Tabitha Wilson


I am a reporter for Newsquest and I was previously an MA Journalism student at Sheffield University, also earning my NCTJ here. I have also worked as a maritime journalist, and studied politics at Durham University.

I am open to commissions - please contact me using the form on this page. 

Warrington Guardian •

Meet the Warrington man running the world's toughest race for street dogs

30-year-old Sean Callander is currently taking part in the Marathon des Sables, a 270km race over seven days through the Sahara desert, to raise money for Karma Animal Trust, a small charity based in Rishikesh, India.

Great Sankey resident Sean, who owns a small recruitment company, first came across the charity in 2023.

“I was travelling around Rishikesh, India, when I stumbled across Karma Animal Trust, a small charity that works tirelessly in the community feeding hundreds of street d...
Warrington Guardian •

Fundraiser launched as Warrington mum-of-six faces leukaemia battle

Nicola Whiteside was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia last summer, and since then her life has changed in ways she never could have imagined.

A single mum to six children, ranging in ages from seven to 20, Nicola’s intense treatment has sadly not reduced her levels enough for her to receive a bone marrow transplant, as she was hoping for.

The options remaining to the Warrington mum are palliative care or a clinical trial, which her friends and family are hoping will give her the se...
Runcorn and Widnes World •

Widnes parent and baby wellbeing pilot proves an overwhelming success

Ginette Rough, known as Nettie, has been leading the ‘Little Kin’ sessions at the Catalyst Museum in Widnes, offering engaging sensory experiences for parents and their little ones.

The sessions have been a success (Image: Supplied)

“The sessions bring together movement, rest, and social connection in a welcoming museum environment – with a big emphasis on helping parents feel held and not alone,” Nettie explained.

Parents are able to socialise (Image: Supplied)

Families have for...
Warrington Guardian •

Inside the historic Warrington pub which is marking 250 years with free festival

The Plough, on Mill Lane in Warrington, will host a free family heritage festival on Saturday, May 2, to mark its 250-year history.

The event, which will take place in the Houghton Green pub's beer garden, includes First World War soldiers and Georgian Redcoats, a Viking combat display, and a local beer stall.

The heritage festival will feature displays (Image: Supplied)

Activities will be free to participate in, giving visitors a hands-on experience with the past.

The festival i...
Runcorn and Widnes World •

Finding I had cancer at 28 was heartbreaking - now I want to help others

It didn’t seem like anything serious - just the kind of weight gain many people put down to everyday life.

But within months, while on holiday, the symptoms worsened to the point she couldn’t finish a meal.

That was the moment she realised something wasn’t right.

The mum-of-one experienced severe bloating (Image: Supplied)

Jessica, now 35, booked an appointment with her GP as soon as she returned home.

“I’m very lucky that the doctor was amazing,” the Widnes mum-of-one said....
Warrington Guardian •

Meet the nurse taking over a popular Warrington skin clinic

Jenni Thain, 34, has taken over Skin First in Latchford, bringing a renewed focus on medical aesthetics alongside the clinic’s existing skin treatments as part of a wider brand refresh.

Speaking about her journey into the industry, Jenni said her interest in skin health developed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I’m a paediatric nurse by background, and during the COVID pandemic I started to learn a little bit more about my skin and ways that can be treated, especially because I was suffer...
Warrington Guardian •

‘I was dead for 28 minutes - now I’m helping others survive’

On October 16 2023, Lee Payton’s life changed in an instant.

When he was revived against the odds, he faced not only life-threatening physical complications, but the daunting reality of having to rebuild his life from the ground up.

Now, through public speaking, campaigning, and his podcast Surviving the Silence, he is sharing his story to encourage more open conversations about mental health and remind others that they are not alone.

Lee shares his story through his podcast, Survivi...
Warrington Guardian •

Why having an operation aged 37 was best decision this Warrington mum ever made

It was when her three-year-old daughter asked for permission to sit on her knee - so she wouldn’t hurt her mum’s stomach.

By then, 45-year-old Beverley, from Warrington, had spent more than 20 years living with relentlessly recurring endometriosis.

“My whole life had to be planned around my period,” she said.

“Holidays, work, nights out - everything.”

Her journey with the condition, which occurs when cells similar to the ones in the lining of the womb are found elsewhere in the b...
Northwich Guardian •

'You shouldn't have to put up with it as a woman' - mum on years of pain

Now 35, the Northwich mum says it took years of appointments, worsening symptoms and personal heartbreak before she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis.

With March marking Endometriosis Awareness Month, Nicola, known as Nikki, is sharing her story to help other women suffering know that they are not alone.

“When I started my period at 13, I used to experience significant pain and would go to see doctors regularly”, Nikki, who works as a digital advertising consultant at the Warringt...
Wirral Globe •

‘They didn’t really care’ - Wirral woman on endometriosis battle

Bethany Fairweather, 27, from West Kirby, says she was just 15 when her symptoms began - but felt repeatedly dismissed.

“My period started when I was 13, and I noticed they were getting really bad around 15”, she said.

“I’d leak through my clothes at school, and I would be really embarrassed.”

Her doctor put her on the pill – a hormonal contraceptive that can be used to control heavy periods.

After struggling with the side effects, Bethany, an integrative fertility coach, was off...
Runcorn and Widnes World •

The twins transforming the hospitality scene in Runcorn one pub at a time

The brothers have transformed the once-quiet pub into a thriving community hub, bringing their passion, resilience and local roots back to the heart of the town they’ve always called home.

“I’ve been working in hotels since I was 16”, explained 53-year-old Marc Smith.

“I worked my way up to operations manager, and then I took on general manager roles and regional managing director roles.”

Marc Smith has worked hard to make his dream a reality (Image: Supplied)

After moving to Sto...
Warrington Guardian •

Netball tournament to raise endometriosis awareness in Warrington

Held during Endometriosis Awareness Month, the event at Broomfields Leisure Centre in Appleton will combine community, competition and conversation, while raising funds for Endometriosis UK through a tea, coffee and cake stall.

The tournament is being organised by Sally Hewitt and her daughter, Lydia, who have recently stepped into the role of NetballHer Champions for Warrington.

The role, part of England Netball’s nationwide NetballHer initiative, focuses on increasing visibility and un...
Warrington Guardian •

Life-saving transfusion sparks friendship between Warrington dogs

Bear, a black Labrador, was rushed to the vets with a ruptured mass on his spleen, causing life-threatening internal bleeding.

Bear had a ruptured mass on his spleen (Image: Supplied)

Burford Lane Vets in Lymm, Warrington, had to operate swiftly, but first needed a blood transfusion for Bear.

The call for help was answered by another Labrador named Moose, known as a regular patient at the practice.

He was brought in promptly by his owner.

Bear and Moose are now firm friends (...
Leigh Journal •

Meet the blood donor dog who has saved more than 100 lives

Stella, a Labrador cross Golden Retriever, lives in Mosley Common with owners Nicola Simpson, a volunteer for Pet Blood Bank UK, and Lee Simpson, who works as a procurement manager.

Pet Blood Bank UK is a charity that helps to save the lives of pets in need.

Stella came into Nicola and Lee’s lives as a Guide Dog boarder in 2019 from the North West Regional Centre in Atherton.

“What was supposed to be a 12-week board became 18 months due to Covid,” 48-year-old Nicola explained.

“S...
Wirral Globe •

Meet the content creator showcasing the best of Wirral

George Redfern, 23, has built a following on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, where he has spent more than two years sharing videos from his adventures across Australia and Southeast Asia.

He started his journey by visiting the worst-rated hotels and destinations in Wirral, and giving them a positive review based on his experience.

The New Brighton native has more than 35,000 followers on TikTok, and is now putting the spotlight on Wirral as part of a new series.

"I really think the W...
Warrington Guardian •

Award-winning Daresbury Dairy celebrates 15 years with new flavours

Daresbury Dairy will open its doors on Saturday, February 28, marking an exciting milestone as the family-run business celebrates 15 years of making ice cream.

Husband-and-wife team Matthew and Claire Whitlow run the dairy together, which has been in the Whitlow family for several generations.

Milk from the farm's cows is used to make the ice cream

While the farm’s heritage stretches back decades, the ice cream venture began in 2011, born from Claire’s passion for high-quality, local...
Warrington Guardian •

I tried a bread-making class in Warrington - this is what I thought

At the start of the week, I headed along to one of Room Forty’s special classes to see what it was all about.

Founded by award-winning Warrington baker Jen Perry, Room Forty is marking Real Bread Week 2026 with a series of in-person sessions in Penketh and Lymm, putting practical “bread-u-cation” at the heart of the celebrations.

The classes are run by Room Forty (Image: NQ)

The classes are designed to give people the confidence and skills to bake real bread at home, using simple ing...
Warrington Guardian •

I tried Reformer Pilates in Warrington - this is what I thought

Having never taken part in a Pilates class before, I was curious to see what all the hype was about - so when I heard about Flow Nova Studios in Warrington, I decided it was the perfect place to find out.

The studio is located in Lineva House on Milner Street, and has plenty of parking available.

I arrived for my class early and was greeted by instructor Kelsey Mawdsley, who talked me through what a typical day at the studio looks like.

Kelsey opened Flow Nova in October 2025 and has...
St Helens Star •

I went behind the scenes at Liverpool Airport - here's what I thought

With the airport being on my doorstep, I went down to spend a day behind the scenes to learn what it takes to keep an airport running.

An avid aviation enthusiast, I was eager to explore, and I arrived bright and early to meet my guide for the day, Head of PR & Communications, Robin Tudor.

The airport is often recognised as one of the best in the country (Image: NQ)

Robin explained to me that out of nearly 3,000 employees, only 10 per cent are actually employed by Liverpool Airport,...
Warrington Guardian •

Inside the full-size 747 cockpit hidden in the Cheshire countryside

An avid aviation enthusiast, when I heard about this, I knew I needed to find out more.

Driving down single-track lanes, I started to wonder what I had gotten myself into.

The unassuming barn housing the experience is surrounded by horses and farm machinery – but once you step inside, you’re transported to a different world entirely.

The barn is nestled deep in rural Cheshire (Image: NQ)

The 744 experience was brought to life by friends Dan Chang, Tom McDonough, and Simon Kelsey....
Warrington Guardian •

Jason Donovan to celebrate 35 years of hits in Warrington

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian, Jason Donovan said he 'couldn't wait' to get on stage, bringing his show Doin' Fine - Encore to Parr Hall.

The Australian heartthrob said: "Doin' Fine 2025 was successful, so we thought we’d roll out more shows.

"It’s a celebration of 35 years of live work from me, with a lot of theatre stuff and a lot of pop music stuff."

The 57-year-old legend has performed in front of 40,000 people across the UK and Ireland while on the road so far, and has del...
Warrington Guardian •

From abandoned to adored - Warrington rescue dog goes viral

Allan Mason, a 36-year-old joiner, found the border terrier cross tied to a wooden post at the entrance to Bold Colliery Forest Park, on the outskirts of Burtonwood, at around 8am on February 5.

He said: “When I found him and cautiously approached him, the first thing he did was start to wag his tail, and as I picked him up, he started giving me kisses.

“I took him to the vet for a check over, and I asked what would happen, and they said he would go into kennels.

“I know how hard it...
Runcorn and Widnes World •

Widnes business donates netball kits to support school team

The donation comes from Kits for All, a uniform supply shop now run by owners Lee and Maresa Knowles, who recently donated a full set of netball uniforms to Wade Deacon High School.

Maresa said the decision came after learning the school was looking for support to help launch the team.

The team received the uniforms from Kits for All (Image: Supplied)

She said: “Our daughter attended Wade Deacon, and she mentioned that they were starting a netball team and looking for sponsorship.”...
Leigh Journal •

Behind the scenes at the guide dog training centre changing lives

Tucked away in Greater Manchester, the site is a working hub where guide dogs are trained and prepared to transform lives - and weekly behind-the-scenes tours, open to the public, offer a rare insight into how that happens.

The group was welcomed at 10.30 am with tea and coffee and a chance to mingle, before an expert volunteer, David Oliver, walked us through the history of Guide Dogs.

In fact, volunteers outnumber staff by around ten to one – something that becomes evident throughout t...
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