August 2008 Archives

Gareth Ellis of Chester, an 18 year old student from Sir John Deane's College, Northwich has put his soul on eBay to raise money for University.

The item, 'One Untarnished Human Soul' went on sale on the 23rd August and the online auction will run for 10 days. The reserve price of £600 is the lowest amount Gareth thinks his soul is worth.

When asked why he chose to sell his soul, Gareth said: "I don't really use it much, so I thought why not sell it?'

He is hoping to sell this rare item for a large sum of money hoping that he will not need to get a part time job to finance him through his studies at Goldsmiths University of London which are due to start in September.

To visit the auction, click here

Househunters in Nantwich are being tempted with the offer of a free £17,500 high-performance car in a bid to combat the stagnant housing market.

A developer is giving away a new BMW 1 Series car to anyone who buys a plot on his site, and is also attempting to woo people looking to buy by offering to pay their utility bills for the next two years.

The deal on properties at the Walnut Grange site off Newcastle Road in Hough comes at a time when the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has announced more and more people are opting to rent rather than get stuck on the property ladder when banks are tightening their belts and withdrawing attractive mortgage offers.

David Baskeyfield, of Mayfield Developments, which has also recently built homes in Willaston, said there was no denying the housing market was not as strong as it had been, but that it was not all doom and gloom.

He said: "Mortgages are not so easy to come by as they were 12 months ago. Of course, the market is slowing up but what we want to do is lift the profile, because there are still buyers out there.

"We decided to include the cars as a way of adding a bit of oomph behind the offer."

Other offers include paying the stamp duty on the four- and five-bedroomed homes, loans of up to £65,000 for key workers and shared equity schemes.

SATURDAY'S 6-0 loss at Dagenham was Chester City FC's worst opening day result for more than 100 years.

The only other time Chester have kicked-off a campaign with a heavier defeat was in 1892/93 when they went down 10-1 to Everton Reserves. They recovered from the setback to finish the season in third.

Other hefty opening-day defeats came in 1901 when Chester were thumped 6-3 by White Star Wanderers in their first game since emerging from a two-year period of 'hibernation'.

They were also beaten 5-0 at Sealand Road by Northampton in 1987 - but went on to finish 15th in the old Division Three with Blues legend Harry McNally at the helm.

MOTORISTS dialled 999 after seeing two men driving a horse and cart at 10mph down the M56 at night without any lights.

The men, who had been drinking, refused to stop for police during their 40-minute journey between Frodsham and Elton on Sunday.

Police used a 10mph rolling road block to slow traffic and escorted the horse, trap and riders off at Elton.

They arrested the men after they crashed the cart into a parked car.

Police spokeswoman Jacqui Hanson said: "At 11.15pm on Sunday, we received calls from concerned motorists that a pony and trap were trotting erratically westbound along the hard shoulder of the M56 between junction 12 and junction 14.

"Officers instigated a rolling block and a number of police cars slowed down the traffic on the motorway while another patrol spoke to the men.

"They refused to stop and were followed from the motorway at about 5-10mph into Elton. At about 11.50pm the cart collided with a parked car and the two men were arrested.

"An equine hospital was called and took the horse away to be cared for until one of the men could collect it. The RSPCA will be keeping an eye on its welfare."

A 27-year-old man from St Helens and 38-year-old man from Queensferry were charged with driving a prohibited vehicle and have been released on police bail.

Both men are thought to be from the Travelling community.

MUSICIANS at Riverside College have been demonstrating their belief that the piano rocks - literally.

The world's first rocking piano was recently donated to the college and can be found at the Cronton campus.

David Lloyd Motson, performance tutor, said: "I'm ecstatic, it's unique. I've wanted a grand piano since I joined the college a year ago."

He added: "But to be given one that is so visually appealing and great for performance studies is a real bonus."

The rocking instrument, named Chichi, was created by Sarah Davenport of Davenport Designers and Cabinetmakers. Sarah received the inspiration for the design after attending a furniture show in Milan.

She said: "I was frustrated with the lack of soul I found in the majority of designs whilst out there so I set out to create a design that could speak.

"Chichi was designed to inspire, therefore I am delighted the piano is going to Riverside College were it will help to teach and inspire young people."

Chichi will now play a major part in the college's A-level performance studies courses such as dance and music.

The piano will also become a main feature of the college's musicals and other productions in the future.

A MAJOR road into Chester had to be closed after a lorry carrying curry paste overturned near Tarporley this morning (Thursday, July 31).

The cab remained upright but the 44ft trailer lay on its side on the roundabout at the junction of the A49 and the A51.

Police were called out at 11.38am and partially closed the road while environmental health officers assessed the situation.

The road, covered in oil and diesel, was still closed five hours later as the trailer was put back to its upright position and a clean-up operation took place.