Runcorn & Widnes World chief reporter Barbara Jordan is making the news instead of writing it after winning a competition to name a new retirement apartments development in Widnes.

Barbara has scooped £200 after coming up with ‘Bridewell Court’ as the name for the development, thanks to her vast local knowledge of the area.

It takes the name from The Bridewell, the oldest surviving building in Cheshire, which was lovingly restored and converted into a community hall and mini museum by local historian Alan Foster.

Built in 1100, it was used to hold prisoners until 1866 when the first Widnes courthouse and police station were built, and it was then used by a funeral director to store his hearse – a horse and cart.

Barbara (third from left) helps
christen Bridewell Court

Barbara said: “It seemed to me a perfect tribute to name this new development after The Bridewell.”

Editor Jeremy Craddock added: “Barbara represents everything that’s great about this newspaper and also the borough of Halton.

“I can always rely on her to be the true barometer of what local people are thinking. And I think with this competition she has demonstrated that ability. The name is perfectly in tune with the site’s past and future.”