Local Life - Burscough & Villages - May/Jun 2013 by Local Life 247 Ltd

Burscough & Villages Edition

May/Jun 2013

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Cash Giveaway

Photo: Bank Hall © Bob Brookfield | Dreamstime.com

Local Life celebrates 5th birthday!

Jack’s Tracks visits Rainford Win tickets to Knowsley Safari

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Local. Valued. Trusted.

Unsung Heroes

In this issue

Just recently Local Life reached our 5th birthday, and to mark the occasion we shared a little of our good fortune with local community groups. Selecting eight groups to receive a £150 cheque was difficult because there are so many deserving groups and charities out there, but we tried to focus on those unsung heroes who make the difference to local life.

22 30 32 35 36 39 40 42 46 48 50 54

There are lots of reasons why these unsung heroes do what they do for the local community, but they certainly don’t do it for money or glory. Their individual contributions helps to make a community thrive and they are a real force for good for local life. If you’re one of these people, then thank you for your contribution and be aware that your efforts do inspire the rest of us to get involved – if not immediately, then at some point in the future.

Home Sweet Home Money & Investment Martin Lewis Column Puzzle Corner First & Last - Rosie Cooper Recipe – Pea & Watercress Soup What’s On in the North West Jack’s Tracks visits Rainford Win Tickets to Knowsley Safari Angie Barker’s Garden Diary Home Services Useful Numbers Next issue - June

Advertising deadline - Monday 20 May Published -Friday 31 May Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB T 01695 627 999

info@locallife247.co.uk W www.locallife247.co.uk

Sales & Editorial: Chris Pearce, Nicola Gray

sales@locallife247.co.uk

Local Life can do our bit to help your community group or charity. We offer free publicity for your events; coffee mornings, school fairs, summer balls, car boot sales and lots more. We will endeavour to give you as much coverage in the magazines as we can, and we’ll also use Twitter to publicise your event to our many hundreds of followers. Just email as many details about your event as you can to editorial@locallife247.co.uk.

Design & Production: Peter Bretherton

Hope you enjoy the read – see you next time!

You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life, on or around the second weekend of the month at Morrisons in Ormskirk, Tesco’s in Burscough or at farm shops in the West Lancs area. Alternatively, you can check out our online publication at www.locallife247.co.uk.

Accounts & Distribution: Sally Boon

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Local Life is published every month. The magazine will be distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis. The Ormskirk & Aughton edition is delivered to 9,750 homes and businesses in Ormskirk, Aughton, Westhead, Halsall, Haskayne and Bickerstaffe. The Burscough & Villages edition is delivered to 8,000 homes and businesses in Burscough, Parbold, Croston, Rufford, Mawdesley, Scarisbrick, Bescar, Newburgh, Bretherton, Mere Brow and Holmeswood.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

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Local Life Media

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When you receive the new edition of Local Life - remember to recycle the old one.

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ONEONE HUNDRED HUNDRED & TWELVE & TWELVE MILLION MILLION POUNDS POUNDS WORTH WORTH OF PROPERTY OF PROPERTY SOLD SOLD IN THE IN THE LAST LAST 12 MONTHS! 12 MONTHS! VILLAGE VILLAGE PROPERTY PROPERTY SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS AN OWNER AN OWNER MANAGED MANAGED COMPANY COMPANY UNRIVALLED UNRIVALLED INTERNET INTERNET MARKETING MARKETING BOUTIQUE BOUTIQUE STYLE STYLE VILLAGE VILLAGE SHOWROOM SHOWROOM PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHY AS STANDARD AS STANDARD NO SALE NO SALE - NO -FEE NO FEE FREEFREE VALUATIONS VALUATIONS ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED IN 1996 IN 1996 EXTENSIVE EXTENSIVE LIST OF LISTBUYERS OF BUYERS WAITING WAITING IN ALL INAREAS ALL AREAS SALES SALES -LETTINGS -LETTINGS -MORTGAGES -MORTGAGES

Telephone Telephone 01257 01257 464644 464644 www.reganandhallworth.com www.reganandhallworth.com

TRADITIONAL TRADITIONAL VALUES... VALUES... SURPRISINGLY SURPRISINGLY INNOVATIVE INNOVATIVE

VILLAGE VILLAGE SPECIALISTS SPECIALISTS For the For last the17last years 17 years people people in andinaround and around the villages the villages of of West West Lancashire Lancashire have been have trusting been trusting ReganRegan & Hallworth & Hallworth EstateEstate Agents Agents to sellto their sell property. their property. ReganRegan & Hallworth & Hallworth is an owner is an owner managed managed company company with with three three local branches local branches employing employing some some of theof area’s the area’s most most experienced experienced estateestate agentsagents We are We a results are a results drivendriven company company who excel who at excel selling at selling and and lettingletting property. property. Despite Despite the current the current difficult difficult property property market, market, our firm oursold firmthe sold equivalent the equivalent of 10 of properties 10 properties everyevery singlesingle week week last year! last year! For a grand For a grand total of total One ofHundred One Hundred & & Twelve Twelve millionmillion pounds pounds making making it oneitofone ourof most our successful most successful years years to date. to date. If youIfare you looking are looking to sellto orsell rent oryour rentproperty your property in 2013 in 2013 and and want to want findtoa find buyer a buyer or a tenant or a tenant in thisinchallenging this challenging property property market, market, we believe we believe no other no other agentagent will work will work harder harder for you. forPlus, you. our Plus, award our award winning winning advertising, advertising, professional professional photography photography and unrivalled and unrivalled internet internet marketing marketing will really will really help set help your setproperty your property apart.apart. We would We would love tolove hear tofrom hear you fromif you you ifare you looking are looking to sellto orsell or let a property let a property in thein following the following villages villages wherewhere we specialise: we specialise: Parbold, Parbold, Mawdesley, Mawdesley, Bispham, Bispham, Newburgh, Newburgh, Dalton, Dalton, Lathom, Lathom, Burscough, Burscough, Rufford, Rufford, Croston Croston and Wrightington. and Wrightington. Andrew Andrew Regan, Regan, one ofone theof partners the partners with over with25 over years 25 years experience experience will personally will personally vist your vistproperty your property for a no forobligation a no obligation market market appraisal. appraisal. We have Webuyers have buyers and tenants and tenants waiting waiting in all price in all ranges. price ranges.

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Country Fayre

Teddy Bears’ Outing

Don’t forget to pop along to Burscough Wharf’s first ever Country Fayre on Sunday 19th May. Entertainment includes; competitions to find the best chutney, cake and cupcakes. The Wharf’s photographic competition will also be judged during the afternoon - there are two categories, 8-16 and 16+. Entrants are asked to capture local scenery, people and daily life in West Lancs for a chance to win a range of prizes. Entry forms can be collected from M.Bar.K.

There are bound to be plenty of surprises down in the woods when you travel with the West Lancashire Light Railway on Sunday 5th May! Their Teddy Bears’ Outing is set to be a big hit with all the family – trains will run every 20 minutes between 11.30am - 4.30pm from Station Road in Hesketh Bank. An adult fare costs £2.50, child fares cost £1.50 and a family fare (2 adults & 2 children) costs £6.00 but if you bring a bear - travel half fare. See website for more details: www.westlancs.org.

Tidy Up!

Plant Sale

Burscough’s Tidy Up takes place this Sunday (May 5th) from 11am to 4pm. You can do your bit for the local environment by working with other volunteers to spruce up your village. The meeting point is the Grove Car Park on Station Approach and any time you can give to the Tidy Up will be appreciated. This event is taking place in association with West Lancs Borough Council. For more details, call Sue on 07767 795451.

Could your home do with a bit of Spring colour after the cold winter months? The Parbold, Newburgh & District Garden Society are holding their annual plant sale at the WI Hall on The Common on Saturday 11th May from 9am-12.30pm. You can buy from a wide selection of bedding plants on the day, ideal for your hanging baskets or borders, to set up your garden for what will hopefully be a long, colourful summer!

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Spring Fayre The 29th Burscough Scout Group would like to invite you to their Spring Fayre on Saturday 18th May. The fun and festivities will take place from 12pm on the playing fields at St. John’s Primary School on School Lane. All monies raised on the day will go towards purchasing a defibrillator for the Scout Group and towards the many activities the children participate in within the group. There will be lots of fun activities on the day for all the family to enjoy including; BBQ, donkey rides, bouncy castles, face painting and refreshments to name but a few! The Cubs, Beavers and Brownies will be showcasing some skills of their own, so make sure you don’t miss out.

Free Classic Bus

Come Dancing

On Saturday 18th May you can make use of a free classic bus service that will take you to all your favourite attractions in the West Lancashire area. The bus will set off from Burscough Bridge Interchange every hour between 10am-4pm calling off at Martin Mere, Windmill Animal Farm, Homestead Farm Tea Room, Mere Sands Wood, Rufford Old Hall and Burscough Wharf – before heading back to the station. Each attraction will have a special offer for bus passengers so be sure to check out any deals. For more information about the free bus please go online to www.visitseftonandwestlancs.co.uk

The West Lancashire Cinema Organ Trust would like to invite you to join them for an evening of music and dancing on Saturday 18th May. The dance will take place at the All Saints Hall on Station Road in Hesketh Bank from 7.30pm-11.30pm. There will be dancing a plenty including Ballroom, Latin, Sequence and Old Tyme live music from Charles Brown. Feel free to bring your own drinks and snacks and there will be a raffle plus tea and cake during the interval. Tickets are £5 on the door – for more information please call Andrew on 01772 812296 or have a look online at www.welcot.co.uk

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Hilldale Concert

Murder Mystery

Why not spend the evening being royally entertained by Darren Poyzer and Kevin Farrell aka The Incredible Planet? Darren, who is making a welcome return to Hilldale, is a singer and songwriter who has starred alongside many great contemporaries to wide and outstanding acclaim.

The popular murder mystery evenings are making a welcome return to Rufford Old Hall on Friday 17th and Saturday 18th May. The Sultans Pyjamas will start at 6pm on both nights – join staff for an evening of intrigue, accompanied by dinner on the tea room and clues between courses. Tickets cost £35 per person and this gets you a welcome drink, two-course meal and a chance to solve the murder. Booking is essential so for more information or to book your place please call 01704 821254 or visit the website at www.nationaltrust. org.uk/ruffordoldhall.

Raised on comedy, performance poetry and an understanding family, he turns the angst of a Thatcherera teenager into a burst of musical theatre, using little more than a voice and acoustic guitar. His latest project, The Incredible Planet, combines his skill with those of Kevin Farrell, an accomplished guitarist and songwriter. This promises to be a night to remember and a fitting finale to the Hilldale Village Fair. The concert takes place on Saturday 18th May at the Village Hall on Chorley Road, doors open at 7.30pm and you can bring your own food and drink. Tickets are priced at £5 and are available now – for more information or to book your ticket please call Alan on 01257 464426.

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Kindermusik Playdate Bring the children along to Parbold Library on Friday 31st May and join in with the Kindermusik Playdate. The kids can discover their favourite stories come to life through music, singing and dance. The playddate will take place from 10.30am-11.15am and is suitable for 0-5 year olds.

Galaxy of Stitches A Galaxy of Stitches is the latest offering from the Natural Progression Textile Group. The exhibition showcases pieces from the group’s contemporary textile art project and parts will also be on sale. The exhibition starts on Friday 24th May and runs until Wednesday 29th June at the Mere Sands Wood visitors centre on Holmeswood Road, Rufford. The opening preview will take place on Sunday 26th May between 2pm-4pm and the exhibition will then be open daily (except Fridays) from 9.30am-4.30pm. Entry is free..

Ormskirk Ukulele Club Nearly New Sale If you’re looking for top quality baby items at a fraction of the cost why not check out the NCT Nearly New Sale? The bumper sale will take place on Saturday 11th May at St Michael’s Academy on Astley Road in Chorley from 12pm-1.30pm. You can pick up everything from clothes, toys, books, nursery equipment and maternity wear at bargain prices that won’t break the bank. Entry is just £1 and will go towards supporting local parents. For more information about the sale or to register as a seller please e-mail chorleyandleyland@nct.org.uk

Home visits also available in: Southport, West Lancs & surrounding areas

The rapidly-growing Ormskirk Ukulele Club has moved to a new regular home at Burscough Wharf’s modern Arts Centre. The Ormskirk club has members of all ages ranging from16 to 89 years old, who simply want to enjoy the chance to have fun and sing together in a relaxed atmosphere. The club meets every Thursday evening at Burscough Wharf’s Arts Centre between 7.15pm-9.45pm and anyone interested in singing or learning to play the uke is very welcome. The club has developed a Performers Group which regularly plays at community events and venues and is also available for private functions. For more information about the club please go online at www.ormskirkukuleleclub.org.uk.

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UP TO

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At our open studio sale weekend there will be a wide range of pieces on show & many items will have up to 70% off plus all orders placed on the weekend will receive 30% off the normal RRP. All our work is handmade by glass designer Stephanie Bowen at the studio & pieces can be made to order to suit any space including splashbacks. So come & join us on the 11th & 12th of May 2013 open from 10 - 4 both days. Unit 11, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB t/f 01695 624182 w www.morpheusglass.co.uk e info@morpheusglass.co.uk splashbacks | panels | coasters | jewellery | hangings | sculptures | bowls

Cottage Garden If you’ve always dreamed of having a rambling cottage garden and don’t quite know how to create it; why not go along to the Cottage Garden Society plant sale on Saturday 11th May? Members of the Society will be at Lydiate Parish Hall on Southport Road from 11am-3pm – this is a great chance to get some ideas and ask for some advice. On sale will be all the old cottage garden favourites and there will be plenty of specialist plants stalls for you to browse. There will also be books and bric-a-brac stalls as well as refreshments. Entry is just £1 and under 16’s go free – for further information please contact Tina Lloyd on 01704 550154 or Peter Curl on 01704 893713.

Yee-Ha Hoedown Burscough Wharf will be hosting a barn dance on Friday 17th May so get your cowboy boots at the ready and prepare for a great day! Barn dance band, Devil’s Fire will be providing an afternoon and evening of high energy hoedown entertainment from 12pm onwards. Tickets are £2.50 in advance (available to purchase from MBarK) or £5 on the evening – this includes sharing buckets of BBQ wings, Cajun fries and spicy wings. There will be a prize on the day for the best-dressed cow-girl and cowboy. For more information please call 01704 896360.

n i t u O e v Li ? s k c i t S the Pick up your Local Life every month from our stands at; Burscough Wharf

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SUFFERING WITH MUSCLE, JOINT OR NERVE PAIN?

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How can you help me? We always start off with a 45 minute consultation and examination to find the underlying causes of your problem. We then use gentle, safe hands-on treatments to relieve your pain.

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Business Review

Blooming lovely! Award winning florist, Jayne Marsh has seen her business bloom since opening up her shop at Burscough Wharf last year. When your home or an event is crying out for a little touch of luxury flowers add an instant pop of colour and vibrancy – add to this Jayne’s eye for artistic flair and you have a winning combination. Specialising in floral designs, The Little Flower Shop is one of a select few shops across the country to be accredited by wedding designer Vera Wang. For those fashion conscious brides in the know Vera Wang is a name everyone wants involved in their wedding so make sure you pay a visit to Burscough Wharf! Jayne is one of less than 600 florists across the whole of Europe who has been selected to design wedding flowers under the name of the iconic fashion designer, whilst she’s also an accredited Interflora expert. Jayne’s talent gained Royal approval when she was invited to take part in the Chelsea Flower Show for the Queen’s 80th Birthday during which Jayne had the pleasure of meeting the Queen. As well as creating the ultimate gift of flowers to suit every occasion from designing and creating individual arrangements for weddings, corporate functions or special occasions, Jayne can also provide flowers and plants on a weekly basis to suit a range of business environments. And it’s not just floral displays available, Jayne also supplies accessories including centrepieces, candelabras, vases and more to make any celebration complete. So whether you’re looking for a chic gift for a friend or a show stopping wedding bouquet, The Little Flower

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Shop is definitely somewhere you need to pop into next time you’re visiting the Wharf. The Little Flower Shop Burscough Wharf Liverpool Road North Burscough Lancashire L40 5RZ 01704 897242 jaynemarsh123@hotmail.co.uk

Kwikcricket is designed for young children learning how to play cricket and is great fun and more importantly safe. Plastic bats, wickets and soft balls are used and all sessions are supervised by qualified coaches. Annual club membership is £20 for under 9’s and a weekly sub of £2 is payable for any sessions attended. For more information about the Kwikcricket programme or for information about the Cricket club please contact the Club on 01704 821023.

Howzat!

Buzzards Take Flight

Under 9’s Kwikcricket has arrived at Mawdesley Cricket Club every Sunday from 10am-11am. If you have a little Freddie Flintoff at home in school years 2, 3 or 4 then this activity will be right up their street. The team meet every Sunday at the Rectory Field on School Lane and will run until the end of July.

The Bretherton Buzzards are seeking new players for their Boules team and if you’re a dab hand at this French café society game, then they would like to hear from you. The Boules league started a couple of weeks ago, so if you’re interested then dust off your sandals pronto and call Clare on 01772 433619 for more details.

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Free Publicity! If you want the crowds to come along to your next community group event, school fair or charity fundraiser, email the details to Local Life. Not only can we publish the event free in our three magazines in Wigan, St Helens and West Lancashire, but we can also tweet about your event to our many hundreds of followers on Twitter! Email us the details of the event (what, where, when, why, who for, how much) along with a name and contact number and anything else you want to tell our readers. The earlier you can provide the information, the better the job we can do, so don’t delay – email us today editorial@locallife247.co.uk.

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On a Mission Mawdesley’s Women’s Institute are on a mission to show local residents that there’s more to the WI than jam, Jerusalem and topless calendars! The group meets on the 4th Thursday of the month in the Village Hall annex on Hurst Green in Mawdesley, and they’d like you to pop along and see what it’s all about. They tell us that they are a friendly bunch and they get involved in allsorts such as; craft activities, going on trips, raise money for charity, host coffee mornings and eat cake. What’s not to like! If you’re interested in joining the Women’s Institute then just pop along to the monthly meetings, or call Elaine on 01257 452534 or Nicky on 01772 491121.

The Wool Boat The weather is slowly getting warmer and The Wool Boat will be leaving her winter moorings and continuing to bring wool, yarn and knitting supplies to villages and towns where there are no local yarn shops. Over the winter, Carole, the boat’s experienced knitter, has been busy extending the range of yarns they are stocking, to now include oiled arans, Nutra Cottons from DMC and the lovely Araucania range of hand dyed yarns from Designer Yarns.

Croston Juniors Croston Junior FC is on the lookout for new players to join their ranks for the 2013/14 season – so if you’ve got a budding footballer at home why not take them along? At Croston Juniors the emphasis is always on fun and personal development – so everyone of all abilities is welcome. Players are required for each team ranging from the under 7’s to the under 14’s. If you are looking for a family orientated club with first class facilities please contact Mark Hilton on 07949 006032 or visit the website at www.clubwebsite.co.uk/crostonjuniors

This year Carole and Capt. Col will be at Burscough Wharf on Sunday June 9th to show their support for the World Wide Knit in Public Day, before heading out to other destinations. The Wool Boat will be back at Burscough Wharf for the Heritage Festival that is taking place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June. For more details about where you can catch up with the Wool Boat please have a look at www.thewoolboat. co.uk or call 07931 356204.

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Save Your Local If your local pub is the heart and soul of your community, then you now have the opportunity to give it extra protection from property developers. CAMRA say that 18 pubs a week are closing and are urging regulars to club together and list such pubs on the Asset of Community Value list. Listing a pub with the local council is very simple say CAMRA - you just need twenty others to support your nomination. The benefits of it being on the list are;

Hilldale Village Fayre The Hilldale annual Village Fayre will take place on Saturday 18th May between 1.30pm-4pm at the Village Hall and field on Chorley Road. You can expect all the usual merriment including; Morris Dancing, Cream Tea’s, a BBQ, entertainment from the Brass Band; Fair Ground rides, candy floss, ice cream and a Giant Bungee jump! There will also be lots of stalls for you to browse on the day and a raffle and tombola – plus the Village Queen procession will take place at 1.30pm, followed by the Dog Show at 1.45pm. Feel free to bring your own picnic rugs and chairs and make a day of it. Admission costs £1 for adults and 50p for children. If you would like more information or would like to book a stall at £10 each please contact the organisers on 01257 462764.

• The pub can’t be sold on without the community being told about it • If a listed pub goes up for sale, the ACV status can delay the sale for up to six months, which will give the community time to bid for and run the pub as a community owned business using the Community Right to Bid powers. • Councils will take the ACV list into account when considering planning applications for the pub, and this alone can put off developers who are looking for a hassle-free purchase. All the information, advice and support you need on the Asset of Community Value list is available from www. camra.org.uk/listyourlocal

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Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect every step of the way and on that you have my word! Stuart Goulding

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Business Review

Home Sweet Home! Every home has a personality and we homeowners have the job of developing that personality by the way we decorate and furnish our homes. We’ve all seen show homes on new housing developments, in glossy magazines and on the telly, and we long to create that effect for our own homes. Get it right and you can bask in the admiration of your friends and neighbours, but if you don’t know where to start, don’t panic! Tracks&Poles&Things are here to help!

and, in addition to providing home interior design services locally, they also ship curtain tracks, blinds, poles (and all their component parts) all over the world. The company was founded by father and daughter duo Peter and Justine Bennett and now includes other family members. When Justine left college/university, she chose a career in interior design and ran a successful practice supplying customers all over NW England with a full interior design service. Supplying the back-up

This family business is located next to the old windmill in Parbold, a beautiful and serene setting for a company that has introduced splendour into so many homes. Tracks&Poles&Things has been established for 22 years

service for all her curtain measuring and fitting was her father Peter. They subsequently pooled their resources and experience to begin Tracks&Poles&Things – an interior design company that specialises in windows. Windows are the eyes to the home in more ways than one, and knowing

how to dress windows properly is an art in itself. Tracks&Poles&Things can find the exact product to suit even the most difficult-todress windows; those with awkward shapes, in seemingly inaccessible locations and those endlessly large windows. Weirdly-shaped windows are a particular speciality, with all kinds of arches and angles catered for. Tracks&Poles&Things can also supply everything to complete any furnishing scheme including curtains, (from readymade to made-to-measure), all kinds of blinds and shutters, upholstery, carpets, wall coverings and a fitting service too. Curtains and other soft furnishings are now made by Tracks&Poles&Things in their brand new purpose-designed sewing room close by to ensure that they can

create truly hand made products to your exact specifications. The pictures on these pages illustrate a tiny proportion of the furnishings on offer at TracksPoles&Things â&#x20AC;&#x201C; so do pop down to the showroom and browse to your heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s content. Justine and her team will be on hand to offer expert design advice to help you create your very own home sweet home! Tracks&Poles&Things The Old Windmill, Mill Lane, Parbold, WN8 7NW 01257 462787 Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 11am - 5pm www.tracksandpoles.com

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Historic Lathom Walks If you’re interested in local history then the historic Lathom Walking Festival this weekend is an absolute must! The festival starts Saturday (4th May) and ends on Bank Holiday Monday (6th May). Believe it or not, sleepy little Lathom was once a major centre in the North West, and this is a great chance to take part in some guided walks and visit places of historic interest in and around the area. There are four guided walks in total, all leaving from the Ring O’ Bells Pub; • Saturday 4th May – 1pm walk to Lathom House, tour the grounds and visit Lathom chapel for afternoon tea (2.5 miles) • Sunday 5th May – 1pm walk to Burscough Priory and visit the 15th Century remains (5 miles) • Monday 6th May – 10am walk along the Liverpool Canal to Burscough Wharf (2.5 miles)

• Monday 6th May – 1.30pm walk to Dutton’s Farm archaeological site (2 miles) Free refreshments will be provided on some of the walks and there’s no need to book, just join the walk on the day. All walks start from the Ring O’ Bells Pub on Ring O’ Bells Lane – for more information please call Derek on 01695 733737 or e-mail Derek@wlcvs.org.

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Spring Fayre Come along to Taylor’s Farm Shop in Lathom on Sunday the 19th of May when the shop will be holding a Spring Fayre with all proceeds being donated to the North West Air Ambulance Charity. The fayre is being held with the help of the Parbold Young Farmers and there are absolutely tons to do! Activities include a coconut shy, a dunking machine, football shoot out, hook a duck, a tug of war, tin can ally, a win a fish stall, a bat- a-rat stall, a bungee race, a rodeo bull and a bale push. There will also be a chocolate tombola, a tractor balloon raffle, a wet sponge stall and refreshment in the guise of a BBQ, a cake stall and a drink stall So please come along and bring the family for a fun day out, and help raise money for a very worthwhile local charity. The Fayre runs from 12 noon until 4pm. For more information please contact Tom Webster on 07964 960301 or Alice Crawshaw on 07896 736178.

Trustees Wanted Villages in Partnership (VIP) is a small charity based in Croston, which provides support to 23 villages in the surrounding area – including; Rufford, Burscough, Scarisbrick, Croston, Mawdesley, Parbold, Hilldale and Bispham. The charity currently has four trustees but

would like to welcome some new faces on board from people living in these villages. General responsibilities include ensuring that the charity meets all of its aims and objectives and attending monthly board meetings. To find out more information about the role or to express your interest in joining VIP please call the office on 01772 603591 or e-mail vip@villagesinpartnership. org.uk

Musicians Wanted Old Hall Brass, the Roby Mill based brass band, are looking for a Trombone, Euphonium and Eb Bass players to complete their line-up. The band are currently preparing for this weekend’s Buxton Contest and the band’s annual concert at Southport Little Theatre. If you are interested in trying out for the band, please contact Paul Sudworth on 07889 271291, or via debbie@ oldhallbrass.com. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence. If any other players are interested in the band, please call Paul. Tickets are now available for the Old Hall Brass annual concert at Southport Little Theatre in Hoghton Street, Southport. The concert will be held on Sunday 16th June 2013 with a 7.30pm start. Tickets are priced at £7 (£6 over 60’s, £3 under 16’s), and can be obtained from Debbie (Band Secretary) on 01942 715684.

01257 367 404 26

Family Fun Weekend The May Bank Holiday is set to be Burscough Wharf’s biggest fun day yet with a host of family entertainment planned including; music, dance, face painting, stocks, locally produced beers, BBQ and displays from local dance schools. For budding singers there will also be an open mic opportunity organized by Adam Christopher’s School of Musical Excellence. From 12pm on Saturday 25th, Sunday 26th and Monday 27th May, taste buds are set to be tickled all over West Lancashire as a host of locally produced ciders, beers and sausages will be on sale along with a hog roast prepared by the Blue Mallard. There will be live music and family entertainment throughout the afternoons and evenings. On Sunday 27th May the return of the hugely popular Burscough Wharf Raft Race will take place as teams of local groups, businesses and friends compete to stay afloat. Donations for entry will be given to the Alfie Lund Fund; forms can be collected from M.Bar.K. For those who don’t want to risk getting wet, there’s a drier option of taking part in the duck race. Ducks can be purchased for £5 and all proceeds go to the Alfie Lund Fund. Admission is FREE so pop down and enjoy the fun!

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Competition Winners The winners of our Spa Day competition in the March/April magazine were Janet Flynn of Red Cat Lane in Burscough and Jan Vickers from Clovelly Drive in Newburgh. These lucky people have won a Spa Day for Two at the brand new spa facility at Radiant Living in Parbold! There was a second competition in the same issue – this one for a year’s free lawn treatments from Lawnmaster. The lucky winner on this occasion was Melanie Reardon from Moorfield Lane in Scarisbrick, and Melanie is pictured with Gary Robertson from Lawnmaster.

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Money & Investments - by David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP)

Avoiding Investment Mistakes In Retirement Do you manage your own investments and have you been happy with their performance? Whilst investors have endured a roller coaster ride over the last few years the investment fundamentals have remained unchanged. There are a number of common errors that investors make and therefore I thought it useful to familiarise Local Life readers with just a few of the mistakes that investors often make when attempting to manage their money. Time Horizons How long do you think you will live? Usually investors are far too conservative which can be a problem when planning their futures. With medical treatment becoming far more effective most people are now living far longer than they imagine they will. Clearly the danger is that funds will be depleted before their lives are over. It is important to have a sound financial strategy that will provide stability and provide income needs throughout ones life.

Investment Objectives and Portfolio Strategy Aligning your objectives with your portfolio strategy is critical to determining your long term investment success. A common error is misjudging risk .Generally, the longer the investment time horizon, the more risk one is able to take on. Too many investors focus on short term volatility rather than long term probabilities of achieving their objectives. Those with a short time horizon objective that overly expose themselves to risk can create a real danger of asset loss during a short term period of volatility which can put their entire financial future in jeopardy. Overlooking Unintended Risk Factors Managing a diversified portfolio of assets can be fraught with hidden risks. Too often portfolios are overexposed to certain risk factors that were never

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properly recognised. Unintended concentration produces excess risk. This exposes a portfolio to larger fluctuations and the possibility of accelerated losses. Factors such as sector, country, currency all play a roll in a sensibly diversified portfolio. Quite often two different securities that “on the face of it” appear different can have similar correlation and consequently market factors such as interest rate movements or commodity price changes can affect both holdings in the same way. Too high a concentration of any of these can expose your assets to risks you never intended Ignoring Global Markets As a result of globalisation there are a significant number of investment opportunities to take advantage of. Try not to make the common mistake of sticking to the domestic market. If you suffer from a home country bias(even with diversification across different sectors) the returns are still in part linked to the overall

economic performance and political climate of the home country. Geographical diversification is a key part to building a well constructed portfolio that will grow your assets. Investing abroad can help strengthen your portfolio by creating a larger pool of opportunities from which to find worthy investments. Over Confidence It is only natural to experience emotional fluctuations as you watch the ups and downs of the market each day, after all it’s your financial future. This can cloud judgement and hamper the ability to make rational decisions. Many investors focus on their successes and forget the mistakes they have made. Creating these barriers that block mistakes and over exaggerate success can build an air of over confidence. This may lead to taking on excessive portfolio risk. That is why it is vital to create an environment that is detached from emotion, one that relies on data and impartial analysis to make the right decisions for your financial future. Have you made any of these mistakes? It is very difficult to avoid all of the investment pitfalls – even for the most experienced of investors. Many investors simply do not have the time or resource to process the vast amount of data available and then to apply it to their personal investment requirement. If you need help please do not hesitate to give us a call. The value of investment and the income from them can fluctuate which may result in clients receiving less than initially invested. Past performance should not be seen as an indication to future returns

Choosing a financial partner maybe the most important decision you’ll ever make. • Investment and Pension Reviews • Portfolio Management • Annuity Advice • Inheritance Tax/Estate Planning Advice • Trustee Investment Guidance

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Money Saving - by Martin Lewis

Motoring The cost of running a new car, not counting the purchase price, is nearly £4,000 a year – and older cars aren’t too far behind. It’s easily the second biggest cost in your life after the mortgage or the rent. Here are my 10 tricks to save motorists, bikers and van driver’s big bucks. 1. Private parking firms can’t fine you Tickets at supermarkets or private car parks may be disguised to look like fines. But, in reality, they’re just invoices, a claim you broke a contract with the landowner. Like any invoice, if it’s genuinely unfair, explain why and tell them you won’t be paying. The only way they can enforce it is by going to court. If that does happen (often it doesn’t), then a judge can decide. Full help and template letters at www.mse.me/ privateparking. 2. Get 3% cashback at petrol stations The Santander 123 credit card pays 3% back on petrol spending (max £9 a month back), 2% in department stores and 1% in supermarkets. It has a £2/month fee, but that’s easily covered for heavy drivers. Yet only do it if you’ll set up a direct debit to repay it in full each month. 3. Insurance Comparisons First combine comparison sites, as different sites search

different insurers. To get the most quotes in the least time, use a few at once (do in multiple windows). For most people, www.moneysupermarket.com and www. tescocompare.com should do the trick. Then add www. aviva.co.uk and www.directline.com, two major players they miss. If you’ve more than one car, add Admiral Multicar (www.admiral.com). 4. Named Drivers Young drivers can pay astronomical rates. Adding a safe second driver can slash price. As one 20-year-old tweeted me: “£1,600+ on my own, £550 with two named drivers.” If that’s still too costly, you can get incar ‘black box’ tracking from the likes of coverbox.co.uk, co-operativeinsurance.co.uk and ikubeinsurance.com. With these, you either pay per mile or based on how and when you drive. Full help at www.mse.me/youngcar. 5. Third party or Fully Comp? Most who want dirt cheap insurance choose third party. Counter-logically, comprehensive can be cheaper for some, as opting for it can statistically indicate to insurers you’re a lower risk, and that can outweigh the fact it’s better cover. There’s no hard and fast rule, so do check both. 6. Has your licence photo expired? Photo-card driving licences started in 1998, and while the licence itself may be valid, the photo needs renewing every 10 years. Those driving on expired cards risk a £1,000 fine - the update costs £20. Urgently check the end date (section 4b) and if expired, sort it.

Each month, Martin will be writing a feature for Local Life - advising our readers how to save thousands of pounds every year! Don’t miss it! Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, is an award-winning campaigning TV & radio presenter, newspaper columnist and a best-selling author. An ultra-specialised journalist, focusing on cutting bills without cutting back, he runs and founded the UK’s biggest money site, www.moneysavingexpert.com with 13 million monthly users.

Get Martin’s FREE tips and money-off vouchers emailed directly to you each week by signing up to www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips

too. They need an additional table for the Hut and they also want to install a large screen for presentations, so the £150 will help towards funding these items. Mawdesley Millennium Green is the green heart of Mawdesley village. The five acres of fields, play areas, skate park and wooden coppices are used daily by walkers, nature lovers, children and picnickers, and village events are hosted there too. A committed group of volunteers from the village work hard on the upkeep of the area - our £150 will go towards a picnic bench.

Cash Giveaway! Though it’s only been published in this area for nine months, Local Life celebrates its 5th birthday in May. The publishing company launched their first title in Wigan from a back bedroom back in 2008, launched a second title into St Helens title in 2010 and the West Lancashire titles were launched last Autumn. Local Life have been busy in the last few weeks handing out £1200 worth of grants to local community groups. Each of the eight groups received £150, and two of these groups are based in the local area. Parbold Scouts and Guides helped raise a remarkable £120,000 in 5 years to fund their new headquarters - the Hut on the Hill. Over 300 young people use the facility each week, along with many other community groups

The other six groups to receive £150 each from the Local Life pot were; Book-Cycle, Rainford Parish Hall, Shevington & District Community Fete, Newton Community Centre, Billinge & Orrell Transition Group and the Rainhill Gala.

Newburgh Cricket Club Would your child like to play cricket for Newburgh Cricket Club? They are looking for boy and girls from Year 4 and upwards to join their friendly club. It doesn’t matter if your son or daughter hasn’t played before as full coaching is available. You can pop down and meet the team and join in their outdoor nets session every Saturday morning. They can be found from 10.30am12.30pm at the Newburgh Sports Club on Cobbs Brow Lane - for more information please contact Andy Coomber on 07846 172328.

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Early Birds Have you ever wondered what the dawn chorus sounded like? The Martin Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough is hosting two Early Bird walks round the popular nature reserve. The walks take place on Saturday 18th May and Saturday 22nd June, but you’ll need to set your alarm early because the walks start at 5.30am! This is a great opportunity for amateur photographers to capture wildlife at dawn, when the nature reserve comes to life.

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Places are limited and if you are interested in an Early Birds walk, you must book in advance. The cost is £18 per person and the price includes a full English breakfast at 9.30am. To secure your place, call 01704 895181 and mention the Early Birds walks.

Ormskirk Christadelphians .org.uk

Christadelphian Hall, Moorgate, Ormskirk.

May’s Sunday Bible talks at 1:45pm “What the Bible says about...” 5th

…World Peace

12th

…A Guide to Life

19th

…Pentecost

26th

…How to Find Peace of Mind

Got a question about the Bible? Then come and “Ask Your BIG Questions” the first Saturday of the month 10:00am -12:00pm

Wordsearch Sudoku

Puzzle Corner

Guess where? Photo ÂŠ George Birtill Collection. Acknowledgments to the Chorley Guardian. Answers are on page 53 of this magazine

Almond Blossom Amaryllis Aster Azalea Begonia Bluebell Busy Lizzie Buttercup Camellia Carnation Cherry Blossom Chrysanthemum Cornflower Cosmos Crocus

Daffodil Dahlia Daisy Dandelion Delphinium Edelweiss Foxglove Gentian Geranium Gerbera Hellebore Hollyhock Iris Lavender Marigold

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Orchid Pansy Peony Petunia Poppy Primrose Rhododendron Rose Snow Drop Sunflower Sweet William Tulip Violet

First & Last - by Nicola Gray

Rosie Cooper MP Rosie was born in 1950 in Liverpool, the eldest child of deaf parents; she spent much of her young life fighting to make her parents voices heard. Her political career has very much been shaped by her experiences as a child of deaf parents – she even went on to become a Director of the Merseyside Centre for the Deaf. She attended the Holy Name Catholic Primary School and Bellerive Convent Grammar School before moving on to the University of Liverpool. She originally worked for a local company W. Cooper Ltd before joining Littlewoods as a management trainee in the buying division in 1980 where she remained for 21 years; rising through the ranks to become Group Corporate Communications Manager. Rosie has actively been involved in Politics since the age of 16 becoming a Liberal Councillor for Broadgreen in 1973. She joined the Labour Party in 1999 and was elected on the 5th May 2005 as the Labour MP for West Lancashire.

First school you attended This would be Holy Name Catholic Primary School in Fazakerley, Liverpool. I enjoyed school, especially the maths sessions. My favourite part of the day was looking through the railings and seeing my mum outside school waiting to collect me. First job you had My first job was working in Aspinwall’s Wallpaper Shop in Old Swan. I did a full day’s work for 10 shillings – just 50p in new money. I enjoyed being allowed to use a machine to mix Dulux paint, creating wonderful colours from the paint chart; I’m not sure people always got quite the colour they wanted! First car you bought It was a Fiat 850. Whilst the car used to take me out, far too often I would have to bring it home! It was a complete nightmare. Once I nearly knocked a policeman over who was helping me as we pushed the car home. The car didn’t like the snow and didn’t like the cold; so it lasted six months until I had the money for a new car. First pub or club Growing up in Liverpool in the 1960s the easiest and obvious answer would be the Cavern Club. Not for me, it was McNaughton’s in Waterfoot, County Antrim in Northern Ireland. Every summer my family would spend the long school holidays in the beautiful countryside visiting family. I was there when Irish terrorists came to the pub looking for a senior Irish politician who was actually staying in a neighbouring house - they went away empty handed! First record you bought I bought three LP’s via mail order but can only remember two of them. One was West Side Story and the other was Elvis Presley’s G.I. Blues. It was the start of me being a massive Elvis fan. Only problem was that I didn’t have a record player at the time – I waited 4

months before getting a record player for my birthday. First best friend My first best friend remains one of my best friends to this day. Her name is Margaret and we met at secondary school. She now lives in Lancaster and we still see each other regularly. As much as I was an Elvis fan, she was a Cliff Richard fan and dragged me to watch Cliff’s films; I can remember Summer Holiday even now! Last restaurant you visited The Hop Vine Pub in Burscough was the last place I visited. If anyone is nostalgic for the hustle and bustle of a village pub that offers great food this is the place. During my time as Liverpool Councillor, I always enjoyed China Town, especially after late night council meetings. Last DIY task attempted My dad was a plasterer by trade, but growing up he did all the jobs in the house. So over the years he allowed me to help and learn all the tricks of the trade except plumbing and electrics. My problem is I want to do any DIY job to perfection so it takes me too long. The last task I completed was hanging some pictures. Last film you watched Les Miserables at the cinema. I am a huge fan of the West End musical and I was concerned that the film would not live up to the spectacle of the stage show but it did. The film was absolutely magnificent. Last disagreement you had Most of the disagreements I have are now in Parliament during debates or in the Health Select Committee. I had plenty with Andrew Lansley when he was Secretary of State for Health.

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Last time you went shopping It was the weekly household food shop at Asda in Skelmersdale straight after I had finished my weekly advice surgery. I must admit that I am more of a functional shopper than a recreational shopper. Last sporting event you attended I attended the Wimbledon Women’s semi-final day. Tennis has always been my favourite sport to play and watch. I’ve had the privilege to play doubles with Billie Jean King and Rosie Casals – one of the greatest doubles teams in women’s tennis history. So to be at Wimbledon to watch players like Serena Williams and Radwanska was fantastic.

The Demise of Legal Aid

Alexandra Fowler Ll.B. Partner Call: 01695 574 201 email: ajfowler@dphlaw.co.uk

April 2013 heralds a new era and many people are not even aware of it. The recession and the resulting

My ﬁrm, Dickinson Parker Hill Solicitors, has taken the decision to offer a ﬁxed fee half hour interview

government cutbacks will mean that from April this year legal aid will not be available to most people in relation to family law matters such as divorce or unmarried separation & disputes regarding children.

for £30 plus vat (£36 in total) to enable clients to get affordable access to a solicitor when they need it most.

Legal aid will only be available in very limited

I may not be able to offer much more than preliminary advice at that appointment – but hopefully I can point

circumstances and subject to stringent conditions and criteria which will leave many people without access to justice at a time when they probably need the

you in the right direction and give you some indication about what you should consider doing (perhaps pointing out things that you hadn’t even realised you

most help. The only exceptions to the new rules will be if you are the victim of relatively recent domestic violence at the hands of your ex-partner and even

needed to know), what your options are and how much it might cost you.

then proof will have to be given of that violence before legal aid will be granted to you.

We can even discuss payment plans, allowing you to budget for your case.

As a result of the changes being brought in, many ﬁrms across the region will not be offering legal aid services to clients. The limited availability of legal aid

Don’t be in the dark – get the right advice for you!

and the viability of the new arrangements have left solicitors with little choice but to follow this course

To arrange an appointment call Alex Fowler on 01695 574 201 or email her at ajfowler@dphlaw.co.uk.

of action. This may mean that many people will now feel they do not have access to expert legal advice in relation to family law matters at one of the most difﬁcult times of their lives. My name is Mrs Alexandra Fowler and I have been proud to offer legal aid services throughout my career and it saddens me greatly to see so many people now being unable to obtain legal advice, at what is often the most stressful period of their lives.

Dickinson Parker Hill Solicitors 22 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39 2BZ Telephone: 01695 574201 www.dphlaw.co.uk

Recipe of the month

Watercress and Pea Soup

Serves: 4 Preparation: 25 minutes Cooking: 10 minutes

Method Heat half of the butter in a frying pan over a medium heat. Add the shallot, garlic and fry gently until softened - about 3-4 minutes. Add the watercress, peas, parsley and hot stock or water, bring the mixture to the boil, then reduce the heat until the mixture is simmering and continue to simmer for three minutes, or until the peas are bright green and just tender. Pour in the cream then blend thoroughly using a hand-held blender. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper, then stir in the remaining butter until melted. Divide the soup equally among four serving bowls and garnish with baby watercress. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil. Serve immediately.

Ingredients • 100g/3½oz flat leaf parsley • 400g/14oz fresh watercress • 50g/2oz butter • 1 shallot, peeled, chopped • 2-3 garlic cloves, peeled, chopped • 400g/14oz frozen peas • 1 litre/1¾ pints hot vegetable stock • 100ml/3½fl oz double cream • Salt and freshly ground black pepper

To Garnish • Handful baby watercress • Drizzle of olive oil

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What’s On in the North West The Royal Beer Festival

Light Night Festival

The 3rd Annual Royal Beer Festival held at Mere Brow Village Hall is on the May Day Bank Holiday Weekend with over 30 real ales and ciders and live entertainment. Organised by The Rotary Club of Southport Links, all profits go to charity.

Light Night is Liverpool’s annual one-night arts and culture festival - over 50 city centre galleries, museums and venues open until late, staging around 100 special cultural events for visitors of all ages. Visitors can also look forward to spectacular light projections, street theatre, and a vibrant myriad of walking tours, open studios, live music, hands-on workshops and much more.

Friday 3rd May - Sunday 5th May (Fri 4pm – 11pm, Sat & Sun 12pm – 11pm) Cost: £5 (includes a programme and souvenir glass) Details: 07798 873737 / www.royalbeerfestival.co.uk Where: PR4 6JX When:

Tudor May Day Festival Join us for a May Day Festival including a range of Tudor inspired activities at Speke Hall. Have a go at archery, candle making, coin striking, quill writing, and other activities, make something to take home or browse a range of authentic stalls selling all manner of Tudor treats!

When: Sunday 5th - Monday 6th May (12noon-4pm) Cost: Normal admission applies Details: 0151 427 7231 www.nationaltrust.org.uk/spekehall Where: L24 1XD

Morpheus Glass Open Studio At the open studio sale weekend at Morpheus Glass in Orrell there will be a wide range of pieces on show and many items will have up to 70% off. In addition, all orders placed on the weekend will receive 30% off the normal RRP. All their work is handmade by glass designer Stephanie Bowen at the studio and pieces can be made to order to suit any space including splashbacks. When: Cost: Details: Where:

Saturday 11th & Sunday 12th May (10am – 4pm) Free 01695 624182 / www.morpheusglass.co.uk WN5 7XB

When: Cost: Details: Where:

Friday 17th May (4pm til late) Free www.lightnightliverpool.co.uk Liverpool City Centre

Walking With Dinosaurs

After a worldwide tour seen by over 7 million people in 206 cities, the stunning theatrical event is back! Internationally renowned designers have worked with scientists to create 20 life-size dinosaurs, including the terror of ancient terrain, Tyrannosaurus-Rex! Watch them walk! Hear them roar! Weds 22nd May - Sun 26th May (11am, 3pm & 7pm) Cost: £25, £35 & £45 Details: 0844 8000 400 / www.echoarena.com Where: L3 4FP When:

Great British Food Festival The Great British Food Festival is being held at Walton Hall and Gardens, near Warrington. With live music, chef demos, cake-offs and lots of local producers, foodie types out there will have a fantastic time! When: Cost: Details: Where:

Sun 26th-Mon 27th May (10.30am – 5pm) £4 www.greatbritishfoodfestival.com WA4 6SN

Southport Food & Drink Festival

The Northern Home Show

The Southport Food and Drink Festival at Victoria Park has an abundance of fresh produce, a wealth of local restaurants, plenty of drink, plus a selection of the region’s finest chefs demonstrating their kitchen skills. When:

If you’re interested in inspirational design ideas and the latest products and services for the home then look no further than the Northern Home Show at EventCity near the Trafford Centre. The Show features free seminars, live demonstrations and advice from the experts.

Southport Country Fair

Cheshire County Show

This popular family event moves to a new home at the Leisure Lakes at Mere Brow. In previous years, attractions

Cheshire County Show celebrates its 175th anniversary with another action-packed event. With its rural theme, the main focus of the show will once again be livestock, horses and dogs in competition. There will be a Countryside Experience Area where the public will pursuits such as falconry and ferreting. Visitors will also be able to sample to culinary delights and see demos at the Food Hall.

Fri 31st May – Sun 2nd June (11am – 6pm, Fri 12pm-6pm) Cost: Free Details: 01704 533333 Where: PR8 2BZ

When: Cost: Details: Where:

Fri 14th June - Sun 16th June (10am - 5pm) £8 per person (Under 16 free) www.northernhomeshow.co.uk M41 7TB

When: Tues 18th June - Weds 19th June (8am-6pm) Cost: Adult £17, OAP £14, Children £8 Details: 01565 650200 www.cheshirecountyshow.org.uk Where: WA16 0HJ

Wigan Festival of Transport This new festival, which is held at the DW Stadium site in Wigan, will include a range of vehicles on static display, including classic, vintage and commercial vehicles, fire

and displays have included: alpacas, archery, paintballing range, bug house, dedicated dog arena with shows and agility demonstrations, donkey show and rides, falconry, ferrets, gun dog displays, gymnastics, homing pigeons, honey bees, horse logging and much more. When: Cost: Details: Where:

Fri 31st May - Sun 2nd June ( 10am-5.30pm) Adults £5, Child £1 01704 212734 / www.garden-festivals.com PR4 6JX

Chorley Carnival After 20 years Chorley Carnival is back for 2013 at Astley Park with a fun filled weekend for the whole family. There will be a carnival procession, arena entertainment, marching bands, Morris Dancers, a dog show; also it’s a Knockout, a Fun Fair, a Craft Fair and so much more. Great laughs for all! When: Fri 7th June - Sun 9th June Details: www.chorleycarnival.com Where: PR7 1NP

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engines, military trucks, and a variety of specialist car clubs and trade stalls. There’s also a craft fair, a traditional fun fair, and a model engineers’ tent too. When: Cost: Details: Where:

Sat 22nd June - Sun 23rd June Adult £4, Children £2 01942 496855 / www.festivaloftransport.co.uk WN5 0UH

Jack’s Tracks

Rainford & Mossborough Hall When it comes to walking, Rainford offers a totally different character to its near-neighbour Billinge. Where Billinge offers hills and views for miles around, Rainford is the gateway to the Lancashire Plain; expanses of flat agricultural acreage stretching as far as the eye can see. The six mile walk detailed here is perfect for a summer’s day; the aspect is flat and open, but a multitude of trees in certain areas will provide some cover and shade. En route, you’ll find a picnic area, a nature reserve, a farm with a tea shop, and if you time it well, you’ll be able to have a well-earned rest whilst watching the cricket, the quintessential village game in a delightful setting of a traditional English village. Enjoy!

Old Lane to Sidings Lane Park up on Old Lane in Rainford. On the right hand side of Helen Bank Drive, next to the bus stop, you take a path up some steps to join Rainford Linear Park. You’re now heading north out of the village towards Rainford Junction on what is an old railway embankment, and you’ll have a great bird’s eye view of the surrounding countryside. After approximately 450 yards into the walk, you’ll start heading downhill. On the left hand side, you’ll see a red bin for dog waste; turn left at this point and then take the immediate path to the right. Follow the path over the stream and through the metal stile. When you get to the end of the pathway, turn left and walk about 20 yards until you reach a green metal gate, with Junction Road lying on the other side of the

gate. Go through the opening onto Junction Road and then turn right. Pass the white cottage on the right, and then go past the modern brick wall on the left. When the brick wall ends, don’t follow the curve of the driveway up to 95 Junction Lane, but instead carry straight on in the same direction, leaving tarmac and going onto the grass footpath. About 100 yards further on you’ll come to a junction; take a right turn up a grassy track with barbed wire fences on both sides – you should see a bridge in the distance. After 350 yards, you’ll cross the bridge, which takes you over the railway line, and you can see Rainford Junction station in the distance on the right. Less than 100 yards later, you’ll come to a crossroads of paths; turn left and head down a track which is Red Delph Lane. When you get to the bottom of Red Delph Lane, cross over the slip road and then cross over the two lanes of the Rainford Bypass taking great care as you go. Siding Lane is almost directly opposite, so take a turn down there. Siding Lane to Dairy Farm Road Walk down Siding Lane for 250 yards, cross the stream and you are now in Siding Lane Nature Reserve. The Ranger Centre is on the left with toilets and car parking; go straight past this, and also ignore a footpath on the left. Once you have reached the end of that road, you’ll see a white farmhouse on the right hand side with a driveway heading to it, there is a pathway straight ahead with a yellow gate and a pathway on the left with a green gate, go through the green gate. After about 50 yards you’ll reach a large picnic area with seating. Turn right and keep on the right hand side heading towards the bottom right hand corner of the picnic area. Once you’ve reached the corner, take a downward path that dips towards the fishing lake for a few yards; then take the path on the left heading directly away from the pond.

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Follow the path that meanders its way through the woods. Once you have passed the mobile phone mast on the left, about 50 yards further on there is a turning to the left. Take this turn and head up the embankment towards the railway line. Cross the railway taking great care, closing the gates behind you. When you get to the other side of the railway, follow the footpath running diagonally towards the woods in the distance. Aside from the woods, you’ll note that the landscape has changed to huge open expanses of space, so if it is a windy day, you’ll start to feel the chill about now! Once you’ve reached the woods, keep to the track and follow this down the right hand side of the woods until you reach Dairy Farm Road. Dairy Farm Road – Moor Game House Ignore the footpath sign opposite and turn right down Dairy Farm Road. Walk down this quiet concrete path for ¾ of a mile, passing the Mosspark industrial site, which was formerly the site of a War Department Depot and a munitions storage base. The condition of the path gradually worsens the further down the path you go, and once you’ve reached the end of the Dairy Farm Road there’s again a crosssroads of paths.

Turn left onto Coach Road. This is a ruler-straight single track road that runs from Knowsley Hall all the way up to Bickerstaffe, probably built in the early 1900’s when Lord Derby owned all the surrounding land. The views around you probably haven’t changed much since then; this is a desolate spot soaked with almost eerily quietness. You follow Coach Road for just over ½ a mile and just after the bench on the right and just before the farm on the right, take a left turn. You’ll then walk approximately 600 yards down a track, with fantastic views of Rainford and Winter Hill on the left, until you reach another crossroads of tracks; take a 90 degree left turn at this point, heading towards a

Mossborough Hall Mossborough Hall, then called Rainsford Hall, was built in 1300 and soon after, Sir Robert de Lathom, who was the lord of the manor of Rainford, gave his brother Thomas the house and nearby lands. The Lathom family continued to live in the moated hall for a further three centuries, but during the religious conflicts of the 16th century Henry Lathom, a staunch Roman Catholic, was persecuted for his religious beliefs and imprisoned at Lancaster. Mossborough was eventually inherited by Frances, the great grand-daughter of Henry and when she married Robert Molyneux of Melling in 1664, the estate passed into the Molyneux family. The hall was destroyed by fire in 1700 and then renovated in 1703 by Robert Molyneux, the son of Frances and Robert. The estate was passed down to the Blount family in 1752, and it was then sold to the Earl of Derby in 1786, whose descendants have owned it to the present day. Mossborough Hall is now the base for James Heyes & Sons, who specialise in green waste recycling.

small wood, and follow the track for approximately 500 yards down the left hand side of the wood, which is known as Clare’s Moss Plantation. Once you reach the end of the wood, the path bear right; follow that path for a further 425 yards. The house in the distance on the right is Moor Game Farm. Moor Game House – Old Lane Once you’re close to Moor Game House, the track forks. Take the left fork and follow the track for a further ½ a mile until you reach the Rainford by-pass. If you’re fancying some refreshments at this point, then Lavender Farm (Inglenook Farm) is just a few yards away, but if not then cross the by-pass with great care, turn right and take the immediate left down Moss Nook Lane. As Moss Nook Lane swerves to the right, take the foot path that is straight ahead – heading towards Rainford Parish Church. At the end of that path cross the bridge over the stream and follow the path, with the cricket ground on the left and the football pitches on the right. After 300 yards, you’ll pass Rainford Parish Church on your right hand side and then that path will eventually bring you out in the Golden Lion car park on Church Road. Turn left down Church Road and when you get to the mini roundabout turn right into Cross Pit Lane. After 60 yards or so, turn left into a road called The Spinney; once you get down to the bottom of that road, follow the footpath on the left hand side, which leads into Rainford Linear Park. The path forks a bit further on - take the smaller path to the left and after 400 yards, you’ll arrive at your starting point on Old Lane. Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

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Competition

Calling all Adventurers! Experience the North West’s wildest day out this summer with a trip to family favourite, Knowsley Safari! We’ve got three family tickets to Knowsley Safari worth £53 each to give away! Simply complete the crossword on the right hand side on return to; Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8 – Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB. Or email your answers, along with your name, address and contact number to crossword@ locallife247.co.uk. The closing date is 31st May 2013 and the winner’s details will be published in the July/August issue of Local Life. Kick off your day at Knowsley with a tour of the 550-acre Safari Drive and get acquainted with over 700 wild animals, from baboons to camels, lions and tigers, all from the comfort of your own car. Try and spot the Park’s

newest arrivals finding their feet – lion cubs Willow and Poppy, and rhino calves Njiri, Thabo and Nonu. Whether up close in your own car, on the Baboon Bus* or by taking the car friendly route, you’ll get a great view of the monkey madness; the boisterous baboons that have become Knowsley’s trademark. The fun doesn’t end with the Safari Drive. This is an all-day destination – in the Walkaround Area, you can take a walk on the dark side through the Bat Forest – a

5 star home from home for 100 Egyptian fruit bats, or marvel at the birds of prey. The ‘beak to face’ Birds of Prey Experience includes vulture feeding, and amazing flying displays. Anything could happen as they swoop and dive just inches above your head!

As well as the exotic animals that make Knowsley their home, at the park you can also see an array of native British wildlife. Ten species of waterfowl nest around the park’s Mizzy Lake; kestrels and buzzards can be spotted in the woodland and with a bit of patience, brown hares, stoats, weasels and squirrels can also be spotted. There is a long history of keeping animals on the Knowsley estate. In the 19th century Edward, the 13th Earl of Derby, kept one of the largest private menageries in the world with 90 species of mammals and 300 species of birds! As part of Knowsley’s commitment to conservation, today’s keepers are on hand to talk about the work undertaken to protect the many species at the Park, and the daily care that they give the animals. If you’ve got any questions; just ask. *Additional Cost Location: Knowsley Safari Prescot, Merseyside, L34 4AN Details:

www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk

Knowsley Safari Park is close to the national motorway network. Leave the M62 at junction six then leave the M57 at junction two and follow the brown Safari Park signs. Price:

Adults £16, children £12, under 3s FOC

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You can get up close and personal at the Giraffe Tower and the Elephant Platform, you can watch the sea lions splash about, get acquainted with the family of meerkats, or bravely venture into the Bug House. And new for 2013 is the Equatorial Trail, our train takes you on a journey to see some animals adapted for life in wet environments.

Across 2. Be brave and go through the _ Forest! 4. New lion cub at Knowsley 6. New rhino calve at Knowsley Down 1. Owner of Knowsley, the Earl of _ 3. 2013 new attraction, Equitorial _ 5. Splash about with the Sea _ Name .............................................................................................................................. Address ........................................................................................................................... .............................................................................. Post Code ........................................ Phone ............................................................................................................................. Email ..............................................................................................................................

Crossword Competition Rules 1. Only one entry per household 2. Entrants must be over 16 years of age 3. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date. 4. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed or damaged in the post. 5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition. Local Life 247 Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act and abides by the guidelines of the act. We will never sell or pass your data to any third party company. However, we would like to contact you occasionally by email with news of great local offers and also to check our magazine distribution in your area. If this is acceptable to you, please tick this box.

Garden Diary - by Angie Barker

Three steps to a revived garden

Award Winner

Having endured a long cold spring, our gardens may be in need of some quick fixes to help them get back to looking at their best. When you don’t have much time (and let’s face it who does these days) there are some things you can do which will instantly lift your garden and make you want to get out there and enjoy it. Here are my three top tips: Weed and mulch your borders - It is amazing how mulching with compost or bark chippings can instantly lift borders and set emerging plants off to a tee. It will give the garden a fresh and clean look as well as helping to retain moisture in the soil, keep weeds at bay and improve the soil structure – a real quick fix with instant gratification. Colour - After such a long wait for some warm weather, what gardens are crying out for is colour. Places like B&Q and some supermarkets sell pots already made up with colourful plants which will keep flowering for weeks if kept watered. Placing these by the front door or on your patio will give an instant summery feel to your garden. (Just be aware that some plants may not be hardy so watch out for frosty nights).

Give these quick fixes a try and see what a difference you can make to your garden.

Lift your lawn - This is probably your last chance to give the lawn a spring weed and feed. It can make a huge difference and cleaning up lawn edges which meet borders and paths also makes an instant improvement.

I couldn’t let this month go by without letting you know that having endured 25 years of marriage, Hubby is whisking me off on a trip of a lifetime. We are going on the Orient Express to Paris. How lovely. I’m a very lucky lady – and Hubby agrees!

Angie is a qualified award-winning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.

Call her now for your free consultation! Author: Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk

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