Local Life - St Helens - Nov/Dec 2021 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife 1

St Helens Edition

Nov/Dec 2021

WIN a Lancashire Day hamper!

Pages 60-61

Christmas Markets Pages 19-22

Panto Special Pages 44-45

Street Pastors to Return Page 56-57

Jack’s Tracks visits Pendle Hill Pages 65-68

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ou’ll notice a definite Lancashire bias in Local Life this month. To celebrate Lancashire Day on November 27th, we’ve included a Jack’s Tracks from Pendle Hill, a feature on the nearby sculpture trail which marks a link with an infamous ex-Windle resident - and we are also giving a lucky reader the chance to win a hamper stuffed with Lancashire produce. Forty-seven years after St Helens was dragged out of the county, many of us still doff our flat caps to Lancashire. In my view, we have the best of many worlds; the metropolises of Liverpool and Manchester are wonderful places to visit and easily reachable too, but a quick trip up the M6 brings Lancashire in all its glory. I saw a Yorkshire tourist board poster recently, that had been cheekily doctored by their Lancashire counterparts. With a scenic countryside view as a backdrop, the text read: Lancashire. It’s like Yorkshire, only nicer.

Order your Christmas flowers, pots, wreaths and table arrangements. Freshly made for you at our Rainford shop.

Happy Lancashire Day!

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

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This month’s highlights

Contents

19. Six of the Best Christmas Markets

28. Education Schools and the pandemic.

32. Parenting Tutoring - what to consider.

36. Health Six tips for a healthy winter.

69. Food Christmas Mincemeat Slice recipe.

44. Panto - it’s Back!

48. Rug for Every Room

70. Gardening Winter Hanging Baskets.

72. Motoring Eco-friendly advancements.

74. Home & Garden Services Find the best local traders for you.

77. Crossword Try this brainteaser for size!

65. Jack’s Tracks to Pendle Hill

50. Turkey Burgers

60. Hamper Comp

Next Issue - Jan/Feb 2022

Advertising deadline - 8th December Published - 20th January

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01744 649722 www.locallife247.co.uk

Brass is Back When St Helens Sinfonietta last welcomed Cobalt Brass in January 2020, the audience went away impressed with this quintet of young, Manchester-based musicians who played a varied range of music for everyone. The group returns to the United Reformed Church in Ormskirk Street next month and they will again be performing an eclectic programme of pieces, with a few seasonal favourites thrown in for good measure. The concert takes place on Saturday 5th December. The doors open at 5.20pm, and the concert starts at 6pm. To book tickets visit www.sthelenssinfonietta.co.uk.

Star Film Rainford Community Cinema are showing the heartwarming animated 2017 film ‘The Star’ next month. Voiced by some impressive Hollywood glitterati including Mariah Carey, Oprah Winfrey, and Kelly Clarkson, The Star tells the story of a time when a small but brave donkey and his animal friends become the unsung heroes of the first Christmas.

‘The Star’ is showing at Rainford Village Hall on Church Road in Rainford on Sunday 12th December at 3.30pm, and the doors will open at 2.30pm. Tickets are £5 and will include a drink and a snack. Email office@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk or phone 01744 884709 to book your tickets.

Business Fair Returns St Helens Chamber Business Fair returns on Wednesday 17th November at the Totally Wicked Stadium, home of the Saints. With a wide range of businesses exhibiting, the event is sure to attract a multitude of visitors. Whether you’re an existing business looking to develop, a business in the early stages, or are thinking of starting your own business – you will find something of interest at this networking show. The event runs from 10.30am-3.30pm and entry is free. You can register for a free ticket here; https://www. sthelenschamber.com/business/st-helens-business-fair/ For more information on exhibiting at the St Helens Chamber Business Fair, contact the Events Team on 01744 742028 or email events@sthelenschamber.com.

the auction centre The leading Auctioneers and Valuers

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Wigan Valuation Days

4th Wednesday of Every Month St Thomas Church, Peter Street, WA10 2EB 9.30 – 12 noon Check website for Details Call 01744 881 477 for more information

2nd Tuesday Of Every Month Purposed Life Church, Greenhough Street, WN1 3SU 12 noon – 2.30pm Check website for Details Call 01942 299 057 for more information

9 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ Telephone: 01928 579796 Email: enquiries@theauctioncentre.co.uk

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Dolittle Musical Rainhill’s Musical Theatre Youth Section are staging their latest production from Friday 12th to Sunday 14th November at Rainhill Village Hall. Dr Dolittle – The Musical tells the classic tale of a kind but wacky doctor who can talk to animals, taking the audience on a journey from the small English village of Puddleby-on-the-Marsh to the far corners of the world. When Doctor Dolittle attempts to help a seal named Sophie, he’s wrongly accused of murder and stands trial before General Bellowes. Once pronounced innocent, Dolittle is free to continue with his search for the Great Pink Sea Snail — the oldest and wisest of the creatures on earth. Tickets are £10 for adults and £7 for children. To book tickets for the shows, visit www.ticketsource.co.uk/ rainhillmtc or call 07399 031655.

Winter Ball The Totally Wicked Stadium will host a winter ball on Saturday, November 20, to raise much needed funds for the South Lancashire branch of the Motor Neurone Disease Association. The event will run from 7pm till late and promises to be a night filled with glitz and glamour; you can look forward to a 3-course meal, live entertainment, a charity auction, lots of fundraising fun and even more laughs from compere and comedian, Pete Emmett. Tickets cost £50 per person or £450 for a table of 10. To book your tickets for this event please email Cris at mndfundraisingsouthlancs@gmail.com or call 07590 266849.

Willowbrook Fundraiser St Mary’s Club in Billinge are hosting their annual fundraiser for the Willowbrook Hospice on Saturday, November 20. The evening will kick off with live music, a disco, hot supper followed by entertainment from James Norton, the sensational Neil Diamond tribute. Tickets are £10 per person and are available to buy from the club on Trent Road. For more information, please contact the club on 01774 892836 or go online at www. stmarysclub-billinge.co.uk

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Christmas Market

Volunteers Needed

The Billinge Christmas Market will take place at The Masons Arms on Carr Mill Road on Sunday 5th December between the hours of 12pm and 4pm, and there’s a whole lot planned for this event!

Willowbrook Hospice are seeking volunteers to help in their retail stores throughout the St Helens and Knowsley areas. Volunteers are needed on most days at St Mary’s Arcade in the town centre, at Four Acre Lane and at Prescot Shopping Centre, whilst their Stockbridge Village shop needs volunteers on Saturday and their Rainford shop needs help on Monday mornings.

You’ll be able to buy local produce and Christmas presents there. The stallholders include numerous local arts and crafts designers/makers, local travel agents Marken Travel, Greenslate Farm, animal rescue charities and cosmetic stalls too. Food will be available from Steve’s Soul Food Kitchen and the wonderful Phoenix plant-based eatery. The market will be opened by St Helens Mayoress, Cllr Sue Murphy and the market will be raising money for the Mayor’s Charity, which supports Alder Hey and the Helen Marie Friends charity, MIND St Helens and Willowbrook Hospice. Father Christmas will also be making an appearance at the Market. If you’d like to book space at the Market or you’d like to donate goods to be used for a tombola to raise money for the charities supported by the Market, please message the Billinge Christmas Market group on Facebook.

If you can help out then please contact their Volunteer Hub on 01744 453798 or apply via their website at www. willowbrook.org.uk.

Calendar Orders Rainford Heritage Society are now taking orders for their new calendar. You can plan your life in 2022 whilst enjoying pictures of scenic landscapes in and around Rainford, while raising funds for the society. The calendars are £5 each and can be collected or delivered locally. To order your copy of the calendar, please contact Ray Waring on 01744 885547 or email rayw91141@gmail.com

LEADING LOCAL SPECIALISTS 25 HARDSHAW STREET, ST HELENS, WA10 1RP 2 DERBY STREET, PRESCOT, L34 3LJ

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Christmas Fayre Rainford’s traditional Christmas Fayre takes place in the village centre on Saturday 4th December. With over 40 stalls selling a wide variety of goods, it’s the perfect chance to cross off a few entries on your present list. Special guests will open the fayre at 10am, food and drink will be available all day, and visitors can enjoy live entertainment provided by talented locals. Father Christmas will be putting in a shift in his Rainford grotto that day and he’s promised to bring a few elves too. There will be a raffle which contains some fabulous prizes donated by local businesses and you can try your luck in a bottle tombola. If all else fails in your quest to win a prize, there’s the hook-a-duck game to fall back on!

At 4pm, when the Fayre ends, the village’s Christmas lights will be switched on by a special guest – the winner of the Christmas in Rainford poetry competition. This competition has been staged by Rainford Parish Council and it’s open to all children of primary school age. The winner will receive a gift and the honour of turning on the Christmas lights. All entries to the poetry competition must be received at Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HB by Friday 19th November. In case of bad weather on the day, the Fayre will be switched to Rainford Village Hall.

Festive Menu

Lunch with Santa

Christmas Party Nights

T WO CO U R S E S

A D U LT S & C H I L D R E N OV E R T WO

Available for a minimum of 30 people at Coley’s Your night includes a DJ & bowl food

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Available 11th, 12th, 18th, 19th, 23rd & 24th December

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All throughout December

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PER PERSON

For every ticket purchased, you can receive 25% oﬀ your food bill when dining at The Park throughout January.

B O O K O N L I N E AT S H E R D L E Y PA R KG O L F C O U R S E . C O M / C H R I S T M A S

Draft Plans Approved St Helens Borough Council has approved draft plans for the transformation of St Helens town centre and Earlestown.

been prepared by St Helens Borough Council in partnership with regeneration experts, the English Cities Fund (ECF).

An initial Phase 1 planning application for the town centre is anticipated to be submitted early in 2022 and will see a new mixed-use development including a new market, a hotel, a cutting edge office space, a redesigned bus station and improved connectivity. These changes are expected to be delivered in the first five years of the programme. It also includes space for new high-quality homes for families to live and grow. The longer-term proposals for St Helens town centre, expected to span the next 20 years, divides the town centre into four zones. These zones are; the Central Retail Zone; the Civic and Heritage Zone; the Discovery Zone; and the Education and Entertainment Zone. In Earlestown, the vision is to bring the town centre back to its former glory as an historic market town by creating a thriving and vibrant high street and marketplace. Both town centres are the subject of separate draft Masterplan Development Frameworks, and these have

Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “These plans will make our town centres child and family-friendly, safe and sustainable places thriving with local businesses, shoppers, visitors and residents, something we have committed to delivering for residents.” Leon Guyett, development director at The English Cities Fund, said: “We’re proud to receive confirmation from the cabinet on our draft masterplans. This signals the shift in focus to the delivery stage of our borough-wide partnership, starting with the regeneration of both St Helens and Earlestown town centre. To see the plans visit www.sthelenstowncentre.co.uk and www.earlestown.co.uk. The consultation into the draft masterplan frameworks includes pop-up shops in each town centre, stalls at various community locations and you can find a full schedule of events by following St Helens Borough Council’s @sthelenscouncil on Twitter and Facebook.

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Family Vogue Ball

Programme Fair

Here’s something a little different for your Saturday afternoon; a Vogue Ball presented by St Helens Borough Council’s Library Service, in partnership with Citadel Arts.

If you’re a long-standing Saints fan with an interest in rugby league history, then the place to be on Saturday 20th November is at the Totally Wicked Stadium where there is a Programme, Memorabilia and Collectors’ Fair being staged in the Red Vee Bar.

Billed as part theatre show, part Vogue Ball, this is an event where glamour, glitz and grace come together in a fabulous celebration of self-expression in the new St Helens Library at the World of Glass. Whether you just want to join in the fun or have a passion to pose, get dressed in your finest with the rest of your house, come learn the moves and then you can take to the floor. A performer from each house will catwalk, dance and lip sync and hope to be crowned by the audience as the winning house. Tickets for the Ball, which is being staged on Saturday 13th November starting at 2.30pm, can be purchased at St Helens Library or via The Citadel’s website at www. citadel.org.uk. Tickets are priced at £3 per person, and it’s £9 for a family ticket, which admits 4 people.

All are welcome, entrance is free and the fair runs from 10.30am-1.30pm.

Chance to Dance The Crickettes Morris Dancers are looking for new members. The troupe meets every Thursday from 5pm at Wonderland Community Centre on Canal Street, St Helens. Dancers of all ages and abilities are welcome and the attendance at the first session is free, with a £2.50 weekly subscription charge thereafter. If you’re interested, call Chelle on 07596 918 294, email crickettesmorrisdancers@gmail.com or turn up on the night.

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Large selection of Christmas Gifts Sets now available 3 ways to do your Christmas shopping 1. Pop in to browse 2. Call us to reserve 3. Shop via website

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Presents for every age, taste and budget, all at Ellamora in Rainford.

6 5

8 10 9

13 14 15 16 1. Joma Jewellery bracelet in cracker £17.99 2. Katie Loxton chunky grey scarf £29.99 3. Leffy Elf £23.00 & Leffy’s Xmas book £10.00 4. L’Occitane Hand Cream Trio £21.00 5. Powder Mens Socks (3 prs) £29.95 6. Marmalade Of London reed diffuser £22 7. L’Occitane Verbena gift set £35 8. Katie Loxton Chunky Scarf £29.99 & Hat £17.99 9. Powder ladies socks £8.50 10. Katie Loxton reed diffuser/candle set £19.99 11. Sabbot fleece lined hats from £29.99 12. Jellycat large Teddy Snowman £37.50 13. L’Occitane Cherry Blossom gift set £35.00 14. Jellycat Nutcracker £26 15. L’Occitane Verbena Christmas Ornament £12 16. Marmalade Of London Glass Candle £22

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The gorgeous Love It Gallery in Billinge has an excellent range of original gifts to suit all budgets, made by British designer/makers. From Christmas cards, wrapping, advent calendars and decorations, right through to gifts sets, accessories, jewellery, ceramics, and soft furnishings, Love It Gallery has got something for everyone this Christmas.

There’s a huge range of inspirational glass art at the Love It Gallery, which is also the home of Morpheus Glass. From seasonal decorations to clocks, bowls, mirrors, vases, wall panels and more, it’s a great place to find presents for all the family.

Comfort and style abound in the Bag & Bean coffee shop, a perfect pit stop when you’re all shopped out. Excellent coffee, gorgeous cakes and tasty light lunches are served indoors and outdoors in a safe, warm and undercover environment.

Love It Gallery, Winstanley Road, Billinge WN5 7XG Open: 9.30am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday Telephone: 01695 622

332

Six of the best

CHRISTMAS mARkETS It’s time to wrap up warm and head off to a Christmas Market to experience a festive array of sights, smells and sounds. Nothing gets us in a seasonal mood more than a visit to the Christmas Markets, partaking in a glass or two of Glühwein or mulled wine, whilst attempting to decimate your present list with a bit of Christmas shopping. Here’s our recommendations for your annual Christmas Market trip – all tried and tested destinations plus a surprise debut to the world of Christmas Markets from the entertainment centre of the North West - Blackpool!

manchester The original and biggest Christmas market in the country, Manchester Christmas Markets is the place to go. Arriving in the city in 1999, the market has grown every year since, now attracting more than nine million visitors each year to the heart of the buzzing city centre. Its 300 beautifully festooned stalls and chalets offer a dazzling array of hand-crafted Yuletide gifts along with a mouth-watering range of international food and drinks. Follow the market trail as it winds through the city centre, with stall holders tempting you with gifts, crafts, jewellery, toys and much more. And don’t forget the food! Manchester’s Christmas Markets are known for traditional bratwurst, but visitors can also try Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella or a good old-fashioned hog roast. The Manchester Christmas Markets run from Friday 12th November to Wednesday 22nd December.

T OF H

SIX B

EST

CHESTER Chester’s Christmas Market, situated outside the handsome Town Hall in the heart of the city centre, has a range of over 70 stalls selling Christmas gifts, arts and crafts goodies, fudge, local spirits, and stocking fillers. Chester’s food and drink scene really comes alive at this magical time of the year and the market is no exception with a small selection of stands selling food ranging from hot dogs to hog roasts. The Chester Christmas Market runs from Thursday November 18th to Wednesday December 22nd

SKIPTON For a small market town in North Yorkshire, Skipton punches well above its weight when it comes to their eight day Christmas Market. The stalls will be packed full of hand-made gifts including Christmas decorations, wooden furniture for the home and beauty products like bath bombs and hand-made soap. There will also be plenty of food and drink products from local artisans including baked goods, Belgian chocolate, craft beer and chilli sauces. The market stalls can be found throughout the town centre and live entertainment helps to spread the Christmas cheer. At 4pm each day, the market closes and there is a procession up the high street to the church grounds where a traditional carol is sung to mark the end of a magical day at a Christmas market. The Skipton Christmas Market runs from Sunday 5th December to Sunday 12th December

BIRMINGHAM Birmingham’s popular Frankfurt Christmas Market returns to New Street and Victoria Square to bring some festive cheer back to the city centre, with stalls selling a tempting array of food and drink, traditional toys, ornaments and gifts.

visit www.iceskatebirmingham.co.uk.

In nearby Centenary Square, the big wheel and ice rink will return and run until 9th January, between 10am and 10pm. To book tickets to these attractions

The Birmingham Christmas Market runs from Thursday 4th November to Thursday 23rd December

Don’t miss a chance to visit Chris Moose, Birmingham’s singing Christmas moose, at the Christmas market who has become a festive attraction in his own right and a Twitter sensation @thechrismoose.

YORK

BLACKPOOL

The hugely popular St Nicholas Fair returns to York this year. The charming alpine chalets will once again line the streets, with local businesses selling everything from handmade gifts to delicious treats. Soak up the atmosphere visiting the outlets along Parliament Street and in Sampson Square , many staffed by traders in Victorian costume

Making its debut on the Christmas Market list this year is Blackpool!

Many of York’s restaurants, shops and attractions will be beautifully decorated and will provide a wonderful winter experience. Don’t miss out on a visit to Shambles with its cobbled streets for a full festive atmosphere. The York Christmas Market runs from Thursday 18th November to Thursday 23rd December.

The brand-new Winter Gardens Wonderland will host a Bavarian style Christmas Market within and outside the magnificent Grade II Listed Winter Gardens, linking the town centre to the Festival Village. The Festival Village will feature an Ice Rink, a Magical Forest, Festive Light projections and more, whilst the world-famous Illuminations have extended their season and will stay switched on right through to the New Year. Blackpool Christmas Market runs from Thursday 9th December to Monday 3rd January.

Details on these events were correct at the time of going to press – these events are subject to change or cancellation, should Covid restrictions come back into effect.

Festive Coach Trips for all! Lake District & Holker Hall Winter Market Sat Nov 6 ~ Adult £24 Child £10

Harrogate & Harewood House at Christmas Sat Nov 20 ~ Adult £34 Child £20

Trafford Centre & RHS Bridgewater ‘Glow’ Thu Dec 2 – Adult £26 Child £15

Manchester Christmas Markets & East Lancs Railway Santa Special

Birmingham Christmas Market & Flagship Primark store

Sat Dec 4 ~ Adult £44 Child £25

Sun Nov 21 ~ Adult £25 Child £15

Sun Dec 5 ~ Adult £19 Child £10

Ulverston Dickenson Festival

Altrincham & Festive Lunch

Sun Nov 28 ~ Adult £23 Child £15

Tue Dec 7 ~ Adult £34

Skipton Christmas Market

York Christmas Market

Buxton & Chatsworth House

Thu Dec 2 ~ Adult £23 Child £15 & Sun Dec 11 ~ Adult £25 Child £15

Wed Dec 8 ~ Adults £48 Child £35

Lincoln Christmas Market

Sun Dec 12 ~ Adult £34 Child £20

Panto Time in Southport

Sat Dec 4 ~ Adult £28 Child £18

Our 2022 Holiday Brochure is on the way Call us on 01942 728960 and we’ll post you a FREE copy out when it arrives! Customers already on our mailing list will get one automatically.

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Remember, Remember.. ..the 6th of November. That’s when the Rotary Club of St Helens will be organising the Rainford Bonfire and Fireworks event after a hiatus in 2020 due to the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. Advanced tickets, priced at £5 each, are on sale now at Rainford News & Gifts, REDS Cafe and Wendy’s Flowers and, because of the anticipated demand, buying tickets is highly recommended by the organisers. Children under the age of five go free. As usual, the event is being held on Rainford Parish Church field, near the Cricket Club off Church Road in Rainford. There will be various stalls open on the night, providing refreshments options to suit all the family, and there will be several children’s fun rides in operation. The gates open at 4.30pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the fireworks start at 7pm. The Rotary Club will be assisted on the night by Rainford Scouts, and the sponsors of the event are Communications Plus O2 and Palletland.

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Schools and the Pandemic The pandemic has been incredibly challenging for the education sector. There was no blueprint for schools to follow, no guide telling head teachers how to provide remote learning. Some schools were at a digital disadvantage, unable to deliver lessons to pupils remotely, either because the school did not have the resources, or because pupils did not have the right devices or reliable internet access. Those schools that were able to deliver remote learning successfully still faced challenges. Laura Castree, a secondary school teacher, told us, “A huge part of teaching is deciphering what your pupil needs and planning accordingly; this became incredibly difficult when

teaching remotely, and we had to overhaul resources, teaching styles and priorities practically overnight.” Many children fell behind with their schoolwork during the lockdowns. When pupils returned to school, teachers were then faced with classrooms of children all at different stages of their learning. Disadvantaged children fell even further behind their peers. Even more worrying was the effect of the pandemic on children’s mental health. When surveyed, most schools said that some of their pupils were suffering from Covidrelated anxiety. OFSTED found that some children had lost physical fitness, others showed signs of mental distress, and there was an increase in eating disorders and self-harm. It hasn’t just been pupils who have struggled with mental health. The pandemic came on the back of years of per-pupil spending cuts, increased class sizes and numerous curriculum changes, so thousands of teachers were already suffering from work-related stress. A 2019 survey by the teachers’ union NASUWT found that 70% of teachers felt their job had adversely affected their mental health. By September 2020, more than half of teachers said that their mental health had declined further. By April

29 2021, 43% of teachers were experiencing all four of the main symptoms of burnout. It’s hardly surprising that teachers struggled, considering the additional pressures they were under. Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, commented, “Our teachers have had to rapidly adapt to changing circumstances on many occasions. They have: rapidly become experts in delivering remote learning; run on-site provision for the children of key workers and vulnerable children during lockdowns; managed complex Covid safety measures; set up testing stations to enable pupils to return to classrooms; and, most recently, taken responsibility for assessing students following the cancellation of public exams.” It may take years before we understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on children. However, there is a sense of optimism in the education sector. Both pupils and teachers experienced a much more normal return to school this year. Extra-curricular clubs have restarted and children have more freedom to socialise again.

As Laura Castree explains, “It has been apparent that some pupils fared better than others during lockdowns, but it was wonderful to see them back in the classroom, and actually the majority returned with a new and positive attitude towards school and their teachers that endured throughout the year and made the catch-up process much easier.”

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by serving Head Teachers, Senior Leaders, specialised Lead Practitioners and other specialists in their field

all trainees for a further 2 years after completing the course. Trainees have access, free of charge, to training

in close partnership with Liverpool John Moores

with the North West Learning Partnership.

University. Most of your time in training will be spent

We offer a range of Primary and Secondary courses with

in your “home school” which is your main placement school from September 22. Training with us also means

PGCE, (including Masters credits), and QTS:

that you will benefit from: • High employment rates and support in securing employment. • Only Good to Outstanding schools are used for placements

Primary 5-11 years DF23 Primary 3 – 7 years A450 Primary with Mathematics SD KJ Primary with Physical Education B741 Primary Salaried 3BFS Secondary Mathematics JL80 Secondary Modern Languages SD 90 Secondary Biology W082 Secondary Chemistry A830 Secondary Physics W322 Secondary English Y290 Secondary Geography V479 Secondary History X871

For further information on these courses see our website http://www.northwestlearningpartnership.co.uk/ or contact the NWLP School Direct Strategic Lead Kathy Carman Kathy.carman@three-saints.org.uk For information on available funding see https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/ Applications should be made using the provider code 13N and the course code provided above at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-teacher-training Follow us on twitter @nwlp_sd

Tutoring What to Consider

After-school tutoring can be an invaluable part of a child’s education. A tutor can offer support in areas that your child might struggle with, such as maths or English, or help your child to further improve in subjects that they already excel at. Tutoring is also available in subjects that your child’s school might not offer, e.g. Mandarin and philosophy. You can appoint a tutor at any time in your child’s education, but tutoring can be particularly valuable in the run-up to exams, such as GCSEs or the 11-plus. As well as helping with subject-specific knowledge, tutoring can be useful if your child suffers from exam-related anxiety or if they’re not used to sitting tests. The one-to-one basis of tutoring means your child can learn at their own speed, rather than being led by the wider needs of the class. It also allows extra time for questions or diving deeper into a subject.

good rapport with your child. Not only is your child likely to learn more, they’ll also be happier and will put more effort into their learning. A good tutor should help to increase your child’s confidence in a subject and, ideally, boost their enjoyment for learning. Before committing to a tutor, you’ll want to check references, qualifications and ID.

Finding the right tutor Ask your child’s school if they have any recommendations, and put the word out in your friendship circle that you’re looking for a tutor. You may also want to register with sites such as www. firsttutors.com, which helps to connect private tutors with parents. Some of these sites check the IDs and references of the tutors they promote, which gives you additional peace of mind.

The cost of tutoring

Tutors usually come to your home, although some operate out of an education centre. Many also offer video tutoring, which is helpful if you’re searching for a tutor in a less common subject.

A tutor’s hourly rate will depend on a number of factors, including their experience, location and what subject your child needs help with. In most cases, you’ll pay between £20 and £40 an hour for an experienced tutor. If your child is at primary school, a tutoring session will generally last for no more than an hour. An A-level tutoring session might be as long as 2.5 hours.

Choosing a tutor

Safety

After-school tutoring can feel like a punishment. Few children want to add more studying to their weekly timetable. So look for a tutor who will be able to build a

Tutors don’t have to be DBS checked, but it’s wise to choose one who has been. A parent or guardian should also be present during every tutoring session.

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Six Tips for a

Healthy Winter The shorter, darker, colder, wetter days of winter can leave even the fittest and chirpiest of us feeling mentally and physically run-down. To keep you feeling better through the winter: 1. Reduce your infection risk Colds and flu are rife at this time of year, and while being cold cannot give you a cold (only a virus can do that) it can stress your body and lower your immunity. Take extra care with hygiene and take antibacterial hand gel with you when you go out. Sadly, not everyone who touches shop door handles and uses public transport practises good hygiene. If you’re eligible for a free flu vaccine, or are in an atrisk group for whom the vaccine’s recommended, make sure you get it early, before flu season gets underway. Ignore those who claim the vaccine gives you flu; it can’t, as it contains no live viruses. People who get flu after the vaccine may have a rarer flu strain not covered by the vaccine or may have already had a flu virus before their vaccination became fully active (10-14 days after vaccination).

2. Keep exercising Exercise can boost your immune system, release endorphins that make you feel better and warm you up, too. If you’re normally an outdoor exerciser, cold, wet weather might put you off. If it doesn’t, bundle up and stay safe by avoiding exercising when its icy and wearing bright, reflective clothes if you’re out in the dark. If the winter weather does put you off, consider indoor alternatives: swimming, indoor climbing, exercise classes, short-term passes for a local gym, a new exercise DVD or even some home gym equipment like an exercise bike or weights. The NHS has some great free exercise routines. Check out www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise and click on ‘fitness guides’ for a range of ten-minute workouts and exercises, or www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio for online exercise videos. The range covers yoga, Pilates, strength exercises, aerobic workouts and more, so there’s something for everyone.

3. Get enough daylight, fresh air and vitamin D supplements! Tempting as it might be, hibernating indoors isn’t great for your health. Your body uses sunlight to regulate your body clock and create vitamin D, an essential vitamin for building strong teeth, muscle and bone. However, while daylight helps, between October and early March in the UK there’s not enough of it for you to make sufficient vitamin D, even if you regularly spend time outdoors; nor can you make up the deficit by eating vitamin D-rich foods like oily fish (e.g. salmon, sardines, herring and mackerel), red meat, liver, egg yolks and fortified foods like fat spreads and breakfast cereals. So while getting some winter sun and eating vitamin D-rich foods can help, the NHS recommends that everyone should top-up with a daily 10mcg vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter.

4. Stay warm Being too cold puts stress on your body. When the temperature drops below 8°C, some people are at increased risk of mental or physical illness, especially if they’re over 65, disabled, pregnant, have young children (under school age), have a mental health condition or have a long-term health condition. Low temperatures increase vulnerability to heart attacks, stroke, flu, pneumonia, hypothermia, falls and injuries, and can worsen mental health conditions like depression and dementia. It also increases the symptoms of Raynaud’s Disease, a relatively common condition that interrupts blood supply to the extremities, causing symptoms such as pain, numbness, stiffness and pins and needles. It most commonly affects the fingers, and you may notice them go white or even blue and then turn red as blood flow returns. Keep your home heated to at least 18°C and use hot water bottles, heat packs or electric blankets if you need them. Try a hot bath rather than a shower, have hot drinks and eat for warmth (hot cereals, soups and stews are good options). Pre-warm clothes on a radiator or in your airing cupboard, and once you’re outdoors try to breathe

through your nose, as this warms air before it reaches your lungs. Wear layers, warm gloves and a hat. If you have Raynaud’s Disease, use hand dryers for a warmth top-up while you’re out, wear an extra pair of gloves and socks, and avoid heavy carrier bags that restrict blood flow to your fingers.

5. Eat healthy comfort food Comfort food doesn’t have to be unhealthy. Stews and soups are great winter foods, but watch your fat and salt intake and include plenty of vegetables. Homemade soups are easily made with a cheap, simple blender, and cooked fruit with low-fat custard makes a great winter pudding. The NHS website has some healthy, warming recipes for dishes like fish pie, lemon chicken and vegetable soup. Just visit www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well and click on recipes.

6. Look after your mental health Stay active, warm and sociable: exercise, time spent outdoors and the company of others can all help stave off winter blues. However, if you think you may have fullblown SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), see your GP for help. Don’t suffer in silence.

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If you know your base position from your baseline and you’d like to get back into badminton, then the Billinge Badminton Club would like to hear from you. The club plays badminton every Wednesday evening at Rainford Technology College on Higher Lane from 7.15pm to 8.50pm. You must bring with you some experience of the game, and ideally a racket too, but don’t be nervous – the current members of the club possess a wide range of badminton abilities. The cost is just £2 per session and it’s strictly leisure play as the club don’t play in local leagues. For more information, search ‘Billinge Badminton Club’ on Facebook or just turn up on the night.

Comedy Club The newly-established Comedy Club at Inglenook Farm off the Rainford by-pass has announced that the next Comedy Club night will be held on Sunday, December 12 from 6-8pm. Two hours, five stand-up comedians and a whole lot of laughs. There will be a licenced bar and snacks available, all you need to do is bring your own chair. The event will be held under cover for the duration of winter. Tickets for the event are £10 and can be bought by calling Inglenook Farm on 07396 618212 or emailing cherryorchardevents@hotmail.com.

Activity Sessions The St Helens Children’s Centre, in Parr still have places on a wide range of their activity sessions – perfect to keep your little one stimulated and entertained. On offer are a wide range of children’s sessions and community events at the centre on Ashtons Drive, ranging from Mini Melodies on a Monday between 10-12.15pm to the sensory group every Wednesday between 10am-12.15pm. To secure a place on any of the activities please contact the Central Link Children’s Centre on 01744 673445 or Parr Children’s Centre on 01744 671788 to book. Alternately you can book using their Facebook page.

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Artisan Markets Dean Wood Golf Club are hosting a couple of weekend Artisan Markets in late November at their Lafford Lane base in Upholland. Their Christmas Artisan Markets will take place from 11am-4.30pm on Saturday 20th, Sunday 21st, Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th November. The markets will be held on the club’s car park, and the clubhouse will be open for food and drinks. Santa will be visiting at 2pm on both Sunday afternoons. Stalls will be selling Christmas gifts of all kinds including handmade pottery, glass art, soaps, skincare, handmade gemstones, scents, candles, bath bombs and seasonal décor. For those looking to stock up on food, there will be Christmas fruit cakes, cupcakes, brownies and sweets.

through the market whilst listening to carols. You’ll also be able to indulge in some festive food and mulled wine, whilst children can make gifts in the craft area. The event runs from 5pm until 9pm on Friday 3rd December at the school which is located on Carr Mill Road in Billinge.

Book Club If you consider yourself a bit of a bookworm, then you might be interested in attending the monthly book club organised by Willowbrook Hospice. The light-hearted group is a great place to share your thoughts and views on selected books on the second Wednesday of every month.

There are a few stalls still available, please contact annemolys58@hotmail.co.uk for more information.

It’s also a chance to read a genre of book that you may not have chosen before or simply an opportunity to socialise; plus, it’s free to attend!

Christmas at Nugent

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday, November 10 at 2pm at The Living Well on Borough Road.

Don’t miss the Christmas event at Nugent House School in Billinge next month. You can visit Santa and his elves in the grotto and stroll

The books being discussed will be The Whistle Blower by Robert Peston and We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker.

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Local Life require distributors for the following areas; Windlehurst Mulvanney Cr & Carnforth Dr estates 235 copies £15.86 + leaflet pay

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Bispham Christmas Bispham Methodist Church, based on the corner of Crank Road and Upholland Road in Billinge, is inviting the local community to visit an all-day Christmas Fair on Saturday 4th December from 10.30am to 4.30pm. A fun-packed day is planned, and you can pick up some Christmas gifts from artisan stalls. There will also be activities for the children and refreshments will be available all day from the Festive Café. There will be a Modern Nativity performance, Father Christmas will be calling in twice throughout the day and the Trinity Girls Brass Band will perform between 2pm and 3pm. The event comes to a climax with the Christmas Tree switch on at 4.00pm. Other traditional events planned at Bispham this Christmas include a Christmas Family Service with toy donations to a local charity on 12th December at 10.30am, followed by a craft corner for the children. The Carol Service will be on Sunday 19th December at 6pm with traditional mince pies afterwards. For more details, check out the website www.bisphammethodistchurch. org nearer Christmas.

Rainford Junction Kendal Dr, Bushey Ln & News Ln area 335 copies £23.96 + Leaflet pay

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LocalLife

Tell Us Your Story! Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve. Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about? Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition! Simply contact us on editorial@locallife247.co.uk or call us on 01744 649722

Panto

k! c a b It’s By Nicola Gray

Last year, COVID-19 played the part of biggest panto villain ever and the Christmas pantomime season was decimated last year as a result. Booooooooo! Well, its behind you (cue laughter) and Local Life have put together a guide to this year’s most exciting panto experiences in St Helens and beyond.

St Helens Theatre Royal

The Old Courts

Goldilocks & the Three Bears

Cinderella

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ 01744 756000 www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com Goldilocks and the Three Bears come to town this Christmas with a mix of unbelievable circus tricks, madcap comedy capers and a smash-hit selection of chart hits to sing and dance along to.

The Old Courts, Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford Street, Wigan, WN1 1NA 0343 208 6015 www.theoldcourts.com Get ready to cheer Buttons, the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella and Prince Charming, but do remember to boo every time you see the Ugly Sisters up to their evil ways. • Dates: Thursday December 9 to Thursday December 23.

• Dates: Friday December 10 to Sunday January 9

• Ticket Information: Adult tickets - £17.50 and child tickets - £13.00

• Ticket Information: Tickets from £16. Online bookings subject to a 50p fee per ticket

The Atkinson Southport

Wigan Little Theatre

Cinderella

Dick Whittington Wigan Little Theatre, Crompton Street, Wigan, WN1 3SL 01942 242561 www.wiganlittletheatre.co.uk The tale of Dick Whittington features singing, dancing, comedy sketches and, as usual, there will be a crazy dame to add to the fun. • Dates: Thursday December 2 to Saturday December 18 • Ticket Information: Standard tickets from £10 other tickets £12. Online bookings subject to a 7.8% fee per ticket.

The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB 01704 533333 www.theatkinson.co.uk This spellbinding panto pits Cinderella against her wicked Stepmother and the jealous stepsisters; will Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother come to the rescue? • Dates: Friday December 10 to Sunday January 2 • Ticket Information: Adult tickets from £18, concessions from £16 & family tickets from £59

45 Everyman

Manchester Opera House

Robin Hood

Aladdin

5-11 Hope St, Liverpool, L1 9BH 0151 708 3700 www.everymanplayhouse.com

3 Quay St, Manchester, M3 3HP 0161 828 1700 www.atgtickets.com

Regular writers Sarah Nixon and Mark Chatterton have put their own marvellously mischievous spin on the classic tale of heroism, social justice and… tights!

Aladdin will feature a lamp-load of comedy, jaw-dropping special effects, sensational song and dance and plenty of boos and hisses the whole family will enjoy.

• Dates: Saturday November 20 to Saturday January 15

• Dates: Saturday December 11 to Sunday January 2

• Ticket Information: Stall tickets between £17-£20 and Circle tickets between £12-£20

• Ticket Information: Tickets available form £13.00 per person. Online bookings subject to a booking fee of £3.65 per ticket.

M&S Bank Arena

Cinderella King’s Dock, 16 Monarchs Quay, Liverpool, L3 4FP 0344 800 0400 www.mandsbankarena.com Cinderella dreams of leaving her dull life as a servant to meet a handsome Prince and after the announcement that Prince Charming is going to hold a royal ball, it seems she may get her wish! • Dates: Saturday December 18 and Tuesday December 28 • Ticket Information: Silver performances - Adult tickets £23, concessions £21, VIP £45 & family tickets £82. Gold performances - Adult tickets £30, concessions £28, VIP £52 & family tickets £106.

Grand Theatre Blackpool

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs 33 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HT 01253 290190 www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk In true rags-to-riches style, Snow White manages, with the help of her madcap friend Muddles, to meet a handsome Prince and make her dreams come true. • Dates: Friday December 3 to Sunday January 2 • Ticket Information: Adult tickets from £20.50 and under 18s tickets from £18.50

Job Support St Helens Chamber’s Guidance Services Team is offering redundancy support to local people who need it.

available to help you back into work as soon as possible.

The redundancy support service ranges from help accessing funding for training to CV and interview preparation, and is delivered by qualified Careers Advisers at St Helens Chamber.

“Our National Careers Service team keep up to date on the latest labour market information and can match up your skills to industries you might not have even considered before. We will work with you as much as you need to get you back on your feet.

Mike Unsworth, Career Guidance Manager at St Helens Chamber, explained: “Unfortunately, as the furlough scheme ends, we are expecting to see more redundancies being made by companies who can’t afford to keep staff on.”

“As the National Careers Service for St Helens we can also help people access Rapid Response Service funding, which can be used to pay for short training courses to help find new employment; for example, Sage training, HGV training or Prince2.

St Helens Chamber’s support is completely free and impartial, as the National Careers Service for St Helens.

“This funding can only be accessed through the National Careers Service, and it helps people to refresh skills or update any qualifications they might need to stand out to new employers.”

Their advisers can help people write or update their CV, brush up on their interview skills, and apply for jobs, as well as providing free short training courses which add valuable skills to any CV. Mike continued: “We understand that this time can be traumatic and upsetting, but I would say to anyone facing redundancy to try not to panic – there is support

To find out more about redundancy support, as either an employer or an individual, please contact Starting Point on 01744 698800 or email info@thestartingpoint.org

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Handwoven by Berbers in the Atlas Mountains, this soft and luxurious rug is fully customisable to create your dream design. Lozenge rug, jet black on natural wool, £899, Cosy Coco.

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The Lowdown on Rugs

Spark a little one’s imagination with a softer take on the popular rainbow motif, complete with boho tassels. Earth Rainbow rug with tassels, £13, Sass & Belle.

Get cosy with a cream, textural rug that’s perfect for enjoying a fireside mug of hot chocolate while wrapped in a blanket.

• Rugs look beautiful on wooden, stone and tiled floors (always use an underlay to keep them safely in place) and add welcome softness. Texture is important, in terms of both material and weave – piled wool or flat-woven cotton (which is thinner but more easily put through the washing machine), or perhaps nubby jute or sisal, tougher on the toes, but durable and with a certain rugged charm. • Gone are the days of choosing between only rectangular or circular rugs. These days, anything goes, from oval to rainbow-shaped and even irregular outlines. Tufted rugs, too, play with different heights of pile to introduce an intriguing textural element. • Add extra interest with some boho tassels (very on trend) or a more restrained finishing edge. This works well with a neutral rug that picks up a contrast border colour from elsewhere in the room.

Teddy rug, £395, Loaf.

Tap into the trend for geometric statement rugs with this fashionable pure wool rug, available in three colours and two sizes. Hackney handwoven rug, wool/cotton blend, Yellow Diamond, £159, Cult Furniture.

• Don’t make the mistake of buying a rug that is too small for a room. In general, it is best to go as big as possible, so that all the furniture (or at least its front legs) can sit on the rug. • For global glamour, look no further than a rug. From Indian dhurries and Greek flokatis to Middle Eastern kilims and French Aubussons, they each provide wonderful style, colour, pattern and texture.

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Turkey Burgers

Ingredients Burgers 250g turkey breast mince ½ red onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 egg, beaten 1 small apple peeled and grated 1 tsp smoked paprika Salt and pepper Olive oil (to cook) Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw 125g Brussels sprouts, trimmed ½ red onion 1 carrot, peeled 50g Greek yoghurt 30g mayonnaise 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp lemon juice Salt and pepper ¼ tsp ground cumin Handful of chives, chopped Handful of parsley, chopped Rolls, lettuce and cranberry sauce, to serve

Fed up with the usual turkey recipes? Try these delicious turkey burgers topped with cranberry sauce and a Brussels sprout coleslaw. Serves 2

Method 1. Place the mince in a bowl with the remaining ingredients for the burger and mix well. Shape the mixture into two burgers about 3cm thick. Chill for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5. Place the burgers on a lined baking tray and brush the tops lightly with the olive oil. Bake in the oven for 20-25 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until cooked through. 3. To make the coleslaw, grate the Brussels sprouts, onion and carrot in a food processor. Place in a bowl. Mix together the yoghurt, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cumin. Pour the yoghurt mixture over the vegetables and coat thoroughly. Stir in the herbs. 4. Serve the burgers in buns with lettuce, a spoonful of cranberry sauce and the coleslaw.

Nutrition per burger with coleslaw: 340kcal, fat 14g (of which saturates 2.9g), carbohydrates 15g (of which sugars 13g), protein 36g, fibre 3.8g

New era of broadcasting The Old Courts, a successful not-for-profit multi-arts centre in Wigan, want to hear from residents of St Helens about their plans to host and support up to 24 new digital radio stations for the St Helens and Wigan areas. The group are proposing to operate a Small-Scale (SSDAB) multiplex for community benefit - to support the development of local and community radio in our area, and therefore increase the amount of volunteering, skills, and social impact opportunities available for people in St Helens and Wigan. Small-Scale DAB represents a more affordable opportunity for broadcasters to reach a high percentage of the population across St Helens and Wigan. Jess Rotherham, Head of Development at The Old Courts, told Local Life, “We are proposing to bring the UK’s most listened to platform into our area and manage it in a way that encourages more local people to create and listen to locally-led content. “Making digital radio more accessible for all is important and doing it in a way where all profits are reinvested into the local area means that broadcasters and listeners in St Helens and Wigan will benefit long-term.” The approach to supporting local has already been met with praise from people and organisations who already run internet-only stations and want to expand onto DAB, or who are keen to start something new in their local area. In their proposal, the group outline what Small-Scale

DAB is, the communities that stand to benefit and how they propose to establish the service. Comments and feedback are invited to support the application for a licence to Ofcom. For more information or to leave your comments please go online to www.theoldcourts.com and search for broadcasting under the projects tab.

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16 Standish Drive Rainford St Helens WA11 8JY

Faith on the Streets By Nicola Gray When people say, ‘charity begins at home’ they often mean that you should look after your own circle first and then extend your kindness to people in the wider community. St Helens Street Pastors work on a much larger scale though; their mission is to rescue vulnerable people on the streets of St Helens and make their whole community safer. I caught up with co-ordinator Hayley Harrison to find out more about this group of good Samaritans and how they are helping to make St Helens a safer place. Hayley told me, “Street Pastors is basically the Church in action on the street, responding to a crisis. It is about volunteers rolling up their sleeves and practically responding to the problems of crime and safety in their area.”

The group’s role is to provide a calming presence, a listening ear and practical help to vulnerable people in the night-time economy of St. Helens, showing God’s love to anyone and everyone they meet. Being a street pastor can look like so many things, but what does this help look like in a practical sense? Hayley added, “We often find ourselves being a listening ear for someone who in that moment really needs it; or just providing some practical help by giving out water, flip flops and space blankets to help keep people warm. “We are often able to signpost people to services that can really help them; and other times we are just making sure that people get home safely. Ultimately it is a tool that we use to be the hands and feet of Jesus; to show kindness and compassion and the love of God to those around us.” The St Helens faction is a growing team of volunteers from local churches, the group currently stands at 10 active members and is growing all the time. Helen added, “Our first team undertook their first patrol on 23rd December 2016 and here we are almost five years later, with 3 teams and looking to expand even further to reach more people in a vulnerable position. Up until last year the team had been patrolling the town centre streets from

Quiz

First and Last

10.30pm to 3.30am on the first Saturday and second Friday night of each month. The group were getting closer to starting a third patrol on the fourth Friday of each month and then COVID hit, and everything stopped. Hayley added, “The pandemic obviously stopped us from going out as we couldn’t put our volunteers at risk. We are now in the process of starting our re-training and are hoping to be back out on the streets at the end of this year or the beginning of January. “We run largely on donations from the church and with services being stopped and starting to come back slowly we have felt a real financial hit, any donations or financial support would be greatly appreciated.”

1. What was the surname of the Vietnam War veteran who was the main character in 1982 film First Blood? 2. The Last Frontier is the official nickname of which US state? 3. The 2017 Christmas special of Doctor Who saw actor David Bradley play “the First Doctor”. Which other actor originally played this role when the TV show was first broadcast? 4. The Last Night of the Proms normally takes place on the second Saturday in which month? 5. Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters To The First Pets was a children’s book written in 1998 by which famous woman?

The aim for the future is to recruit and train more volunteers, so the team will be able to increase their patrol to go out every weekend. The group is also looking to launch their school initiative and are in talks with local schools to be able to work in schools and provide a similar support service to pupils.

6. Published in 1956, The Last Battle was the seventh and final novel in a series set in which fictional land?

If you would like to learn more about the Street Pastors and their initiatives, become a trustee or if you would like to donate, please get in touch and see how you can help.

8. In which European city would you find Leonardo Da Vinci’s mural painting “The Last Supper”?

Donations

10. The TV comedy show The Last Leg was originally broadcast during which event of 2012, with each episode looking back at the day’s events from this?

pets that lived in the White House when she was First Lady) Hartnell 4. September 5. Hillary Clinton (referring to the two

Solutions 1. Rambo (first name James) 2. Alaska 3. William

Telephone: 07927 390281 Email: sainthelens@streetpastors.org.uk www.streetpastors.org

6. Narnia 7. Neil Armstrong 8. Milan 9. Leeds United

St Helens Street Pastors Ormskirk Street URC, Ormskirk Street, St Helens, WA10 1BQ

9. Name the last football team to win the old First Division before the creation of the Premier League for the 1992-93 season?

10. The Summer Paralympic Games

www.stewardship.org.uk/partners/20215289

7. The 2018 film First Man starred Ryan Gosling as which real life person?

Can I Afford to Retire? This is a question that can keep people up at night as they think about whether they have enough assets and income to be able to retire, live life to the full and tick off items on their ‘bucket list’. You’ve worked hard and saved carefully over the last few decades for your dream retirement. It is however, only half the battle. Now, your challenge is to make sure that you don’t run out of money. Many factors contribute to a successful retirement; figuring what you’re going to do with your time, keeping physically and mentally active, and managing your financial resources in a way that helps you achieve what matters to you. Retirement usually happens when you are in your peak earning years. After years of working hard, planning for retirement and perhaps bringing up a family you are suddenly faced with the decision of whether you can retire and turning off one income ‘tap’ from your earnings and replacing it with another ‘tap’ from pensions and investments. It can be a daunting decision and in addition to this you need to consider that it is always best to ‘retire healthy’ and enjoy your golden years. Callisto specialises in the ‘at retirement’ market. We work best with people that are approaching or in retirement and we are well equipped to show them whether they can afford to retire. Whilst most advisers will use their experience and perhaps a spreadsheet to show a client’s position, Callisto uses a state-of-the-art sustainable income planning software system to illustrate to our clients whether they can retire comfortably. • We gather information about a client’s various personal pensions, savings and investments, along with any loans such as mortgages. • We input details about any guaranteed future income streams like final salary pensions and request their state pension forecast.

• We ask clients to gauge the level of expenditure they would like in the various stages of retirement and ask them to factor in other special events that will need capital such as dream holidays, children’s weddings and perhaps a treat like a motor home, a classic car or an expensive watch. • We test for our clients’ ability, willingness and need to take risk and recommend a suitable portfolio. We input all the above information into the planning software, and it gives us an indication whether our clients’ plans need work, are on track, or if they need to consider spending more or gifting some money away. And if the plan does need work, at least we can plan ahead. We can guide them to work a little longer and have more cash flow, invest more into pensions or to take more risk. It is one of the fun parts of our job to encourage our clients to spend more or to give some money away so that they can see others enjoying it and/or avoid inheritance tax. This sustainable income planning software system is ideal to help clients make an informed choice. We are happy to look at your current portfolio and see if it’s on track to allow you to have a successful retirement. If it is we will happily tell you, if not, we can suggest some alternatives, or perhaps consolidate your plans under one roof, to reduce paperwork and ensure a common investment policy across all your investments.

Our initial meeting is always complimentary and without any obligation whatsoever – call us today!

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A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits. The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and regulation which are subject to change in the future. You should seek advice to understand your options at retirement.

Planning for your future is hard if you don’t have the necessary financial expertise. Callisto Wealth Management will work with you to help you achieve your financial freedom once you reach retirement.

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60 2

Win a

Lancashire Day Hamper! To celebrate Lancashire Day on Saturday 27th November Local Life is bestowing one of our readers with a custombuilt luxury hamper, chockfull of goods produced in Lancashire. Some of the contents are made by producers who are household names, such as Uncle Joe’s in Wigan and Bartons in St Helens, whilst others are less well known. All the goodies have one thing in common though; they are produced within Lancashire’s historic county palatine, which includes the large cities of Manchester and Liverpool as well as the Furness and Cartmel peninsulas in the Lake District. As you can see from the main image, the goods include cheeses, cakes, chocolate, jams and local honey, biscuits, seafood, pudding, sauces and pickles, crisps and, of course, Bury’s best black pudding. Lancastrians with a thirst can indulge in gin, beer or a glass of locally produced dandelion and burdock! Lancashire Day is celebrated on the 27th November every year because 726 years ago in 1295, it was on this day that the first elected representatives from Lancashire were called to Westminster by King Edward I to attend what later became known as ‘The Model Parliament’. A proclamation is read out by town criers throughout the county on Lancashire Day and part of this proclamation quotes the following; Throughout the County Palatine, from the Furness Fells to the River Mersey, from the Irish Sea to the Pennines, this day shall ever mark the people’s pleasure in that excellent distinction - true Lancastrians, proud of the Red Rose and loyal to our Sovereign Duke.

Even with much local opposition, on April Fool’s Day in 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, the southern part of the geographic county was transferred to the two newly established metropolitan counties of Merseyside and Greater Manchester. On the same day, the county of Cumbria came into being and Warrington was incorporated into Cheshire. To enter the competition to win this Lancashire hamper, simply visit our website, www.locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on ‘competitions’ and then answer the following question;

What is the colour of the rose of Lancashire? The expiry date for this competition is midnight on Sunday 21st November 2021. The winners will be personally contacted within three working days of the expiry date and the results will be posted on our Facebook account on Lancashire Day, Saturday 27th November. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Strictly one entry per household – multiple entries will be disqualified. Local Life 247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter this competition. The picture is for illustration purposes only and Local Life 247 Ltd reserve the right to substitute goods for goods of equal value if necessary.

Newsletter KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE

Free Friday Quiz Nights 29 October

5 November

12 November

Special Christmas Quiz 3 December Doors open at 7pm and the free quiz starts at 7.30pm. Book a table for up to 6 team members by calling 01744

The Village Hall Rainford Village Hall is available to hire from just £10 per hour for classes, meetings, parties, anniversaries, events and Wedding Receptions. Call 01744 884709 or email admin@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

discuss

your

requirements.

H eritage Lottery Grant Thanks to the hard work of Councillor Rob Reynolds, the Parish Council has secured Heritage Lottery funding of £9160 to fund a project about Rainford’s industrial heritage. As part of this, we have started interviewing people who have memories of Rainford’s industrial past and acquiring copies of relevant photos. If you think you

884709 or email office@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

can help in either regard, or know someone who could,

Parish Council Meetings

One discussion has taken place with Rainford resident Eric

Community Liaison Committee 03.11.2021 and 01.12.2021

please do let us know! Winstanley and his brother Jimmy. This is a fascinating recording

and

Eric

also

has

supplied

Health & Safety Committee

some

photos he took

05.11.2021 and 03.12.2021

of steam trains

Finance Planning & Administration Committee 10.11.2021 and 08.12.2021

passing Rainford

through village

along what is now

Full Council meeting

the Linear Park.

22.11.2021 and 13.12.2021.

Additionally, Heritage Boards and replica station names

All meetings take place at Rainford Village Hall. Residents

will be sited along the Linear Park and at the sites of the

are encouraged to address members on matters of concern to them and are very welcome to attend meetings. Further

old railway stations and the Parish Council is very grateful for the assistance and information provided by Rainford

information on the Parish Council website:

Heritage Society.

www.rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

The last part of the project is to design and install a

Business Around Rainford

industrial accidents.

The

breakfast

forum

for

Businesses in Rainford and Rainford residents who have businesses will take place on 24.11.2021 from 8am – 9am at the Village Hall. Steve Smith of The Business Doctor will give a short talk. To book a free place call 01744 884709 or email admin@ rainfordparishcouncil.gov uk

memorial to Rainford residents who lost their lives in The Parish Council is delighted that staff and students from Rainford High School will be involved in completing the project.

Parish Council Accounts The Parish Council mainly raises funds through the precept (paid by households as part of the Council Tax) and by hiring out the Village Hall. Additionally, it organises events such as the Beer Festival and Christmas Fayre and Christmas parties.

63 Resources are spent on subsidising community events, community projects such as 50% of the School Crossing Patrol on Cross Pit Lane and support for Rainford in Bloom. Income also covers the cost of the administration of the

Rainford Community Cinema Join us at Rainford Village Hall on Sunday, 12th December for ‘The

Parish Council and the Village Hall through the Clerk’s

Star’!

office. Additionally, the Parish Council covers all the costs

This heart-warming film shows us

for the Village Hall which have included extensive repairs to the structure of the building this financial year.

that it takes many tails to tell the greatest story ever.

Community Speed watch

Tickets are £5 and include a drink and a snack. And you

Having been stalled by COVID restrictions, the speed

at the end!!

watch volunteers are finally out and about in the village,

Email office@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

looking out for speeding vehicles and illegally parked cars. The aim is to make it unacceptable to break the speed limit, and stop inconsiderate and dangerous parking

never know, someone special might put in an appearance or phone

01744 884709 to book your tickets! Doors open at 2:30pm Film showing begins at 3:30pm

throughout Rainford.

Rainford Christmas Fayre Rainford Christmas Fayre will take place this year on 4th December 2021 from 10am – 4pm! With Father Christmas in his grotto and a variety of exciting stalls, you’ll have your Christmas Shopping all wrapped up. You can also treat yourself to some delicious food and snacks.

With entertainment

throughout the day, and some fantastic raffle prizes, it will be a very special fun-filled event for everyone.

Christmas Parties at the Village Hall Some tables are still available for Friday 17.12.2021, but the Saturday night is all sold out! Join us at the Village Hall for a great Christmas Night Out with family, friends or colleagues. Tickets are just £35 per person, for a 3-course meal and entertainment in a beautiful setting. Call 01744 884709 or admin@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk for further information and to book tickets.

RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL Rainford Village Hall, Church Road Rainford WA11 8HB

01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk @rainfordvillagehall

@rainfordparishcouncil

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Pendle Hill by Chris Pearce Distance: 3.9 miles Difficulty: Hard The Pendle area is well known for its connection to witchcraft and the supernatural, and the story of the Pendle witches is a prominent example how England viewed witchcraft back in the 17th century. However, Pendle Hill itself is the stage of a more uplifting story from the same period. The founder of the Quakers, George Fox, was so moved by his climb up Pendle Hill in 1652 that he created the religion, and, in his autobiography, he wrote, ‘From the top of this hill the Lord let me see in what places he had a great people to be gathered’. Though we can’t guarantee you’ll have an epiphany like George’s, the views from the top of Pendle Hill on a clear day will provide you with stunning views of the North West coastline. At a shade under 4 miles long, this Jack’s Tracks starts from the main car park (BB12 9JX) in the pretty village of Barley. Exit the car park via the path behind the café/toilets and within a few yards you’ll be on the main road through Barley. Turn right along this road and you’ll pass the village’s two pubs, Pendle Inn on the left and the Barley Mow on the right.

Look out for the Methodist church by a small bridge over the stream. You’ll need to turn left up the footpath that runs parallel to the stream. Follow the path for 300 yards and just past the oddly shaped tree (see picture), you’ll cross the stream again and arrive on a single-track road. Turn left and shortly after, you’ll reach a fork in the road, so take the right fork. Within seconds, you’ll see the entrance to the footpath on the right, so turn up this cobbled path. Follow this well-defined path for ¾ mile, uphill past Brown House Farm and Pendle House, and in clear view of the steep ascent awaiting you next. As you go through the gate to start to climb the hill, there is a curvier, longer (but less steep) route to the top on the left hand side, but we’ve gone for the steeper and shorter route taking you up the right hand side of the Big End, as Pendle Hill is known in these parts.

66 The bad news is it’s very steep indeed, but on the plus side, the climb is made easier by the fact that the many steps are robustly built and help a safer ascent. It’s certainly a challenge, but when you stop, turn and look at the views behind you, you’ll want to take a photo break or three! Once the sharp gradient subsides, you’ll be faced with a drystone wall. Turn left just before you get to the wall and, shortly afterwards, you take the left fork of a path away from the wall towards the trig point uphill in the distance. When you’ve posed for the obligatory selfie at the trig point, carry on walking in the same direction for 1/3 of a mile. You’ll reach the signpost indicating a dog-leg left turn to Barley (down the curvier route mentioned previously). Ignore this and go straight on. The path’s gradient gets steeper, but never overbearingly so as you descend for a further ½ a mile, enjoying great views of the Ogden reservoirs on the way down. You arrive at some wooden gates. Take a 90-degree left turn and then, almost immediately, take the right fork and

Barley Moor

follow that path downhill until you reach a small wooden gate. Go through the gate and follow the path downhill along the left-hand perimeter of the field. Carry on in the same direction down a track that joins up with a second track. At this point the path becomes less well-defined, but head straight on in the same direction, initially towards the field to the left-hand edge of the wooded area and then carrying on in that direction up Barley Hill and through a succession of fields for 1/3 of a mile. Once you get to the field just past the end of the Lower Ogden reservoir, look out for a wooden gate on the right hand side. Go through the gate and straight downhill, looking out for the footpath sign on the left. Follow the footpath through another gate and you’ll end up by the village hall. Turn left and then first right into the car park from where you started the walk.

Windy Harbour Farm Big End

Foot House Gate Farm

Beacon

Pendle Hill

Upper Black Moss Reservoir

Pendle House Stang Top Moor

Lower Black Moss Reservoir

Ba rle yL an e

Aitken Wood PENDLE SCULPTURE TRAIL

Barley Moor Pen dle Wa y

Barley Under Pendle Cottage

Barley Hill Barley Green

Buttock

Cross Lane

Lower Ogden Reservoir

Fell Wood

Upper Ogden Reservoir

For those with the OS Maps app on your desktop, mobile or tablet, this walk is named: JT-Pendle-Hill

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.

Elevation

Lowest 215m

400m

Highest 556m

200m 0.0km

Total ascent 346m 2.0km

4.0km

6.3km

Pendle Sculpture

l i a r T

The other main attraction in the Barley area, on the opposite slopes to Pendle Hill, is the Pendle Sculpture Trail. Contained within Aitken Wood, this family tourist attraction brings together art, nature, and the history of the Pendle area. There are fifteen unique and intriguing sculptures located on the wooded trail along with ten plaques symbolising the ten witches of Pendle. The sculpture trail was inspired by Pendle’s infamous association with witchcraft, culminating in the trial of the Pendle Witches at Lancaster Castle in August 1612. Nineteen prisoners stood trial – nine from Pendle, eight from Samlesbury, one from Padiham and one from St Helens. The prisoners were not allowed to have defence counsel to plead for them, nor could they call any witnesses to speak on their behalf. All nine defendants from the Pendle area, along with Isobel Robey from St Helens, were sentenced to death and were subsequently hanged on the moors above the town. Isobel Robey from Windle was charged with ‘felonious exercising and using devilish and wicked arts’ at the Pendle Witch Trials. This charge was brought after accusations from her goddaughter’s husband, Peter Chaddock, which were backed up by various accounts from Isobel’s neighbours, Margaret Parr, Jane Wilkinson and Margaret Lyon. Isobel strongly disapproved of her god daughter’s choice of husband and wasn’t shy in sharing those views with the family, a trait for outspokenness which led to her tragic and brutal execution. The Pendle Sculpture Trail is located in Aitken Wood, near the Black Moss Reservoirs. The nearest parking is about a mile away in the main car park in Barley – it’s a fairly easy walk to the wood, but the start of the trial is a short, fairly steep climb.

For more information about the Pendle Sculpture Trail in Barley, you can visit www.visitpendle.com and download a trail map.

Christmas

Mincemeat Slice This delicious festive slice Method can be served warm as a 1. Sift the flour into a large bowl and rub in the butter with your fingertips until the mixture resembles very fine breadcrumbs (alternatively pulse in pud with custard, thick a food processor until fine breadcrumbs). cream or brandy butter or simply cool completely and 2. Remove 100g of the breadcrumb mixture and cover and chill in the fridge. Stir 25g of the sugar into the remaining mixture, then stir in the egg and serve instead of mince pies. water and mix to a firm dough (adding a little more water if needed). Knead lightly then wrap in cling film and chill for 30 minutes. Makes 12-14 slices Ready in 1 hour 15 minutes, plus chilling and cooling

Ingredients 225g plain flour 165g unsalted butter, chilled and diced 1 egg yolk blended with 1 tbsp cold water 75g caster sugar 300g good quality mincemeat 50g ground almonds 2 tbsp flaked almonds

3. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas mark 6. Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 23cm square tart tin. Prick the pastry all over with a fork. Line the pastry case with baking paper and baking beans and bake for 10 minutes. Remove the lining paper and beans and bake for a further 5-7 minutes until the pastry is crisp and pale golden. Cool slightly. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas mark 4. 4. Spread the mincemeat in the pastry case. Mix the rest of the sugar and the ground almonds into the reserved pastry crumb mixture and scatter over the mincemeat to cover completely. 5. Return the tin to the oven and bake for a further 25-30 minutes or until the crumble topping is pale golden. Scatter over the flaked almonds and leave to cool before removing from the tin and cutting into 12-14 thin slices.

TIP: Add some finely chopped toasted hazelnuts or walnuts to the crumble topping for an extra nutty flavour.

Winter s t e k s a B g n i g n Ha Hanging baskets are a great way to create a miniature gardening space with your choice of colours. Once established they make even the gloomiest back yard look more cheerful, or the prettiest patio look even more gorgeous. Plenty of plants make for a colourful basket and your local garden centre or nursery should have a good selection, including winter-flowering pansies (I am fond of the purple and yellow varieties) and heathers, Gaultheria with its waxy red berries, dianthus for late autumn into early winter and assorted miniature shrubs, including variegated Pieris, Choisya ternata ‘Sundance’ and variegated euonymus, to help give structure and colour. The shrubs will look great in a container for a year or two, before being planted in the garden. A thicker, almost felt-like liner provides insulation in cold weather as well as keeping the compost and plants in place. I suggest a 35cm (14”) diameter basket as it can take more plants and, because it is larger, resists cold better. You’ll also need compost. Stand the basket in a large flowerpot before you start to prevent it rolling about. Once the liner is in place, remove the chain at one anchor point to stop it getting in the way. The liner will protrude above the basket edge at this stage

but this helps to keep the compost in place. Use good quality multi-purpose compost, firming it gently, and fill the basket about half full. Mesh baskets allow for easy side planting. Cut holes in the liner then insert small plants such as pansies at regular intervals around the sides of the basket, inserting them from the outside inwards to reduce damage. Nestle the roots into the compost and make sure that the liner is back in position after the last plant is in place. Add more compost to cover the roots of the side plantings and firm again gently. Next get the central plant in place and add three more upright plants such as miniature shrubs, equally spaced around the edges. For extra colour, add more winter bedding plants around the very outermost edge of the basket. Pinch out any faded flowers and add more compost, carefully filling in any gaps before watering thoroughly. Your hanging basket will soon fill out but stand it in a sheltered spot for a week or two to allow the roots to establish before hanging it in position, watering if necessary. Regular deadheading and removal of faded flowers plus a feed with a high potash fertiliser after about a month will keep it looking great, well into the spring.

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The car industry’s most eco-friendly advancements Climate change is a hot topic in the car industry and manufacturers are racing to bring electric cars and plugin hybrids to market to reduce tailpipe emissions. But it’s not just the powertrain that’s been the focus. Many manufacturers have been working to make the whole car-building process more eco-friendly, whether it’s the materials used inside or the production process itself. Here, we take a look at some of the ways cars are getting greener.

Mini Strip The Mini Strip is a one-off concept car built in collaboration with fashion designer Paul Smith. Based on the firm’s Electric Hatch, it prioritises sustainability above all else. Features include a body that has not been painted, except for a film to protect it from corrosion, recycled Perspex for the panoramic roof, all but the necessary interior trim removed, and cork used throughout. Though the Mini Strip will remain as a concept, the British firm says it can be used as a “catalyst for more sustainable use of resources in automotive design”.

Synthetic fuel Although electric vehicles are considered the future, there are some alternatives being worked on. One example is hydrogen cars, but a less talked-about alternative is synthetic fuel. Also known as e-Fuels, they are essentially no different from the petrol and diesel that comes from crude oil, but they are instead produced from carbon dioxide and hydrogen using renewable energy. Porsche and Siemens are two big companies working together on this technology. Although they admit that currently it is more efficient to use that renewable energy to charge an electric vehicle, e-Fuels are a sustainable way to fuel the millions of petrol and diesel vehicles currently on the world’s roads.

Volvo’s wool interiors Volvo has been one of the manufacturers most committed to electrifying its line-up, but it’s also focused on sustainability elsewhere. We’ve become used to seeing synthetic or ‘vegan’ leather alternatives from a variety of manufacturers, but Volvo offers a unique wool upholstery. It’s a blend that’s 30 per cent wool and 70 per cent recycled polyester, available as a no cost extra on some of the firm’s vehicles.

Seaqual Yarn Volvo isn’t the only manufacturer experimenting with interesting eco materials. Last year, Fiat became the first manufacturer to use Seaqual yarn for its seat upholstery, with the Cupra Born’s bucket seats also using the material. Seaqual is an initiative based in Italy that

focuses on fighting plastic pollution in the ocean. Its ‘Yarn’ product is made from 100 per cent recycled materials, with about 10 per cent coming from upcycled marine litter.

Eco-friendly production Pretty much every major car manufacturer has announced plans to electrify its range and set targets for carbon-neutral production at its factories. This is being achieved in various ways, such as powering factories with renewable energy. Toyota builds more cars than anyone else globally, so improvements can have a major impact at its factories. Measures include using water-based paints on cars, removing pollutants before they are released through smokestacks, cleaning wastewater on-site before it is released, and growing forests inside its factory sites.

Last year, the Japanese company announced plans to build a “prototype city of the future” at the base of Mount Fuji. It will be fully connected and powered by hydrogen fuel cells.

Bentley of the future Bentley is a luxury car firm, and it has made it its mission to make sure the cars it builds in the future are more sustainable. In 2019 it revealed the EXP 100 GT concept car, an autonomous electric vehicle. Everything about its construction had sustainability in mind. For example, some of the furnishings used a dyeing process that strives to achieve zero discharge of chemicals into the environment, while others come from a material called Vegea, which uses the by-products of winemaking. It also uses wood from naturally felled trees.

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down

2. Arab country which achieved

independence from the UK in 1971 (5)

3. Fruit resembling a small peach (7) 4. Largest and most southerly island in the

Marianas (4)

5. One who runs away from service in the

armed forces (8)

6. In snooker, to pocket the cue ball after

hitting another (2-3)

7. Siren of German legend (7) 12. The food of the gods (8) 14. Popular chilled beverage (4,3) 16. Goat-like antelope (7) 18. Throbs dully (5) 20. Watery discharge from the eyes or nose (5) 21. Support for sails (4)

across

1. Shade of blue tinged with green (4)

15. Greek mathematician (the ‘Father of Geometry’)

4. Japanese movie monster (8)

8. George Lucas film of 1977 (4,4)

17. Port city in northern France (2,5)

9. Vegetable known as lady’s fingers (4)

19. Military chaplain (5)

10. Spencer ___, actor who appeared in many films

22. Corrode, as with acid (4)

23. Flavoured with herbs and spices (8)

with Katharine Hepburn (5)

who wrote The Elements (6)

11. Highly-prized edible subterranean fungus (7)

24. Rotating part of an engine (8)

13. Person who is tricked or swindled (6)

25. Oil reservoir in an engine (4)

Solutions Across: 1. Aqua, 4. Godzilla, 8. Star Wars, 9. Okra, 10. Tracy, 11. Truffle, 13. Victim, 15. Euclid, 17. Le Havre, 19. Padre, 22. Etch, 23. Seasoned, 24. Camshaft, 25. Sump. DOWN: 2. Qatar, 3. Apricot, 4. Guam, 5. Deserter, 6. In-off, 7. Lorelei, 12. Ambrosia, 14. Iced tea, 16. Chamois, 18 .Aches, 20. Rheum, 21. Mast.

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Local Life - St Helens - Nov/Dec 2021

Articles inside

Turkey Burgers

Hamper Comp

Six of the Best Christmas Markets

Panto - it’s Back

Rug for Every Room