RELATIVES from as far away as Switzerland and Canada cherish memories of their loved ones by sponsoring a light on a giant Christmas tree at Halton Haven Hospice. The 'Light Up A Life' appeal, launched by the late founder Dom Valdez, raised a record £25,000
FORGET the catwalk, someone should invent a dogwalk for these pampered pooches to strut their stuff on! Stephen Fell, of Avondale Drive, Widnes, has taken puppy love to a whole new level by setting up 'K9 Clothing' - a business selling clothing and bedding
FORGET the catwalk, someone should invent a dogwalk for these pampered pooches to strut their stuff on! Stephen Fell, of Avondale Drive, Widnes, has taken puppy love to a whole new level by setting up 'K9 Clothing' - a business selling clothing and bedding
ANGRY cabbies are demanding action against gangs of missile-hurling thugs making parts of town no-go areas by targeting their taxis. Gangs are roaming the streets and staking out hidden vantage points from which to rain down bricks on passing cabs - a
WATCHING this intriguing battle made a mockery of the division both these sides compete in. The quality of rugby league on display was outstanding and worthy of a much bigger stage. Although the conditions did not allow for flowing rugby, both sides mastered
CRONTON Villa continued their 100 per cent start to the season with a mauling of local rivals Avon. Cronton Villa entertain Matthiola at the Birchfield Sports and Social Club this Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
VILLA slipped to their second league defeat following a miserable display. Despite facing heavy early pressure Villa took a 10th minute lead through debutant John McEvoy's free kick. However appalling defending gifted Vulcan two goals in the space of
THIS week in the Widnes six-a-side Leisure League, we saw the usual fast and frantic football. The game of the week in the premier league saw leaders Looprevil held to a thrilling 5-5 draw by Barchester Utd. Richard Dodgson was the pick of the bunch for
THE Maries returned to the top of the league after a free week with a convincing win against a spirited Warrington side. The Maries opened the scoring after only three minutes with a well worked try from Chris Doolan. The Maries then dropped to 12 men
West Cheshire League Division One RUNCORN were unlucky against the league leaders creating plenty of chances with new signing Tom Hughes linking up well with Ian Cocks. Vauxhall played the ball about well but Runcorn, under caretaker boss John Crompton
RELAXED, happy and confident children and friendly staff. That's how assessors commended Our Lady's First Steps neighbourhood nursery, as they awarded accreditation from the pre-school learning alliance. Toddlers and staff celebrated this week at a garden
DECAYING remains of a dog may have been Rambo, a much- loved family pet, say his distraught owners. The Alsatian golden labrador cross went missing from his home in Francis Close, Ditton, six months ago. "He was much loved and well cared for," said process
A RETIRED lorry driver died after sustaining injuries in a fall on his way home from the pub, an inquest heard on Thursday. Divorced father-of-four Clifford Jones, 64, of Bell House Road, Widnes, was taken to Whiston Hospital with an 'exceedingly uncommon
A MAN has appeared in court charged with murdering his wife who was living in Widnes at the time. Mohammed Razak Kemp pleaded not guilty to murder at Chester Crown Court last Friday. The 41-year-old, of no fixed address but believed to be from Bradford
A COURAGEOUS stroke victim who has undergone major brain surgery has vowed to step out of her wheelchair - for a sponsored walk. The 43-year-old woman hopes to take her first steps in public at a charity night in The Vic pub in Ann Street, Widnes. "She's
A CHURCHGOER who admitted downloading more than 650 indecent images of children had 'lived his life as a lie', a court heard. Barrie Parsons, 54, of Baguley Avenue, Widnes, was given a community order and ordered to pay £500 costs at Warrington Crown
West Bank Swan 28 WATCHING this intriguing battle made a mockery of the division both these sides compete in. The quality of rugby league on display was outstanding and worthy of a much bigger stage. Although the conditions did not allow for flowing rugby
Bridge Timber FC 2 Courier Post Runcorn Sunday League BRIDGE TIMBER maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 2-0 win against a stubborn Travellers Rest side.
FORTNIGHTLY waste collections across Congleton borough have been postponed until cardboard and plastic can be collected separately. Congleton Borough Council has decided to continue to collect household waste on a weekly basis until different arrangements
AUTHORITIES are teaming up in the fight against an increasing nuisance on the streets of Middlewich. Congleton community safety wardens and police have produced a guidance leaflet about the anti-social use of mini motorbikes and mopeds, as well as other
AMBULANCE crews hope to respond to calls faster and more efficiently with a town centre base in Middlewich. Mersey Regional Ambulance Service and Cheshire Fire Service have confirmed that they will be taking part in a pilot project allowing ambulance
THE future of Middlewich's leisure centre was the hot topic at a meeting to discuss Congleton Borough Council's predicted £1.6million budget shortfall. Middlewich residents were invited to the civic hall last Tuesday to question council officers about
A MIDDLEWICH woman has made dreams come true with the publication of her latest book. Bernice Walmsley, of Paddock Way, has written the story of a Rugby man determined to publish his memoirs by acting as a ghostwriter. The 53-year-old, who fought her
THE family of missing student Steve Cook have been handed fresh hope after Greek authorities were inundated with information following a three-hour documentary on national television. Viewers flooded an information line with calls following Friday night's
A FRUSTRATED businesswoman says she cannot see an end to construction work shattering the tranquillity of her beauty salon. Lisa Sproston, who has run the Wheelock Street salon New You for two years, says the business is struggling because of scaffolding
BUILDING work on a major gas storage facility between Northwich and Middlewich could begin as early as next year if planning permission is granted. In a meeting with authorities who could be affected by the plant, INEOS Enterprises reiterated their intention
THE possibility of paying to park in Middlewich could be 'the final death knell' for businesses in the town, according to residents and shopkeepers. Congleton Borough Council is discussing this option as a way to help make up a £1.6million budget shortfall
POLICE are concerned over the welfare of a man who received head injuries in a car crash in Winsford before leaving the scene of the incident. The crash took place at around 1pm on Friday when the white Ford Sierra being driven by the man left the carriageway
A WINSFORD car thief who drove a car despite being on bail for driving while disqualified has been spared a prison sentence The 15-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was told by magistrates at Northwich Youth Court last Wednesday he would
FIRE chiefs are warning of the dangers of chip pan fires after a Winsford woman was taken to hospital following a blaze at her home. The incident took place at an address on Victoria Square at around 6pm on Thursday when the woman left a chip pan unattended
A WINSFORD woman has been jailed for three months after admitting stealing £300 worth of clothing from a market stall. Angela McDougall, 26, of Bentley Grove, pleaded guilty to taking the items from a secure unit at the indoor market, in Dene Drive, on
WINSFORD Industrial Estate is set to take on a pioneering new scheme that will change the way the area is managed in the future. Businesses will vote next month on whether they want to take part in a scheme in which they will pay for improvements on the
CRIMINALS destroyed a number of letters when they set fire to a post box in Winsford last week. Royal Mail has confirmed that most of the contents of the post box on School Road were destroyed by fire overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. A spokesman
MAKING profits and protecting employees go hand in hand, claims a Labour life peer. Lord Phillip Hunt, 56, parliamentary under secretary, responsible for health and safety, cited Ineos ChlorVinyls as an excellent example, as he visited the giant Runcorn
A MID Cheshire computer specialist is urging other businesses to guard against an epidemic of 'zombies' sweeping through the area. Concise IT, based on Winsford Industrial Estate, is offering IT audits for companies following a report in the Guardian
A FRAIL old lady was found struggling to survive by dunking biscuits in her tea and sipping the odd tin of soup, claim anxious residents. A war veteran in his 90s, who fought for his country as a 'Desert Rat', only had bread and tinned food in his kitchen
A NORTHWICH woman was jailed for four months after burgling a Winsford estate agent. Sonia Smyth, 26, of Queensway, admitted stealing £6,500 worth of computer equipment and damaging another £4,500 worth when she appeared at Northwich Magistrates' Court
B ig issues are all too easy to walk away from and ignore, especially if they have no direct impact on your own life. It seems almost impossible for an individual to make a real difference to a crisis affecting millions of people. But the inspirational
A MAN has denied a charge of indulging in an indecent act in public toilets in front of a 10-year-old boy. Defendant Michael Alan Bell, 40, formerly of Bryn Llwyd, Llanfeathlu, Anglesey, was charged following an incident at the Duke Street public toilets
A CRACKDOWN on illegal firework sales is set to go off in Vale Royal later this month. Incidents involving fireworks traditionally rocket at this time of year and police Community Action Team officers in and around Northwich and Winsford are turning up
A CASTLE dad of two who suffered sleepless nights due to a 'sonic assault' by contractors carrying out maintenance work is furious with Network Rail. John McGeown, of Queensgate, says his family was 'unceremoniously' awoken at around 4.30am on Wednesday
CONVICTED criminals who tried to rob Pickmere post office are to spend longer behind bars. The two men's sentences were increased last week after Court of Appeal judges ruled their original punishments were too lenient. On Friday, shop owner Gina Gates
BUILDING work on a major gas storage facility between Northwich and Middlewich could begin as early as next year if planning permission is granted. In a meeting with authorities who could be affected by the plant, INEOS Enterprises reiterated their intention
OLD glass and black puddings are on the menu for a day trip contemplating art, architecture and design in Lancashire. The Development of the Arts in Northwich (DAN) has arranged a trip to allow culture vultures the chance to take in the sights, smells
A PAIR of nursery rhyme heroes are heading to Winsford Civic Hall and want young theatre-goers to help them defeat an evil robot. Jack and Jill In The Return To The Forgotten Nursery is set in Kingsley Hall, the former residence of a renowned toy maker
PRESSURE was this week mounting on George Osborne to reveal whether he had ever taken drugs. As the Shadow Chancellor championed the cause of his friend and Tory leadership hopeful David Cameron, Tatton's MP faced a television grilling about his past.
A DRIVER was killed yesterday when two cars crashed and then burst into flames. Police cordoned off Chelford Road during rush-hour as firemen tackled the blaze. Kate Panayi, who lives just yards from the scene, heard the crash from inside her house. "
PAUL Turner is in celebratory mood after wrapping up the EMRA championship at Mallory Park. But it nearly didn't happen for Turner who was without a ride just days before the final meeting of the season. Fortunately Darren Pugh stepped in and gave Northwich-based
workshop STUDENTS at Priestley College have completed a workshop in the style of the TV show The Apprentice. The BTEC national business students tackled a range of activities to develop their teambuilding, leadership and planning skills. The programme
A TEENAGER has been suspended from Knutsford High School for having a Nike tick shaved in his hair. Matthew Stott, 13, was sent home on Monday because the symbol and zigzags in the cut were too short. Yesterday (Tuesday) the boy's mum Louise, 36, described
CHILDREN at St Barnabas Primary School have been learning how to make the right choices when it comes to health. Pupils from nursery level to year six took part in a weeklong event aimed at teaching them the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. It began with
A MAN suffered minor head injuries when he was involved in an accident with a car in Mersey Street in the town centre. The 28-year-old was taken to Warrington Hospital at around 9am on Friday, October 7.
NORTHWICH rider Craig Jones has had to settle for the runners up spot in the British Supersport Championship after a tough final round at Brands Hatch. Jones knew he had to win the final race on Sunday and hope his championship rival Leon Camier finished
WINSFORD Swimming Club's men's open team won the plaudits at last weekends North Wales ASA Relay Championships. The team of Nigel Davies, Terry Cowburn, Rob Gator and James Cowburn were just too good, taking gold, silver and bronze in the 4x200m freestyle
STRUGGLING promoted side Eagle Sports gave Town an early shock as a defensive error in the seventh minute allowed winger Mike Foxley to score with a firm shot from the edge of the penalty box. Following this Town strived hard to find the equaliser but
MIDDLEWICH Town are back at the top of Coors/WPRC Mid Cheshire Division One following a 2-1 win at home against Eagle Sports on Saturday. Two goals from hot shot Michael Brandon fired Middlewich to the top of the table, ahead of rivals Crosfields and
HOLMES CHAPEL RUFC 2nd XV 27 Aldwinians RUFC 7 HOLMES Chapel second XV won again on Saturday beating Aldwinians 27-7. The home side had the better start in the Miller Homes Division Five South League encounter. Matthew Griffiths' strong running forced
IMPRESSIVE Broadheath Central sealed the points but this was a high quality game in which Knutsford gave a really good account of themselves. For long periods Knutsford not only matched, but also looked capable of beating their high-flying hosts. Knutsford
WEAVERHAM Wolves ARLFC put up a spirited performance against Portico Vine, one of the best sides in the north west, in this Lancashire Cup preliminary tie. It is a measure of the team's progress that they were able to compete against a side in the top
NORTHWICH RUFC have won the Shell Partnership BBC Community Club of the Year for the third year running. The club were represented by junior chairman Simon Bridle, U16s coach Mark Preece and U16s assistant coach Alan Nash who were expecting to go along
Halton's horse world is to be at the centre of a major new campaign aimed at kick-starting business growth, tourism and leisure pursuits across the region. More than £550,000 will be ploughed into equine-related businesses to regenerate the rural economy
BURNT toast may have saved the life of an elderly Widnes man, claim firefighters. Crews found various other fire hazards at his home in Margaret Court and say they may have prevented a potentially fatal accident. "This could have led to a fatality in
Firefighters tackled the blaze, in Pine Road, at around 11.15pm on Sunday. The fire was started when plastic chairs, which were stacked up against a storage cupboard attached to the flats, were set on fire Firefighter Barnett from Runcorn Fire Station
A RUNCORN man has been jailed for downloading more than 27,000 child porn images from the internet. Yan Ming Chan, 25, of Poplar Close, Runcorn, was arrested in June last year when police found a total of 27,152 indecent images on his laptop computer,
A RECORD number of swans have set up home at Spike Island. Up to 50 swans and cygnets have been spotted, nestling in the reeds or swimming beside moored boats at this Widnes nature reserve. "They get so well fed down here, with a regular supply of bread
WINSFORD United manager Dave Twite has spoken of his disappointment after learning that The Blues will have to replay their UniBond Senior Cup tie with Cammell Laird. The original game was abandoned at half time on September 6 when a member of the Laird
TEENAGERS are needed to join up as new recruits in Middlewich's team of fire cadets. Anyone aged between 13 and 17 is welcome to join the cadets, who meet at 6.30pm every Tuesday at Middlewich Fire Station, Civic Way. Cadet leader Alan Owen said: "2005
RESIDENTS in Middlewich can help themselves by thinking about where they leave their wheelie bins for collection. Town and borough councillor Mike Parsons has been investigating the placement of wheelie bins after receiving a number of complaints from
IMPROVEMENTS could be made to signs and road markings on Lewin Street after an investigation by the county council. Cheshire County Council's district engineer looked into traffic conditions on the narrow town centre road after six personal injury accidents
ASPIRING artists can brush up on their painting skills under the tutelage of three acclaimed artists this weekend. Vale Royal Borough Council is inviting residents of all ages to attend The Big Draw, where they will have the opportunity to make their
A WINSFORD man obstructed a police officer to stop him arresting his son, a court heard. Christopher Carlin, 37, of Portman Place, was due to stand trial for obstructing a police officer on Monday, October 3, but failed to attend court. He was found guilty
POLICE officers in Winsford have welcomed a colleague from the other side of the world to share ideas on how to tackle crime. Senior Sgt Kay Capper has flown in from New Zealand to spend time at the Winsford Neighbourhood Policing Unit (NPU) to talk with
A TRIO of Winsford shop assistants are triumphant this week after raising funds by walking to St Luke's - with their legs tied together. Argos stores nationally have adopted hospices and employees Sam Newall, Clare Egerton and Abi Gibbons took part in
A WINSFORD boy is set to become the face of a supermarket's nationwide campaign in the run up to the Christmas period. Zach Jackson, eight, of Littler Lane, was chosen from more than 50 other hopefuls at auditions in Manchester to become the face of Morrisons
CANNABIS worth at least £3,000 was seized by police who stopped a white Vauxhall car in Winsford on Saturday. The driver, Stevie Pendleton and his passenger, a 17-year-old youth who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted two charges each when they
POLICE have taken tough action against the use of illegal fireworks and drugs after a morning raid on a house in Winsford. Officers from the police area support group forced their way into a property on Pembrook Way shortly before 8am on Thursday and
A RUNCORN funeral director took her own life after years of battling with anxiety and alcohol abuse. An inquest into the death of Zena-Ann Jenner, 35, of Tarnbeck, Norton, found she had committed suicide by inhaling fumes from her lawnmower after shutting
ASPIRING artists can brush up on their painting skills under the tutelage of three acclaimed artists this weekend. Vale Royal Borough Council is inviting residents of all ages to attend The Big Draw, where they will have the opportunity to make their
AN ELDERLY woman who drowned in the Bridgewater Canal warned her doctor she would take her own life, an inquest was told last Wednesday. Retired nurse Hazel Rogers, 72, of Iveagh Close, Runcorn, died in the canal on February 19, after years of suffering
the park A SPECTACULAR £4,500 firework display will light the sky as part of the 39th annual Bonfire Night, which is taking place at Verdin Park, Northwich, next month. The event, organised jointly by the Rotary Club of Northwich and Northwich Round Table
CHARITIES are set to benefit from a significant cash boost thanks to a partnership between Barclays and the Northwich Guardian. The two community centred organisations have teamed up to create an awards scheme that will benefit the community and are looking
HOMEOWNERS in Vale Royal are being encouraged to think green with an incentive that will benefit the environment and their budget. Vale Royal Borough Council, in partnership with Asda, Roberts Bakery, SITA, Weaver Vale Housing Trust and Muir Housing,
THREE mid Cheshire organisations are looking forward to a prosperous future after being awarded more than a quarter of million pounds from the National Lottery. Age Concern Cheshire, Vale Royal Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) in Northwich and the Microchips
A DOG owner who neglected his pets and caused one to die from starvation was jailed for six months on Thursday. Dean Bostock, 29, of Church Road, Northwich, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, breaching a community punishment order and
A PROGRESS report on environmental investigations being carried out on land in Leftwich, where two toddlers died of a rare form of leukaemia, has been presented to residents. Rebecca Watts, of Muirfield Close, died at the age of 19 months, in February
A GROUND breaking ceremony which marked the start of construction of a new state-of-the-art £2.5million medical centre in Northwich took place yesterday, Tuesday. Firdale Road Medical Centre is being developed for doctors at the Castle Surgery, whose
CASTLE residents have suffered another series of electricity cuts despite assurances that the problems would be solved. As reported in last week's Guardian, home owners in Robert Street, Frida Crescent, Riverside Park and Alfred Street have been subjected
A NORTHWICH girl may be sent to prison when she is sentenced for 12 offences including a racially aggravated public order offence. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to all the charges when she appeared in Northwich
A JEALOUS lover accused of killing his rival has been cleared of his manslaughter. Sam Houghton, of Back Lane, Higher Whitley, was found not guilty of killing 'firm friend' David Roper, at Chester Crown Court, on, Monday. The victim, 26, died from 'catastrophic
LINES have been learned, sets and costumes finalised and instruments tuned for the latest production to enter the Guardian and Vale Royal Borough Council Rose Bowl Awards. Mid Cheshire Amateur Operatic Society opens this season with the Gilbert and Sullivan
A PAIR of nursery rhyme heroes are heading to Winsford Civic Hall and want young theatre-goers to help them defeat an evil robot. Jack and Jill In The Return To The Forgotten Nursery is set in Kingsley Hall, the former residence of a renowned toy maker
THE time has passed when laughter lovers in Northwich had to travel to get a fix of star stand ups. Development of the Arts in Northwich (DAN) has unveiled a comedy string to its already impressive bow and will launch a regular comedy night as part of
ARMED robbers smashed a jeweller's window with a sledgehammer yesterday during a daring raid in the town centre. The two men had driven the wrong way down Princess Street on a motorbike before shattering the reinforced window at Gerald's. "It was horrific
LYTHAM St Annes, runners up in North Hockey League Two (West) last season, arrived at Sir John Deane's on Saturday expecting to take all three points from Winnington Park men's 1sts. But the home side had other ideas and made the first real breakthrough
parents THE rights of working parents are being promoted by Warrington North MP, Helen Jones. She is supporting a campaign by the shop workers union, USDAW, to improve life for parents of school age children. Mrs Jones said: "Many working parents breathe
A LATCHFORD man is in intensive care following a collision in the early hours of Saturday. The 19-year-old crashed into the traffic lights at the junction of Wilderspool Causeway and Greenalls Avenue at 1.45am. He suffered serious head and chest injuries
TRANSPORT bosses have been forced to re-route some of the buses through Birchwood after vandals targeted vehicles. The number 26 and 27 routes from Gorse Covert to Warrington will no longer stop at Whinchat Drive, the Quarterdeck pub, Jay Close and Keyes
FOUR local girls riding for the East Cheshire Combined Training Group regained the title of Open Show Jumping National Champions that they first won two years ago. The British Riding Club 2005 National Championships held at Lincoln showground attracted
Stuart Mills scored a try, while Brett Stanley notched a conversion and added two penalties. l A CONVERSION, drop goal and two penalties from Ricky Evans together with a try from Danny Rawling gave Northwich 3rds a 16-0 win at Aldwinians. l WINNINGTON
RARELY has a game of rugby fitted the old clich of a game of two halves more aptly than this encounter between Northwich and Old Anselmians. Northwich completely dominated the first half and should have been at least four tries up, but yet again poor
ON Saturday Winnington continued their excellent start to the season with a 41-12 away win at Widnes. A lengthy spell of rain in the morning left a heavy pitch and a greasy ball, but Winnington made light of the conditions with a try after only five minutes
Courier Post Runcorn Sunday League BRIDGE TIMBER maintained their unbeaten start to the season with a hard fought 2-0 win against a stubborn Travellers Rest side.
HOMEMADE apple pie, pear jam and damson wine. Just some of the tasty childhood treats elderly visitors from Castlefields recalled as they enjoyed a nostalgic tour round Norton Priory's Walled Garden. "It was amazing to hear from local people about traditions
A RETIRED dog warden left virtually wheelchair-bound by chronic arthritis died from a fatal blood clot after a hip operation, an inquest heard last week. Margaret Taylor MacBryde, 63, of Cowan Way, Widnes, died in February this year while recovering from
BINGE-DRINKING girls as young as 11 could die or be abducted, warned paramedic Steve Evans this week. He fears it is only a matter of time before booze-fuelled youngsters fall victim to violence, abuse or fatal injury. "In the dark world I have lived
HOW victims are rescued from a horrific crash was demonstrated by firefighters - to warn budding teen drivers of the dangers on the road. Megadrive 2005 gave pupils the chance to find out first hand the aftermath of accidents, with powerful images of
HEALTH chiefs chose to merge with St Helens at an extraordinary general meeting, last Friday. The board of Halton NHS Primary Care Trust (PCT) voted to amalgamate with St Helens PCT to deliver a new commissioning patient-led NHS. Their proposal will now
REIGNING summer league section one champions Clarry B opened their 2006 winter league campaign in emphatic fashion last Thursday night with a 7/2 win against Likely Lads with the winners Dave Leather hitting a maximum. However, there was no such luck
BIRCHFIELD hit top spot in the North Lancashire Two with the demolition of Broughton.
TWENTY-FIVE scoreless minutes at the end of this Lancashire cup replay between Halton Farnworth Hornets and Latchford Albion were some of the most tense so far this season.
THE debate about what makes a good leader has filled the press in recent weeks. The front and middle pages have dissected the leadership qualities of our present and potential political leaders. The back pages have dissected the leadership qualities of
Bob Orme Challenge Cup A PAUL Dwyer goal after five minutes put Tricorn in the hat for the next round. His scuffed shot found the corner of the net. From the restart the visitors were awarded a penalty, which was saved by David Hughes. The visitors were
RUNCORN Town Reserves were unlucky to draw 3-3 at Helsby on Saturday, despite being reduced to nine men after the dismissal of keeper Barry Taylor and midfielder Kev Hammond. Nick Astley gave the home side the lead in the fifth minute after Matty Johnson's
A former Knutsford High School governor has inspired a new generation of scientists by experimenting with food. Lorelly Wilson said her Chemistry with Cabbage workshop, which won praise from Tony Blair, could help the UK's flagging science industry. "
