Natasha’s top spot

FOURTEEN weeks after leaving intensive care a determined Appleton gymnast has claimed top spot at the Disability British Championships.

Natasha Coates, aged 20, notched up her 14th British title in just over 11 months after earning the highest female all-round score of the day.

Natasha has been admitted to hospital more than 30 times in the past 18 months after suffering a series of unexplained severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylactic shocks, which started in May 2013.

But as well as familiarising herself with routines, she admits a significant amount of attention in recent months has been placed on her costume design.

“When I developed this life-threatening condition just over two years ago things were really tough and if someone had told me that in just a few years I would be the number one disability gymnast in the UK, I certainly wouldn’t have believed them,” she said.

“For competition this year my leotard was specially designed with the help of Quatro, from a design I drew up on a scrap of paper when I was in intensive care.

“The heartbeat across the sleeves represents life and hope and the awareness ribbon on the back with wings represents all those who have lost their lives to this condition.”

Parlour's birthday

A STOCKTON Heath ice cream parlour has already begun the celebrations ahead of its first birthday on October 14.

Pure Indulgence, on London Road, is currently running a competition giving customers the chance to design their own crepe, waffle or sundae to mark the milestone event.

The winner of the challenge, which comes to an end on October 17, will be invited to sample their new creation and see it added to the store’s special board.

Competition forms will be provided with any purchase in the shop.

Natural erosion

THE council has confirmed the sudden appearance of a hole on a Stockton Heath road in August, initially put down to a sewer collapse, was in fact caused by natural groundwater erosion.

On August 20 the council and United Utilities acted swiftly to repair the damage on London Road and to ensure safety for motorists.

After arriving at the site officials said the hole appeared following a sewer collapse.

However it has now been confirmed that the sewer below the road was intact and the ground beneath was ‘stable’.

A council spokesman said: “We acted swiftly when the hole appeared in the road and we investigated the problem in partnership with United Utilities.

“A collapsed sewer was initially suspected by their engineers and was quickly investigated by them.

“Following the use of CCTV camera investigation they concluded that the sewer was intact.

“There was no miscommunication between the council and United Utilities regarding the hole in the road – there is a process to identify the cause of such problems and we worked effectively with United Utilities in identifying the problem, so that we could undertake the necessary repairs.”

Circle quiz night

WARRINGTON Circle of the Catenian Association will be holding a charity quiz night in Appleton next Friday, October 9.

The event, which is being held in aid of St Joseph’s Family Centre based on Museum Street in the town centre, will take place at Appleton Parish Hall, on Dudlow Green Road.

St Joseph’s provides a comfortable and safe place for children to have contact with their parents.

The quiz is for teams of up to four people and it will cost £10 per person, which includes a hot supper.

For further information call 07977 970238.

Up for the battle

STAFF at Toni and Guy in Stockton Heath are bidding to round off their year by notching up ‘perfect salon’ status for the third successive year but first must fend off competition from 420 salons from 42 countries across the globe.

It has recently completed a refurbishment and remains committed to taking on three apprentices a year.