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Vol 26 l Issue 16
17 April 2019
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Black belt for dad who beat cancer
Work takes place at Hesketh Park playground over Easter school break
Parents ‘furious’ at decision to carry out maintenance work on park playground during half term FAMILIES were left scratching their heads in disbelief after being asked to leave Hesketh Park playground during the Easter school holiday... so that maintenance work could be carried out at the site Parent Lesley Davies, contacted the Champion to say: “Children and families were asked to leave Hesketh Park on Thursday, April 11 as workmen were cutting up the flooring around the see-saw with whizzers and there was dust flying everywhere! “It was really frustrating to see this work done during half term and also the cafe will have lost business.” James Frank, whose children are aged six and eight added: “If they were planning to do this work, why not do it either before the Easter holidays, or after them? It's an absolute joke - the kids were excited to go to the park and we waited for a few days until it was less busy but when we got there and couldn't use the play area they burst into tears. More on page 5
New senior cat full health screening
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Win hospitality tickets to British Masters - and meet Tommy Fleetwood!
DAD DIED DOING WHAT HE LOVED
Devastated daughter in tribute to Southport paramotor pilot killed in crash horror by Royal Birkdale golf course Report by Danielle Thompson
Andy Walkden
TRIBUTES have been paid to a ‘happy, skilled pilot and instructor’ from Churchtown who was killed in a horror paramotor crash close to Royal Birkdale Golf Club. Self-employed motorbike and vehicle trader Andy Walkden, 54 had only recently ‘got his passion back’ for flying paramotors, having taught many people to fly the machines over the years. A paramotor is a small motor which drives a propeller, and is worn like a backpack under a paraglider wing, providing thrust to take off, climb and maintain level flight. The motor can be stopped and restarted in the air, with many having electric starters, enabling the pilot to adapt his or her flight to the prevailing conditions. Unlike a microlight aircraft, a paramotor does not require a licence or any formal pilot training, and can reach speeds of around 30mph and can travel more than 200 miles in any one journey. Shortly before 7pm on Thursday, April 11, emergency services were called to land just off Royal Birkdale Golf Course after Mr Walkden’s paramotor crashed and burst into flames. Merseyside Fire and Rescue and North West
Andy Walkden had a passion for paramotors
Ambulance Service attended but the father of two was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr Walkden’s daughter Kayleigh Worthington and son, Aaron Walkden shared emotional tributes and photographs of their dad on social media site Facebook. Kayleigh, 32, said: “I just want to confirm that the person who lost his life is my dad Andy Walkden. I still feel like I’m in a dream and this isn’t happening. “I just wanted to thank everyone for their messages. Continued on page 5
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