AN Atherstone resident is counting the cost after her household rubbish was found dumped over her garden fence in a neighbouring street.
Miss Donna Chetwynd of Westwood Road, Atherstone pleaded guilty at Leamington Spa Magistrates Court and was fined a total of £499.54.
A member of the Borough Council’s Streetscape Team had been instructed to clear a car boot load of flytipped rubbish discovered in Taverner’s Lane, Atherstone.
Correspondence amongst the rubbish was traced back to Miss Chetwynd’s address. However, despite many exchanges of emails and letters, Miss Chetwynd never completed a written ‘Interview under Caution’ and the case was referred to the Council’s legal team to start prosecution proceedings.
She failed to attend court, was arrested and spent most of the day in custody until the case was heard.
Assistant Chief Executive and Solicitor to the Council said: “This is the latest in a number of prosecutions where residents have failed in their duty of care regarding their household waste.
“It sends out a clear message that if you let a friend or relative clear your waste and they later flytip it, you will pay the price in court and have a criminal record as well. Always check that any business offering to clear your rubbish is legally registered as a waste carrier with the Environment Agency.”
Mr Maxey added that it costs the Borough Council around £650,000 a year to clear flytipped rubbish and litter in North Warwickshire.
POLICE attended a property in Tannery Close, Atherstone just before 3pm yesterday, Wednesday 7 September, following a report that a man had a knife at the address.
A 37-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray and was taken into custody for questioning. He has been released on police bail until 4 October.
A knife was recovered from the scene. No-one was injured.
PC Chris Bell, from Atherstone Safer Neighbourhood Team, would like to hear from anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious in Tannery Close yesterday afternoon or has any information which would help with the investigation.
Anyone with information is asked to call Warwickshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or via their website www.crimestoppers-uk.org quoting incident 240 of 7 September.
SUPERMARKET giant Aldi has been announced as the major sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour when it comes to Warwickshire on Thursday 16th June.
The supermarket, which employs over 500 staff in its head office in Atherstone, will sponsor Stage 2 of the internationally-recognised cycle race when it comes to Warwickshire this summer.
Hannah Peyton from Drops Cycling Team, one of the 3 UK teams taking part in this year’s Aviva Women’s Tour and based in the West Midlands, was joined by representatives from Warwickshire County Council and North Warwickshire Borough Council outside Atherstone’s Aldi store on Station Street and in the town’s historic Market Square to mark the sponsorship announcement and officially launch Atherstone as the race’s start location.
The race, which is being hosted by Warwickshire County Council and partners the University of Warwick, will see the world’s leading female cyclists go head-to-head on a challenging 140km ride from the north to the very south of the County
The Tour stage will start in Atherstone’s historic Market Square on the morning of Thursday 16th June before wending its way through the North Warwickshire villages of Ridge Lane, Birchley Heath, Church End, Ansley, New Arley, Wood End and Fillongley.
From North Warwickshire, the cyclists will pass through the heart of the County, taking the riders through the world-class University of Warwick campus, Kenilworth and Warwick town centres, before climbing to the highest points in Warwickshire, through Burton Dassett Hills Country Park, Edge Hill and Ilmington. The race will finish in spectacular style in Stratford-upon-Avon.
Given the supermarket’s strong connections with Atherstone and Warwickshire, and its high profile support for UK sport as the official supermarket of Team GB, Aldi is an ideal sponsor for the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire.
The Tour is expected to bring an economic boost to North Warwickshire and the County as a whole as thousands of spectators and tourists come to watch the event and Warwickshire is showcased globally as an outstanding place to work and invest.
Hosts Warwickshire County Council, with the support of North Warwickshire Borough Council, are working with the region’s businesses to maximise their support and engagement in the Tour and the economic opportunities that it will bring.
Leader of Warwickshire County Council, Councillor Izzy Seccombe, said: “I’m delighted that we have Aldi as official sponsor of the Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire.
“They are one of our major employers and, given their strong links with Atherstone, where this internationally significant sporting event will begin, and with Warwickshire as a whole, they are perfect partners in helping us to boost awareness of the Tour and the lasting legacy that it will bring to our beautiful County.”
Jonathan Neale, Joint Managing Director of Corporate Buying at Aldi, said: “We are thrilled to sponsor stage two of the Aviva Women’s Tour. We look forward to working closely with Warwickshire County Council and inviting some of the world’s finest athletes to Warwickshire, the home of our UK Head Office.”
“2016 is set to be a fantastic summer for us, with the Aviva Women’s Race and our sponsorship of Team GB on their Road to Rio. We wish the best of luck to all the participants in the race and welcome those cycling fans who may be visiting Warwickshire for the first time.”
Jerry Hutchinson, Chief Executive of North Warwickshire Borough Council, said: “I am delighted that a key North Warwickshire business is the sponsor of the Warwickshire stage of The Women’s Tour. Aldi is a forward thinking company, they have a household name and their headquarters are here in Atherstone, so I couldn’t think of a better brand to be associated with this important event. We are equally proud that North Warwickshire is hosting the start of Stage 2 of this international women’s cycle race.”
Mick Bennett, Race Director of the Aviva Women’s Tour, said: “We have been thrilled by the support we have received for Stage Two of the Aviva Women’s Tour from across Warwickshire and are delighted to see communities and businesses from Atherstone in North Warwickshire all the way through to Straford-upon-Avon getting behind the race and supporting women’s cycling.”
Councillor Philip Johnson, Chair of Warwickshire County Council’s Communities Overview & Scrutiny Committee, said: “The Aviva Women’s Tour brings with it an excellent opportunity to showcase Warwickshire as a place to work, invest and visit and I’m sure that Aldi’s sponsorship will help us put the County on the map as somewhere that has the talent and infrastructure to make a sporting event on this scale, and all the benefits that it brings, a big success.”
The www.warwickshire.gov.uk/womens-tour website is packed with information about the Tour, the route through Warwickshire and the plans for Race Day itself. The site will continue to be updated with information as the Tour gets ever closer, so keep checking back.
You can follow the latest Aviva Women’s Tour in Warwickshire news by following @ChooseMoveWarks on Twitter, following the #AvivaWT2016 hashtag and liking the ChooseMoveWarks Facebook page.
WARWICKSHIRE Police has seized a large quantity of suspected stolen cigarettes after a vehicle was stopped in Atherstone
An uninsured Volkswagen Passat was spotted by CCTV cameras driving on Station Street at around 6pm on Wednesday 27 April.
PC Chris Bell and PCSO Lauren Hughes attended on foot and caught up with the driver by the Bus Station. The vehicle was seized for no insurance and the driver was found to have only a provisional driving licence.
A large quantity of cigarettes and tobacco were found in the boot of the Passat and the driver, a man in his thirties, was arrested on suspicion of theft of the items, believed to have a value of approximately £10,000.
The suspect has been reported for the driving offences and bailed pending a joint investigation by Police and Trading Standards, where the seized items will be tested to see if they are counterfeit and investigations will be ongoing to determine whether they are stolen.
PC Chris Bell said: “Counterfeit cigarettes can pose a serious health risk to public as they can be made up from harmful substances.
“I would urge any members of the public who have purchased or been offered cheap purchases of the following cigarettes/tobacco in the Atherstone area, to call 101, quoting incident of 27 April.”
All of the seized cigarettes are packs of 20 and some packaging may appear to be from other countries. Cigarettes that may have been sold include the following; Mayfair, Richmond, American Legend, L&M Red Label, Marlboro Gold, Gold Mount, Amber Leaf 50g pouches, Golden Virginia 50g pouches and The Turner 50g pouches.
Some of the seized cigarettes.
PC Chris Bell added: “Members of the public are advised not to purchase, pass on or smoke any cigarettes or tobacco that they have purchased at very cheap prices.
“If it seems too good to be true, then it most probably is.
“This goes for other purchases as well. Every day stolen and counterfeit goods change hands at bargain prices, funding criminality.
“Next time you get offered a steal of a buy, pause and consider where the goods came from and where your money is going, before declining and reporting suspicions to Police or Trading Standards.”
A couple who presented together on BBC Radio Leicester have been charged with historic child sex offences which occurred in Atherstone.
The charges relate to offences against four children, aged between 11 and 15, between 1996 and 1999.
Tony Wadsworth, aged 68, of Old Mill Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, has been charged with five counts of inciting a boy under the age of 16 to commit an act of gross indecency and one count of committing an act outraging public decency.
Julie Wadsworth, aged 58, of Old Mill Road, Broughton Astley, Leicestershire, has been charged with seven counts of inciting a boy under the age of 16 to commit an act of gross indecency and one count of committing an act outraging public decency.
Both Julie and Tony worked together on BBC Radio Leicester and BBC Radio WM as presenters. Julie used her maiden name of Mayer on the radio.
A BBC spokesman has said: “Tony Wadsworth and Julie Mayer remain off air.
“We understand the charges do not relate to their conduct or position at the BBC.
“This is an ongoing criminal process and we cannot comment further.”
They are due to appear at Warwickshire Magistrates’ Court, based in Leamington Spa, on Wednesday 11 May, 2016.
WARWICKSHIRE Fire and Rescue Service are issuing a stark warning to residents not to leave dish washers or tumble dryers on at night or when they are out of the property, following an incident in Atherstone yesterday morning.
Crews from Atherstone and Polesworth were called to a house fire at Mill Race View in Atherstone at 12.31am yesterday, Wednesday 24th February. On arrival crews found a dish washer well alight. Four people were in the property at the time of the incident, but all managed to escape unharmed after one of the residents smelt burning. A fire was then confirmed when the smoke alarm activated.
Although the fire was quickly extinguished, there is smoke damage to the kitchen and the dish washer and units are significantly fire damaged.
Talking about the incident, Station Commander, Roland Bayley said:
“This incident should be a stark reminder for residents to ensure that appliances are switched off before going to bed at night or leaving the property, this includes dish washers, tumble dryers and washing machines.
“Our role is to protect the public and whilst we regularly issue fire safety notices, they don’t always seem to get through. It only takes minutes to check that appliances are switched off at night, but it can take much longer to rebuild your life if you lose your home or even worse, someone you love. It’s just not worth that risk!”
Following the incident fire crews spoke to residents in neighbouring properties about fire safety in the home and the importance of having smoke alarms fitted.
For more information on fire safety in the home or for a free home fire safety check log onto www.warwickshire.gov.uk/firesafetycheck
Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance which attended the scene.
A TEENAGE motorcyclist has been airlifted after colliding with the side of a van going in the opposite direction yesterday (monday).
The incident happened on Monks Park Lane at Mancetter near Atherstone at around 12.40pm on Monday lunchtime.
An ambulance and the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.
A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman said: “When ambulance staff arrived they found the bike and van damaged.
“The 18 year old rider had suffered a broken leg, but his leathers had saved him from other injuries.
“He was immobilised at scene. The doctor from the helicopter gave him strong pain relief which allowed the man’s leg to be straightened and splinted before he was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Coventry & Warwickshire.
“The air ambulance was able to land on a golf course fairway right next to where the incident happened.
“Thankfully, the van driver was uninjured.
“Considering what could have happened, the outcome might have been very different.”
TIME has been called on The Clock pub in Atherstone for serving out of hours
Ian Mobbs, partner of the landlord of The Clock pub in Atherstone has been landed with an £840 fine for serving alcohol outside of licensing hours.
Mr Mobbs pleaded guilty to the charge at Nuneaton Magistrates Court on 21st December.
In September 2015, the Borough Council’s Licensing Officer visited the pub on Long Street after reports that alcohol had been sold into the early hours one weekend.
CCTV footage was provided which proved that customers had been on the premises and drinking between 1.30am and 6.00am on a Sunday morning.
Steve Maxey, Assistant Chief Executive and Solicitor to the Council commented:
“It is down to the dedication of our Licensing team that this issue was followed up, resulting in a successful prosecution. This sends out a clear message that we do monitor and pursue reports of pubs serving outside their agreed licensing hours, therefore breaking the law.”
Mr Mobbs received a fine of £840, consisting of a £400 fine, £150 court costs, Borough Council legal costs of £250 and a victim surcharge of £40. He fully accepted responsibility for his actions and The Clock now shuts half an hour early to ensure all customers are off the premises by closing time.
WARWICKSHIRE Police are appealing for information to help trace a man who failed to appear at court.
Mackenzie Murray, 20, of Owen Street, Atherstone was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery following an incident on a canal towpath in Atherstone in April.
Murray (pictured) is sought after a warrant was issued after he failed to appear at Warwick Crown Court on September 21.
Anybody with any information as to his whereabouts is asked to contact Warwickshire Police on 101.
Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
BIRMINGHAM Comedy Festival and The Glee Club are pleased to announce Josh Pugh as recipient of the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award 2015.
Standing in front of an enthusiastic Glee Club audience on Friday night (2 October 2015), Josh was presented with his award by BBCWM’s Daz Hale.
Describing his win as “validation”, Josh said: “It spurs you on to do the next thing … to do 10-20 minutes, longer shows.”
Performing for just 18 months, Nuneaton-born Josh Pugh lives in Atherstone and works in Coventry. His winning performance saw him discuss X-Factor, parties, namedropping, sporting achievements, bottled beer, the butterfly effect, and the films of Liam Neeson.
Judges were impressed by Josh’s confidence, originality and unpredictability.
Five other acts were also nominated for the title: Brummie Thomas Rackham, Tamworth’s Michael Dryburgh, University of Birmingham graduate Jo D’Arcy, Rugby-born Lucy Thompson and Wolverhampton’s Jack Kirwan, who took to the stage as quirky character Gary Powndland.
The acts were selected by a team of established comedy professionals including Jo Enright (Job Lot, Life Is Short, Rough Works), James Cook (mac Birmingham comedy course tutor, comedian, broadcaster), Alex Jackson (The Glee Club booker) and Maureen Younger (MY Comedy, comedian).
The judging panel for the night consisted of Steve Bennett, from influential comedy website Chortle, BBCWM presenter Daz Hale, The Glee Clubs’ founder Mark Tughan, and Dave Freak, from Birmingham Comedy Festival.
A spokesperson for the festival said: “The judging panel were blown away by the level of professionalism of all the acts making the selection process tough, but Josh’s performance was particularly impressive and we look forward to seeing how his career develops over the coming years.”
A collaboration between the festival and the multi-award-winning Glee Club, the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award aims to recognise, and support, emerging comedic talent from Birmingham and the surrounding West Midlands. The event was sponsored by Fosters.
Birmingham Comedy Festival 2015 kicked off on Friday 2 October with a run of sell-out shows, and continues at venues across the city until Sunday 11 October. For full listings and more information, see: www.bhamcomfest.co.uk
12Next 
Page 1 of 2 
