BANNED FROM SCHOOL OVER DAD'S 'BOTCHED' HAIRCUT
A Wigan school has defended it's decision to suspend a pupil after his dad botched a haircut and left him bald.
Warehouseman Paul Sullivan, 27, of Ashton, accidentally scalped his son David after putting his clippers on number one instead of number three.
When 12 year-old David turned up at St Edmund Arrowsmith High, in Ashton, the morning after, teachers asked him to leave because his super-short haircut broke the school's code of conduct.
They have told him he is allowed back to school this week, but he will be taught in isolation until his blonde hair has grown back to an acceptable length.
David's mum Lynda, 33, said, "We understand that they have rules and regulations but it was a genuine mistake. I'm keeping him off school until his hair grows back a bit, because I would soooner he was here than in an office on his own. I know that some kids do look like thugs when they have their hair cut really short but David doesn't."
Lynda's husband Paul said, "He is being punished for my mistake. I soon realised what I had done but I could not leave his hair longer on one side than the other."
Deputy head Paul Eyes defended the school's actions and said parents are specifically told that their children are not allowed skinhead style haircuts. He said, "The situation has now been resolved. We have met with the parents and explained our position and they have accepted our action. The school's code of conduct for dress sense states that pupils' extremes of hair style are not allowed and that means that boy's hair cannot be shorter than a number three."
SPECIAL DAY FOR PROUD SOLDIER
Wigan soldier Gary Williamson was delighted when he was honoured with a long service and good conduct award.
Sgt Williamson, who has served 16 years with the Army, was presented with a medal by Brigadier M J Wharmby during a special ceremony in Preston.
Gary, who lives with his wife and two children in Springfield,
is a member of the Queen's Lancashire Regiment and has worked with the Army Careers Information Office since 1999.
He said, "I am honoured to receive this award."
CRACKDOWN ON GLASS ATTACKS
Horrifying statistics have revealed the shocking face of violent Wigan.
More than 10 people are injured in violent attacks in which beer bottles or glasses are used every WEEK in the town.
The extent of the problem has now forced council officials to join forces with town centre pub and club bosses in a further effort to reduce the number of attacks.
Licensees will be asked to display warning signs warning customers with the message " we do not allow bottles and glasses to be removed from these premises."
While some injuries are caused accidentally by revellers coming into contact with broken glass on the street, Town Hall chiefs said they will do all they can to reduce the risks.
Officials took action last year in an effort to crack down on the problem by including a new condition of granting public entertainment licences which now forces nightspots to ensure customers finish their drinks before leaving the premises.
Metro bosses say most licensees already take a responsible aproach to the issue.
Coun John Ball, of the Town Centre Risk Management group said, "Like the police and the hospital authorities, we recognise the need to deter people from taking bottles and glaases onto the streets. The problem is that bottles and glasses are rarely disposed of properly.
"usually they are smashed or even used as weapons. Either way the consequences can be lethal. We are not trying to stop people from having fun- quite the opposite. we want to make sure everyone can enjoy a safe night out."
The latest measures have been taken following meetings between the Town Centre Risk Management Group and Pub Watch members.
PENSIONER CRUSHED TO DEATH
Mary
Halliwell was crossing Preston Road at it's junction with Pole Street at around 2.30pm on Monday (16th) when she was hit by a truck travelling from the direction of Chorley.
Shocked shoppers watched as Mrs Halliwell stepped into the busy road and
was thrown into the air. Within minutes ambulance crews, firefightersand the police rushed to the scene but Mrs Halliwell who was thought to be in her 60s and lived in Collingwood Street Standish, died on her way to the Wigan Infirmary. It is 11 months
since the Wigan mum of two Liz Parry of Woodhouse Lane Beech Hill, was killed as she crossed School Lane in Standish.
A vigorous campaign was set up by family, friends and Standish residents in a bid to improve the road and give pedestrians the
opportunity to cross the road safely.
Campiagner Ann Duffield said, "You take your life into your hands crossing Preston Road near Standish lights. It's almost twelve months since the tragic death of Liz Parry and still nothing has been learned."
Harold Heyes, 70, who witnessed Monday's accident, said, "I was watching Mrs Halliwell cross the road when she stepped out in front of the truck. The truck was waiting for the lights to change, and when they did, he put the truck into gear and set off.
"I tried to shout to Mrs Halliwell but she walked straight in front of it. For just five seconds I looked at the driver and screamed stop..I frantically waved my hands in the air but it was too late, she was thrown into the air. The front wheels went over her.
It was horrific."
Preston Road was closed for more than three hours while road accident investigators examined the scene.
PC Ian Law said, "The scene will be assessed and analysed but accident like this, which involve a pedestrian and a truck are
absolutely shocking."
MASSIVE LEISURE PLAN FOR FORMER SEMINARY
A fresh attempt has been launched to revive one of Wigan's finest buildings and turn it into a luxury hotel.
Council chiefs have confirmed that an Isle of Man based development company is bidding to develop Grade Two listed St Joseph's College at Up Holland.
The college has been unoccupied since November 1999 when the Catholic Church finally quit, complaining that it could no longer afford to subsidise partial use of the building.
The decision ended continuous church use of the building stretching back to July 20 1877.
Developers Anglo International of Douglas now plan to turn the former Catholic seminary into an up market hotel and conference/ health fitness centre.
They also intend a 27-hole golf course in the college's rolling green belt of parkland plus pro shop and driving range.
But, more controversially, the firm also wants to put up four three-storey apartment blocks containing 112 flats with basement parking.
The whole project would be served by a new entrance, driveways, gatehouse and car parking. Also planned is a mini-roundabout at College Road/Dingle Road/ Grove Road junction.
The work would necessitate partial demolition of parts of the college- home to Europe's longest corridor- and extensions along with double glazing, new windows and internal alterations, so any eventual decision will have to be referred to the government for confirmation.
West Lancashire District Council, whose councillors will eventually evaluate the scheme have yet to reveal what recommendation they will apply to the plan. It is now likely to be considered by August's meeting.
A spokesman for the Catholic Church Arch Diocese confirmed that it has now agreed a sale price with Anglo International but contracts have yet to be concluded.
He added; "Planning permission is certainly a part of it, although one is not necessarily dependant on the other."
A number of similar schemes were floated when the church were still in occupation at St Joseph's. All failed because they were also tied with housing schemes within the grounds which the church claimed were needed to fund modernisation of the ancient building.
But they were deemed an 'unacceptable use' of green belt land after long protests by local residents.
There were also hopes two years ago that the college could be converted into a new home for the North West Regional Development Agency in a plan backed by West Lancashire MP Colin Pickthall and then Deputy Leader of Lancashire County Council Frank McKenna.
the church has been trying to find an acceptable alternative use for St Joseph's since the Arch Diocese took the decision to close the priest's training school in 1987.
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