Archive
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Boss takes no chances at Lyndale
WINSFORD-born Ian Dickinson was determined that nothing would be left to chance with Lyndale, his prestigious new housing development in Wharton. So when the first mews houses at the Wharton Road estate were completed, he decide to 'test drive' one himself
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Membership is booming at local Sea Cadet unit
ALL the publicity about Martin Law's escapades aboard HMS Splendid has sent an influx of new recruits to the Winsford and Middlewich Sea Cadet Unit. Since the documentary series was screened by the BBC, Commanding Officer Dave Palmer, of the Winsford-based
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Crowds come out for Winsford Carnival
Report by MHARI KELLY THE glorious sunshine brought out thousands of people to line the streets of Winsford for the carnival parade on Saturday. As visitors basked in the hot weather, Laura Sanderson was crowned Winsford Carnival Queen. Meanwhile, thrill-seekers
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Middlewich 2nds 109
Hale Barns 2nds 110-2 MIDDLEWICH won the toss and decided to bat, but were soon in trouble following some tight and accurate Hale Barns bowling. After 23 overs things didn't look too bad, with Middlewich on 45-2, but spinners Johnson and Hutton then made
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Spot-on day for Mick
Middlewich Town 2 Middlewich Athletic Old Boys 1 MICK Jump celebrated his 18 years' service for Middlewich Town with an emotional testimonial game at Seddon Street on Saturday. The veteran defender played half a game for each side as Town beat a Middlewich
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Blues fixtures
WINSFORD United, who visited Middlewich Town for a friendly last night, continue their pre-season workout at Salford City tomorrow, Thursday (7.30pm). The Blues are then at home to Ashton United on Tuesday, August 3 (7.30pm) and away to Vauxhalls on Thursday
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Challinor sets up thrilling win
Middlewich 182-7, Hale Barns 178 Murray Smith League LEE Challinor hit a superb 85 not out as Middlewich secured a thrilling four-run victory at home to Hale Barns. Acting Middlewich captain John Shepherd won the toss and elected to bat, and at the half-way
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Dropped catches prove costly
Pott Shrigley 180-9, Winsford 153-8 Meller Braggins League A POOR batting display cost Winsford the chance of victory on Saturday and they had to settle for a losing draw against Pott Shrigley. Pott Shrigley won the toss and chose to bat, and Winsford
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First blood to Billinge
WINSFORD Angling Association is holding a series of junior competitions at the Red Lion throughout this month. The first was held yesterday, Tuesday, and the result was: 1 Ashley Billinge, 4lb 15oz; 2 Alex Lawrence, 3lb 14oz; 3 Jonathan Billinge, 2lb
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Athletics 'super squad' planned
ATHLETICS chiefs are proposing to create a 'super squad' in a bid to keep more young females at the county's clubs. The CCAA, Cheshire County Athletics Association, in co-operation with the county's club's is desperate to stem the annual flow of its junior
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PRE-SEASON PROMISE
Report by IAN KELLY MANAGER Mark Came says he is well pleased with his new-look Winsford United side following a demanding run of three pre-season friendlies in five days. The Blues boss has already seen enough from his side to predict that fans at Barton
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Report reveals Middlewich to be the borough's weak link
A RETAIL study has identified Middlewich as the weakest of the borough's towns. And Northwich has been blamed for poaching all its trade. The study, carried out by an independent company on behalf of Congleton Borough Council, involved telephoning 750
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Scheme gets the thumbs-up
TOMMY Thumbs pre-school in Middlewich is just one of a number of local community organisations which are benefiting from a new sponsorship scheme which has been introduced by Dane Housing. As a result of the scheme, Dane Housing, the company which has
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Company says it won't take chances on waste safety
MINOSUS managing director Roger Shaw was quizzed by angry residents at the public meeting. Residents interrogated him about the implications of dumping waste in the salt mine, and about possible increased traffic movements in the area. Chris Whittaker
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Protesters put the heat on Minosus boss
Special report by MHARI KELLY A PEACEFUL public meeting over plans to store industrial waste in Winsford Salt Mine deteriorated into a rowdy protest on Tuesday last week. Dozens of questions were fired at Roger Shaw - managing director of Minosus, the
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Police community contact line now up and running
POLICE chiefs have finalised details of their new community hotline. Their Community Contact line will be for issues which do not need immediate police attention - including road safety and rowdy behaviour. A hand-picked team will collect information
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Witness appeal
POLICE are still hunting a robber who stole hundreds of pounds from Card Warehouse in Winsford on Tuesday, July 13. The manageress of the shop suffered slight injuries as a result of the incident. If you have any information ring Northwich Police on 01606
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Anti-social yobs rule the roost
ON Saturday July 17, my friend and I travelled by train and Metrolink from Northwich to Bury. What should have been an enjoyable trip was ruined by the behaviour of other passengers. On the Metrolink, a gang of (obligatory baseball-capped) loud-mouthed
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Valuable
ON the morning of July 23 I took my wife to the bus stop in Crook Lane and saw her safely board the bus, then I took my dog for a walk. I was only away from the house for 20 minutes when on returning I found that the back doors were open. Somebody had
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Lack of respect, four letter words - it's a far cry from how it used to be
BOB Curzon in his last two features highlighted the behaviour of Winsford working men, from my own experience and in conversation with others, notably Mr Robinson, the High Street barber, one of that generation, it was a myth that Winsford was full of
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I had a reason!
REGARDING my recent letter under the headline We Want Bumps Too, and the subsequent reply of Mr Reynolds (Guardian, July 21). I had to drive through Davenham via the "old route" as I was in the village for the purpose of visiting one of the shops. The
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Postcard appeal
COULD I please seek help from your readers as a walker, a pensioner and a lover of the Cheshire countryside. My interest being Cheshire country churches. I am trying to obtain any old or new picture postcards of any Cheshire churches - I used to be able
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Lollipop man
REGARDING the road works on Castle Hill. With all the new labour techniques available today, we are still using antiquated methods for cable laying: no traffic lights - just a lollipop man. A LIVINGSTONE Weaverham. Converted for the new archive on 13
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Police inquiry
FOLLOWING the very reasonable letter from the Cuddington Residents' Action Group, I would like an answer to a basic question: What are the police for? This is not a rhetorical question. I want to know. I know what they used to be for. Their main purpose
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Hunt debate
REGARDING the letter from J Tipple, of Winsford, lauding the ability and commitment of Margaret Hanson. Can we assume that she will follow the party lines on the issue of outlawing fox hunting. The full page advertisement in the Guardian from IFAW fails
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Blue
I WAS walking through Winsford town last Wednesday when Tony Blair was visiting - I've never seen behaviour like it from Conservative supporters. If the shoe would have been on the other foot, there would have been uproar coming from the blue corner,
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Tony Blair's visit spoilt
p I AM writing about the disgraceful behaviour of Conservative supporters at Tony Blair's visit to Winsford last week. At one point, where handicapped people stood, 'the heavy mob' arrived, brandishing huge banners on long wooden poles. They lunged at
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Moore fish the merrier for Pete
A NET of roach and chub weighing in at 10-3-0 gave Barnton and Frodsham AC's match secretary Pete Moore a clear win in Sunday's match at Davenham. Fishing from peg 10 under the willows on the Dane, Pete's tactics with bread and maggot on a 10 metre pole
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Moss Farm's income falls but attendances rise
HARTFORD Campus and Moss Farm's income for the first quarter of this year has 'significantly fallen', according to a report to the centre's joint management committee. The gross income dropped by almost £9,000 compared to the same period in 1998, but
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Council have been hard on bowlers
I, AS secretary of The Golden Pheasant Bowling Club and a member of the teams in the Seventh Division of The Norley & District League, was very disappointed in the write up you gave our teams in the bowling section on July 14. We are two teams struggling
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Castle cruise into Whitby semis
CASTLE Private A's trip to the C side saw them decisively through to the semifinal stage of the Whitby Cup. Castle A notched up 281 chalks to Castle C's 224 at Davenham with Andy Jackson man-of-the-match with a stunning 21-3 win. Castle now face Slow
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Dynamo from Down Under Procopis powers Park to win
A MUCH needed victory for Winnington Park against title chasers Stockport Georgians has lifted them five places up the Second Division table. Park's two-wicket win came after some hard work in the field against Stockport's experienced batting order. On
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Matt is rowing for gold
ROWER Matthew Langridge is aiming for nothing short of gold against Europe's best this weekend. The Northwich Rowing Club member is hoping to land two gold medals at the Coupe de la Jeunesse in Cork over the weekend. Matthew, 16, of London Road, won against
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Gardiner wants Vics at 100 per cent for every game
MARK Gardiner blasted his side for taking it too easy in the first half against Flint Town United - but he was pleased with their second half battling to try to salvage the match. The Vics boss believes the first minute goal made his side take their foot
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Barbara bids to bowl over husband
BOWLER Barbara Winnington could set up a real love match in the Roberts Bakery Cup. The Hartford ace has become the first woman to reach a major Mid Cheshire finals night - and could face her husband Mark if she wins her first match. "I'm really pleased
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Let's get girl back on track
ATHLETICS chiefs are proposing to create a 'super squad' in a bid to keep more young females at the county's clubs. The CCAA, Cheshire County Athletics Association, are desperate to stem the annual flow of junior stars to the North West's big clubs. They
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How war hero George was saved by a prayer book
IT'S just a centimetre wide. But the bullet which ripped through George Magee's prayer book could have killed him. "His mum gave it to him," explained his daughter, Carol Jones. "He had it in his breast pocket, the bullet went through and only just came
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Arsonists wreck classroom
ARSONISTS are suspected of starting two fires in Hartford, last week - which caused thousands of pounds damage. A tennis club pavilion was completely gutted and a mobile classroom at a school was wrecked. Police are baffled as to a motive and are appealing
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Protesters put the heat on Minosus bosses
A PEACEFUL public meeting over plans to store industrial waste in Winsford Salt Mine deteriorated into a rowdy protest on Tuesday last week. Dozens of questions were fired at Roger Shaw - managing director of Minosus, the company behind the salt mine
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Overwhelming funeral for brave fireman
YOUNG Joseph Hunt was only 10 years old when he attended his father's funeral in 1926. But he still remembers the day as clearly as if it were yesterday. His father, also called Joseph, was a well-known fireman and had perished after a blaze at Oulton
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Disappointment after fresh murder appeal
POLICE are disappointed by the response to their latest appeal for information about the murder of Julia Webb. Officers have only taken half a dozen calls in the last week, despite publicity marking the first anniversary of the housewife's death. One
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End of an era for Omega
MUSIC mogul Steve Harrison has pulled the plug on his Omega empire. He placed the firm into voluntary administration - just months before its 18th birthday. "This is definitely the end of Omega Music," he said yesterday (Tuesday). "It's pretty devastating
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Motoring misery galore - we're on the road to hell
ROADWORKS are continuing to cause traffic chaos - and misery for motorists trying to get into Northwich. At the present time, work is being carried out on Acton Bridge, the Blue Bridge, Victoria Bridge and the Dane Bridge, not to mention London Road and
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ALL Vanessa Bell wanted for her birthday was for her mum to finish the race.
Lillian Bell had tried to conquer the 10.5-mile route around Lake Windermere SEVEN TIMES, but every attempt had ended in failure. "I'd given up before because it was too cold and rough," said Lillian, now 69. "But she asked me to promise that I would
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NEVER before had anything like it been witnessed on such a grand scale in Cheshire.
Thousands of garden lovers from far and wide turned up to sample the delights of the North West's prestigious floral extravaganza at Tatton Park. The Royal Horticultural Society's four-day show attracted more than 100,000 visitors - with many promising
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A KNUTSFORD restaurateur wants to put a stone statue behind bars to protect it from vandals.
Nerys Mooney, of the Belle Epoque, plans to put a wrought iron black gate outside the courtyard near the King Street restaurant's entrance "It is not only the statue we've had problems with, but the whole courtyard," she said. "Everything we have ever
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ATTENDANCE for the show exceeded all expectations. On Thursday 25,000 visitors flocked to the show,
Thursday - 25,000 Friday - 30,000 Saturday - 25,000 Sunday - 21,400 Total number was 101,400 Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
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KNUTSFORD'S roads were gridlocked on Thursday as thousands of gardening fans headed for Tatton Park.
The M6, M56 and the A556 were jammed as the number of visitors exceeded all expectations. But fears that the problems would worsen over the weekend never materialised. "What did throw our plans awry a little was the extra people who turned up on the first
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KNUTSFORD'S Tory councillors were branded communists by a town centre trader last week.
Richard Cussons, who owns Tiffany's, said the planners' refusal to allow another restaurant in the town defied the free market principle. "Margaret Thatcher would be disgusted," he said. "The Berlin Wall may have come down but communism is alive and well
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A GROUP of schoolboys staged a demonstration against a farmer who refused to pay them for a day's wo
Adam Thorniley and 11 of his pals - armed with placards and air horns - peacefully picketed Sudlow Fruit Farm's Northwich Road shop for three hours in protest at farmer Robert Brunt. Despite being told to disperse by police after they confronted Mr Brunt
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Invisible man on your PC
NOW you see him, now you don't! They call Kevin Smith Vale Royal's Invisible Man, but he and his firm Topspec Computers is making a huge impact on PC users across Cheshire. For Kevin can repair your business PC or check your system at home without actually
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Work begins on site of massive new ERF factory
ONE of the UK's leading property companies, MEPC plc, has agreed to fund a massive development by builders Pochin at the Midpoint18 business and industrial park in Middlewich. The factory, which will be one of the largest new facilities to be built in
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Damon's new bar is the catz whiskers
THOUSANDS of pounds have been spent transforming the run-down Red Lion pub in Middlewich into a contemporary bar. Now known as The Catz Bar, the pub in Wheelock Street has been completely re-vamped to the tune of £120,000. "It really looks amazing," said
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A Splendid homecoming
from the heat of conflict Report by MHARI KELLY AFTER five months of tough life below the sea, Martin Law has at last been reunited with his family. The former Winsford Sea Cadet was among the crew serving aboard the Royal Navy submarine HMS Splendid
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Pott Shrigley 2nds 184-4
Winsford 2nds 188-7 MARTIN Barrett and Richard Evers put on a superb partnership of 139 for the first wicket as Winsford secured a thrilling three-wicket win. After losing the toss, Winsford took the field. Despite good opening spells from Atherton (1
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Skipper leads juniors to cup glory
A CAPTAIN'S innings from young star Richard Evers helped Winsford Cricket Club's under-15s to clinch the Meller Braggins Knockout Cup by beating Lindow in Friday's final at Knights Grange. Lindow won the toss and chose to field, and they struck an early
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Bowls win
THE bowls team from the Rotary Club of Winsford & Middlewich retained the Bermuda Trophy in a three-cornered competition held at the Red Lion green, Little Budworth. Tarporley finished second and Northwich third. Converted for the new archive on 13
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Labour's big day turns sour
Report by MHARI KELLY PRIME Minister Tony Blair's whistle-stop tour to Winsford turned into a near-riot last Wednesday. His visit was marred by an ambush of Tory supporters who chanted "Tony Tony Tony, out out out". Tempers flared as the PM was jostled
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Time to splash out on pool, says council
CONGLETON Borough Council is the richest authority in the country, yet it will not fund a swimming pool for Middlewich, a councillor has claimed. Borough Clr Russell Watkinson believes that Congleton borough has a huge stash of money from the sale of
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Labour upbeat over result
LABOUR candidate Margaret Hanson has been looking on the bright side of her by-election defeat this week. Even though the 37-year-old local girl came second in the battle, she sees this as a victory for her party. In what has traditionally been regarded
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New MP O'Brien gets down to work
Report by MHARI KELLY THE Conservatives clung on to their Eddisbury seat last Thursday, despite Labour fighting its most intense by-election campaign in the current parliament. Tory candidate Stephen O'Brien won the seat - which had been made vacant by
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Flood risk check will be made at mine
RISK of flooding to the salt mine will be fully investigated by the Environment Agency before a licence is granted to Minosus to store waste there, it has been revealed. The organisation announced last week that because Winsford Salt Mine flooded in 1968
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Town in the hunt for heritage cash boost
Report by MHARI KELLY A BID is being made to English Heritage by Congleton Borough Council for money to develop tourism and shopping facilities in Middlewich. Should the effort be successful, it will mean that thousands of pounds could be spent on environmental
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Young golfers are driving us crazy
Report by MHARI KELLY RESIDENTS of Sandown Close in Middlewich are being driven crazy by golfers practising illegally on a grassed area near their homes. They have complained that several windows have been smashed by flying golf balls and one pensioner
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Fund-raising drive holds key to St Chad's future
On work experience with the Guardian WINSFORD'S oldest church, St Chad's, faces a bleak future because it cannot afford to pay for desperately needed repairs to its drive. The church dates back to 1307 and it is set in a conservation area surrounded on
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MUM'S SAFETY CRUSADE
A MUM - who claims her family could have been killed when a bus reversed into their car - is calling for more safety measures on public transport. Katie Hay was waiting behind an Arriva bus when it began to reverse without warning, terrifying her children
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What a waste
I AM writing to show my disgust at what happened today at the Northwich Waste Tip. Since Vale Royal sent out their paper "The Reporter" last month, I have been saving all my newspapers (clean and dry). They said they were going to issue blue bags for
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Long term view
THE clearance of the triangle of land by the Town Bridge revealed from Castle Hill one of the finest views of Northwich. What a shame the local authorities didn't have the imagination to make plans for its preservation. T BRYANT High Street, Weaverham
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Church trees cut down
AT a time when the people of Northwich are being asked to take a pride in the presentation of their town, I was surprised to witness the destruction inflicted by member of St Luke's Church, Winnington, in the gardens that surrounded their own church.
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Golden opportunity missed forever
IN view of the decision to build yet more houses instead of recreational facilities at Castle Street, am I correct in saying that the much touted Vision for Northwich is now officially dead? If so shouldn't the sign in Baron's Quay proclaiming Northwich's
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Good example
IT was nice to read in last week's Guardian that the firms of Jack Richards and James Lynch have promised not to use Birches Lane and Station Road. It is a pity other haulage firms don't think the same namely Curbishleys, Tilcon, New Cheshire Salt, who
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Youngsters learn from courts
SIX years ago the Magistrates' Association launched a project to educate and inform local school students about the work of the lay magistracy. Since that time about 20 JPs on the Vale Royal bench have been working very actively in a number of schools
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Cobras get in-line
THE popularity of ice hockey is helping spin-off sports like in-line hockey to flourish. As thousands flock to arenas to watch teams such as the Sheffield Steelers and Manchester Storm, wannabe stars of the future are honing their skills with in-line
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Wright's on target to give Davenham victory at Malpas
A SOLID performance from Davenham in the Meller Braggins Second Division steered them to victory away at Malpas, providing them with a much needed boost up the league table. Paul Wright grabbed three wickets for 44 as Malpas reached 171-6 before declaring
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Record breakers
AN AMAZING partnership of 311 between Rob Whittle and Gaz Stokes saw Hartford smash all sorts of records against HMV. Division Two leaders Hartford reached an astounding 357-1 to achieve the club's highest ever innings total and set Oxbridge Alliance
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Golden girl Griffin sprints to two gold medals
BARNTON sprinter Helen Griffin overcame her English Schools disappointment to claim two golds and a silver at the Catholic Schools International Student Games in Lisbon. The 16-year-old St Nic's pupil banished the Bury St Edmonds blues to take gold for
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Keep on cycling
CYCLING is easy for Weaver Valley CC's long distance specialist Simon Doughty. It's so simple he can do it in his sleep. That's not a bad thing when you're competing in a 24-hour non-stop race that takes you more than 427 miles around Merseyside. Simon
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Vics can't extinguish Flint spark
Flint Town United 4 Northwich Vics 3 A LAST minute thunderbolt from Flint Town United substitute Mike Andrews was enough to give the Welsh side victory in a topsy-turvy game on Saturday. Keeper Lance Key had no chance as Andrews hammered the ball into
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Bishop finally named as Witton's second in command
EDDIE Bishop has been named assistant manager of Witton Albion following the departure of Nigel Deeley. Bishop, 36, was overlooked when he applied for the manager's job at the end of last season. But when Deeley left to become youth team coach at Stockport
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Seventh annual beer festival has Pennines theme
PREPARATIONS for this year's Northwich Beer Festival are brewing nicely. Organisers are finalising plans for one of the town's premier annual events, which takes place at the Memorial Hall on September 17 and 18. The Rotary Clubs of Northwich and Northwich-Vale
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New MP O'Brien gets down to work
THE Conservatives clung on to their Eddisbury seat last Thursday, despite Labour fighting its most intense by-election campaign in the current parliament. Tory candidate Stephen O'Brien won the seat - which had been made vacant by Sir Alastair Goodlad's
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Labour's big day turns sour
PRIME Minister Tony Blair's whistle-stop tour to Winsford turned into a near-riot last Wednesday. His visit was marred by an ambush of Tory supporters who chanted "Tony Tony Tony, out out out". Tempers flared as the PM was jostled and booed by one section
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What a performance at Cransley
THE wife of pop mogul Pete Waterman has launched her own bid to discover the showbusiness stars of the future. Denise Waterman, who topped the charts with Tight Fit at the start of the 80s, is running a stage school called Born to Perform at Cransley
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Cruel couple prey on elderley shoppers
A PENSIONER who lost a week's income to pickpockets has branded the thieves despicable. Regular churchgoer May Houghton was shopping in Northwich when a middle aged couple combined to steal her purse from her bag. "I think they're most despicable people
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Tight-lipped over homes
DEVELOPERS have refused to discuss their plans for Castle Street. Eagle Property won the right to build houses on the key riverside site last month - but are staying tight-lipped until talks with council chiefs are complete. In a letter to the Guardian
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30th anniversary of our Magistrates' Court
JULY 21 marks the 30th anniversary of the opening of Northwich Magistrates' Court by the Duchess of Kent. State of the art in its time, it took nearly two and a half years to complete, at a cost of £108,500, and a further £7,180 to furnish the inside.
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Children left high and dry
DOZENS of kids were left high and dry when a paddling pool stayed shut - because of wet paint. The youngsters arrived at a summer playscheme on Monday to find workmen repairing the empty pool. "It's not good enough," said mum-of-two Kerry Bond. "This
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SHE may be reaching for the stars, but little Laura Flint doesn't really want to grow up - just yet.
For those extra inches in height could make life harder for the 12-year-old gymnast. "I'm very happy as I am and just want to stay this size while I'm competing," said Laura, who recently represented Great Britain for the first time. Laura, who also models
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KNUTSFORD'S shops didn't benefit from the four-day flower show, the chairman of the newly-formed Knu
Alec Guthrie said few of the visitors to the flower show ventured into town to spend their money. "If anything the town was quieter for the duration of the show," he said. "People weren't roaming the streets because it isn't exactly a stroll from the
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A MEETING of everyone involved in building Knutsford's millennium library should be held before the
Clr Bert Grange said this week that he had received reassurances from Macclesfield Borough Council that a renewed effort would be made to sort out the row when the chief executive returned from his summer break. But he promised to call a public meeting