10th Febraury News from Wigan

News Report Archive 10th February 2000

POOLSTOCK LANE NIGHTMARE FOR MOTORISTS

Motorists drove into a nightmare when a burst water main caused chaos on a major road in the town.
The flooding meant that Poolstock Lane had to be closed off and long delays followed for hundreds of drivers. Motorists were diverted away from the flooded carriageway close to the Cut Loose shop, from 11am until late afternoon, when temporary traffic lights were put in place.
The burst also led to water supplies being cut off to 70 households while the problem was investigated.
A spokesman for North West Water said, "The problem was caused by a burst in an eight inch water mains pipe. It is expected the supplies will be turned on by 9pm."
Police directed motorists down Worsley Mesnes Drive and Pool Street while workmen repaired the ruptured pipe. At one point there was a line of vehicles gridlocked from Poolstock Lane, through the Worsley Mesnes Estate and onto Warrington Road.
A witness who did not wish to be named, saw the mains burst. She said, "It was about 11am when it happened, it was like a fountain and lifted up the pavement."
Bus services were diverted and the nearby St James and St Judes Primary Schools were told about the problem.

THE 'BIRDWOMAN' OF WIGAN

The pigeons who live around the parish church in Wigan town centre await the arrival each day of a very special friend.
Hermione Sharp travels into Wigan each day to feed the birds in All Saints Gardens. As soon as she appears in the park, hundreds of pigeons swoop down on her waiting for their lunchtime feast. Hermione said, "I come down here most days to feed the birds with birdseed which they seem to enjoy."

FAINT HOPE FOR POOLE'S JOBS

Creditors gather in Manchester today (Thursday) after the shock closure of Wigan's famous Poole's Pies.
But there are still slender hopes that some of the 100 plus jobs can be saved after official receivers HLB Kidsons confirmed several firms had expressed an interest in buying parent company M & A Bakeries. This excludes, however, Bolton based Greenalgh's who have stated that, despite rumours to the contrary, they have no interest in the 150-year-old brand.
Staff learned that Pooles, established in Wigan in 1847, had gone out of business at the end of trading on Monday last week.
The suddenness of the closure left no time to warn customers and many have complained to the Observer about the way they rattled darkened doors at the firm's dozen Wigan shops before news of the closure.
Owners M & A Bakeries- named after partners Anne Allen and Martin Davey bought the famous name bakery from Dave Whelan's Whelco Holdings in June 1998, but still lease their twelve Metro shop premises , most formerly Rathbones shops, from Whelco.
Eight workers had been temporarily retained at their Eckersley's Mill based bakery to complete Eccles cake wholesale orders in hand, but they too have now been sent home.
Receiver Mr Rob Withinshaw said that it would be "improper" to give an opinion on why the company had gone into liquidation in advance of the creditors meeting or how much was owed.
A redundant worker said, "There had been rumours but most of us thought this meant some of the small shops being closed. the way it was done was a terrific shock. We weren't told to do anything or to tell our customers anything which is why most shops haven't even got a notice on the door saying they are closed. It is all very sudden and very brutal."

BIGAMIST FACES TOUGH SENTENCE

A Wigan bigamist apperared in court again last week.
Christopher Webster, 41, was caught out when one of his wives spotted his picture in a local newspaper when he was reported missing, must now wait until until March 3rd to find out his fate.
Magistrates in the town could have sentenced him to up to two years in prison when he appeared before them, but decided he should pay a tougher penalty for his life of deceit.
A judge at Bolton Crown Court could jail him for up to seven years- the maximum penalty for bigamy.
The court heard how Webster, who now lives on Coronation Street, Blackpool, had his secret blown apart when he went missing and Rebecca Draper, the last woman he married, appealed to the police. The person he was still married to, Pauline Holding, spotted the photograph of the couple in the newspaper and told police he was a bigamist.
The love cheat was placed on the force's national computer, but was not arrested by officers until two days Christmas last year. He has always pleaded guilty to the offence.
Mr Francis McEntee prosecuting, said "In these days, perhaps when marriage is seen as an unnecessary encumbrance to a relationship, it is surprising anyone falls into this offence. It is gradually becoming rarer and rarer. The sorry tale is that two families have been left upset and distressed by the actions of the defendant."
Mrs Andrea Allen, defending, told the magistrates his previous two wives had both started relationships since he left them, and were not single mothers wondering where their husband was. She added, "Mr Webster makes it clear that he is extremely embarrassed and was not aware of the serious position he is facing. Now he is, and is petrified at the prospect of being sent to prison. He can't provide an explanation. He says he thought there would have been some form of notification if he couldn't get married at the register office."