The Lancashire & North West Magazine | December 2020

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The Ghost of

Cameron Crowe Meet Mike Harris, worldwide entrepreneur & football enthusiast

December 2020

ÂŁ2.45

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Famous people born in the North West

Liverpool Theatre Festival Triumph Wildlife home for Christmas Southport Pleasureland

a glowing Victorian restoration

Elizabeth Manford, the scent obsessed founder of the Wax House

Contents...

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66

102

Oldham

Ambleside

Stockport

Features

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8

42

30

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The Famous Dick Kerr, ladies 1920 boxing day match

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Liverpool Theatre Festival

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Lancashire Church wins national photo competition

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E. Anthony Orme talks about his paintings

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The shoe seller Tommy Ball

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Mike Harris, entrepreneur

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The story of the Christmas Decorators - part two

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The Ghost of Cameron Crowe

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The RSPB gift guide

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The importance of staying hydrated

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The pioneering Lancashire carbon farm

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The Wax House story of the search for beautiful scents

110 Christmas in different countries 112 Famous people born in the North West - part one 118 Hill & Hill the jewellers, a profile

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124 The importance of creating a wildbelt 142 Goosnargh Gin, a local company with a success story 148 HW Audio, the music megastore in Bolton 152 The crafty Cottage, a shop in St Annes that sells the most enticing sellection of products 156 The award winning Lytham filmmaker 182 The Fitzwilliam Galleries, exclusive artworks in a beautiful part of the country.

192 The magic of Southport Pleasureland 200 Wildlife home for Christmas

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204 It takes a special person to be a funeral director, & Helen Ashmore has what it takes.

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Contents Regulars 64

Books

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December 2020 • Volume 43 Number 12

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130 PT Health 134 Our food critic 138 Recipe 151 Peter Rutt 158 The life of Di 160 Around the region 168 Colour me beautiful 172 Moo style 206 Horoscope 210 Business index

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Managing Director Natalie Christopher natalie@lancashiremagazine.co.uk Editorial 01253 336588 editorial@lancashiremagazine.co.uk Sales Enquiries • 07918 685673 Design Manager • Hugh Dairy Designers • Maralette Wenham Roget Pode COVER: I’d Like That One painting by artist E Anthony Orme

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General enquiries/subscriptions Sharon Henry 01253 336588 sharon@countymags.co.uk The Lancashire & North West Magazine Ltd, Seasiders Way, Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 6NZ Writers Jessica Gregson • Stephen Roberts • Andrew Harris • Duncan Hodgson • Bevan Ridehalgh • Carl Lee • Karen Pennington • Bernard Bale • Tony Burdon • Pam Graham • Mairead Mahon • Stephanie Monk

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In this issue...

The December issue and you may be

One Potato, Two Potato - by artist E. Anthony Orme

forgiven for thinking it’s a bit early, but it is just over a month away and we can get you started with that Christmas feel, despite the things going on around us.

So, on with what you can find inside.

Anthony Orme, the artist who graciously provided the artwork for our front cover tells the stories behind his paintings. His son Christopher, explains that they not only have their own gallery but established framing service as well.

Kate Gostick gives us a brief glimpse of how Christmas is celebrated in different parts of the world. Mike Harris is an entrepreneur and football enthusiast, read how he started his incredible career.

We have the second part of our story about the Christmas Decorators. Their decorations have adorned the homes of the aristocracy, Hollywood A-listers, Premiership footballer’s and music stars, and the biggest shopping centres. First set up in the UK in 2005 by Nick and Sarah Bolton, they offer a bespoke design and installation service, taking the strain out of your Christmas decorating.

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We have a great story of the famous Dick Kerr, ladies 1920 boxing day football match. The history of women in football dates right back to the early days of the sport, and this tale tells the story of how and why this women’s team was created and what they achieved.

The Ghost of Cameron Crowe is a Christmas story written by Ian Hewitt and beautifully illustrated by Kayleigh Radcliffe. Get the Horlicks out and sit in front of the fire, twas the night before Christmas...

Elizabeth Manford is a woman constantly on the search for beautiful scents. The Wax House Story is how a scent can have a tale to tell, and can transport you to a memorable location. Based in Lancashire, Elizabeth is obsessive in her mission to provide nature-inspired designed fragrances that are eco-friendly.

Launched in 2018, Goosnargh Gin owners Richard and Rachel Trenchard face their toughest test to date – building their multi-award winning business back up following a devastating fire at the distillery in August.

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Having successfully sold her products at craft fairs for several years under the name of the Crafty Cat, Louise Wiltshire decided to take the plunge and open her own shop, she may have only opened The Crafty Cottage in January of this year, but the shop selling unique furniture and art in St Annes is already proving popular with locals and visitors alike.

So, onto our regulars. Our monthly columnist Paul Thompson, a personal health coach and wellbeing consultant, shares his tips on how to stay healthy over Christmas.

We cover the importance of avoiding red meat, and if it is possible for you, the health benefits of reducing the amount of time you spend sitting down.

We learn how during the winter months, creatures push their survival to the limits and why we need a Wildbelt - planning and home building with nature in mind.

Our places covered are Ambleside, Oldham and Stockport and of course our usual mix of fashion, food and oddities.

Have a good Christmas from everyone at the magazine.

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Dick Kerr’s Florrie Redford greets opposition captain before game.

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The Famous Dick Kerr, ladies 1920 boxing day match

By Margaret Brecknell

T

he 1920 Boxing Day game at Goodison Park, the home of Everton FC, proved worthy of a special place in football history. Boxing Day in that year fell on Monday 27th December and a full programme of fixtures was played, attracting big crowds on what has always traditionally been a popular day for fans to attend a football match. The game at Goodison that day proved no exception. The ground was filled to capacity with around 53,000 people in attendance and many more disappointed people locked out of the ground, unable to gain admittance. However, it wasn’t Everton whom the fans had come to watch that day. Instead, the sell-out crowd had come to see Dick Kerr, Ladies take on St Helen’s Ladies.

As the centenary of that Boxing Day game approaches, it seems the perfect time to tell the story of these early pioneers of the women’s game.

The history of women in football dates right back to the early days of the sport. The British Ladies Football Club was founded as far as back as 1894. Sponsored by the early feminist Lady Florence Dixie, the club regularly went on tour and played around one hundred exhibition matches before falling out of existence by the turn of the century.

Women’s football continued, but struggled to compete with the growing popularity of the men’s game during the early years of the 20th century.

However, the enforced suspension of men’s football following the outbreak of World War I allowed the women’s game to achieve the kind of prominence which had seemed impossible only a decade previously.

During World War I a new female workforce emerged, as women took on jobs in industry that men had left to go and fight in the war. Women produced most of the weapons used by the British army. The “Munitionettes”, as they came to be known, worked long hours in unhealthy and dangerous conditions, so welfare schemes were set up to ensure that they remained fit and able to continue this vital work.

Provision was made for encouraging recreational activities such as football as a way of boosting morale and as a result participation in the women’s game saw a dramatic growth during the war years. It seemed as if nearly every munitions factory had its own team, although it wasn’t limited to just that industry. Cotton mill and transport workers are known to have formed similar sides.

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At the outbreak of World War I the Dick, Kerr factory in Preston had switched to munitions production and, as the men went off to war, the workforce became predominantly made up of women. As in many factories, the women were encouraged to play football during their lunch breaks and in 1917 an official Dick, Kerr Ladies team was established, with Alfred Frankland, who worked in the company’s offices, appointed as manager.

In December of that year the team was approached by the local Moor Park Military Hospital to take part in a charity football match to raise funds for wounded soldiers. The idea of women’s teams playing matches for charity was nothing new, with the practice dating back to before the start of the war. One women’s charity game, which took place in Portsmouth in March 1914, was widely reported in the national press at the time. However, the factory teams, with the Dick, Kerr Ladies at the forefront, were set to take the women’s game to a new level.

That first official game for the Dick, Kerr Ladies on Christmas Day 1917, against a women’s team from the nearby Arundel Coulthard Foundry, was played at Deepdale, the home of Preston North End. The locals had been unable to watch football at Deepdale since the suspension of the men’s game following the outbreak of war and the match proved extremely popular. About 10,000 fans turned out to watch and the game is estimated to have raised the equivalent of some £40,000 (in today’s money) for charity. For the record, in a sign of things to come, the Dick, Kerr Ladies comfortably won the game 4-0.

In the early part of 1918 the Dick, Kerr Ladies team played other factory teams from Barrow and Bolton. The games again proved popular with the public, with over 7000 coming to see the game against Bolton on Good Friday. As the side became established and proved successful, the Dick, Kerr Ladies were able to attract players from rival teams and in time became the dominant side in the women’s game. The games in which they played invariably attracted good crowds and raised huge sums for charity.

Life began to return to some semblance of normality after the war ended in November 1918.

Men’s competitive football returned with the resumption of the Football League for the 1919/20 season after a break of four years. Many of the women who had worked in industry during the LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE

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war lost their jobs to the returning men, but many retained their interest in the game and some teams continued to be supported by their employers including the Dick, Kerr Ladies.

In the spring of 1920 the Dick, Kerr Ladies played in what is now generally regarded as the first ever women’s international match. In a bold move Alfred Frankland invited a French national team to play a series of four exhibition matches in England. The first game was played at Deepdale in front of what was a record crowd for the ground at the time of 25000 spectators. The Dick Kerr, Ladies put in a typically robust performance, coming out the 2-0 victors. In October of the same year the Preston side travelled to France on a reciprocal tour, drawing large crowds wherever they went. The Dick Kerr, Ladies were now viewed as being to all intents and purposes the women’s national side.

In early December 1920 the team was involved in another high-profile game at Deepdale. A match was arranged against a Rest of England side to raise much-needed funds for the unemployed ex-servicemen of Preston on the run-up to Christmas. In order to maximise the amount of 10

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money raised, the enterprising Alfred Frankland decided to hold the game at night.

Night matches were highly unusual at the time and viewed as being fraught with potential difficulty. The match at Deepdale was primarily lit by two anti-aircraft searchlights, which were loaned specially by the War Office, with one at either end of the ground.

The game did not pass entirely without incident. The Lancashire Evening Post reports that “Once the operator at the Fulwood end of the ground turned his searchlight on an exciting duel between the Preston forwards and the opposing defence, with the result that the players were so literally blinded that they temporarily lost all sense of position and direction”. However, the experiment was deemed to have been a success.

Several national newspapers had covered the tour of France and the night game at Deepdale also attracted widespread media attention, so public interest in the Dick Kerr, Ladies was at an all-time high as Christmas 1920 approached.

Thus the scene was set for the epic encounter at Goodison Park on Boxing Day 1920 between the Dick Kerr, Ladies and their biggest rivals, St

Above: The Munitions Girls Painting

by Stanhope Forbes courtesy of Wellcome Images/CCBY4.0

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Helen’s Ladies. Most of the St Helen’s team had played for the town’s “Sutton Glassworks” Ladies team during the war and despite the name had, like their opponents, been employed as munition workers. Amongst the Dick, Kerr ranks were some players who had started their football careers at the opposition, notably Lily Parr and Alice Woods.

Often described as the first superstar of the women’s game, Lily Parr was born in St Helen’s on 26th April 1904 and started playing for her hometown club at the age of just 14. Following her move to the Dick, Kerr Ladies, along with teammate Alice Woods, her career really took off.

She is thought to have scored more than 980 goals in a remarkable 32-year career.

For all her outstanding goalscoring record, Parr didn’t score in the game at Goodison. The day had not started well for the team from Preston when star striker Florrie Redford missed the train to Liverpool. The Dick, Kerr Ladies were 1-0 up by half time, but were clearly missing Redford and so for the second half Alice Kell, the side’s captain and left back, decided to move up front. The

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gamble paid off. Kell scored a second half hat trick and the Dick, Kerr Ladies came out as 4-0 winners.

The remarkable attendance of 53,000 people that day remained a record for the women’s game, only finally being surpassed in March 2019.

Success continued throughout the following year. Such was the demand for its services that the Preston team sometimes had to play twice a week, all the time raising significant funds for worthwhile causes. One report of a game played at Chester City’s ground in February 1921 provides an insight into just how popular the Dick, Kerr Ladies were (even allowing for a little journalistic licence), “In consequence of the record of Kerr’s lady footballers many persons journeyed long distances in order to witness the match…The streets of our ancient city were filled with chars-a-bancs (NB the then equivalent of today’s coaches) from the surrounding towns and villages, and innumerable bicycles and motor cars, while a steady stream of humanity poured westward, bound for the centre of attraction”.

Below: Goodison Park today - courtesy of Heikki Immonen/ CCBY3.0

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 11

However, the women’s game ultimately proved to be a victim of its own success. On 5th December 1921, less than a year since that memorable day at Goodison, the FA announced that its members were to be banned from allowing women’s games to be played on their grounds.

In a statement the FA claimed that football was “quite unsuitable for women and ought not to be encouraged”. Several doctors were encouraged to back this up with assertions that the game put too much strain on the female body, a quite remarkable claim to make bearing in mind that these were the same women who had worked in often heavy manual jobs during the war.

The FA also alleged that complaints had been made “as to the conditions under which some of these matches have been arranged and played, and the appropriation of receipts to other than charitable objects”. This presumably relates to the expenses paid to players for travel and accommodation, a not unreasonable gesture for relatively lowly paid workers who often had to take time off work when fulfilling their playing commitments. This claim must have proved particularly hurtful to those early stars of the women’s game, given the amount of money they had raised for charity.

The move by the FA effectively killed off women’s football in this country and at a stroke removed the perceived threat to the popularity of the men’s game. The days of games being played 12

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on big grounds and attracting large crowds were over. Many of the teams did not even have a ground of their own on which to play and soon folded. The Dick, Kerr Ladies were luckier than most in having use of their own ground and their reputation meant that they remained in demand.

However, inevitably over time even the once great Dick, Kerr Ladies could not command the crowds they once had, as interest in the women’s game dwindled.

Eventually in 1965 the club was forced to disband, finding it difficult to attract new players as well as worthwhile opposition to play. The story of the Dick, Kerr Ladies could have been lost forever, had it not been for the painstaking research in the early 1990s of a Preston woman called Gail Newsham, who grew up near the site of the Dick, Kerr factory and was herself a keen footballer in her younger days.

Only six years after the demise of the Dick, Kerr Ladies the FA finally lifted its controversial ban on women’s football and a new generation of female trailblazers began to emerge. Today’s stars owe a great debt of gratitude to their pioneering predecessors.

Above: Dick Kerr Ladies 1917 Preston Postcard.

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Liverpool Theatre Festival

hailed a triumph amid troubled industry Bombed Out Church hosted 12 open air productions over 9 days.

Almost 3,000 festivalgoers experience inaugural live event.

Calls for event to return to entertain audiences in 2021.

L

iverpool Theatre Festival attracted almost 3,000 live performance fans across nine days for its inaugural staging – with calls for it to become an annual event.

St Luke’s Bombed Out Church in the heart of the city centre provided the perfect backdrop for the first festival, which featured 19 showstopping performances of 12 productions.

Liverpool Theatre Festival was created by Liverpool theatre producer Bill Elms, whose mission it was to reinvigorate and boost the city’s live performance and creative arts sector after a devastating six months due to Coronavirus and lockdown, with restrictions continuing further.

The Covid-secure venue followed stringent Government guidelines to ensure patrons felt safe in their surroundings.

The festival ended with a comedy performance by acclaimed Liverpool actor Andrew Lancel in Swan Song from award-winning city playwright Jonathan Harvey, directed by BAFTA award-winning director Noreen Kershaw.

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Swan Song was produced by Liverpool Theatre Festival, in association with Bill Elms Productions and Quarry Street. Originally written for a female lead, Jonathan Harvey adapted the play specially for Andrew Lancel to play the solo role at Liverpool Theatre Festival. The play is planning future productions across the UK to socially distanced audiences.

Liverpool Theatre Festival ran for nine days between 12 and 20 September, with some days hosting four live performances. The inclusive programme featured musical theatre, drama, comedy, cabaret, monologues, and children’s shows.

Liverpool Theatre Festival programme opened with A Fairy Tale Journey Across The Mersey and Laughterhouse Comedy, and was followed by The Very Best Of Tommy Cooper, Sweet Mother, Shakers by John Godber, Deathly Confessions, Matinee Musical Classics, Music Of The Night, Judy & Liza, Hurrah For The Pirate King!, Something About Simon, and Swan Song.

Producer and artistic director Bill Elms commented: www.lancmag.com

What the critics say...

“Significant on so many levels…brilliantly managed…Liverpool Theatre Festival was absolutely tremendous…

“A real light in the gloom for theatre in the devastating wake of the pandemic…

it reminded me as to why theatre is vital to the UK’s cultural landscape” Writebase

Andrew Lancel Swan Song 20.09.2020 Credit Alan Humphries

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flying the flag for a beleaguered industry at a time where there has never been so much at stake” Made Up: On Stage In Liverpool

LTF20 Daniel Taylor Tommy Cooper Credit David Munn

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 17

“The festival showed the public appetite for live theatre and entertainment is strong. People used the festival as escapism from these difficult times – it was the glimmer of hope we needed. A truly unforgettable and magical experience, and we were blessed with fabulous weather throughout. I’d like to thank every festivalgoer for their support and spreading the word far and wide.

They put their trust in us to provide a safe environment and comfortable experience, and totally shared our passion and vision to bring back live performance.

“The programme was packed with Liverpool talent including writers, performers, creatives and technicians.

The teams behind the 12 productions were incredible for jumping on-board at such short notice and adapting to meet festival guidelines. It wasn’t easy and the changing guidelines proved testing, stacking the odds against us, but together we made it work and collectively made the inaugural Liverpool Theatre Festival a resounding success.

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“St Luke’s Bombed Out Church was the perfect setting – welcoming, fun, and dramatic at times with incredible lighting. We have been asked by festivalgoers and reviewers to make the festival an annual event so this is something we are already looking into, watch this space.

Theatre is back.”

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Above: LTF20 Church Interior - Credit David Munn

Judy & Liza Credit David Munn

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Covid-secure measures at St Luke’s included temperature checks prior to entry; social distancing; hand sanitiser stations; reserved seating restricted to social bubble groups; and an app to order refreshments delivered to ticketholders at their seats.

Audience capacity was reduced to ensure socially distanced seating; shows were limited to one-act performances of no more than 75 minutes to minimise audience movement; maximum of four performers per production; cast and crew socially distanced and were temperature checked.

Kate Jones from St Luke’s Bombed Out Church added: “We were extremely proud to host the very first Liverpool Theatre Festival. St Luke’s was showcased as a stunning backdrop for audiences of all ages to enjoy live performance in the open air, it was special to see audiences settle in, take in the atmosphere and their surroundings, and lose themselves in a variety of fantastic shows.

“I’m extremely proud of our team’s hard work to ensure our venue was completely COVID-secure. Ensuring bubbles were safely distanced, sanitising chairs before and after use, and taking drinks directly to customers all hugely contributed to making customers feel they could safely return to theatre. We thoroughly enjoyed working with Bill Elms on this hugely popular festival, and look forward to seeing more productions at St Luke’s Bombed Out Church.” www.lancmag.com

Above: LTF20 Church Interior Credit Bill Elms

LTF20 Church Interior Credit David Munn

Visit www.liverpooltheatrefestival.com for the latest news updates.

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 19

Give the gift of love this Christmas and offer a Second Chance to vulnerable, neglected or abused horses and ponies.

Sponsor a horse or pony with the charity HAPPA (Horses and Ponies Protection Association) and help support the care of a rescued animal on their road to recovery. HAPPA rescue animals across the North West and by sponsoring a pony for a loved one you can show you care this festive period and help more horses and ponies in distress. Meet just a few of the animals available to be sponsored at HAPPA: HAPPA Rainbow

HAPPA Pugsley

HAPPA Pennywise

Born into HAPPA’s care, thankfully Pugsley will never have to face what his mother went through when she was found with several other ponies, their welfare severely compromised. This little foal was an extra surprise for the HAPPA Team when he arrived in April of this year. Growing into a stunning, and cute, youngster, he will stay in the care of the Charity until he is matched with a Foster Home. You could help support his care at HAPPA.

Pennywise and his companions were part of a very large rescue case which resulted in his previous owner being prosecuted for animal cruelty. He has taken some time to adjust to a normal life for a horse, after being found in squalid conditions, underweight and never been handled properly by humans. Life is on the up for him now and he loves one to one attention from his allocated Care Officer.

HAPPA Bow Bow was rescued by the Charity in 2019 with seven of her field companions.

All Thoroughbreds, most were underweight, in need of farrier attention and all with lice and worm infestations. Some of the horses it is believed had never had proper human contact. It has taken some time for her and her friends to settle in.

They have received veterinary and farrier care and placed on specialised diets. She still has some way to go on her journey, but all support is gratefully received.

You could be part of their future by Sponsoring any of the ponies featured, or their friends at www.happa.org.uk/sponsor/ 20

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“

Rescued this year, during Lockdown, Rainbow and his two companions were found extremely underweight, suffering from rainscald and mud-fever and in desperate need of farriery attention to their feet. After months of specialist care and dietary programme, Rainbow is on the road to a Second Chance of happiness.

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Share the love with HAPPA this Christmas

WWW.HAPPA.ORG.UK/SPONSOR OR PHONE 01282 455992

A FANTASTIC CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR A LOVED ONE OR FRIEND www.happa.org.uk 01282 455992 - enquiries@happa.org.uk Registered Charity in England and Wales 1085211

Lancashire Church wins big in national photography contest!

A Lancashire church is celebrating receiving a £5000 windfall after winning a national photography contest – ‘Parish Pixels’ – run by Ecclesiastical Insurance.

The image of a group of volunteers from Freedom Church, Mereside, in Blackpool pausing to reflect while clearing a derelict church hall they hope to call their new home won out over 600 other entries from across the country.

Freedom Church had already received £1500 for becoming the North West regional finalist earlier this year and the whole congregation has been eagerly awaiting the final results ever since. The announcement celebration event highlights and a short additional video about the work of Freedom Church can be found here on the Ecclesiastical website. In the announcement video, the first prize section begins at 4m 02s.

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Below: The winning Parish Pixels pic by Amanda Garwood

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The picture was submitted to the Parish Pixels contest by Rev. Linda Tomkinson from Freedom Church. The winning snap was taken by churchwarden Amanda Garwood, who is also mother of the two children in the photo - Raven and Willow. Amazingly, Amanda received her Bachelor of Arts in Photography degree from The University of Lancaster’s Blackpool and the Fylde College on the same day the competition winners were announced!

Parish Pixels was launched last summer, inviting Anglican churches in England, Wales and Scotland to capture the essence of their church in a single snapshot, accompanied by a one-sentence caption.

of their churches, it’s incredible what can be achieved when people do those things!

Linda added: “Our approach was summed up in the caption for the picture we submitted, which said: ‘We may not have our own church building and we may live in an area of deprivation, but we believe that it doesn’t matter where you meet to worship God, as long as you meet to worship God’.”

“We’ve raised £75,000 to repair the roof but the inside will cost a further £240,000. So this prize money is really significant for us and will support furthering the mission of Freedom Church in Mereside on the estate.”

Photographer and Churchwarden, Amanda Garwood, added: “I’m absolutely buzzing. I am so pleased that we have been able to raise awareness with this picture of what our church family is trying to achieve on our estate. The £5000 prize money will make a huge difference to our church. We’ve done it as a team and I’m super proud.”

Far left: Rev. Linda Tomkinson

Michael Angell, church operations director at Ecclesiastical, said: “The response to the competition was fantastic and we received many incredible images showing the diverse range of people, places and features that make Anglican churches so special.

More than 600 entries were submitted ranging from pictures of people, places, features, and artefacts.

The winning image captured a moment where volunteers from the church took a well-deserved break from clearing out the hall which they hope to move into.

Freedom Church was born out of the closure of St Wilfrid’s Church on Blackpool’s Mereside Estate.

Initially services were held in Linda’s home before moving into a council-owned building.

The popularity of the church has meant it has outgrown that facility, so Linda and her team have been busy raising much needed funds to renovate and reopen the old church hall, which has been derelict for years.

Linda said: “We are delighted to have won this national competition. The prize money is very welcome of course, as we are raising money to renovate the Freedom Centre to open it as a place of worship and a community centre for the benefit of the residents of the Mereside Estate.

“But for us, it’s more about raising awareness of what is possible if people just use their imagination, think outside the box and trust God for the growth www.lancmag.com

Left: Amanda Garwood churchwarden

“I’d like to thank everyone who took the opportunity to showcase their churches, and especially to all of the winners. Congratulations to them, and especially to the overall national winner Freedom Church in Blackpool.

They showed us the impact the church can have in our local communities.”

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 23

“I told ‘em Oldham”

By Tallulah se forno

When you say Oldham, just what springs to mind?

• “I should’ve told em Oldham” • Oldham Athletic Football Club • Cotton, Coal Mining and the Industrial Revolution • Luddites, Suffragettes, Labour movements, political strife

W

hatever it is, Oldham has had its fair share of highs and lows, but let’s peel back some of Oldham’s many onion layers and see what we find …

It’s believed the name, Oldham is derived from Aldenhulme – most probably an Old Norse name. Also believed to derive from Old English – ‘ald’ – old, combined with Old Norse ‘holmi’ or ‘holmr’ meaning promontory or outcrop – which may well describe the town’s position on a hilltop. Alternatively, it may well come from ‘holm’ or ‘holme’ of a farmer called Alda. Or then again, it may come from around the year 865 onwards, ‘alt’ meaning steep height, cliff.

There again, it could be ‘eald’ a Saxon word for old and ‘ham’ another Saxon word that

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• The birth town of well-known and loved Celebrities • Hartshead Pike and famous landmarks

describes a house, farm or hamlet. But, make no mistake, whenever, or however the name came into being, Oldham is a really great place with a lot going for it.

Standing 700 feet above sea level and 164 miles north north-west of London, Oldham sits in the middle of the Pennines and lies between the Irk and Medlock Rivers. Oldham is southeast of Rochdale and north- east of Manchester.

It is part of the Metropolitan Borough of Oldham in the county of Greater Manchester.

Oldham’s climate is one of a temperate maritime disposition – which basically means cool in summer and mild in winter – don’t we know it!

You may not know this, but Oldham experienced a tornado in 1981 – it was late www.lancmag.com

November and the tornado passed over the town centre. It was the largest recorded tornado storm in European history. In just 5 hours and 26 minutes, 104 tornados wreaked varying forms of havoc across Northern, Central and Eastern England s well as Wales. The Oldham tornado was recorded as one of the stronger ones and caused considerable property damage to the Town.

Oldham Town is characterised by its red brick cotton mills and rows of terraced houses, Oldham is mostly built of the famous Accrington brick.

Saddleworth Moor is only seven miles away and home to, amongst other things and until fairly recently, the Saddleworth Folk Festival wherein hundreds of Folk Musicians and Performers descend on the town of Uppermill to create wondrous music each year. But let’s not forget (how could we?) the incredible scenery and spectacular views of the Pennines.

Referred to as a ‘boomtown’ of the Industrial Revolution, Oldham grew to prominence in the 19th Century as an International centre for textile manufacture. It was one of the first industrialised towns and at its height was the most productive cottonspinning mill town in the world.

Oldham produced more cotton than France and Germany combined!

As far back as 1756, Oldham was the centre of the hatting (millinary) industry in England, using rough felt. Then in the last quarter of the 18th Century, it became an industrial metropolis. The first Mill – Lees Hall – was built by William Clegg about 1778 and then by 1779, eleven other Mills had been built and there was a mass migration of workers boosting the town’s population from 12,000 in 1801 to 137,000 in 1901. 1851 saw over thirty percent of Oldham’s population employed in the production and manufacture of textiles. Pioneering cotton-spinning machinery was developed by the Platt Brothers and John Platt was made the fourth Mayor of Oldham in 1854 – he was then re-elected in both 1855 and then again in 1861.

Oldham today has a population of approximately, 103,544 which makes it the fifty-fifth most populous settlement in England, within an area of about 26 square miles. Did you know that Oldham residents are referred to as “Oldhamers”? www.lancmag.com

Then there’s coal mining – supporting the cotton industry with evidence of this endeavour as early as the 16th Century. Over 150 collieries were established during the industry’s history – providing enough coal to ensure Oldham’s growth as a force to be reckoned with at the centre of the cotton boom and in 1851 collieries employed more than 2,000 men in Oldham.

Oldham through the ages saw its fair share of turbulent historic events such as the Luddites, the Suffragette and Labour movements – these all played their part in shaping Oldham’s social history. There were frequent bread and labour riots creating havoc and strife on the streets, civil unrest and even today, Oldham is no stranger to political and social upheaval. In recent history (2001) race-related

riots, civil disturbances and conflict were ever-present on the streets of Oldham.

In 1870, one seemingly disgruntled visitor to Oldham described it as being, “more notable for factories than for any other feature”.

It would appear that public expenditure on buildings and works was deemed a rather unnecessary overhead. Today, the M60 Motorway passes through the south-west of Oldham along with the railway links.

At one time, Oldham had six Railway Stations, now only three remain.

Sad to say, the textile industry declined in the middle of the 20th Century and Oldham’s last mill closed in 1998. So, once the mills closed, what remained and what is Oldham now?

Cityscape of Oldham town centre with Oldham Parish Church and War Memorial.

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Oldham, panorama from Hartshead Pike towards the north-west.

Now Oldham’s mostly a residential town specialising in Further Education and the Performing Arts. This can be evidenced easily from the extremely well-known, much-loved household faces and names that grace our small and large and larger screens. Oldham attracted migrant workers from other areas of England, Scotland, Ireland and Poland and today its cosmopolitan population is boosted with people of south Asian heritage.

In Oldham you’ll find cultural delights in the form of Gallery Oldham charting the towns’ history and heritage dating back to 1883, The Saddleworth Museum, Castleshaw Roman Fort, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, Countryside Centres, Stonerig Raceway – Scalextric experience; an Annual Carnival and the Old Theatre Workshop.

In 1908 Oldham could boast six fine theatres. In the 19th Century, the Circus was a popular and entertaining draw for visitors and at one time (1869) there was a 3,000 seat amphitheatre on Tommyfield. Museums and Galleries are dotted about the Town and the Metropolitan Borough Music Centre which moved into the Lyceum Building in 1989, is now home to the Oldham Lyceum School of Music. There are landmarks such as the Old Town Hall – built in 1841 and according to the Victorian Society in 2009 it was “the most endangered Victorian structure in England and Wales”. It’s now been converted into a multiplex cinema, restaurants and a leisure complex. There’s also the poignant War Memorial – a permanent memorial to those from Oldham who were killed in World War I. One of the inscriptions exhorts, “Death is the gate of Life 1914 – 1918. The Civic Centre Tower is Oldham’s centre of local governance – built in 1977 – the tower stands at over 200 feet high.

The Parish Church of St Mary with St Peter dates back to 1830. It’s believed a Church building existed on the site as long ago as 1280.

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One notable personage with an Oldham connection was Winston Churchill. He was approached in the late summer of 1899 by the Conservative Party to stand as a candidate in the forthcoming by-election. He confidently wrote to his mother, Lady Jennie Spencer-Churchill (known as Lady Randolph Churchill, assuming her Late husband’s name), “there is no doubt that, if anyone can win this seat, I can”. Surprisingly, it was then, that he was beaten into third place by the two Liberal candidates winning both of the vacant seats. Churchill later contested the seat again in the 1900 General Election and won. You may not know this, but in 1899, Churchill was covering the Boer War conflict as a War Correspondent. Imagine his surprise when, upon his capture and transport to a Pretorian makeshift prison; from which he promptly escaped; to meet (whilst on the run from said prison) a mining engineer by the name of Dan Dewsnap from Oldham. Dan helped lower Winston into a coal mine where he ‘holed up’ for three days. Churchill says of Dan Dewsnap of Oldham birth, “he locked his hand ‘in a grip of crushing vigour’ and said, “they’ll vote for you next time – Dan was right because they did and Churchill won the General Election of 1900.

The rest, as they say, is history … www.lancmag.com

And therefore, we return to what may spring to mind when we say, Oldham.

• “I should’ve told ‘em Oldham” – this was an advertising slogan coined by Oldham Car Batteries in or around the early 1960’s – so catchy was the slogan that Eric and Ernie – Morecambe and Wise – shortened it to “I told ‘em Oldham” and used the catchphrase in many of their sketches.

You can’t get more quintessentially British than that, now can you?!

• The Oldham brand began with Joseph Oldham when he established his first millwright general engineering shop in 1865. It then moved to Denton (Tameside, Greater Manchester) and became Oldham and Son – that was Joseph and his Son, Orlando. In 1887 they produced machinery for the hatting industry.

Then came coal-mining equipment including battery-powered miner’s

lamps. During World War I, the company manufactured munitions and 1917 saw the initial production of their Lead Acid Battery, which could be used in cars, commercial vehicles and more. Later, in the 1930’s the company produced accumulators – those little things found in wireless sets and then they stormed into the 1950’s with Red Seal car batteries.

Sadly, Oldham Batteries trade no more but the slogan, the name, the quality and their legacy live on.

• Oldham Athletic Football Club – their nickname is The Latics and they were founded in 1895, they play at the Boundary Park Oldham and are positioned twenty-fourth in League Two – which is the fourth tier of the English football league system.

They began as Pine Villa FC in 1895 but changed their name to Oldham Athletic in 1899, joined the Football League in 1907. Oldham Athletic

were one of the first of four Clubs to install a plastic pitch in the 1980’s.

The other three Clubs being QPR, Preston and Luton, but they reverted to grass as, not only was it thought to give the home team an unfair advantage, but a goalie was once seen to take a goal kick that ‘bounced so high it flew over the crossbar at the other end of the pitch!’ The Club’s motto is, “Sapere Aude” – three Lancashire Red Roses and an Owl. The word ‘Aude’ contains the syllable ‘owd’ of the local pronunciation of ‘Owdham’ or ‘Owldham’. The motto translates as, “Dare to be Wise”. We might all benefit, just saying!

Much-loved celebrity stars of our screens – these include …

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Kelvin Fletcher – born and raised in Oldham, star (as Andy Sugden) in Emmerdale and winner, in 2019, with his professional dance partner, Oti Mabuse, of Strictly Come Dancing;

Sarah Lancashire – awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to Drama. TV legend of dramas plus a role in ‘Corrie’ – Coronation Street – from 1991 to 2000.

Philip Schofield – Oldham born but raised in Newquay, co-presenter of This Morning and Dancing on Ice. Best known for his TV work but recently added Theatre to his repertoire.

Siobhan Finneran – best known from Benidorm – also starred alongside fellow Olderhamer, Sarah Lancashire in Happy Valley – a star of the stage and of the screen.

Barbara Knox – a true soap icon – renowned for her 48 years as newsagent, Rita Fairclough in Coronation Street and made an MBE in 2010.

Anne Kirkbride – most remembered as legendary soap actress, Deirdre Barlow for 42 years on Coronation Street. Anne won the outstanding achievement award in 2015 and sadly passed away aged 60 that same year.

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Christopher Biggins – born in Oldham, raised in Salisbury – famous for his part in Game Shows, Theatre and winner of 2007’s “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!”

David Platt – former England footballer – born in Chadderton (nearby), appearing at a World Cup and two European Championship tournaments;

Olivia Cooke – she played Becky Sharpe in Vanity Fair – she began in the Theatre and moved onto Films and TV shows.

Nick Grimshaw – BBC Radio 1 DJ – hosted Radio 1 Breakfast Show between 2012 and 2018 now does Drivetime and has been an X Factor judge.

Ralf Little – comedy actor famous for his role in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps Please and also a semi-professional footballer in the early 2000’s.

Kevin Sinfield – Rugby League player who Captained Leeds Rhinos and England no less than twenty-six times – now Director of Rugby at Leeds Rhinos.

• Hartshead Pike – the 157 year old iconic landmark overlooks Oldham and is named because of its monument situated near the summit and called, Hartshead Pike Tower.

From the top of Hartshead Pike, visitors are afforded splendiferous views over Oldham, Ashton-underLyne, Mossley, Saddleworth, Lees and on a clear day you may well see Manchester, Cheshire and as far as

Snowdonia in Wales. Hartshead Pike has been a grade II Listed Building since 1967. It was built in 1863 and designed by local architect John Eaton. The land was donated to the Town, along with the stone to build the Tower by the Earl of Stamford. In the 1930’s the tower was open to the public and contained a sweetshop that was closed and then bricked up at the outbreak of World War II. It is owned by Tameside Council who’ve recently agreed to spend £61,000 repairing the monument to “keep it from falling down”, restoring and reinstating the Towers’ lantern.

There’s much to be done – the lantern was recently removed because of health of safety concerns and the spire’s in ‘poor condition’ requiring re-pointing to stop rain damage.

As the report that stated urgent repair was necessary, was written pre-Covid-19, we’ll probably have to wait for the crises to be averted before these damage-limiting works can take place.

Nicola White – another Oldhamer, and Olympic Gold Medallist in 2016 and then a Bronze Medallist in 2012 as a member of the Team GB Hockey Team.

Mark Owen – best known as part of Take That – he’s also from Oldham.

This singer-songwriter has sold over 500,000 records worldwide as a solo artist – not forgetting the 45 million as a member of Take That. Mark also played footie for Chadderton FC before 1989 and his Take That audition.

You may not have heard of them but The Oldham Tinkers are an English Folk Group formed in Oldham in 1965 at a chance meeting in an Oldham Pub. The Group chose Tinkers in their name as there were differences of opinion in Oldham (at the time) between travellers and the council. They later added the towns’ name so as not to be confused with a London group called the Tinkers.

In 1977 the Oldham Tinkers who were John Howarth, Larry and Gerry Kearns, performed to the Queen and Prince Phillip at a Royal Gala Performance at the Palace Theatre Manchester. The Oldham Tinkers were a regular feature on BBC Radio – recording for such notaries as the late, great John Peel and Andy Kershaw.

So, what will spring to your mind when you say, Oldham then??

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‘Art should be experienced!’

After 25 years in the Art & Framing business, the E. Anthony Orme Gallery is rebranding & moving to an exciting new premises at Bury’s newest retail park, Park 66, Pilsworth, Bury. Orme Galleries are pleased to be opening the largest UK Retail Gallery and Framers, offering a multitude of services and a fantastic art experience for all.

Following are a series of questions, in an interview with Christopher Orme (Orme Galleries founder) and E. Anthony Orme (the artist).

Left: E. Anthony Orme artist

“Christopher, what made you decide to build the UK’s largest Art Gallery & Framers?”

“The old Gallery on Stand Lane, Radcliffe, holds a lot of memories and is where all of this started back in 1997. We are delighted to be stepping up and I am pleased to say we have been successful enough to outgrow the space with new framing machinery and art work. The opening of the new Gallery celebrates a lifetime of artistic creation by the Artist E Anthony Orme. Building the UK’s largest retail Gallery and Framers allows us to exhibit fine art paintings, exclusive releases on collectable, low edition prints and design-lead, home-décor framed wall art. This new 5000 square 30

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foot premises enables us to showcase the art and we are confident it will determine a pleasant visit for everyone.

I wanted the Gallery to be more than just a place that offers art and framing, we want our customers to really feel the experience of a truly unique gallery.

Enjoy our new client lounge which has been developed for you, to choose your art in a comfortable environment.

Finally, Orme Galleries has been designed to appeal to everyone, there is disabled access, including disabled parking spots immediately outside our front door, within a 2000 space car park.”

Above: Christopher Orme GCF (APF)

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I’d Like That One - by artist E. Anthony Orme

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“ Is all the work in the Gallery painted by yourself, Anthony?”

“Yes of course! A lifetime of painting has allowed me to be completely flexible with my approach to the various genres in the field of art, for example; the nostalgic scenes which I still paint to this day are memories of my childhood in and around the Greater Manchester area and each painting tells a story of that particular time. Also on show at the Gallery, will be paintings & prints which are inspired by my many visits to various cities which include; Paris, New York, Venice, Hong Kong and continental Europe such as Spain and the South of France (Côte d’A zur). Other paintings will involve; nudes, semi-nudes, icons, ballerinas and wildlife paintings, all of which are framed to the highest standards by my son Christopher.”

“the inspiration for the nostalgic paintings come from my childhood days”

“What was your inspiration for the front cover, Anthony?”

“As I mentioned previously, the inspiration for the nostalgic paintings come from my childhood days which I hope will be recognised by people of a similar age, as being authentic in detail.

The painting entitled ‘I’d like that one’ (front cover) displays two children at a sweet shop, admiring the many treats on show, several of which are still on sale today. Notice also, the crack in the flags (which is illustrated in all my nostalgic paintings) as the flags were never perfect.

‘Children’s Games’ displays the various street activities which we were involved in at that age for example; swinging on the lamppost, game of conkers & marble players.

Bargain Corner by artist E. Anthony Orme

‘The painting entitled ‘Bargain Corner’ shows an old furniture shop selling brica-brac, mirrors, second-hand prams etc.

Recycling was in its heyday.

‘Ford Squire 100E & Friends’ is a scene as I remember with the Ford Squire Saloon in the foreground. Note also, the boys playing cricket with an old dustbin for the wickets.

‘The Bag of Sweets’ again shows children peering in the shop window, with two young girls sharing a bag of sweets just purchased from the shop.

‘One Potato, Two Potato’ actually shows a spruce green Ford Anglia Saloon, which I was lucky enough to own on passing my driving test. Again, children playing their various games of skipping and football.”

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The Bag Of Sweets by artist E. Anthony Orme

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“Chris, how would you explain quality of your framing?”

“And what can be expected as an ongoing service from Orme Galleries?”

“I think as a business, it is important to offer a wide range of options to your customers, whether it be with the art work on show or the style of framing we offer. I am fully qualified as a Fine Art Trade Guild Certified Framer. I have had training at the British Museum where I learnt museum standard techniques, all of which is expected from a modern-day Gallery. Orme Galleries can deliver bespoke, custom frames in all sizes and colours.

Also, we don’t just offer a picture framing service specifically. We can professionally frame your own photographs, 3D objects and memorabilia, in showcase frames with the option of being illuminated with LED lights. We use conservation perseveration techniques and materials to help keep your sentimental and/or valuable art works and memorabilia safe.”

“As I previously mentioned, we want the Gallery to engage with everyone. Our customers can expect a large variety of different art work, bespoke picture framing up to a museum standard and giftware such as: mugs, place mats, coasters and greetings cards.

Additionally, Orme Galleries has its own designated Photography Studio. We can scan, digitally restore, reprint and frame any old photos, restoring them back to their former glory.

On show will be E. Anthony Orme fine art originals, fine art prints and affordable prints, ready to hang on your wall. We have an exclusive online shop www.eanthonyorme.com/ which also offers high-quality prints. Some of the artwork available both in store and online will include; nostalgic, icons, artwork featuring Parisian & Venetian scenes, local scenes, trains, nudes and Ballerinas.”

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Children’s Games by artist E. Anthony Orme

“We can professionally frame your own photographs, 3D objects and memorabilia, in showcase frames with the option of being illuminated with LED lights”.

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“Christopher, what lead you into the art & framing industry and how do you plan to make it work at the new Art Gallery?”

“I am lucky enough to come from an artistic family, my Father working as a professional artist, lead to a natural progression into the art and framing industry. The fact that all our work is done in-house, allows us as a team to provide these services to our customers efficiently. Of course it all starts with the artist creating a piece of artwork, which is then digitally captured in our photography studio. The image is professionally edited, colour managed and then printed and framed. We can create art to match a colour scheme and wall space, whether it be pre-existing prints or originals.”

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Christopher - “I am hoping by the time this article is released, the Gallery will be open to the public. I am extremely excited to be starting this new journey with my family and I am confident it will be a great success.”

Below: One Potato, Two Potato by artist E. Anthony Orme

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Orme Galleries (Formerly known as the E. Anthony Orme Gallery - T/A Rome Fine Arts Ltd.) is now the UK’s largest retail Art Gallery and Framers.

Award winning online art business eanthonyorme.com website 2017. UK picture framing business 2016. Fine Art Trade guild member. We offer Expert Picture Framing Service and Photo Printing on Paper or Canvas.

Fine Art Original Paintings, Signed Fine Art Prints and Limited Edition Prints on Paper or Canvas by E. Anthony Orme & Vlasta.

Orme Galleries,Unit 1A,Park 66,BURY,BL9 8RZ. Tel: 0161 7669991 Email: enquiries@eanthonyorme.co.uk For gallery’s opening day and opening times, please call tel: 0161 7669991, check out our website www.eanthonyorme.co.uk, or follow our social media accounts: Instagram: @ormegalleries Facebook: Orme Galleries Twitter: @OrmeGalleries Below: Ford Squire 100E And Friends by artist E. Anthony Orme

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Do you remember the meadow where you used to watch butterflies dancing from flower to flower? Do you remember getting up early to go into the wood to listen to the birds singing heartily? Do you remember the stream where you watched herons hunt from behind the reeds?

Are they still there?

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust wants to know your memories of wild places that have been lost to housing or industry over the years. The places where you played during childhood or that offered vital respite, which have vanished or been left to go to waste.

Campaigns Manager Alan Wright reminisced: “I remember there were loads of places to explore as a kid. There were woods and ponds, where you could see all kinds of wildlife.

All that is now housing.

“Of course, in that area there were railway lines and the remnants of coal mining, which have been changed into corridors for wildlife, which proves that we can work alongside development.”

Many more areas are under threat of development, unless we put pressure on Government to introduce planning reforms that HAVE NATURE IN MIND. The Lancashire Wildlife Trust has a vision for a Wilder Future, where 30 per cent of nature will recover by 2030. It will

need the protection of a Wildbelt, creating and protecting a Nature Recovery Network across the whole of the United Kingdom, a network where wild things can flourish and recover. https://www.lancswt.org.uk/news/we-needwildbelt-allow-natures-recovery We fear that the removal of safeguards in the Government’s planning reforms will lead to an increase in natures decline and put an end to the wonderful love affairs many people have had with wildlife on their doorsteps. The last thing we want is for people and wildlife to become strangers, wary of each other.

To help us in our campaign to ensure the Government listens to our concerns, please send us your stories to show them the value of the natural places we have lost, and that we stand to lose.

Tell us your stories of childhood places that no longer exist or secret places that could be threatened by a wave of development.

Send you stories to info@lancswt.org.uk and mark them Lost Landscapes. We will publish some of them as blogs on our website and use details to discuss planning reforms with government in the future.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 27,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers.

To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

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Ready to leave city living behind?

The Grantham - lounge

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lose enough to Manchester city centre to commute and within easy reach of the affluent areas of Wilmslow, Macclesfield and

Alderley Edge, Woodford Garden Village still offers plenty of options when it comes to eating out and socialising.

There is countryside and green space on the doorstep and good schools aplenty in the local area. And for those who work in the city centre, nearby Poynton train station takes you to Manchester Piccadilly in less than 30 minutes.

If country pubs appeal more than bars and restaurants, the surrounding Cheshire villages have endless excellent gastro pubs, including the Farmer’s Arms and Vernon Arms in Poynton and The Bulls Head and Ship Inn in Wilmslow. Woodford Garden Village will also have its own pub, The Aviator.

Residents at Woodford Garden Village will also be able to make

The kitchen inside the Grantham

the most of the Cheshire countryside with the National Trust’s Lyme Park only seven miles away. Dunham Massey and Tatton Park are close by too, as well as the Peak District National Park.

Anna Evans-Kerr, head of sales at Redrow Homes (NW) says: “Making the decision to move out of the city centre and into a ‘forever home’ is a huge decision, especially when you’re used to

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IF the time has come to leave the bright lights and busy pace of city living and put down roots somewhere more relaxing with space to grow then Redrow’s Woodford Garden Village, in Cheshire, is the answer.

The Grantham bedroom

The Grantham offers owners the space to be versatile

everything being within such easy reach. Woodford Garden Village will help movers ease into life outside the city as it will also provide all the necessary amenities for its residents.

“There will be plenty of green spaces, opportunities to walk and cycle, plus the provision of an on-site shop and primary school.”

One house that will be ideal for young professionals is the Grantham 4. This three-storey, four-bedroom townhouse currently starts from £405,995. On the ground floor is the open-plan kitchen and dining area and the lounge that opens onto the garden through French doors.

The first floor has three double bedrooms, one of which comes with its own en-suite, plus there’s a family bathroom. All of the top floor space is given over to another double bedroom with en-suite shower room and built-in storage, although this space has great potential for other uses too.

Anna continues: “This space is a real selling point of the Grantham. Some people are using it as a main bedroom suite but others have decided to turn it into a media room for watching films and playing video games, while others have seen its potential as a home office; somewhere self-contained and away from the rest of the house – the perfect place to work from home.”

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Currently there are two outlets open at Woodford Garden Village, Anson Meadows which has three and four-bedroom homes from £380,995, and The Courtyard – a development of 30 luxury twobedroom apartments from £364,995. A brand-new sales centre is due to open on September 23rd with seven new show homes opening in October so there is plenty to explore.

To find out more about the townhouses at Anson Meadows visit www.redrow.co.uk/ ansonmeadows or call 0161 516 9557.

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The Holes In my Shoes

By Kate Gostick

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n Cardiff, I rarely met another Northerner, let alone a Lancastrian, so when I was introduced to someone from Blackburn I was obviously wary and needed validation. I was not about to be tricked into letting my guard down with a fake Lancastrian, risking judgment on my working class roots. There was only one question that would validate his authenticity.

“How can you tell where I bought my shoes?”

“Do they have the holes?” came back the reply, correctly providing the correct code word when I told him that they did.

“Tommy Ball’s?”

Tommy Ball was a rag and bone man who would cart his wagon along the rickety, cobbled streets of Blackburn lined with terraced two up two downs, collecting old clothes and shoes to sell on. He would trawl the obituaries to source his wares, in turn easing the sorrow of loss with the gain of pennies for shoes no longer needed by the feet now walking on the soft clouds of heaven.

Eventually Tommy Ball decided to open a market stall to help him sell his garments and shoes on.

He was denied that chance, a rag and bone man being deemed not the right sort of trader to be granted space in the dusty, bustling market hall frequented by working-class inhabitants who were scraping together a living. Tommy was one of them and at that moment he promised himself he would build up a multi-millionpound business from just a £5 note and a pile of secondhand clothes. Along his way he would help other business owners to serve their community.

Somehow, and I don’t know how, one day an old mill had his name above the door.

The lower floors were filled with aspiring workingclass Blackburn natives, fighting to scratch their way up the ladder out of poverty, paying their rent to Tommy and in turn helping him to build his empire.

The top floor though, was Tommy’s. The stone stairs led up, passing from floor to floor, worn in the centre from decade after decade of weavers clogs rushing up to their looms to ensure they wouldn’t lose a single minute of pay. Every penny may be the difference between life and death for the newest urchin that had arrived into the grey smog to fight for survival. As you reached the highest point and crossed the line from stone to

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scratched stained wood, cotton threads securely wedged in the dark gaps between the boards, you entered Tommy’s gift to his people. Once, around the walls of the room that consumed the whole of that upper floor, carding machines, looms and bobbin winders worked away earning riches for the mill tycoons drinking port in their clubs. The machine’s toils only gave pennies for those who worked them for fifteen hour days, risking their limbs in the clashing and whirling of the machinery that would also rob them of their hearing. Now, in their place, stood row upon row of racks interspersed with the descendants of those weavers, calling to one another across the metal poles that held the shoes. Their yelling was a legacy of raised voices attempting to communicate over the bangs of looms, clacking back and forth growing reams of cotton fabric.

Even though the machines have long since been silenced the raised voices had been passed on to the subsequent generations. The once bare feet of dispensable children, just old enough to scramble under the looms fast-moving parts to collect loose threads, were now replaced by the bare feet of a treasured child searching for the next size up to cover their ever-growing feet. The stench of the sweat of hard labor was replaced by the sweat of bare feet looking for new protection from the cold dampness on the Pennine town that would never change. Parents’ fingers no longer unravelled the cotton threads of twisted fabric, but now unravelled the strings which bound each pair of shoes firmly together and were slung higgledypiggledy over the metal bars which traversed the old weaving shed. Hence, the holes in the back of your shoes. Holes made by the string which www.lancmag.com

was threaded through the leather, holes which identified you as a local. It was these holes that showed you belonged. Eventually, as the pair was separated from the rack and placed on the feet of the next generation, the Tommy Ball shuffle was utilised to check for comfort. Children and adults alike waddled around the wooden boards, feet tied together with the signature string, nodding to signify acceptance or scowling to signify the battle must continue to search out a more suitable alternative. The holes left by the strings, that bound together the shoes, signified the bond that bound together Lancastrians, secure in their working-class background and their ascension into the middle classes. You may have an indoor toilet and a colour television, but you were grounded by the holes in the back of your shoes showing that it had not always been that way.

Tommy Ball did not exploit the people who had shared his struggle by selling them cheap shoes, but he sold them good shoes to help them climb the ladder, cheaply.

When my dad passed away in the bottom of his closet sat row upon row of identical black leather shoes, most never worn, signifying he had grasped all the opportunities the 1944 Education Act afforded to him, allowing him to escape the poverty that had been the destiny of those around him and those who had come before. In the back of each pair however, were the holes where the string had once been. These holes signified that he had not forgotten that, although that education act may have afforded free education to all, it did not provide them with shoes to walk to those schools, food to fuel the young brains thirst for knowledge or books to provide a source www.lancmag.com

of that knowledge. Shoes were a luxury given to him by the army during his national service, to replace the clogs handed down from generation to generation that clicked on the cobbled streets and had once worn down the stone steps of Tommy Balls mill. The holes in the back of his shoes grounded him in the knowledge that he had earned his right not to be hungry, but had not earned him the right to forget his beginnings.

In the same way that shoes had allowed Tommy Ball to escape hardship, education had allowed my father the opportunity to better himself and escape the poverty that blighted his childhood.

Tommy had used shoes to help others achieve what he had achieved and my father dedicated his life to help others gain the education that would improve their standard of living and that of their descendants.

I was raised to not be flamboyant or excessive, to not be wasteful or boastful, but shoes and books were never denied to me. My father’s reward for his struggle was the privilege to provide, what he saw, as luxuries to his daughter who had never seen them as anything other than expected necessities. These same holes in the back of my shoes now secured the bond between two Lancastrians in a faraway land far beyond the final point of the M6, knowing that they had risen from the same foundations and were the result of a shared struggle which afforded them shared values and understanding. The holes in my shoes where a reminder of where I had come from, but the shoes themselves were walking me forward into new horizons, so out of reach that they could not even be dreamed of by the bare feet and clogs of my father’s past.

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A conversation with the entrepreneur and football enthusiast, Mike Harris

©Mike Harris

What sparked your interest in football and why did you decide to buy a football club?

“I’ve always enjoyed football. It all started in 1998 when I got involved in local football club called Llansantffraid. This was a local football club in what is today the Welsh Premier League. I co-sponsored them for a season and then they agreed to change the name of the football club to my company’s name, Total Network Solutions. When BT took over my business, the fans and I changed the name The New Saints of Oswestry town and Llansantffraid.

“My reason for being involved in the Welsh premier league was that it had the same UEFA competition entry as England and all other European countries. So, Wales could also end up playing all the major teams in Europe. My dream of playing in Europe started in 2000 with a game in the Champions League and still continues to this day.

We have not missed a season since then. The dream ties were playing Manchester City in the UEFA Cup in 2003 and Liverpool in the Champions League in 2006.

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“I saw the business opportunity that Welsh football could evolve and help the National League to have its own national football league. When I took over the football club it was run on £40000 and today it’s grown to a football business that’s turning over £2 million. We’ve become the most successful club playing domestic football in Wales. We’ve also represented Wales in Uefa competitions every year since 2000. “Selling my business allowed me to build a new stadium in Oswestry and pay off the debts of Oswestry Town. We acquired the ground and merged the two football clubs. Today, the New Saints is the merger of the village of Llansantffraid and Oswestry Town. We’ve developed the football ground and relocated to Oswestry.

“We’ve also established a world record. We took Ajax’s record of the longest streak of wins, which was established in 1971. We took that in 2016. We had a run of 27 consecutive wins. I’m hopeful that no team will beat it again in my lifetime. When you think about it, it took 48 years to snatch it from Ajax. www.lancmag.com

Below: Football is both business and pleasure

Looking back over your career as an entrepreneur, what was your biggest influence in becoming an entrepreneur?

“My grandfather had a rotovator. When I was 14 years old, I would buy a gallon of petrol and push the rotovator into the local village and do gardens.

It would usually take me an hour to do a garden and that would get me a fiver. The petrol cost me 25 pence a gallon. This work allowed me to buy my first motorbike out of the proceeds of rotavating gardens and working at local farms. That was my inspiration to earn money. My parents would not have been able to afford a motorbike when I was 14. I still have that motorbike today and I cherish it.

This work taught me the value of money and that hard work brings you rewards.

“At the age of 16 I was able to take a motorbike engine to pieces, refit it and put it back together, which helped me when I applied for an apprenticeship. I had no formal training to do that.

Regularly I would change pistons and spark plugs because at the time they were always breaking down, so you had to be mechanically minded. That helped me to get an apprenticeship at BT.”

Left: Mike’s first motorbike

Please tell me about your life and career prior to Total Network Solutions?

Within half an hour the issues that they had had over twelve months were fixed.

“I left school and joined BT where I trained to be a telephone engineer in their exchange and later moved into their computer centres. By the end of the 1980s there was a massive technology revolution and companies wanted to give the power of computing in real time to their employees. So, I took the brave move to leave BT and set up my own company as a consultant.

“I enjoyed my time at BT, but eventually I made the decision to move on. I contacted a recruitment agency and they asked for a copy of my CV. At the time, I had no idea what a CV was. They wrote down everything that I told them over the telephone and turned it into a CV. The next day, they invited me to London for an interview.

Left: Award for raising funds to build the first FiberCity®

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“When I arrived, they were having terrible telephone problems. So, I offered to help them fix it. When I went to the communications room I discovered what their problems were. Within half an hour the issues that they had had over twelve months were fixed. My interview was rather short and when I left they asked me when I could start..”

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you’ll often find me replying to emails from the top of a mountain.”

How and why did you start Total Network Solutions?

“After providing consultancy services to a number of large organisations, I developed my company to provide solutions and not just consultancy service.

I offered to carry out this consultancy as part of the solution and only accepted payment if the solution that I proposed worked. In the first year, my company’s turnover was half a million pounds, in year two in was £1.5 million, year three was £3.6 million and then £9 million in year four. We established ourselves as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK. That company continued to grow, until it was Sold to BT in 2005.

“As a result of our hard work, Total Network Solutions grew extremely quickly. As a result, we were nominated in Deloitte’s 50 fastest growing companies and were in The Times 100 fastest growing companies on three separates occasions in five years. Ernst and Young gave me an award for Entrepreneur of the Year for Technology in the Midlands in 2001 and in 2003 I was runner-up.”

Below: SiFi Networks is going to revolutionise broadband in the USA

“My company’s services were taken by companies such as HJ Heinz, AT&T and various health authorities and government departments.

“The next revolution in communications technology happened in the mid to late 1990s — this was the birth of the internet. The first internet connections worked with a dial-up connection using the old telephone system. We installed many of those networks for internet service providers in the UK, such as Planet Online, Business Net or AOL. Then we upgraded them for the first generation of broadband internet. We also supplied and installed approximately 50 per cent of UK university campus networks.

Why did you decide to sell it?

What do you do to relax?

“My company was not for sale and they made me an offer that I could not refuse.

BT employed 120 people and ensured that they were well looked after.”

“I used to play football a lot and I still very much enjoy watching it. I often go out into the countryside where I walk a number of miles each week. Luckily, I can do the majority of my work from my phone, so you’ll often find me replying to emails from the top of a mountain.”

How and why did you start SiFi Networks?

“I saw a gap in the market, which could utilise my skills that I had grown with Total Network Solution.

I realised that the American market is served by incumbent monopolies, just like the UK had been 20 years ago with BT. Legislation made BT break down their monopoly, with what’s called local loop unbundling, which led to the likes of Virgin coming into the market. My dream is that SiFi Networks will grow and become the ultimate brand for delivering internet access to cities throughout the whole of the US.”

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Below: Once a footballer always a footballer

www.lancmag.com

Christmas Decorators Lancashire

A Christmas decorating service for commercial and residential properties offering a bespoke service for interior and exterior decorations.

Commercial

Residential

Events

www.thechristmasdecorators.com/Lancashire m 01204 20 80 55 E @thechristmasdecoratorslancashire m 07857 919 543 Q the_christmas_decorator m 07739 562 280 D @TCDLancashire

Autumn Collaboration for The Dukes and Lancaster Arts The Dukes and Lancaster Arts are delighted to announce that they will be working together to bring more exciting live theatre safely back to the Lancaster district in an Autumn Collaboration season.

The two arts organisations, situated in Lancaster city centre and on the Lancaster University campus respectively, are joining forces to showcase a series of dynamic works, beginning with an innovative and socially distanced outdoor performance of Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show on October 20-21.

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www.lancmag.com

T

he latest inventive production from critically acclaimed theatre company imitating the dog and co-producers Leeds Playhouse, Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show is a deliciously dark tale of mischief and immorality that draws inspiration from horror movies and the traditions of carnivals and medicine shows.

Curious audiences are invited to join Dr. Blood and his motley crew for this early Halloween treat at Lancaster Square on the Lancaster University campus, with two performances of the half hour horror show starting at 7.30pm & 8.30pm respectively. The show is recommended for 14+ and can be booked through Lancaster Arts.

for theatre, and we look forward to welcoming our audiences to celebrate the power of live arts with us and Lancaster Arts.”

Jocelyn Cunningham, Lancaster Arts Director said: “The challenges for arts and cultural venues due to the pandemic offers a brilliant opportunity for Lancaster Arts and The Dukes to work closely together this autumn. This way we can join together to offer something really special for Lancaster audiences.”

There will also be the chance for audiences to experience powerful contemporary drama in The Dukes’ second site Moor Space as part of the season, with On Jerusalem exploring the politics of division with singer and performer, Avital Raz (December 3), followed by Rebecca AtkinsonLord’s thought-provoking look at social mobility and belonging in The Class Project (December 4).

These two shows will each be followed by a postshow Q&A discussion centred upon the themes of the productions.

The Dukes Director, Karen O’Neill said: “The Dukes are thrilled to be collaborating with Lancaster Arts to present this season of live theatre to the district. These are difficult times for all, and our sector is experiencing many challenges. To be able to join forces with Lancaster Arts to help make arts happen safely feels very special and symbolic of the way in which the arts are working together to keep creativity at the centre of our communities.

“Safety is and will continue to be paramount in all that we do. The Dukes team have worked very hard to make Moor Space a COVID-secure home

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Tickets for Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show are limited to ensured reduced capacity audiences and social distancing will be in place for all performances.

Full COVID-safety measures will be sent out to each booker and are available on both Lancaster Arts and The Dukes’ websites.

Tickets for Dr Blood’s Old Travelling Show are priced at £8 (£7 for supporters and students) and are on sale now. They can be booked through Lancaster Arts at https://www.lancasterarts.org/whats-on/ event/dr-bloods-old-travelling-show/. Tickets for The Class Project and On Jerusalem are priced at £11-£15 and will be released soon through The Dukes at www.dukeslancaster.org

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The Christmas part 2 Decorators In last month’s Lancashire & North West Magazine we met The Christmas Decorators. The company, which was first set up in the UK in 2005 by Nick and Sarah Bolton, offers a bespoke design and installation service, taking the strain out of Christmas decorating.

T

he Christmas Decorators has grown into a multi-million pound business over the last 15 years and now boasts an enviable client list, which speaks for itself. The company decorates some of the UK’s best-known shopping centres, hotels and restaurants. The Shard and Borough Market in London, Jaguar Landrover, Europe’s biggest shopping mall in Milan and even the Municipality of Bethlehem are just a few of the high-profile names that have put their trust in The Christmas Decorators. Their decorations have also adorned the homes of the aristocracy, Hollywood A-listers, Premiership footballers and music stars.

However, you don’t have to be rich and famous to take advantage of what The Christmas Decorators has to offer. The company provides its services to all types of businesses and homes.

They are used by anyone who wants their festive season to sparkle with style and class, but don’t necessarily have the time or skill to achieve fantastic results on their own.

Here in the North-West, The Christmas Decorators’ regional office is based in Bolton and covers the whole of Lancashire and the Lake District. Last month we talked to Danny Berry and Andy Lowe, the two Managing Directors for the North-West area. In the three years they have been in business the pair have lit up streets and shop fronts across the region.

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Last Christmas their handiwork was on display at Marsh Mill Village in Thornton Cleveleys in the form of a spectacular 25ft Christmas tree illuminated with multi-coloured lights. Danny and Andy also supplied the Christmas decorations for the Affinity Shopping Outlet (formerly Fleetwood Freeport). The main attraction, an eye-catching giant sparkling green Christmas bauble, proved to www.lancmag.com

be a real talking point. The giant sparkling angels that took up residence in Penrith town centre for the festive season were also supplied by The Christmas Decorators.

Danny and Andy have probably lost count of the number of North-West residential properties they have decorated over the last three years, but every project is important to them. They talk of going that extra mile to create something special and the pleasure they feel from watching the customer’s face light up when they see the finished results. With so many high-end customers the company is mindful of client confidentiality.

Discretion is guaranteed and they are happy to liaise with agents, personal assistants and caretakers. Sometimes they don’t even know who owns the property they are decorating, but in every instance the homeowner is assured of a professional and personalised service.

The pair say, “We believe this special time of year should be as hassle-free as possible, which is why we provide homes and businesses with luxurious interior and exterior Christmas lights and decorations. From the initial bespoke design, through to installation and removal, our team will save you huge amounts of time and give you a Christmas to remember.”

The team will provide a complete design and installation service for all customers. As an example of the options available to homeowners, The Christmas Decorators can illuminate the exterior of the house with large bulb or icicle lights, supply wreaths and decorated potted

www.lancmag.com

They talk of going that extra mile to create something special and the pleasure they feel from watching the customer’s face light up when they see the finished results.

trees for the front door, light the driveway and illuminate the branches of larger trees and shrubs in the garden. Inside the home they can install a real or artificial tree to suit the room’s décor, dress the dining table, supply potted and vase displays, as well as handcrafted garlands and wreaths for doorways, mantelpieces and banisters.

With the ability to design and manufacture their own bespoke products in-house locally here in Lancashire, the possibilities are endless.

As Danny says, “Anything you can think of, we can make”.

The Christmas Decorators can also boast of having the biggest commercial showroom of festive displays within the UK, which is open from March to October at the company’s HQ in Speke, Liverpool. Danny and Andy are happy to arrange a tour for prospective commercial clients in the north-west and any visitors to the showroom are assured of a warm Christmas welcome.

So for those who feel that this year more than ever they want to add a bit of extra Christmas magic to their lives, what packages do The Christmas Decorators offer?

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One package gives customers the opportunity to purchase all the products that are used. The Christmas Decorators will provide its unique bespoke design and installation service and at the end of the festive period will return to take down the display, leaving the customers to store the decorations. Should the customer wish to use the company to reinstall the display the following year, this will generally be done at a 50% discount to the first year’s price.

For those customers who wish to take advantage of the company’s design and installation service without buying the products outright, The Christmas Decorators offers a oneyear rental package. The team will return after the big event to dismantle and take away the display.

The company also offers a longer three-year rental package. Again, this provides customers with the full design and installation service provided by The Christmas Decorators without the requirement to buy products outright. At the end of the season the team will dismantle the display and remove it for safe storage. They will then return to reinstall the display for the following two Christmases. After three years customers are given the option to change the display, say, for instance, they decide that they wish to opt for a new colour scheme. This flexibility gives the customers the opportunity to ring the changes and keep up-to-date with current trends and probably explains why this package is the most popular with customers.

Another advantage of being local and on the spot is the fact that should any problems arise, they can be there very quickly to resolve them.

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www.lancmag.com

Despite its global presence, the company firmly believes that the best way to do business is by keeping it local and this has proved to be one of the key ingredients to its success. The Christmas Decorators is unique in having regional offices spread across the UK, each of which is dedicated to providing a personal service to customers in its local area. Keeping it local makes perfect business sense, as it significantly reduces travel and haulage costs, and it is also good for the environment, lessening, as it does, the company’s carbon footprint. It’s also worth bearing in mind that this approach benefits the local economy, as the money spent is staying in the local area.

Here in the north-west Danny and Andy are on hand to guide customers through the whole process from the initial meeting through to design and installation, followed by takedown and storage. Another advantage of being local and on the spot is the fact that should any problems arise, they can be there very quickly to resolve them.

Danny and Andy’s work doesn’t end once the festive season is over and all the decorations have been stored away safely until next year. For those who believe they deserve some sparkle and glamour in their life throughout the year and not just in December, The Christmas Decorators are on hand to supply spectacular lighting for weddings, festivals and other large events, as well as more intimate parties at home in the garden.

If you are planning any special occasions next summer, or you want to give a special loved one an unforgettable Valentine’s Day, why not take advantage of the bespoke design and installation service which the company offers all year round? www.lancmag.com

To learn more about The Christmas Decorators Lancashire, visit their Facebook page @thechristmasdecoratorslancashire.

They can also be found on Twitter @TCDLancashire and Instagram @the_christmas_decorator.

To speak to The Christmas Decorators Lancashire, please contact Danny Berry on 0773 9652280 or Andy Lowe on 0785 7919543.

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WE ARE STILL HERE WORKING ON YOUR BEHALF ONLY IN A DIFFERENT WAY Our teams are working from home, taking calls and answering any questions you have about moving home, family matters, Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney. We can still do all of these things for you and more, just in a slightly different way.

www.vincentssolicitors.co.uk

To find out more call us on 01772 555 176 to speak to any of our team or email enquiries@vslaw.co.uk. We are here for you.

BOOKS Our roundup of this months literary delights

People Who Witnessed Dog Men, Werewolves, Wulvers and Shucks The Fortunate Unfortunate Book Series.

This book is the second in a series of books written by Deborah L Hatswell The second book in the series is a compilation of witness reports taken from people all across the UK where the Creature seen is described as Canine in appearance. The witnesses to these Creatures are often confronted by a Half Human, Half Wolf like figure, they are often followed and stalked by the Creature, sometimes right into their own homes.

After all, any Canine can pick up and follow a scent from miles away, the smell of fear is strong and they can hone in on it within seconds. Sometimes described as Wolfheaded Men, Shucks and Wulvers. These Creatures sometimes said to have the pointed ears of a Dog, Dog-like limbs, Paws, Claws and a tail, whilst others are said to be human in appearance, yet thickly hair covered, with hands and feet, tailless but with the head of a Dog. These people who have seen these extraordinary Beings are ordinary folk, going about their day to day lives when they are suddenly confronted with a sight straight out of a horror movie. I have also included some reports that I feel fit the behaviour, habits and characteristics of the Canine Creatures.

The Canine ones are often seen around our Cemeteries and Ancient burial sites, shadowing and following humans as they walk the woods. On some occasions even coming very close to our homes. They watch us silently as we weave along the paths, sometimes they are spotted from the corner of your eye, but most often they remain just beyond your line of sight, unseen. They watch silently and observe us and 9 times out of 10 we wouldn’t even know it.

These Creatures are often described as being as “large as a Pony and thickly muscled”. With snouted faces and Canine teeth. They are the critters from our nightmares, they are certainly fierce enough to keep you up at night. Some Unfortunate folks came face to face with these inexplicable horrors in some of our most beautiful Places. They can be taking a hike, wild camping or walking the Dog. Others see them walking home from work at night, or whilst driving on our roads. And in a couple of disturbing cases the Creatures are actually experienced whilst working your shift.

There are very few places you can turn to for help. The Police or a Govt agency would not be my first choice, the newspapers would have a field day with anyone brave enough to emerge with their story. In the years between 2008 and 2012 Twelve Werewolves were reported to Staffordshire Police by members of the public. That’s just four short years and one county. I wonder how many others out there have a Truth of their own to tell.

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Deborah...

“I started this book series many years ago, in the very early days I would search the UK for any reports or articles that matched the strange Creature I saw in 1982. It took a long time to find others, but eventually I did. And as the years have passed I have become a voice for others who wish to share their ‘Truth’ publicly. So now that is what I do, I share the experiences in the words of the witness themselves, in articles and books, podcasts, Interviews and youtube videos in the hopes of finding answers and finding others who are also out there thinking they are alone in what they have experienced. In 2016 I stated a volunteer investigations team, made from members all across the UK, who can visit the area of a report and meet with the witness in person. We investigate the scene and interview the person and take a statement. The reports are then mapped and reported to the general public. This community group also enables people with similar experiences or interests to meet up and chat online. I believe each one of us has a tiny piece of the puzzle, by getting together and sharing knowledge we will hopefully begin to understand the puzzle of our own ‘Truths’.

People Who Witnessed Dog Men, Werewolves, Wulvers and Shucks. on Amazon, paperback £7.99 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B08HGR5G39

People Who Witnessed Dog Men, Werewolves, Wulvers and Shucks. on Amazon, kindle £3.99

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/ B08H7BV6MM

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MAKE it a

Gi food & Drink Houseplants Cards Gi Wrap Decorations Christmas Trees

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Plant Nursery, Garden Centre, Food Hall & Garden Cafe www.beethamnurseries.co.uk | 015395 63630 Open 7 days a week Beetham Nurseries, Pool Darkin Lane, Beetham, nr Milnthorpe, Cumbria, LA7 7AP

Ambleside it’s a superlative place!

By Tallulah se forno

It really is – but don’t take my word for it – why not visit Ambleside yourselves – perhaps waiting until the effects of Armageddon (aka Covid-19) have lessened and you socially distance, of course!

J

ust to whet your appetites, we have...

Ambleside, nestled in the historic county of Westmorland, which is now Cumbria.

Ambleside and its vicinity can boast England’s highest mountain – Scafell Pike; England’s longest lake – Windermere; England’s deepest lake – Wastwater; England’s steepest road – The Hardknott Pass; illustrious visitors and residents – this list is by no means exhaustive but does include: the Poet William Wordsworth, the Author and Illustrator Beatrix Potter, the Poet Shelley, the Professional Harriet Martineau, the Poet John Keats, the Writer Alfred Wainwright (AW) and the Author Charles Dickens – to name but a few.

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Ambleside is chock-full of fabulous things, myths and legends surround it, it’s a base for walking, climbing, hiking, holidaying, tourism, boating, cycling and all manner of leisure activities. Ambleside has a wealth of cafes, pubs, restaurants, tea rooms and places of interest from the iconic Bridge House to Dove Cottage, Hill Top, to fantastical scenery encompassing crags, woods and waterfalls, areas of outstanding natural beauty such as Stockghyll Force along with views that will quite literally take your breath away. Apologies if I’ve missed any, but there’s not enough room to list them all.

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And all of this crammed into a town, and its surrounding environs, that has a population of only around 3,000 inhabitants that swells greatly during the tourist season: in less Armageddon times!

But, be warned, you’ll love it, this place of superlatives that is Ambleside.

The name of Ambleside derives from the Old Norse – “A-mel-saetr” – translated literally, it means sandbank or summer pasture. It’s believed a Viking named Hamel owned the land and he called it ‘saetre’ meaning farm or pasture.

This was near or around 1000 AD. The area, ‘though, is way way older than that, we must journey right back in time, back to when the Earth was young and newly-forming.

The lands we know as the Lake District were sculpted, moulded, and carved as the Ice Age was ending.

As the ice retreated, the climate warmed and Neolithic man - and Woman - popped up.

Through time’s mists, we glimpse The Ages of Stone, the settlement of the Romans, the invasion of the Vikings, to The Middle and Dark Ages, the influence of the Church, forestation, the warring Kingdoms, Tribes and territories, the introduction of farming, mining, agriculture and slate quarrying – right up to the Industrial Revolution. These ‘fires’ of history have forged the landscape, the town and the Ambleside of today.

The ‘Old’ town of Ambleside, where St Anne’s Church once perched on a hill and which is now apartments, was built after the Romans left with some of the stone from the fort at Galava.

This fort was situated just south of Ambleside in the meadows at the head of Lake Windermere, which we now call Waterhead.

In 1650 Ambleside was granted a Charter to hold a market.

Commodities such as wool and slate could be easily transported to the mills of Lancashire once the canal system reached Kendal. Hundreds of acres of woodland were used to supply bobbins to the mills along with the transformation of muddy tracks into a reliable road system suitable for the carts carrying huge loads of bobbins and with them the prosperity - and thrive - of Ambleside into the Industrial Age. And thus it was, that wealthy industrialists built their summer mansions on the shores of Windermere, employed local people as servants and gardeners, etc. and the tourist trade began to develop as hotels and guest houses were built. An escape from the cities, which had previously been the domain only of the wealthy few, was hastened by the arrival of the Kendal to Windermere Railway in 1847. This ensured that, even if only for a day – probably a Bank Holiday – people could leave behind the grime www.lancmag.com

and pollution of their home town, and enjoy the fresher air of the Lake District and of Ambleside and the area surrounding it.

In 1951 the Lake District National Park was established.

And so, to the Superlative Ambleside …

Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain • 3,210 feet or 978 metres high • Located in the Lake District National Park • Sca Fell Pike was the original name given to the peaks of Sca Fell, Ill Crag and Broad Crag • It is formed of igneous rock, the summit covered with shattered rocks • Lord Leconfield donated the summit to the National Trust in 1919 to honour those from the Lake District who lost their lives in World War I

Above: Bridge House built over Stock Beck to escape land tax.

Windermere – England’s longest lake • Winder – from Norse – Vinandr. Mere – Old English word for a body of water.

• Is the Lake District’s only lake.

• Is the longest lake at over 11 miles or 18 kilometres long • Is 1 mile at its widest • Was part of the inspiration for Oscar Wilde’s hit play, Lady Windermere’s Fan when he visited and stayed nearby in 1891 LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 67

Wastwater – England’s deepest lake • 260 feet or 79 metres deep, 3 miles long and half a mile wide • Situated in the Wasdale Valley • Surrounded by mountains, Red Pike, Kirk Fell, Great Gable and Scafell Pike • Steep slopes on the south eastern side are known as Wastwater Screes and are formed of millions of fragmented and broken rock • At Wasdale head of the lake stands St Olaf’s Church – one of the smallest in the Country Hardknott Pass – England’s steepest road • Known to the Romans as Mediobogdum and called Hardknott because of the remains of Hardknott Roman fort on the western side • Maximum elevation of 1,289 feet or 393 metres • On a clear day you might see the Isle of Man in the Irish Sea • The steep single track descends via a gradient of 1 in 3 (30%) into the Duddon Valley • Cockley Beck farm, built in the 1860’s at the eastern end is owned by the National Trust

Some famous Visitors and Residents – • The Poet, William Wordsworth, born in Cockermouth in 1770, lived at Rydal Mount in nearby Rydal village, became Poet Laureate in 1843, was Ambleside’s Postmaster and Distributor of Stamps, counted Robert Southey and Coleridge as nearby neighbours 68

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Left: The poet, William Wordsworth

Below: Beatrix Potter

• The Author and Illustrator, Beatrix Potter, born in London in 1866 and christened Helen but known by her middle name of Beatrix, also an award-winning sheep farmer and, in 1943, was elected as the first woman President of the Herdwick Sheep Breeders Association, Hill Top, her home opened to the public by the National Trust in 1946 • The Poet, John Keats, walked with his friend, Charles Brown through the Lake District, taking ‘the winding lane’ along the edge of Windermere to Ambleside (this winding lane has now gone), rested at the Salutation Inn in Ambleside before walking to Stockghyll Force Waterfall, wrote “To Autumn” www.lancmag.com

• The International Correspondent, Harriet Martineau, moved into “The Knoll” in 1846, was a professional and ran a micro-farm on her property, formed and ran a Property Association helping working farmers to build their own homes and presented Winter Lectures to a packed audience at the Methodist Church beside her home • The Writer and famous Walker, Alfred Wainwright (AW), born in Blackburn, Lancashire in 1907, visited the Lake District when he was 23 then later moved to Kendal, wrote seven guidebooks, made pen and ink sketches and maps. Known as AW. A Wainwright is the summit of a ‘true’ fell. There are 214 Wainwrights and the Wainwright to Loughrigg Fell from Ambleside is one of his most famous, it’s 6½ miles or 10.4 kilometres long, takes a minimum of 2¾ hours (walk available via www.andrewswalks.co.uk) The Witch of Westmorland – myth, legend, fact or fiction?

• Written by Archie Fisher, recorded and performed by various artists including Stan Rogers, Barbara Dickson and Kate Rusby.

• It tells of a wounded Knight searching for healing. The Knight carries a shield of rowan wood. He’s visited several times by different animal guides who tell him to heal his wounds, he must find the Witch of the Westmorland.

Going into the forest with his horse, hunting hawk and hounds, he meets an owl who asks him why he’s there. When he reaches the lake (Windermere?) he casts goldenrod – a flowering plant of the daisy family – into the waters to summon the maiden. She appears in the form of www.lancmag.com

a Centaur – half woman, half horse and thence runs away. He and his horse, hawk and hounds give chase, catch her and she notices he’s wounded. She then tells him to put his sword and shield away, turns into a complete woman, kisses him thrice, wraps goldenrod around his wounds and heals him. They lay together that night, he’s all mended, she says goodbye but leaves him with the extra gift of invincibility saying, “Ride with your brindled hound at heel and your good grey hawk in hand, There’s none can harm the Knight who’s lain with the Witch of the Westmorland.”

Above: Wastwater with Scafell Pike beyond, situated in Wasdale in the English Lake District now a Unesco World Heritage Site

The Witch of Westmorland

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“Don’t look down!” I admonished my co-adventurer

Thus, it’s with these superlative features in mind, we set out in the year 2009 or was it 10 to unwittingly drive the Hardknott Pass and knowingly visit Wastwater.

It all began on a day of blue skies and sunshine yes, it was also “brass monkeys” but it was March!

Our plan, which seemed to be a good idea at the time – as most of them do – was to pitch our newly-purchased tent far away from our home so that no-one we knew would see us make rookie errors and subsequently ‘idiots’ of ourselves when pitching a tent for the very first time.

To accomplish this, we headed to the beautiful Lake District and the Eskdale Campside in Boot, Holmrock, Cumbria CA19 1TH owned by the National Trust.

Off we set with the sun shining, full of excited enthusiasm and anticipation in our 4x4 towards Boot, armed with Yoda the SatNav, our new tent, a woolly vest or two, a little trepidation but a lot of a trailblazing sense of adventure.

Joyfully we journeyed until, just past Windermere, where, regrettably, we forgot to pay close attention to the signs warning of the impending Hardknott Pass – unsuitable for drivers/passengers of a delicate and sensitive disposition.

Merrily on we ploughed until we found ourselves knee-deep amidst the jaw-droppingly, breath-stealing, gravity-defyingly, realms of the Pass. It began sensibly enough, what could possibly go awry – we were in a ‘straight six’ just everything extremely practical vehicle and I’d been driving since 1988 and sought the road less travelled?!

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Then the fun started in earnest, the singletrack, 1 in 3 ‘road’ travels through an amazing, unflinching landscape – just what the surface of the moon would look like – in my imaginings.

We set off carefully and somewhat timidly at first until it was pointed out by my co-driver and fellow trailblazer, passenger and navigator, aka husband, that “we have right of way when driving up the hills” Thus, we took a good run at the many and steep ascents, gratefully but swiftly acknowledging those giving way to us on their way down as we went up.

“Don’t look down!” I admonished my coadventurer – as to do so would be to watch the road edge rapidly disappear down the side of a switch-back, rollercoaster hairpin hell.

The adrenaline was coursing, the hearts were racing – there really was no going back now and it was at this point in a moment of Zen-like realisation that I decided we might as well “just go for it” and enjoy (if that’s the right word) the ride.

To say we loved it would be a big understatement. They say that on a clear day you can see the Isle of Man. I wonder at which particular point of the Hardknott Pass you find the opportunity to pause to gaze about you?

Truly, you’re way more occupied with attempting to keep you both and the car in one piece, upright and maintaining forward momentum safely and unscathed.

An experience never to be forgotten and probably not to be repeated. But we made it, lived to tell the tale and are enriched by the splendour, wonder and awe of this phenomenon that is The Hardknott Pass.

Above: Hardknott Pass, UK - Aug 15, 2019: Views from the coll of Hardknott Pass looking towards Eskdale in the Lake District National Park, UK.

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We then arrive at the campsite now, time to ‘wind down’, and it’s here that our heart rates slow, our stomachs settle back to their usual places, having recently dropped to our feet, our pulses return to normal and we find ourselves giggling almost uncontrollably and giddily.

We put the tent up without too much ado and only a modicum of head-scratching puzzlement.

We’re thankful no-one knows us as they sit watching from the comfort of their skilfully parked (and warm) motorhomes and flash tents as we lay out poles, battle with resisting canvas and assemble our portable ‘home’ for the next two nights.

As the temperature starts to drop, the realisation dawns that in March it gets pretty cold at night under canvas and we probably haven’t brought the right amount, suitability and tog rating of bedding to weather the coming deep freeze. www.lancmag.com

We explore nearby, finding within very close proximity, the Brook House Inn where we plan to ‘hole up’ for as long as they’ll let us or until closing time – whichever arrives later.

Suffice it to say that although thawed out and full of a lovely meal and shored up with a wee dram or three of 67% proof whisky – it was with sinking hearts we ‘braved’ the outside world as the temperatures plummeted to minus 3 and off to our canvas abode to attempt sleep.

Not wishing to bore you with huge amounts of unnecessary detail – it ranks as one of the coldest, most uncomfortable and excrutiatingly long nights we’d spent in a long time! Even the next night and the addition of several more layers of fleecy materials, it was still bloody freezing-arse cold. The severe chill coming up through the ground and attacking every bone it came into contact with will last long in our memories.

But, as Nietzsche once pointed out, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”. We’re alive and we’ve now bought a Caravan.

We explored the eerie barrenness that is Wastwater, walked as far as we could around it – obviously you’re not going to try and walk the Wastwater Scres and scramble over millions upon millions of rock fragments are you?

We absolutely loved our superlative experiences of The Hardknott Pass, Wastwater in the lovely Lake District and we will, just like Arnie, “be back.”

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giving nature a home

Everything you need for a greener Christmas!

There’s something for everyone with Christmas treats and decorations, beautiful homeware and toiletries, a fun selection for children, and gifts for the wildlife in your garden.

RSPB crackers These festive crackers are all plastic free, made from recycled and FSC certified paper, and every element of both the packaging and the cracker is either recyclable or reusable! Plus, they each hold a surprise inside…

• Christmas chorus a sheet of origami paper as well as instructions for wildlife models fun for everybody at the dinner table!

• Leaping hare a chocolate robin in a home compostable wrapper for that little extra bit of sweetness…

• Woodland a kit to make your own wooden tree decoration! It’s a Christmas memory and a decoration all in one.

Box of 6 - £13 Box of 6 x 2 - £24 RSPB wrapping paper

The UK gets through ~227,000 miles of wrapping each year, and much of that ends up in landfill but RSPB wrapping paper is fully recyclable, and is itself made from recycled FSC certified paper. Chose from ‘Christmas chorus ’, Leaping hare ’, and Woodland ’ (or get all three!).

5m- £4 2 x 5m - £6 72

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Glass bird decorations

These six intricate birds are guaranteed to add sparkle to your tree! A blue tit, robin, blackbird, goldfinch, great tit and bullfinch all in plastic-free packaging.

£13.99 www.lancmag.com

Ceramic decorations

Felt holly wreath robin

These robins are sure to bring a smile to any Christmas lover.

Cheer up any room with this seasonal decoration!

• It’s the most wonderful time of the year - £4.99 • Merry Christmas - £3.99

Cheer up any room with this seasonal decoration!

12cm diameter - £8.99

Wooden tree light

For those with a sweet tooth Cocoa Loco chocolate shapes Organic and Fairtrade!

Each box contains ten shapes, suitable for vegetarians.

• Milk and white chocolate robins 100g £4.99 • Milk chocolate owls 100g £4.99

Count the sleeps till Christmas with this gorgeous wooden light!

25cm tall, requires 2AA batteries (not included). £19.99

RSPB Shortbread treats

Made in the UK, these indulgent clotted cream shortbreads make a lovely gift.

200g of biscuits £3.99 With small jar of strawberry preserve £4.99

Booja-Booja vegan truffles

This award winning selection of 16 organic, soya free and vegan chocolate truffles just scream of Christmas indulgence…

184g box - £9.99 www.lancmag.com

RSPB Birdsong clock This charming clock features a different song each hour (don’t worry, it’s quiet between 9 and 6am).

20cm diameter, requires three AA batteries (not included). - £19.99 LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 73

New robin range!

The iconic robin has been a part of Christmas tradition ever since the Victorian times, when Royal Mail postmen dressed in bright red uniforms delivered the very first Christmas cards.

This earned them the nickname of ‘robin’ or ‘redbreast’.

You can now celebrate everything robin related with our new range! All the textiles are 100% cotton, machine washable, and made in the UK.

Robin apron

Robin oven glove

Practical while also being as festive as St. Nick! - £16.99

Shows the glorious robins off in two different colours! £16.99

Robin tea towel

This tea towel might just help to brighten up washing up!

48x70cm. - £6.99

Robin fine bone china tea infuser mug Tea leaves? Tea bag? Ground coffee? However you like your Christmas brew, this mug has your back. Dishwasher safe, 325ml. - £13.99

Robin fine bone china mug Made in the UK from fine bone china, this wonderful 380ml mug is dishwasher and microwave safe. £9

Nest box, wood Place this cheery bird on your tree to have a Santa lookout 24/7! £4.99

Owl solar light, large This solar powered, burnished copper light will bring a whole new life to your garden.

40cm - £27.99 74

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RSPB Avocet binoculars 8x42 Robust, waterproof, high quality binos with a five year warranty includes case and padded neck strap! - £135 www.lancmag.com

Christmas cards In 1898 we were the first UK charity to sell Christmas cards to our supporters! Over 120 years later, they’re still special all printed on FSC certified board, and, by avoiding glitter, 100% recyclable.

They’re even wrapped in plastic free, home compostable wrappers! Each pack holds ten cards with accompanying envelopes.

Berry Feast

Message: Merry Christmas.- £4.99

The 12 Birds of Christmas

Message: With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.- £3.99

Away in a manger

Message: With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year.- £4.99

Holly robins Message: Merry Christmas.- £3.99

Christmas chatter Message:

Wishing you a merry Christmas. - £3.99 www.lancmag.com

Get your skates on Message: Wishing you a merry Christmas English - £4.99. Welsh and English - £4.99 LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 75

On the lookout

Message: Wishing you a Merry Christmas. - £3.99

Winter’s forage

Message: Season’s greetings. - £3.99

Winter tails

Message: Season’s greetings - £4.99

Christmas guests

RSPB ID Spotlight series

Message: Season’s greetings. English - £4.99 Welsh and English - £4.99

RSPB Guide to Birdsong This easy to use RSPB guide helps you learn and identify bird sounds step by step and at your own pace.

Perfect for both the beginner and experienced birdwatcher! £15.99 76

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Each one is just £4.50

• Garden birds • Coastal birds • Wetland birds • Birds of prey

These charts are a must have for the new wildlife enthusiast in the family.

• Butterflies • Bees • Moths • Dragonflies & Damselflies www.lancmag.com

100 Great Wildlife Experiences: What to see and where

Looking for a family friendly wildlife experience? Want to plan a trip in northern Scotland in winter? Really want to see a starling murmatio ? This book has you covered! - £15.99

Apex classic nest box

Made from FSC certified timber, this classic bird box has a 32mm entry hole for a wide range of garden birds.

Not to mention the drainage holes and a side panel for easy cleaning! - £15.99 www.lancmag.com

Britain’s Birds Second Edition

The Birds They Sang: Birds and People in Life and Art

The only guide to cover every bird, in every plumage, ever recorded in Britain and Ireland. - £20

Birds of the UK Overseas Territories

Why did Hitchock’s birds act so… strange? What’s it like to birdwatch in a German POW camp? This book delves into the wild world of human/ bird interactions. - £12.99

UK Overseas Territories hold everything from corals to ice sheets learn about the incredible birds they harbour in this new book! £35

Solitary bee home

Specially designed for the non aggressive leafcutter and red mason bees, this high quality, FSC timber, UK made bee home comes with removable nesting trays and metal fastenings. - £24.99

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Nature oasis bird bath & drinker

This beautiful watering pool gives your garden wildlife all the water it needs for a drink and a good bath. It’s also made from recycled material, and is frost proof! - £18.99

Gothic arch window feeder

This ‘cloister design’ window feeder provides a close up view of the birds and has 3 separate feeding trays. Perfect for urban areas, no garden required! £18.99

Hogilo hedgehog house

Make a home for your local hedgehogs with this beautiful house! Big enough for a whole family to hibernate over Christmas, it’s also lightweight and waterproof. - £29.99

Duck stacker toy

RSPB Guess Who? Game Royal Bempton hanging bird table

A RSPB spin on the classic game! Test your knowledge of British wildlife. - £19.99

This sturdy wooden toy is great for learning counting, colours and hand eye co ordination!

Suitable for ages 12 months and up. - £21.99

his easy to clean, FSC certified feeder has a gorgeous low roof to deter larger birds. - £29.99

Swallows doormat RSPB Swallows photo frame

A ceramic photo frame in a subtle soft grey. 5 x 7”. - £9.99 78

Eco friendly made by award winning brand HugRug. Machine washable and plastic free, and made from up to 90% recycled content. 85 x 65cm. - £39.99

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE

RSPB Swallows votive This matt porcelain tea light casts a delicate glow to sooth and relax. - £6.99

www.lancmag.com

RSPB nature reserves calendar 2021

Features the 12 winning entries to our annual calendar competition, sponsored by Swarovski Optik. - £10.00

RSPB Victorian flora range Vegan, ethically sourced and without palm oil these toiletries are a win! Try out our sets: Bath & body - £11.99 Hand therapy - £11.99

Monopoly - exclusive RSPB edition

Turn your financial skills to conservation with this exclusive version! 2 6 players. - £34.99 www.lancmag.com

RSPB Ailsa Black family organiser 2021

Features the 12 winning entries to our annual calendar competition, sponsored by Swarovski Optik. - £10.00

Re-usable bottle - Blue tit

Premium stainless steel, vacuum seal, corrosion resistant in short, the perfect bottle. Check out our full range! 500ml. - £27.99

Puffin Jr binoculars

These brand new binos are perfect for children! The build quality of adult binoculars with a lightweight body. Also available in red. - £25

RSPB Friends and neighbours calendar 2021 Illustrated by Wales based artist Sarah Adams, this gorgeous calendar also includes tips and tricks for your garden. - £7

Coffee break bird watch hamper

All you need for a proper birdwatching session! Ceramic robin feeder, coffee, sunflower hearts, buggy nibbles, a mug and bag for good. - £36.01

Lorna Syson cushion grey longtailed tit

Muted warm grey cushion featuring adorable Long tailed tit design by British designer Lorna Syson - £49

More RSPB gifts can be found at - www.shopping.rspb.org.uk

Stay hydrated Staying hydrated throughout the day is really important for keeping your heart and circulatory system healthy. Dehydration makes the heart work harder and it can cause your blood pressure to drop. Being hydrated can also help with weight loss as thirst can quite often feel the same as hunger! During hot weather, or physical activity, we lose water through sweating and this can lead to dehydration. Guidance says we should aim to drink between 6-8 cups of fluid every day.

Have a read of some of our tips below to help you stay hydrated.

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip,

by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

How do I know if I am dehydrated?

When you become dehydrated, you may notice symptoms such as headaches, tiredness, irritability or difficulty concentrating. The easiest way to tell if you are dehydrated is the colour of your urine. If your urine is pale and clear then you’re hydrated. However, if your urine becomes more yellow, brown or dark in colour with a strong smell, this suggests you aren’t drinking enough.

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I’m struggling to keep hydrated - what can I do?

Regular drinks of water throughout the day is the best way to keep hydrated. Water is always best, but if you don’t like water, or want to mix things up, fluids such as herbal teas and sugar-free squash are also good. You should avoid having too many drinks with added sugar and caffeine in them, such as sweet tea and coffee, energy drinks or sugary pop.

Keeping hydrated out and about If you’re going out for the day, make sure you take a drink with you. You can also get water from foods. Fruit and vegetables tend to have a high water content, especially cucumber, watermelon, tomatoes, oranges and apples. Try snacking on these foods rather than foods with a high fat and salt content, such as crisps or salted nuts, as these can make you feel thirsty.

www.lancmag.com

You can find more healthy tips, recipes and advice at heartresearch.org.uk.

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A UFO over Preston and a huge figure on a twilight ‘It’ was a Hideous, Huge, road Arrogant, Sneering Upright Reptilian’.

In July of 2020 Lancashire was named the UFO capital of England after a Freedom of Information Request was answered by the RAF. The records revealed that more

UFO sightings have been reported in Lancashire than anywhere else in Britain. In one year alone Twenty Four reports were made by the public.

“It was a very bright object, like some kind of aircraft.

I was terrified. When I got home I called BAE to ask if they were conducting tests in the area but they said they were not.”

This report was made in February 2020. The Preston Prison UFO - The mysterious “bright white object” was caught on camera by Preston local Gail Jacques, who said she first caught sight of it above Preston Prison at around 1.30am. She said the object remained stationary in the air for several minutes before “moving really fast”.

Gail said she immediately snapped pictures of the curious object. “It was too fast and precise for a helicopter. It moved so quick, in seconds!,” said Gail.

Just one month earlier In January 2020, a Preston man described 82

seeing a strange bright object floating over Avenham Park, minutes after a separate ‘UFO’ sighting was reported from just a few miles away. The man, a PhD student at UCLan, reported that he saw the unidentified flying object at night while out walking his dog. The 31-year-old, who works for HMRC as a tax assessor, says the object was about 100 metres above the ground.

A separate sighting of a similar object was reported at roughly the same time, around 9pm in nearby Wigan. “I’d gone out to walk the dog on Sunday night and was walking through Avenham Park,” said the man.

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This next report was given to me by a lady named Suzanne. She has had a number of very strange experiences throughout her life. Suzanne is a local lass and lives in Lancashire and although retired now she spent most of her working life as a Civil Servant.

Working as a Civil servant is seen by some people to be a pretty sedentary and let’s be honest a boring job. I was of the same opinion until I spoke to a number of people who do this very job and the tales they told me about their own experiences changed my mind. I am now of an altogether different opinion. I have spoken with Police Officers who have been scared from a crime scene by an unknown Beast in Yorkshire, and I have taken a number of reports of Upright Hairy Bipeds from many serving Soldiers all across the UK. One of those reports came from Holcombe moor, the home of the Krypton Factor Assault course. I will bring you that report another time, for now here is Suzanne’s experience in her own words. www.lancmag.com

A Sneering Upright Reptilian and a Shapeshifting Toad.

Witness Report: Very briefly, approximately ten years ago, I had worked an evening shift and I was leaving work in Hutton, Preston, Lancashire . I am now retired, but I have never forgotten this incident and what I saw and experienced that night. In keeping with the normal UK winter evening scene it was quiet out and no people were around anywhere, the place was deserted, as it always was outside the normal working hours of 8 am and 6 pm. It was about 8.10 pm and it was a dark winter’s evening. I was alone, exhausted and looking forward to getting home, I got in my car and drove out of the deserted car park.

The place I worked at back then was just off the A49 which is lit by street lamps with houses on one side of the road. The same as any area in most towns all across the UK. An ordinary winter’s night at the end of a very ordinary day. There was quite a substantial mist formed that evening, which is not uncommon as the area is quite rural and there are lots of surrounding fields, we are in the NW www.lancmag.com

of the UK so it’s quite normal for us to have fog or mist regardless of the season. I drove out of the car park, stopping at the ‘give way’ sign at the exit, as I was intending to turn right into the next Lane, in order to get home. On looking left, to check the road was clear of cars before pulling out, my attention was caught by a large figure sauntering down the middle of the lane coming towards me.

In short, Debbie, ‘It’ was a Hideous, Huge, Arrogant, Sneering Upright Reptilian. ‘It’ was about 8 ft high or more. ‘It’ was honed to the peak of physical perfection,’It’ was very fit, I would even say ‘It’ was sculpted and lean, not bulked up at all, and ‘It’ was unmistakably an intensely powerful Predator, I had no doubt about that. ‘It’ seemed to be male, and had a reptilian face, with scales on ‘Its’ skin and there seemed to be definite telepathic elements to the whole experience. I could feel ‘It’ feeding off the sheer terror I was experiencing, and also enjoying it.

Once I had managed to get my wits together, which took quite a few seconds, I drove off. I had a clear, uninterrupted view of this creature, for some seconds and my view was aided by the street lamps. I am very definite in what I saw that night. And I would

love to find anyone else who has experienced this type of Being here in the UK. This is not the first experience I have had in that area with something that shifted shape.

The two shapeshifter incidents happened approximately ten years ago. I am unable to give you dates because I was In such a state, I had to put all of these events on the backburner. I had no idea what was going on and I could tell no one. I did tell my sister, I think, because she could be trusted. It was literally years later that I realised they had actually shapeshifted and what that meant.

The first time it ever happened was at a friend’s house. There were a few of us, not drinking alcohol or taking drugs or anything like that. We were just sitting around chatting. One of the friends of my friend whose house it was, was a short, slender male, about forty-ish at the time, and he was there. I had chatted to him a few times and he was a nice enough chap, chatty and friendly. He was also a little odd, not in a bad way, and talked constantly of ufo’s and aliens and stuff of that nature. Anyhow, on this occasion, he happened to be sitting on the couch, when I saw him instantaneously switch into an upright human like lizard thing.

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It’s colouring was very light with very light brown patches on it. I stared at it for about 4 seconds. It then switched back. Again in an instant. I was so astounded I said to him ‘You just turned into a lizard then!’ To which he replied, laughing ‘Sometimes I think I am a lizard’.

And the moment passed and it was never mentioned again.

We lost contact when the crowd we were in sort of dissolved when our joint friend moved away.

I tried to contact this male recently, having finally processed that he was a shapeshifter, but he would not respond

The second incident happened on a weekday at lunchtime. I was at work and eating lunch. I sat next to a woman called Anne, who was eating her lunch also. We were sitting at work stations and were effectively shoulder to shoulder. We weren’t talking but I suddenly noticed that Anne was pushing food into her mouth with both hands. She was literally stuffing food in her mouth as fast as she could. I felt a horrible prickle of fear down my spine. I knew something was very wrong. It was like an eating frenzy and very out of character. ‘Anne’, who I had known for years, who normally ate like a cat, with very measured portions and tiny

mouthfuls that she would carefully savour. She was, however, very overweight, which seemed at odds with her very controlled manner when consuming food.

Now fully aware that something was going on, I gently turned my head to my right, very slightly, to afford a better view of this strangeness.

Right beside me was what I can only describe as a khaki brown obese upright human like ‘toad’ thing. That’s the best I can do to build a picture for you. This thing, which had a huge toad-like wide mouth, was still using both ‘hands’ to stuff food in. It would be impossible for anything human to chew that food and then swallow it at that continuing speed and that quantity. I looked for about three or four seconds, quietly turning my head back and then sitting there, motionless and speechless, in shocked silence.

The next time I had cause to look at her, she was normal again.

It was never mentioned and ‘Anne’ seemed completely unaware of what had happened.

On all the occasions I experienced, the switch was instant with no warning signs, no blurring of the edges, no sounds, nothing. They just switched.

It is the most bizarre thing” If you have experienced anything like this or know of someone who has, please get in touch via debbiehatswell@gmail.com

Until next time...

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Preston, Chester & Keswick Days Out in Lancashire Commemorating VE Day Take a trip to Oswaldtwistle Mill Some Mothers Do Ave’ Em A History of Mills

May 2020

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HEARTS FOR HOMES THE QUAINT SHOP IN THE LOVELY TOWN OF RAMSBOTTOM The concept of Hearts of Homes is to bring affordable yet charming home décor and gifts to our customers.

R

amsbottom gift shop Hearts for Homes celebrates it’s four year anniversary this April as owner and busy mum of three boys’ Kerry Khan reflects on how life has changed since she opened.

When Kerry first launched this beautiful, unique gift emporium back in 2016, little did she know

that within two years she would be outgrowing the original premises on Bolton Street and moving into a shop with three floors right on the corner of Bridge Street.

This prime spot formerly the Bridge Street News is now well established as Hearts for Homes and it’s pretty pink window display keeps the crowds coming

MADE IN THE UK, LARGE SELECTION OF COLOURS...

STOCKIST OF THE ORIGINAL ARTISAN RANGE • NEW & IMPROVED LABY RANGE • AL FRESCO INSIDE OUTSIDE RANGE • CHALK WALL PAINT • TRIM PAINT • EASY GRADE WAXES • BRUSHES • FRENSLEEN • FINISHING COAT • FRENCHIC SUGAR COAT • STENCILS • ACCESSORIES & OTHER

w www.heartsforhomes.co.uk e kerry@heartsforhomes.co.uk 47 Bridge Street l Ramsbottom l BL0 9AD t 01706 560462 www.lancmag.com

in as it opens seven days a week in peak seasons.

Kerry’s passion for upcycling furniture snowballed into a gift and homeware boutique packed with treasures from floor to ceiling including gifts for mum, dad, baby and even mum to be.

From stunning silver jewellery made with real flowers ideal for Mothers Day to elegant scarves

by Shruti. Books, Manchester Bee unique giftware, wedding gifts, homewares from the Just Slate Company. From clocks to cushions, pebble frames made to order, quotes on cards by Claire, The Mudlark local pottery by Lynn and artwork by another Ramsbottom artist Julian Cohen.

“We have an incredibly loyal local customer base but our customers come from as far as Cheshire to shop here, we source all our suppliers individually and we’re proud to showcase local craftspeople and talent. I am delighted that we have already started holding craft workshops on our newly refurbished top floor too. Local artists have offered their services by popular demand including furniture painting and stained glass craft” adds Kerry.

One of the newest additions to the Hearts for Homes range is the environmentally friendly ‘Frenchic’ furniture paint. A firm Pinterest favourite, Frenchic is a chalk and mineral paint, toxin and solvent free with no odour with a creamy and rich coverage.

Designed not to peel or chip, the paint can be used literally anywhere including nursery furniture and in bathrooms.

“Frenchic has been so popular since we started to stock it” says Kerry. We have sold so much, the colour palette is fantastic and prices start at £8 for a small tin”.

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Salford scientist solves fishy mystery

The mystery of how fish have found their way into lakes and rivers in isolated parts of the world has been solved by a Salford ecologist.

P

rofessor Andy Green found that the eggs of the fish were eaten by ducks and then carried to obscure locations where they were deposited in the ducks’ faeces.

It was unclear how the eggs survived in the birds’ stomachs before being deposited in their “poo”.

Andy, from Boothstown, said: “We examined whether carp can disperse their eggs via the digestive system of ducks, when they fly between lakes and other water bodies.

“Fish have colonized water bodies across the globe, but it remains unclear how their eggs reach isolated areas. Until now, the best guess was that they are carried on ducks’ feet” Eggs were taken from common carp and Prussian carp, which are found in many far corners of the world. The live eggs were fed to eight mallards, which are also found in almost every country.

Andy added: “Ducks are already known to play a key role in the dispersal of many aquatic plants and invertebrates. Each duck was fed around 500 eggs, and six ducks passed live eggs in their faeces.”

Many didn’t survive after that but Andy pointed out that even a single Prussian carp egg could establish a new population, as a female fish can 88

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reproduce without having sex with a male of the same species.

Andy Green

He said: “The findings suggest that avian gut passage may play an important role in the long distance dispersal of other freshwater fish.”

A former pupil at Walkden High School, Andy moved to Spain in 1993, where he now plays a leading role at the Estación Biológica de Doñana in Seville, a centre of the Spanish Council for Science (CSIC).

He is a Visiting Fellow at the University of Manchester, where he lectures on Conservation Biology and Wetland Ecology.

In 2013 he co-organized the British Council-CSIC Opening Doors workshop on the ecology of inland waters for 30 young researchers from Spain and the UK. Since 2017, he has been invited to give seminars at the Natural History Museum in London, the Instituto de Cervantes in Manchester, and at Beijing Normal University, plus other centres in UK, Germany, Netherlands and Austria.

Andy regular writes texts for blogs and popular media in English in order to explain his research to a wider global audience, and has written pieces in BBC Wildlife Magazine www.lancmag.com

New homes across Lancashire How very Redrow We pride ourselves in building quality homes throughout Lancashire

Images typical of Redrow homes. Details correct at time of going to press.

Discover more about the new homes in Lancashire

Visit: redrow.co.uk/lancashire

Redrow strive to create environments that will stand the test of time, where people can appreciate and enjoy their surroundings. We create homes that are designed for the way we live today, yet are rooted in the time-honoured traditions of craftsmanship and care.

Find your perfect home at Willows Green FAMILIES wanting to put down roots in Clayton-le-Woods, near Leyland, can now do so in a brand new home following the launch of Willows Green.

The Cambridge is one of the homes now available at Willows Green

L

ocated off Parkhurst Avenue, Redrow’s latest venture will feature 26 detached three and four-bedroom family homes.

The initial sales release includes two different styles of four-

bedroom detached property, the Cambridge from £349,995 and the Shaftesbury from £354,995.

Sian Pitt, sales director for Redrow Homes (Lancashire) says: “Willows Green will be a great development. It’ll have a lovely close-knit community feel plus it’s in a great location; close to the market town of Leyland, the city of Preston and with great links to Manchester.

“The homes are also near to open countryside and local beauty spots like Cuerden Valley Park; so the development offers the best of both worlds for families and commuters alike.”

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The kitchen space inside the Shaftesbury

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The Cambridge lounge

The Shaftesbury provides plenty of space for families with a lounge that spans the entire depth of the property on one side, and a kitchen, dining and family room on the other side. There’s also a handy cloakroom and utility room.

Upstairs there are four double bedrooms, the main bedroom coming with its own en-suite.

Sian adds: “A recent survey conducted by Redrow showed that a quarter (24%) of future home movers in the UK are reconsidering what they want from their next home. Across the North West, private outdoor space, bigger kitchens and excellent energy efficiency are now the most sought-after amenities and I’m pleased to say, all homes at Willows Green will enjoy these attributes.”

The designs are from Redrow’s Arts & Crafts inspired Heritage Collection – already popular locally at development including

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Worden Gardens – and combine traditional looking exteriors with bright, modern interiors that provide a mix of open-plan and more private spaces. Quality kitchens with top-name appliances, stylish bathrooms, plus higher ceilings, taller doors and windows and deeper skirting boards all add to the quality feel.

Anyone thinking of moving that has a current property to sell can use Redrow’s Help to Sell scheme. This means that once they’ve found their dream Redrow home, the housebuilder will agree a valuation and marketing plan for the existing property and even contribute to estate agent fees too.

To find out more about the homes available call Redrow’s sales team on 01772 340601 or visit www.redrow.co.uk/willowsgreen LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 91

Pioneering Lancashire carbon farm is at the forefront of the fight against climate change A boggy, unloved field has been transformed into a carbon farm, growing sphagnum moss to absorb and store carbon from the atmosphere.

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inmarleigh and Cockerham Moss SSSI is one of only a handful of lowland raised peat bogs left in the UK. It teems with life including rare butterflies and native carnivorous plants, and every year is sequestering more and more carbon from the atmosphere which it locks away in its naturally waterlogged, nutrient poor peaty soils for millennia. In fact, healthy, wet peatlands are able to store twice as much carbon as forests!

Bordering this amazing habitat are a number of agricultural fields, creating in the 1970’s by draining areas of the peatland. Deep ditches cross the landscape to remove water,

but even so, many of these fields remain boggy and often almost unusable in winter. Meanwhile, the drained peat is emitting carbon, significantly contributing to climate change.

But Lancashire Wildlife Trust, as part of Care-Peat, an EU Interreg funded project, is creating a pioneering carbon farm on one of these fields. Ditches have been blocked and low peat walls called bunds have been built to raise the water table again and re-wet the site. The top layers of turf and nutrient enriched topsoil have been stripped and the site divided into a number of cells which are currently being

The site of the carbon farm was previously an agricultural field - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

The carbon farm site is being planted with thousands of plugs of sphagnum moss - credit Lancs WT

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planted with over 150,000 plugs of peat-building sphagnum moss.

Lancashire Peatlands Initiative Project Manager, Sarah Johnson, said, “By planting a permanent cover crop of sphagnum moss we aim to show that areas such as these can be transformed from carbon emitters to carbon sinks in just a few years.”

“As the sphagnum moss grows and spreads across the site it will help to protect the existing carbon stored in the peat soils, and it will trap additional carbon from the atmosphere within its cells via photosynthesis. However, what makes peatlands special is that as the bottom layers of sphagnum decompose and form peat, that carbon is locked within the peaty soils and stored there for millennia.”

“With more and more companies looking to compensate for their carbon emissions and potential farming subsidy changes on the way, we are hoping that research data from the Winmarleigh carbon farm will help to encourage the adoption of alternative climate-friendly wetter farming practices on peat soils.”

Almost as soon as a drained area of peatland is re-wetted it halts the release of carbon into the atmosphere.

So, in areas where complete natural peatland habitat restoration is not financially viable (such as farmland), the creation of carbon farms or practicing paludiculture (wetter farming techniques) can make the land profitable, as well as helping to protect a vital natural resource in the fight against climate change.

Healthy peatlands actively absrob carbon from the atmosphere helping in the fight against climate change credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust - Co

Sphagnum moss will form a permanent cover crop to stop current carbon loss and evenetually sequester carbon (variety sphagnum pulchrum) - credit

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Sarah continues, “Whilst it is imperative that businesses and other organisations do all that they can to cut their carbon emissions, there may be cases in which some are difficult to eliminate. So, by investing in carbon farms companies can help to compensate for these emissions.”

Project partners Manchester Metropolitan University are taking regular gas exchange readings, monitoring how much carbon and other greenhouse gases are being released or absorbed (sequestered) by the carbon farm as the moss starts to grow and form peat, and comparing levels with emissions from the surrounding farmland.

The carbon farm is not only helping to protect our climate, but is also helping to protect the SSSI as well, by acting as a vital buffer zone to the main bog site from surrounding drainage, helping to keep it wet. As our region has lost up to 98 per cent of it’s lowland raised peat bogs, protecting and restoring these precious landscapes is vitally important, not just for our climate, but also to protect many of the rare and specialised species that live there. Plants such as the endangered carnivorous sundew and rare insects including the large heath butterfly and bog bush cricket all call these habitats home.

Above: Irrigation ditches ensure the peat remains wet - credit Lancashire Wildlife Trust

Find out more: • Care-Peat Project - www.lancswt.org.uk/ our-work/projects/care-peat-partnership • Lancashire Peatland Restoration www.lancswt.org.uk/our-work/projects/ peatland-restoration 1 Source: UN www.unenvironment.org/news-and-stories/ story/peatlands-store-twice-much-carbonall-worlds-forests

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 27,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers.

To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

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The Scents Of Adventure…

Just one scent can take you on an extraordinary adventure: whether it’s transporting you to an exciting, far-flung destination or invoking a trip down memory lane. Every scent has a story to tell, and at The Wax House, it is our passion to bring these stories to life. We harness truly exquisite fragrances and capture them in the most beautiful of ways; through sensual candles, stylish diffusers, luxurious wax melts and much, much more.

The Wax House Story The Wax House began with our highly creative and scent-obsessive founder, Elizabeth Manford. Her constant search for beautiful scents was always found wanting.

The exorbitant prices for luxury candles and the lack of inspiring or evocative scents available gave Elizabeth her best idea yet – to create her own brand of stunningly designed fragrances with truly beautiful scents at an affordable price point.

With this, The Wax House was born.

Many years, orders, and new scent releases later, The Wax House stays true to this initial mission.

To create affordable luxury through hand-crafted and eco-friendly home fragrances.

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For The Love Of Lancashire And Nature Based in the heart of Lancashire,

The Wax House is surrounded by natural inspiration. From the invigoratingly salty sea air on the Lancastrian coast, to the citrusy forest scents of the Trough Of Bowland, staying true to nature is a key commitment to the Wax House.

This isn’t just with nature-inspired scents, but by only using natural vegan-friendly soy wax for our candles and wax melts as well as eco-friendly packaging that minimises plastic use and offers a stunning look.

Beautiful Inside And Out

Right: Travel Candles

While dreamy, evocative scents take pride of place, we know home fragrances have to look the part too. This is why we offer a range of quality accessories that adds style and complements our fragrance products and home dĂŠcor. These include locally-made hand-thrown pottery wax burners and elegant glass candle holders. www.lancmag.com

Whether as a gift or a treat, our products are designed to deliver a luxurious experience from the very beginning. Our packaging is designed with true care, and attention to detail included ribbon tied accents, stand-out colour schemes and truly tactile detailing.

From there, the unboxing process creates a special experience. At the Wax House, it is always more than just a candle!

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Small But Mighty Just like, Miss Pollyanna, our mascot pooch, The Wax House team may be small, but it is mighty. We are a family run business, but with a dedicated team, all committed to creating beautiful products to indulge in and share.

While the business may have started in the garage, as orders from clients and retailers continued to grow, we’ve expanded to create a full-scale production room. This means we can continue to develop a broader product range including bespoke private label collections, wholesale candle production for large orders, as well as personalised home accessories.

While we continue to grow, we pride ourselves on our local approach. Where possible, we locally source all of our ingredients and material, right here in Lancashire. If this isn’t possible, then we stay committed to being 100% British-made business.

From experimenting with scents to waving our products goodbye as they are sent to retailers and customers in the UK, and beyond, we love every single step in the journey. We believe this is why we are already a multi-award-winning business, with no intentions to stop!

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We hope to see our Lancashire-made products on more mantelpieces, bedside tables and retail shelves so that we can share our love of luxury home fragrance with as many people as possible. We know that scents have an incredible ability to enhance every mood, and that’s exactly what we inspire to do!

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Deluxe Reed Diffusers

Left: Thyme & Petitgrain Reed Diffuser

At The Wax House, we’ve taken reed diffusers to the next level with our exquisite diffuser styles and luxury glass designs.

From Art Deco elegance to couture apothecary style; our deluxe reed diffusers add a new and stylish dimension to your home fragrancing.

Deluxe Reed Diffusers: The Most Stylish Home Accessories It can be challenging to ensure your home fragrance products match your room’s style, décor and ambience. With our deluxe diffusers, you can enjoy a beautifully stylish and fragranced home accessory. Something that not only complements and enhances your décor, but which also creates a sensory delight with thoughtfully blended fragrances.

We offer a bespoke range of carefully crafted glass diffuser styles in a variety of shades and textures, ideal for adding a touch of glam to your home.

Transforming Spaces Into Sanctuaries All of our deluxe reed diffusers comes complete with The Wax House signature fragrances. Our 100% natural fragrances are expertly blended with care. Using the highestquality essential oils, we craft beautiful scents that transport you back to your favourite memories.

We know that scent means more than a smell; it’s a feeling, mood, an atmosphere, a comfort. Our reed diffusers are the perfect way to transform rooms into sanctuaries and houses into homes. What’s more, deluxe reed diffusers offer an easy, effortless way to add long-lasting fragrance to your space, while making a design statement through beautiful glass diffuser vases.

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Make A Statement With Deluxe Reed Diffusers Our tailored collection of deluxe reed diffusers come with a range of possibilities.

For example, you can choose your favourite Wax House scent that will provide at least 16 long weeks of fragrance. Furthermore, you can also select your favourite colour reeds. This is whether you prefer to complement or contrast the colour with your chosen diffuser bottle.

Explore our collection today and find the ideal luxury home accessory that creates the perfect style and ambience for your space.

Furthermore, it’s reusable nature means it can become a beautiful focal point that you can continue to top up with fragrance time and time again.

Above: Bergamot & Orange Blossom Reed Diffuser

Below: Wild Pear & Cedarwood Reed Diffuser

To see the full range go to: www.thewaxhouse.co.uk/product-category/deluxe-reed-diffusers/

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Luxury Room & Linen Mist Create an impression in an instant. Refresh your home with our new range of Luxury Room Mist.

Spritz on cushions, linen and curtains effortlessly decorating each room with the finest of fragrances that will last for hours.

Each fragrance has been carefully chosen from our range to soothe and freshen your surroundings.

Wax Melts and Burners

Gift Sets Explore our carefully selected exquisite Wax House gift ideas featuring an array of fabulous home scenting products to suit everyone. Choose from our Wax Burner and melts gift sets to our three Votive Candle Gift.

Hand thrown Pottery Wax Burners

Baby Pink Wax Melt Burner & Melts Gift Set.

Choose your favourite scents from our highly acclaimed Soy Wax Melt packs.

Each eco friendly pillow pack contains two large melts, giving hours of lasting fragrance to enjoy.

Style up your interior space with our exclusively designed Pottery Wax Burners specially commissioned for The Wax House.

Each burner is traditionally hand thrown by our local potter here in the heart of Lancashire, giving you a totally bespoke artisan product.

Grey Glass Wax Melt Burner & Soy Wax Melts Gift Set Votive Gift Box

Mixed Wax Melts

To see the full range go to: www.thewaxhouse.co.uk Email: enquiries@thewaxhouse.co.uk Tel: 01253 399942 or 07712 601633

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The Wax House

Christmas Gifts There is nothing quite so magical than giving the gift of cosiness. Our collection of sumptuously fragrant candles and beautifully designed home accessories are the perfect gifts that not only offer a beautiful treat but provides a marvellous sense of comforting Hygge!

Our Christmas collections offer a little something for

everyone. We know that Christmas means something different for everyone. With this in mind, our Christmas Gifts focus on how to make the best memories of this wonderful time of year.

This year, we’re offering two ultra-festive scent options;

Juniper And Black Cedar

Oak & Embers

Medina Of Marrakech

Juniper and Black Cedar is temptingly warm and spicy. This fragrance evokes those crisp winter walks. Imagine walking through frost-sparkled woodland, the comfort and security of moss underfoot and the sight of birds pecking off the juniper berries remaining on the trees. This scent captures this earthy winter ambience, combined with the warmth of leather and sandalwood that make you feel at home.

Our second festive scent is the smoky and seductive Oak & Embers. For many, this is the true scent of Christmas with the essence of real wood-burning fires, mulled wine and winter sweetness of dried figs and vanilla.

This scent collection is a truly nostalgic winter fragrance that will invoke memories of favourite festive traditions.

Delve into the deliciousness of our new scent and get lost in the uniqueness of the mystical city with our new Medina of Marrakech Luxury Soy Candle. We’ve carefully balanced this fragrance to give you the comfort and security of being protected by the medina walls and to let you explore the grand palaces and courtyards.

Stylishly Designed Christmas Gift Sets For both winter fragrances, we offer beautiful Christmas gifts, including our sell-out wax burners and delicious soy wax melts. As well as wax burners, we also stock our luxury reed diffusers. Furthermore, we also have beautiful hand-poured soy wax candles in our stylishly authentic ginger jars.

For an extra special present, we offer a range of gorgeously crafted gift boxes. Nestled in eco-friendly, winter-style packaging, these are the perfect gift for friends, family and loved ones. For a mini-treat, the Oak & Embers Christmas Gift Set offers a mini diffuser and candle – the ideal thoughtful pick-me-up treat.

We’re also stocking our popular burner and wax melt gift sets; ideal if you want to select the fragrance options that you know the recipient will love.

With uplifting seasonal fragrances and stunning gift sets, the Wax House provides a thoughtful but easy way to give your loved ones a gorgeously festive treat. So, why not start shopping today? One gift for them, one gift for you…

To see the full range go to: www.thewaxhouse.co.uk • Email: enquiries@thewaxhouse.co.uk • Tel: 01253 399942 or 07712 601633

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Stockport

by Lucy Bullough

D

espite a minor identity crisis as to where the residents of Stockport think it sits, the reality is this large market town is actually now classified as Greater Manchester. A little odd you might think given the fact that most of the town actually sits with the boundaries of Cheshire.

But when you dig a little deeper, you’ll find it’s commonplace here, with parts of other boroughs including Trafford, Manchester and Tameside also sitting with Cheshire. And part of Oldham is even in the white rose county! Its change was all to do with the Local Government Act 1972 of course, which saw Stockport amalgamate with neighbouring districts to become the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport within the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester in 1974. Fortunately, however, Stockport’s story is unchanged regardless of where the town sits in terms of legal geography.

Traditionally thought to mean ‘castle in a wood’, the name Stockport, was actually originally recorded as ‘Stokeport’ back in 1170.

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Currently, it is thought to mean “a market place at a hamlet”, with ‘stoc’ meaning hamlet and ‘port’ meaning market place. Those who hail from the town are known as Stopfordians in an interesting twist on the actual moniker itself. The Market Place is sited atop a red sandstone cliff that is 240 million years old – this somewhat precedes the earliest evidence of settlement here which dates back to the Middle Stone Age of 8,000-3,500 BC. There’s no specific mention of ‘Stocport’ or ‘Stokeport’ in the Domesday Book of 1086, but that could have been because it belonged to part of a larger estate and would therefore not have been surveyed independently. Whatever the reason, Stockport was soon to grow in stature and its first charter was awarded in 1260, allowing it to become a true market town, with visitors coming from a wide area to buy and sell. And henceforth, it has continued to blossom, with only the odd outbreak of pestilence (the plague in 1605/6 and again in 1664/5 and cholera in 1832 and 1849) and famine in 1623 to overcome. www.lancmag.com

Above: Sunrise over Reddish Vale, Stockport

An industrious town

Viaduct and mill Geograph-3788786-by-Stephen-Craven

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Much of Stockport’s prosperity has come from the industry fostered there as long ago as the 13th century, with its cloth weaving. This is one of the oldest occupations listed in the borough although there were undoubtedly other local tradesmen too, such as carpenters, blacksmiths and tailors.

But by the 15th century, it was the cloth and wool industries which were booming. They even funded the set up of Stockport Grammar School in 1487 after a legacy was left by one of the prominent merchants, Edmund Shaa. In 1610, a type of linen was even named after the town – Stopporth cloth – and it became an important mill town with a silk mill also opening up. The large “dark, satanic mills” (so-called in the poem Jerusalem, which is now bellowed out as a hymn across churches and schools) became the major employers in the area but it wasn’t long before change was needed when the silk industry dwindled. The new venture was to be cotton spinning – a perfect way to LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 103

Stockport, Greater Manchester UK. Statue of Richard Cobden MP. Bronze on a stone plinth in St Petersgate with Prudential Buildings in background.

utilise the workforce’s skills and water-power that was already within the mills. And so, Stockport became a powerhouse in yet another textilerelated world.

There is simply no way we can discuss the rich industry of the town without mentioning its foray into millinery which started around the 1650s.

The techniques and tools used to manipulate the felt were still recognised 200 years later and it was this ingenuity that caused this area of manufacturing to be as wildly successful as it was.

Whilst hats were of course sold locally, it was the major hatting firms, such as Christys in London, which really put Stockport millinery on the map with their very own commissions. The trade continued to grow until Stockport was exporting as many as six million hats every year by 1884.

Sadly, hat wearing fell somewhat out of fashion and the industry went the same way as textiles had before it; millinery began to dwindle in the early 1900s. However, the mills which spewed the dreaded black smoke that gave the town some not-so-glowing reviews by visitors had firmly put Stockport on the map with skilled workers, industry and investment now found here, giving the promise of a brighter future.

Aside from textiles and hatting, Stockport is also renowned for other types of manufacturing and industry; booze being one of the most famous!

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Robinsons brewery Geograph-4129787-by-Dave-Pickersgill

when his son, George, took over the management of it in 1849, he started brewing his own ale.

They bought a warehouse to accommodate more brewing and soon even started bottling it too.

They expanded by buying more pubs along the way and today, this family-owned business is one of the oldest brewers in the UK, brewing, bottling and distributing their ales worldwide. www.lancmag.com

For six generations, the Robinson family have continued to innovate whilst maintaining their traditional heritage. In fact, the original brew ‘Unicorn’ is still produced today, after delighting tastebuds since 1896, as is ‘Old Tom’ which has been around since 1899. Of course, many more have been added to the list which you can find in pubs all over the North West; Dizzy Blonde and TROOPER being two of the more famous ones.

TROOPER was in fact created in partnership with the heavy metal band Iron Maiden! You can tour the brewery and head to the Visitor’s Centre to find out more but if you’re really interested, perhaps buy a pint when you’re next out and about and taste for yourself what all the fuss has been about for almost 200 years. Today, microbreweries have cropped up throughout Stockport in testament to its rich brewing history, with many even receiving awards. Some are what is known as ‘brewpubs’ so you can sit in and sample the local produce before committing to a heftier purchase.

But beer isn’t the only boozy treat you can find in Stockport either. Whilst it may not be produced here, there is a certain industrious quality to be found in a local wine merchant, Boutinot Wines.

Started by Paul Boutinot, after deciding the building trade wasn’t for him, he started to bring wine back from the continent and today, Boutinot Wines is trusted by 150 of the world’s best producers to represent their wines. Further to that, they actually produce their own too – just not in Greater Manchester! Some is produced in England

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but it is largely the vineyards in France, the cooperative in Italy and the farm in South Africa which is responsible for making their wines.

Architectural excellence Another noteworthy part of Stockport’s attraction is the architectural diversity you will uncover as you wander its streets. Perhaps most iconic is the viaduct, one of the largest brick-built structures in the UK, containing approximately eleven million bricks in its 22 semi-circular arches. Originally designed to accommodate the Manchester and Birmingham Railway, it now carries the West Coast Main Line over the River Mersey. Its impressive size – standing at over 111

Below: The Plaza - geograph2559962by-StephenArmstrong

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feet tall and 1,786 feet long – makes it easy to spot in the local area and despite construction being finished in 1840, it still remains stylish, yet functional, to this day. The viaduct is synonymous with Stockport and was even used as subject matter by the famed artist, L.S. Lowry as a backdrop to several of his paintings. At the time, it was a wonder of modern engineering and that engineering prowess remains today.

A historic cinema and theatre still stands proud in the centre of Stockport too, The Plaza.

Officially known as a ‘Super Cinema and Variety Theatre’, it evokes the glamour of the 30s which is sympathetically maintained to this day after its opening in 1932. Not only can you be entertained with one of the classic films or performances shown there, you will literally be setting foot into one of the most important buildings of its type.

The Plaza is internationally recognised as being the very last of its style and function that is still in its original format. A Grade II listed building, it served as a bingo hall for many years before being reopened as the cinema and theatre it was originally intended to be. It boasts a Compton Theatre Organ, and the very first to made with decorative sunburst glass panels that light up in different ways, which will provide preperformance entertainment with singalongs which hark back to the golden era of the 30s. Designed in true Art Deco style by William Thornley, the local rock had to be cut into in order to build it and its preservation is now overseen by English 106

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Heritage and the Stockport Plaza Trust with millions spent on restoring it to its former glory.

It’s certainly worth stopping by if you’re ever in Stockport, if only to marvel at its glamour and history.

Now onto a much older era, and in deference to some of the almightiest engineering to grace the surface of the planet, Stockport has its very own pyramid! Made of glass as opposed to stone, and sitting at the gateway to the town rather than in the middle of a desert, it is a feat of construction that divides opinion. You simply can’t help but be a little bit impressed by the uniqueness of such a feature that has adorned its skyline for almost 30 years. Many don’t know that it was, in fact, due to be one of five similar structures erected…we will let you be the judge as to whether the full installation would have been a blessing or a Pharaoh’s curse to the town! It sits in direct contrast to the viaduct, Art Deco Plaza and Victorian mills that remain, but is diversity such a bad thing when it comes to architecture? Who am I to say. What I will say is that since its purchase from the Co-operative Bank (it served as office space), hopefully its future will be as bright as the glass when the sun shines down on it!

Above: The Pyramid building, Stockport, Cheshire, Manchester

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A town fit for culture vultures…and more If the assorted architectural styles, rich textile history and original ales borne from a long history of brewing are not enough to tempt you to visit Stockport, there is plenty more here to discover. I’ve already mentioned Iron Maiden’s foray into beer-making but there is more of a musical background than you might realise.

The North West is of course well known for its musical prowess, producing some of the greatest bands ever recorded, and Strawberry Studios in Stockport played its own role in this legacy.

Opening in the late 60s, the studio recorded music from the likes of Joy Division, The Stone Roses and Paul McCartney, to name but a few, until its close in 1993.

The playwright Simon Stephens also hails from Stockport and his play, Port, has become famous.

Premiering at the Royal Exchange, Manchester, in November 2002, Port made it as far as the National Theatre in London and has received great critical acclaim. Entirely set in Stockport, it tells the story of Racheal Keats growing up with tenacity through a somewhat challenging existence, plagued by curiosity.

The rich and vibrant food scene is also not to be missed by locals and visitors alike. Take a trip once a month, on the last Friday, to the familyfriendly Foodie Friday. You’ll get to enjoy street food from local vendors, craft ales and live music too, all in the beautiful Grade II listed Victorian www.lancmag.com

Market Hall in the Old Town. Or if it’s street food in a restaurant setting you’d prefer, pay a visit to Bombay to Mumbai where you can try Indian flavours you might not find in a more traditional curry house.

There’s a lot to love about Stockport, whatever you’re into. There is even a football team, Stockport County F.C., lovingly nicknamed ‘The Hatters’ after the hat-making industry the town was once famous for. And did you know, you can even visit a beach in Stockport? No, neither did I, but you can. In fact, there are several, a veritable riviera if you like, just waiting to be explored like the rest of this varied and interesting town. So what are you waiting for?

Above: Strawberry Studios Stockport on Waterloo Road.

Stockport: Lyme Hall historic English Stately Home and park in Cheshire.

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Local radio makes sound investment thanks to donation A NON-PROFIT volunteer-run community radio station from Leyland has been able to purchase two brand new headsets after receiving a £300 donation from housebuilder Redrow.

Radio Leyland’s Daniel Clarkson and Jay Cooper wearing the new headsets

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adio Leyland is a project that provides free training to the community to enable them to take part in and manage its daily

broadcasting operations.

Brian Ashman, station manager, says the station doesn’t just facilitate discussions, it also provides a platform for local organisations to share news and views: “We provide more than 40 hours a week of original programming and are hopefully moving into live sports reporting too and this is what we will need the new headsets for.

“The new headsets are noise cancelling and so filter unwanted background noise like that of a football crowd.”

Radio Leyland started broadcasting to the Leyland area in April

Radio Leyland station manager Brian Ashman with a new headset

2019 and currently has around 7000 listeners who tune in on a weekly basis.

Sian Pitt, sales director at Redrow Homes (Lancashire) said: “Radio Leyland has a fantastic number of listeners from the area close to our Worden Gardens development. It is a great platform for the community to share their news and promote all the good that is happening locally. It’ll be great to hear the radio reporting live on sports games too thanks to their new headsets.”

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Redrow support communities close to where they build through community funds such as the one that has supported Radio Leyland. Twelve groups and good causes from across Leyland have shared £5000 that will support them in helping others.

For more details about Worden Gardens, see www.redrow.co.uk/wordengardens, call 01772 340818 or visit the sales centre, open daily. www.lancmag.com

Based in the rural village of Goosnargh, Laurel Farm Kitchens has been recognised as one of only a few truly bespoke kitchen manufacturers in the North West receiving a reputation, second to none, on quality and craftsmanship over the past 25 years.

“Our aim, through the creativity of our kitchen designers and their ability to bring out the best in our client’s ideas is to create the most imaginative and workable kitchens from the canvas supplied.”

Father Christmas is not from Texas! H

By Kate Gostick

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e drinks whisky not milk and loves pies packed full of dried fruit, not an overly sweet cookie oozing with chocolate chips. He leaves gifts on Christmas Eve stuffed into a sack lying expectantly by the fire and never comes early to pack sweaty shoes full of chocolate.

Or so I thought as I sat in the drizzle that permeated your soul in a Lancashire village, gazing at cards on a windowsill depicting a perfect snowy wonderland that would be washed away if it sat on the other side of the glass.

Experiencing other cultures does not just bring struggles it opens your eyes to new joys, and nothing shows this more than the wonders of Christmas in the three countries we inhabited.

Our own traditions were enriched by those of each country we lived in and meant that Christmas seemed to go on forever. As Thanksgiving was added to our list of celebrations, Christmas began a little earlier to ensure no break in the festivities. The remaining Thanksgiving turkey loaded into sandwiches heralded the arrival of Stanley the Elf who moved every morning following his trip back to the North Pole to report on if the boys had been naughty or nice. It was also about this time that the boys would write their letters to tell Father Christmas just what they would like for to fill their fireside sacks. Some requests like Lego or games were easy for the elves to source, but others like James’s request for a new belly button, Edward’s desire for a basket of unusual fruit or Henry’s for a talking hamster took a little more work or imagination. Edward’s letter to Santa began with, “I can explain!” and ended with, “So I hope that we can overlook me buying three giant chocolate Santas with my lunch money,” needed a little more explaining so we took them to the Mall, where each year they would meet Santa and make sure that he had fully understood their requests and confessions.

Excitedly and expectantly, we would stand in the line behind all the other children dressed in their best dresses, or a shirt with a bow tie, all colour coordinated with their siblings waiting for a photo with the man himself. As my boys sat on his knee, he recalled that they had visited him the previous year in a broad Texan accent. It never seemed quite right to me that Santa talked like this. Growing up his deep, short vowels had alerted me to the fact that he was definitely Lancastrian. The Mall Santa’s vowels blended into a single sound to give the Southern drawl and his beard had the texture of real whiskers and was definitely grown by the man himself. This was unlike the Lancastrian Santa of my childhood, whose beard had the texture of nylon and was www.lancmag.com

firmly held in place with elastic loops. It stretched over his ears and regularly fell out of place to reveal the bare chin of a middle aged man from the Rotary Club. It always amazed me how Texan Santa remembered my boys, as he must see hundreds of children, each one only remaining on his big velvet green chair for a matter of minutes before the camera clicked and the next family were ushered in, but he definitely did remember them!

The first time they met him they told him that they would not forget to leave him his whiskey, which provoked a puzzled look for a man who was used to the promise of milk and cookies.

“I know the American’s give you milk and cookies.” Edward explained adding, “That is just because you are so drunk from the whisky and sherry in England and it helps to sober you up. We know it is cold here so we give you the whisky to warm you up.” Santa was reassured by a nod from me and Dominic and a reminder to the boys, from us, that they must also remember the mince pie and carrots for Rudolf and his friends. Texan Santa decided best not to enquire as to the nature of a mince pie for fear of thrusting himself into an even more sticky conversation, but I think he was impressed by the English choice of beverage because he would mention it every year from then onwards. Each year, he would remind them to be good boys and not to forget the whisky, even though they did not remind him that there would be no milk at the Gostick house.

Edward used Santa’s drinking as an alibi for his own Christmas crimes, informing us that,“ Father Christmas doesn’t flush when he has a wee because he’d wake everyone else up.”

“Father Christmas doesn’t have a wee.”

“He does! He drinks all that whisky so he must have lots of wees.”

“Yes, but you still need to flush Edward!”

Living in Germany brought even more tradition to the beginning of December for our family, as our shoes were left on the doorstep for Saint Nikolaus. Each year, as I filled the sweaty shoes, ever-increasing in size, needing more and more chocolate to fill them, I would think of our first Nikolaus. Other seasoned parents, at the German school, told us how the children would place their shoes outside, by the door, to be filled by Nikolaus on the eve of his saints day. This first year I had little notice that large amounts of chocolate would be required and www.lancmag.com

even less notice I would need to purchase it on Nikolaus’s behalf. I manage to cobble together a few bits and pieces I had put on one side for the Christmas stockings later that month, a Cadbury’s Flake and a Crunchie stolen from selection boxes brought over from England. Each pair of shoes was dutifully placed outside the door as three excited boys disappeared up the stairs to dream of the magical figure, loaded down by a sack of their favourite treats. In reality, only one English chocolate bar was placed in each of the six shoes as a weary mother climbed the stairs to dream of disappointed children.

The next morning, however, each shoe was overflowing with German chocolate and gifts.

Kinder Eier, Milka Bars and Haribo cascaded out on to the concrete below as three boys stood wide-eyed before gathering up Nikolaus’s bounty. That morning the real magic of the season was there for all to see, the naivety of a child, the kindness of neighbours keen to welcome newcomers and the grateful heart of a relieved parent looking upon Nickolaus’s generous gifts.

Soon leaving out our shoes for Nikolaus became part of our multicultural Yuletide, that bore little relation to Dominic and my childhood festivities.

As the years passed and the boys grew bigger I clung on to the Christmas magic we had been sprinkled with on our travels around the world.

Each of my little ones pulled on their matching elf pyjamas handed to them as they began to get ready for bed on Christmas Eve. They paraded into the living room, one with a mince pie on a plate made in preschool, one with a whisky in a mug painted on a day trip to North Wales and the third with carrots for Rudolf on a plate with tiny handprints making the reindeer antlers painted in gold on the centre of the plate. They placed their sacks by the fireplace for Father Christmas to fill with everything their hearts desired, but it was now that I began to wonder if the Christmas magic was beginning to fade. James, the first little elf in the line carrying the whisky in a Santa mug, informed me that he was now nineteen, over six foot tall, had a beard and was dressed as a,“ Sodding elf!”

“When is this madness going to end Mother?”

I pointed out that those who don’t believe don’t receive and the magic returned to the Gostick house like a little sprinkle of fairy dust.

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FAMOUS PEOPLE BORN Part 1 IN THE NORTH WEST

By Andrew Harris

Fame is fickle. Thousands of people achieve the type of fame which comes and goes. So with apologies to many sporting and media stars - and egos everywhere – just ten people can be selected who were born in our region, whose fame achieved great prominence and permanence and whose legacy has made or will make our world a better place. This is, in date order, a tribute to the first ten who were born before 1900.

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Richard Arkwright

William Worsdworth

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O

ichard Arkwright was born in Preston on the 23rd December 1732. His parents couldn’t afford to send him to school so he was taught to read and write by his cousin Ellen.

He was apprenticed to a barber in nearby Kirkham then set up his own shop in Bolton where he invented a waterproof dye for stylish wigs which were fashionable at the time. The income from this enabled him to later invent a spinning machine in what is now called Arkwright House in Preston.

Arkwright went on to combine power, machinery, semi-skilled labour and the new raw material of cotton to create mass-produced yarn. He developed new industrial methods at his mill at Cromford in Derbyshire which is now preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arkwright is recognised as being the “father of the modern industrial factory system” and to some extent the father of the industrial revolution which changed our region, our country and our world. Although he died as Sir Richard Arkwright aged just 59 his legacy lives on.

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n the 7th April 1770 William Wordsworth was born in what is now called Wordsworth House in Cockermouth - then part of Cumberland. He was taught to read by his mother who died when he was just 8 and his largely absent father encouraged him to study the works of Shakespeare and Milton but he died when William was just 13. He attended Hawkshead Grammar School from an early age and had a sonnet published when he was just 17 from when he studied at St John’s College in Cambridge. Aged just 23 he had collections of poems published – An Evening Walk and Descriptive Sketches - and two years later received a legacy which enabled him to pursue a career as a poet. That same year he met Samuel Taylor Coleridge with whom he formed a close friendship. In 1798 they produced the famous Lyrical Ballads which helped to launch the Romantic Age in English Literature. Wordsworth’s chief works were the 14 books of his masterpiece The Prelude but for the Lake District where his life started and

ended aged 80 he will forever be best known for I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud or simply Daffodils. See the panel below for the first and last verses.

First & Last Verses of 'Daffodils' I wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o'er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils.

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Robert Peel

William Ewart Gladstone

Henry Tate

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very different life started when Robert Peel was born in Bury on the 5th February 1788. The son of a wealthy textile manufacturer, Peel won a double-first in classics and mathematics from Christ Church, Oxford. He went on to be Chief Secretary for Ireland 1812-18, Home Secretary 1822-27 and 1828-30, author of the 1834 Tamworth Manifesto on which the modern Conservative Party is based, then Prime Minister 1834-35 and 1841-46. As Home Secretary he founded the Metropolitan Police Service in London and became regarded as the father of modern British policing.

As Prime Minister he re-introduced income tax which enabled 1,200 tariffs to be removed or reduced, achieved the 1844 Factory Act which improved safety and working conditions for women and children. It cost him his job but he secured the repeal of the Corn Laws which had kept prices artificially high by limiting grain imports. His dominating achievement, however, was policing. Peel developed the Peelian Principles which defined the ethical requirements police officers must follow to be effective. When establishing the principles of policing a democracy he declared “The police

are the public and the public are the police.” Sadly, much needed today as it was then. In 1850 Sir Robert Peel, aged just 62, was thrown by a horse and died of his injuries three days later.

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n the 29th December 1809 William Ewart Gladstone was born to Scottish parents at 62 Rodney Street in Liverpool. He first entered the House of Commons in 1832 beginning his career as a High Tory – a group which became the Conservative Party under Robert Peel in 1834. Gladstone served as a minister in both of Peel’s governments and in 1846 joined the Peelite faction which merged with the Whigs and became the Liberal Party 13 years later. He became Chancellor of the Exchequer four times and his liberalism earned him the nickname The People’s William. During his first term as Prime Minister 1868-74 he introduced secret voting and disestablished the Church of Ireland. In his second 1880-85 he achieved major reforms. Back in office in 1886 he proposed home rule for Ireland but was defeated in the House of Commons and it split the party which was then out of office for 20 years. He became Prime Minister for the fourth and last time in 1892 – when he was 82 – when he got Irish home Rule through the commons but it was defeated in the House of Lords. He left office in 1894 and died three years later. Success with his Irish objective could have saved many a life. Gladstone’s career spanned 60 years and he was Prime Minister for 12 of them causing many historians to call him one of Britain’s greatest leaders. But your columnist thinks it was his humanity which made him great. In 1848 he founded a charity for the “Reclamation of Fallen Women” and spent much time and effort helping them and securing employment for exprostitutes. He cared.

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H

enry Tate had a very different career. Born in White Coppice near Chorley on the 11th March 1819 he was the son of a clergyman and became a grocer’s apprentice for seven years.

He then opened his own shop and had a chain of 6 by the time he was 35. In 1859 Tate became a partner in a sugar refinery and sold his shops 2 years later.

A mere 8 years later he gained complete control of the refinery company and renamed it Henry Tate & Sons. After 3 more years – in 1872 – he bought the patent for sugar cubes and built a new refinery in Liverpool. Five years later he built a refinery in London’s Silvertown and added the Tate Institute next door to provide a bar and dance hall for his workers. Tate’s massive success as a millionaire businessman was matched by his generosity as a philanthropist.

He gave huge sums to colleges and hospitals such as the Liverpool Royal Infirmary. He became Sir Henry Tate then a Baronet. In 1889 he donated his collection of 65 contemporary paintings to the government on condition that they be displayed in a suitable gallery.

He donated to the cost and what is now called the Tate Gallery was opened in July 1897 and its creator died 2 years later. Some legacy!

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Emmeline Pankhurst

Laurence Binyon

L.S.Lowry

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he future Emmeline Pankhurst was born Emiline Goulden in Manchester on the 15th July 1858 but she always told the world that she was born on the 14th – Bastille Day. She was brought up by politically active parents and Emiline read the Women’s Suffrage Journal from an early age. When she was 20 she met 44-year old Richard Pankhurst who campaigned for women’s suffrage and other causes. They married the following year and were distracted for some years by child-rearing and Richard’s unfulfilled political ambitions.

In 1888 the ‘umbrella’ organisation for groups campaigning for women’s right to vote broke up. The following year the inaugural meeting of the more radical Women’s Franchise League was held in the Pankhurst home but only lasted a year. Richard died in 1898 and by 1903 Emmeline – as she had become – despaired of moderation and launched the Women’s Social and Political Union which escalated the campaign by smashing windows, violence, arson and hunger strikes. The campaign was suspended when war broke out in 1914 which led in 1918 to the vote being given to all men over 21 and women over 30 because men feared they would be in the minority as so many had been killed in the war.

Emmeline Pankhurst died aged 69 in June 1928 - only weeks before this age difference was corrected.

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n the 10th August 1869 Robert Laurence Binyon was born in Lancaster. He became an art scholar, dramatist and poet – winning the Trinity College, Oxford, Newdigate Prize for poetry when just 22 years in 1891. Laurence Binyon had a distinguished career. He became Keeper of the new Sub-Department of Oriental Prints and Drawings of the British Museum. Later in life he was appointed the Norton Professor of Poetry at Harvard University. Between these achievements – and being too old at 46 for military service – in 1915 he volunteered to work as a hospital orderly in France caring for injured soldiers. He later returned to care for many of the soldiers wounded in the horrific 10-month Battle of Verdun in 1916. Moved by these experiences, Binyon wrote the seven stanzas of ‘For the Fallen’ which has become a unique memorial to those who died in all wars. The middle stanza is spoken at virtually all services of commemoration throughout much of the Englishspeaking world. It is –

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.

Binyon went on to enrich the world with many other works, including ‘The Burning of the Leaves’ which many regard as his masterpiece. But his towering achievement is the heart-felt ‘For the Fallen’ for which he will be remembered for ever. Binyon died in 1943 aged 73.

aurence Stephen Lowry – later known simply as L.S. Lowry – was born in 8 Barret Street in Stretford on the 1st November 1887. Nothing in his upbringing would suggest the enormous acclaim and fame that he achieved during and after his life. He had an unhappy childhood, made few friends and showed no academic promise. After leaving school he took private art lessons in antique and freehand drawing and aged 18 secured a place at the Manchester School of Art. By chance the family moved from leafy Rusholme to industrial Pendlebury in 1909 when Lowry was just 22. At first he hated it but over time it grew on him and he loved the industrial views which he depicted in so many of his paintings and drawings. Much later he explained why he featured ‘matchstick’ men and women. “I wanted to paint

myself into what absorbed me. Natural figures would have broken the spell of it so I made the figures unreal...

I was not thinking much about the people. I did not care for them the way a social reformer does. They are part of a private beauty that haunted me. I loved them and the houses in the same way: as part of a vision.” Lowry became world-famous and his painting are worth £millions but he has the record for rejecting the most number of British honours – five including a knighthood.

He died aged 88 on the 23rd February 1976 – the same enigma he had been throughout his life.

Going to Work by L.S.Lowry

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Stan Laurel

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tan Laurel – of Laurel and Hardy – was born Arthur Stanley Jefferson on the 16th June 1890 in Ulverston which was in Lancashire then but Cumbria now. He was born into the theatre as his father Arthur was a

theatre manager and his mother was an actress so he spent much time with his grandmother Sarah Metcalfe. Stan began his career in music hall when he was just 16. Aged 20 he joined Fred Karno’s troupe of actors who pioneered slapstick. The troupe moved to the USA before the outbreak of war in 1914 and Stan Jefferson – as he then was – sometimes understudied Charlie Chaplin. He then linked with two other performers to form the Stan Jefferson Trio. He then met Mae Dahlberg with whom he lived until 1925 and she suggested he use the name Laurel.

By 1924 Stan Laurel gave up the stage to work in films full-time. By chance Laurel teamed up with Oliver Hardy in 1927 when they made several short films together. They went from strength to strength becoming a legend over the next 27 years. In 1955 Laurel had a minor stroke and recovered but the

next year Hardy had a massive stoke which ended their acting. Hardy died in August 1957 but Laurel was too ill to attend his funeral. Like many comedians Laurel had sadness in his life. After he and Mae parted in 1925 Laurel had four wives one of whom he married twice. Having made nearly 190 films he was given an Academy Honorary Award in 1960 “for his

and made her first stage appearance just 7 years later. Her professional debut wasn’t long delayed as she appeared in variety at the Rochdale Hippodrome when she was 12. The comedian and impresario Archie Pitt had already boosted Gracie’s career with the revue Yes I think so when she was 17. He presented Gracie with a bottle of champagne on her 18th birthday and told her he would make her a star. He did. They both performed nationwide, married in 1923 and appeared in many major shows the following year. In 1931 Gracie’s most famous song Sally featured in her first film Sally in our Alley which was a major box office success. Strangely, the first few lines of this song – which Gracie sang at every performance from 1931 were written by her husband’s mistress

Annie Lipman. Gracie Fields was now at the peak of her popularity and she went on to make many more films although she preferred having a live audience.

She received many awards but her marriage broke down and, in 1939, she became ill with cervical cancer but recovered only to suffer a mental breakdown. She found comfort in Capri which became her favourite island and her home in later life. During the second world war she travelled widely to entertain troops. Now a legend she had her own radio programme Our Gracie’s Working Party for a while. In 1952 she married her third and final husband Boris Alperovici, appeared in her 10th and last Royal Variety Performance in 1978 and lived happily on her Capri idyll with Boris until she passed away in July 1979 aged 81.

creative pioneering in the field of cinema comedy”. Laurel lived his final years in a small flat in Santa Monica in California and died aged 74 in 1965.

He has been honoured in many ways including a bronze statue of the duo outside Ulverston’s Coronation Hall unveiled in 2009.

As recently as last year he topped the list of greatest British comedians compiled by the TV Channel Gold.

Gracie Fields

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racie Fields had humble origins but was destined for greatness from an early age. She was born Grace Stansfield in a flat over a fish and chip shop in Molesworth Street in Rochdale

These ten amazing people from our region achieved real fame and enriched us with their legacy. Read about a further ten born after 1900 in the January edition of the Lancashire & North West Magazine.

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Most of the images featured in this article were procured from Shutterstock. The panel is by David Bridge of Southport. This and previous articles by Andrew E. Harris can be downloaded from www.andreweharris.co.uk

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Hill & Hill The Jewellers

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here’s plenty to celebrate this winter, said the owners of Hill & Hill the Jewellers of Altrincham.

“There’s no doubt it’s been a tough year for everyone, but many small businesses like ours are bucking the trend and showing growth.” Said Alex Hill. Alongside his wife Jo, their stunning jewellery business has been described as “the most beautiful shop in Altrincham”.

Jo believes the key to their success is their absolute focus on great customer service and the highest quality jewellery, “Our simple aim is to be the best. Our customers love our relaxed and luxurious environment, and our attention to detail. We promise all customers receive the same impeccable, knowledgeable and friendly service whether they’re buying a piece for £40 or £40,000.”

Jo, who has owned jewellery stores across the UK, from Knightsbridge in London, to Bowness in the Lake District, graduated from Manchester University in Jewellery design. And before opening Hill & Hill she ran an award winning consultancy, with some of the biggest names in Jewellery as her clients.

“Great Jewellery means so much to me. If you want to buy something truly special to bring joy to a loved one this Christmas, then let us help you find the perfect piece.

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Left: Jo and Alex in their showroom

“Our aim was to reinvent what a jewellery shop is, and it all starts with stunning shop design. Our shop feels luxurious, and totally welcoming.” www.lancmag.com

“Our aim was to reinvent what a jewellery shop is, and it all starts with stunning shop design. Our shop feels luxurious, and totally welcoming.” It is true that Hill & Hill The Jewellers is a beautiful jewellery shop, and as soon as you walk in you see that it is something special. “Our jewellers looks and feels different, and we couldn’t be more proud”, said Alex, “Our ethos is “Relaxed Luxury”. Come and visit and you will see world class designer jewellery in beautiful vintage display cabinets, a stunning lounge and our amazing Diamond Den. And we are on first names terms only here!.”

The key to Hill & Hill The Jewellers success is their keen eye for what’s on trend. Alongside their store manager Bethy, Alex and Jo have curated a collection of some of the UK’s most celebrated jewellery designers. Bethy said, “We all talk about jewellery constantly, read everything about jewellery. Frankly we are obsessed. We are always looking for new trends, seeking out new designers. We love it.” There’s no doubt Hill & Hill

“We all talk about jewellery constantly, read everything about jewellery.

Frankly we are obsessed. We are always looking for new trends, seeking out new designers. We love it.”

www.lancmag.com

The Jewellers have a hugely impressive range of some of the world’s top jewellery designers. From Shaun Leane to Alex Monroe, and Rachel Jackson to Chlobo. “Our collection is like no other.

We love being personal shoppers to our customers and introducing new designers and new looks.”

Said Bethy.

Hill & Hill The Jewellers, has a prime position in the centre of Altrincham, a town recently voted best in Britain. Jo said, “Altrincham is a perfect fit for us. We are bringing our passion for jewellery to the town and our customers love it.” This Autumn Hill & Hill launched their own brand “House of Hill Vintage”, a unique collection of gold vintage LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 119

“There have been a lots of tears when customers see a hugely sentimental piece bought back to life into something they can wear. It’s a truly lovely part of my job.”

jewellery. Look at any Jewellery fashion magazine or Instagram feed and vintage gold jewellery is all the rage. “We have been trawling the country, and piles of old gold jewellery, picking out really great pieces,” said Bethy, “there is a huge demand for really high quality gold chains, and beautiful charms. Even signet rings are back in fashion. Each piece is totally unique, and already “House of Hill Vintage” has become one of our best selling ranges.”

Since lockdown Hill & Hill have seen a big rise in the bespoke and re-modelling part of their business. Jo said “Many of us have spent a lot of time at home this year and gone through jewellery boxes and found pieces of jewellery of huge sentimental value, but not fashionable or practical to wear. I can redesign the piece into something truly stunning. A wonderful part of my job is designing. Whether that’s wedding or engagement rings, a beautiful right hand ring or a stunning piece of fine jewellery. I can sit with a customer and create something unique and beautiful.” Since opening in the summer of 2019, Jo has designed and had made dozens of pieces, “There have been a lots of tears of joy when customers see a hugely 120

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sentimental piece bought back to life as something they can wear now and treasure for generations. It’s a truly lovely part of my job.”

Above left: Jo, Bethy and Alex

Another big jewellery trend Hill & Hill are spearheading is what is called the “curated ear”.

That’s the style where you don’t just have one piercing in your ear, you have lots. Bethy the store manager has 10! “Traditionally you would have to go to a tattoo parlour to have your ears pierced. Now you can come here, to our luxury piercing lounge, have any part of your ear pierced and choose from your great range of high-quality piercing jewellery.”

Alex and Jo’s business has gone from strength to strength in the first 18 months of trading, despite what has been a tortuous year for retail, but they say they have every confidence in continued growth. “We are fully working jewellers, and are so grateful to all our customers for their continued support.”

Hill & Hill The Jewellers - 60 George Street, Altrincham, WA14 1RF 0161 929 5018 | www.hhtj.co.uk | shop@hhtj.co.uk www.lancmag.com

Hill & Hill The Jewellers

Here’s their Christmas gift guide. Visit them in-store - 60 George Street Altrincham, or their website hhtj.co.uk

Alex Monroe Letter - £135.00.

We all love Alex Monroe. Every letter of the alphabet is an outstanding piece of jewellery.

We love them.

These beautiful tangled blooms of leaves and intricate petals, are all created by HAND in Alex’s London Workshop. Every initial has a unique arrangement of florals and foliage.

Alex Monroe Bee - £135.00.

Alex Monroe’s handmade Bumblebee Pendant Necklace is easily one of Hill & Hill’s best sellers.

The incredibly intricate and delicate Bee can often be seen worn by many celebrities, and folk around Manchester. Available in sterling silver, rose or yellow gold plating and it’s wingspan is 3 cm and height of 1.5 cm. The chain can be adjusted from 16-18″.

Shaun Leanue Heart Pendant £250.00.

Easily one of our favourite designers, and a wonderful gift idea. An edgy take on the universal symbol of love, the Shaun Leane Heart Pendant features two inwardfacing hooks, joined together to create this timeless motif.

Made from yellow gold vermeil, this striking piece measures approximately 32 x 22mm and is suspended on a 44cm chain.

Chlobo -- from £54.

We love Chlobo and their wonderful range, Bethy has dozens all stacked up her arm! This Starry Waters bracelet is handmade with both star and sun charms to bring you guidance from day until night. The star charm guides you on your journey, whilst the sun allows you to grow with balance and in harmony.

Available in 925 Sterling Silver.

Shaun Leane Hook - £225.00.

Bethy and Jo’s absolute favourite, and often worn as a single. An elegant and striking piece, the Shaun Leane Hook Earrings are an iconic doublesided design, striking the perfect balance between edge and elegance.

Instantly recognisable, this classic Shaun Leane design is guaranteed to make a statement, day or night. Made from sterling silver, each earring measures 39mm in length.

Lucy Armour Ring £275.00.

Art Deco inspired geometry and sparkling stones give the Art Deco Armour Ring a strong place in Lucy Quartermaine’s already stunning jewellery line. Since sterling silver is beautifully adaptable, the size of this piece is easily adjustable by hand.

Scream Pretty Star Necklace £30.00.

We love to layer this starburst necklace with longer necklaces for impact and style it with simple studs, or matching hoops.

This lovely gold vermeil necklace has a slider clasp, which means you can adjust the length easily to your neckline giving your necklace the perfect fit. Chain length 45cm with a slider clasp, so you can adjust to fit!

www.lancmag.com

House of Hill Vintage.

There is a big fashion for upcycled, solid gold, vintage jewellery, so we launched House of Hill Vintage. We have put together a stunning range of gold chains, charms and pendants.

And even signet rings are back in fashion. House of Hill Vintage has become our best selling range.

Beautiful Bespoke.

We design lots of bespoke pieces for our customers.

Whatever they want we can have made. From wedding rings to pendants, we have love the design process to the final piece being made. There has been lots of tears shed.

Also many of us have pieces handed down to us, that have huge sentimental value but are not fashionable to wear. We can remodel it into something really beautiful.

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Reduce time spent sitting Unless you are a wheelchair user, there is evidence to show that prolonged periods of sitting can increase your risk of developing heart disease. Modern technology has changed how we spend our work and leisure time. It is not uncommon for people to spend several hours every day sitting behind a desk, watching TV, playing computer games or sitting at the wheel of a car.

We have some tips to reduce the amount of time you spend sitting.

Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip,

by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

The NHS provides advice on activities that are suitable for wheelchair users with different physical abilities: www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/wheelchairusers-fitness-advice/

You can find more healthy tips, recipes and advice at heartresearch.org.uk.

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Take regular breaks from your seat Whenever you are going to be sitting for prolonged periods of time, set an alarm to remind yourself to get up and move around regularly. If you are sitting watching TV, why not use the advert breaks to prompt you to get moving. You could use this time to run up and down the stairs, dance around the living room or do some star jumps.

Step away from your desk The government has recently advised us to work from home over the winter if we can. As a result of this, many people are missing out on their active commute to work, such as walking or cycling.

If you are working from home without moving much, you could set a timer to remind yourself to get up and move at regular intervals. Why not set yourself a 5 to 10 minute chore to complete once an hour that will get you moving, such as hanging laundry, hoovering or cleaning windows.

Choose hobbies that will get you moving If your hobbies involve lots of time sitting, such as needlework, computer games, board games, reading or painting, try to get up and move around at regular intervals. You could set a timer to remind yourself to move more often. You could also look for new hobbies that will get you moving more, such as gardening, walking and DIY. If you enjoy reading, why not listen to an audio book through headphones while you take a walk or read while you pedal on a stationary bike.

Is online shopping keeping you in your seat?

Unless you are shielding or self-isolating due to COVID-19, you could switch from sitting in front of a screen to do online food shopping and start walking or cycling to the shops instead. Not only will this increase your physical activity, but it will also free up supermarket delivery slots for vulnerable people who need them the most.

Active phone calls Avoid staying seated during phone calls. Use the opportunity to walk around or do some squats and lunges. If you own exercise equipment, such as a stationary bike or treadmill, you could hop on for the duration of your phone call. Be careful not to get too out of breath during your phone call.

You could pump up the pace for a few minutes after the call ends. www.lancmag.com

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We need a Wildbelt – to allow nature’s recovery Reforms in the Government’s White Paper, Planning for the Future will increase the threat to nature in England and do little to create better homes and communities for wildlife and people.

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he Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is calling for an end to planning that means the devastation of wild creatures and plants in the 21st Century.

And they are supporting the national Wildlife Trusts in calling on the Government to commit to five principles to be applied to future planning which would ensure the reforms can address the climate and ecological crises and people’s need for nature around them.

One of these principles would, for the first time, protect new land put into nature’s recovery.

For this, The Wildlife Trusts propose a new protection mechanism called Wildbelt.

Craig Bennett, chief executive of The Wildlife Trusts, says: “We’re in a climate and ecological crisis and we cannot afford to lose any more wildlife – we need a new Project Speed for nature. We must keep the environmental protections that we have – but even that is not enough.

Protections must be strengthened, and the Government needs to take a big step towards helping nature to recover everywhere. The new planning reforms currently propose an algorithm-based system that’s dependent on nonexistent data. That’s a system that will fail nature and lead to more loss.

“Evidence shows that healthy communities need nature and the government must map out a Nature Recovery Network across every one of their proposed zones, whether it’s a growth, renewal or protected area. We’re proposing five principles to ensure the planning system helps nature and we want to see a bold new designation which will protect new land that’s put into recovery - we’re calling this Wildbelt.”

Planning with nature in mind You can build homes for people but you must, at the same time, protect homes for wildlife The Wildlife Trusts’ five principles are: 1. Wildlife recovery and people’s easy access to nature must be put at the heart of planning reform by mapping a Nature Recovery Network.

2. Nature protection policies and standards must not be weakened, and assessment of environmental impact must take place before development is permitted.

3. Address the ecological and climate crises by protecting new land put into recovery by creating a new designation – Wildbelt.

4. People and local stakeholders must be able to engage with the planning system.

5. Decisions must be based on up-to-date and accurate nature data.

Lancashire Wildlife Trust Chief Executive, Anne Selby said: “We need people who love nature and those who have re-engaged with nature during the lockdown to support our campaign and for the creation of the Wildbelt.

“We need to stop the attacks on the diversity of our wildlife and ensure that any planning includes room for nature to recover, not just here but in networks across the United Kingdom.”

Help us to create a Nature Recovery Network by allowing green pathways for all plants and creatures

The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside understands there is a need to build houses in our region but there must be safeguards for nature including a Wildbelt where plants and creatures are protected

Have your say at https://www.lancswt.org.uk/wilder-futurecampaign/government-planning-reforms www.lancmag.com

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The Wildlife Trusts are calling for the creation of a Wildbelt, where nature is protected and allowed to grow

Campaigns Manager Alan Wright said: “We want a Wildbelt that is protected from development. We want modern answers to how development should progress, not 19th Century answers involving building for the short-term and then leaving society to deal with the consequences afterwards.

And we want reasonable arguments for development and a voice in the decision-making process, not populist myths about scything through “red tape”.

“It’s easy to demand more housebuilding and blame newts for getting in the way of progress. Is this entirely true? The reason half a million houses haven’t been built, despite having

planning permission, is down to the structure of the UK’s housing market, not a great crested newt found in a nearby pond.

“And it certainly cannot be business as usual: as we are learning to our cost, if you kick the environment it can kick back harder. This is a global problem so we all need to make a difference.”

The UK is one of the most naturedepleted countries on the planet and the government has committed to reversing wildlife declines.

A successful planning system is crucial to securing the recovery of nature and creating healthy communities with natural green space

on people’s doorsteps, no matter how dense the housing. However, The Wildlife Trusts, who respond to thousands of planning applications every year and are taking part in the White Paper consultation, believe the new Government proposals will make a bad situation worse.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust is concerned that Government planning reforms: Are highly likely to increase nature's decline.

Fail to integrate nature into people's lives.

Undermine the democratic decision-making process.

Help us to create a Wildbelt and have your say at https://bit.ly/3iBKlnJ

To find out more go to https://www.lancswt.org.uk/wilder-future-campaign/government-planning-reforms.

The deadline is 29th October 2020.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 27,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers.

To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

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Parents invited to pre-register their interest in a place at new secondary school.

The new, state-funded 11-16 secondary school planned for the local community in Middleton and Heywood, is inviting parents of primary school-aged children to preregister their interest in a place.

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dgar Wood Academy is being established by the Altus Education Partnership which also runs the Ofsted-rated ‘Outstanding’ Rochdale Sixth Form College. The new school pledges to offer strong pastoral support with high expectations and an inclusive, fulfilling, broad and balanced curriculum to provide each student with the knowledge and skills to progress to an aspirational career, a fulfilling life and make a positive contribution to their local community.

A piece of land at Bowlee, accessed off Heywood Old Road in the Middleton area of Rochdale, has been identified for the school. This will be a new modern building with state-of-the-art facilities.

Rochdale Borough Council has completed a pre-application consultation in relation to an outline planning application, which is looking to be determined by 1st November, subject to the planning process.

Richard Ronksley, CEO of the Altus Education Partnership, said, “The Trust remains committed to working with the Department for Education (DfE) and Rochdale Borough Council to meet the pressing local need for secondary school places and will confirm an intended school opening date when the outcome of the planning application is determined.

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“In the meantime, we continue to undertake the workstreams as required by the DfE, including the development of the curriculum, school policies and the school uniform and are regularly meeting with the DfE to ensure that we are ready to hit the ground running. We are also excited to launch the Edgar Wood Academy’s new website, www.edgarwood.org where you can find in-depth information on all aspects of the school including the vision and ethos, curriculum, school day and frequently asked questions.”

Those interested in following the school’s progress are invited to subscribe to receive the school’s e-newsletter at www.edgarwood.org/ newsletter, where parents and carers of primary school-aged children can also pre-register their interest in a place at the Edgar Wood Academy. The school can also be found on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn and can be contacted by email at info@edgarwood.org. www.lancmag.com

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Hi, I’m Paul...

...from PT Health Coaching, a personal health coach based in Darwen in Lancashire. Health coaching isn’t just the traditional personal training. It is personalised approach to all aspects of an individual’s health and wellbeing. Whether you have health goals, such as losing weight or performance goals, such as to run a marathon in a certain time, this is the place to come.

How to stay healthy over Christmas

I

f you are anything like me, you might find that you eat reasonably well for most part of the year, but at Christmas, it can be really tricky. I saw Christmas chocolate boxes on sale in the supermarkets in September and there lies the problem: We are bombarded with persuasive messages from autumn onwards to eat more sugary and high fat foods.

Unfortunately, these environmental nudges are difficult to avoid, so that’s why, I’ve come up with some simple strategies to avoid and overcome the traditional indulgences of Christmas.

1. Plan ahead Whether it is your Christmas shopping or your meals for the week, if you plan ahead, you are more likely to navigate through some of the extra stress that the festive period brings. The key is not only to plan ahead (because ‘failing to prepare is preparing to fail’), but also to follow through and get things done early, therefore reducing the stress that comes from the last-minute rush of Christmas shopping. If you plan your treats in advance, you know you have got them to look forward to, rather than the whole month, being one long indulgence.

2. Set expectations early Both for yourself and the rest of your family. Unfortunately, this may not be the ‘normal Christmas’ for many of us and this can be difficult to deal with, given this season is all about tradition. Have the conversation with

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your family and children and be realistic with what may be a Christmas Day with just the people in your bubble. Try to be more creative with your plans to make it different… but in a good way! One idea is to have a video call set up for present opening or Christmas dinner, so that love ones can still enjoy sharing the experience with you.

3. Get back on track Don’t let the Christmas break turn out to be a full month of poor eating.

The reason we tend to put weight on over Christmas, isn’t just our Christmas Day and Boxing Day indulgences, it’s because of a build-up of slightly worse eating from the beginning of the month to the end. If you can wait until the big day, you’ll likely enjoy your treats more than you will eating badly for the whole month. Once you have overindulged getting back on track the next day is the key. Don’t let one bad day turn into a bad week. www.lancmag.com

4. Why wait until January?

We always seem to wait until January to start a diet, which on average last between 4-6 weeks. Rather than getting yourself in a position where you feel the need to diet, why not start a healthy eating plan in December. You can still fit your treats in on Christmas day and New Years Eve, but if you eat well around that, you are likely to reach January in a better position and have a head start for the year. Your body will be in a lot less shock from the overindulgence, then the sudden deprivation diet, done by many people in January. Understanding that these things are unsustainable and do not work in the long term may help motivate you to remain more balanced and moderate in your choices leading up to Christmas.

time of the year would be a great time to think of those less fortunate and doing something for someone else.

Little gestures can help put a smile on people’s faces and make them feel better. You may even get a little feeling of satisfaction for doing something for someone else. It’s the things we do for others that matter the most, not the objects we give.

9. Stay hydrated

7. Keep colds at bay

10. Eat healthy snacks

Our immunity tends to take a hit at this time of year. The lack of time spent outdoors, combined with a larger number of viruses in circulation mean we tend to pick up coughs, colds, bugs, and the flu. This year with the pandemic, it’s even more important to keep your immune system strong.

Consider some daily exercise, eating plenty of fruit and vegetables, aiming to get a good night’s sleep, taking time out to unwind and taking a daily vitamin D supplement throughout winter. All of these have been scientifically proven to increase your immunity.

Then of course there are the usual things I would encourage throughout the whole year….

Our bodies are comprised of 5070% water and most of their critical functions require water to work.

You body will function more effectively if you drink plenty of water throughout the day (caffeine, alcohol and fizzy drinks don’t count!) it will take away those food cravings we get over Christmas.

If you eat health snacks (like nuts and fruit), you will have less cravings and your portion sizes are more likely to remain controlled when it comes to mealtimes.

11. Prevent hangovers Alcoholic drinks are empty calories, that offer no nutritional benefit, make you more dehydrated and reduce the quality of your sleep. So with less parties and social gatherings, it’s a great opportunity to reduce your intake. The healthiest choices of alcohol are the clear spirits that have less calories and lower levels of chemicals, which will reduce your risk of a hangover. Just make sure you have plenty of mixer with it!

get a good night’s sleep

5. Enjoy yourself!

The whole point of this season is to take a break and spend the extra time you have doing the things you love.

More time for you is a way to repair and regrow after what has potentially been a very tricky year. Reconnect with family, friends and loved ones as much as possible (within the rules) and use the time to wrap up and get outside to walk, which will help boost your immunity and reduce your stress levels.

It’s also a chance to detox from your screens and reconnect with those close to you.

6. Do something for others In the western world, we are surrounded by consumerism, particularly at Christmastime. This www.lancmag.com

I want to take this opportunity to wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2021!

8. Eat regular breakfasts The research suggests that eating a healthy breakfast everyday means you will be more likely to eat well for the rest of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast helps to balance our blood sugar levels, kick starts our metabolism, helps to boost our energy and stimulates our brain.

Paul

Paul is a Health and wellbeing coach and consultant for individuals and organisations and is Lancashire Magazine’s resident Health Coach. To find out more or to get some support contact him on: Tel: 07495 89298 Email: paul@pthealthcoaching.com

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European Regional Development Fund

A way to make Europe

Spanish Persimon® Mojito with Persimon® Bites This fun festive cocktail is a new take on the classic mojito. Serve it with little persimon® nibbles for the perfect accompaniment.

Serves: 2 Mojito 1 P.D.O. Spanish Persimon® Juice of 2 limes 2tsp demerara sugar Handful of mint leaves 120ml coconut rum Soda water, to top up

Persimon® Bites 50g full fat soft cheese A few toasted flaked almonds or pine nuts 2-3 cocktail cherries, chopped

1 Cut the leafy top from the Spanish Persimon® and cut off a few thin slices for the drinks. Cut the rest into thicker slices and set to one side.

2 Put the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves into a small jug and ‘muddle’ them together, crushing the mint leaves (you could use the end of a rolling pin for this). Pour into two tall glasses, add a few thin slices of persimon® and top up with ice cubes and soda.

Decorate with persimon® slices and extra mint.

3 Spread the reserved persimon® slices with soft cheese, then sprinkle with toasted flaked almonds or pine nuts and chopped cocktail cherries. Serve with the mojitos.

Cook’s tip: These are best made just before you want to enjoy them!

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Meet the critic!

As a new series for the Lancashire and North West Magazine, Barrister-turned-food-writer Richard Sagar takes us through some of the finest culinary venues our historic county and surrounding areas have to offer. Keep an eye out for Richard’s reviews in each edition as he quite literally eats his way through the North West!

Freemasons - Wiswell

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or anybody yet to visit the village of Wiswell, you really are missing out on one of Lancashire’s gems. This small village on the edge of Whalley truly epitomises all the Ribble Valley stands for – glorious countryside, stately homes, cosy cottages and central to it all, a great village pub. In Wiswell, the latter is hidden discretely between the attractive village properties – but finding the Freemasons is a treasure hunt well worth taking part in. Even the outdoor seating oozes sophistication – and this is bolstered as you walk into the reception and bar area, with quality

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design features and finishes wherever the eye chooses to wonder.

I visited the Freemasons on this occasion to sample their Sunday lunch menu – 3 courses for £37.50 struck me as stonkingly good value in an establishment of this quality and eminence.

Merely moments after we were seated (and dietary requirements checked) we were brought two of the most delicious bread buns I have ever tasted.

Homemade rolls coated in rosemary and dowsed with lamb fat – indulgence

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Merely moments after we were seated (and dietary requirements checked) we were brought two of the most delicious bread buns I have ever tasted.

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to one side, this has to be the way I start every Sunday roast from now on!

For a set menu, with a choice of 5 starters, 5 mains and 5 desserts, even the most discerning of diners would surely find a dish to their taste. As for myself – there were several I would have liked to try! For starters I opted for the velouté of woodland mushroom, with my partner in crime opting for the seafood gratin, cooked in champagne cream with a Lancashire cheese crust. My soup was beautiful – with the earthy notes of the mushrooms complemented beautifully by the rich cream and deep fried onion shards. As far as soup goes, this was definitely up there. If you’re after something a little more adventurous than mushroom soup, the seafood gratin was particularly special – with large prawns, chunks of salmon and cod all cooked to perfection in their champagne sauce.

The level of simplicity here demands some high-quality cooking – and I would suggest Mr Smith and his team have that quality in abundance.

As with any good meal, I was by this stage wishing I had worn trousers with an elasticated waist

Steven Smith has owned and run this hidden gem since 2009, and his culinary ethos clearly works well. Interestingly the pub has recently opened a number of B&B rooms which I can only imagine are as timelessly elegant as the rest of the pub. With an impressive wine list on offer I can definitely see the advantages of sleeping on site should you want to get stuck into the offerings! www.lancmag.com

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Sadly we didn’t have the foresight to book a room, but nonetheless enjoyed a very fine bottle of Malbec the wonderfully rich, velvet like texture accompanied my main course perfectly.

I opted for the timeless roast sirloin of beef which came with all the trimmings.

Of particular note was the deliciously sweet carrot, the duck fat potato, and of course the melt in your mouth slab of sirloin, served in all its blushing pink perfection.

croissant intertwined with the thick vanilla custard was a taste sensation!

I managed a spoonful of my dining partner’s Medjool date sticky toffee pudding which was equally delicious – if only we had left slightly more room to enjoy them fully!

Again, a fine example of simply put together food, with great sourcing and exceptional cooking technique.

As part of her sea food themed lunch, my dinner date chose a dish of simply grilled cod in a lemon and brown butter sauce with potted shrimps.

The cod was cooked to perfection, and beautifully accompanied by the lightly spiced shrimps. Again, a fine example of simply put together food, with great sourcing and exceptional cooking technique.

As with any good meal, I was by this stage wishing I had worn trousers with an elasticated waist, but, dedicated to the cause, I ordered a dessert of croissant butter pudding, served with apricots and a vanilla custard – what a way to finish a meal! The soft buttery 136

As the lunch came to an end, I couldn’t help reflecting that the staff, food and ambience at the Freemasons, Wiswell are so well matched to its surroundings – beautiful, relaxed and tasteful. We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch at the Freemasons, and I would urge you to sample its effortless class for yourselves too.

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Our Sharon’s quick recipe’s Smoked Salmon Carpaccio

Ingredients 50g radishes, finely sliced into rounds 2 tbsp white wine vinegar 1 tbsp strong horseradish 100g double cream, lightly whipped 400g smoked salmon, cut into long slices 100g cooked beetroot, finely sliced into rounds 2 oranges, peeled and segmented • 2 preserved lemons, finely diced • handful of pea shoots • drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, to serve

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Method First, lightly pickle the radish slices by putting them in a small bowl with the vinegar for at least 30 mins. Meanwhile, mix the horseradish with the whipped cream in a small bowl and season with salt.

Lay 100g of the long salmon slices on 4 rectangular plates in a neat rectangle shape. Put 3 discs of beetroot on top of the salmon in different places. Arrange about 6 slices of the pickled radish around the salmon too.

Add a few orange segments and some of the preserved lemon.

Next, shape the horseradish into quenelles by using 2 teaspoons to scoop and roll it. Put 3 quenelles on each plate. Finally, scatter with the pea shoots, and drizzle over a little oil before serving.

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Easy Mince Pies

Method To make the pastry, rub the butter into the flour, then mix in the golden caster sugar and a pinch of salt.

Combine the pastry into a ball – don’t add liquid – and knead it briefly.

The dough will be fairly firm, like shortbread dough. You can use the dough immediately, or chill for later.

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line 18 holes of two 12-hole patty tins, by pressing small walnut-sized balls of pastry into each hole.

Spoon the mincemeat into the pies. Take slightly smaller balls of pastry than before and pat them out between your hands to make round lids, big enough to cover the pies.

Ingredients 225g cold butter, diced 350g plain flour 100g golden caster sugar 280g mincemeat 1 small egg, beaten icing sugar, to dust

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Top the pies with their lids, pressing the edges gently together to seal – you don’t need to seal them with milk or egg as they will stick on their own. Will keep frozen for up to one month.

Brush the tops of the pies with the beaten egg. Bake for 20 mins until golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 5 mins, then remove to a wire rack.

To serve, lightly dust with the icing sugar. Will keep for three to four days in an airtight container.

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Chicken tagine with spiced Brussels sprouts & feta

Ingredients ½ tbsp of coconut oil 1 large red onion, sliced 1 red pepper, finely sliced 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 10 chicken thighs fillets (boneless and skinless) ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground turmeric ½ tsp smoked paprika 1 tbsp tomato purée 250ml chicken stock 6 dried apricots, cut in half 175g canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed ½ tsp cumin seeds

Method Heat 1 tbsp of the coconut oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over a medium heat. When melted and hot, add the onion, pepper and garlic. Cook, stirring regularly, for 3 -4 mins or until just starting to soften. Increase the heat to maximum and add the chicken thighs.

Fry everything together for about 3 mins, stirring occasionally.

Sprinkle in the spices, squeeze in the tomato purée and fry, stirring almost constantly, for 1 min. Pour in the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and partially cover with a lid. After 30 mins, add the dried apricots and chickpeas, and continue to simmer for a further 10 mins.

While the tagine is bubbling away, heat the remaining 1/ 2 tbsp of coconut oil in a frying pan over a high heat. When melted, add the cumin seeds, toast for 10 secs, then add the shredded sprouts. Fry the sprouts over the high heat, stirring almost constantly, for 5 mins.

Serve the tagine in a large bowl, scatter over the fried sprouts, crumble over the feta and finish with the coriander.

275g Brussels sprouts, shredded 50g feta ½ small bunch coriander, roughly chopped

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Goosnargh Gin Goosnargh Gin is, without doubt, one of Lancashire’s success stories since its launch in 2018.

But now owners Richard and Rachel Trenchard face their toughest test to date – building their multi-award winning business back up following a devastating fire at the distillery in August.

Richard and Rachel Trenchard’s gins all tell a story of the Forest of Bowland, or Lancashire as a whole Credit Will Amlot

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‘Our focus is now on moving forward positively, which has always been our approach.’

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fter launching their first gin in October 2018, Richard and Rachel’s gin brand has gone on to land both regional and international awards, including a prestigious gold medal in the International Wine and Spirit Competition for their Chapter One – Signature Gin. Further IWSC success came this year for their Chapter Two – Dark Skies gin, with those awards punctuated by regional success, including being named Taste Lancashire producer of the year at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2019. Most recently, Goosnargh Gin won a two star Great Taste award, along with a silver medal at the International Spirits Challenge.

In addition, Richard are Rachel are rightly proud to distil two Michelin star restaurant Moor Hall’s gin, itself one of Goosnargh Gin’s chapters. “It’s a real honour to work with chef patron Mark Birchall on Chapter Five – Moor Hall,” says Richard. “To have someone of Mark’s calibre in the hospitality industry recognise the quality of what you do is amazing.”

The couple has also formed a firm fan base for their foraging and distilling days, as well as for their promise to solely champion the independent sector instead of following a mass market route.

Their gins, produced in the shadow of Beacon Fell, on the edge of the Forest of Bowland, each celebrates the area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) in which they distil.

That may be as a nod to the botanicals which grow naturally within the area, or by referring to a part of the area’s historical or geographical status.

Dark Skies, for example, is so named because parts of the Forest of Bowland enjoy Dark Skies status, with the lack of light pollution resulting in a real depth of night sky perfect for stargazing.

But it was while distilling Chapter Two – Dark Skies that disaster struck.

Some of the botanicals used by the couple.

Credit Liz Baker

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An alcoholic fireball ripped through the microdistillery, leaving Rachel in hospital with burns to her face and hands, and the building a charred wreck.

“It was a horrible experience,” reveals Rachel, who was in hospital for a week and a half with her injuries, with doctors expecting her to make a full recovery in time. “But this has in no way dented our desire to continue crafting a product which we and Lancashire are so proud of.

“Our focus is now on moving forward positively, which has always been our approach, rather that dwelling on the unfortunate event.”

Rachel, who was heading out of the distillery’s French doors at the time of the explosion, feels very fortunate to have escaped more serious injuries.

And the couple’s luck did not stop there.

A local distillery quickly stepped in to allow the couple full use of their distillery, explaining that ‘it’s true distillers we want to keep in the game’.

“That offer came within hours of the explosion,” explains Richard.

Goosnargh Gin Chapter One – Signature Gin won gold at the prestigious International Wine and Spirit Competition.

Credit Liz Baker

Dark Skies is a nod to the depth of the area’s night sky.

Credit Matthew Savage

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“It was like an immediate issue solved, and we are so grateful that the offer has allowed us to continue producing until our micro-distillery is repaired.

“Goosnargh Gin has a real following in the county and has organically began to branch out across the country.

“That’s not just because of how unique our gins taste, but also because of our brand’s ethos.”

The ethos which Richard refers to is the fact that Goosnargh Gin does things differently from a number of other businesses, on a number of levels.

Each gin is a chapter, partly as reference to Richard’s 20-plus years in regional and national journalism, but partly so fans of Goosnargh Gin can follow the couple’s story as it develops.

Chapters Three and Four are both seasonal releases, using fresh botanicals, and the couple creates limited numbers of each. Once those are gone, they don’t then reappear until the following summer.

Chapter Three – Floral Notes is a nod to the garden at the distillery, featuring the couple’s three favourite florals – rose, hibiscus and peony flowers, which are grown organically.

Chapter Four – Hay Time is a collaboration between Goosnargh Gin and the Forest of Bowland AONB team, using hand-picked botanicals from the internationally recognised and protected Coronation meadows at Peter Blackwell’s Bell Sykes farm, Slaidburn.

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AONB’s charity Champion Bowland, to help fund educational projects which teach the importance of the preservation and restoration of hay meadows.

“It’s really important to us that we don’t just say ‘aren’t we lucky to live and work in such a beautiful area’,” says Rachel. “We also want to give back to that area, raising funds for vital schemes such as the Hay Time project.

“The Forest of Bowland is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful areas of the country. We don’t want to just be seen as a producer here, but an active part of what makes this area so beautiful.”

Above: Goosnargh Gin won the Taste Lancashire Producer of the Year award in 2019.

Credit Marketing Lancashire

Goosnargh Gin also offers a ‘cocktail pack for two’.

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The full Goosnargh Gin line-up.

A hot chocolate pack, a collaboration with two other Lancashire businesses, is Goosnargh Gin’s latest offering.

Goosnargh Gin’s strong business ethos also stretches to turning down mass market offers.

“We have had opportunities to be in large retailers,” says Richard. “But any approach, while flattering of course, is not a route to market which we choose to go down.”

Instead, Goosnargh Gin celebrates independence, and works solely with retailers in this sector, to offer them a real point of difference.

“It was a business decision we made before we had even launched the business,” says Rachel.

“It would be quite easy for us to be in front of so many more people than we are in front of. But, for us, it’s not all about that. It’s about being in front of the right people. And it’s about not putting independent retailers in competition with the mass market on their doorstep.

“There’s a real depth of story to what we do at Goosnargh Gin and why we do things the way we do, and independent retailers love to tell that story.

It gives them a point of difference and the customer a really immersive experience.”

Now Goosnargh Gin’s focus going into 2021 is to have their distillery back open to the public as soon as possible, with new products already in Richard and Rachel’s minds.

“There will be a new chapter, but it won’t refer to the accident in any way,” says Richard. “It was already planned and won’t be a big ‘comeback’ gin.

That’s just not our style.

“And in any case, we never went away.” www.lancmag.com

Miniature bottles can be found at many of Goosnargh Gin’s independent retailers.

Goosnargh Gin Chapter One – Signature Gin uses botanicals which can be found growing naturally in the Forest of Bowland.

Credit Liz Baker

For more information, visit www.goosnarghgin.co.uk LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 145

More new homes coming soon to Chorley

THERE will soon be even more choice for buyers in Clayton Le Woods, with a selection of three and four-bedroom Redrow Homes coming soon at Willows Green.

Homes like the Cambridge will soon launch at Willows Green

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fter Redrow’s neighbouring development, The Hedgerows, sold out earlier this summer, Willows Green will offer anyone who missed out the chance to still secure their dream home.

Sian Pitt, sales director for Redrow Homes (Lancashire), says: “The Hedgerows was extremely popular and was still receiving lots of interest from would-be buyers even as it was nearing completion. This makes the launch of Willows Green even more exciting as there is a fresh opportunity to secure a brand-new home.”

The new development, located on Parkhurst Avenue, nestled between the villages of Clayton-le-Woods and Farington, is due to launch at the end of this month and will feature a total of 26 homes, starting from around £300,000. The first homes are expected to be ready in Spring 2021.

Willows Green will consist of a mix of three and four-bedroom properties all traditionally styled from Redrow’s Arts & Crafts inspired Heritage Collection. The homes are perfectly placed close to open countryside and local beauty spots like Cuerden Valley Park, yet within easy reach of Leyland, Preston and even Manchester; so the development offers the best of both worlds for families and commuters alike.

Homes at Willows Green all have open-plan kitchen and dining space that’s perfect for families To avoid missing out, buyers can register their interest now in Willows Green at: www.redrow.co.uk/willowsgreen

Anyone thinking of moving but has a current property to sell can use Redrow’s Help to Sell scheme. This means that once they’ve found their dream Redrow home, the housebuilder will agree a valuation and marketing plan for the existing property and even contribute to estate agent fees too.

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HW Audio Bolton Musicians and DJs from across the North-West have been flocking to the HW Music Megastore on St George’s Street in Bolton for over 20 years.

Add into the mix a highly successful internet business, HW Audio, which runs alongside the megastore, and the Bolton concern’s reputation stretches much further afield than Lancashire and the North-West.

That doesn’t mean HW Audio’s owner Richard Harfield is resting on his laurels. The Lancashire & North West magazine met up with him recently to find more about the business, as well as hearing about an exciting new project which is just beginning to take shape.

Richard has a wealth of experience in the industry, having started work as a Saturday boy Richard in the video studio

in what was then his brother’s business way back in 1977. For over just two years now he has run the business on his own. When talking to him, it soon becomes apparent that for all his time in the business he remains as passionate about providing excellent customer service as ever.

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knowledgeable”, Richard explains. “We don’t talk down to people. We will advise them on things that they need, so that when they leave the store they’ll know everything they need to know and won’t have to buy anything else”.

HW Audio’s premises on St George’s Street (formerly a cinema) are effectively split into two buildings. One houses the unrivalled selection of guitars, basses and drums for which the Bolton Megastore has become renowned, together with a full range of accessories.

Because of the unique nature and sheer size of the premises, the shop has been used as a set for TV and film productions on more than one occasion.

The selection includes everything from top-ofthe-range electric guitars to the humble ukulele.

Richard says acoustic instruments, which are easy to start playing and eliminate the need for an amplifier, are selling especially well at the www.lancmag.com

moment. The ukulele, in particular, has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years. The shop stocks a wide range of ukuleles, which range in price from as little as £25 up to around £100 for a really good quality instrument. Richard is not surprised at the instrument’s increased popularity.

“They are easy to pick up and to get a nice sound.

You can begin playing very easily”, he explains.

The online store also offers a wide selection of good quality second-hand instruments. Unlike most of its competitors, HW Audio is willing to buy decent second-hand instruments and even offers a part-exchange option, a service which is ideal for anyone looking to upgrade their existing instrument. This again sets it apart from its competitors.

The second building at the Bolton premises is dedicated to the other side of the retail business, which focuses on PA and sound systems, studio equipment, karaoke, DJ gear and lighting.

With the Covid-19 pandemic and its implications for retailers, it is no surprise to learn that HW Audio has seen a significant increase in online sales this year, particularly accessories. The retailer sells hundreds of packs of guitar strings a week, sending them all over the world.

According to Richard, this dual focus is what makes HW Audio unique. “Shops do either music or live sound”, he says, “but they don’t generally do both”.

However, as Richard rightly points out, there is no substitute for actually picking up an instrument

Top: The new 200-seat theatre

Below: Fender Dealers

The premises has its own car park at the rear of the store, so it is really easy to visit, and even offers the facility for electric car owners to charge their vehicles whilst they are parked there.

HW Audio’s successful internet retail business has been running in tandem with the Bolton megastore for many years now. The website offers customers who are unable to visit in person the same great range of products that are on sale in the Bolton Megastore plus more besides, with a range of string, brass, woodwind, keyboard and percussion instruments to suit musicians from all genres. www.lancmag.com

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The Drum lesson practice room

Stage and DJ Lighting showroom

and the Bolton Megastore has remained busy too since reopening in the middle of June after the national lockdown. Customers may be assured that all the appropriate Covid-19 safety measures have been put in place. With premises occupying an impressive 15,000 square feet, social distancing is not difficult to achieve.

For anyone interested in visiting the store for the first time, this video gives a perfect insight into the sheer scope of products on sale, as well as illustrating just how large the store is.

Because of the unique nature and sheer size of the premises, the shop has been used as a set for TV and film productions on more than one occasion. Most recently, it has featured in a pilot episode of a new BBC comedy series, Alma’s Not Normal, which is set in Bolton. A full series is expected to follow next year. In the past, HW Audio has supplied Bolton’s most famous son, comedian Peter Kay, with the music equipment needed for both his own comedy series and the brilliant Phoenix Nights.

With Christmas now just around the corner, HW Audio is beginning to gear up for the festive season. More than ever this year people may feel the need to treat themselves, but the store is also already busy with customers looking to buy the perfect gift for family and friends.

Richard has noticed a marked increase recently in demand for equipment that can be used at home. We have all been compelled to spend much more time at home than usual this year and so it is hardly surprising that more and more people are looking to produce podcasts and YouTube videos from the comfort of their own living room or back bedroom. HW Audio has all the equipment needed to set up at home. Richard cites the example of a microphone that can easily be connected to a smart phone or android phone, allowing people to conduct their own interviews. These types of products make ideal gifts for someone wanting to experiment with home-based technology, but who feels at the moment they cannot justify spending the money on themselves.

Richard frequently uses YouTube himself, producing useful tutorials on items in stock. A recent YouTube video featured a guided tour around the Bolton Megastore by the man himself.

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The video also provides a tantalising insight into Richard’s latest project. Shortly before lockdown, a new 200-seat theatre was completed, which is located on the upper floor of the building. This offers customers looking to purchase a PA or lighting system for use in larger venues the chance to try out the equipment in a similar setting rather than rely on a trial run in the more enclosed shop environment. This ability to demonstrate the larger equipment provides another example of how HW Audio can offer its customers a more complete service than its competitors.

Richard hopes in time that it may also be possible to use the theatre for live performances, although there is still a little bit of work to be done before it can become a self-contained unit.

Below: Electronic drum kits

As the business approaches its 40th anniversary in 2022, Richard is planning to continue to expand HW Audio’s product range, as well as experimenting with new ideas. “You’ve got to try to make yourself better every day”, he says. With such a positive attitude from its owner, HW Audio seems set to continue to meet any challenges that come its way and to add to its existing large number of satisfied customers.

Visit HW Music Megastore at 180-198 St George’s Road, Bolton BL1 2PH Website: www.hwaudio.co.uk Facebook: @HWAudioLtd • Twitter: @HWAudioUK • Instagram: @hwaudio

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A catch up with Peter Rutt Our monthly coloumn by Peter Rutt.

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art 1 of 3. Regular readers will know I love weird and wacky stories, even if they are not true.

So imagine my pleasure when I came across the sensation of alleged time slips in Liverpool.

Various people claim they slipped back in time, usually to the 1950’s or 1960’s. One claimed he slipped back to early 1900’s. He said as he walked down Bold Street the sky went very dark and what had been that year in the decade of the 1990’s changed to early 1900’s judging by the fashion he spied. Also the shops were old fashioned. Gone were the modern day stores as were modern day cars, replaced by horse drawn carriages. There was air there was sound and if he felt more confident he would have interacted with a person.

Imagine whipping out your smartphone to show from the early 1900’s! his someone year’s pandemic meticulously Or goplanned a step further and take photos or otherwise, depending or film what you see.

What would on your point of view, has broughtyour phone record? something to the fore. Especially so via There isinthe story of form a man who messaging whatever it takes. walked near to Bold Street he on Spelling!

More people haveand ventured alleges as he turned corner, was forums offering theiraopinions and that faced An old wall is fine.with But aif dead someend. do, they need to type that wasn’t there the previous day had check what they wrote as the message suddenly appeared.

Like the previous can be totally lost in gobbledygook! man he said the sky became suddenly In some it isobstacle easier to learnthere. darker priorcases to this being Mandarin, Russian and Mongolian He even touched the construction and languages the same time than trying it was solid.atConfused, he headed back to some people type out. thediscern way hewhat came.

I know texting willon be athe Mostpredictive of the stories centre culprit some of the time and it only period of 1993-1997 apart fromis the an informal text, unless one is being one in the next paragraph. They may made which sadones and at well beredundant Urban Tales andistall unprofessional, but guys honestly.But that. But it is thought provoking. there areisthree stories I will Here one Iparticular received and copied centre on. and it is not Welsh. ‘Ar fyw o jhy-sae iiiaThis fay ha haallegedly ha. Tahw era uoy in gniyas?’ one occurred 2006 What thatSean fromadmitted the sender when afollowed lad called he shoplifted anme item and was ran out of the which made laugh ‘I hope I shop pursued by a Security made myself plainly clear!’ IGuard. asked As Sean got to a corner (and he thereplied sky went if he was Welsh to which dark) he turned and carried on running ‘Tahw Nyos me cfc ton ft atthos.’

I but when he looked back he noticed suggested he check what he sent and

T

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I got obscenities in return, or at least I think it was. I said maybe you are of Mediterranean origin and support Chorley or Chelsea football club? This sent him over the edge as what followed was lots of hashes, asterisks, @’s and exclamation marks!

Some public signage had me tutting too often. I had a lengthy discussion with some person as they appended a printed signwas outside their to shop.

At the his pursuer nowhere be seen. time it washesupposed saytook ‘Keep two Relieved, stopped to and in his metres apart when queuing.’ surroundings.

Everybody wasInstead wearing itclothes read ‘Keap 22 1960’s meters and a-part when from the cars were qing,’ old fashioned from this era. Starting to worry outmeters, his modern Talkingheofbrought the word brings mobile phone, but it displayed no me on to the Brits using American signal. As he walked back past store spelled words.

I lost count how the many he robbed he noticed it wasn’t the one times ‘meters’ was spelled like this. I he entered earlier. As he looked ahead asked another person who used the he could see the modern world. When meter spelling outside their place and he took a look behind him it was still I tongue in cheek asked where I was the 1960’s. Frightened by his experience supposed find two parking or gas he caughtto a (modern) bus to get away. meters apart.

I got a look of a dead The Security Guard that chased himpan face.

He furiously speed typed the word asserted that he was only a few paces meters a sitebut on his phone behind into the thief as he got toand that forcefully me his smart corner, theproffered lad had vanished.

He phone. was He snarled bemused byand this.tersely said ‘See!’ I

looked quizzically at the US site he found upon the screen that was pressed against my nose. His face had turned red with rage and was screwed up like someone trying valiantly to gurn.

I offered he check Collins dictionary online. To which he did. His face turned pale and his gurning had changed to an open mouth of incredulity. We are not the 51st state yet!

The for theatre andinnot The same other goes two stories appear theater, colourand not acolor, bonnet not to May’s edition plausible answer hood and really, not outback of town! the conundrum.

Butget going to an My wifepoint, watches American and Aussie earlier which is of interaction, TV but not on enough where she picks I pondered this. If you talk to up someone a long agoSheila! era and their lingo.from Good on yer influence them to take different course I suppose when all isasaid and badly to one they historically did take, would written you might feel my column is the that have ramifications on allowed the hereyour and same.

That’s fine. You are now? Also if you collect an item from opinion, it is part of the democracy we the 1950’s, does it travel with you back apparently live in to be allowed to voice to the present day? an opinion.

So in the words of my Welsh or Mediterranean friend at this special time of year who seems to see things back to front, have a fantastic Christmas and a retteb yppah wen raey.

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The crafty

cottage Louise Wiltshire may have only opened The Crafty Cottage in January of this year, but the shop on St Andrew’s Road South in St Annes is already proving popular with locals and visitors alike.

The Lancashire & North West magazine met up with Louise recently to talk about the background to her new venture and to find out more about her future plans.

The Crafty Cottage sells an enticing selection of products which reflects Louise’s own wide-ranging interests. She has long been interested in upcycling and customers are able to see her latest projects for sale in the shop with everything from lovingly redecorated bureaus, tables and chairs to funky lamps and quirky clocks. Each item is unique and a genuine one-off. Louise explains, “I look at each item individually and let it guide me in the way it needs to be restored and renovated”.

Louise has long held a passion for recycling. It all started way back in 2006 when she bought her first property with help from her parents, but then found it difficult to afford furniture. She describes scouring the area where she lived, looking for cast-off furniture lying on the side of the road that she could take home and renovate. She clearly made a good job of it, as soon family and friends were asking her to make items for their own homes.

The interest in recycling, which had started out as a necessity, became an outlet for Louise’s creativity and in time she began to realise that it had the potential to become a business opportunity. Having successfully sold her products at craft fairs for several years under the name of the Crafty Cat, she decided to take the plunge and open her own shop, The Crafty Cottage, in her home town of St Annes.

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Photos: Louise Wiltshire

Louise is very proud to call St Annes home, having moved to the Fylde resort about five years ago with her partner and their children. “I love it here”, she says. “Everyone is friendly, there is a real sense of community and the amenities are great”. She enjoys the feeling of being settled in an area and being part of a community, as she spent most of her childhood constantly on the move because of her father’s career in the RAF.

In setting up The Crafty Cottage Louise’s aim was to showcase the work of other local artists and crafters as well as selling her own range of handcrafted items.

“I sell my own artwork, but I also like the idea of an artist collective, so I support another fourteen or so artists based on the Fylde coast”, she explains.

The Crafty Cottage has provided some of them with their first experience of selling in a retail environment, giving them the confidence to set up a new business during a difficult period. Louise helps her sellers further by recommending them to customers who may be looking for someone specialising in a certain technique such as glass engraving or needlework. In turn, an artist may suggest her for a particular upcycling project.

“We’re all there to support each other”, Louise says.

Above: Handcrafted chair and artwork

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The Crafty Cottage is always stocked with an interesting and varied selection of products

Beautiful Bureau

As well as supporting the local artistic community, Louise’s approach means that The Crafty Cottage is always stocked with an interesting and varied selection of products. Customers will find shelves stacked full of all kinds of handmade goodies with everything from handmade soap, bath bombs and Lytham candles to jewellery, artwork and fused glass.

This makes Louise’s shop the ideal destination for Christmas shopping. She is already planning how to make The Crafty Cottage look extra-special during the festive season with an 8ft tree which will be festooned with decorations made by her and her fellow artists. For those who are looking for a personalised and unique gift for someone special this Christmas, Louise is planning to offer Christmas hampers, each full of a selection of the goodies on sale in the shop. These can be specially tailored to suit the recipient’s individual preferences.

Following an enforced closure during the national lockdown earlier this year, the shop reopened in the middle of June with all the necessary safeguards to protect customers during these times of Covid-19.

Louise and her mother, who helps out in the shop as well as being a local lollipop lady, kept busy by selling online and delivering locally. One product, Frenchic furniture paint, proved especially popular, as people took advantage of the enforced break from their normal routine to take on new DIY projects at home. Louise has also been known to deliver further afield. One weekend recently she drove all the way to Leeds to deliver a renovated grandmother clock to an appreciative customer. She is happy to do it when she can “if it makes people’s lives easier”.

Business is going well since The Crafty Cottage reopened and Frenchic paint continues to be a bestseller. The shop sells a selection of craft kits suitable for both adults and children, allowing them www.lancmag.com

Right: pretty dresser

to try out a new craft for themselves. A peek at The Crafty Cottage website (details of which are given below) gives an indication of the range on offer.

Louise is full of ideas for the future of the shop, although sadly she has been compelled to put some of them on hold temporarily because of Covid-19 restrictions. She intends to pass on her considerable crafting knowledge to others by holding workshops at the shop, which will cover everything from upcycling to papercrafting. Before lockdown she had also started to hold craft sessions for children and again this is something she is planning to restart in the future.

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Louise also recognises the importance of continuing to develop her own skills. She is currently training to become a Master Upholsterer at Manchester’s famous Ministry of Upholstery under the guidance of Creative Director, Anthony Devine. His name may well be familiar to viewers of the BBC TV programme Money For Nothing.

Below: Telephone table

Frenchic stock

Away from the shop, the multi-talented Louise also pursues a career as a professional singer

Away from the shop, the multi-talented Louise also pursues a career as a professional singer, making appearances across the North-West under her stage name Chelsea Stevens. With family commitments and a business to run, this is very much a part-time venture for Louise these days, but she has enjoyed some notable success in the past. A few years ago she had a number 2 hit in the Eurodance charts under the name SouthShore with a remix of the Snow Patrol song, Chasing Cars. She can also boast of having been UK karaoke champion and went on to finish an impressive sixth when she represented the UK in the World Karaoke Championships.

Nellie the rocking elephant

As may be seen by her support for the local artistic community, Louise passionately believes in the benefits of collaboration rather than competition and she has plans for another way in which she may be able to support other local businesses once life finally returns to normal. “On St Andrew’s Road South there is a really eclectic range of businesses with a little bit of everything”, she explains. “My plan is to do evening events and involve some of the other businesses such as the restaurants”.

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It sounds like an interesting idea and taking into account what the talented Louise has already achieved in her life, there are probably plenty more exciting plans to come from The Crafty Cottage and its innovative owner.

Visit The Crafty Cottage at 35 St Andrew’s Road South, St Annes FY8 1PZ Website: https://thecraftycat.uk Facebook: @MadeWithLoveByTheCraftyCat Twitter: @CraftyCottageUK Instagram: theCraftyCottageUK

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Young Lytham filmmaker continues to win awards

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ockdown couldn’t keep prolific filmmaker and MetFilm School graduate Ryan J Smith down. At just 22 years old, Ryan is continuing to make a name for himself in the film industry.

Ryan’s film was:

He’s already multi-award winning, thanks to his critically acclaimed music documentary – Red Light Solo – a tour to the Amsterdam Jazz Scene and now he’s en-route to similar success with his new short, The Bull and The Bear.

Official Selection: Lift-Off Sessions

Winner Best Quarantine Film, Nominated for Best Director and Best Actor – and Jury Prize at the Monkey Bread Tree Film Awards.

Above: Ryan J Smith working Credit Olivia Hall

Semi-Finalist: Sweden Film Awards

The Bull and The Bear has been entered into several film festivals and is causing quite a stir Ryan said: “I’m happy people are responding to my movie and I think the business as a whole should be optimistic for the future.

“People will always want to escape from reality with a good story, whether it’s via streaming services or physical cinemas. I think it’s a case now of keeping the production line going and distributing new content that people want to see.

“I think holding-fire on new releases will prove to be irreversibly damaging and I’d encourage others in the business to strike now whilst audiences are hungry for new material.”

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Ryan J Smith Credit Olivia Hall

Ryan explains: “I was learning about the stock market before the Covid-19 lockdown, I was curious about the ruthlessness around corporate acquisitions and mergers, especially surrounding financial crashes and the enormous power of some global companies.

“I wanted to do something around this theme, and I wanted it to be a thriller.

“So, when the pandemic hit us and the world’s stock markets and financial institutions went into a spin, the idea suddenly had proper legs and I had to write it down, very quickly I had a script.”

The Bull and The Bear is short, sharp and shocking. It absolutely leaves you wanting more, especially when the film doesn’t end like you think it will.

Ryan said: “When you’re young and in education you seem to be constantly visited in school by the emergency services, telling you what felt like horror stories around fire – what could happen when technology overheated; burning appliances and dodgy socket extensions. And, the darker side of the internet.

“These visits, and the stories we heard were enough to keep us awake nights, wondering whether the home smoke alarm had been tested and whether that bit of blu-tack you’d put on your PC’s camera was really protecting you from prying eyes.

“I wanted to marry these everyday fears which many of us have, together into the film – and this familiarity really adds to the threat – I mean, who isn’t concerned about the dark web?

Ryan sent his script over to his good friend and actor Mitchell Fisher. Ryan met Mitch at a casting session while he was studying at MetFilm school www.lancmag.com

and they’ve worked together on a few projects over the past couple of years.

“I sent Mitch the script and 24hours later, he came back saying ‘I know exactly what to do with it, how to play it. And then we got cracking and made the film.”

The actual time Ryan spent filming the fiveminute short adds up to about forty minutes – there are only four pages of script.

“Technically it was quite easy to shoot, but editing it was a challenge. I wanted the film to be quite grainy, have texture but I wanted the format to be familiar – we’ve all used different platforms to keep in touch over lockdown, so I decided to use FaceTime. It gave me just what I was looking for.”

Far left: The Bull and The Bear Credit Olivia Hall

Ryan may be young, but he has been making films since he was just eight years old. He was accepted to the internationally acclaimed MetFilm school, to study the BA Practical Filmmaking when he was just 17 years old and he graduated in 2018.

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The life of Di A monthly column by Di Wade, the author of ‘A Year In Verse’

W

ell my hair’s now three different colours, and but for social distancing could almost certainly be let out of a window to the tune of the right guy climbing up it. Nor does this seem remotely odd. Similarly, it’s hard to believe now that at the start of the year, I was giving serious thought to going to the O2 for the ATP tour finals at the end of the year. Now, it’ll be a treat just to watch ‘em on’t telly, assuming they continue to go ahead at all.

I also remember reading back in March that many people were relieving the shock and disorientation of sudden lockdown by putting their Christmas lights back up. Might’ve been tempted myself but for the onerous business of fetching them back out from under their habitual covering of old books, shoes, and indeed everything but the kitchen sink. However, one can only assume that long before Christmas proper, there’ll be a need for festive cheer wi’ knobs on.

Not that there haven’t been some Christmassy moments over the past months. During a whirlwind fortnight’s leave at the start of September, I went, among other places, down South Shore, which after months of practically wearing out the streets of my immediate neighbourhood, felt like the positive giddy heights. I’m sure I gazed at the big one as though it were the statue of liberty or astronomical clock in Prague.

Morecambe meanwhile might have been Monaco - but for the howling gale, freezing spray and general hypothermia.

There were some improbable flowers gracing the seafront, and all I could think was that it was a miracle they’d not been blown to kingdom come, or at the very least saltily lacerated to within an inch of their lives, long since.

When freezing my bits off in Morecambe wasn’t constituting the height of treats, I also ate out for the first time in months, Bispham Kitchen seeming akin to Santa’s Grotto, and the excellent Thurnham Mill the full-blown wonder of Lapland. Moreover, as it soon afterwards ceased to feel safe to eat out again any time soon, the memories

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of these promise to be a source of comfort and joy going forward.

It also felt distinctly like Christmas when I discovered that Alexa could play the Houghton Weavers albums I’d been unable to find since moving house three years ago: It IS astonishing how things get lost. My mum reckons she should have a pair of ice-skates somewhere, but hasn’t seen them in decades. Anyway, I’d been a firm fan of the Lancashire folk group since accompanying my parents to one of their Christmas concerts many moons ago - from the moment lead singer Tony Berry opened his mouth to be precise. Granted, I was mostly into Kylie, Whitney and Madonna at the time, but I’d never heard such a gorgeous voice. Oozing purity, sincerity, richness, and resonance, it sent coursing through one the warmth of a mulled wine beside a roaring fire on a bitter winter’s day, and has never ceased so to do. Though the concerts themselves were a delight, we stopped attending these with the leaving of front man Norman Prince, whose comic wit we felt was a vital part of their success.

However, we’d all acquired a plentiful supply of their CD’s by this point, so

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the music lived on with a vengeance.

Of my own collection of albums, my favourites, (the ones I’d mislaid, naturally), were, and are, The Keeper and Gone are the Days, whose playing has consoled and comforted me through any number of difficult times. So I was delighted to be able to play them again, but shocked, on googling the name of the second album, to discover that Tony had passed away last year. I was first incredulous, then filled with melancholy at the idea that the owner of that voice, and effective provider of a soundtrack to my life for the past twenty years or so, was no longer in the world. All I can say is thank goodness for all the albums, and indeed Alexa, who I’ll certainly be asking to dig out their Christmas album come December. The only other Yuletide certainty is that my parents’ll be getting flowers, as they have for every other occasion this year. Well what can I say, the current situation is playing havoc with my gift-buying originality.

Stay safe Rapunzel

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Around the region Lancashire boy’s pilot wish granted A nine-year-old boy from Lancashire has quizzed the Red Arrows and watched an air show after being granted his wish to meet an RAF pilot by the children’s charity Make-A-Wish UK.

John Stephenson, nine, from Carnforth, was born with kidney problems and had a successful kidney transplant from his mum Marie when he was just three.

Now, John is well and has check-ups every 12 weeks. A resourceful character, who has built his own digger during lockdown, John loves figuring out how things work and how they are built. While his older sister Alexis is a thrill-seeker who loves rides and flights, John loves go-karting and is more interested in how vehicles are constructed.

When it came to choosing his wish, John wondered if he could have his own petrolpowered go kart. But he also loves music and drumming, so he was also keen to meet the artist Stormzy. However, he decided on an inspirational experience and wished to meet an RAF pilot so he could ask them questions and maybe even see a military jet up close.

John’s wishgranter Hollie made some enquiries and went one step further – arranging for him to meet a team from the Red Arrows at RAF Scampton.

John’s family drove from their home in Lancashire all the way to air base in Lincoln just before their home county went into localised lockdown again, on Sunday 20th September and stayed overnight.

The next morning, they were escorted to Red Arrows headquarters to watch an air display. When the pilots had landed and had a debrief, John and his sister Lexi got to quiz them and the ‘Blues’ engineers about their roles in flying and maintaining Hawk fast-jets.

He had a socially distanced photo taken with the pilots; had an engineering tour and then got to look through the pilots’ flying equipment.

Lightpool Festival postponed Blackpool’s annual Lightpool Festival has been postponed due to ongoing COVID restrictions.

The two-week event, which was due to run over the half-term holiday from October 16-31, is an annual celebration of live performance, 3D projection shows, parades and light-based installations.

Organisers VisitBlackpool said today that the current restrictions on events, coupled with growing uncertainty over the possibility of further national restrictions in the weeks ahead, meant that the main elements of the programme could not go ahead as planned.

Cllr Gillian Campbell, Cabinet Member for Tourism & Culture, said: “It is really disappointing that we have had to postpone this year’s event, particularly at such short notice.

“But given that there is no likelihood of any restrictions easing over the next few

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Afterwards, John’s mum Marie said: “We told John that we were going to see an air show but didn’t tell him that it was the Red Arrows so that was a surprise. We were very honoured to be there and were amazed at how close the planes got to each other. They told him how to find videos of some of the best ‘epic crashes’ that pilots had survived on the internet and sent him away with photos and RAF goodies.

“John was freaked out, in a good way, when so many people said Good morning John – he said, ‘how do they know my name?’

He was more interested in how the jet was made rather than in going up in it.

Marie continued: “This has opened his horizons right up …. about what’s out there for him career-wise and the services. He found out he can join up despite having a kidney transplant if he goes into engineering.

“It’s also boosted his confidence because psychologically he’s been quite down at times.

He’s ended up with four stickers a day at school this week because the wish has really lifted his self-esteem.

“For me, as his mum, it’s just redressed the balance to see him so happy. After losing so much time at home growing up and then going through his illness, to have really big joyous days has balanced his life like this wonderful big light.”

Now John’s sister Lexi wants to be a pilot too – and his dad Andrew, a former Royal Marine and fireman, enjoyed the day just as much too!

Every day, the lives of 10 families in the UK are changed forever when their child is diagnosed with a serious illness. Medical appointments become the utmost priority with the innocence of childhood taking a backseat and worry becoming paramount.

A wish helps to restore that childhood and puts worry on the backseat. To find out more about how wishes can help, visit make-a-wish. org.uk or follow the charity on social media @makeawishuk

weeks, we feel that the safest option is to postpone.

“Once we stripped out the more spectacular parts of the usual programme to avoid attracting crowds to specific locations on the promenade and in the town centre, it meant the festival would have been a muchdiluted offer compared to previous years.

“Hence, we have decided to postpone the whole event and then explore whether it can be safely staged either later this year or in the early part of 2021.”

The decision to cancel the festival has no bearing on the annual Illuminations, which will continue to shine along the entire seafront each night until January 3 – two months later than the usual switch-off date.

Cllr Campbell added: “The Illuminations can be viewed in a COVID-safe way as a drive-through experience. As always, we would simply ask all of our visitors to respect the rules and regulations when they are in resort to protect their own health and that of others.”

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Keeping you up to date with events around the North West of face masks, deep cleaning, and pre-order drinks and confectionery.

St Helens Theatre Royal successful in covid-19 recovery grant bid

St Helens Theatre Royal have been successful in their bid for funds from the Government’s £1.57 billion Covid-19 Culture Recovery Fund.

The news was announced as part of the first round of the Culture Recovery Funds grants programme administered by Arts Council England.

The grant will support the venue over the coming months with the on-going challenges due to the Coronavirus pandemic - allowing the theatre to open for socially distanced performances, as well as improve facilities at the venue.

Theatre Manager Chantelle Nolan said: “We are absolutely delighted to be awarded funds as part of the Government’s Cultural Recovery Fund. This will ensure we can continue to serve the local community and secure our future.

“These funds will be invaluable towards securing job retention, enable us to open social distanced performances, present our annual pantomime and make improvements at the venue and improve access facilities.

“We cannot wait to open our theatre doors again and look forward to welcoming audiences back where they can expect the same world-class entertainment that St Helens Theatre Royal is renowned for.”

The theatre’s annual festive Christmas Covid-secure pantomime production is on sale now – Regal Entertainments’ enchanting tale of Beauty and the Beast will be entertaining audiences from Friday 11 December 2020 – Sunday 3 January 2021.

St Helens Theatre Royal will be fully adhering to social distancing measures and Government guidelines to ensure the safety of theatregoers, venue staff, cast and crew.

Covid-secure safety measures being implemented include reduced capacity auditorium, temperature checks, the wearing

For more information please visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com Follow St Helens Theatre Royal on social media channels: Facebook: www.facebook.com/St-HelensTheatre-Royal Twitter: @TheatreRoyalStH Instagram: @TheatreRoyalStH LISTING DETAILS Regal Entertainments Ltd Present: Beauty And The Beast Dates: Friday 11 December 2020 – Sunday 3 January 2021 Tickets: From £14* *All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. Online bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat on-line processing fee.

CONTACT Due to the Coronavirus, St Helens Theatre Royal Box Office is closed for inperson bookings. Telephone bookings can be made by calling 01744 756000 between 10am and 2pm on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Online bookings are available at www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com or email the Box Office on info@sthelenstheatreroyal.co.uk

Temporary pop up cycle and pedestrian lanes to launch in Blackpool town centre from the promenade. This will be available to pedestrians and cyclists and marked out with clear signage for public safety. · Promenade – will remain open to twoway vehicle traffic but new Covid-19 social distancing signage will be in place along the allocated safe route. · New Bonny Street – temporary road one way system will be in place, affecting eastbound traffic only.

New temporary segregated cycle and pedestrian lanes are to launch in Blackpool to help visitors, commuters, businesses and families stay safe during the extended Tier 3 local lockdown measures.

The new cycle lanes are part of the Government’s Emergency Travel Active Scheme that have been rolled out in other parts of the country to help people to socially distance while commuting, offer more travel choices, support local shops by making trips easier and to encourage exercise.

Highway space has been reallocated for cycling and walking to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians to follow the

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government guidelines of social distancing.

The pop up pedestrian and cycle lanes will be marked out with temporary barriers and will be in place on Talbot Road, Promenade and New Bonny Street, which have been prioritised in the town centre based on the high footfall in these areas. The new temporary routes will be installed on Sunday 25th October and will come into effect from Monday 26th October and are expected to be in place until Christmas. Localised diversion routes for vehicles will be in place.

Talbot Road (between Promenade and Abingdon Street) - this road is currently closed to vehicular traffic travelling eastbound

Cllr Jim Hobson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “The Covid-19 crisis has changed the way we travel with fewer cars on our streets and vastly reduced capacity on our public transport to maintain social distancing. The emphasis of the temporary cycle and pedestrian lanes is all about creating more safe space, making it easier to walk and cycle around the town centre, to be healthier and greener, offering people more choice of travel options and will continue to help take the pressure of public transport whilst supporting local businesses.

“The success of these temporary routes will enable us to make some informed choices on more permanent pedestrian and cycle routes around the town and hopefully secure funding for more long term green travel schemes in the future.

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Big Butterfly Count 2020

sees lowest numbers of butterflies recorded in 11 years

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ildlife charity Butterfly Conservation has today released data about the number of butterflies counted in this year’s Big Butterfly Count (17th July – 9th August 2020). Worryingly this summer’s Count has seen a reduction in the average number of butterflies logged per count of -34% in comparison with 2019 and the lowest average number of butterflies logged overall since the event began eleven years ago. In all, during this year’s Big Butterfly Count, over 1.4 million butterflies were counted across the UK. Dr Zoë Randle, Senior Surveys Officer at Butterfly Conservation said: “Unfortunately, this summer has not seen an abundance of butterflies, across the UK. We do see peaks and troughs of butterfly numbers each year (last year for example we saw a huge influx of migrant Painted Lady butterflies), so the data from the Big Butterfly Count is an important snapshot which, along with our other monitoring schemes, helps our understanding of the rates of decline of butterflies and moths”.

She went on to say: “Coming so shortly after the recent WWF and UN reports on the global biodiversity crisis these 2020 results illustrate the perilous state of wildlife in the UK. However, the fact that so many people take part in this exciting citizen science initiative is encouraging and makes a huge difference to our understanding of how the natural world is responding to the crisis it is in. Now we need to see initiatives both here and across the world to put nature on a path to recovery”.

“The fall in butterfly numbers this summer may be due to a number of factors. An unusually warm spring led many species to emerge earlier than usual. So we may have only caught the tail-end of the flight period for many species during this year’s Big Butterfly Count. It’s important to look at butterfly trends over longer periods, so our scientists will be using these results alongside our other datasets to get a clearer understanding of what is happening.”

Encouragingly, 2020 also saw the highest number of butterfly sightings ever submitted by the general public with 111,628 participants submitting a record-breaking 145,249 counts this year, an increase of 25% on 2019. It seems that, in a very dark and challenging year, the opportunity for getting out into nature and helping as citizen scientists was very welcome to people who were able to participate in the Count this 162

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Large White Credit Peter Eeles

year. Butterfly Conservation is thrilled the event was enjoyed by so many people.

While the decline of ecosystems across the world is a cause for great concern, it’s also possible to see the power of joint positive action in this year’s Big Butterfly Count. As more and more people take an interest in nature and submit their sightings Butterfly Conservation can continue its research and work to protect butterflies, moths and the environment through closer understanding of the issues they face and finding the solutions to help.

Butterflies and moths are incredibly valuable indicators of the health of our environment. Their declines show not only the effects of human behaviour on the world around us but also the changing patterns of our weather. As well as being important and beautiful creatures in themselves, they play key roles in the ecosystems of birds, mammals, invertebrates and plants as food, population controllers and pollinators. Their conservation is vitally important.

Julie Williams CEO of Butterfly Conservation says: “A huge thank you to everyone who took part in the Big Butterfly Count this year. This important data is so valuable to our ongoing and vital research helping us to understand what is happening to our butterflies and moths so we can take focused action to protect these fantastic insects and conserve them for future generations.”

SPECIES RESULTS UK – BIG BUTTERFLY COUNT 2020

www.butterfly-conservation.org

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Christmas at Cole the Jewellers

Gift ideas for every pocket UNODE50 DESIGNER JEWELLERY FROM £60.00

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UNOde50 Bracelet ‘Tied’ £89.00

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UNOde50 Bracelet ‘Make a Wish’ £69.00

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ChloBo Cute Mini Heart Tree £66.00

Gold Soul Bracelet £69.00

ChloBo Wishful Soul Star Bracelet £75.00

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Joseph Clothing Christmas Gift Guide Emporio Armani Knitwear from £140.00

Emporio Armani 3 Pack Boxer Shorts from £36.00

Paul Smith Scarves from £65.00

Bugatti Jackets from £200

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Colour and Style

www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

Our section on Colour and Style with Sarah Harris from ‘Colour Me Beautiful’ Christmas is almost here and in this festive issue I want to bring some of the spirit of the season into your homes, and after the year we have had a pause for thought on the fashion industry that may inspire you to make some new changes in the New Year!

I’m Sarah Harris and I’m a Colour and Style Consultant who trained with Colour Me Beautiful the world’s leading Image consultants. My background is in fashion and after leaving school at 16 I travelled to London to work as a Fashion/photographic model, I enjoyed the life and it allowed me to travel the world, during my career I also worked in wholesale/retail within the fashion industry. I learnt all about fabrics, business, international companies and trying all those clothes on – the quality, cut and fabric. I took a break from the business when I married and had our two children. I retrained as an Image consultant with Colour Me Beautiful who have been changing the lives of women and men for over 35 years.

Christmas will be very different this year than we’ve ever experienced before and whilst you relax in front of the television to watch a good film or if you’re going for a walk in the wintery wonderland , what will you wear?

It has been difficult to shop in the usual way this year and I have found shopping my wardrobe exciting ! I have spent so much more time advising clients on how to shop their wardrobes and re-use what they already have. We have looked at what the fabrics are made of and where they are made and it really has been an eye opener for us all.

Last month I asked you to take a look at what you are wearing and where your clothes are made, and I’d like to pass on some important facts about fabrics and why some fabrics are better for our bodies and for the environment than others.

Be warned this might change your views for the better!

Fabric - Fabric - Fabric

I’d like to inspire you with Colour, Style and skincare tips every month, I’m hoping to give you an interesting read.

If there is something that you would like to know about please email me and I will do my best to help.

Email: sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

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What do you look for when you shop?

How much do we really know about fabrics?

Most people go for what a garment looks like and whether it is a good style and a good colour. I must admit that when I was younger I always went for style and colour before anything else. I remember wanting a different outfit every week, and not always being able to afford things I would invent outfits, my daughter is the same!

When I was 19, in the 80’s, I was coming back from Milan, that wonderful city! After spending 4 months living and working there. I absolutely loved the Italian style, warmth and lifestyle and I just wanted to bring this feeling back home with me. I was wearing black leggings and a bright yellow jumper, I had long boots and I’d bought a high shine black PVC mac and I felt that something was missing. I had this idea that I could create a hat to finish my look off and with a thick pair of black tights I wrapped them around my head and made them look like a hat. So many people asked where it was from, of course, I just said Italy!! (a pair of knitted tights didn’t have the same ring!)

The European style had kicked in and I wanted to emulate it! During my career and working in Europe and further afield I had worn clothes by some of the world’s leading designers and they had been perfectly cut and crafted. They felt like pieces of art. The detail that goes into creating beautiful clothes is truly like seeing a beautiful painting. When you see the detail and time that goes into the production of good quality clothing you will understand this. I learnt my trade all those years ago trying on those wonderful creations and I didn’t realise at that time that it would help me in my business today and I am so grateful for the creative people I have met along the way. I’m not one for buying designer goods just because of its name but their creations are something else!

The structure and fabric that was crafted by the designers felt so wonderful on my body!

This is why they have the fashion shows that showcase their art, even though I hear people say ‘where would I wear that?’

Designers are artists, why shouldn’t they show their art! The designers set the trends for fashions and styles every season and clothing companies use these ideas to create garments that are suitable for every day wear, however, some are made very poorly. And sadly fast fashion has come about with the high demand for the want to replicate the catwalk styles.

Unfortunately, the clothes are being made so fast to keep up with demand that little thought goes into them and they are so cheap to buy, this is why wardrobes are full of clothes that are damaging us and the environment!

When I was younger it was so hard to find clothes, we didn’t have the internet and relied on local shops. I remember having to have an evening dress made as I couldn’t find one off the peg! These days there is no shortage of fashion shops, but there is a shortage of affordable quality. We all need to reassess the way we view clothes and understanding fabrics is a good start.

I don’t think I thought much about fabric when I was younger but now looking back that was part of what made the pieces, that were beautifully created, so unique – The Fabric!

You can’t always tell what a piece of clothing is made of when you feel a fabric until you look at its label.

Fabrics come from four different sources:1. Animal – Wool, silk, leather…

2. Plant – cotton, bamboo, Linen….

3. Mineral – asbestos, graphite, glass fibre…

4. Synthetic – nylon, polyester, acrylic, rayon…

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I’ve only really found a real interest in fabrics and what they are made of since becoming an image consultant and I’m hoping that I can pass on to you some of this information .

At this time of the year when we are buying gifts for Christmas it’s even better to know that we are buying a gift that is protecting those we love and the environment. There are so many different sources I couldn’t list them all but I have selected some that you will recognise:-

Animal Source Silk – is such a luxurious fabric and is made from silkworms. The softer silks are made from silkworms that eat mulberry leaves whereas silkworms that are fed on other leaves for example, oak leaves are rougher fibres.

Silk is repellent to dust mites and moths, so is good for those who suffer from asthma or allergies. it is naturally hypoallergenic and therefore beneficial for anyone with sensitive skin and eczema. It also resists mould and mildew. It is a natural fibre and will easily biodegrade in the soil and will not pollute the environment.

Wool – There are so many different types of wool; lambswool, merino, cashmere, mohair, angora, alpaca, camel the list goes on and they are all from animals. I have selected only a few as it could take up the whole article!

1. Lambswool (virgin wool) – made from the wool of lambs younger than seven months at their first shearing, much softer and finer than sheep’s wool, shorter, elastic and slippery and used in high-grade textiles. It absorbs humidity and is water resistant, hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, breathable and is a natural insulator.

2. Sheep’s wool – can be itchy and is coarser, however is a good insulator, durable, breathable and hypoallergenic and it takes colour very well.

3. Merino wool – from merino sheep has a much smaller diameter than lambswool and is even softer and finer, it has a long staple which makes it drape beautifully. It is breathable, insulating, temperature regulating, moisture-wicking and it absorbs odour caused by bacteria.

4. Cashmere – comes from the cashmere goat, pashmina goat and other breeds of goat from India, Turkey, China, Mongolia, Tibet, Iran. Three times more insulating than sheep’s wool, very adaptable in different temperatures because of the high moisture content of the wool. In the summer months it will keep you cool and in winter you will feel warm and insulated. It is a luxurious fabric and feels smooth and silky to the touch.

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Leather – is made from animal hides and skins. Cowhide is the most popular. It is durable and wrinkle resistant. There is a lot of controversy about leather, however, it comes from animals raised for their meat, so it is not harming the animal.

Many of the issues fall around the tanning process which use chemicals. Ecolife by Green Hides create eco-friendly leather in Italian tanneries that recycle and purify wastewater.

Plant Source Cotton – is one of the most popular natural fabrics in the world, it is also one of the most environmentally demanding crops using high levels of water and high levels of pesticides that seep into the earth. However, there are many sustainable farmers who following the Better Cotton Initiative (BPI) have developed skills to protect the environment in producing cotton that maintains soil integrity, reduce water waste, reduce harmful pest/insecticides and provide a fairer workplace. British Millerain, established in 1800 and based in Rochdale are part of the Better Cotton Initiative. They supply companies like Community Clothing who based in Blackburn create sustainable, quality affordable clothing for men and women. (see picture below of their camel raincoat)

Community clothing women’s camel raincoat communityclothing.co.uk using 100% cotton twill from Millerain, britishmillerain.com

Cotton is strong, durable, comfortable, holds dye well, and lets your body breath due to the fibre structure and it isn’t static so doesn’t cling, but it does shrink.

There are 4 types of cotton:1. Pima – which is considered the finest type which is extra soft and long. It is native of South America and is highly sought after, it is resistant to fading, tearing and wrinkling.

2. Egyptian cotton – very like Pima but grown in Egypt 3. Upland cotton – this makes up 90% of the world’s total cotton production, and is grown in central America, Mexico, Caribbean and South Florida.

4. Organic cotton – grown without chemicals from plants that aren’t genetically engineered.

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Linen - is made from fibres of the flax plant and there is little waste as the other parts of the plant can be used. And growing flax requires less water than cotton.

It provides coolness as it allows airflow because of the weave. It is a stiff fabric and less likely to cling to the skin and therefore allows the body to breath. However, it can wrinkle and crease. Flax linen gets softer over time and it absorbs water well. It is also harder to weave as linen fibre is easy to break when it is produced, that is why it costs more than other fabrics.

Bamboo – is good for the environment it is strong and long lasting, antibacterial, sweat absorbent, keeps you cooler in summer and warmer in winter and one of the softest fabrics.

Semi - synthetic fabric – Rayon, Modal, Lyocell, Rayon (Viscose) – sometimes known as artificial silk, however, it falls between natural and synthetic. It comes from the walls of a plant made from wood pulp and can be made from cotton or bamboo. It is a cellulose fibre, which means natural, like cotton or linen. With the extensive processing to get the finished results it is often referred to as ‘regenerated cellulose’. It is the first manmade fibre , first produced in 1883 as a cheap alternative to silk. It starts natural but there are several chemical and manufacturing techniques that make it, this is where the controversy comes in. It has to be chemically treated. However, it is often made using the Lyocell process which produces little waste making it more eco-friendly. It is versatile, breathable, none static and very smooth. Yet it can shrink and deteriorate when exposed to light.

Tencel (Modal and Lyocall) – super soft fibre and is a brand name for a set of fibres called lyocell and modal. It is similar to rayon as it is referred to as ‘regenerated cellulose’ It is wood pulp, dissolved in a chemical solvent then pushed through an extruder to form fibres. Rayon (viscose) requires more energy and chemicals to produced which is wasteful and toxic for the workers, whereas, Tencel uses chemicals that are less toxic and recycled in the process so there’s minimal waste.

It also uses wood from trees in sustainable harvested forests..

Tencel has excellent drape, doesn’t wrinkle easily and holds dye well. It is also breathable and manages moisture well.

The finished fibre is technically manmade, so it doesn’t qualify as natural.

Synthetic source fabrics that are manmade Polyester – usually derived from petroleum, it is a synthetic resin. Polyester is strong and flexible, resistant to wrinkles and shrinking it also dries quickly. However it’s harder for your skin to breath and can have a harmful effect on health. When our body temperature rises chemicals can be released from the fabric that are absorbed by the skin. This can cause rashes, itching, redness, eczema and dermatitis.

Nylon – durable, high elasticity, water resistant, mould and mildew resistant, easy to clean, however, does not absorb sweat and therefore can cause bad odours and skin infections.

Acrylic – is lightweight, resistant to wrinkling, retains colour well, warm and soft to touch, often blended with wool.

However, it can cause health problems as acrylonitrile can absorb into your skin and it isn’t environmentally friendly. www.lancmag.com

Elastane/Lycra/Spandex – stretchy fabrics, comfortable, durable and gives freedom of movement, easy to care for and wrinkle resistant. However, it has low insulation capacity, can be allergenic and not environmentally friendly.

It is only by understanding fabrics and what different fabrics are made of that we can make sensible decisions. I don’t want to frighten you into thinking that all fabrics aren’t good to wear. We have all been using these fabrics for years but I think it is essential to know and be aware of what we are putting onto our bodies, then we can make our own choices.

As we do with everything that we purchase.

Natural fabrics allow your body to breath and they regulate your temperature like nothing else.

We can’t always afford clothes that are made of some of the natural fabrics but nowadays there are many companies who are producing reasonably priced environmentally friendly products. Buy Less and buy better and why not buy a second hand/pre loved item!

Sustainability and Ethical Fashion

Christmas is a time to forget our worries, so why not dress up, put on your lipstick and enjoy this wonderful season, even though we can’t do all the things that we would like - take time to think about what is most important. And please look at those labels in your wardrobes. Buy well and buy less.

Please let me know your sustainable stories and if I can help you with anything colour and style at sarah@sarahharrisstyle.co.uk

Fashion Houses and Manufacturers are re-thinking production methods and many are looking at sustainability and ethical fashion - the production and the affect it has on the environment and the methods that are used, how materials are grown and how workers and animals are treated.

Two British designers that have always stood for ethical and environmentally friendly fashion are Vivien Westwood and Stella McCartney and today many are catching on. There are many designers that offer sustainable ethical clothing.

But we don’t always have to buy new items there are so many companies that sell pre loved items or you can rent items.

You don’t have to pay designer prices as high street shops are making it their mission to use sustainable fabrics and methods in their productions. You only have to look at Asos, Zara, Mango, Monsoon, H & M, Next, Marks and Spencer’s, Primark and many more. They are all taking it on board.

Second hand/vintage is more fashionable now than ever and ahead of the game was Paris based Vestiaire Collective founded in 2009 by Fanny Moizant and Sophie Hersan, who sell designer pre-loved items online. Their idea came about after the recession in 2000 and noticing youngsters selling designer pieces from their wardrobes. The success of the company stirred interest and now there are many companies selling pre-loved items and Selfridges in London have a Vestiaire Collective space alongside their project earth were you can rent, buy pre loved and also have your clothes repaired! Who would have thought that this would ever happen in our department stores!

Make-up by Colour Me Beautiful

Christmas above all is about birth and the celebration of life.

I wish you all a peaceful Christmas. Warm Wishes, Sarah x

www.sarahharrisstyle.co.uk www.lancmag.com

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Our award-winning style guru, Moo, has worked in television for over 20 years with presenters including Natasha Kaplinsky, Kirsty Young, Kirsty Gallacher and is now a personal stylist to us ‘normal women’ sharing all the inside tricks of the trade. If you’d like any personal styling advice or to see more tips please visit www.moostyle.co.uk As a personal stylist I have lots of weapons in my armoury to help clients feel more confident and with higher self esteem. I always start with colour.

It is scientifically proven that colour can affect brain waves, emotions and even your heart rate (that’s red that does that!). The eye likes harmony and balance so when the colours you are wearing work in harmony with your colouring (hair, eyes, skin tone, eye brows) it flatters you the most. So your skin tone looks more even, your eyes brighter, your skin younger.

This is why people set such stone by getting their colours ‘done’. This means you get to know which colours suit you best (and luckily you don’t need to remember in your head, you do get a wallet with fabrics in it to carry round at ALL times); HOW to put these colours together as it’s not only which shades that make the difference but if they are used tonally or in contrast and which are the few that are your WOW colours that really make you PING. Remember you aren’t dressing for others, you are dressing to make yourself feel more confident and happier. So each time you see yourself in a mirror or when someone comments on how well you look, your self esteem soars. That’s what I’m after. Now you understand why I love my job. I’m not in the retail business, I’m in the confidence business.

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There are six dominant colourings and everyone falls into one of those. This will show you thirty colours that suit you. Then knowing your secondary and tertiary colourings makes things even more bespoke to you. So I’m clear, clear & warm, warm & deep. One of my wow colours is pumpkin and I manage to wear that in summer as well as autumn. Though in summer I may contrast it with turquoise and in

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autumn with navy or spice.

There are a number of what I call ‘international’ colours and these suit all dominant colourings. Teal is one of these. It’s incredibly versatile and in fact you could use it as a neutral in your wardrobe. It’s how you wear it that will make the difference in flattering you the most.

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If you have a light and delicate look (blonde hair and light eyes), then look for a lighter shade of teal and wear it with pastel pink or mint. However, if you are polar opposite and have a more dramatic look (dark hair, dark eyes) then opt for a darker teal and wear with chocolate or damson.

If you have golden or red toned hair and a warm skin tone, try teal with coral or lime. With grey hair and a pink or sallow skin tone, add contrast with shades such as baby pink or ice blue.

If your eyes are your most dominant feature and your hair is dark, choose a teal fabric that reflects the light and team it with light grey or dark navy.

But if you have a more blended look (with little difference in the colour of your hair, eyes and skin) then wear your teal tonally with pewter or soft violet.

Scarves are a great way to ensure the ‘right’ colour is closest to your face. So it ensures your face is lit with its most flattering shade. This means that even if you aren’t wearing you best colours else where the key scarf will make you www.lancmag.com

look your best. In fact a scarf is often the answer to your questions…how do I rescue a colour in my wardrobe when it isn’t in my palette? With a scarf in a shade that flatters your unique colouring. How do I breathe new life into an old outfit? With a scarf in a contrasting or tonal colour. How do I add to my wardrobe when I’m short of time to shop or cash? With a scarf in a colour that can be worn with lots of other things that you already own.

I have a link on my website that helps you chose the best colour of scarves for your colouring www.moostyle.co.uk Now this works for both men and women. In fact I think wearing the right colours makes the most dramatic difference on men. Often they are wear colours that they used to love in their youth but of course their colouring has changed (perhaps their hair has greyed or their beard now is a different shade) and that pale grey they have always worn now makes them look washed out and older. So if you fancy a

Coat – Mango Dress – Oliver Bonas Jumper – Woolovers Skirt – Monsoon Scarf – Colour Me Beautiful Shoes – Moda In Pelle

new man (!) how about a gift voucher for Christmas that’ll make him feel better about how he looks. He may like a style refresh to find new ideas on what to wear casually as well as at work. And why that old jumper is not really doing him any favours. It’s really a gift with a long term impact – a gift for life not just for Christmas. Drop me a line on moostylist@gmail.com

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Now it’s not just what clothing colours you wear, knowing your most flattering shades also extends to your make up. It makes perfect sense doesn’t it? If you have a cooler skintone then wearing a peachy blusher or lipstick is only going to clash and make you look sallow. We want your make up to complement.

This even stretches to eyeliner and mascara. Do you know that Colour Me Beautiful don’t even sell black eyeliner? That’s because it can be very ageing. If you haven’t tried a coloured eyeliner, then you should…it makes a huge difference. In fact whilst we are wearing masks a lot, your eyes are becoming even more important and they are so easy to look even better (step away from the black eye liner and mascara!). Eye liners and mascara make great stocking fillers if you are after ideas – just ping me a photo of who you’re buying for and I can suggest the perfect shades. Won’t you be popular, a bespoke present to make the recipient to look her best. In fact if you’d like a make up prescription yourself, please send me a photo.

Yes you deserve it (don’t worry all the make up I recommend is not tested on animals) If you are after tips and tricks to help you look and feel more confident then please find Moo Style VIPs on facebook. Knowing your own style that genuinely reflects you can bring ease of dressing every day. I’m here to help if you need any more advice at www.moostyle.co.uk.

I can even do colour and style consultations as well as wardrobe weeds and make up lessons over zoom if you need a ‘lift’. Or do shout if you need any bespoke pressie ideas, the make up starts from under ten pounds.

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Welcome to The Wonderful World of Ruby and Daisy We offer a personal shopping service in store along with refreshments, reserved items, loyalty cards and regular special offers.

Our brand new website delivers a helpful shopping experience, as do our Facebook & Instagram Pages.

Shop online to build loyalty points and join our friendly community via our Facebook V.I.P page to receive exclusive discounts and offers.

Be sure to check out our Facebook and Instagram pages for videos, competitions and much more!

Come and see us or get in touch for a first-hand ‘Ruby & Daisy Experience’ As a special Ruby & Daisy treat we are giving you 20% off your purchase with code LANCSNWR&D20.

Simply apply the code at the checkout on our website www.rubyanddaisy.co.uk or present this magazine feature in store. *T&C’s apply.

www.rubyanddaisy.co.uk 331 Burnley Road, Novak Mill, Crawshawbooth, Rossendale, BB4 8LA

Call Us On: 0808 196 2216 Follow us on Facebook & Instagram! Facebook: Ruby&Daisy / Instagram: rubydaisy1

G I F T

F e s t i v e

G U I D E

S e a s o n

P i c k s

THE POCKET PURSE £7.00

THE LEOPARD TASSEL SCARF £12.00

THE SHANA SPARKLE SLIPPER £18.00

THE STARRY NIGHT SLIPPER £18.00

THE WILD CAT SCARF £12.00

W W W . R U B Y A N D D A I S Y . C O . U K

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Gift Guide C O N T I N U E D

“Presents are made for the pleasure of who gives them, not the merits of who recieves them.”

Carlos Ruiz Zafron

THE LEXI LEATHER CLUTCH £12.00

L'AVENUE PERFUME £26.00

THE SIMPLE STAR BOOT £35.00

THE BOVVA BOOT £35.00

W W W . R U B Y A N D D A I S Y . C O . U K

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Update your scent without spending a penny

Perfume Direct has shared its great ‘insider tip’ for updating your signature smell – layering.

W

e’ve all been there. You love wearing your favourite fragrance but you can’t smell it on yourself – which is quite simply a bit annoying (plus it might end up that your smell is a little ‘over-powering’ to others around you as you!)

So if you’re looking to update your signature scent for the Autumn season, or perhaps just want to get more from your current perfume collection, then ‘the secret art of fragrance layering’ could be just what you’re looking for.

And according to Perfume Direct’s recent survey, on average people in the UK have five bottles of perfume open at any one time so mixing two scents together to make a new and unique fragrance is the ideal way to maximise your current scents …and it won’t cost you a penny!

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Jonny Webber from PerfumeDirect.com explains how to subtly layer your scents to create a fresh new fragrance: “Mixing your perfumes together can be an exciting way to create a completely custom scent, showing off your personality through your choice of fragrances.

By being able to layer different scents, you can create a new fragrance out of your collection whenever the mood strikes.

“Fragrance layering is also ideal if you just can’t find the ‘one’, a perfume that you absolutely love.

Instead, you have the chance to make your own signature scent using perfumes you already like. By layering your perfume, you can also help to make the overall scent last longer, as your skin won’t absorb all the fragrance oils as quickly.” www.lancmag.com

So, when it comes to layering your fragrances for the first time, where do you start? How do you decide the right fragrances and in what order?

“Although there aren’t really any ‘rules’ in what you can and can’t layer, you might want to follow some general guidelines to try and achieve the best results”, says Jonny.

“Always spray the heavier scent first, or it could overpower the lighter fragrance.

“Understanding the various notes and layers within each individual fragrance can also help. The top notes of a fragrance are what you usually smell straight away when you spray it; they are usually fresh and light. Middle notes form the heart of the fragrance and often consist of warmer and soft scents. The bottom notes develop last and linger for hours.

“If you’ve never layered your fragrances before, consider combining two perfumes that share a common note. A good example of this would be jasmine, which is very popular and used in a multitude of different fragrances.

If you’re feeling a little braver, choose two opposite fragrances; for example, a spicy note mixed with vanilla, or a woody note with something citrus-based.

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“In many cases, woody and musk-based fragrances are the easiest to layer with, as they can combine effortlessly with fruity notes, floral notes or even something spicy.

“Everyone’s perception of scent is different, so try experimenting until you find a combination that you love. It’s wise to avoid combining two heavy fragrances as this could result in an

overwhelming blend. For example, Black Orchid

by Tom Ford is absolutely best worn on its own as it’s already very intense and complex.

“So, if you’ve got some time on your hands, why not spend some time creating new concoctions out of your perfume collection? You never know what you could end up with!”

Some examples of perfumes that layer really well together include: Anything Jo Malone! Jo Malone is all about fragrance layering and there are many combinations of its perfumes and creams that go well together including Jo Malone’s Wood Sage & Sea Salt Body Crème with its Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne.

Another good way of amplifying your fragrance is to layer two scents from the same family, or scents with the same notes – e.g. try teaming Gucci Bloom (a floral with notes of jasmine) and Mugler Alien (a woodbased fragrance with jasmine).

Floral scents provide a great anchor for mixing so start with a classic floral boutique like Viktor + Rolf’s Flowerbomb and combine it with a sophisticated scent like Cartier La Panthère for a more refined fragrance.

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The Fitzwilliam Galleries Exclusive artworks in the heart of one of the most beautiful parts of the country.

Wild Cat by Carl Whitfield

E

xclusive artworks in the heart of one of the most beautiful parts of the country. That’s probably one of the finest ways to describe what is on offer in the contemporary surroundings of The Fitzwilliam Galleries. For it is within their walls that you will gaze upon the beauty of wildlife, seascapes, still life and so much more, and undoubtedly fall in love. A focus on only the highest quality pieces from well-respected painters, both local and international, means that the owners, Tim and Denise Hardy, have seen their reputation in art-dealing go from strength to strength.

Knowing very little about art myself, it was with fascination I learned about Tim’s long career in this world. Starting in the wholesale business in Harrogate some 38 years ago, the pair wanted a change of pace that brought them to what Wordsworth declared as “the loveliest spot that man hath found”. And so, the story of The Fitzwilliam Galleries was born.

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Today, the two premises in Hawkshead and Grasmere are filled with paintings from artists with whom the Hardys have worked for many years – some relationships span over three decades. It is a testament to the deep understanding between artist and vendor, and is enabled by a collaborative partnership between the two sides. And it is this collaboration which allows The Fitzwilliam Galleries to offer virtual exclusivity, across county and country, on the artworks for sale. But more than that, these artists are so well-respected and well-treated by the Hardys, that they have entered into a virtually exclusive partnership with them. As Tim himself says, “we like to stock exclusive artworks that we know cannot be found anywhere else in the world. It allows us to work more closely with our artistic partners and provide customers with an improved service and unique pieces they can trust are one-of-a-kind.” So in short, if you want a painting from one of the artists on their books, you simply have to make a trip to the galleries and peruse the collections in person. But that’s not such a bad day out to this part of the world, is it?!

Cultivating these relationships takes many years and seldom new painters make it on to the exclusive list. In fact, in the past ten years, The Fitzwilliam Galleries have welcomed only one new artist; Clare Walker. In a break from the norm of their other purely oil-based painters, Tim said “it is with great privilege we started to work with Clare given her passion to illustrate the natural environment in pastels.” Tim assures us that his affinity with Clare’s work is nothing to do with the fact they both hail from Yorkshire but is instead purely down to the quality of her paintings! And on browsing her latest collection, it is not hard to see why he feels this way.

For Tim and Denise, the beauty now is that their reputation often precedes them. So not only do customers come from far and wide to browse their galleries, they also have exceptional artists who reach out to work with them. In addition to the exclusive collections from the artist mainstays (listed below), you’ll find unique and beautiful artworks from other contributors too as the galleries also buy and sell individual pieces from other creatives. This means that no matter how frequently you visit the galleries, you’ll see new and exciting creations and be thoroughly spoilt for choice. www.lancmag.com

About the artists Whilst you will find individual paintings from a range of artists, the exclusive relationships held by The Fitzwilliam Galleries are with painters who are incredibly well-respected in their field. Tim and Denise try to feature a limited number of artists in each style of painting. You’ll find specialists in still life, birdlife, seascapes, landscapes, animals and city scenes of Paris and Venice. Read on to learn a little more about the individual styles of the partners featured in the galleries…

Carl Whitfield – don’t let us, or his multiple awards, tell you how beautiful these finely detailed, simply stunning wildlife paintings are; they are able to do so themselves.

Whitfield’s love of nature is apparent with every stroke of his brush, and it is that which has attracted collectors from around the world to secure one of his original oil paintings. Each one is always of the highest quality and the Fitzwilliam Galleries are proud to be the exclusive vendor of Whitfield’s work. www.lancmag.com

Javier Mulio – a Spaniard hailing from Alicante, Mulio studied at the illustrious Mila Gomez academy at the age of 16. Since then, he has perfected his technique of still life beyond many layman’s comprehension, portrayed in the most exquisite oil paintings. His pieces have been featured all around the world and today, they adorn the walls of many major collectors as well as being found in The Fitzwilliam Galleries where you will find a wide range available, all entirely exclusive.

Alfredo Navarro – another Alicante-native, Navarro grew up surrounded by the art world, and now he uses a specialist technique to depict the sea in all its forms. His enchanting and dramatic seascapes are equally respected by artists and collectors alike. Each original piece found in The Fitzwilliam Galleries will not be found elsewhere.

Ric Duffield – a start in teacher training college in the field of art & music led Duffield on to become an illustrator. But after some time, he answered the call of the freelance world and now paints across two disciplines – both wildlife and breath-taking Lakeland landscapes, many of which will be sold only by Tim and Denise in one of their galleries.

Allan Morgan – a career in illustration for publishing followed studies in fine art at Swansea and Lanchester colleges and preceded a move into painting realist landscapes.

His ‘colourist’ approach to the archetypal English landscapes he paints is largely inspired by his love of light. And by having a piece of Morgan’s in your home, you won’t fail to love it too. Secure an original, completely unique piece from the impressive range at The Fitzwilliam Galleries.

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Ruby Keller – much more local to the Lakes, this Lancastrian artist is actually operating under a pseudonym. Peter Worswick, as he is formally known, seeks inspiration from the natural surroundings and animals which wander the fells. His vibrant colours, coupled with a loose design which creates charming, characterful animals, make him one of the most collectible and award-winning artists in the whole of the UK with pieces becoming increasingly in demand. The Fitzwilliam Galleries hold the largest stock of Keller’s in the country.

Clare Walker – Walker studied art & design at York College of Art and uses her skills and her talent to translate the natural world through her pastel paintings. She seeks out wildlife and depicts them in their specific environments to capture their true spirit and atmosphere in one unique moment. Her relationship with The Fitzwilliam Galleries sees her provide an exclusive selection to them for resale.

Emilio Payes – born in 1935 in Valencia, Payes was an internationally-renowned, modern impressionist painter who retired in 2005 after spending a career demonstrating his love for the boulevards of Paris and the canals of Venice in spectacular oil paintings. The paintings currently on sale at The Fitzwilliam Galleries are the very last of their kind ever to be produced, each being painted 20 years ago at the height of Payes’ career. The collection was purchased two years ago from his former agent with no others remaining, so it really is a final chance to secure one of these incredible pieces. As an owner of a Payes original, you will be in good company too – his work is on display in many art galleries and the homes of aristocrats, including Fahd Bin Salman Bi in Saudi Arabia.

A personal service Perhaps a forgotten art in many parts of the world, Tim and Denise refer to their service as “traditional and old fashioned”, belied by their contemporary and modern surroundings.

They have built the galleries, their artistic and customer relationships – their whole business – on traditional business values but maintained a level of agility so as not to alienate the modern shopper.

And you’ll see the difference from the moment you set foot in the door. Art is such a personal pursuit that it simply wouldn’t do to push the wrong item onto a customer so you won’t find any hard and fast closing techniques here! Instead, you’ll find a team (including their incredibly loyal support staff) trying to get to know exactly what it is you are after and source it for you.

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strong are their partnerships that they have regular meetings to discuss what type of work is being produced, what they would like to see more of in the gallery and will even put in personal commission requests from individuals. Conversely, there will be the odd random piece that arrives too and in Tim’s words, “offers a welcome surprise by adding another dimension to that which we have already requested.” This honest and open dialogue and respectful treatment from both sides of the process means you will find nothing but individual and original pieces throughout both of the galleries.

When it comes to purchasing, you’ll find this is to be done traditionally as well. You certainly won’t find any ‘social media influencer’ promo codes offering discount if you order any art online. No. In fact, in order to buy anything at www.lancmag.com

Red Squirrel by Carl Whitfield

Still Life original oil painting by Javier Mulio

all from The Fitzwilliam Galleries, you need to visit them yourself. According to Tim, “you simply cannot see the true beauty and quality of a painting in a small picture online. You need to appreciate its size, textures and colours with your own eyes before you can make the decision that it is right for your home”. So the rules are set – if you wish to have a unique piece hanging on your walls, you’ll need to meet Tim, Denise and the team!

But their service isn’t confined purely to their galleries. They will happily arrange home visits and bring a collection of pieces with them in order that you can see exactly how each one would look in its new home. This might be a little tricky if you live as far afield as Australia – and they have been known to ship there – but if you’re more local, this is a service you can benefit from.

It might seem odd that galleries in the remote Lake District have had requests to ship to such faraway lands, but don’t forget, this region is a hotbed for international tourism. In fact, last year alone, Tim arranged the shipment of pieces to no less than 16 different countries – and the cost is included within the price you pay too.

The Hardys will go above and beyond to ensure your home is befitted with the right artwork for you, your tastes and the space designated for it by delivering a service that would not be out of place back in the golden era of retail.

What does the future hold?

After experiencing the closures necessary this year – as so many others had to undergo – The Fitzwilliam Galleries are fortunately in fine fettle. Throughout the closure, Tim and Denise maintained their close relationship with their artistic partners and have a somewhat unusual way of doing business with them. Upon receipt of the item, the gallery pays the artist in full which is a far cry from the way some others operate; only paying the artist when the piece has sold to the customer. It means that throughout the summer months, Tim was acquiring more and more unique pieces so that when they could re-open, there was an impressive array on offer. So successful was this way of working that it has meant September and October saw double the volume of business in 2020 as they did in 2019 – a welcome relief in what has been a challenging time for all.

As for the future? You will see more special, unique and completely original pieces put on display in the galleries – until they are snapped up by the passing trade or avid collectors, of course! And one thing is for certain, with Tim running Grasmere and Denise managing Hawkshead, you’ll have a very warm welcome whichever one you choose to visit.

The Fitzwilliam Gallery, Hawkshead, The Square, Hawkshead, LA22 0NZ • Tel: 01539 436248 The Fitzwilliam Gallery, Grasmere, Stock Lane, Grasmere, LA22 9SN • Tel: 01539 435714 Web: www.fitzwilliamgallery.co.uk www.lancmag.com

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BOOKS Our roundup of this months literary delights

Blackpool in Film and Popular Music A new book has been created which discusses Blackpool’s place in British film and popular music culture.

‘Blackpool in Film and Popular Music’ has been edited by Ewa Mazierska, a Professor of Film Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). She has brought together chapters written by a variety of authors, some of whom were born, resided or worked in the seaside town, or who are global academics.

Professor Mazierska, who is co-chair of Music Research at UCLan, said: “The new book presents Blackpool’s unique place in British culture through examining films and songs about Blackpool and artists connected with this town.”

Blackpool’s Chad Bentley, who is a PhD student at the University of Sheffield, discusses how Blackpool is represented in the films Away and Bob’s Weekend, while Cecilia Mello, Senior Lecturer in Film and Audio-visual Media at the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, explores the cinematic representation of Blackpool in Hindle Wakes, A Taste of Honey and Bhaji on the Beach.

Former Warbreck High School for Boys pupil Colin Appleby, who has also been a Curriculum Leader and Manager at Blackpool & The Fylde College, asks what has happened to Blackpool’s contribution to the music industry and popular culture over the past half a century.

UCLan Principal Lecturer Les Gillon analyses songs devoted to Blackpool, from the 1930s to the present day.

He states: “For many musicians Blackpool stood for what is best and worst about England; hence many of the songs, particularly those produced in post-war period, have a bitter– sweet taste.”

Professor Ewa Mazierska pictured in Blackpool with a copy of Blackpool in Film and Popular Music’.

Researcher Kamila Rymajdo, who also works as a journalist for music and popular culture magazines, writes about the phenomenon of the town’s grime music, while Blackpool based Philip Smith, a record collector and correspondent for Universal Records, examines the career of Blackpool punk-influenced band the Ceramic Hobs, and their frontman Simon Morris, who died in 2019.

Professor Mazierska, who has written a chapter about three films set in the town, added: “These chapters do not exhaust the connections between Blackpool, popular music and cinema. However, they demonstrate the richness of Blackpool’s history and culture and its importance in constructing and projecting British identity.”

‘Blackpool in Film and Popular Music’ is available to buy from Palgrave Macmillan: www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030499341

Finding a Place to Park my Melon: Memoir of a Trailing Spouse Finding a Place to Park my Melon is an ideal book for those who love to travel, but are not able to venture far afield at the moment. It takes a lighthearted look at the life of a British family moving first to Boston Massachusetts and then Germany as they try to navigate the cultural differences in their new homes. The book gives vivid and beautiful descriptions of the places they visit that makes you feel like you are accompanying the family on their adventures. It also gives a hilarious glimpse at the predicaments they unwittingly find themselves in, be it being arrested on the Slovenian border or a school trip to the local brothel. This book is an easy read to raise your spirits and bring a smile to your face and would make a great stocking filler for anyone on your gift list.

Finding a Place to Park my Melon: Memoir of a Trailing Spouse by Katherine Gostick. £11.61 from Amazon

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Katherine Gostick

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NEW OUTDOOR TRADING UNITS AVAILABLE

We still have a couple of fresh food units available for immediate occupancy; as well as 3 hot food kiosks intended for street style food which is not already represented at the market.

We currently have an established and popular fruit and veg stall in 2 of the units, as well as a butcher and fish stall coming on board soon.

All units can be customised to suit your business needs

For more information and to express your interest please go to www.wyre.gov.uk/coastlineeconomy where you can fill out an application form.

Or please call our Market on 01253 887651.

To talk to the Markets manager directly please email julian.brent@wyre.gov.uk

Fleetwood Market, 26 Adelaide St, Fleetwood FY7 6AD

Fleetwood Market is one of the oldest markets in Lancashire.

Dating back to the 1800s, the market is nestled in a coastal setting at the heart of Fleetwood, a thriving seaside town which is popular with visitors and locals, but don’t be fooled by its age! This market has ever changing stalls and is a shopper’s delight for clothing, household goods and gifts all at great prices.

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here are currently over 250 stalls to explore inside and outside the market. The market is open four days a week all year round. We’re easy to get to by car, coach, bus or tram with stops close by.

There is a cash machine on site and we’re also fully accessible for wheelchair users.

The Markets team and traders have been working together to ensure that the Market is a safe place to shop, trade and work as we continue recovery through the Coronavirus pandemic.

Fleetwood Outdoor Market Work is nearly complete on the newly renovated outdoor market thanks to the funding that was secured by the Coastal Communities Fund.

The new outdoor food court at Fleetwood Market will bring a quality fresh food and hot food offer which can be eaten on site or taken away. There are eight new units in total. Other exciting improvements include the introduction of a comfortable seating/entertainment area, new cultural events calendar, Wi-Fi, improved signage and resurfacing of the outdoor market ground.

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Fleetwood Market still have a couple of fresh food outlets available for immediate occupancy; as well as 3 hot food kiosks intended for street style food which is not already represented at the market.

They currently have an established and popular fruit and veg stall in 2 of the units, as well as a butcher and fish stall coming on board soon.

All units can be customised to suit your business needs.

For more information and to express your interest please go to www.wyre.gov.uk/ coastlineeconomy where you can fill out an application form under the Fleetwood outdoor market section.

Or please call our Market on 01253 887651. To talk to the Markets manager directly please email Julian.brent@wyre.gov.uk Open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Tram Sunday 9am – 4.30pm.

Find us online at: www.fleetwoodmarket.co.uk Adelaide/Victoria Street, Fleetwood, Lancashire, FY7 6AB. www.lancmag.com

Creative studio spaces at Fleetwood Market offers a new arts hub for Fleetwood Adrian who has experience of setting up and managing artist studios across the country has exhibited his own work nationally and internationally in both solo and group exhibitions.

He began his professional career as an artist in Cornwall in 1998 and has received several awards for his tremendous work. Shortlisted for the John Ruskin Art Prize in 2012; awarded the visitor’s choice at the Neo Art Prize in 2013 and a solo show at the Grundy Art Gallery in 2018 are just to name a few.

As well as running with the day to day management of the Studios; Adrian hopes to raise funds for artist bursaries, residencies, and a radio podcast from the Market. He is also keen to raise money for further studio developments and projects off site within the community.

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fter months of renovation there is now a new creative hub in town called ‘Market House Studios’. The new studios are part of the Fleetwood Market complex and are thanks to a grant secured by the Council of £772,085 which is part of a wider £1.22m redevelopment project. Although Fleetwood Market was first opened in 1840 the large Victorian Market House was not built until 1891. It was the home of the Market Manager, his family, and servants. The building has stayed true to its Victorian heritage and in 1990 the market was extended and is now one of the largest markets in the North West of England.

For 25 years the Market House had remained empty but now it has a new lease of life and is ready to make a creative contribution to Fleetwood Market. The Community space will host local exhibitions and other activities including school visits and workshops, attracting a new mix of customers.

Set up by Wyre Council and funded by the Coastal Communities fund, the studios will be managed by a full time Studio Coordinator. The position has been given to Wyre born and Blackpool based artist Adrian Pritchard. www.lancmag.com

The creative studio space at Market House has been designed to be fully flexible to accommodate most makers/creatives and artists. There is a mix of studio sizes which can be shared by a collective of artists or individuals. It is designed to be affordable for all and will offer flexible working times. The Community Space will be available for short term use and project work - to suit the needs of the artists and community.

If you are an artist or maker and are interested in renting a studio or project space please go to www.wyre.gov.uk/coastlineeconomy to download the application form.

Submissions should be sent to Adrian.Pritchard@wyre.gov.uk or if you would like to enquire please call 07949029569.

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DIY Christmas Decor If you’re looking to save some money and have some fun, consider making your decorations this year! It’s a fun activity and will save you a few pounds!

The Tree ...although traditional trees can be quite expensive from certain places, making one is more fun.

Pieces of cardboard cut into the shape of a tree and slotted into each other hold baubles and tinsel.

They also look very modern.

If you have a little more time and some clear string or wire, also consider this floating baubles effect.

Tree decor ... children’s arts and crafts shops are great to pick up bits of material and fabric and bits and bobs. As long as they’re red, white or green they’ll look christmassy! If you have children in the family they will most likely be happy to help make them with you.

Ornaments ... anything can be an ornament really.

If you stick to things that are red, white and green and arrange them on a surface it will look christmassy.

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Day of the Dead to Winter Wonderland the magic of Southport Pleasureland this winter There is no more exuberant and colourful celebration of simply being alive than South America’s Day of the Dead extravaganza and Southport Pleasureland will usher in its third – and biggest yet – on November 14.

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There is no more exuberant and colourful celebration of simply being alive than South America’s Day of the Dead extravaganza - and Southport Pleasureland will usher in its third – and most extravagant yet – on November 14.

In essence it’s the day – and night – dedicated to welcoming back the souls of lost relatives for a brief reunion and, as one would expect from a Latin celebration, that has to include food, drink and high-octane entertainment.

The Day of the Dead - or el Día de los Muertos - is a Mexican holiday dedicated to family. So it is fitting that the North West family-focused attraction has chosen this most vibrant entertainment to light up the evening with fireworks, fire spinners, fire jugglers and eaters, some very lively drummers and plenty of beautiful sugar skulls – all traditional elements of the Mexican day.

Traditionally this is a holiday celebrated each year from October 31- November 2. Of course, October 31 is Halloween and it’s followed by November 1 which is “el Dia de los Inocentes,” or the day of the children, and All Saints Day. All Souls Day or the Day of the Dead follows. The park will transform on November 14 to offer bursts of vibrant fire and explosive sparkles against the velvet of the autumn skies. The family spectacular

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has proven so popular with adults and children that each year it has grown to include new and even more exotic and entertaining elements. With illuminated rides running and music pulsing the celebration is defined by explosions of colour and zest for life and the firework display makes sure the sky is the limit for this memorable evening.

The celebration can trace its roots back over 3,000 years, to the rituals honouring the dead in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica. The Aztecs

and other Nahua people living in what is now central Mexico viewed death simply as part of life; something natural. As such, they saw no reason why a day set aside for a catch up with departed relatives was anything out of the usual, and of course it had to be colourful, energetic, warm and engaging.

Day of the Dead is instantly conjured by the celebration’s iconic sugar skulls and there will be plenty in evidence at the park as the day gets into the swing of things. During contemporary Day of the Dead festivities, people commonly wear skull masks or face paint, complete with glitter and flowers, and pick up highly decorated sugar skulls.

You can get all fancy with it and wish someone a happy Day of the Dead by saying: “Feliz día de los Muertos,” or, as it’s Southport, English will do. www.lancmag.com

This traditional Mexican celebration brings friends and family together and Pleasureland has brought a little slice of Mexico to the North West coast so we can enjoy it too.

The park will be transformed into a theatre of light and music against a fabulous fiesta atmosphere with gates opening at 5pm. Revellers choosing ‘rider’ wristbands will enjoy unlimited rides all night as well as a whole host of acts, street food and a live DJ. It’s not every evening that you and your family is treated to the spectacle of a pair of skeletons dualling with flaming swords or dancing with fire on the rooftops, so keep your eyes peeled for a little out of the ordinary.

Visitors will also be treated to some very tall stilt-walking skeletons, LED jugglers and spinners’ fabulous interactive light display from Liverpool’s ‘Bring the Fire Project’

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The Katumba drum band is Liverpool’s own.

A fierce fusion of UK big beat, Caribbean calypso and the carnivals of Northeast Brazil – Katumba creates an explosion of rhythmic revelry that you can’t help but dance to. Its colossal carnival sound fills the air and is complimented by spectacular dance choreography. The band has performed at some of the world’s biggest events including Africa Oyé, Brazilica, Amsterdam Carnival and Recife Carnival, Brazil.

Visitors will also be treated to some very tall stilt-walking skeletons, LED jugglers and spinners’ fabulous interactive light display from Liverpool’s ‘Bring the Fire Project’, the ‘wake the dead’ drumming spectacle from the Katumba drum band, glowing ghouls and the firework finale.

To ensure effective social distancing measures this year’s event will feature acts on a purposebuilt stage with distanced zones and a one-way system for visitors to enter and leave the show area.

us, we already know what will allow us to launch Winter Wonderland North this year.

“Those who’ve visited the park will know that we take great care over the grounds and landscaping. We’ve planted many Christmas trees and they, along with our exiting established trees will be decorated with beautiful Christmas lights.

All of the rides and buildings will be shimmering as the park pulls on its Winter Wow from its first weekend, starting Saturday November 28th and Sunday 29th. Winter Wonderland will then be open every weekend in December until it opens daily (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) until January 3 2021. Father Christmas – and the park is hoping to coax his reindeer to join him - will be in his Covid-safe grotto residence, a new indoor ride around Santa’s workshop is under construction and a Germanstyle Christmas Market offers Christmas treats and festive food and drink – so there will be plenty to see and do.”

But that’s not all Pleasureland has in store for visitors to the park as we bid 2020 a final farewell.

Park CEO Norman Wallis, who is the man behind the glowing restoration of the Victorian attraction after it was left abandoned and vandalised, is clearly ‘feeling a lot like Christmas’ too. He said: “For most of us 2020 has delivered extreme challenges. We are in the fun business and there’s nothing better for our wellbeing than losing ourselves to entertainment, good times, relaxation, laughter and happy experiences with those you love the most. It’s widely known that we have big plans for the future of the park here, and those plans are progressing. However we thought now was the time to add a little something extra.

“Day of the Dead has become a real hit, but we didn’t want to leave it at that, so we are staging Winter Wonderland North.”

Mr Wallis said: “We have been considering and planning a Winter Wonderland North event for some time. The last time we put on a Winter Wonderland at Pleasureland was 2010 – the year of the big snow which meant that sadly, people were snowed in and couldn’t get to us! A bit of snow to add to the festive feeling this year would be nice, but hopefully not too much! We were very sorry to hear about Hyde Park’s decision to cancel their Winter Wonderland this year – but understand it. We have been open with full Coronavirus safety measures in place for many months. We know what we’re doing, what works and how to make sure people understand the part they have to play in keeping everyone safe. So, for

Visit www.southportpleasureland.com to find out more.

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Pleasureland’s Norman Wallis joins Blunkett for leadership parliamentary podcast Putting lives first, retaining great staff and finding new ways to deliver the best experiences safely for colleagues and customers has put the hospitality industry in unimagined territory – says Southport Pleasureland CEO Norman Wallis.

Sharing a leadership platform with Lord Blunkett and other business influencers for a Parliamentary Review Leaders’ Council podcast, Mr Wallis offered his own thoughts and experiences of how the industry is moving from survival to success as uncertainty becomes the new normal.

During his interview Mr Wallis said that leaders who put their efforts into finding solutions rather than dwelling on the negatives had been better placed to deliver success – and safety.

‘Plan for the worst and hope for the best is all anyone can do,” he said. “We have put in as many precautions as possible. The one thing we can’t do is ‘make’ the public do the right thing.”

He was referencing the investment in time and money – all committed to making safety measures robust, yet simple for visitors to follow.

“We must do the right thing. We have to remember, as business leaders facing these challenges (of additional investment and revenuereductions thanks to numbers restrictions) - we may have been skint before, but we’ve never been dead before. Lives matter so much more.” That’s the blunt message Mr Wallis delivered during his conversation with interviewer Scott Challinor. He said that, as a business offering entertainment for families, he was proud of the way his industry – which has been affected more than most others – has responded, but it needed more help.

The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland – chaired by Lord Blunkett and part of the Parliamentary Review portfolio - is currently in the process of talking to leadership figures from across the nation about what leadership means in Britain and Northern Ireland today.

Norman Wallis from Universal Attractions was invited onto an episode of the podcast, which included an interview with Lord Blunkett.

During the podcast, which aired before the Chancellor’s latest lockdown and hospitality industry support packages were announced, Mr Wallis continued: “No one can plan long-term anymore. We’re working in weeks rather than www.lancmag.com

months. We are planning to create a Covid-safe environment for a Christmas attraction. You can’t automate our industry, our staff make the experience and they love doing that for our visitors. In these times ours is one of the businesses that can offer an opportunity to step away from worries, in a protected environment, and help people regain their balance - and reconnect with fun. Seeing kids smile has a very positive effect on their parents and grandparents.

“I don’t think things will go back to the way it was, but change is a natural process; we have to accept it and move forward. What has happened is people have come together and helped each other and help the planet. We need to continue to cultivate that and kill the throwaway society for a more holistic way of living.”

Interviewer Scott Challinor commented, ‘Hosting a show like this, where you speak to genuine leaders who have been there and done it, either on a national stage or within a crucial industry sector, is an absolute honour.’

Lord Blunkett, chairman of The Leaders Council of Great Britain and Northern Ireland said, ‘I think the most informative element of each episode is the first part, where Scott Challinor is able to sit down with someone who really gets how their industry works and knows how to make their organisation tick. Someone who’s there day in day out working hard and inspiring others. That’s what leadership is all about.’

You can listen to the podcast in full here: www.leaderscouncil.co.uk/members/norman-wallis www.theparliamentaryreview.co.uk/news/tags/norman-wallis LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 195

Reduce red and processed meat We have some tips to help you reduce your red and processed meat consumption.

What are red, white and processed meats?

Red meat includes beef, lamb and pork and it tends to be higher in saturated fat. White meat, such as chicken and turkey are lower in total fat and saturated fat. Processed meat includes smoked, cured and preserved meats, such as bacon, salami, sausages and ham.

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Meat and fish are excellent sources of protein as well as some vitamins and minerals. However, many red and processed meats are high in saturated fat. Too much saturated fat in the diet can raise the amount of LDL cholesterol (also known as bad cholesterol) in your blood. High LDL (bad) cholesterol increases your risk of heart disease. The NHS recommends a daily meat intake of no more than 70 grams. Reducing your intake of red and processed meats will not only benefit your health, but it is also good for the environment.

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Heart Research UK Healthy Heart Tip,

by Dr Helen Flaherty, Head of Health Promotion at Heart Research UK

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What are the pros and cons of eating meat?

You do not have to eat meat in order to get all the nutrients you need to stay healthy. The table below highlights some of the positive and negatives of meat consumption.

Positives • Meat is high in protein, which is essential for growth and repair. Protein provides the body with energy and it can keep you feeling fuller for longer.

• Animal products contain vitamin B12 and red meat is also a good source of iron.

• Vitamin B12 and iron are important in the production of red blood cells and for transporting oxygen around the body.

Negatives • Red and processed meat can be high in saturated fat, which increases the likelihood of having raised LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood. This can lead to a blockage in the coronary arteries, the vessels which supply your heart with blood.

• High red and processed meat consumption is also associated with increased rates of bowel cancer.

• Eating a lot of meat has a negative impact on the environment.

Take a break from red and processed meat once a week Don’t feel pressured to cut out all meat from your diet. If you tend to eat red and/or processed meat most days, why not challenge yourself to one meat-free day every week? Try searching online or in cookbooks for meat-free recipes. You can also get some inspiration by visiting: https://www.meatfreemondays.com/ 198

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Switch to white meat or fish If you eat a lot of red and processed meat, try switching to chicken, turkey or fish instead. This will help to reduce your saturated fat intake. Aim to eat two portions of fish every week, one of which should be an oily fish. Oily fish, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel, contain omega-3 fatty acids which help to keep your heart healthy.

Try some vegetarian alternatives Meat substitutes, such as vegetarian sausages, mince and burgers are lower in saturated fat compared to equivalent meat products. Explore different meat substitutes and find out which you like, you might surprise yourself! Keep an eye on the food labels as some meat substitutes are high in calories and salt. If you’re not a fan of ‘fake meat’ you could try products made with beans, pulses and nuts as these are all good sources of protein. If you do not eat oily fish, you can get omega-3 fatty acids from nuts and seeds, such as walnuts and pumpkin seeds.

You can find more healthy tips, recipes and advice at heartresearch.org.uk.

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Redrow to the rescue with funding for roof repairs A SCOUT group in South Liverpool with a “critical” financial situation has received a lifeline from Redrow.

13th Allerton Scouts received help from Redrow to repair their leaking roof

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ased on Allerton Road, 13th Allerton Scouts has been providing activities for young people for many years, although face-to-face sessions were suspended in March due to Coronavirus restrictions.

As a self-funded organisation, the group has found it difficult to finance maintenance works to its Scout hut and appealed to Redrow for help.

Eleanor Edwardson explained: “The group financial situation was already critical before we had to suspend our social fundraising activities due to the Coronavirus, making us more reliant on grant funding.

“Our groups are currently taking part in online activities, but we still need to ensure our premises are safe for when we can resume face to face meetings so that we can serve the community by delivering a high quality and diverse Scouting programme.

“We’d had a leak from the roof into the kitchen ceiling which needed to be repaired to enable the continued delivery of safe Scouting activities. Receiving grant funding from Redrow before the pandemic enabled the roof repairs to be carried out, so that money raised from other fundraising activities can be used directly for provision of the programme, which has a direct benefit for our young people.”

13th Allerton Scouts currently has a thriving Beaver Colony for

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children aged six and seven and a Cub Pack for those aged eight to 10-and-a-half.

“Over the coming months, we also hope to be in a position to relaunch our Scout section and hope to attract new members to the group,” Eleanor added.

The Scouts received £1,000 from Redrow’s voluntary Allerton Community Fund, which shared £10,000 between good causes near to the Allerton Gardens development.

Elaine Mounsey, area sales manager for Redrow Homes (NW), said: “Beavers, Cubs and Scouts offer a fun way for children to make friends and learn new skills for life. It also helps them feel part of the community and is great for their personal development.

“We’ve supported Scout groups in other areas with donations towards new tents and attending the World Scout Jamboree, amongst other activities. When we heard that 13th Allerton Scouts were in need of funds for urgent repairs we were keen to help.”

Redrow’s Allerton Community Fund is in addition to the homebuilder’s statutory obligations linked to the 100-home Allerton Gardens development, off Woolton Road, in Allerton.

Show homes at the development are now open.

Find out more via www.redrow.co.uk/allerton or by calling 0151 391 3737.

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I’ll be home for Christmas During the winter months our creatures push their survival to the ultimate limits, the Lancashire Wildlife Trust’s Ellen Sherlock investigates.

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aturalists rejoice at the turning of the season as winter certainly isn’t short of its wildlife spectacles – many of which made much easier to appreciate under a now sparse cover of foliage.

Migratory birds like redwing, waxwing and fieldfare courageously fight their way across treacherous seas to enjoy our comparably warm climes. Starlings put on their acrobatic aerial displays and roe deer, exchange their mostly solitary life in summer for the warmth of a small herd.

But what about the wildlife we don’t see? The wildlife that stays in the UK year-round?

Whilst we may not see them, they are most certainly still out there, battling the cold and lack of food by going into a

state of dormancy called ‘hibernation’ – a wildlife spectacle taking place right beneath our noses.

It may sound easy, snoozing away for months on end, but hibernation is about much more than just sleeping. For our wildlife, surviving the winter each year is one of the most difficult challenges they will undertake and most of the warmer months are used in preparation for this very moment.

Dormice, bats and hedgehogs are the only British wildlife that go into true hibernation. During hibernation, the animals body temperature will drop and their breathing and heart-rate will slow dramatically.

Hedgehogs:

Hedgehogs will be curled up throughout winter

by Tom Marshall

During hibernation a hedgehog stops being a warmblooded animal since this uses up too much energy. Its body temperature falls to match the surrounding environment.

Too cold and the creature will freeze to death, to warm and the hedgehog’s blood flow will increase and start to use up too much of the animals stored fats. It’s a delicate balance.

To prepare for such an ordeal the hedgehog will have spent months building up its fat reserves. Hedgehogs do not go into a continued hibernation and will wake up a few times over the winter, desperately looking for food before going back into their slumber. This is why it’s so important to leave food out for these prickly little creatures.

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Dormice:

Teeny, tiny dormice will spend a whole half of the year asleep. In fact, their name is derived from the French word dormer meaning ‘to sleep’. During hibernation their heart rate will drop from 190 to just 20 beats per minute in order to not use up too much of their reserves. You’re not likely to see a dormouse, even in the summer as they are small, nocturnal and mainly found in the very far north of Lancashire and the southern edges of Greater Manchester.

Whilst being a clever way for our wildlife to endure winter, hibernation can also be a very dangerous tactic, leaving animals vulnerable to disturbance or predators.

Other creatures will simply slow down or modify their behaviour in winter to counteract the lean season instead of committing to months of slumber.

Red squirrels: Contrary to popular belief, red squirrels do not hibernate and in fact, continue to forage throughout the winter, although they do cache food stores in preparation, burying their goodies near landmarks, which help them to remember where they put it.

In their favoured habitats of mixed broadleaf and coniferous woodland, they have a source of food all yearround as pine seeds are present over the winter months.

Dormouse curls up ready for the colder months by Danny Green 2020 Vision

Bats: During winter, bats will settle down (or rather, up) in their chosen roost where they will stay until the spring. UK bats don’t build their own roosts and will use structures which are already available to them.

A bat won’t live in the same place year-round and depending on the season will change their roosting site. A hibernation roost needs to be cool and remain at a constant temperature – making places like caves the perfect winter home.

Incredibly, bats have their mating season before they go into hibernation but the females are able to postpone their pregnancy until they come out in spring.

Dry roosts are vital for the common pipistrelle

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Red squirrels feeding up in time for winter at Formby

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Badgers: Badgers also don’t hibernate, but have developed strategies for conserving their energy when their staple diet is not available. Badgers gain weight during the autumn to see them through the winter months. They will also spend many days underground conserving their energy and sleeping more deeply and for longer periods – this state is called ‘torpor’.

Ready to slow down for winter, badger by Darin Smith

Insects: Insects don’t necessarily hibernate the way warm-blooded animals do, but do suspend their activities and enter a dormant state called ‘diapause’.

A bumblebees last brood of the summer will contain a number of queens. The queens will mate and leave the colony before spending the winter alone, tucked away in a safe and small nesting site, only emerging again in the spring.

During the winter, butterflies need to stay cold and dry in order to survive. Some species can do this as adults, these include the brimstone, peacock, small tortoiseshell and red admiral, while other species will survive the winter as eggs, caterpillars or chrysalis.

Peacock butterfly at Haskayne Cutting by Alan Wright

One of the best things that we can all do to help wildlife during winter is to leave things a little messy. Leaf piles, log piles and leaving hedges unpruned will give our wildlife somewhere safe and warm to shelter away from the elements.

It’s also important to keep leaving out fresh water and

food, just as we did in the summer. Suet and fat balls are particularly good.

Our wildlife certainly isn’t lacking in beauty sleep and though we will likely not see them for a little while, it’s nice to know that they are still out there, perhaps even just a few steps away.

The Lancashire Wildlife Trust The Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Manchester and North Merseyside is dedicated to the protection and promotion of the wildlife in Lancashire, seven boroughs of Greater Manchester and four of Merseyside, all lying north of the River Mersey. It manages around 40 nature reserves and 20 Local Nature Reserves covering acres of woodland, wetland, upland and meadow. The Trust has 27,000 members, and over 1,200 volunteers.

To become a member of the Trust go to the website at www.lancswt.org.uk or call 01772 324129. For more information about Cheshire Wildlife Trust call 01948 820728 or go to cheshirewildlifetrust.org.uk.

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Helen Ashmore Funeral Service

M

ost of us don’t like to talk about funerals, but sadly at some point in our lives we are probably going to lose a loved one and need the services of a funeral director. Helen Ashmore, whose funeral service is based on the Fylde coast at Thornton Cleveleys, has been in the business for 20 years and has a wealth of experience and knowledge when it comes to arranging funerals.

Lancashire & North West recently spoke with her to learn more about her business and how she has adapted to cope with the issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The first thing that should be said is that it takes a very special sort of person to be a funeral director and Helen Ashmore clearly has what it takes. “For me being a funeral director is not just a job. It’s a vocation”, explains Helen. “It means everything to me”.

However, Helen had never thought of joining the profession until, quite by chance, some 20 years ago she was looking for a job and applied for a clerical position at a company working in the funeral sector. Prior to attending an interview for the job, she had never even been inside a funeral home, but Helen talks of how she felt an instant connection with the place as soon as she walked through the door. “I felt like I’d found myself in a way”, she says. “From then on it has been my life”.

Helen spent many years thoroughly learning her trade by working for two large businesses in the funeral sector before taking the plunge and setting up her own funeral service just over seven years ago in September 2013. Helen

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acknowledges that it was a big step to take, but the move came about because of her desire to offer a more modern approach to the business of arranging funerals. “I wanted to keep all the traditional elements, but just bring it up-to-date for the 21st century”, she explains.

In setting up her own business Helen wished to improve the whole experience of visiting a funeral home, which can be a daunting prospect, particularly if it is for the first time. She wanted to start with that very first step of walking through the door. “In the case of a lot of funeral directors you can’t see inside before you open the door”, Helen says. “It can be a very scary step for people just to walk in”.

Rest assured that is not the case at Helen’s own business, where visitors are able to take a look through the window before taking that first scary step inside. Similar care has been taken with the interior of the building, which has a light and airy feel. Helen was keen to avoid the very dark furniture and décor which is so often a staple of traditional funeral homes.

It is this kind of attention to detail and caring approach to the bereaved which has given Helen Ashmore’s business such an excellent reputation in Blackpool, Cleveleys and all across the Fylde coast. In talking to Helen it also soon becomes apparent why she has made such a success of her business. She clearly feels great empathy with the bereaved who use her services. She too has sadly experienced the pain of losing people close to her and this life experience has given her an invaluable insight into the emotions the bereaved are feeling. She believes it helps her customers to know that “you are talking to someone who knows how you feel”.

A look at Helen Ashmore Funeral Service’s excellent website gives some further clues as to the company’s ethos and why it has built up such an excellent reputation over the last seven years.

The business aims to focus on “the celebration of life” and to offer a service where you can “say goodbye to a loved one, not to your savings”. It is looking to provide “a truly compassionate, caring, dignified and professional service”.

A clear and detailed explanation of the basic packages on offer is available on the website, together with an outline of the additional services on offer. The “direct cremation” package starts from around £995, a “simple cremation service” from £1259 and a “traditional funeral service” from £1595. Additional extras allow bereaved www.lancmag.com

families to opt for choices like a horse drawn hearse, a church service and the opportunity to upgrade from the basic casket or coffin. If requested, the funeral service will also assist with floral tributes, obituary announcements in the local papers and catering venues.

The website also provides a detailed “Frequently Asked Questions” section. Anyone who has ever been faced with the prospect of arranging the funeral of a loved one will appreciate how complicated the procedure can seem to those who are unsure how it all works. This section aims to answer the inevitable questions and provides a valuable resource to those struggling to cope with the intricacies of the bereavement process.

Of course, nothing can replace the guidance which an experienced and caring funeral director like the Helen Ashmore Funeral Service can provide. The business operates a 24 hours a day, 365 days a year personal service. Helen and her colleagues appreciate that every family’s needs will be different and will discuss fully all the options available in order to fulfil the family’s requirements for the funeral arrangements. They are happy to liaise with all the appropriate people on the family’s behalf such as doctors, ministers and caterers, if required, thus dealing with all the administration which can prove such a burden at a time of bereavement.

This year’s Covid-19 pandemic has, of course, proved particularly challenging for funeral directors and Helen has had to draw on all the empathy for which she is renowned. “It has been particularly difficult for families with loved ones in a nursing home or hospital, who have had to endure long periods without being able to visit them and in some cases weren’t even able to see them before they died”, she says, describing this scenario as “heart-wrenching”.

Regulations have also been put into place to restrict the number of people who can attend a funeral. Helen is offering the option of a live feed on Facebook for families who are unable to have the numbers they want at a funeral, or for those family members who live away or abroad and are unable to go to the ceremony because of travel restrictions. This has helped a lot of families and sadly it looks like it will be here to stay for the foreseeable future.

For those of us who are not in the funeral profession it is hard to imagine how difficult and emotionally draining this job must have been in www.lancmag.com

recent months. We rightly acknowledge all the health professionals, the delivery drivers and retail workers who have kept working throughout the Covid-19 crisis, but we should not forget the enormous contribution that funeral directors like Helen Ashmore have made, helping grieving families at this very difficult time.

Helen is unswerving in her commitment to her chosen profession. “You do it because you care about their loved one”, she explains. “They have come to me and asked me to look after their most treasured possession, their loved one. For that reason I feel very honoured and privileged.”

Contact Helen Ashmore Funeral Service at, 7 Bispham Road, Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 1DG Telephone number 01253 853574, or email info@helenashmorefuneralservice.co.uk Website: www.helenashmorefuneralservice.co.uk Facebook: @helenashmorefuneralservice

helen ashmore

LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE 205

Your star horoscope

Manish Kumar Arora is a renowned KP Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Reader & Vastu Consultant. He has been rendering professional advice to clients with a reasonable degree of success. He has been conferred with the title of ‘Jyotish Varahamihir’ and ‘Jyotish Aryabhatt.’ He has been writing monthly astrological columns for many international magazines.

Aries: Mar 21 – Apr 19 You want to experience life in new ways, expose yourself to other languages, cultures, and beliefs, and travel to places you’ve never been before. Good behaviour and choices are rewarded, and bad ones are punished severely. You can see your dreams come true, or have them fall apart before your very eyes. If in a relationship, you can try to infuse some life into it by doing something new with your partner. You usually have a comfort zone, a way you like to work, things you like to eat, people you like spending time with.

Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 7, 11, 16, 20, 25 Favourable Colours: Red & Grey

Leo: Jul 23 – Aug 22 You’re more defensive of your beliefs, and if anyone questions you, you’ll convince them of your position no matter what. This can be a good time to acquire something of value. Your energy is more of a slow burn and you take your time getting things done.

A casual friendship can become something more, or an important one can come to an end. You can take on a more important role in a group you belong to, or you can walk away from one you’ve been with for some time.

Favourable Dates: Dec 3, 4, 10, 13, 21, 22 Favourable Colours: White & Green

Sagittarius: Nov 22 – Dec 21 You’ll likely feel like you want to connect with other people, but feel alone and isolated. Everyone seems to be at a distance. You can become overly possessive and jealous to make up for it. Your intensity heightens, and you can’t accept anything at face value. You might seem too serious, controlling, and emotional. If in a relationship, you can be more passionate with your partner. If single, you want to be with someone, but you want it to be intense, not a casual fling.

Favourable Dates: Dec 4, 6, 13, 15, 22, 24 Favourable Colours: Blue & Red

Taurus: Apr 20 – May 20 You can be in the spotlight for what you’ve done, and gain recognition from your superiors, others in your field, or even the public. You can become more dedicated to your work, and take on more projects than usual. You want to keep busy, and you feel you’re capable of doing a lot. This is a good time to focus on your health, and you can do what you need to do to make yourself healthier. It’s likely that you’ll feel more sensitive to what other people say and think about you, and take it too much to heart.

Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 6, 11, 15, 20, 24 Favourable Colours: Red & Green

Virgo: Aug 23 – Sep 22 This is a good time to do research again, to review financial arrangements, to take back an old financial partner, or to transform yourself in a way that you tried before or have wanted to try before. You can look at your finances and see where you need to cut back and how to fix your budget. If you’re in a relationship, you can be more romantic and affectionate with your partner.

If you’re single, you can attract more people to you, and you crave a committed relationship.

Favourable Dates: Dec 1, 6, 10, 15, 19, 24 Favourable Colours: White & Purple

Capricorn: Dec 22 – Jan 19 This is a good time to redo your budget, revisit a financial plan or planner, or buy something refurbished. You have more energy for your imagination, and may daydream the day away. This is a good time to go back to a career you used to be in, or to work on a goal that failed in the past and you’d like a second chance at. A second job or side gig you’ve been working to make extra money could come to an end, or you could take it to the next level and it becomes a real moneymaking machine.

Favourable Dates: Dec 4, 6, 13, 15, 22, 24 Favourable Colours: Blue & Red

Gemini: May 21 – Jun 20 You can come across as more analytical, discriminating, and disciplined. You’re mentally stimulated, engaging with other people intellectually, and sharing your thoughts and ideas with others. You also try to bring more balance into your life, needing it to feel secure and confident.

You can come across as more fair, graceful, and vacillating. This is a good time to remind yourself of your feelings for your loved ones and to rekindle the flame. If single, you can meet more potential suitors.

If you have children, they can be more energetic and independent.

Favourable Dates: Dec 1, 6, 11, 16, 20, 26 Favourable Colours: White &Yellow Cancer: Jun 21 – Jul 22 Your energy is more scattered, and you can commit yourself to a lot of tasks but not follow through. You can lose or quit a job, though some of you can go back to work for an employer or at a place you’ve worked before, or be at a position you’ve been at before. You want to experience life through your senses as much as possible, and it makes you more sensual and earthy. You’re a little more dramatic with your emotional displays, especially with loved ones.

Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 6, 11, 15, 20, 24 Favourable Colours: White & Purple

Libra: Sep 23 – Oct 22 You can come up with short-term plans for projects, and your mind is much more active. You have more communications, conversations, gather more information, do more writing and analysing, and your mind works at a faster pace than usual. You can also take up a cause that you used to fight for but haven’t had the time for. If single, you could meet someone from a different background from yourself. You evaluate what’s working and what isn’t in your relationships, and you see which are good and which are bad for you.

Favourable Dates: Dec 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 23 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Black Scorpio: Oct 23 – Nov 21 You can focus more on your finances, and to work at having more income.

You’re open to trying more, and willing to take the initiative, something you usually shy away from. You can come up with a new idea that’s innovative and unusual, and try to be different from everyone else. You can come across as more calm, stubborn, and earthy. You just need to watch for taking on too much and running yourself down. Stress can also impact you more physically, so try to manage your stress levels.

Favourable Dates: Dec 2, 6, 11, 15, 20, 24 Favourable Colours: White & Red

Aquarius: Jan 20 – Feb 18 You have a lot of energy for your daily life, your everyday activities, and the small tasks that you take on.

You can finish a lot of little tasks, but struggle with the bigger ones. You can deal more with electronics or travel more, especially at short distances..You’re also more driven to help others, and may sacrifice yourself for someone else. You can have misunderstandings and fights with your loved ones and partners. You can see a relationship unravel and you don’t know how to fix it.

Favourable Dates: Dec 5, 6, 14, 15, 23, 24 Favourable Colours: Purple & Green Pisces: Feb 19 – Mar 20 This is a good time to make improvements in your home, redecorate or renovate, or to move.

You will enjoy spending time with people in one-on-one settings, especially those that you’re close to. You also have more energy with your family, and can feed off of them. If in a relationship, you can bring more romance in.

If single, you can attract more people who catch your eye. You find pleasure in indulging in your senses, and can treat yourself to rich foods, fine wine, great music and art.

Favourable Dates: Dec 1, 7, 10, 16, 19, 25 Favourable Colours: Yellow & Blue

Manish Kumar Arora, 91-9871062000 | K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant www.facebook.com/manishastroconsultant | manish@manishastrologer.com

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Bolton School Girls are Eco-Innovator Winners

Earlier this year, two girls from Bolton School Girls’ Division won age group prizes in the Eco Innovators competition, which saw the government ask the next generation to design the electric vehicle charging points of our future. The competition, aimed at 7-19 year olds, inspired pupils to use their creative and engineering skills.

Lucy Pickett was in Y7 when she recorded a fourth place finish – out of 1500 competitors - in the 11-14 age group category. She recalled: “When I heard about the competition I thought it would be a great way to help play my part for the environment and this also helped me learn how to draw using perspective. After scratching out a few ideas, I checked back to look at the requirements and this helped me to understand more about what I needed to design in more detail. I then altered some of my design and came up with more ideas to make it more effective and easy to function for the user.”

Sofia Carrera-Knowles was in Y11 when she was awarded sixth place out of 200 entries in the 14-19 age group category. Sofia, now a Sixth Form student studying A levels in Mathematics, Physics, Electronics and Chemistry, has a strong interest in a future in engineering. Discussing what had driven her entry, she commented: “I was first inspired to take part in this competition as I am very interested in the future of electric cars and I enjoy design challenges. I wanted my design to represent the Earth and make use of sustainable materials so I therefore drew the power point to have a spherical shape with a large majority of it made out of bamboo. I also wanted to make sure no leads posed a tripping hazard if left unattended, so to solve this problem, I researched and applied the idea of a retractable lead, similar to a measuring tape.”

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Submissions to the competition were judged by a panel from organisations including the RAC Foundation, the National Grid, the National Transport Design Centre, Design Council, Living Streets, Thank You and the Office for Low Emission Vehicles as well as the minister, Jesse Norman.

He commented: “I am delighted to be one of the judges of this terrific competition. We will be looking for really imaginative chargepoint designs that can play a big practical role in encouraging more people to buy and drive electric vehicles.”

Each girl won a STEM education kit – a BBC micro:bit, the pocket sized computer which allows people to learn to code, along with equipment to add onto it and experiment with.

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Next Month

Preston, Chester and Keswick

The May issue of your favourite county magazine, on sale from 5th April Preston, Chester and Keswick

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