I have emailed all the members of GMBRG about this. Everyone will be glad to hear that John is now out of hospital and back home. This is the second serious robbery that has taken place early in the morning in that car park - about 3 years ago, Dave Lowe had his laptop and camera stolen from the boot of his car at 0700 hrs - they were hidden in the boot. Makes you wonder how many others there have been?
If people want to visit Pennington Flash early in the morning, I suggest they park at the end of Common Lane, just over the footbridge on the canal. This area is overlooked by houses and it is only a short walk up to the footbridge and to New Hide or the end of Rammy's inlet. (And you save a quid!) Alternatively there is the new car park at the west end near the swing bridge, or, even safer, you can park by the bridge operative's hut on the towpath itself. This opens at 0800 and is always staffed except for lunchtime.
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Judith Smith
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Lightshaw hall Flash is sacrosanct - NO paths please!
WHICH CAR PARK WAS THE ASSAULT ON,ITS TYPICAL OF THE MODERN DAY ,THAT NORMAL! PEOPLE JUST TRYING TO ENJOY THEMSELVES,GET ASSAULTED BY IDIOTS,ITS SUCH A SHAME,HAS YOU KNOW WHEN I WAS 12 ,30 YEARS AGO I USED TO VISIT THE FLASH DAILY AFTER SCHOOL AND NEVER FELT THREATENED.WERE HAS NOW IM ALWAYS KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR THIS SORT OF THING,AND HAS YOU KNOW IM A BIG LAD AS THEY SAY BUT IT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE,THEY WILL ATTACK ANYONE THEY ARE LIKE PACK ANIMALS.IT REALY SADDENS ME.PLEASE E-MAIL ME IF ITS ANYONE I KNOW THEN I CAN CONTACT THEM.THANKS JOHN.
I received the unfortunate news this morning that one of Pennington Flash's most regular observers had been physically assaulted in the car park there early this morning. He was approached by 4 men (apparently with Liverpudlian accents), who assaulted him, then stole his optical equipment and personal belongings.
We can only hope this was a 'one off' occurrence, but it may perhaps be wise to exercise caution when visiting Pennnington very early in the morning, when it is still dark or when the site is very quiet.
