Christmas - Champion Newspapers

The Champion • Wednesday 28 November 2012
Inspirational Eleanor
Award for woman who set up women’s refuge centre
Report by David Simister
A WEST Lancashire woman who used
her experiences of domestic violence
to set up a charity to help hundreds of
others in a similar position has won a
national award for her 25 years of
work.
Eleanor Maddocks, who set up West
Lancashire Women’s Refuge in 1987
after being shocked at the support
offered to victims of domestic
violence, was presented with the
Grass Roots Hero award at the
Empowering Women 2012 Awards,
held in London last Wednesday night
(November 22).
She said this week: “I’m
overwhelmed to have won this award
and thrilled to be able to attend this
special ceremony, among such
inspirational characters.
“I’m extremely passionate about
raising awareness of domestic
violence and it’s fantastic that these
Alesha Dixon with Eleanor
Maddocks at the awards.
brilliant awards bring people together
to do exactly that.”
Judges praised her “sheer
determination and passion” over the
past 25 years, with her efforts
K
including setting up and maintaining
the West Lancashire Domestic
Violence Forum, achieving 24–hour
service, launching the 24–hour
Domestic Violence Helpline and
setting up an outreach service. They
added that Eleanor’s ongoing
inspiration “comes from seeing
women starting to rebuild their lives,
confidence and self–esteem”.
She was presented with her award by
Avon’s Beauty and Empowerment
Ambassador, pop star Alesha Dixon,
at a star–studded ceremony at the
Claridges Hotel.
She said: “These awards are a
fantastic opportunity to celebrate the
courage and achievements of those
who stand up and speak out against
domestic violence.
“I am privileged to be a part of this
special evening which breaks the
taboo surrounding the silence of
domestic violence.”
• If you’ve been affected by domestic
violence, call 0808 100 3062.
Lathom High pupils create a
memorial plaque for care home
PUPILS at Lathom school have
helped residents of one of
Skelmersdale’s care homes by
creating a plaque in memory of the
site’s former residents.
The youngsters presented a
remembrance plaque to Birch
Green Care Home to highlight a
special garden at the
accomodation, where residents can
remember those who have passed
away.
Catherine Shawarby, Birch Green
general manager, said: “This is a
fitting addition to the garden which
is designed to allow people to walk
around, sit in quiet contemplation,
or sit and chat with friends.
“Our residents find it an enjoyable
place to spend quality time.”
Aiden Parker and Harry
Kolokotrone along with Richie
Stephens, West Lancs training
learning tutor, handed over the
plaque, which had been made in a
A HAYDOCK firm
appeared in Ormskirk
Magistrates Court on
Monday (November 26),
after a Skelmersdale man
died three years ago in a
fall while working for
them.
design and technology class at the
school.
Debbie Stocks, Lathom High
School community officer, said: “It
was great seeing how people
appreciated Harry and Aiden’s
work. I was so proud how well they
represented Lathom High School.
It’s always lovely going to Birch
Green.”
The care home, which provides
nursing and residential care for 74
older people, established the Rose
Garden of Remembrance as part of
Dying Matters week earlier this year
to provide a comforting area for
people to use to remember their
loved ones.
One of the home’s residents, Edna
Gregory, said: “The garden is a
lovely place to visit to feel close to
your loved ones. It is especially nice
in the summer when all of the roses
bloom in the garden, the colours are
very nice.”
The Health and Safety
Executive launched legal
proceedings against TRU
Ltd following an
investigation into the
death of Peter Winchurch,
who died from injuries
sustained from a fall while
working on a Bromilow
Road house extension in
the town on November 9,
2009.
The firm has been
charged with two
breaches of the Health and
Safety at Work Act 1974,
Catherine Shawarby, Debbie
Stocks, Karen House from Birch
Green, Richie Stephens and pupils.
Firm in court over Skelmersdale man’s death
which relate to failing to
ensure the safety of
workers.
The case has now been
referred to Liverpool
Crown Court, and the next
hearing will take place on
March 12.
Coffee morning for CRY
A SKELMERSDALE woman is
keen to help brew support for a
heart charity by holding a
fundraising coffee morning in
the town this week.
Debby Hill will be hosting a
coffee morning tomorrow
(November 29) to help support
Cardiac Risk in the Young – also
known as CRY – who are
BOSSES at Bright Beginnings
nursery in Tanhouse are
extending the services to
Digmoor.
They will be taking over the
building on Birleywood, which
has been used by First Steps
Children’s Centre, to provide full
day care from 0 to five years.
Bright Beginnings nursery has
been open in Tanhouse for eight
years, and was established by
Joanne Hill and Paula Harb.
Visit us @ www.ChampNews.com • 3
encouraging people across the
country to hold events as part of
its Great Cake Bake Initative,
which takes place until
December 2.
The Skelmersdale coffee
morning takes place between
9.30am and 1pm at Digmoor
Community Centre, with all
funds raised going to CRY.
Nursery extends services
THE Highways
Agency is to make
“detailed
examinations” into
a mystery ‘hump’ in
themiddleofthe
M58 motorway
following a
councillor’s call for
action.
Cllr David
Sudworth was told
that the hump was
caused by the
movement of a
protective concrete
slab between the
surface and an old,
disused coal mine
underneath.
He had written to
the Highways
Agency over the
issue which affects
two lanes on the
Wigan–bound side
close to its junction
with Up Holland and
Pimbo.
Cllr Sudworth has
now been told that
when the motorway
was built, concrete
slabs were placed
some 250mm below
the carriageway
surface both to
protect an old coal
mine underneath
and maintain the
structural integrity
of the motorway.
Officials say the slab
at this location has
‘lifted’, causing the
hump, although it is
unclear at this stage
as to why this has
happened so further
investigations are
planned.
Cllr Sudworth said
“The hump is very
large and causes
heavy lorries to
make a heck of
racket when they go
Paula Harb said: “We have kept
sustainable over the last eight
years by providing quality child
care. We have also always been
flexible to the needs of parents.
“Our opening will also be a
boost for Digmoor parade, which
has seen a lot of shops close over
the years.”
Enrolment is at the Birleywood
Centre on Friday, November 30
from 9am–3pm and this Saturday
(December 1) from 10am to 1pm.
Mystery ‘hump’ on M58
Cllr Sudworth with the area of the M58 which
has an unexplained ‘hump’
over it. The M58 is
an important route
between West
Lancashire and the
wider network so
this needs sorting as
soon as possible.
“The Highways
Agency have assured
me they now plan to
undertake more
detailed
examinations which
will enable their
technicians to
design and install a
permanent solution.
I am told they intend
to deliver the
solution by Spring.”
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