24.6.2000 News from Wigan

News Report Archive 24th June 2000

YOUNG ACHIEVERS AWARD FOR BRAVE WIGAN GIRL

A courageous young Wiganer has been honoured for the way in which she has coped with being a diabetic.
In the Young Achiever Awards, organised by the charity Diabetes UK, 12 year-old Jenni Hurst from Billinge won the 'Everyday' award for her age group. The awards , which were presented at London's Planet Hollywood Restaurant, in categories such as sporting, artistic and caring are designed to honour youngsters who have not let their condition hamper their lives.
Jenni was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of six. Despite having to give herself daily injections since the age of eight and visiting her parents Grace and Ernie in hospital when they fell seriously ill last year, Jenni passed all her SAT exams and was awarded her school's music award when she was a pupil at Chapel End Primary School in Billinge.
Jenni also plays the piano, violin and euphonium, takes dancing lessons and is a member of the girl guides in addition to winning craft awards and modelling on television.
Proud Mum Grace, said " Jenni's sister Helen spotted an article about the young achievers in a magazine and thought Jenni should be nominated. We were thrilled to hear that she had won. She has coped very well. She does not like fuss, she just likes to get on with things."
Jenni, who now attends Rainford High School said, "I was very pleased to hear that I had won. I had no idea I had been nominated and it came as a real surprise. I was a bit nervous when I had to collect my award. I have told my friends and they are all very pleased for me."

ENGLAND GAME SPARKS RIOT

Bricks and bottles were thrown at police officers outside the Gerrard Arms, Ashton after 10pm following the England/ Germany game.
Extra police officers from across Wigan were drafted in to move the revellers on, who were loitering outside the pub and around the A58. There were more than 400 people in the area and this caused severe restrictions on the A58 - the main road through Ashton.
Chief Insp Ken Dickson of Wigan police said "This was a case of large scale disorder on the streets of Ashton. As a result of the disorder, three police vehicles were damaged and one police officer suffered from a suspected fractured finger."
As a result of the disorder five men and one woman appeared before Wigan magistrates this week. Lee Robert Fairhurst, 34, of Wigan Road Bryn, David Parkinson, 34, of Violet Street Ashton, Antony John Robinson, 27, of Bickershaw Lane Wigan, Nicholas John Smith, 26, of Lazenby Crescent Ashton and Darren John Wood, 30, of Old Road Ashton, all denied public order offences. Their cases were adjourned until July 19th.
Helen Mercer of Falcon Dale Road, Winwick, Warrington pleaded guilty to section four of the Public Order Act 1984 and accepted her behaviour on June 7th was 'unacceptable'.
On fining her Ł600 magistrates said, "This was a horrendous episode where police resources were stretched to the limit."

MOTORISTS 'MIFFED' AT PETROL PRICES

Campaigners Andy Heaton and Marie Crowden have become the driving force for the borough's miffed motorists.
The pair have joined forces to set up a petition against petrol prices and they aim to drive their campaign straight to Downing Street.
Andy, of G & A Motors based at Fishwick Dunn Ltd Service Station on Wigan Road, Ashton says that people are fed up with petrol price charges and the "rip-off" tax paid on petrol. He said, "It will end up being Ł5 a gallon in the next few weeks, and nothing is being spent on the roads, it is just ridiculous. We want to get as many people as possible to sign the petition so we can send it to Downing Street and get them to take notice. They are just taking the mick."
Marie Crowden, who has been manageress at the Esso service station for the last five years said, "A lot of people come in complaining about the prices. They think we are doing it, but we are not. This is the fourth increase in just two weeks and there is supposed to be another one next week. It is annoying and frustrating for us, the staff are taking the brunt of it and it's just not fair. We are trying to get all the other garages in the area to respond to what we are doing. It is no good just having a few, we need to make an impact."

DEADLY FIND AT CANAL

Police have issued an urgent public warning after potential deadly fire crackers were found dumped under a Wigan railway bridge.
The sale of Chinese fireworks has been outlawed in Britain for three years now because of their dangerous instability- they can spontaneously explode if exposed to warm sunlight or if they are dropped.
A narrowboat user this week discovered more than 40 of the devices underneath the Bamfurlong Junction railway bridge on the towpath of the Leeds to Liverpool canal.
Bomb disposal experts from Liverpool were called to the scene after Railtrack confirmed that they were not warning detonaters used by maintenance workers.
Trained Explosives Ordnance Department staff took the two and a half inch crackers back to base for safe disposal.
It is not known how long the fireworks have been there and police fear that others may have been unwittingly picked up by passing children. There have already been reports of a loud detonation in the Swinley area on Tuesday night and anyone in possession of the bangers is urged to hand them in at a police station immediately.
Chief Insp. Ken Dickson said, "Chinese crackers were banned because they are unstable and dangerous. We do not know how this batch ended up dumped under the bridge and it is possible there are more. Someone could be blinded, deafened, badly burned or even killed by one of these things if it went off. So we would urge anyone who has found what they suspect to be one of these devices to hand them in at a police station.
Phil Ingham, Greater Manchester fire service explosives expert said, "In amateur's hands Chinese fireworks can be extremely dangerous."

RAIDERS KILL FACTORY BOSS

A have-a-go hero has died in front of his disabled wife after struggling with knife wielding robbers at his factory.
Police this week launched a murder inquiry after the death of 59 year-old Raymond Hannah at the frozen food plant he owned in Skelmersdale.
Two masked men had tried to raid R Hannah and Sons at Thelby Place on the Stanley industrial estate at around 1pm on Thursday (22nd) but the owner put up a fight. He managed to trigger an alarm but collapsed after the men had fled the scene empty-handed. He was taken to Ormskirk Hospital where he died half an hour after the raid, possibly as the result of a heart attack. Police say he was not stabbed during the struggle.
The raiders escaped in a blue Citroen Saxo driven by a third man which had been stolen in Prescot, Mersyeside on Tuesday. The vehicle was found abandoned a short time after in Skelmersdale.
Police have set up a murder incident room at Ormskirk and appealed for witnesses. Det Chief Insp Mike Kellet said "Mrs Hannah was very, very distressed." he added, "We are appealing for anyone who saw anything to contact us. These men are obviously dangerous and carrying a large knife. Anyone who goes into premises like this with masks on and carrying a knife with the intention to rob are very dangerous."