Archive
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Goodbye to hell of a year
IN the past year Neil Hamilton has mingled with pop stars and made almost as many headlines as them. But now he and his wife Christine stand on the brink of financial ruin. This week Guardian chief reporter Andrew Moores found out what it was like to
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New owners to reopen trouble-hit gym
KEEP-FIT fans who lost hundreds of pounds in membership fees when Northwich's Active Images gym closed have been thrown a lifeline by the new owners. LA Fitness is to re-open the gym, on Leicester Street, in the late Spring and will be offering a special
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Police say Road RATS drink-drive campaign was a success
A HARD-HITTING clamp down on drink drivers over Christmas has been declared a success by police. Despite several forces across the country reporting an unwelcome increase in the number of people found to be over the legal alcohol limit, annual figures
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It only takes a minute to help save someone's life
DEMAND for bone marrow donors is as high as ever as hospitals try to find a match for those needing transplants to cure diseases such as leukaemia. So this year why not make a special effort to be a potential life saver by registering to become a bone
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Grieving dog needs a new home
RSPCA workers have made a desperate appeal to find a new home for a dog following the death of his beloved owner. Rebel the German Shepherd was discovered by police lying next to his master after 55-year-old Stephen Buckley died suddenly at his home in
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'Dark day for democracy' as councillor told to leave meeting
A COUNTY councillor has slammed council chiefs after she was refused entry into an historic meeting. Clr Nora Stopford, of Longmeadow, Weaverham, had planned to attend the first meeting of the Cheshire Cabinet on Monday, which will replace the former
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More CCTV cameras for town car parks
DRIVERS are to be given greater protection in the fight against crime - with more CCTV cameras in car parks in Northwich. Car parks across the town are to be fitted with cameras as they move a step closer to achieving Police Secured Car Park Scheme status
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Life-saving vehicle on trial
A RAPID Response Vehicle, which provides immediate life saving aid before an ambulance arrives, is having trials in Northwich and Winsford. Trials on the 2.5 diesel Turbo Volvo have already been carried out in other areas in the country. The scheme has
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IT'S TIME FOR ACTION, SAYS MUM
A MUM has called on the whole community to help create a much-needed recreation complex for children and teenagers in Northwich. Carrie Laugharne, of Gadbrook Road, Rudheath, has been campaigning for two years to set up a centre. And now she and other
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BOSS WARY OF "BANANA SKIN"
EVEN if his move had been completed in time for Saturday, new striker Gregg Blundell would have been cup-tied, so Keith Alexander is likely to name the same team which took on Hereford on Saturday. The Northwich boss is wary that the tables could be turned
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LOSTOCK RETURN
LOSTOCK Bowling Club are set to return to their rightful home for the 2001 season. After having to find an alternative venues for matches following the Lostcok Social Club's closure last year, they will be back to their original headquarters, and will
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FORSTER FISHES TO VICTORY
THE Weaver's dredger length hosted Barnton & Frodsham Angling Club's first match of 2001 and a fair turn out ensured competition for points was strong, with nearly all the field weighing in. The river, still carrying plenty of colour for this fifth
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STUMPING UP CASH
NORTHWICH Cricket Club has scooped a major cash windfall to fund its resurgence as a major force in Cheshire. Last week the club announced a sponsorship deal worth £54,000, money which will be used to breathe new life into its on-field fortunes. Charlton
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A CHERISHED cat has gone missing - even though she rarely strayed from the edge of her home.
Venetia and John Diggle are now concerned that Flora, a long-haired tortoiseshell and white cat, may have been stolen. "She's not the type of cat to wander off," said Mrs Diggle. "She has never been beyond the end of our close. "She adored her home and
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BRIDGE supports on the M6 at Knutsford have begun to crumble from salt used by gritters.
Work to replace the 40-year-old supports on the central reservation at junction 19 started on Monday and will last nine weeks. "These bridges have been exposed to years of salt-laden water leaking on to the columns below and general wear and tear and
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SHE thought she was saved when she made the quick dash for freedom.
But the wild boar that has been roaming around Tabley for six months was caught off guard on Sunday - and shot dead as she slept. But yesterday (Tuesday), her final resting place remained a mystery. "They found where she was hiding about a week ago but
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WORK on Knutsford's long-awaited library could start within days.
On Monday, developer Matt McCloskey, of Birmingham-based Property Solutions, said the first sod could be cut by Clr Bert Grange next week. "It has been a reasonable start to the New Year," he said. "We have various bundles which are rather big, but are
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CHILDREN who were abused at a care home in Knutsford have been awarded £80,000 damages.
Solicitor Peter Garsden confirmed on Thursday that Cheshire County Council had settled out of court with 11 Kilrie victims. Council bosses are expected to agree a further five settlements, which will take the bill to £120,000. "The settlements have been
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What's ON
Today (Wednesday) 2pm: WEA Victorian architecture course, Tatton Room, Knutsford Civic Centre. 6.30pm: Knutsford Volleyball Club meeting at Leisure Centre. Display of art by Knutsford Painting For Pleasure Group at the Knutsford Heritage Centre every
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MANAGER MAKES A CASE FOR DEFENCE
STEVE Shaughnessy should be back in his natural position of striker for his team's UniBond One home match with Gretna on Saturday. The Winsford United manager played himself as an emergency centre half alongside midfielder David Lowe as he faced a squad
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A GRAY DAY FOR MAKESHIFT BLUES
Ossett Town 3 Winsford United 2 UniBond Division One Saturday, January 6 TONIGHT'S crucial meeting at Barton Stadium may well shape the future of the Blues, if they have one, but the present is not at all rosy as Steve Shaughnessy's's men continue their
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FUTURE HANGING IN THE BALANCE
THERE'S only one item on the agenda for Winsford United at their crunch open meeting tonight - survival. "It's the most important meeting of Winsford United's history," said vice chairman Mark Loveless. "We've been going since 1883 and this is the most
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SHE was the focus of attention wherever she went in the world.
So it was no different when Princess Grace of Monaco visited Knutsford in 1980 for a poetry and prose recital. It is an occasion that the then Guardian photographer Eddie Fuller remembers well. "She had that charisma that all genuine stars have," he said
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Town has first royal visit in over half a century
MIDDLEWICH is to play host to its first royal visitor in more than 50 years - as Princess Anne comes to the town. The Princess Royal will be in Middlewich on Friday, February 16, to give the royal seal of approval to the new ERF Truck Assembly Hall. The
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Family plays the generation game
AT A 90th birthday party yesterday, Tuesday, a Middlewich family had a veritable festival of celebration that could well be unrivalled. Ninety-year-old Elizabeth Preston held her party at home in Booth Lane. It was made all the more special following
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Community centre is hit by arsonists
POLICE are hunting arsonists who tried to set fire to Middlewich Community Centre over the festive period. It happened sometime between Tuesday, December 26 and Tuesday, January 2 when the offenders forced rubbish through a window into the building before
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Chip is reunited with her family - and her pup
A WINSFORD family has been reunited with a beloved pet dog thanks to an appeal in the Guardian. Angela Taylor and her six children were distraught when their three-year-old miniature Jack Russell, Chip, went missing from their back garden in Alexandra
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Praise as pensioner, 74, foils bogus caller's burglary attempt
POLICE have praised the actions of a Winsford pensioner who foiled a would-be burglar posing as a council worker. The 74-year-old woman answered the door of her home, in Cherry Crescent, to a woman claiming to be from the council who said she had come
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Festive and New Year robberies could be linked
POLICE are considering a link between a spate of robberies after another store was raided on Monday night. Staff at Choices Video, on Dene Drive, Winsford, were threatened by a lone male robber with an eight inch kitchen knife at 8.10pm before he made
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WELSHMEN KEPT AT BAY
WITTON Albion finally played their second group game in the UniBond League Cup on Tuesday night and did their prospects of progressing no harm with a 3-2 win at Colwyn Bay. All the Witton goals came in the first half, David Anane getting them on their
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RANGERS LEFT HIGH AND DRY
WEAVERHAM Rangers RLFC were again left without a match on Saturday when their opponents cried off at the 11th hour after failing to raise a team. Although Rangers gain two points for the statutory 18--0 victory, it is of little consolation to a side desperate
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STOCKPORT STUNNED BY PARK ATTACKS
Winnington Park 21 Stockport 8 WINNINGTON Park produced both their best rugby and best league result on a bright day at Burrows Hill on Saturday. It moved them above their opponents into seventh in North Two West and was achieved by a determined and skilful
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EGERTON U12...10
Elworth U12...1 EGERTON notched up their 10th consecutive win to move into the quarter finals of the District Cup. They soon got into their stride with Nathan Blundell opening the scoring from long range. Charlie Holland enjoyed a free roll on the left
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Did you know most of the country's road salt is mined in the Vale Royal countryside?
WORKERS at Winsford's unique salt mine are working around-the-clock to cope with national demand for salt to clear the roads of ice during the cold weather. During the New Year holiday the whole of the country was covered in thick snow - good news for
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Queens raise over £1,000 for charity
THE CHESHIRE Carnival Queens' Association has raised £1,200 for the Macmillan Nurses. The association was only formed a year ago, with most members of the committee coming from Northwich and Winsford. Current Cheshire carnival queen Laura Capper, from
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Deadline extended for views on Grange Farm plan
THE DEADLINE for residents to give their views on a planned 350-home development in Hartford has been extended. Hartford Village Trust accused developers Redrow Homes of submitting a planning application for 350 homes at Grange Farm to Vale Royal Borough
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THROUGH THE CENTURY
WHILE their first team was battling its way to a single point victory at Aspull, Northwich 2nds totted up a record score against the Wigan club's second string. Leading scorer Huw Jones fell just one point short of a personal haul of 50, but his team
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NO FRIENDLY MOOD
THERE was no Christmas hangover for Winnington Park's men as they crushed Preston 8-3 in a friendly on Saturday. Finding their net against the Lancashire men was no problem as they went 3-0 by the interval through goals by D Moores, J Stackhouse and P
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NEW BOY MITCHELL HALTS BULLS' PROMOTION CHARGE
Northwich Victoria 1 Hereford United 0 Nationwide Conference Saturday, January 6 Report by NICK SMITH IT could so easily have been Tottenham, but this important win for Vics on FA Cup third round day will go a long way to relieving the pain of their heartbreaking
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COUNTRY ROADS LEAD TO MEDALS
VALE Royal athletes made the most of their home ground to book their places in the English Cross Country Championships on Sunday. Hartford Campus was the venue for the Cheshire Cross Country Championships, with 456 of the county's best long distance runners
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VICS TO NET BLUNDELL
PROLIFIC UniBond League striker Gregg Blundell is on the verge of joining Northwich Vics for a fee in the region £10,000 Manager Keith Alexander agreed a sum with Division One leaders Vauxhall Motors on Friday to secure the services of the division's
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AUTHOR Alan Garner is used to writing about legends.
But he became one himself last week when he was an OBE in the New Year Honours List. "It was all a bit of a shock, but very moving," said Mr Garner. "It is the sort of thing that, in a way, is priceless. "Books can win prizes but when something like this
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THE photographs clearly form a patchwork of one woman's life.
But piecing together her identity from a collection of images from the 80s may be difficult. The Knutsford Guardian tried to unravel the mystery after a bag of hundreds of colour photographs was left at our reception. The pictures had been taken out of
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PLANNERS last week fired a warning shot at residents who build - then seek permission.
They hit out after Philip Harney submitted his fifth retrospective planning application in the past nine years. "There are a group of people in the borough who think they can do what they like," said Clr Sue Kipling. Mr Harney had sought permission for
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FARMERS are counting their losses after heavy rainfall and snow ruined their land.
Geoffrey Wharfe, of Tabley Hall Farm in Tabley, was forced to sell his sheep early after floods kept them off the fields. "I lost a lot of money on them because they were sold before they were ready," he said. "We kept moving them to fresh land but as
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THEY could be worlds apart.
But in actual fact, they are just streets apart. At £799,950, the five-bedroomed family home in Goughs Lane was - as the Knutsford Guardian went to press - the most expensive property for sale in town. With four reception rooms, a full-fitted breakfast
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THE keen gardeners work side by side.
Man to man. But on closer inspection, you can spot the women's plots. "The women tend to be more fastidious than the men and like to make sure they have got rid of every last weed," said Ken Carsley, chairman of Knutsford Allotment Society. But it didn't
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Knutsford Studio Cinema
MEET The Parents (15) comes to Knutsford Studio Cinema on Friday. Also showing is Merlin The Return (PG) and Monday's movie is The Luzhin Defence (12).
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TREVOR Wild dedicated hours to writing the script for a new pantomime.
But he died before he could finish it. Five years on, however, it is now complete and on Friday, his widow Margaret will take the lead role. "It is wonderful that he is being remembered in this way," said Margaret on Monday. She expects to shed a few
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IT is the most troublesome punctuation mark in the English language.
No other, it seems, causes so much bewilderment or is so often misused. On the one hand, shops offer pizza's, video's and greeting's cards, then on the other childrens shoes. The confusion is so great that many distinguished writers have argued that the
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SOME of the Enoch Powell vs William Hague correspondence is getting really weird.
There is a question of when a reader's letter is not a reader's letter, a quite extraordinary and rather menacing suggestion that your paper is inciting racial hatred and what I imagine Powell once referred to when he spoke of 'pulpit socialism.' Regrettably
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THE start of a new year is the time to think about the big issues.
What do you think about our role in Europe? Are you aware that the global economy can sweep us away? Most people find it difficult to form an opinion about Europe. This is not surprising considering the lack of clarity about what authority is being given
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Did you know most of the country's road salt is mined in the Vale Royal countryside?
WORKERS at Winsford's unique salt mine are working around-the-clock to cope with national demand for salt to clear the roads of ice during the cold weather. During the New Year holiday the whole of the country was covered in thick snow - good news for
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Queens raise over £1,000 for charity
THE CHESHIRE Carnival Queens' Association has raised £1,200 for the Macmillan Nurses. The association was only formed a year ago, with most members of the committee coming from Northwich and Winsford. Current Cheshire carnival queen Laura Capper, from
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Sledging could soon be over because of rubbish
A SLEDGING haunt, which has been a favourite in Middlewich for over a century, could be closed off by its owner after piles of rubbish were left by tobogganing children. Geoff Carden, of Bostock House, says children and residents of the town have always
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Police say Road RATS drink-drive campaign was a success
A HARD-HITTING clamp down on drink drivers over Christmas has been declared a success by police. Despite several forces across the country reporting an unwelcome increase in the number of people found to be over the legal alcohol limit, annual figures
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It only takes a minute to help save someone's life
DEMAND for bone marrow donors is as high as ever as hospitals try to find a match for those needing transplants to cure diseases such as leukaemia. So this year why not make a special effort to be a potential life saver by registering to become a bone
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Repair work restarts on railway bridge
WINSFORD residents are preparing for more disruption as essential repair work on the A54 railway station bridge restarted on Monday. The second phase of repairs is expected to continue until the end of May, with occasional traffic delays and the closure
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Arriva 'job review' could raise questions
AN EMPLOYMENT advisor has raised concerns after learning how colleagues of a disabled Arriva Customer Care Supervisor fear for the future of his job. Arriva Customer Care Supervisor Geoff Evans' position is under review - because he does not have a Passenger
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Life-saving vehicle on trial
A RAPID Response Vehicle, which provides immediate life saving aid before an ambulance arrives, is having trials in Northwich and Winsford. Trials on the 2.5 diesel Turbo Volvo have already been carried out in other areas in the country. The scheme has
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COACH LEAVES IT LATE
Aspull 12 Northwich 13 NORTHWICH returned to action after a three-week lay-off for Christmas and the match cancellations following the funeral of club captain Shaun Bennett. The last match was the emotionally charged home fixture against Wilmslow the
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EGERTON U11...0
Vale U11...8 EGERTON played their first game in weeks away at Congleton in the District Cup. Vale are in a division above them but for 15 minutes it didn't really show. On a bitterly cold day and playing downhill Egerton needed to go in at half-time in
