PLANS to make Winsford the UK leader in a new method of waste disposal were announced yesterday, Tuesday. Minosus, the Bostock-based company behind the project, is inviting local people to comment on plans to develop an advanced waste management facility
TRUCK manufacturer ERF could soon be moving its entire production operation to Middlewich from its Sandbach base of 60 years. A planning application has been received by Congleton Borough Council from ERF to build a 38-acre extension to their base in
LEAVE gypsies alone, not likely, Outsider. Ethnic minority bull. You say what they do is different not wrong. What planet are you from? Using private property as toilets is wrong and disgusting. Breaking and entering farmers' fields is wrong. Threatening
I HAVE received a letter this morning, by special delivery, from Minosus. This company wants to use the Jack Lane salt mine shaft to dump lorryload after lorryload of waste down the mine. Minosus has already met with county, parish and borough councillors
MAYBE the Vale Royal councillors for the Bakers Lane area can throw some light on the window situation here. We had brown hardwood windows in the bungalows. They are now being replaced by white ones, but not all the windows, just one or two here and there
WHAT a surprise, rats in Winsford. Harry Mooney, a councillor, who is also a health and safety officer tells us it is a serious problem if they get into the food chain it would be devastating. The urine and droppings from rats can kill. What about the
WHEN it comes to accident prevention in the workplace, Morrison's made a safe choice by employing John Fitzmaurice who has just been presented with the prestigious British Safety Council Diploma in Safety Management. The 29-year-old, who lives at Esk
A SUCCESSFUL county council compost scheme which is operational in Middlewich is now to be launched in Winsford. Under the scheme, residents can deliver green material to household waste and recycling centres where it can be turned into compost. The scheme
Chorlton Town 2 Middlewich Town 1 Mid-Cheshire League IN a very disappointing encounter Chorlton came out on top, but only with the help of Middlewich, who gifted the home side two goals. Middlewich started very brightly with Simon Evans going close with
Winsford Utd 2 Frickley Athletic 2 UniBond Premier Division By Nick Smith WINSFORD United earned praise for a battling display which brought a win against Lancaster a week earlier and the way the players fought their way back from 2-1 down to almost snatch
HIGH Street pupil Nicholas Field warmed up for his defence of the Vale Royal Primary Schools Chess Championship with success in a national tournament at the weekend. He finished runner-up in primary school event in Liverpool and has home advantage when
WINSFORD United Ladies' match at Knights Grange this Sunday could be their last. Their ten-year existence could be brought to an end if a crisis meeting tonight (Wednesday) doesn't resolve their current plight. The club only have eight or nine regular
A CONTROVERSIAL bid to build a discount supermarket next to Morrisons hangs in the balance after members of Vale Royal Council's planning committee decided to visit the site for themselves. Council planning officials had originally recommended that permission
AN 84-year-old Winsford woman was followed home from a bus stop and then bravely fought to keep an intruder out of her house. The woman, who has asked to remain anonymous, was standing at a bus stop on Swanlow Lane last Tuesday afternoon before deciding
WINSFORD town centre owners, Grainger Trust, and environmental health officers from Vale Royal Borough Council have joined forces to combat the rat problem in the shopping arcade. They are working together to rid the town of the vermin which have worried
CONGLETON borough has one of the lowest council taxes in the north west. Of the £810 council tax collected for an average "Band D" property, the borough retains only £93 - about 11 per cent of the total. The remainder is split between Cheshire County
BUDDING young Shakespeares from Over Hall Primary School put pen to paper when they were entertained by a famous writer. Cheshire-based poet David Horner visited the school and kept pupils captivated for the entire day. David has had several books published
I live in Tarvin but walk my dog on a daily basis at Delamere Forest. My main objection is that it will concentrate a lot of people in a small area - many people don't walk far so you won't be able to move for visitors within half a mile. It should also
If the argument they have put forward is the best reason they can think of for closing it, then I think the whole thing should be dropped and the lane reopened. Marbury Lane is a vital link between Northwich and the outlying villages on this side of town
If people weren't so obsessed with the quickest route to the shops and actually enjoyed the countryside as it has been while the lane has been closed, you would see the walkers, birdwatchers, cyclists, families with pushchairs, dogs etc., all enjoying
The 16-year-old St Nicholas RC High School pupil clocked a personal best and championship best time of 7.77 secs in the final at Sheffield's Don Valley Stadium to win gold. Fittingly, the North of England victory came at the same stadium where, on December
Cheltenham Town 0 Northwich Vics 1 VICS philosophy seems simple - the bigger they come, the harder they fall. Having won away at Rushden in dramatic fashion earlier in the season, Saturday saw the spirited Greens bring championship chasing Cheltenham
Witton Albion 4 Stocksbridge 1 IT took 40 minutes for Witton's strikers to warm the Stocksbridge 'keepers hands with a shot on target - but once they did there was no looking back for Brown and Bishop's free-scoring side writes Scott McLeod. Having trailed
Radcliffe Borough 1 Northwich Vics 2 HOW ironic that it was the cultured left foot of Darren Vicary which won this cup tie writes Scott McLeod. Because, for the majority of the evening, it was good, old-fashioned grit and determination which provided
The producer hopes to extend his stable complex at Crumleigh Heath Farm through a series of planning applications. Two of them were turned down by Vale Royal Borough Council last year - and a third was blocked by planning chiefs last week. The latest
Northwich MP Martin Bell was this week due to hear what Railtrack and train owners EWS are going to do to solve the problem. But both groups have contacted him to say there's a delay. "I have received a letter in which they say there have been anomalous
Ray Dickens, 43, lives in a council house on Brook Lane with his partner and carer Sue Shepherd. "The boiler's been off for three weeks now," said Sue, 54. "It's gone on too long - especially with the freezing weather we've had. "Ray suffered a brain
Now hospital staff can buy a Magnetic Resonance Imager scanner which detects serious illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and multiple sclerosis. It also cuts out the need for some investigative surgery such as knee or back problems. The Crewe-based
The 60ft by 20ft barge was being filled with liquid calcium chloride at Brunner Mond's Winnington works when it took on 50,000 litres of water. A spokesman for Brunner Mond said: "Due to the closure of Acton Swing Bridge the product was being transported
Richard Meggitt, of Witton Street Dental Practice, says he and his wife Carole have endured a tough time - because they share the same name as orthodontist Melvin Megitt who is making national headlines. Mr Meggitt said: "It is a difficult time for us
Personnel manager Graham Boddy described how 100 different members of staff had to be informed of his death because his work put him in close contact with so many people. Mr Boddy added: "He was hard working and a credit to the company. "Everyone was
Glen Allwright, who lived in Wincham, was on a business trip when his sledge hit a wooden bench in Schwarzsee. Mr Allwright, who was 39, worked for Ilford Imaging near Knutsford. He had been out with colleagues from the firm's sister plant in Freiburg
The link is pride in our town. I, for one, am prepared to covenant a few extra pounds a week for the Heritage Centre because I am proud of Knutsford, past and present. Who else out there will join me? Because of my pride in Knutsford, I wouldn't wish
Richard Cussons' move to accept euro travellers' cheques was either an astute but fairly obvious move to publicise his business, or a provocative and crass little gimmick. It depends on your point of view. His action was controversial. That made it news
Contrary to the letter from the Knutsford resident, the police did attend Meadow Drive shortly before midnight on New Year's Eve, in response to a call from another resident in Meadow Drive reporting a group of youths damaging a car door mirror. In fact
KNUTSFORD student John Livesley has been offered a place at Oxford. The 18-year-old from Hollingford Place, who attends King's School, is hoping to read history at Magdalen College, Oxford, before studying theology. King John John Livesley Converted for
Is it the fact that Tiffany's is progressive enough to cater for the many foreign tourists who come through our door by accepting what is convenient for them, irrespective of the amount, especially as we are open seven days a week, often when the banks
It arrived in the form of a private 'telephonic message' and spread with lightning-like rapidity throughout the town and district. But a reporter on the then-called Knutsford Division Guardian told how many could scarcely believe it. He wrote: "The people
T HE television that screens videos for visitors to Knutsford's Heritage Centre belongs to manager Pat Heath. The King Street museum's own TV is on the blink - and they can't really afford to replace it. "It's a bit like dragging a ball and chain around
KNUTSFORD A were lifted into the top three of the Altrincham League 1st division - thanks to their 10th win in a row. Since November, Knutsford have put together such a great run of form that the second-half of the season holds great potential. On Saturday
They came home with 13 personal best times and seven medals - including two podium places at the first two galas at this year's North Midland Age Group Swimming Championship. First into the water at Macclesfield Leisure Centre was James Philipson in the
Knutsford A 3 Altrincham Gas 0 KNUTSFORD won through to the semi-final of the Senior Cup without moving out of first gear on Saturday. The conditions were poor but the home team had done well to get the game played at all considering the recent foul weather
KNUTSFORD lost to league leaders Bolton at the weekend. But it was a close physical match with the only goal of the game being scored early in the first-half from a penalty corner. The Bolton routine was clinical, ending in a superb flick into the top
WIDNES CC in conjunction with the Halton Cricket Forum announce that junior hardball coaching and nets will commence at Kingsway Leisure Centre on Saturday, February 6 for 10 weeks, 5.30pm-7.30pm. The course will cost £3.50 per session. Fully NCA qualified
West Bank A 4 Spotland Rangers A 24 DESPITE a performance full of commitment and promise the Bank went down to a stronger than usual Spotland side who deserved a victory on the day. The visitors went into an early lead when the Bank lost the ball close
THE Ladies Section of Walton Hall Golf Club is 10-years-old this year and members, past and present, recently celebrated with a birthday party. Walton Hall is a municipal course and can, therefore, be played by the general public. There are also men's
Widnes Vikings 20 Oldham 6 A CROWD of 2,500 turned up to watch the Vikings take on Oldham in this pre-season friendly. A Widnes victory was satisfactory enough and as an exercise in blowing off the cobwebs, it may have pleased coach Colin Whitfield though
MARK Carter has taken over at Runcorn following the club's decision to part company with Derek Brownbill. Brownbill's two years in charge came to an end on Friday when the club he guided to President's Cup victory last year dispensed with his services
Douglas 10 Helsby 1st XV 3 HELSBY lost ground in the Thwaites South Lancs Division Three title chase. Their chances of a top three spot took a severe blow when they gave away two soft early tries to gift Douglas the lead. Douglas could have had more points
Halfway 3 Manor Athletic 2 THIS game took place in arctic conditions which prevented both teams from playing football. Keeper Paul Rigby was called on to produce a couple of saves and was finally beaten after John Keogh was pushed by the striker who then
A BATTLE to save 650 jobs at the closure-threatened Golden Wonder crisp factory was mounted this week. Unions have joined forces with MPs Derek Twigg and Mike Hall and Halton Council to put a rescue package together. Following seven-hour talks with management
A MENTAL health patient at a privately-run Widnes care home has been found hanged in his room. Congleton man Paul Cockayne, 34, was found hanging at the Leahurst home on Coronation Drive on Tuesday morning at 7.20am. He was taken by ambulance to Warrington
POLICE closed the Fiddler's Ferry Road for two hours on Thursday afternoon following a car crash in which a man and woman suffered serious injuries. The accident happened at 3.45 when a Warrington-bound Ford Orion, driven by Joanne Nulty from Warrington
A LOCAL action group is fighting council plans to allow house building on former green belt land in Upton Rocks. The Farnworth Environmental Action Group is opposed to a scheme currently under consideration by Halton Council which proposes to let development
AN EXCITING weekend at Canal Street came to a tragic conclusion on Saturday when Runcorn's much-loved kit man Tommy Ellis died shortly after seeing his team win through to the next stage of the FA Trophy. Tommy, who had been involved with Runcorn for
A DRUNKEN man threatened to headbutt a police constable he had called to his home on a bogus 999 call. Dean Turkington, 30, made an emergency call from his flat in Charlton Close in Palacefields and said someone with a knife was there. When PC Glyn Roberts
A WEEKEND of high drama at Canal Street came to a tragic conclusion on Saturday when Runcorn's much-loved kit man Tommy Ellis died shortly after seeing his team win through to the next stage of the FA Trophy. And, in a further development, armed robbers
TWO Boots employees have appeared in court charged with the manslaughter of Runcorn baby Matthew Young. Lisa Taylor-Lloyd, 27, a pharmacist from Crewe, and Ziad Khattab, a 24-year-old trainee pharmacist from Eccles in Manchester, appeared before Runcorn
PARENTS were warned to stay vigilant this week after two more schools were hit with suspected cases of meningitis. A 13-year-old schoolboy at St Chad's RC high school in Grangeway was treated in hospital after tests confirmed he had contracted the killer
SMALL businesses in Winsford and Middlewich are being offered help to reduce the risk of disaster and costly repairs to burst or blocked water pipes. North West Water has launched a new scheme called the Pipework Protection Plan which will allow small
OUTSIDER you disgust me. It is impossible to live next to these hard working people as you refer to them. I think you are one of them. These people, gypsies, wreck peoples lives and if you are not one of them, invite them onto your land. Once there, they
Steve Shaughnessy, scorer of Winsford's first on Saturday, takes on the Frickley defence. MANAGER Dalton Steele could bring midfielder Greg Brown back to Winsford United to compensate for the loss of any more players. Steve Aspinall will definitely be
MOULTON Youth under-14s have produced one of the most spectacular turnarounds in local football over recent years. Just two seasons ago, seven of this year's championship-chasing side were suffering humiliation week after week, but now it's the other
MIDDLEWICH residents are soon to have their say on the way Congleton Borough Council operates. A series of roadshows have been organised by the authority as part of its aim to get greater public input. The roadshows are taking place at the end of the
A NOVEL idea to set up a reading group at Winsford library has attracted more than 10 members. The club has been formed to promote books during The National Year of Reading and 11 people met for the first session last Thursday night. Members are each
STREET lighting improvements are to be carried out in Middlewich by Cheshire County Council's engineering department. Structural refurbishments to existing light schemes are to be implemented at: Brooks Lane Kitfield Avenue Sutton Lane Booth Lane. Converted
WHARTON residents have expressed concern over a housing development which they say make no provision for an area for their children to play. The application by Barratt Chester to build 72 homes has already been recommended for approval by Winsford Town
THE inside story behind the horrific helicopter crash that killed Matthew Harding in Middlewich has been unfolded in a BBC2 investigation. Close Up North revealed to millions of viewers last Thursday night that the lives of the Chelsea Football Club vice-chairman
A DATE has been set for elections to be held in the 20 wards of Congleton borough for 48 members to form the new council. They will take place on Thursday, May 6, and elections for all the town council and the majority of the parish councils in the borough
FIREFIGHTERS were literally forced to jump in at the deep end last Thursday night - to save a cow which had fallen into a swimming pool! The calf plunged into the outdoor pool at Gale Green Farm, Whitegate, after escaping from a nearby field into a back
PLANNING officers from Vale Royal Borough Council are recommending enforcement action be taken against the owner of a farm building in Sproston for carrying out an "unacceptable amount of demolition" to his property. An inspection by the authority's building
POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a 13 year-old youth was punched to the floor, kicked and robbed by a boy of a similar age. The incident took place on High Street, Winsford, on Saturday, January 23, between 2.15pm and 2.30pm. The robber, who stole
FIVE masked robbers held a postmaster and his wife captive in their home for more than 10 hours. The gang burst into Roy and Cath Smith's home, which adjoins Clive Post Office in Stanthorne, and kept them overnight while they waited for the timelock securing
Apparently, shop and business premises had windows smashed and trees were uprooted - also damage was caused to the library. This outrage compared starkly to our experience in Sydney on New Year's Eve when we were thrilled by a fireworks display, the like
This week sees the launch of the Guardian's own petition, Marbury Lane Must Stay Open, designed to warn Cheshire County Council not to close the vital link forever. And borough councillors Norman Wright and Venca Frame were among the first names on the
The proposal wasn't given the green-light at the British Crown Green Bowling Association's Annual Meeting two weeks ago. Had the association's county delegates voted in favour of the move to Northwich, a lottery bid would have been put together with a
Max Griggs, the chairman of Diamonds and owner of Dr Martens, has risen to prominence following his club's FA Cup exploits against Premier League Leeds. But on Saturday his high-flying team, under manager Brian Talbot, will be attempting to prevent Northwich
And there will be one the following Friday, February 12 at Northwich Memorial Hall between 5pm and 5.30pm. COUNCILLORS have agreed on guidelines for the development of the Lostock Triangle site. They drew attention to the need for environmental protection
The Friends of Marbury and Anderton meet for the first time today, Wednesday, in a bid to boost the parks' profiles. The group, which was set up by county councillors Scott Marsh and Nora Stopford, will be independent and advise Cheshire's countryside
Just hand your cards in at one of the counters, and the staff will ensure that they are sent away to be recycled. The scheme is in its fifth successful year. Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost
The move comes just weeks after services were cut as county councillors try to slash their budgets. Cheshire's top green councillor, David Lloyd-Griffiths, said: "A number of people told us that they would accept higher fares, rather than lose services
In a shock statement released to the Guardian last night, Tuesday, the company confirmed it needs to slash costs by over £5 million before the year 2000. The cuts will be made across the board, from factory floor to the laboratories and boardroom. The
When what did I see? A chap watching his black dog from under his pale coloured flat cap as it dumped right in the middle of the Heath. Charming, I thought. Is he going to pick is up? No. He walks off towards the toilets of questionable activity. There
Instead Elizabeth Cromwell stayed at home as a loyal wife who cared for husband Oliver and their eight children. But last week 'she' broke the mould to entertain Knutsford's Historical Society at the Civic Centre. Speaking in character, former lecturer
Four local mums are expecting twins and three other sets have recently been born in the area. But for one family, having two babies at a time isn't so unusual. When Nicola Campbell's twins are born next month they will be the fourth set in the family.
An anonymous man rang last week to say he'd found Charles Rogers' fancy iron mask. "Apparently he found it in his garden," said Charles, 30. "I'm really pleased it has been returned but I haven't had chance to pick it up yet." The interior designer is
For the former NNC mechanical engineer has 33 chairs to offer. Making intricate replicas of antique chairs - and spinning looms - has been his abiding passion for more than 30 years. "Some chairs have been pushed into the loft," he admits. His handiwork
KNUTSFORD beat Whitchurch Alport on Saturday to maintain their excellent current unbeaten run. Their exciting 1-0 victory - despite being reduced to 10 men for the last 35 minutes - keeps Kenny Harrison's side snapping at the heels of pacesetters Barnton
THERE'S so much fun and laughter, you'd think it was a celebration! Everyone seems so relaxed, enjoying a drink and a chat, organising all sorts of exciting activities. Yet, these men and women had nothing much in common - until one traumatic event shattered
I AM not at all surprised that there has been such a massive backlash against the BBC TV documentary series Mersey Blues. The council, public and even the police themselves have lined up to condemn the programme which seriously hints that if you are young
Windmill Hill u14s 5 Weston Point Athletic u14s 2 WESTON Point took the lead after five minutes only for Windmill Hill to equalise almost straight away with a goal from Terence Lee. Windmill Hill then went ahead through Alan Fletcher and Paul Martin increased
Widnes u16s 27 Wirral u16s 27 FLASHES of brilliance contrasted with lapses of concentration and discipline to produce a draw which was more annoying than thrilling as the team returned to action after a two month lay off. Dunne enhanced his reputation
POLICE in Cronton are grooming a generation of iron kids after setting up a junior triathlon club in the village. Merseyside constables Colin Lewis and Mark Parker, who work the beat in the area, have set up the Cougars club in a bid to give children
Widnes Tigers 22 Clock Face 9 THE TIGERS took top spot of Division Six with a well deserved win against a spirited Clock Face side. Mike O'Neill was again in fine form scoring two tries with Duggan scoring from all of two yards, good goal kicking from
Widnes St Michaels u12s 26 Wigan St Judes u12s 10 WIDNES progressed to the next round of the Cup with an excellent display of rugby against good opposition from Wigan. The damp and muddy conditions didn't make for the best of games, but the play was still
Blackbrook 38 Widnes St Maries 0 CHAMPIONS Blackbrook took the Widnes side apart with some mesmerising rugby and clinical finishing. This was one of those days when everything that Maries tried went wrong and everything Blackbrook did went perfect. St
RUNCORN face an FA Trophy derby with Southport after Saturday's stirring victory over Hyde. In keeping with recent events at Canal Street drama was plentiful, with Runcorn winning it at the last. The game was an exciting, if frantic, advert for cup football
BRIDGE Timber move into top spot in the Plettac NSG Runcorn Sunday League after a 2-3 away win over Norton Arms. Ward and McGee were on target for the home side with two from Jones and one for Wood sealing the win for the visiting side. The break must
Moore 12 Caldy 10 MOORE extended their unbeaten run with this impressive victory over North West side Caldy. Expectedly it was Caldy who applied all the early pressure and put Moore on the back foot, and things looked bleak when Caldy took a seven point
Carlsberg West Cheshire League Division One Mond Rangers 3 Merseyside Police 3 MOND did well to get this fixture played, but the heavy conditions affected both sides. Mond had the better of the opening period and deservedly went ahead when Kevin Ward
Halton Hornets u9s 32 Woolston u9s 6 HORNETS went through to the second round of the Cup with a very convincing win over a high spirited Woolston side. Some excellent rugby produced a performance that most open aged sides would have been proud of, all
Widnes Albion Bulls 16 Wigan St Patricks 16 THE ALBION fought out a draw against a side containing a sprinkling of Conference players due to St Pat's first team game being postponed. Even so it was only a try from a blatant forward pass, seen by everyone
POLICE are warning of the risks of befriending strangers after a 58-year-old man was robbed at knifepoint by a young man he invited into his Widnes home in the early hours of Monday. The victim met his attacker outside the Bradley in Albert Road as he
A COURAGEOUS mum lost her brave battle against cancer this week. Mother-of-two Pam Clark, 40, of Halebank, Widnes, has died after a long illness. Her funeral is being held at 1.30pm on Thursday, January 21 at Widnes crematorium. This will be followed
ALBRIGHT & Wilson has reassured workers at its Widnes site after weekend reports sparked fears of yet more job cuts in the town. The company, which unveiled a multi-million investment in a food phosphate plant at its Widnes site in September, has
A WOMAN was indecently assaulted in Runcorn at the weekend. The 31-year-old was walking along Pump Lane, which leads off Main Street, at 6.40pm on Sunday when she was approached by a man. He indecently assaulted her before fleeing. The victim was left
HALTON POLICE are warning shopkeepers to be vigilant following a post-Christmas rush of robberies on shops and post offices across the borough. This rash of incidents culminated in three robberies in the space of two days in Widnes two weeks ago. Police
AN OLD Bailey jury took less than half-an-hour to clear a man of raping a teenage nanny from Runcorn at a house full of children. Loel James, of Northolt in West London, was found not guilty of raping the 17-year-old at her employer's home last August
THE long-awaited decision to name the foodstore chosen for the multi-million pound revamped Runcorn old town is to made by Easter. The announcement had been expected before the New Year. This week, Ian Grady, challenge fund manager for Halton Council
A TURN-of-the-year attack by a gang of four left one man with facial injuries and another with his jewellery stolen. The incident happened at 12.30am on Sunday, January 3, when a group of six men left K Lee's supper bar on Runcorn Church Street. Further
A CANCER victim was jailed for two years at Warrington Crown Court on Friday for a catalogue of thefts and burglaries. Samuel Hambleton committed the offences to fund a £90-a-day drug habit which eased his suffering from medical conditions ranging from
AN EX-Runcorn policeman will face trial in Bermuda over the suicide of his journalist girlfriend. Tony Bukhari, formerly of Beechwood, will be tried for manslaughter over the death of Liz Cadell, who took a massive overdose in 1997. A court on the island
