Local Life - St Helens - February 2020 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife St Helens Edition

February 2020

LMS meets LL Pages 33-36

Vegan Vigils Pages 12-13

Shakespeare Up North Page 24

Local News Motoring Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks Health Events2Go Home Services locallife247.co.uk

Local Life

he month of February sees a new era dawn for the UK, a future that’s firmly outside what was the Common Market (and is now the EU) for the first time in 47 years. It’s a strange feeling isn’t it? Wherever you stood on the issue, we’re all in this together, as David Cameron (the architect of the Brexit referendum) once said. And whilst economic and business commentators galore pontificate on the damage (or opportunities) of Brexit, it’s clear that the final impact of Brexit on the UK, be it positive or negative, won’t be known for years to come. How we can each influence the outcome though, albeit in a small way, is to assess our own buying habits and try, wherever possible, to buy local. Whenever it’s food and drink, holidays or any other goods, it all makes a difference to the local economy when you opt to buy local. Plus, you’ll have a positive effect on the environment – now that’s what I call a win-win! See you next time Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

Keep in touch with the LocalLife Team!

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Telephone: 01744 649 722 info@locallife247.co.uk

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www.locallife247.co.uk

This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highlights 33. Interview with Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook

Contents 22. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size.

28. Recipe Thai Green Curry.

38. Events2Go Fabulous February fun.

40. Motoring The new Corolla comes to life.

42. Gardening

12. Vegan Vigils

24. Shakespeare Up North

Happy new garden to you!

44. Home Services Find a local trader for you.

30. Caramelised Onion & Goatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cheese Pizza

40. Test Drive

42. Happy New Garden

Next issue - March 2020

Advertising deadline - 21st February Published - 5th March

Want to promote your business in

LocalLife?

01744 649 222 www.locallife247.co.uk

News & Features

Ranger Walks St. Helens Rangers are offering free health walks throughout February, starting with a stride through Mesnes Park in Newton-le-Willows on Wednesday, February 5. Other walks taking place this month include one around Sankey Valley (February 11th), one at Siding Lane (February 17th) and another in Bankes Park (February 25th). All walks begin at 1:30pm and last around 2 hours at a fair pace. The Rangers also run regular bird walks for anyone wanting to spot some local wildlife. For more information, call 01744 677772.

The Dresser Rainhill Garrick Society’s first play of the new year will be The Dresser, running from February 13th15th at Rainhill Village Hall. The play, by Ronard Harwood, draws on the author’s own experiences as a dresser to Shakespearean

actor Sir Donald Wolfit. For more information or tickets, call 01744 813429 or email rainhillgarrick@gmail.com

The Beery Best Real ale drinkers in St. Helens are encouraged to come out and vote for their favourite establishments in the 2020 CAMRA Pub of the Year Award. Six local pubs made the shortlist: Cowley Vaults, Cricketers Arms, The News Room, Talbot Alehouse, The Turks Head and The Skewbridge Alehouse. Each of the pubs scored highly on WhatPub based on opinions by visiting CAMRA members. Scoring is based on the quality of the ale and cider on offer, the community focus and pub atmosphere, the service, sympathy with CAMRA and overall impression of each venue. Votes from members must be submitted by Wednesday, February 19 to the CAMRA Committee – forms can be downloaded from www.sthelenscamra.org.uk Beer lovers can also head to the annual Liverpool Beer Festival this month; hosted in the Metropolitan Cathedral, you can expect over 200 real ales and ciders themed around the War of the Roses. CAMRA members get £3 worth of beer tokens on entry. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.

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 call us on 01744 649722 or contact us on sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk

Safari Sprint A 10K like no other comes to Knowsley in March - get your running shoes on for a race around the

Entrance to the Safari Drive is available for an extra £15.

safari park.

Entry for club runners costs £16, £18 for non-club runners, bookable www.runningbeefoundation.co.uk

The route will take in some of the safari park grounds before looping around Knowsley Hall and Park.

or at

Image by The Running Bee Foundation

Distance markers are placed at every 1km, with a water station at the middle and end of the run. All finishers receive a commemorative medal and a t-shirt. Meanwhile, spectators can park at the Safari Park for £5 per car, allowing access to the Foot Safari including the brand new Tiger Trail: come nose-tonose with resident Amur tigers at the pond viewing spot.

Call us now on:

07751 000102 10 North Road St Helens WA10 2TL

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Swinging Success A local man’s campaign for St. Helens Council to install a disability swing in the borough has paid off. Paul Smailes, who lives in Moss Bank, started a petition on behalf of his son Luke, who was born learning difficulties due to an extra chromosome and uses a wheelchair. Luke, who’s 19, used to have access to the wheelchair-accessible swing at Mill Green School in Parr, but upon finishing school could no longer use it. Instead, Luke was forced to watch ablebodied children at Taylor Park use the swings as no public wheelchair swings exist in the borough.

an adapted roundabout for the park.

After getting local council leader David Baines on board, Paul and Luke have successfully negotiated a new wheelchair swing which will be installed at Taylor Park. The council are also looking at acquiring

‘I just want people in wheelchairs to be treated equally and join in the fun in the parks across St. Helens,’ Paul says. ‘When they showed me the plans I just broke down in tears.’

the auction centre The leading Auctioneers and Valuers

• Modern saleroom at Manor Park, Runcorn • RICS and NAVA registered auctioneers and specialist consultants • Probate and Insurance valuation reports undertaken • Full house clearance service available • Regional valuations centres around the north-west St Helens Valuation Days

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 9.30 – 12 noon 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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Vegan Vigils:

Fad or Fantastic by Jess Phillips Let’s face it: vegan diets are on the rise. Since the conception of Veganuary in 2014, vegan restaurants and businesses have been springing up nationwide, with more people than ever ditching the meat and dairy to follow a completely plant-based lifestyle. The number of vegans in the UK has actually quadrupled since then, with an estimated 600,000 vegans in Britain alone. Some quote health reasons for the radical diet change; others prize animal welfare above all else. But it’s the militant approach to veganism which remains a point of contention for most meateaters - from outspoken activists appearing on our morning television to the common trope of the vegan constantly letting you know about it. After all, how do you know someone is vegan? They tell you.

Fad diet or not, animals headed for slaughter doesn’t exactly make for easy dinnertime conversation. For some, like Wigan resident Sarah Vidler - member of Wigan’s Vegan Community and animal rights activist - veganism goes beyond a simple lifestyle change. Sarah, who has been vegan for four years, regularly attends vegan vigils organised by Wigan Animal Save; on the surface, a slightly bonkers practice which involves turning up to slaughterhouses to bid an emotional farewell to the animals before they’re taken off to be killed. This is a way to show pigs, cows, sheep and more some love in their final moments, with activists reaching through the bars of cattle vans to stroke their heads and whisper comforting words. Of course, it all sounds slightly mad. After all, the animals are still headed off to the same place

regardless, so what’s the point? Sarah thinks the sense of community built by meeting other activists and being able to share the animals’ stories with the world, in the hope of turning more people towards a more sustainable way of living. ‘I attended my first vigil two and a half years ago,’ she tells me. ‘I had no idea what to expect and was incredibly nervous - was I being extreme, going to stand outside a slaughterhouse on a drizzly Saturday morning in November? Were we going to get arrested?’ It turns out no, as long as protests remained peaceful, the group was perfectly entitled to attend, as long as they arranged things beforehand with the slaughterhouse. And the staff’s reaction? ‘Initially the staff were wary of us and sometimes mocked us for being there,’ Sarah continues. ‘However, over time they began to see that we weren’t a threat, and were simply there for the animals - that we wanted to show that they mattered. The staff also realised that we weren’t against them as individuals, just standing up against an industry we believe is unjust, unnecessary and contributing to the destruction of our environment. ‘It turned out to be an incredibly moving experience. I remember breaking down the first time I saw the slaughter truck pull through the gates to unload the pigs. That feeling of utter helplessness, not being able to save them - it was unbearable, yet I also felt incredibly inspired being surrounded by like-minded people, who were seeing what I was seeing and feeling what I was feeling.’ Sarah began attending vigils with Manchester

Animal Save, who have an agreement with Tulip Meats in Ashton-under-Lyme to stop the vans for a few minutes to allow attendees to say goodbye. This evolved into helping to run the local Wigan group, who now have a similar agreement at Blacklidge Bros on Warrington Road. Sarah also helps to facilitate local ‘Cube of Truth’ events in Wigan town centre, which aim to highlight the truth behind what’s on your plate by showing footage of ‘animal exploitation’. She has plenty of horror stories to tell about slaughterhouses across the country - most of which are too graphic to be repeated here. ‘It doesn’t matter what labels we give these animals in life - whether free-range, organic or pasture-fed - not a single animal that I’ve witnessed has ever walked willingly to their death. And why should they?’ Sarah wonders. What started off sounding like mob-mentality, treehugging lunacy actually begins to fathom itself into something that makes a strange amount of sense. After all, we wouldn’t want to see the animals we treasure as pets sent off to slaughter - why should cattle be any different? ‘To staunch meat eaters I would say come and talk to us,’ Sarah says. ‘We’re not the scary terrorists depicted in the media, we are ordinary, hard-working people just like you who want to build a better world for everyone. How can that be a bad thing?’

To find out more about upcoming vigils in Wigan, visit Wigan Animal Save on Facebook or head to www.thesavemovement.org

Beat the Streets

Kellogg comes to town

Local homeless charity Teardrops are hosting an exclusive concert fundraiser this month featuring a whole host of local artists and bands.

Iconic cereal brand Kellogg have confirmed they’ll occupy a 525,000 square foot warehouse in Haydock, creating 70 new jobs.

The concert takes place at Ravenhead Social Club, with bands like Polker, Alleys and Patriots lining up to take to the stage, along with artists like Kiera Weathers and Matty Lamb.

The former Florida Farm site will be home to the new warehouse, with the company moving in at the start of April.

Entry cost £5 per adult and £2 per child, and the gig takes place on Saturday, February 8 from 1pm.

Woodland Wonders

Head of Kellogg UK Chris Silcock commented: ‘It’s great to be able to open a base in St. Helens and expand into the Liverpool City Region in support of our broader business’s growth ambition.’

Road Closure

Willowbrook Hospice is looking for woodland crafters to showcase their skills at their Open Garden event later this year.

Mill Lane in Rainhill will be closed for 5 days starting on Monday, February 10.

Taking place in July, the Willowbrook Open Gardens are a great chance for the public to take a peek inside the award-winning grounds of the hospice.

No vehicles will be permitted to drive in either direction between the junctions at Stonecross Drive and Lincoln Way, as tree felling is carried out nearby.

So if you’re skilled in outdoor crafting, get in touch at nickys@willowbrookhospice.org.uk

The closure will be in place during working hours, from 9am-4pm.

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Hosted by Meet Your Muslim Neighbours, visitors are invited to remember those who lost their lives in acts of genocide across the world, including the Holocaust and mass killings at Srebrenica and Burma. Attention will also be turned to the impending and ongoing genocides in China, Assam and Kashmir. The day will be filled with talks from guest speakers from various backgrounds, with accounts of people who have been directly affected by genocide in their lifetimes. You can also ask any questions you might have at dedicated Q&A sessions.

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LocalLife

Plans were submitted last month to build a new restaurant on empty land next to Rainhill train station. The site has been unused for 18 months, and the new proposal says it would bring it back ‘to a viable use’ and ‘contribute towards the regeneration of the site and its setting’. Public consultation is open until Friday, February 7, after which the plans will be considered by a committee.

TO 4

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Local Life require distributors for the following areas;

For more information, call 07856 039289.

AC U F TU N

A special event to raise awareness of genocides and other atrocities will take place in March at Whiston Town Hall.

The event takes place on Sunday, March 1 from 12pm-4pm.

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Merseyside Movie A film made in St. Helens has been selected for the Manchester International Film Festival in 2020. Based on the acclaimed theatre production TORCH, the film - entitled ‘The Whole Truth, and Nothing but the Truth’ - is an all-female foray into the history of St. Helens told through 5 perspectives. Filmmaker Caroline Smith packs powerful storytelling into the 15-minute piece, spanning different decades and key moments in the town’s past. The film comes as part of the HELEN project at Heart of Glass, Idle Women and ANU. Heart of Glass director Patrick Fox commented: ‘It’s wonderful to see this incredibly powerful filmic interpretation by a local director getting recognised

by an international film festival. This film gives everyone the chance to share in the magic of the incredible live [theatre] experience.’

Huge selection of fires, stoves & fireplaces

100+ displays over five floors 90% of our fireplaces are made to measure - no need to re-decorate or re-carpet! Traditional, Classic & Contempory styles Local family business, established over 30 years

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www.flamesuk.co.uk Opening Hours: Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Friday 9.30am-4.30pm (closed Wednesday); Saturday - 10am-4pm

Celebrating 30 Years The year was 1990. Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister; Nelson Mandela was in prison and Kieron Cunningham was still a schoolboy. It was the year that Jean Cutler, a designer at Beamans in St Helens, opened JC Kitchens in Reginald’s on Reginald Road in Sutton with the support of her husband Allan, an industrial chemist.

Jean & Allan Cutler

And an amazing 30 years later, JC Kitchens and Bedrooms is still going strong, it’s still in the family and it’s still delighting residents of St Helens with excellent quality kitchens at extremely reasonable prices.

Now run by Jean and Allan’s daughter, Jo-Anne and her husband John, JC Kitchens occupies impressive showrooms on Greenfield Road in St Helens, attracting potential customers from far and wide to view two floors of inspiring kitchens and bedrooms displays. Backed by excellent reviews and recommendations, JC Kitchens & Bedrooms have helped transform some of the finest homes in the country and it’s no wonder that JC Kitchens & Bedrooms enter their fourth decade of business with an outstanding reputation for inspiration, expertise and quality. If you’re looking for a new kitchen or bedroom in 2020, do call into JC Kitchens & Bedrooms on Greenfield Road for a tea, a chat and a warm welcome.

Expert advice from a friendly family business, established 30 years ago. Browse our two-storey showrooms for inspiration.

What our customers say;

Absolutely brilliant customer service from us walking through the door to desig ning and fitting, love my new kitchen. Amanda Dixon Absolutely made up with our kitch en, it’s perfect. Thank you, we have finall y got our dream kitchen. Sarah Preston Quality kitchen and an awesome service from Jo-Anne and John. I can’t recom mend them enough. Matthew Hill

JC Kitchens & Bedrooms

99-101 Greenfield Road, St Helens, WA10 6SH

Tel: 01744 24406 Opening Times Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:30 Saturday: 10:00 - 15:00 Sunday: by appointment

JC Kitchens

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Shakespeare up

North

Dame Judi Dench backs new Prescot theatre. The new Shakespeare North Playhouse is currently under construction and due to open to the public in 2022, when Knowsley becomes the Borough of Culture for the Liverpool City Region. Located on the site of a former car park in Prescot, the new-look venue will provide ample space for a variety of performances and complete the UK’s Shakespearean triangle of venues: in London, Stratford-upon-Avon, and Knowsley. The reason for the theatre’s development? Prescot was actually the only place in the UK to boast an indoor playhouse outside of the capital in Elizabethan times! In January, Knowsley MP Sir George Howarth, along with St. Helens MP Marie Rimmer, headed down to the Houses of Parliament to discuss the new venture. Shakespeare North Trust patron Dame Judi Dench was also in attendance, commenting: ‘It is no secret that I am absolutely passionate about Shakespeare and his work and the idea of bringing

this love of language to a new generation and to communities in the north of England is something I am completely behind. ‘This project will be much more than ”just” a theatre and its impact will be seen for generations to come. I am thrilled to be able to support it.’ Also voicing their support for the new Playhouse are local author Frank Cottrell-Boyce, actor Josh Bolt and Lady Anne Dodd, the wife of the late Sir Ken. The Ken Dodd Charitable Trust will be involved in creating an outdoor performance garden at the Playhouse for use during the warmer months. Of course, the theatre will host more than just Shakespeare. The venue will be home to a huge variety of drama, music and comedy performances, hoping to attract visitors from far and wide. For updates on its construction, visit www.shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk

image by Knowsley News

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READY

in 35 mins Serves 4

Thai Green Curry

This classic curry is great for a mid-week family supper itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quick to make and tastes delicious!

Ingredients

Method

200g Thai jasmine rice

1 Cook the rice in a large pan of boiling, lightly salted water for about 15 minutes until tender, or follow the packet instructions.

1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 onion, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tbsp Thai green curry paste 1 large red pepper, deseeded and thinly sliced 1 large courgette, sliced 450g chicken breast fillets, cut into chunks

2 Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onion for 5 minutes. Stir in the curry paste and cook for 1 minute until fragrant. Stir in the pepper and courgette and fry for a further minute. 3 Add the chicken and cook for 3-4 minutes until no longer pink, stirring all the time. Pour in the coconut milk and simmer gently for 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked. Stir in the soy and fish sauces and lime juice. 4 Drain the rice and use a small heatproof cup or bowl to make four mounds of rice on warmed serving plates. Sprinkle the nigella seeds on top and spoon the curry on the side.

400ml can coconut milk 1 tbsp soy sauce 1 tbsp fish sauce Squeeze of lime juice 2 tsp nigella seeds

TIP: Add a handful of freshly chopped coriander leaves to the curry at the end of cooking time, if liked. Or for a spicier flavour, garnish with shredded red chilli pepper.

Don’t compromise on taste,

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Aberdeen Angus Beef

Renowned throughout Merseyside for our Scotch Beef, We only sell the best quality Certified Aberdeen Angus beef from Inverurie.

Free Range Chicken

We serve the same Juicy and moist Label Anglais chickens that Gordon Ramsey serves in his restaurants.

Free Range Pork

Supplied by Anna’s Happy Trotters, our succulent pork earned acclaim from celebrity chefs Gerard Baker and Rosemary Shrager.

Lamb

The luscious flavour of our lamb is attributed to being grazed on the Yorkshire Moors, and we also serve seasonal varieties.

Venison

This highest quality venison is supplied from the Royal Estate at Balmoral.

Goat

Supplied from Cumbria, this delicacy is low in cholesterol, high in iron and of similar calorific value to chicken.

Sausages

Our award winning sausages are made on the premises and flavours include specials flavours such as black pepper, hog roast and even chippy curry.

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Caramelised Onion & Goatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Cheese Pizza

READY

in 1 hour Serves 4

This is a tasty alternative to the classic cheese and tomato pizza. Serve with a green salad dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Ingredients

Method

3 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to drizzle

1 Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the onions. Fry over a gentle heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add the sugar and fry for a further 10 minutes until golden brown. Leave to cool.

2 large onions, peeled and thinly sliced 2 tsp brown sugar 2 x 145g packets pizza base mix 2 tsp fresh chopped rosemary leaves, plus 1 tbsp small sprigs 2 x 100g round goatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cheeses, sliced 5 cherry tomatoes, halved TIP: Instead of the caramelised onions spread, the pizza base with sun-dried tomato paste then top with some cooked and drained spinach. Scatter over diced mozzarella cheese, grated parmesan cheese and some fresh chopped oregano.

2 Preheat the oven to 220C, Fan 200C, Gas Mark 7. Empty both sachets of the pizza base mix into a large bowl and stir in a large pinch of salt and the chopped rosemary leaves. Stir in 200ml handhot water and mix to a soft dough. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 5 minutes until smooth and elastic. 3 Roll the dough out to a 30 x 45cm oblong. Place on a greased baking sheet and turn up the edges of the base. Spread the caramelised onions over the base, then top with the sliced goatsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; cheese, cherry tomatoes and rosemary sprigs. Leave in a warm place for 10 minutes. 4 Drizzle with olive oil and season with a little salt and lots of freshly ground black pepper. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the base is golden brown.

READY

in 40 mins Serves 4

Bacon & Mushroom Risotto Try this for a tasty and simple New Year supper! Serve with slices of toasted garlic ciabatta.

Ingredients

Method

1 tbsp olive oil

1 Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. Fry the onion and bacon gently for 5 minutes to soften. Add the mushrooms and cook gently for a further 5 minutes until they start to release their juices.

1 onion 8 rashers streaky bacon, chopped 250g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 300g risotto rice 1 litre hot chicken stock Grated Parmesan

2 Stir in the rice and cook until it begins to look translucent. 3 Add the stock, a ladleful at a time, stirring well and waiting until most of the stock is absorbed before adding the next ladleful - it will take around 20 minutes for all the stock to be absorbed. 4 Stir in the Parmesan cheese and remove the pan from the heat. Serve and garnish with extra Parmesan to taste.

TIP: You can also add finely chopped brown onions and grated garlic for extra flavour.

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LMS Uncovered Jess Phillips meets Londoner-turned-Wool Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook at the kick-off of his testimonial year to get real about rugby, family, and life after Saints.

The prop forward, who began his rugby league career with Harlequins RL and went on to play for England, now resides among the ranks of the Saints elite after 10 years at the club. After a hectic few years balancing the arrival of twins with intensive rugby training, McCarthy-Scarsbrook is understandably looking forward to a testimonial year filled with celebrations – if not exactly rest and relaxation. Louie grew up on the Isle of Dogs in London, and was in his last year of secondary school in Lewisham when a supply teacher announced he’d been picked to attend open trials hosted by London Broncos. ‘All the thick kids got selected to go down and take part,’ Louie laughs. ‘But I went down there and as

it happens I got picked up by Phil Jones at Harlequins who ended up guiding me through my whole career.’ As a kid, Louie’s dad actually played rugby union – but he himself wouldn’t touch a rugby ball until he was sixteen. ‘Getting into rugby league was purely by chance, to be honest. I always wanted to be

34 a footballer! I still want to be a footballer! I was definitely not good enough at football to actually be a footballer, sadly.’ But, under the wings of seasoned players – and friends – Danny Orr and Rob Purdham at Harlequins, McCarthy-Scarsbrook’s rugby career blossomed, and he accepted a deal at Saints and played his first match for the team in 2011. After spending the majority of his life down south where he met wife Jessica, adjusting to life up north wasn’t all plain sailing for McCarthy-Scarsbrook. ‘I admit the accents took a bit of getting used to. I’m no good with them – of course, I’m used to it now because all my kids talk with a St. Helens accent!’ Pronunciation wasn’t the only curveball the town threw at him.

‘It shocked me how green everything was after being in the city for most of my life,’ Louie continued. ‘And how many animals there were. And everyone’s nice to you, too, obviously because I play rugby but there are plenty of random people willing to come up to you for a chat as well! I’m like that now; I often get told off by my brothers-in-law for speaking to people in the street when we’re out!’ Of course, there were still things he missed about his home city. ‘It was hard not being close to my family,’ he admits. ‘I also missed the bustle of London, because everything’s really quiet here, but for me family was my thing, the main thing.’ It was that same family support system that truly propelled McCarthy-Scarsbrook into a professional rugby career.

35 With his wife Jessica behind him – and now with four kids in tow - Louie knew his dream was really within reach. ‘Jessica’s always been supportive of me; she’s been with me the whole time, and was all up for moving from London with me. She really has helped me through my whole career – without her, I doubt I would’ve stuck with rugby. She kept me sane throughout the whole thing; instead of being out partying all the time, she let me know if I really put my mind to a rugby career I could do it.’ And such dedication paid off – with McCarthyScarsbrook playing second-row, Saints sailed to victory at the 2014 Super League Grand Final against Wigan Warriors. He was also part of the squad during last year’s Grand Final against Salford Red Devils, both at Old Trafford. ‘The highlight of my sporting career was probably winning the two Grand Finals – that’s the job I moved up here to do,’ Louie tells me. ‘Which is great for a London lad who didn’t know rugby league! My first Grand Final in 2011

against Leeds was like a blur. It all just bypassed me so quickly. The second time in 2014 I knew I had to take it all in and chill out a bit, and we won. The noise and the atmosphere were just fantastic, and the emotion that came with it because it’d been so long since we won. ‘Last year was the same because we played so well throughout the year that to come away with the big one at the end was a class moment.’ The fans’ response to Saints’ win was just as much a part of that atmosphere, Louie says. ‘Both home and away the fans are amazing. To go to Old Trafford with loads of them was just a great way to finish the season, and being at a stadium where they’re right on top of you ramped up the atmosphere. Along with Wembley, it’s definitely one of my favourite stadiums. St. James Park was a class stadium to play at, too, but I do like going to Wigan for the Derby.’ I wonder if Louie picked up on Saints’ close rivalry with Wigan straight away: ‘I did know about the rivalry going into it, yeah. I think as you play more games you get more into it – but I think they hate me a lot more than I hate them!’ To top it all off, Louie’s former Harlequins teammate and best mate Tony Clubb now plays prop for Warriors. ‘It’s great ‘cause now I can take the mick out of him as well, and we have our own private rivalry.’

36 This good-natured ribbing definitely dates back to Louie’s younger days. A notorious prankster through and through, he might have grown up a bit since then, but still fondly remembers clingfilming

But Louie’s not quite ready to pack in his sporting career just yet. 2020 has already kicked off in earnest, with Saints triumphing in their inaugural game of the year against Louie’s former team,

a fellow player to the roof of his car and driving around with him on top, with Clubb in tow. ‘There have been a couple of good pranks – we’ve taken the wheels off people’s cars and rolled them into the gym while we were practicing. I’ve done some silly stuff in my time, but I’ve grown up a bit now. I’m sure I do still annoy people though!’

London Broncos, scoring 36-6. Louie’s testimonial match raised £2,250 for Hull KR forward Mose Masoe, who recently suffered a serious spinal injury, forcing his retirement from rugby.

It’s not all fun and games though. On top of juggling family duties with his sporting career, Louie’s also a qualified plumber. Frankly, I’m amazed he has any time to spare. ‘I was doing night school every Tuesday and Thursday at Warrington Collegiate. It took four years, but I’ve done it all and got it out of the way,’ he tells me. ‘So that’d probably be my plan after rugby, but plans change.’

Coming up next is a Ladies Night in Burtonwood on Saturday, March 7; tickets cost £20. This will be followed by a black-tie dinner themed around ‘London Calling’ at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Saturday, March 21 – tickets cost £40 including a 3-course meal and entertainment. You can book tickets for either event by emailing louiems2020@ gmail.com For updates on Louie McCarthy-Scarsbrook’s testimonial year, keep an eye on his Facebook page @louiems14

Upload your event for FREE at www.locallife247.co.uk/events Rainford Beer Festival

Knowsley Comic Con

Friday, Feb 7 – Sunday, Feb 9, various times

Saturday, February 15, 10am-4pm

Enjoy a huge variety of ales, ciders, fizz and pizza! Entry £10 including a commemorative glass and beer tokens. See Rainford Beer Festival on Facebook for details.

Tonnes of family fun, from merch stalls and props to costume characters, guest signings and much more. Tickets £4 per adult, £2 per U16 or free for U10s.

Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HB

Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park, Longview Drive, Huyton, L36 6EG

Slave Trade Talk

Princess Valentine’s Party

Tuesday, February 11, 6pm-8pm

Saturday, February 15, 1pm-3pm

Learn about the history of the slave trade and how the people of St. Helens were involved – were they complicit or oblivious? Tickets £3 from the venue.

Join the Beauty Princess and two of her friends for songs, dancing, party games, face painting and much more, along with a buffet. Tickets £19 per child then £14 for subsequent children, adults £7.

Momo’s, Westfield Street, St. Helens, WA10 1QJ

The Dresser Wednesday, Feb 12 – Friday, Feb 14, 7:30pm Rainhill Garrick Society present an adaptation of The Dresser by Ronald Harwood – the story of Harwood’s own experiences as dresser to Shakespearean actor Donald Wolfit. Tickets £7 or £6 concessions on 01744 813429 or from Rainhill Post Office. Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill, L35 4LU

Rainford Village Hall, Church Rd, Rainford, WA11 8HB

The Whirlybird Monday, February 17, 1pm-2pm Citadel Arts present an uplifting theatre performance of movement, music, puppetry and more! Whirlybird can’t get the hang of flying – will he ever learn? Tickets £3-£8 on 01744 753201. Eccleston Library, Broadway, St. Helens, WA10 5PJ

Valentine’s Stand Up Friday, February 14, doors at 7:15pm Celebrate Valentine’s Day with hilarious comedy from Neil Fitzmaurice, Celya Ab and Archie Kelly, along with Peter McCole. Tickets £10 from the bar. SIDAC Club, Wheatsheaf Ave, St. Helens, WA9 4PJ

Afternoon Tea Monday, February 17, 1pm-3pm Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with sandwiches and cakes to raise money for Willowbrook Hospice. Tickets £7.50 on 01744 453798 or from the venue. Living Well, Borough Rd, St. Helens, WA10 3RN

Twisted Tales

Model Railway Exhibition

Wednesday, February 19, 10:30am & 2pm

Saturday, March 7, 10am-5pm & Sunday, March 8, 10am-4:30pm

Hear some favourite children’s tales with a terrible twist in the pop-up story cave! Tickets £3-£8 on 01744 753201. Parr Library, Fleet Lane, St. Helens, WA9 1SY

Enjoy an exhibition of model railways, with free vintage bus rides between the show and the Museum of Road Transport! Entry £5 per adult or £3 per child, more info at www.rainhillmrc.org.uk

Classical Concert

Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill, L35 4LU

Thursday, February 20, 2pm

Spring Running Day

St. Helens Sinfonietta present a concert by Ron and Rebekah Abramski. Tickets £6 on 01744 600846 or 07914 114635.

Sunday, March 8, 10am-4pm

URC, Ormskirk Street, St. Helens, WA10 2TD

Embark on free heritage bus rides around St. Helens, browse transport stalls and more. For info email clive@nwmort.co.uk or call 01744 451681.

The Spine

North West Museum of Road Transport, Hall Street, St. Helens, WA10 1DU

Thursday, February 20, 7:30pm-9pm A new play about goals, brotherhood and the football academy system – Kyle, Liam and Hakeem are reaching for the same golden contract into the Premier League, but institutional racism and toxic masculinity take their toll. Bookable at the venue. Prescot Library, Aspinal Street, Prescot, L34 5GA

Genocide Awareness

St. Patrick’s Day Party Saturday, March 14, 7:30pm Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish music from Roisin Dubh, plus beer pong and other pub games. Tickets £5 including beef stew supper, proceeds to local sports teams. Book on 01744 28866 or events@ruskinsthelens.com

Sunday, March 1, 12pm-4pm

Sticky Wicket Bar & Grub, Ruskin Drive, St. Helens, WA10 6RP

Come together as a community to remember lives lost to acts of genocide and build a platform of compassion, with guest speakers, Q&As and refreshments.

Bananaz Bingo

Whiston Town Hall, Old Colliery Road, Whiston, L35 3QX

Danielle Louise Thomas Friday, March 6, 7pm-9pm An evening of music from Danielle Louise Thomas and Liverpool Cathedral’s Gilbert Scott Singers. Tickets £6 including hotpot supper, with proceeds to Prescot Festival, on 07762 607618 or prescotfestival@gmail.com Prescot Parish Church, Church St, Prescot, L34 3LA

Friday, March 20, doors at 7pm Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a night of crazy bingo, dancing and fun prizes to raise money for Willowbrook Hospice! Tickets £15 including 5 games and accessories, bookable on 01744 453798. Rainhill Ex-Services Club, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 4LS

Motoring

Toyota

Corolla

Touring Sports Review What’s a ‘Touring Sports’? In this case, it’s not a high-speed gentleman’s car, that’s for sure. It’s just a posh term for an ‘estate’. And not the net worth of an individual kind, either. Simply put, the Corolla Touring Sports is like the Corolla hatchback, but with a larger load area grafted on. And that’s what makes it a top family wagon. The new Corolla – in whichever shape you go for, is a handsome, chiselled vehicle. Inside and out, the Japanese motor is every bit a model you’d be happy to take the kids to school in. You might even make some other parents green with envy. You don’t get that badge snobbery thing with Toyota. You do with the likes of BMW, Audi, and Mercedes, but this marque seems to make you acceptable on the road – and in the school playground. You get nods of approval, rather than scowls. You’re let out at junctions instead of being ignored. And you never get the finger from other drivers in heated traffic situations. The Corolla Touring Sports makes motoring in Britain almost pleasant again.

Fast Facts • Max speed: 112 • 0-62 mph: 8.1 seconds • Combined mpg: 50.43 – 60.62 • Engine: 1987cc 4-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid • Max. power (ps): 180 • CO2: 89 g/km • Price: £30,345

Inside, there’s room for four people – or five, if you really want to sit someone in the middle of the rear bench. My eldest daughter was sandwiched between two child seats on the way to Alton Towers. The trip was just under two hours – and she only started complaining an hour into the trip. The thought of the entertainment at the end of the journey was the one thing to keep her from losing the plot with her siblings. So, think of this as a fourseater car – and only a five-up machine if you have a small human being willing to take the short straw. Luggage-wise, you’ll get a lot into this estate car. It’s by no means the biggest of its type, but the 2.0-litre hybrid, on test here, boasts 581-litres of load space. Of course, if you fold the rear seats, and kick the kids out, the Corolla turns into the perfect tip-run workhorse.

Pros’ n’ Cons • Looks  • Handling  • Efficiency  • On the pricey side to buy 

The Touring Sports is not just a practical set of wheels, though. The £30,345 flagship ‘Excel’ version lent to me will hit 62mph from a standing start in 8.1 seconds. That’s reasonably swift. And because a petrol and electric mix propel it, the car is frugal, managing between 50-60mpg. Co2 emissions are low at 89g/km – making this a cheap vehicle to tax. It’s perfect company car material, too. A top car in many ways then – apart from one thing – the price. You may have noticed I slipped that £30k figure into the last paragraph. It’s a lot of money. Mind you, this is the top Excel trim – and the most basic Touring Sports is £22,575. That only has a 1.2-litre unit, though – with 0-62mph taking 10.8

seconds and mpg around 58. Still, its cargo capacity is larger than the 2.0-litre version at 596-litres. And if you have an aversion to Toyota, then the similar priced Ford Focus estate might work for you – but the load area is a bit smaller. The choice is yours, folks.

(Toyota Corolla Excel 2.0 Hybrid Touring Sports)

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(Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)

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

...andreturns available

from your www.dglwindows.co.uk

FREE

own solar panels

J27

Standish

Car84 dio Y @ Stu Shevington

Slash your electricity and water heating bill Protect your household from future energy price rises ReduceE your household’s impact on the environment

Health

k ChecVisit our showroom at

Unit 4a, Cricket Street Business Park n and off Miry Lane,

Call H us now

(10% typical return)

0843 A224 9555 U rton 07595S 420237

Brethe

R E S

Sunda

Book your Call now on

ay, Tuesd

Mond

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Puzzle Solutions CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Farmer, 7. Academia, 8. Arc, 9. Enlist, 10. Tank, 11. Obese, 14. Bootees, 16. Guilder, 17. Franc, 21. YMCA, 22. Isobar, 23. Ode, 24. Colliery, 25. Priory. DOWN: 1. Fiasco, 2. Raceme, 3. Radio, 4. Cartoon, 5. Testator, 6. Sinn FĂŠin, 12. Blue moon, 13. Syllable, 15. Decibel, 18. Arroyo, 19. Comedy, 20. Polyp.

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2 4 3 7

8 3 5 2

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20 16 18 21 21 Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to over 14,500 private homes and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Sutton, Eccleston Park, Windle, Grange Park, Nutgrove, New Bold and Waterside Village The next issue is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of Haydock.

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