Great Sankey resident Jackson Beck is proud to release Abducted, which is available on Amazon or Kindle.The crime novel is once again based in Cyprus – a place he holds close to his heart from holidays in past years.It features Gareth and Erica Fisher – two siblings who lose their parents unexpectantly to the Covid pandemic.After dealing with two funerals, solicitors, banks and insurance companies all while going through the grieving process, the siblings decide to take a break.Paying homage to holidays with their parents, they decide to re-visit the Plantation Hotel in southern Cyprus.Under the warm Cypriot sun, a string of emotions and home truths are revealed and laid bare before they settle in to a well-earned break.The sun is shining, the food is excellent and the sea is warm. What could possibly go wrong?Jackson said: “I have a particular interest in Cyprus as we owned a holiday home there for 10 years.“I noticed that there was a particular problem of women going missing from Limassol, Larnaca and in particular Nicosia.“I contacted the police and explained that I was in the process of writing another novel based in Cyprus relating to an abduction.“They were very transparent and helpful in explaining some of the problems that they are currently dealing with.“I have touched on some of these issues in Abducted.”All three of Jackson’s novels are influenced by the historic church of St Oswald in Winwick.He previously explained: “I was looking through some old church council meeting minutes and came across an entry from the 70s.“This stated that a number of refugee children from Cyprus had been brought to the church, and when I researched further into the war in Cyprus in 1974, I was taken aback by the movement of people on the Island.Overnight, lifelong neighbours became enemies and communities were isolated or partitioned, all due to the polarising effect that the fighting had on the two different religions.“As a result, many people lost their lives, and some parentless children were welcomed into the UK.Land and property also became a big issue in Cyprus, which is the backbone of his third novel, entitled Nightfall in Famagusta.“But it all originated from the church council meeting minutes at St Oswald’s in Winwick,” Jackson added.Warrington Guardian 9th March 2024
A great turn out last night, 28th February, for the Collation of The Reverend Martin Brian Cox as Rector of Newchurch and Croft, and Priest-in-Charge of Winwick in the Deanery of Winwick by the Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath Bishop of Liverpool and induction and installation by the Venerable Simon Fisher, Archdeacon of St Helens and Warrington.A special thank you to all at Newchurch Parish Church who made the evening a success and to those who provided refreshments.
One of the most historic churches in the country dating back to Anglo Saxon times, St Oswald’s Church, Winwick, will give a warm welcome to its newly appointed priest in charge, the Reverend Martin Cox, at the end of February.Mr Cox will also be welcomed by parishioners as the new rector of both Newchurch parish church, Culcheth and Christ Church, Croft.All three churches have been without a minister for several years - St Oswald’s Winwick, for nearly three years and Croft and Newchurch for five years.Mr Cox’s appointment will be celebrated at a collation service at Newchurch on February 28 by Bishop John, the Bishop of Liverpool. Congregations from the three churches will be in attendance.Mr Cox was born in North Staffordshire and worked for Staffordshire County Council as a social services manager before being ordained. He has been the team rector of three churches at Astley, Tyldesley and Mosley Common for the past eight years. He and his wife Heather, a school administrator, have two daughters, Amy and Natalie and six grandchildren. Mr Cox enjoys cooking and open water swimming and he and Heather are musical theatre and travel enthusiasts.He said: “We are delighted to come to the three parishes and to our new home at the Newchurch rectory in Culcheth. We are very much looking forward to this fresh chapter in our lives. One of my main aims will be to make this a sustainable ministry and to be both approachable and available to all my parishioners. I hope to meet as many people as possible at the collation service in February.”John Watkin, church warden at St Oswald’s Winwick, said: “We whole heartedly welcome Martin and Heather to our parish. We have not had a minister for nearly three years and during that time the Church Council and our congregation have faced many financial and operational challenges. The church building itself had to be closed for a lengthy period due to a huge reroofing project followed by a complete failure of the heating system. In the meanwhile we have been working closely together with Newchurch and Christ Church by having a rota of combined services at each of the parish churches in turn, and offering support to each other. With Rev Cox’s guidance and effort, we can now look forward to progressing from strength to strength.”Warrington Guardian 25/01/2024
by James BalmeHISTORIC St Oswald’s Church at Winwick provided the backdrop for rising stars ‘Gustaffson’ as they recorded their latest video for the upcoming release of their new single.Gustaffson was formed by former Great Sankey High School student, singer & songwriter Andrew Gower, in 2020 with lifelong friend and guitarist James Webster.Along with band members Dave Gleave (bass), Graham Bennett (drums) and Liam Morson (keys) Gustaffson are truly rising stars and there is no doubt in my mind that they are heading right to the top.Lead singer Andrew is best known for his work as an actor in TV, Film and Theatre. Starring in hit shows such as Black Mirror, Outlander, and Carnival Row. His voice as a singer is incredible and his vocal range is simply incredible!!!In August 2023 the band released their latest track ‘CHAMPAGNE SOCIALIST’ recorded live on the Liverpool Empire stage.It’s received rave reviews from BBC Introducing, The Book of Man, Louder Than War, Liverpool Noise, Upcoming Bands and Uncover and pays homage to past performances in the same theatre by acts such as; The Beatles, The Rolling Stones & Chuck Berry.Gustaffson are certainly a band to watch out for as they rise to new heights in 2024 and beyond and I for one am waiting with bated breath for the release of their first album in the coming months !Published by Warrington Worldwide- October 2023
