Local Life - St Helens - February 2017 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife St Helens Edition

February 2017

Norman’s reason to

return

Jack’s Tracks visits Sutton Test Drive - Evoque Convertible Local News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Garden Diary Food Home Services locallife247.co.uk

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New Year

New Look A

longside your new look magazine is a brand new website, www.locallife247.co.uk, so do take a look when you have a minute. Among other things, walkers can download a selection of Jack’s Tracks and readers can enter competitions, upload photos and register to get a free online copy of Local Life every month.

The major change on the website is the launch of Events2go, our new local what’s on guide. Events2go is a calendar of events, constantly updated by our staff and by event organisers.

Anne Turner MUSIC TEACHER GDMuS. CertEd. ALCM

Voice/Piano Keyboard Theory Choral Direction Anne also works with choirs and community music groups

Events2go is on the website, it’s a fast-growing Facebook page and it will play a major part of the magazine from March too. If you’re a Facebook user, do give Events2go a ‘like’ when you’re next online, and we’ll do our best to inspire you And if you organise any sort of event, from meetings to fairs, fundraisers or the local pub quiz night, Events2go gives you the tools to publicise your event/s absolutely FREE. Simply visit the website, click on Events2go, and upload details and even a picture or poster if you have one. Those details will be used on the website, in our magazines, on social media and, later this year, in an Events2go newsletter, emailed weekly to thousands of people. Time to get out and about everyone, spring is in sight and Events2go is a pretty good place to start! See you next time

For more information, contact Anne on:

Tel: (0151) 426 6606 Mobile: 07767 815916

Email: j.anneturner@btinternet.com

DBS Certified

David Sudworth, Editor

In this issue

Regulars

Norman’s reason to

25 Class From The Past 43 Jack’s Tracks 30 Planning 47 Test Drive 32 Puzzle Corner 50 Garden Diary

return

36 Marcus at

Sections 6 Local News 40 Food & Drink 47 Motoring

home

50 Gardening 52 Home Services

Next issue - March 2017

Advertising deadline - Thursday, 28 February Published - Friday, 10 March

40 Jack’s Tracks visits

Sutton

43 Test Drive

Evoque Convertible 47 Angie Barker’s

Garden Diary 50 locallifemagazine247

LocalLife Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB

Telephone: 01744 649 722 Publisher: Chris chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Sales: Clare sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: David sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Dylan, Peter design@locallife247.co.uk Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk Accounts: Sam accounts@locallife247.co.uk Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston Park, Windle, Prescot Road and parts of Nutgrove and Sutton Heath. The next issue is delivered to over 12,000 private homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of Haydock. 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.

@locallifemedia

events2go

Dawn’s delight Dawn Rogers was the lucky winner of our recent festive hamper competition. The Rainhill resident, who lives on Deepdale Drive, received her prize just before Christmas. Her name was among several which were pulled out of the hat for our popular annual giveaway. Other winners were Kathryn Latham, of Chapel Lane, Coppull, Glenda Lowe of Whitley, Wigan, Dorothy Gray, of Girton Ave, Ashton and Eleanor Jones, of Crosshall Brow, Westhead. Remember, for more great competitions, keep reading Local Life and follow our Facebook pages: locallifemagazine247 and events2go.

The Big Chippy Awarded the 5 Star Food Hygiene Rating again in 2017 Awarded the Fast Food Guide Editors Choice Award 2017 New excellent Chinese chef Member of Fish Frier’s Association Pick up a loyalty card today to receive a free Chinese meal or fish & chips after 10 visits with purchases over £9 (only one stamp per visit)

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Lost railways

Get Mucky

‘I Remember… The Lost Railways of St Helens’ is the

Mucky Mountains Morris Dancing Group in St

topic at a talk by local historian Allan Moore. Allan will take you along the tracks of time to a bygone era at St Helens Central Library on Thursday, February 14, from 2pm until 3pm. Places must be booked so contact 01744 676954 or email centrallibrary@ st.helens.gov.uk.

Helens is looking for new members. They dance many traditional English dances from all over the country, and are looking for both dancers and musicians alike. They meet on Thursdays at St Mark’s Gamble Hall on Bishop Road at 8pm. To join, call Helen 07779 935190 or Jeanette 07885 726261. For more information visit https://muckymountains. org.uk

Coffee morning The Inner Wheel Club is holding a coffee morning on Thursday, February 23, from 10am until noon at St Julie’s Church Hall, Howards Lane, Eccleston. Tickets are £1 with all of the proceeds going to local and international charities, there will also be multiple stalls and a raffle taking place throughout the morning.

Beer festival This year’s annual Rainhill Beer Festival has been confirmed for the weekend of November 9, 10 and 11. Organisers are looking for potential sponsors to get in touch. For further details, visit www.rainhillbeerfest.org

Enid

honoured

A Prescot woman has been honoured for her work in the local arts scene. Enid Pennington received a British Empire Medal for her tireless efforts on behalf of the Theatre Royal. She was a founder member of the Friends of the Theatre Royal in 1984 and has been a board member and chairman for over 20 years. In 2009, when the Theatre Royal roof was beyond repair, she helped to set up an appeal; inviting members of the public to have their names put on a seat of their choice at a cost of £100. Enid said: “It may not be generally known, but the Theatre Royal Trust receives no funding and relies on rent from a tenant and whatever money the Friends raise during their fundraising activities. This

enables us to keep the structure of the building in a good state of repair. So anything the public can do to help maintain this very old Theatre, would be greatly appreciated.” In the past year, Enid has reinstated the Name on Seat idea. For a form, ring Enid on 0151 426 6180. To become a Friend of the theatre, ring Andrea Molyneux on 01744 602542. To make a donation towards current repairs, write to Mr R. B. Platt, Alpine House, 28 Church Road, Rainford, WA11 6HE.

Rainhill’s buzzing! Rainhill Women’s Institute has a meeting to put the spring into your garden! Entitled Make Your Garden Buzz, members welcome Paul Quigley, who is head gardener at Norton Priory. The talk will take place in the Teak Room, Rainhill Village Hall, at 7.30pm on Tuesday, February 21. Entry is £1. For more information visit http://rainhillwi.com/

Go moonlighting Locals are being encouraged to put their best feet forward for the 11th Willowbrook Hospice Moonlight Walk. It starts at Willowbrook – The Living Well building - on Borough Road at 9pm on Wednesday, June 10. The walk will include lots of entertainment and even a brand new colour splash section, so be prepared to get messy! Tickets are £15 for adults and £5 for children. For more information contact events@willowbrookhospice. org.uk call 01744 453798 or to register for this event visit https://willowbrookhospice.charitycheckout. co.uk/MLW

Storytellers Aloud Storytellers Aloud is hosted at Eccleston Library on the first and third Wednesday of every month. Take the children down to listen to a story at 3.30pm with activities to follow. A similar event, Read and Rhyme, is also hosted at the Broadway facility every Monday at 2pm and Friday at 10.30am. All are welcome to go along and enjoy the books, music and other activities available. For more events, follow STHLibraries on Facebook.

Life in the 1950s Want to know more about Life in the 1950s? Graham Stirrup talks about the decade as a guest speaker at Queen’s Park Local History Group’s meeting on Monday, February 13. It starts at 7pm at Sprayhurst Social Club on Boundary Road, St Helens.. For any more information contact Pat on 07746 229 122.

New homes bid An Eccleston monastery could be demolished for a new housing estate. Jones Homes and The Discalced Carmelites are applying for permission to bulldoze the existing buildings, apart from the lodge, and erect 12 new homes at the Green Lane site. There has been a monastery on the plot since at least the 1770s, although the current buildings are from the 20th Century - the earliest being 1914. Papers submitted with the planning application to St Helens Council state: “The Carmelite Monastery buildings are of medium significance for architectural and aesthetic values. It lacks the architectural quality of other Carmelite monasteries, including the locally listed Carmelite Monastery at

Golders Green, Liverpool. Compared to Catholic churches and associated buildings by well-known regional architects such as Edmund Kirby, this is a very plain example of an early 20th Century Catholic complex. The retention of the convent buildings is not feasible for two key reasons; the Sisters are opposed to the former convent buildings being converted for residential use, for religious and philosophical reasons, and would not sell the site if residential conversion was proposed. Also, to adapt the buildings, particularly the church, for residential use would entail a substantial level of change that would further reduce their heritage value. “The development for 12 new houses will retain the distinctive stone walls around the perimeter of the site.”

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A final decision is due to be made by St Helens Council in April.

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Another say on Green Belt Locals will get at another chance to comment on controversial plans for St Helens’ Green Belt. A consultation - which would mean land across the borough developed - ended just a few weeks ago. The council says it is now considering those responses and will publish a second draft of its Local Plan in late summer, followed by another round of public consultation. In theory, the proposals, which involve land in Windle, Eccleston and Rainhill, could be radically altered. However, planners would still need to identify sufficient land to meet government housing targets.

Current sites in the frame include: • Eccleston Park Golf Club, Rainhill Road (968 homes) • Higher Barrowfield Farm, Houghton’s Lane, Eccleston (8 homes) • Land south of A580 between Houghtons Lane and Crantock Grove, Windle (977 homes) After the next round of consultation, the final draft will be submitted to a government-appointed Planning Inspector in autumn, with a pre-hearing due to take place before Christmas. An Examination in Public is pencilled in for FebruaryMarch 2018, followed by the inspector’s report in June.

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The final part will see St Helens Council adopting a Local Plan sometime in September or October 2018. The current plans have caused uproar in certain areas, with action groups being formed to fight the proposals. Campaigners were recently dealt a huge blow after St Helens Council granted permission for a largescale warehouse operation just off the East Lancs Road at Pewfall. The land is currently designated as Green Belt, although in the emerging Local Plan proposals, the idea has been put forward to release it from its protected status. Details of local protest groups can be found at www.facebook.com/residentsagainstrainhill/ and facebook.com/groups/saveecclestonsgreenbelt/

A protest poster on Broadway, Eccleston

Valentines Day MENU

Entrees

Starters

• Pan fried hake fillets

• Salt & pepper onion petals with sour cream • Curried mussels with freshly baked bread • Chest of wings served with bbq or piri piri dips • Soup of the day

£35

Includes a bottle of house wine per couple

served on a bed of creamy mashed potato with spinach, tomato & piri piri dressing

• Supreme of chicken

filled with a spicy chorizo sausage served with a fondant potato with a parsley & shallot cream

To Finish

• 10oz prime ribeye

• warm chocolate fudge cake

with roasted mushroom, vine tomatoes and a pepper sauce

with vanilla ice cream

• Aubergine melts

• sticky toffee pudding

filled with a rich ratatouille & topped with a mozzarella and parsley oil dressing

with a creamy custard

• cheese board

Mothers Day DINNER

To Start

• Soup of the day served with a warm crusty roll

• Chicken liver parfait served with a red onion marmalade and lightly toasted sourdough • Crispy calamari with a piri piri & lemon mayonnaise • Chest of chicken wings with a BBQ or Piri piri sauce • Whitebait with a dill mayonnaise

Mains

To Finish

• 3 meat carvery with a selection of fresh seasonal vegetables

• warm chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream • sticky toffee pudding with creamy custard • cheese board

£19.95 per person

• Appleby red, creamy Cheshire, stilton, Sharrock’s Lancashire • cheeses with crispy celery sticks and a tangy onion marmalade

Children’s Menu Also Available

Blundell’s Lane, Rainhill, L35 6NA

•

Telephone: 0151 426 9040

•

www.blundellshill.co.uk

Wedding Fair Sunday 19th March

We Will be showcasing our Amazing Venue along with Several Local Wedding Suppliers offering you ideas for your special day Come along between 11.30am and 4.00 pm and we will be on hand to answer any questions Free Admission ~ Free Parking ~ Prize Draw

Blundells Hill Golf Club

More than just a golf clubâ&#x20AC;Ś

Windle charity help

Players wanted

If you, or someone you know is suffering from

Woodwind or brass players are needed for St

financial hardship, then Windle United Charity may be able to help. Applicants must live within the boundaries of the Ancient Township of Windle, which stretches as far as Moss Bank, Carr Mill, Fingerpost and much of the town centre. Apply in writing to Mr. Paul Bargery Haygarth, Jones Solicitors, 8 Hardshaw Street, St Helens WA10 1RE. All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.

Helens Concert Band. They meet on Wednesdays, at 7.30pm, at St Helens Cricket Club, Windleshaw Road. Call Keith Owen after 6pm on 0151 724 5563 or visit www.sthelensconcertband.co.uk

Rainbow invite Girls aged five in Eccleston are invited to joining the local Rainbows group. It meets on Christ Church Lower Hall on Mondays from 5.45pm-6.45pm. Call Anne Quayle on 01744 22963.

10k training People preparing for the forthcoming St Helens 10k are being urged to others in a regular training session. Join the Team trains every Tuesday, 6pm7pm at Queen’s Park Health and Fitness Centre or Selwyn Jones Sports Centre. There’ll also be an extra chance to train on Saturday, February 25, from 7am8am at Queen’s Park. Race day is on Sunday, March 5. Runners aged over 16 of all abilities are welcome, but they need to wear some hi-vis clothing. For further details call 01744 671717 (Queen’s Park) or 01744 677970 (Selwyn Jones).

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 sthelensnews@locallife247. co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.

Prescot awards Entries are being accepted for the Prescot Community Recognition Awards. Organised by the town council, it seeks to recognise those who have had a positive impact on individuals and the wider community. A spokesman said: “Prescot has a strong community, sometimes the efforts of particular individuals and groups stand out as being above and beyond that of a usual citizen. These groups and individuals are not always aware of the positive impact they can have, on both individuals and the wider community, and can go largely unsung for their actions.” If you know of someone deserving of the award, complete a nomination form and return it to the Town Council by the April 30. Nomination forms are available to download at www.prescottowncouncil. com as a Microsoft Word document, or call in at Prescot Town Hall, Warrington Road, to pick up a form.

Sale sparks interest The future of a historic Rainhill building could become clearer in the next few month. Loyola Hall, which was put for up sale with a £1.25m price tag last year, has prompted interest from a number of potential investors. The country house was built by businessman Bartholomew Bretherton in 1824. The site was sold to the Society of Jesus in 1923 and subsequently used as a Catholic retreat centre until 2014. Members of Rainhill Civic Society’s committee met a representative of the agents handling the sale of Loyola Hall at the Hall recently.

decided yet, a number of prospective buyers have shown interest in the site. A society spokesman said: “Their ideas cover a range of options for the use of the buildings and land. Offers to buy will be considered in the next few weeks. “Any proposal by a buyer will be subject to a formal planning application to St Helens Council. A major issue, recognised by all, is whether the site should be removed from the protection of the Green Belt. “ The main building is Grade 2 listed and any changes to it would need approval from Historic England.”

It has emerged that although nothing has been

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Deadline looming

Model rail exhibition

The deadline for a children’s writing competition in

Rainhill Model Railway Club will be holding its

St Helens is getting closer. Saturday, February 18 is the final day for submission to St Helens Council’s Superhero Story contest. Entries must be about a superhero and cannot be more than 500 words long. The superhero can be one from a cartoon or film - or even a made up one.

Model Rail 2017 exhibition on Saturday and Sunday, March 5 and 6, at Rainhill Village Hall, Weaver Avenue. There will be 15 layouts, trade support, club shop, ‘show you how’ demonstrations and refreshments.. The exhibition is spread over two floors of the hall, both of which are suitable for access by disabled visitors. There will be a free vintage bus service running on both days from the North West Museum of Road Transport, Hall Street, St Helens, to the exhibition.

First prize is a £35 book token and £75 worth of books for your school library. Second prize is a £25 book token and £60 worth of books for your school library. And third prize is a £15 book token and £40 worth of books for your school library. Call in to any Library in St Helens to collect your entry form for full details

Opening times are 10am-5pm on the Saturday and 10am-4.30pm on the Sunday. Admission prices are £4.50 (adults), £3 (children) and £12 for a family.

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Class from the

past

This month’s Class from the Past is from St Cuthbert’s School, and is believed to have been taken in the 1960s.

Maybe you can spot a familiar face? Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to share, email sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk

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Distributors

wanted Local Life require distributors for the following areas; Eccleston Park Albany Avenue, Forest Grove, Broom Close, Gorsey Croft Alder Road, Maryville Road, Hawthorn Road Old Lane, St James’ Road, Burrows Lane St Helens Road, Marlborough Road, Hamnet Road Scholes Lane, Grebe Avenue, Lowther Crescent Rainhill Ashton Avenue, Manor Avenue, Galston Avenue, Fairlie Drive, Alness Drive, Railton Avenue, Dunbeath Avenue, Coylton Avenue Rainhill Road, Ellerslie Avenue, Brookfield Avenue Warrington Road, Kendricks Fold, Goldsworth Fold Eccleston Melrose Avenue, Broadway, Cecil Drive Nutgrove Wedgewood Gardens, Rainhill Road, Aynsley Court, Foxwood, Swisspine Gardens, Wildcherry Gardens, Bexhill Gardens

Distributors typically work for 2-3 hours every 8 weeks. Applicants must be aged 13+ and be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. Interested? Please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

LocalLife

Business seminar Businesses are invited to get clued up at a Data Protection and Data Retention Awareness Seminar. It is being held on Tuesday, February 28, from 9am-noon at WJB Training & Consultancy, Morgan Brightside Building, Bradman Road, Knowsley. The seminar covers issues such as whether businesses have procedures to make sure they work effectively and legally. The information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) can fine organisations up to £500,000 and send offenders to prison; By 2018 these powers will increase to €20m. The cost of the course is £25 for members of Knowsley Chamber of Commerce, or £30 for nonmembers. Book via www.knowsleychamber.org.uk

Courses offered Training courses are being offered for new HomeStart St Helens volunteers. The group is a family support charity with a 30 year track record. As well as needing home visiting volunteers, the group is also keen to strengthen its Board of Trustees. All volunteers attend a preparation course and are DBS checked. They are then linked with a family. Staff continue to support the volunteers who generally give around three hours of their time each week. Attendance for the course is one day a week, 10am to 2.30pm, for eight weeks. If you are interested, call 01744 737400, email VolunteeratHomeStartStHelens@outlook.com or visit www.home-start.org.uk/home-start-st-helens for dates of future courses.

Sick children fundraiser A fundraiser for the Helen Marie Charity takes place at St Mary’s Club, Trent Road, Billinge, on Friday, March 24. The organisation raises money for young children who are in hospital. The event is a 1940s-themed evening with people encouraged to dress up in period costume. Tickets are £12, please call 01744 734155 or 01744 756298.

Check out our brand new

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Andy’s gruelling challenge A St Helens soldier who survived being blown up in Afghanistan is undertaking a gruelling challenge for charity. Andy Reid, who grew up on Windleshaw Road, Dentons Green, is attempting to cycle 400 miles, complete 125 miles of kayaking and climb 17,500 ft. To be staged over 14 days, this is going to be a gruelling task for anyone, but especially Andy, who lost two legs and an arm in the 2009 incident in Helmand Province. Andy, who went to Windleshaw Primary and now lives in Rainford, is doing it alongside another Afghanistan veteran Glen Hughes, who is recovering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. The event called Warrior Challenge - is in memory of six soldiers who lost their lives when their armoured vehicle was caught in an explosion in Kandahar Province in 2012. Five of the men were from Andy’s regiment.

clothing for injured servicemen.

Monies raised with go to ABF - The Soliders’ Charity and Style For Soliders, which makes morale-boosting

For more information and to donate, visit warriorchallenge2017.com

From June 16-29, the team will cycle 500 miles from Lytham to Devizes and kayak 100 miles from Devizes, Wiltshire, to Westminster as they visit the graves of six soldiers . They will be travelling through Lytham St Annes, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Bradford, St Helens, Warrington, Gloucester, Bath, Warminster, Devizes and Westminster.

Planning Matters Eccleston

P/2017/0016/FUL). A decision is due soon.

5 Millfields: Demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a four-bedroom dwelling (ref: P/2017/0078/FUL). A decision is due soon.

Windle

Rainhill

65 St Georges Avenue: Single storey front, side and rear extension. (ref: P/2017/0066/HHFP). A decision is due soon.

Stoney Lane Bridge: Works to bridge parapets in line with electrification of railway (ref: P/2017/0022/PN18). A decision is due soon.

66 Bishop Road: Demolition of existing attached garage and erection of a two storey side extension. (ref: P/2017/0062/HHFP). A decision is due soon.

Sutton 43 Junction Lane: Conversion of ground floor to a residential flat and external alterations. (ref:

For more information on these plans, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk

Puzzle Corner

1 5 8 2 3

6 2

WORD SEARCH

6 2 8 4

Find the hidden words S

GOLD

COPPER

PLATINUM

MAGNESIUM

MERCURY

IRON

SILVER

SODIUM

ALUMINIUM

6 8 3

4 7 9

8 1 4 8

SUDOKU WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: London, Paris and Charles Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.

A L E O

T A T F

E S W O

I T I C

A bride took her bridesmaids out for a meal. Each ordered a different type of starter, main and pudding. Can you work out what they all ate using the clues below? CLUES 1. The bridesmaid who chose an omelette to follow her mushroom soup was not Claire. 2. The bridesmaid who ordered tomato soup finished off her meal with ice-cream. 3. Janeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s meal started off with vegetable soup. 4. The smoked salmon was finished off with chocolate mousse.

All the puzzle solutions are on page 47 of this magazine

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Their Prescot Office is located at 20 Eccleston Street, just next door to Prescot’s indoor shopping centre. There is plenty of free parking at the centre, and being on the pedestrianised shopping street means that you can pop in for legal advice whilst visiting the other local shops and independent stores Prescot has to offer. 2017 marks an exciting year for I E Legal as they have recently moved into the newly refurbished premises, and also have some new members of the team. Thomas Hurley is the latest addition. Thomas has experience in helping people with disputes, such as consumer problems and recovering unpaid debts. “It’s great being able to help Thomas Hurley people with their legal issues, and as we can offer no-win no-fee for collecting outstanding bills, and low-cost fixed fee services for

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Dominic Cooper

Norman’s reason to

return

David Sudworth meets the Whiston actor whose directing debut is winning both rave reviews and industry awards

orman Gregory has one of those faces you instantly recognise. Which is just as well when you’re stood waiting for him in the middle of The Adelphi foyer at the exact time that three coach loads of tourists decide to check in. “I’ve grabbed a table over here,” says Norman, leading me through the bustling crowd to the Liverpool hotel’s palatial dining area. Brought up in Whiston and a former student at West Park Grammar in St Helens, the former Brookside actor now lives in Poole, Dorset. But he’s clearly pleased to be back on home turf. And that’s because he’s talking about his directing debut in the critically-acclaimed and award-winning film A Reason To Leave. More of that later because, for now, he’s happy to reminisce. “When I did Brookside, I stayed here at The Adelphi. It was a really low time for Liverpool in the early 1980s. Even Woolworth’s was boarded up, and remember thinking to myself: ‘My God, that’s the last place you’d expect to be boarded up in Liverpool’. “The Adelphi was a really exclusive place when my mum and dad were younger, so while I was here and they were visiting, I got the staff to do afternoon tea for them. They were absolutely made up.” Born in Liverpool, just off Walton Road, Norman’s family moved out to Whiston when he was still young. “It was 1942 and my mum, Norah, actually got a mortgage on her own, which was unheard of in those days, because my dad, Chris, was away in the war. Mum is still going strong at the grand age of 97!”

Norman with his mum Norah, now 97 The Gregorys moved into 10 Willis Close, just off Windy Arbor Road, and Norman attended St Luke’s School: “I later went to St Helens Grammar (West Park) but I wasn’t a success story there. I only got one O-Level in art. I remember phoning up my father and he battered the hell out of me,” he laughs. “I do remember we had a teacher there we nicknamed Jinxy. We only had him for one term so I don’t remember his real name, but I do remember he worse a denim shirt, which was unheard of at the time. He taught us Macbeth and that’s when I realise how exciting Shakespeare could be.”

After leaving school, Norman became a photographer and spent time in Africa, including during the Nigerian civil war, where he would provide aerial survey shots. And it was while he As a St Luke’s pupil was in Africa that he first caught the acting bug: “I was in Johannesburg and a guy asked me to an anti-drugs campaign video. That went fine and when I came back to the UK I met this old boy who could open a few doors for me. I then trained at RADA, so that’s how it all began really.” One of Norman’s earliest roles was when he appeared as Detective Sergeant Thornton in Coronation Street. Since then, he’s appeared in TV classics such as The Professionals, Solider Soldier, Emmerdale, EastEnders, Taggart and long-running police series The Bill. It was during his stint at Sun Hill Police Station that he worked with Mark Wingett, who played DC Jim Carver.

Playing opposite Bernard Youens (Stan Ogden) in Coronation Street in 1978

38 So when it came to casting the lead role of Harry in A Reason To Leave, Mark was a natural choice. “Mark is a really great actor and a good guy as well. The thing is, we had no money so people were only getting paid expenses. Mark’s agent at the time, perhaps understandably, wasn’t keen but I managed to make contact with Mark directly through a casting director I know. Once he read the script, Mark immediately said yes.” A Reason to Leave tells the story of middle aged Harry (Wingett), whose drinking and gambling lead him to make a terrible mistake. He meets a young

“We’re so proud of the finished result” woman, played by Alice Bird, (of Footballers’ Wives fame) on a ferry and she offers him the chance of a new life. Filming took place in Dorset and Tuscany, where they literally took over a small village, but the idea came while Norman was undertaking a masters degree in digital film direction. “I remember a news item I’d seen about a publican who had stolen the pub’s Christmas fund and disappeared. He jumped off the cross Channel ferry and drowned. I wondered what would have happened had he not drowned, but started a new

life abroad. I liked the idea that Harry would find redemption in an Italian vineyard, ironically given that alcohol was the cause of his downfall.” Norman admits that despite casting famous actors, which also include Claire King, formerly of Emmerdale, he had been surprised it has scooped so many accolades. To date, A Reason To Leave has won three prestigious awards including Best Director at the Milan International Film Festival. “I knew I had a great script and fantastic actors, but the film’s success has been a wonderful surprise. Making the film wasn’t easy. I had to call in a few favours. But we’re so proud of the finished result” A Reason To Leave is now available to rent or buy at www.vimeo.com/ondemand/areasontoleave or via www.areasontoleave.com

Norman (right) overseeing filming of A Reason To Leave in Tuscany at dusk

Food & Drink

Marcus at

home

By Claire Spreadbury

arcus Wareing is a serious chef. Whether you’ve watched him on MasterChef, Great British Menu, or in one of his three restaurants, it’s a word you’d definitely use to describe him. And he wouldn’t disagree. “I am serious,” says the 46-year-old. “I’m serious because I need to take my job seriously, and because there is a lot at stake. I take everything I do seriously, but I also now enjoy a lot more and am a little more open-minded.” It’s perhaps this new, (slightly) more relaxed persona that has brought about his latest release, Marcus At Home, which is fit to burst with recipes that very normal folk can try their hand at. And it’s all been inspired by family cooking. “I love watching my family enjoy food that we’ve made together and my wife makes a brilliant lasagne,” says the father-of-three, who’s married to Jane, 45. “I think now, because the children are more aware of food and are trying more, we as a family are starting to diverge into bigger flavours, spicier food, and just a lot more variety. The kids are not so young any more - they love their food and are growing up. It’s really challenged me to do something I’ve never done before, which is focus on food at home.” Wareing - who describes himself as “driven, precise and friendly” - is a lot more easygoing than you might imagine. He’s perfectly polished (his shirt is impeccably ironed and his beard is as neatly shaved as you’d expect his Parmesan to be), but calm and keen to put me at ease.

“When I think of ‘home’, it’s all about the kitchen, the family, laughing and arguing,” says the chef, who hails from Southport, but now resides in Wimbledon (he recommends a deli there called Bayley And Sage, if you’re ever in the area, for the “best fresh fruit and produce”). And now the kids are growing up, cooking together is something that’s happening more often. “It can be hell at times, but it is mostly fun,” he says, eyes twinkling and a smile spreading across his face. “What annoys me about cooking with children - even though I do love it - is the mess. Jess always wants to cook cakes, Archie will get involved in cookery with his mum and he makes a mean salad sandwich. But Jake is all about fry-ups, and he hates cleaning up.” Don’t we all? Though I can imagine this is one Michelin-starred chef who won’t stand for anyone not clearing up after themselves, even if they are his children. Fancy some relaxed, homely family food created by one of the best in the business? Tuck into these...

Marcus At Home by Marcus Wareing is published by HarperCollins, priced £20. Available now

Pumpkin soup with maple-toasted seeds

Method Peel and quarter the pumpkin, reserving the skin and seeds. Cut the pumpkin flesh into rough 2cm chunks, and set aside. Put the skin, seeds, trimmings, bay leaf and rosemary in a large saucepan. Cover with about 2.5 litres water, bring to the boil and simmer for one hour. Strain and reserve the stock.

Serves 8 Ingredients 1 pumpkin, preferably with blue/grey skin, 2kg approx 1 bay leaf 1 sprig of rosemary 125g butter 1tsp sea salt 250ml milk Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the maple-toasted seeds: 60g pumpkin seeds 1tbsp maple syrup 1/2tbsp olive oil, plus extra to serve 1/4tsp sea salt

While the stock is simmering, preheat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. To make the seeds, mix together the pumpkin seeds, maple syrup, olive oil and salt. Scatter evenly on a baking tray and bake for eight to 10 minutes, until golden. Remove and allow to cool, then roughly chop. Melt the butter in a large saucepan over a medium heat, and add the pumpkin chunks and one teaspoon of salt. Cook for about five minutes, until the pumpkin starts to soften. Pour in about half of the pumpkin stock and bring to a simmer. Cook for 10 minutes, until the pumpkin is completely soft and starting to break down. Stir in the milk, remove the rosemary sprig and bay leaf. Using a stick blender (or transfer to a food processor), blitz until completely smooth, adding more stock as required. Season to taste. Serve the soup hot, scattered with the mapletoasted pumpkin seeds and drizzled with oil.

Braised cod with herb vinaigrette, toasted broccoli, sprouts & chestnuts

Serves 8 Ingredients 4tbsp olive oil 4 thick skin-on cod fillets 250ml chicken or vegetable stock 1 head of broccoli, broken into florets 12 Brussels sprouts, quartered 2 garlic cloves, crushed 100g fresh or vacuum-packed chestnuts, finely chopped Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper For the vinaigrette: 1/4 bunch of tarragon, leaves picked and finely sliced 1/4 bunch of parsley, leaves picked and finely sliced 2tbsp capers, chopped 1/2 red onion, finely chopped 4tbsp white wine vinegar 150ml extra virgin olive oil 1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

Method To make the vinaigrette, mix all the ingredients together and set aside. Heat two tablespoons of the olive oil in a large, nonstick frying pan over high heat. Season the cod well with salt and pepper and carefully place in the pan, skin-side down. Cook for a couple of minutes until the base of the cod is nicely browned, then turn over. Pour in 200ml of stock and cover the pan loosely with foil. Reduce the heat and simmer for a maximum of five minutes, until the cod is just cooked through. Heat the remaining two tablespoons of olive oil in a wide frying pan, over high heat until almost smoking. Add the broccoli and sprouts and fry until browned. Pour in the remaining 50ml of stock and add the crushed garlic, then reduce the heat slightly. Cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are just tender, then stir in the chestnuts. To serve, divide the vegetables between plates and sit the cod on top. Drizzle generously with the herbed vinaigrette and serve straight away.

sponsored by

Clock Face &

Sutton

y rights, this walk shouldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t even be possible. When Sutton Manor Colliery closed in 1991, it still had 40 years of coal reserves left. But with losses of ÂŁ23m in the years running up to its demise, British Coal had already made up their mind. Today, the site has been transformed into a woodland which, due to its recently installed Dream artwork, has seen the likes of Lord Melvyn Bragg pay a visit. Indeed, the 20 metre high edifice even inspired the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. Our walk, however, starts hundreds of miles from there in the car park at King George V Playing

by David Sudworth

Fields on Jubits Lane, Sutton Manor (WA9 4BB). We headed through the park, across Walkers Lane and in to Brickfields Daisyfield Park. We were immediately greeted by a stunning apple tree groaning under the weight of some beautifully succulent specimens - cue a quick dash back to the car for a plastic bag! Once our impromptu foraging had ended, we followed the path all the way round until it emerges onto Chester Lane. Again, we cross over and go to the left and into Brickfields Red Quarry. This takes you through to Clockface Road. Cross over and go

44 site and across the fields until you reach Gorsey Lane. Word of warning - take care when you reach the road as it’s very easy to step straight out into the path of fast moving traffic. Cross the road and go straight into the parkland opposite. Once in, take the path to the right and follow that round until you reach the second path off to the right. Take this path into Clock Face Country Park. The path comes out on a grassy area which you cross to pick up the main path. Here, go left and follow the path all the way round until you reach the car park. Walk the length of the car park and onto the long tarmacadam

to the left, this time taking the path through Sutton Mill Dam. This is a wonderfully shaded spot but you do need to keep to the right side of the reservoir. When you reach the far end of the dam, go down the steps and take the path that follows the brook until it emerges on to Mill Lane. At this point, turn right and continue along the B5204. After you pass the old, partially demolished railway bridge, take the first right into Abbotsfield Road. After about 60 metres you see the start of the public footpath on your left. Take this and follow it past the industrial

path that takes you down and out past the houses to Clock Face Road. Cross the road and head into Miners Way Clock Face. This crescent shaped path takes you to the entrance of Sutton Manor Wood. You immediately come to a fishing pond where you go left and then take the first path on the right, going up the steep climb. Follow this going right to take the path up to The Dream. Public art always attracts varying comments but the word which best sums it up is probably ‘serene’. It’s the sort of place you could easily spend a

The Dream Designed by Jaume Plensa, the man behind the illuminated glass dome at BBC Broadcasting House, his first idea - The Miner’s Soul - was rejected by ex-miners and a local Steering Group. Plensa then shared his original idea for the site, which was The Dream (he held it back originally, fearing it possibly too daring/conceptual). The concept was not only the artist’s response to the brief and the town’s ‘Ex Terra Lucem’ motto, but also directly informed by Jaume’s conversations with the ex-miners and other members of the local community about their aspirations. A total of 6,160 man-hours were spent on site, during which time more than 5,500 cups of tea and coffee were drunk. Since being erected in June 2009, The Dream has featured on Channel 4 and gained coverage in newspapers across the UK, India, Canada and the Middle East.

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46 good half an hour and come up with 30 different interpretations of its ‘meaning’. Likewise, it’s a lovely spot just to sit, read a book (my own favourite pastime) or eat your lunch.

along Jubits Lane and across to the car park, or stay in the wood, exiting at the north west corner opposite the car park. This five mile walk allows you to see how a northern town, which has struggled for years to erase the physical and mental scars of losing its industrial base, can reinvent itself. The transformation is ongoing, but whatever the future holds for this part of St Helens, its beauty is rightly a source of pride.

After taking in the view, continue all the way round Sutton Manor Wood. You can either exit the wood at the old Sutton Manor Colliery main gates. This is a real treat for those who love their mining history, with the National Coal Board name proudly displayed on the wrought iron design. A demonstration of the past strength and pride in an industry which once brought home the bacon to many local kitchen tables, brought low by a combination of cheap fuel from abroad and environmental considerations.

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear while walking. While 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.

To get back to the car, simply go right to walk back

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Test Drive

Range Rover

Evoque Y

Convertible

ou have got to ask why people spend so much on a piece of metal with a wheel attached to each corner. It almost seems a bit nutty when all most of us want is a tool to get us from A to B. But cars aren’t always about transportation. They can be about our emotions and our egos. Some of us use a new car as a status trophy – a badge of honour to show how well we’ve done in life. I suppose if we have a head-turner of a car in the Western world it’s about pleasure-seeking, too – and having an easier life. Let’s face it; we would rather have a shiny, luxurious car to travel around in than a rust bucket. And that need for selfsatisfaction can overrule the down-to-earth side of us when we are selecting a car. Some of us kick the word ‘practicality’ to the kerb anyway. I mean, good grief, in Great Britain we

by Tim Barnes-Clay

purchase more convertibles than many other countries in the EU. Why is this? After all, the UK is often dank and cloudy. Again, it comes down to that feel-good factor. Going topless when there’s sunshine in our country produces a massive rush - well, it does for me, anyway. It’s a better remedy for melancholia than a happy pill from the GP, I’d bet. But being prescribed a drop top car isn’t likely to happen at the doctor’s! Speaking of fresh-air motoring, the Range Rover Evoque Convertible has been launched recently. The looks of this SUV take a bit of getting used to, but they grow on you. As the fifth fellow of the Range Rover club – and the first convertible – Land Rover believes the all-new car will play a key part in continuing Range Rover’s tale of success, forging a fresh SUV sector. If industry professionals’ prophecies about a 20 per cent

48 expansion in the international SUV market over the next five years prove accurate, then, the car firm has nothing but sunbeams heading towards it. The Range Rover Evoque Convertible has a material roof that can be triggered on the move – as long as the SUV isn’t doing more than 30mph. The five-layer top will fold down in around 18 seconds and it will go back up in approximately 21 seconds. Inside, the colossal InControl Touch Pro nav is pleasing – and, more crucially, it works very well. Genuinely, the pinch-to-zoom function is as quick as Apple’s iPad or iPhone. The Range Rover Evoque drop-top will seat four people and, for a convertible, it has an adequate 251-litre load area, too. The other good thing is that the roof opens and closes inaudibly and it tucks away compactly, instead of piling-up on the car’s tailgate. You can go for either a petrol unit or a diesel engine, buoyed by turbo power. This is all linked up to a smooth-operating nine-speed automatic ‘box, and all-wheel drive. The 2.0 turbo diesel is the best engine if you’re after economy, returning around 49.6mpg on average. The diesel Evoque Convertible shifts from zero to 62mph in 10.3 seconds, which is 1.3 seconds longer than the hard-top Coupe’s sprint - but both manage a top end of 121mph. The 240PS petrol propelled power unit is nippier, getting to 62mph in 8.6 seconds.

On and off-road, the non-tin-top SUV seems just as gifted as its hard-topped sibling – with indistinguishable clearances, and a mutual 500mm wading depth. Indeed, at the car’s European launch in the French Alps, the Evoque Convertible worked its way up, down – and through - everything asked of it – including deep snow. I doubt many motorists going for a roofless Range Rover will take the trouble with the off-roading part – but it is reassuring to know the SUV can do more than just look sexy in affluent suburbs. The all-new Range Rover Evoque Convertible is being made at Land Rover’s Halewood plant, alongside the five-door and Coupe versions, and it is on sale in over 170 markets around the world. Prices kick off at around £47,500, which is £5,200 more than a Range Rover Evoque Coupe with a roof.

Fast Facts 0-62 mph: 10.3 secs Combined mpg: 49.6 Engine: 2.0 litre turbo diesel Max. power (PS): 180 CO2: 149 g/km Price: £51,700

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The grown ups are taking

charge... by Angie Barker

fair amount of my design work comes from mums and dads whose children have grown up. Their gardens have previously been laid out to accommodate family life; large lawn areas for play, football nets, climbing frames, swings and the dreaded trampoline. When the children would prefer to update their status on Facebook and tweet rather than do cartwheels on the lawn, then it is time for a change. Mums and dads are looking to reclaim their outside space for some adult relaxation and entertaining and who can blame them. Here are some of my tips for creating an adult friendly garden: • Have more than one seating area so that you always have somewhere to sit in the sun, whatever aspect your garden has • Don’t be afraid to use a mix of materials – natural stone paving and hardwood decking work well together and look very grown up. (Ensure decking is not put in a shady spot and that it is laid correctly so that it does not get slippery)

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.

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• By incorporating raised beds in your design you create interest and height and they are much easier to tend than borders at ground level. Chunky treated timber (sleepers) are easy to lay and look clean and modern • Reduce the size of your lawn. Whilst it is always preferable to have some lawn in the garden downsizing it will mean less time spent mowing and more time sat on your new patio with a glass of wine • Be bold and go contemporary. After years of allowing the children to dominate your garden style, update your look by using clean simple lines • Create the ‘room outside’ theme by using lighting - and by having comfortable rattan sofas, you can use your outside room all year round Last year I bought an outside bioethanol fuel fire for our decked area. Hubby and myself spend many an hour staring into the flames. After all, when the kids have grown up and left, we could all do with a bit of romance in our lives (ha ha ha).

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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

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B5250

01744 894 431 07931 282 896

UP ACCESS

(Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)

Slash your electricity and water heating bill Protect your household from future energy price rises

ReduceE your household’s ...andreturns available impact on the environment from your www.dglwindows.co.uk own solar panels X (10% typical return) Call H us now A k ChecVisit our showroom at T Car84 Health U or Unit 4a, rton dio Cricket Street Business Park Brethe Y n and S @ Stu Miry Lane, Crosto of off 7PG Wigan. e WN5 R for all residents WN6 Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk need me! T 7TP , Billing you 400 6PM Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk Road 4 619 ford ESaturday 10AMKeep me until : 0781 Check S hone : 84 Rain Health - 7PM, Open Telep 10AM yS FREE Car on , Fridayay & Sunda now Book your A5209

Natalie

Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 noon

J27

Shevington

Standish

FREE

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0843 224 9555 07595 420237

01772

REPAIR

603923

DING & WEL