derek Twigg has voiced his support for the coalition attack on Iraq. He said: "Over past days, months and years the British Government has pursued a peaceful resolution to the situation in Iraq. "When France said it would veto any second resolution

  • Is it time to take stock of situation?

    The Government last week advised Britons to stock up on tinned food, bottled water and batteries as Britain and America declared war on Iraq. But was the message getting through? This week as the offensive to topple Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein continued

  • Warped set their sights high

    AMBITIOUS Runcorn band Warped have just released their new four-track ep, The girl with the skin layer missing. The foursome comprise songwriter Lee Wylding of vocals and lead guitar, Jo Lawrence on Keyboards, Johnny C on bass and Richie Jones on bass

  • Bird egg thief could face jail, court told

    A RUNCORN man, who stole hundreds of eggs from endangered birds over a 15-year period, has been warned he could face prison. Anthony Higham was described as one of the most active and serious egg collectors of very rare breeds of birds in the UK. Higham

  • Children raise their voices for charity

    SINGING pupils from St Clement's county primary school entertained staff from the Department of Education and Skills with a medley from Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. They raised more than £70 for Red Nose day after staff invited them

  • Anglers net a big one!

    ANGLERS could soon hook more fish in Runcorn, thanks to an exciting initiative. The Environment Agency presented £10,000 to help restore Runcorn's Town Park lake. The money will be used by Warrington Anglers' Association to turn the lake into an attractive

  • Drink-drive case man faces retrial

    A 64-YEAR-OLD man, who was cleared of drink-driving last year, faces a fresh trial. A High Court judge in London last week overruled magistrates' findings that Derek Preston's basic legal rights had been ignored. Mr Preston had been cleared in August

  • TV producer caught up in bombing of Baghdad

    A FATHER from Knutsford witnessed the bombing of Baghdad just yards from his hotel room. Simon Phillips cowered on his hotel balcony as US aircraft pounded Iraqi positions on the outskirts of the city. "When the bombs are rattling around you feel safer

  • Hope to find stitchers in time ..

    IT could be like looking for a needle in a haystack. But organisers are still determined to find the 3,000 people who helped to create Knutsford's millennium tapestry - even though some of them live in Scotland. Fred Saint wants them to be some of the

  • You've done town proud

    The KNUTSFORD Guardian's appeal to raise £20,000 to help reopen a four-bed ward at the East Cheshire Hospice reached its target last week. A cheque for £1,000 from Knutsford Round Table - plus £355 in donations - swelled the coffers to £20,400. "It is

  • Police burst driver's tyres

    FOUR men were arrested on Monday after a police chase through Knutsford town centre. Officers used a stinger to burst the car's tyres in King Street. Three of the men were arrested in Garden Road. The fourth - the driver - fled on foot. A police dog tracked

  • Twisted thriller set to surprise with a Corpse

    THREE of television's famous faces will be taking to the stage at Crewe Lyceum Theatre next month in an award-winning comedy thriller. Peter Duncan, Colin Baker and Louise Jameson star in Corpse, which will be running at the Lyceum from Monday, April

  • Musical will live forever

    THE worldwide phenomenon that is Fame: The Musical will be captivating audiences at the Opera House, Manchester this week. Set over four years the musical takes audiences through the highs and lows, pain and triumph and the sheer hard work that is the

  • What a cracker of a nutty tale

    A MODERN take on Tchaikovsky's classic Nutcracker Suite will be wowing audiences in Stoke-on-Trent next month. Following a sell-out run at Sadler's Wells, Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! will be playing at the Regent Theatre from Tuesday, April 15 to Saturday

  • Linnets crushed in five-goal drubbing

    Runcorn FC Halton 0 Gainsborough Trinity 5 TWO crushing defeats in a week turned the heat up on Liam Watson's Linnets who now hang just four points above the relegation zone, writes Debbie Quaile. The injury-hit side, who were without five key players

  • Rangers into semis

    Moore Rangers u14s 2 Crosfields u14s 1 FOOTBALL: MOORE Rangers were made to fight by Crosfields to progress to the semi-finals of the Warrington Cup. Crosfields' Chilton cancelled out a first half goal from James Baines but Stephen Hughes eased the pressure

  • Tricorn Res 6 Rangers Breaks 1

    TWO early goals from Peter Gobin and Mike Dover put Tricorn in control. The away team were given a glimmer of hope through some Benny Hill goalkeeping from player-manager David Hughes who, while attempting to clear a back pass, kicked fresh air and then

  • Chemicals beat in Tricorn goal-fest

    General Chemicals Res 1 Tricorn 6 IT took 30 minutes for Tricorn to break the deadlock in their South Wirral League fixture through a deflected Paul Dwyer shot. Mark Connor soon added the second with a far post header from a delightful Dwyer cross. The

  • But will the wind blow?

    WE were very pleased to see the interest our article generated in the Knutsford Guardian. We hope that this letter will help answer some of the questions raised by your readers and also give a better understanding of the issues. It must be said that we

  • James bids for glory

    JAMES Philipson, of Grove Park in Knutsford, runs for England on Saturday as a member of the under 17 cross-country team. The International will be run against teams from Ireland, Wales and Scotland. James, a member of Knutsford Vikings Swimming Club,