HAPPY MILLENIUM FOR TWO WIGAN COUPLES
Two couples from Wigan have made sure the start of the Millenium will have special happy memories for them.
Sarah Davies and Stephen Harrisonof Shefford Crescent, Winstanley celebrated January 1st by walking down the aisle at Pemberton Christian Centre and Wendy Gornall and Paul Welding celebrated the arrival of the year 2000 with twins!!
Last month 25 year-old Sarah was left completely stunned when boyfriend Stephen, 38, handed her an envelope containing an invitation to her own wedding. Sarah said, "I couldn't believe it when Stephen asked if I fancied doing anything on New Year's Day, then gave me an invitation to our wedding. It was a fantastic surprise."
At first they were faced with just one problem-Wigan's Registry office was closed. But Stephen's brother, William, is a registrar and as a special gift to them he conducted the ceremony. Sarah said, " We had a wonderful time, it was an intimate day with close friends and family and after the service at the centre we had a small reception at the Vale Royal. We both feel as though we have really welcomed in the New Year- it was a perfect start to the new millenium and a New Year's Day we will always remember."
But while the rest of the nation partied, 26 year old Wendy Gornall of Ashton, was giving birth to Thomas Paul at 4.10am followed by Megan Theresa two minutes later. At 6lbs and half an ounce, Thomas weighed in the heavier of the two, Megan was 5lbs 7ozs.
Proud mum Wendy said, "We knew we were going to have twins but that was no surprise as there are seven sets in the family. We were told ours were due on January 21st so we really weren't expecting this!" The twins are the couple's first children together.
Delighted dad Paul said, "This is the best New Year present anyone could have hoped for. They are such beautiful babies."
THE REST OF WIGAN'S MILLENIUM BABIES
The dawn of the millenium was an extra special event for four Wigan mums. They all welcomed a new addition to the family
on the first day of January 2000.
Nicola Wright, from Skelmersdale still hasn't thought of a name for her little girl, although Millie is the
front runner among family and friends. Nicola gave birth to the 6lbs 12oz baby at 6.09am on New Year's Day. 28 year old Nicola said, "My six year old son Harley wants to
call her Pebbles afetr the baby in the Flintstones, but I'm not having that!"
Meanwhile Helen Murphy, of Avon Road, Norley Hall gave birth
to 5lbs 12oz Megan Louise at 9.49am on the big day. Helen, 38, said, "For such a little girl, she was a bit of a struggle! She's well worth it though, she's such a lovely
baby." Husband Andrew said the couple who have two other children had not planned the baby to coincide with the new millenium. He said, "We hadn't really planned the baby
at all, never mind for January 1st!"
Sharon Wilkinson, of Redwood Avenue, Orrell gave birth to baby Daniel at 3.15pm. He weighed 7lb 15ozs.
And Linda Horrobin gave birth to baby Amy Louise at 11.55pm, weighing 7lbs 6ozs. The family lives at Beech Hill Lane, Wigan.
All the babies were born
at Billinge Hospital.
�2,200 CHEQUE FIASCO
A Wigan family faced a financial fiasco sent them a �2,000 cheque, then asked for it back, with interest.
Neil and Judith Hawksworth of Hodges Street Springfield received a surprise cheque for �2,223 from Abbey National and, after checking with the bank that it was their money, spent it on improving their home.
They later discovered that the money was not theirs and were given the option of paying it back at �500 per month, which they could not afford, or having it added to their mortgage and paid off over 25 years, resulting in a total payment of �5,100.
Financial advisors from a national newspaper stepped in and and said it was unfair that the family had to pay interest when Abbey National was in the wrong and the couple have been allowed to pay back the money over two years at an interest free �83 a month. They have had the money they had already repaid refunded and won't start paying until February.
Businessman Neil, 28, said, "We thought the money wasn't ours, but when the Abbey National insisted it was, we went ahead and spent it. When we were told we would have to pay it back, there was no way we could afford �500 a month- it was more than our mortgage repayments. They just wouldn't listen when we asked if there was any other way we could pay it back."
Abbey National have blamed an 'account number inputting error' and agree that Neil did contact them several times. It also says that the amount owed has been reduced to �2,000 to 'compensate for any inconvenience caused'.
PUB BOSS BAILED AFTER BENEFIT FRAUD CHARGE
A Wigan licensee has been accused of trying to con �30,000 from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.
William Sheridan
licensee of the Mab's Cross Hotel in Standishgate, appeared before Wigan magistrates this week charged with dishonestly obtaining the money from the Compensation Board. It is alleged that he falsely claimed
he had not been in employment between January 1993 and October 1996 and tried to claim an increase in his compensation on December 18th last year.
Sheridan of Richmond Close, Standish, is also accused
of DSS fraud between February 1996 and October of the same year. The 47-year-old denied both charges and was granted unconditional bail to re-appear before magistrates on January 18th for his commital to Bolton
Crown Court.
FRANK ARRIVES IN TOWN
New Wigan Warriors boss Frank Endacott arrived in town on Tuesday night after a mammoth 30 hour flight from New Zealand
The New
Zealand national coach will not assume control of the club until later in the week, once he has settled into his new home. The Warriors will allow Frank a few days to acclimatise and catch up on lost sleep
after his marathon 30 hour flight from New Zealand.
THREE FACE STREET FIGHT MURDER CHARGE
Three men have been charged with the murder of 52-year-old Lesley Thompson who was killed in a Skelmersdale street fight involving baseball bats at the weekend.
Stephen Barkley,23, of Alderley, Wesley McGlone, 19, of Bankfield and 18-year-old Wayne Baker, of Digmoor all appeared before Ormskirk magistrates on Tuesday morning.
Mr Thompson was pronounced dead at the scene at around 1am on Sunday in the Alderley area of the town. Pathologists at Ormskirk General hospital said Mr Thompson, also of Alderley, died from severe head injuries.
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