LocalLife St Helens Edition
March 2019
Win Tickets To Blue Planet II
Page 46 - 47
St. Helens Who’s Who
Pages 14 - 15
Bygone Bottle Shop Pages 31 - 34
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Local Life
Betwixt & Between This old English phrase, meaning neither one thing nor the other, sums up perfectly this time of year. The festive season disappeared in the rear view mirror a good while since and though the days are ever so slowly getting lighter; it’s not quite warm enough - last weekend excepted - to crack on with your next home/garden project. Cast your mind back to this time last year, and you’ll remember that we were stuck in these times, the hinterlands of winter almost, until pretty much mid-April, and then after a very short spring, came a scorching hot summer. So, in proper positive thinking fashion, here are some tips to help you get in the right frame of mind for spring, regardless of whether it’s an early one or a late one; Declutter and get rid of anything you no longer need. If you haven’t worn it, or used it for two years, out it goes, but do make sure you donate clothing and household items that are in reasonably good condition to charity. Make some space on a sunny window sill and plant some seeds, such as begonia, geranium or petunia, and for every day’s growth you’ll feel a sense of renewal. And finally, plan well ahead and work out what improvements you’re going to make to your home and garden this year. You’ll find advertisers within the pages of Local Life who can help you achieve your home or garden ideal but do call soon to secure their services, as good tradespeople and home improvement companies are often booked weeks in advance. See you next time
Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk
www.locallife247.co.uk
Regulars
In this issue Movie Mania
42 Puzzle page 44 Events2Go
54 Jack’s Tracks 57 Test Drive
6 Local News 38 Travel 57 Motoring
60 Gardening 64 Home Services
Sections 12 Bygone Bottle Shop Next issue - April 2019
Advertising deadline - Monday, 18 March Published - Friday, 29 March
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LocalLife
Win Tickets To Blue Planet II Live In Concert
Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB
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Jack’s Tracks: Charnock Richard
Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to over 11,000 private homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of Haydock.
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News & Features
St. Helens Singers A St. Helens choir is looking for new members. St. Helens Singers are an enthusiastic gang of all ages who love to sing, featuring beautiful four-part harmonies and singing everything from the classics (with heavy Gilbert & Sullivan influences) to West End show tunes. If you love to sing and want to meet new people doing what you love – with the opportunity to perform in local concerts – the St.
Fit 4 You Free sessions are available in St. Helens to help you get healthy this year. Beginners and intermediate fitness sessions take place at St. Michaels & All Angels Church on Gartons Lane in Sutton Manor (WA9 4RB) to help you make new friends while improving your physical and mental wellbeing. Receive free fitness trackers and enjoy free healthy refreshments, with a super £100
Helens Singers would love to hear from you.
of health-related prizes to be won in the prize draw!
Rehearsals take place every Monday from 7:45pm at St. Helens Baptist Church on Hall Street. For more information, email info@sthelenssingers.co.uk
Intermediate sessions take place from 9:30am10:30am and beginners’ from 11am-12pm every Thursday at the church. For more information and to reserve your place, call Cath on 07525 766351 or Nikki on 07747 473789.
Coffee & Chat St. Helens Healthy Living have launched new Coffee & Chat sessions in Garswood.
Foodbank Request
Go along every Thursday from 1pm-3pm for refreshments and good company to the Parish Hall on Montrey Crescent. Everyone is very welcome!
St. Helens foodbank is requesting essential donations to help them feed local people who are struggling to afford meals.
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All donations are welcome, but they’re particularly in search of milk, coffee, sugar, pet food, pasta sauces, tinned fruit, instant mash, tinned pudding and orange juice. Please do not donate fresh food, and remember to ensure everything is in-date. Donations can be dropped off at any St. Helens library.
M&S Move Marks & Spencer is officially closing the doors of its Church Street store on Saturday, March 2. The St. Helens shop has existed on Church Street for a whopping 90 years, but will move over to a new home on Ravenhead Retail Park on Thursday, March 14, with 11 days’ closure for preparations to take place. The new store will include a café, along with larger clothing and home departments. Golden tickets – including store vouchers – will be handed out to the first 200 people through the doors at 10am on opening day. Saints players and a Percy Pig mascot will also be appearing in-store.
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Breakdance Breakthrough St. Helens youth organisation UC Crew has been granted Aviva funding to celebrate its success in social action projects. The grant of £1000 was awarded to UC Crew after they competed with over 3,000 other community projects nationwide. It will help to fund their annual Junior Break Dancing competition, get more special guest teachers into the town, and give their dancers the opportunity to travel across the UK for competitions. UC Crew’s Tom Glynn said: ‘We’re delighted to have won the funding, which will be invested in supporting our younger break dancers to build confidence. We would like to thank everyone in the local community who voted for us.’
UC Crew specialises in confidence building for young people, helping them to become healthier, improve employment prospects and, most of all, to have fun. For more information, visit www.uccrew.co.uk
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Photography Exhibition
Liverpool Comic Con
North West photographer Kirsten Jane brings her latest exhibition to the Millennium Centre this
Comic Con returns to Liverpool across 3 days this March.
month.
The convention brings together high-profile guests, full-size props, merch stalls and much more at the Exhibition Centre at Kings Dock in Liverpool. Sci-fi enthusiasts won’t want to miss Liverpool’s latest Comic Con with stars like Jeff East and Dean Cain appearing across the three days.
Kirsten has had a long and lustrous career as a photographer, snapping celebs like Maureen Nolan of the Nolan Sisters and Olympic medalist Craig McClean. She even won a Granada Reports competition to showcase a day in the life of the North West. Every day until Friday, April 5, go along to see work which celebrates Kirsten’s 20 year career. The show focuses on film and slide photography with a few forays into digital images, and coincides with the Millennium Centre’s 20th birthday.
Day tickets are available from £16.50, or get your hands on a weekend pass for around £43. The event runs from Friday, March 8 until Sunday, March 10. For further information, comicconventionliverpool.co.uk
visit
www.
For more information, visit www.kirstenjane.co.uk
Easter Panto Magical pantomime The Wizard of Oz heads to the Theatre Royal this Easter.
Celebratory Supper Celebrate St. George’s Day in style at Rainford Village Hall. On Friday, April 26 at 7pm, enjoy all things English as the country remembers its patron saint, with a 3-course meal of traditional food and entertainment from the leaders of the Rainford Boys Brigade and Girls Association. Tickets cost £15, with proceeds going to the Chairman’s Fund and Rainford Girl Guiding. They can be purchased from the Clerk’s office on 01744 884709 or from Ian on 01744 883400.
AC U F TU N
DIR ER
T FROM
Keep an eye on the Theatre Royal website at www. sthelenstheatreroyal.com for updates and tickets, or call the box office on 01744 756 000.
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an eclectic band of hilarious characters, dazzling costumes and great songs, you definitely won’t want to miss this year’s panto.
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Movie
Mania
A tranquil spot in Corporation Street beside the St. Helens Magistrates Court might not sound like the most likely spot for a cinema, with the larger leisure complex found across the town centre, but that’s where you’ll find the Lucem House Community Cinema Plus+. This community-focused social space is a great place to while away an hour or two at the movies. An entirely volunteer-run, not-for-profit enterprise, Lucem was set up by Dr. Ann Shacklady-Smith and partner Claire in 2013, operating out of the Cinema Bar on Duke Street. When interest in independent cinema was high, Ann and Claire set their hearts on a more permanent venue for Lucem: the former Unitarian Church Hall on Corporation Street. The community cinema concentrates on international films that don’t make it to the multiplex, hosting film clubs and programmers (like Take 2 Films) that represent various genres and interests. Previously, these have included 2018’s mega-hit A Quiet Place, 1964’s King and Country to commemorate the centenary of WWI, and 2017’s A Fantastic Woman. Once a month the cinema also hosts Memory Lane Movies – classic films which you might have missed. The season of nostalgia is perfect for cinema fans young and old, and you never know – you just might find a new favourite. Lucem welcomes local community groups to use the venue. Aiming to be inclusive for all, it features a double audio induction loop for people
with hearing impairments, and is in talks with the Deafness Resource Centre to trial films for their clients. ‘Lucem also recently received a Community Lotto grant of £10,000’, said cinema Director Dave Morris. They’re now in the process of obtaining planning permission to create step-free access to the cinema with a new wheelchair ramp beside the building. ‘We want Lucem to be accessible to all, and we hope to start work in the summer.’ Membership to Lucem is free, and members receive comprehensive information about the latest showings and Lucem news. Screenings take place every Friday at 7:30pm, while Memory Lane Movies are shown on the third Wednesday of the month at 2:30pm. March’s first film is The Wife starring Glenn Close – the story of a wife who sacrifices her own career to support her husband’s literary endeavours – and will be shown on Friday, March 1. For more information about the cinema, along with ticket prices, visit www.lucemhouse.co.uk
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St. Helens Who’s Pharmaceutical giants, glass-workers, rugby league legends, Benidorm stars… St. Helens has it all. And yet, when someone asks where you’re from, it can be tempting to say ‘oh, a town between Liverpool and Manchester’. Author Brian Leyland thinks this should change - and delves right into the St. Helens identity with his new book, which we sat down to chat about. St. Helens: The Great and the Good (and a few of the
Who
not so good!) tackles many of the town’s famous faces, from Sir Thomas Beecham to Bernie Clifton. In snappy, easily digestible chapters, Brian explores the lives of the people who made St. Helens what it is today. ‘I had always said that one day I would write a book,’ he tells me, ‘but I’d never really given any thought to what it might be. Over the years I came across people and was surprised to discover that they came from St. Helens. In the early 1970s I was actually studying in the world-famous John Rylands Library in Manchester, but it wasn’t until years later that I found out the man himself actually came from St. Helens!’ Manchester’s first multi-millionaire was indeed born – wait for it – in Parr in 1801, and attended Cowley School before leaving to make his mark on the textile industry. As Brian uncovered more about the town’s industrial heritage, it became clear where this perceived lack of identity might have stemmed from. ‘St. Helens has a lot of history going for it, but many northern towns especially lost much of their identity after their major industries shut down,’ he says. ‘On top of that were the boundary changes affecting Lancashire especially – splitting into Merseyside and Greater Manchester has diluted the Lancashire identity, leaving many people to think we’re just an offshoot of Liverpool. A county over, Yorkshire knows for sure what it is, with two major cities in its boundaries – but St. Helens is a lot more than a town on the fringes.’ The town has a lot to be proud of, says Brian. We’ve come from coal mining and glassworks – a strong industrial community – and produced an abundance of talent along the way. Rainhill was
15 instrumental in birthing Stephenson’s Rocket; our Sankey Canal was the first modern canal in the whole of Britain (though often this title is attributed to the Bridgewater Canal); St. Helens was the
‘The main criterion for choosing was that they had to have made a mark either nationally or internationally,’ Brian explains. ‘Reducing the number of rugby league players to a handful was
foundation for glass giant Pilkington. ‘Our heritage is definitely something to be celebrated,’ Brian adds.
perhaps the most difficult task, but there were also a lot of actors I could have included. Some people did get a bit sniffy at me including places like Newton-le-Willows on the basis that it only became part of St. Helens in 1974!’
‘I realised very quickly that a short book would simply not do the town justice,’ he continues. ‘I learned so much about the history of St. Helens that I hadn’t known previously, with more characters emerging out of the woodwork as I researched. ‘The first person who responded to me was Bernie Clifton,’ he recounts. Chatting to the St. Helensborn entertainer, famous for his signature ostrich costume, gave Brian a definite thrill of anticipation. ‘Having gone public with my intention to write the book, there was no turning back after that!’ But, with so many household names to choose from, the selection process for St. Helens: The Great and the Good was understandably tricky to narrow down.
So far the response to the book has been positive, with over 700 copies sold – 175 of those by ambassadors working with St. Helens Council, who have handed the book out to foster families in the area to promote a sense of pride and belonging for children in care locally. It is available from Wardleworths, Saints Superstore, OD’s and the World of Glass, as well as online at Amazon. All profits from sales go to the Steve Prescott Foundation. St. Helens: The Great and the Good (and a few of the not so good!); RRP £14.99
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Football Film A new film about Nazi paratrooper and prisoner of war Bert Trautmann premieres in April. Trautmann was imprisoned in a POW camp in Ashton-in-Makerfield – now Byrchall High School – until 1948, where he regularly played in football matches until an injury led to him taking the place of goalkeeper. When the camp closed, Trautmann elected to remain in England and later played for St. Helens Town, before beginning his career at Manchester City where he remained until 1964. ‘The Keeper’, starring David Kross as Trautmann, heads to cinemas on Friday, April 5.
Brush Strokes
expressing yourself. The sessions will concentrate on fabric decoupage, a technique which can transform furniture, wood and other materials into colourful collages of various fabrics. Attendees will create decoupage pictures of local landmarks, with a view of showcasing them this summer. Meetings take place every other Thursday at the United Reformed Church from 10:30am-12pm. The next meeting runs on Thursday, March 14 – for further information, call 01744 646160.
World Book Day Rainford Library is holding a morning of fun activities for children to celebrate World Book Day.
A new art group for stroke survivors has launched in St. Helens.
From 10:30am on Thursday, March 7, enjoy hearing stories, singing songs and hunting for your favourite characters around the library.
The group concentrates on offering art therapy to people who have suffered a stroke, which can help boost confidence and provide a new way of
The event is free - for more information pop into the library or call 01744 677820.
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Picnic in the Park If you weren’t already looking forward to the summer months, Rainford’s very own music festival is something to get excited about – and tickets are on sale now. The hugely successful Picnic in the Park returns for 2019 in true Rainford fashion, with pop-anthem sensation T’Pau at the top of the bill. The festival takes place on Saturday, June 1, and this year’s line-up looks to be a spectacular one. Warrington’s very own mashup band Scratch will be performing a set of acoustic funk, dance and pop tracks – they’re sure to keep you on your toes and never quite sure what’s coming next. The Shakers hail from Liverpool, and pride themselves on offering the hits, misses, B-sides and lost classics of the golden era of Merseybeat. The band have been dubbed ‘the nearest I’ve heard to the early Beatles live’; we’ll let that speak for itself. Masters of music Mixtape deliver hits that span the decades. From 60s classics to present day charttoppers, they’re sure to fill any dancefloor, while European act Ultra 90s Fresh get everyone bopping to the hits of the nineties. Brit-pop tribute band Chasing Crows perform a variety of British rock anthems from the likes of Oasis, Kasabian and Blur with a heavy focus on exquisite instruments. The headliner really needs no introduction. T’Pau released their debut single ‘Heart and Soul’ in 1987, which became a top 5 hit across the globe. T’Pau went on to top the album charts in the UK, touring with Bryan Adams and Nik Kershaw with a whole host of successful hits. Carol Decker revived the group in 1998 after a break-up – and they’re now touring worldwide. Enjoy local food from stalls around the Jubilee playing fields, bring your own alcohol, kick back and relax! Tickets for Picnic in the Park cost £20 per adult and £10 for primary school children, with under-5s going free. Money raised will help fund
local clubs, including Rainford Rangers FC, Rainford Tennis Club, the 1st Rainford Boys’ Brigade & Girls’ Association and Rainford Cricket Club. For more information about Picnic in the Park, and to get your hands on tickets, visit www. rainfordfestival.co.uk
Orrell Live Tickets are already on sale for Orrell Live. Returning for its fifth year, Orrell’s answer to the Proms hopes to be bigger and better than ever. And with the line-up already announced, what better time to get excited – especially when you hear that Alexander O’Neal and his 9-piece band are headlining. 2019’s line-up also includes TV’s Junior Voice 2017 runner-up Jake McKechnie, Little Mix tribute band Black Magic, motown sensation Reflectionz Duo, rock legends Haze, the Golborne Brass Band, and Oaces – the UK’s number one Oasis tribute. As well as the fabulous live acts, Orrell Live will be festooned with food stalls, plus bottle and cocktail bars. You’re also welcome to bring your own drinks. Orrell Live takes place on Saturday, September 7. The gates open at 12pm, with live music from 1pm. Tickets cost £30 per adult and £15 per junior, with primary school children going free – available to purchase from www.orrell-live.co.uk
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Colliery Callout
Art Exhibition
A new project from the University of Wolverhampton looks to gather oral history accounts for research into the British coal industry from 1947-1994.
Parr Library hosts Kate Hodgson’s latest art exhibition ‘Always Full’ this March.
‘On Behalf of the People’ is looking for submissions from people who used to work at one of eight selected mines across the country – including Bickershaw Colliery in Leigh. Whether you were a miner, a union activist, deputy or family member, or if you simply lived in a mining community, the research team are interested in hearing from you. You’ll be interviewed about your memories and experiences at the pits. The research will be made widely available to the public, including a travelling exhibition to mining communities and schools across the country. To get involved in the project, contact Professor Keith Gildart on 07709 664931 or email keith.gildart@wlv. ac.uk
The print-based creative project worked with Parrbased women and their children, experimenting the role of print in pivotal political campaigns throughout history. The exhibition launch takes place on Friday, March 8 from 3pm-4:30pm, with refreshments available.
Church Choir Rainford Parish Church Choir invite new members throughout the year. Rehearsals take place from 7:30pm-9pm on Thursdays at the church, with the main Sunday service taking place at 10:30am. The choir also gets involved with monthly Evensong events and additional festival services throughout the year. Members must be over 16 – for further information, call into the church or speak to any choir member.
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Saints Sleep Out A huge community sleep out is taking place at the Totally Wicked Stadium this month to support local homeless people. Part of the YMCA Sleep Easy Week – a national campaign to raise funds and awareness of people living on the streets – Saints RLFC invite St. Helens residents to leave their beds behind and sleep outside in the stadium. The project aims to give people a glimpse of what life is like with no fixed address and no roof over their heads, all while fundraising for Teardrops Supporting the Homeless, YMCA St. Helens and the Saints Community Development Foundation. Shauni Ward from Teardrops commented: ‘This event is an ideal way to raise awareness of homelessness and offer people the opportunity to experience a small part of a rough sleeper’s day. It will also help
to raise funds for our hub so we can continue to support those who endure this night after night and all those who are vulnerable in our community.’ The Saints Sleep Easy event takes place on Friday, March 15 from 7pm-7am. Registration for the event costs £20 for adults or £10 for under-16s accompanied by an adult, with participants encouraged to get sponsored for their efforts – head to www.saints.retailsportssystems.com/ matchtickets.html to register.
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Prescot Fest The line-up for this year’s Prescot Festival has been announced.
or you just want to have a go, the famous road race sets off from Langtree Park on Sunday, March 10 at 9:30am. There’ll be plenty of spectators and live musicians to cheer you along the race, which
A 10-day programme of arts, the festival is returning for its 15th year in June 2019, and aims to get the public involved with arts on a more intimate, affordable level. The festival will feature returning acts such as swing band Dr Jazz & the Cheshire Cats, the Maghull Wind Orchestra and Liverpool historian
helps raise money for causes like the Steve Prescott Foundation.
Ken Pye, along with newbies like Opera Viva, who will be performing popular Broadway show tunes.
Mosque Open Day
Also on the bill is a performance from the Cheshire Constabulary Band with a delicious hotpot supper. The festival runs from Friday, June 21 until Sunday, June 30. For further information, visit www. prescotfestival.co.uk
St. Helens 10K The St. Helens 10K returns this March. Whether your aim for the New Year was to get fitter
Entry costs £22 and all finishers receive a medal and a T-shirt. For more information, visit www. sthelens10k.com
The Iman Trust Mosque invites people to get an insight into Islam on Sunday, March 3. In this family fun day event, meet local Muslims in your community, hear informative talks and take part in hands-on activities. The open event runs from 11am-3pm at the Iman Trust Mosque, St. Michael’s Mount on Elton Head Road (WA9 5AU). For further information, call 07856 039289 or email mymnsthelens@gmail.com
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Advertisement
Building the best It’s often said that more than half of new businesses fail during the first year. So when you hear of a local business that’s lasted for over 60 years, you know there’s a very good chance that the business is amongst the very best in their line of work. Charles Bettridge, a Kent teenager, was lucky enough to meet holidaying St Helens girl Mavis one summer on the seafront in Deal. Charles was working as an apprentice painter and decorator, before he was called up for national service. On his return from Hong Kong, he moved to St Helens, married Mavis and started CE Bettridge in 1958.
The company thrived as customers were thrilled with the quality of Charles’ work and CE Bettridge prospered and expanded. Over the past sixty years, the company have worked on hundreds of ordinary local homes, but the company also has an enviable commercial customer list too. Have a think which buildings would be on a list of notable buildings in the St Helens area; the town hall, the Mansion House, the Toll Bar, Rainford Hall in Crank, Ena Shaw’s shop and factory, Rainford Village Hall, St Anne’s Church in Rainhill, Prescot Church, and all of these notable buildings have engaged CE
25 Bettridge to carry out painting or building works. The company’s support of the apprenticeship scheme is remarkable, with many local construction businesses started by ex-apprentices of CE Bettridge, but the one apprentice who didn’t move on is Ian Graham, who joined CE Bettridge at 15 years old and still works for the company 46 years later. One of the firm’s apprentices was Charles’ son Jon, who joined the company as an apprentice at the age of 16 before moving on to gain expertise as a building professional, returning at the age of 32 to help Charles develop the business from a painting and decorating firm into an all-round building construction company offering a long list of services including house refurbishments, maintenance, painting and decorating, extensions, roofing, PVC windows and doors, and, a particular specialism is renovating kitchens and bathrooms. In 2010, after 52 years running CE Bettridge, Charles retired and Jon now heads up the company and has pushed Bettridge’s forward, moving the company from Greenfield Road to new premises on Strickland Street, and changing the company name to Bettridge’s Construction Ltd. But those overriding principles established by Charles Bettridge back in
Refurbishment of McDees Cafe Culcheth 1958 remain; traditional service values, high quality workmanship and ongoing training investment into the company’s staff, of which the newest member is Charles’ granddaughter, Antonia. So if you’re looking for a reliable and conscientious building company to improve your home or business, a local award winning company that has a long tradition of delivering high quality, professional, and outstanding work, why not give Jon a call. You’ll be glad you did. 07887 603 926 www.bettridges.construction jon_bettridge@outlook.com
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Oddfellows Get Out Local friendship group the Oddfellows have a jam-packed schedule to get you out and about this spring, and always welcome new members. The group promises a warm welcome for attendees old and new. Social Organiser Julie Webster says: ‘We pride ourselves on being accessible to everybody, but we also recognise the challenges presented in later life for our members. Making and maintaining new friends doesn’t come as easy as it did in the schoolyard, so as a group we meet regularly so we can stay in touch,
share some laughs and look out for each other.’ Fancy getting crafty? The group runs a Crafternoon session on the second Monday of the month at the Oddfellows hub at 17 North Road. Bring your own craft along or start something new while learning new tips and tricks in a friendly atmosphere. Sessions cost £2 including refreshments, and run from 2pm4pm. Regular coffee mornings take place at The Hotties café at The World of Glass on the second Thursday of every month. Everyone is welcome and the only cost is your own refreshments. The coffee morning runs from 10:30am-12pm. On Tuesday, March 19 the Oddfellows are hosting a day trip to Southport. Try your hand at the slots or take a stroll down the pier – it’s completely up to you. The trip costs £10 for members or £13 for nonmembers, and the pick-up is from the Oddfellows on North Road at 9:30am. The Oddfellows were recently shortlisted for the 2019 Fantastic for Families awards in the Best Age-Friendly Welcome category – an award recognising outstanding provision for older family members. The shortlist took into account staff welcome, communication and venue facilities in accommodating the needs of older people, which the Oddfellows pride themselves on doing well. For dates, times and more information, visit the Oddfellows Facebook page @oddfellows.sthandw or call 01744 895536.
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Golborne Colliery Service A service will be held this month to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Golborne Colliery mining disaster. Ten men were killed after an underground explosion on March 18th, 1979. Only Brian Rawsthorne survived the blast. On Sunday, March 17, a procession will congregate at The Queen Anne on Bridge Street, Golborne, at 1:30pm to follow the Mayors of Wigan and St. Helens, along with the Golborne Brass Band through the streets to Golborne Parish Church. Officiated by the Bishop of Liverpool and local clergy, the service offers a chance to pay your respects to those who lost their lives.
If you’d like to walk in the procession, please meet outside The Queen Anne at 1:30pm; alternatively, the church service begins at 2:30pm.
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Check Out Dash Cams Dash cams can be a driving safety measure worth investing in, but they might not be for everyone. If you’re struggling to decide whether you need one, read on. A dash cam is a special camera that is mounted on a car dashboard for the purpose of recording sounds and images while you’re driving. First-hand evidence in case of a car accident - This is the main reason why people invest in one. If you are involved in a collision you can prove that it was not your fault by submitting the camera footage as evidence. It’s a compelling reason for buying one. Reporting a dangerous driver - Sometimes you see a driver do something so reckless and irresponsible right in front of you that you fear for the safety of other road-users. Reporting that person becomes much easier with evidence. In the US there are special channels for reporting dangerous drivers, with the aim of making roads safer for everyone. It is probable that the UK will follow suit. Extra insurance for parents - We worry when our teens first start to borrow the car that they may not stick to the rules of the road. Knowing that there is a dash cam monitoring their driving behaviour is an extra incentive for them to pay attention, or they might not be trusted to take the car out again! Prevention of insurance claim scams - Insurance fraud is a growing problem with vehicles. Some drivers purposely cause minor car accidents in order to put the blame on the other party, so they can extort money from the victim. A dash cam will at least allow you to prove that you were not at fault in such a case. It keeps an eye on your car while you are not in it! - Have you ever returned to your car in a car park to find it’s been scratched? Or are you sure the neighbour’s children are scraping their bikes
along the side of your vehicle when they squeeze past on the drive? A well-installed dash camera can efficiently record such events because most can be set to record even when the car engine isn’t running. Some can even send all the data to your laptop or smart phone remotely, giving you peace of mind. Dash cams are set to become as necessary an addition to our driving life as sat-navs. If you don’t already have one, perhaps you should think about it. By Tom Hancock
Wedding Fayre St. Helens Hotel plays host to a wedding fayre in March. Experience the best in local wedding suppliers to get ready for your big day, plus entertainment from a wedding singer at 1:30pm and a bridal catwalk show at 2pm. The fayre has everything you need to design your perfect wedding day, and you’ll certainly feel like the star of the show with a complimentary glass of bubbly and canapes on arrival. The event takes place on Sunday, March 17 from 12pm-3pm, and is free to enter. For further information, call the hotel on 01744 453444 or visit www.sainthelenshotel.com
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31
Bygone Bottle
Shop
By Jess Phillips Cherishing its legacy as a bastion of heavy industry, St. Helens has always sought to highlight its illustrious history prominently. Dotted throughout the borough are a number of historic reminders of the town’s industrial heritage, such as the fascinating World of Glass and the breath-taking Dream sculpture, but there is one site - designated by the Victorian Society as a site of national importance - that has seemingly slipped through the cracks. While the Pilkington factory continues its production and the World of Glass admits tourists from across the country, another monument to our glass-making heritage - the Cannington Shaw no. 7 bottle shop - has been left, largely, to rot. But the Friends of Cannington Shaw want to bring the old bottle shop’s history back into the public eye – and the building back to life. The top of the old Cannington Shaw site remains
Cannington Shaw in 1985 by Anthony Liptrot
visible from the carpark of Tesco Extra, sitting snug between the trees to the north-west and the Steve Prescott Bridge – you might want to head up here for a better view of the crumbling bottle shop. The Grade-II listed Cannington Shaw building has been assessed as ‘very bad’ with ‘immediate risk of further rapid deterioration’ by Historic England. In 2017 it was included on the Top 10 Endangered Buildings list by the Victorian Society; all this in spite of its designation as a Scheduled Monument – a ‘protected’ site of national importance. The story of the bottle shop actually dates back to 1866, when John Shaw went into business with John and Edwin Cannington to establish a bottle factory. Cannington Shaw acquired the Sutton Lodge Chemical Works in 1875 to secure their alkali supply – and the only way to go from there was up. The no. 7 Bottle Shop was finally constructed two decades later in 1886: ten years after the company
32 registered a patent for an improved glass annealing kiln. Two rival bottle-makers existed in the area then – the Lyon family, who made mineral water and whose business resided in the Thatto Heath Glasshouse, and Nuttalls at the Ravenhead terminus of the Sankey Canal, established around 1845. Cannington Shaw Cannington Shaw interior circa 1985 by Anthony Liptrot eventually amalgamated with Lyons in 1890, and though Nuttalls employed 450 people under their state benefits in those days, and as far as I can tell own steam, they never quite surpassed Cannington no compensation [for the accident] either’, Brenda Shaw’s impressive figures. In its heyday, the factory continued. ‘She was often quoted as calling her had 1,188 employees and was still expanding. husband “the finest blacksmith in the county”!’ By 1892, Cannington Shaw was the largest bottle manufacturing plant in the UK – some say the world. Part of the Sherdley Glass Works, the factory made use of a Siemens tank furnace heated by producer gas; this melted the glass down to shape it into bottles. Tragedy came to the bottle shop in 1913, when blacksmith Joseph Haddock was killed while working there. He suffered a fractured skull after being struck on the head by a piece of iron, aged just 40, and died a few days later at St. Helens Hospital; his great granddaughter Brenda Neary has been attempting to look into the accident, without much success.
In 1913, Cannington Shaw merged with five other bottling companies – including former rivals Nuttalls – to form United Glass Bottle Manufacturers Ltd (UGB). A gradual increase in mechanisation led to the closure of the factory in 1918, when it was converted into a bottle store, though the UGB continued to operate and acquire more glassworks along the way. During World War II the bottle shop site was used as an air raid shelter, but was afterwards abandoned to the elements.
‘It was incredible how quickly the inquest was concluded,’ Brenda said. ‘I have never been able to track down any documentation other than a small piece in the local paper which said very little. I’ve also tried to track down coroner’s records with no luck.’
Other sites have fared better. Pilkington’s offices around the borough, including their former headquarters at Alexandra Park, boast listed statuses and are, for the most part, looked after. Similarly, the no. 9 Tank House – another Scheduled Monument – was incorporated into the World of Glass when it opened in 1999. The tank house and a number of Victorian-era tunnels used in the glass works remain open today for the public to explore as part of the museum.
Joseph’s son was only two years old when his father died. ‘My great grandma [Joseph’s wife] was a bit of a harridan, a very strong lady who worked hard to bring up her young family alone. She received no
The no. 9 Tank House was originally part of the Jubilee Glassworks. Opened in 1889 by the Pilkington family, the building housed a Siemens regenerative furnace – a type of open hearth
33 furnace which melted the glass in a brick-lined tank continuously fed with material. The furnaces were revolutionary in their time, saving materials where formerly the glass was melted in large disposable
and this unusually hot water raised the temperature of the canal by a considerable amount, making for a great swimming spot after a hard day at the glassworks. It wasn’t until the mid-1960s though
pots that were replaced when exhausted. The new design also saved fuel from heat reuse, making it much more efficient than its predecessors.
that things started to get a bit more ‘tropical’ in the Hotties.
If you grew up in St. Helens, chances are you’ve probably heard of the ‘Hotties’, though many seem to dismiss its history as an urban legend. There has been much debate around whether the term refers to the Tank House building itself or to the water pumps coming out of it, but the area is actually famed for the curious phenomenon that lurked in the depths of the Sankey Canal. The canal was dammed by Pilkington’s to create a reservoir to provide cooling water for the nearby glassworks. The water returned to the canal through spray pumps along the edge of Tank House no. 9,
It’s thought that the owner of Owens Pet Shop on Westfield Street dumped his supply of tropical fish in the canal after the shop shut down. The hot water was the ideal location for the fish to thrive, so instead of dying off, a range of species from Guppies to Gudgeon flourished in the Sankey Canal. An article published in 2001 included a comprehensive list of species allegedly found in the canal at the time: this included Tilapia Zilla, Albino Clarius Catfish, Terrapin and… an alligator, though this claim is widely disputed. While Tank House no. 9 is marked as a heritage site (and for good reason), Cannington Shaw continues to deteriorate. Now most of the roof has caved in, and though a few remnants of the old machinery remain, the building is a shell of its former self – overgrown with weeds, full of crumbling brickwork, loose tiles and collapsed beams protruding from the surviving ceiling. The factory has been photographed by urban explorers, whose forays into St. Helens’ industrial heritage have only revealed more of the sorry state the shop has succumbed to; but that all looks set to change.
St. Helens glassworker, provided by Imperial War Museum
In January, the Friends of Cannington Shaw were awarded a grant of £6,800 from the Architectural Heritage Fund. This came as a huge win for the group, who have dedicated themselves to preserving and indeed improving the Cannington Shaw site for over three years. The group also lobbied for the inclusion of the shop on the Victorian Society’s Top 10 Endangered Buildings list in 2017.
34 Friends Director Caroline Platt felt this victory keenly: ‘We are ecstatic and thrilled to hear this news,’ she commented. ‘The Friends have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of the building – we are looking forward to moving forward in collaboration with Architectural Heritage Fund together.’ Since then, assessors have arrived to evaluate the building’s structural integrity to see what can be done with its remains. ‘We’re continuing to raise the profile of Cannington Shaw with the relevant people’, Caroline explained. ‘We’re working closely with St. Helens Council and the Historical Society – last year we toured local libraries with an exhibition on the old bottle shop, and received a grant of £2000 from Cultural Hubs to help promote our campaign through the arts.’ This funding went towards developing a production of ‘A Day in the Life of a Bottlehand’, which appeared at three St. Helens libraries before showing at The Citadel as part of Heritage Open Days. Cannington Shaw’s future may still be uncertain, but the Friends are doing their best to save the site and develop it into something that benefits the local community and preserves our glass-making heritage.
Photo by John Tabern Caroline and the rest of the group are always on the lookout for any historical artefacts, accounts or documents pertaining to Cannington Shaw and its history. If one of your relatives worked for the company or later for the UGB, or if you find a glass bottle bearing the company’s mark, you can get in touch on Facebook @CanningtonShaw or email Caroline at caroline@carolineplattconsultancy. co.uk
An aerial view by Marc Bradley
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Warm welcome Whatever the weather you’re guaranteed a warm welcome at FlamesUK, St Helens’ biggest showroom for fires, fireplaces and stoves. Run by a local family, FlamesUK have been in business for over 30 years, first on Duke Street, then on Baxters Lane and now next to Middlehurst Garage on Jackson Street.
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90% of our fireplaces are made to measure No need to re-decorate or re-carpet! The FlamesUK showroom is a veritable Tardis, with an amazing 100+ displays spread over 5 floors, with looks to suit every style of home; from classic to contemporary, stoves or traditional fires, and fireplaces and lots of décor accessories too. One of the key reasons why customers choose FlamesUK is because over 90% of fireplaces at FlamesUK are made to measure, so you can transform a room without any need to re-decorate or re-carpet. This could potentially save you thousands of pounds! All the finest fireplaces, fires and stoves are available here and the company stocks leading brands such as Elgin & Hall, Gazco-Stovax, CELSI, Flavell, Global, Kohlangaz, Kinder, Portway and more. You know when you visit FlamesUK, you’re dealing with experienced craftsmen who design, build and install only the best quality fires, fireplaces and stoves, and so if you’re looking for to enhance your home this spring, it’s the only place you’ll need to visit. Check out our website or pop into our showroom for a warm welcome.
18E Jackson Street, St Helens, WA9 1AN
01744 24190
www.flamesuk.co.uk Opening Hours: Monday –Friday 9.30am-4.30pm (closed Wednesday); Saturday - 10am-4pm; Closed Sunday
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Travel
Two Cities By Jess Phillips
A desert oasis like no other, Las Vegas is famed for its bright lights, drive-through weddings and numerous casinos, but that isn’t all the Nevada paradise has to offer. Try breath-taking sights, natural beauty hotspots and plenty of opportunities to try things you’ve never even dreamed of. Combining your trip to Vegas with a once-in-a-lifetime package to New York afterwards might sound like a brave expedition, but why not? The bucket list is calling. Emerging onto The Strip can be overwhelming, even for seasoned Vegas-goers, and it can be difficult to choose what to see first. Begin at the very beginning – the iconic Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas sign, designed by Betty Willis, immediately encapsulates the city’s penchant for a good bit of neon, and is a picture-perfect introduction of what’s to come. If you’re feeling inspired, the Neon Museum houses more of the same, and explores the history of Las Vegas through its signature signage. From there, you might want to head to the LINQ Promenade – a bustling hub of colour
and yet more neon overlooked by the High Roller: the world’s tallest observation wheel at 550 feet. Best experienced after sundown, take in the bright lights of the city for miles around from the top of the wheel while enclosed in an intimate pod. Las Vegas is home to a whopping 104 casinos, and you can’t visit without having a little flutter. If you’re feeling lucky, head over to ARIA, which boasts one of the biggest levels of slot machines and an exclusive high-limit room where you could find yourself splashing out $5000 on a single pull. Whether your game is blackjack, poker or roulette – or even if you’ve never gambled before! - helpful croupiers are on hand to assist you. Vegas’s shopping scene is second-to-none. Premium outlets offer designer labels at discount prices, so you can get the best in the US all in one place. Of course, all that retail therapy can be pretty exhausting, so have a bite to eat in one of Vegas’s famed restaurants. From steakhouses to seafood – plus a surprising selection of Asian delicacies from Chinatown, just two miles out from The Strip – you really are spoilt for choice.
39 World-famous Cirque du Soleil is the perfect after-dinner antidote to a full belly, and perfectly captures the true spirit of the city. You’ll find their shows throughout the city, combining circus magic and contemporary influences to create spectacular, reality-defying performances. Mystical, magical and all-round entertaining, what better way to celebrate the local culture? If the adrenaline from the biggest circus in town hasn’t quite drained, thrill seekers definitely won’t want to miss the Stratosphere Tower Tour. Las Vegas really does reinvent the humble fairground ride dangle 109 stories in the air, catapulting headfirst over the tower edge on the X-Scream, or bungee jump the entire way to the bottom – a dizzying 829 feet! – on SkyJump. The iconic New York, New York hotel has its very own rollercoaster weaving around the building itself; the Big Apple Coaster combines virtual reality and some adrenaline-pumping drops
to give you as authentic a New York experience as you can get outside of the city itself. It’s true, ‘Sin City’ can be intense, but there’s plenty of culture lurking just on the outskirts. Day trips offer the perfect chance to take a step back from it all and tour stunning landmarks like the Grand Canyon, which in 2007 introduced the Skywalk – a glass viewing platform hovering 4000 feet above the canyon itself. The view from so high up is spectacular, and the ideal spot to snap a few gravitydefying photographs. The state park is a natural wonder, and remains home to the Havasupai people
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40 as it has for over 800 years; explore an authentic Native American reservation at Eagle Point and learn the rich history of the tribes who occupied the canyon while surrounded by breath-taking red rock formations. For history buffs, Hoover Dam is just a forty minute drive away from Las Vegas. Built from 1931 to 1936, the dam is a manmade feat of engineering, impounding Lake Mead and supplying hydroelectric power from the Colorado River. The dam’s Observation Deck boasts views of the torrents of white water crashing beneath you and try to get your head around the fact that this very water generates around 4 billion kW-Hs of electricity per year – that’s enough for 1.3 million people. But the journey actually begins in New York, where you can immerse yourself in the buzzing metropolitan capital like you’ve never seen it before. Take a boat trip to see the Statue of Liberty up close or catch a Yankees game before lining up for some star-studded evening entertainment on Broadway. Just be prepared – even the most unlikely candidates will catch themselves humming show tunes afterwards!
Cost of Living - USA 3 course meal: $25 Beer (0.5l): $5 Coffee: $3.75 Bottle wine: $12 Water (1.5l): $1.66
Central Park is of course a must-see – buried in the heart of Manhattan, the park is more than just a green oasis in an otherwise concrete jungle. Free concerts take place regularly at the Naumburg Bandshell, while Belvedere Castle on Vista Rock boasts beautiful views across the park. You also have a good chance of spotting wildlife at the Hallett Nature Sanctuary, Turtle Pond and the place that inspired the movie Madagascar: Central Park Zoo. Las Vegas and New York certainly aren’t cities to be trifled with. With thousands of opportunities to tick things off your bucket list in two truly American destinations – go on, what’s stopping you?
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TAKE THE FOUR WEEK CHALLENGE St Helens and District Scouts are still going strong after more than 100 years and are now launching a new chapter of growth and development. Newly appointed District Commissioner, Chris Valentine wants the organisation in St Helens to grow and let more young people join in the fun. Chris said, “As Scouts, we believe in preparing young people with skills for life. Each week, over 1,000 young people across St Helens and Knowsley, already enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills they need to succeed in life. We would like to offer Scouting to even more of the young people who are waiting to join us, but without additional adult volunteers, our 19 Scout Groups are unable to fulfil the demand. To help us to grow, we are launching the ‘Four Week Challenge’ which invites parents of existing Beavers,
Cubs or Scouts to volunteer for just four weeks to get a taste of what it would be like to become a Leader, to enjoy themselves and be amazed at the difference they can make.”
Week 1 See what we get up to Week 2 Start to help out Week 3 Get a little more involved Week 4 You’ll know if Scouting is for you
We have a wide range of flexible roles either supporting our young people directly or working behind the scenes. Any help you give can shape young people’s lives! If you are interested, please email Chris at – adultrecruitment@sthelensscouts.org.uk
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Puzzle Corner
SUDOKU
WORD SEARCH - Forests Find the hidden words in the word search grid L
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CALEDONIAN MOSSY AMAZON BLACK SPINY
WAIPOUA TARKINE YAKUSHIMA CROOKED GOBLIN
SHERWOOD NEW ARAUCARIA DALBY KIELDER
WORD MIX UP - Forests Unscramble the letters to make a word
NUMBER BLOCK
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15 5 6 19 5 1 16 8 7 27 23 18 20 16 11 The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right.
ROCK OKA
The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the
GAROSAU STUCAC LEAZDRIEG RENEG NOUNMAIT
totals to the right.
WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Water power
DATAPANAY DULOC KISMIK PENI THAMEYSREL WARNODHCO
Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.
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All the puzzle solutions are on page 58 of this magazine
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Leisure
Upload your event for FREE at www.locallife247.co.uk/events Evening with Royston Vasey
Craft & Food Fair
Friday, March 1, 7pm (doors at 6pm)
Sunday, March 3, 11am-3pm
The man behind Roy Chubby Brown presents a candid night of comedy in support of the Daniel Fox Foundation. Tickets cost £26 – to book, call 01744 813822. Over 18s only.
Browse over 25 stalls of beautiful crafts, gifts and food! Food blogger Northern Munkee Bites offers some tasty treats all day in the café. Free entry. Rainford Village Hall, Church Rd, Rainford, WA11 8HB
Sidac Club, Wheatsheaf Ave, Sutton Leach, WA9 4PJ
Fun Day Saturday, March 2, 1pm Live music, raffles, auctions and a bouncy castle for the kids, plus a 5-a-side charity football match (weather permitting). Tickets £5 (adults) or £1 (under16s) from the club or Ravenhead JFC Facebook page. Ravenhead Social Club, Alexandra Drive, St.
Spring Concert Tuesday, March 5 & Wednesday, March 6, 6pm Experience the best local young instrumentalists and vocalists in their spring concerts! Tickets £7 per adult and £3.50 for under-16s, available from the St. Helens Music Service on 01744 677946. St. Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, St. Helens, WA10 1HP
Helens, WA10 3UJ
Quiz & Karaoke Night Saturday, March 2, 8:30pm Compete to be crowned the brightest of the bunch at a fun quiz night, followed by karaoke! Admission £1 per team member, with a cash prize for the winners and a hotpot supper.
Band & Pancake Night Tuesday, March 5, 7:30pm Celebrate Pancake Tuesday with music from the Valley Brass Band, pancakes and other refreshments. Entrance costs £3 on the door. St. Paul’s Church, Chain Lane, Blackbrook, WA11 9QF
St. Mary’s Club, Trent Road, Billinge, WN5 7QT
Spring Running Day Sunday, March 3, 10am-4pm
Breaking the Glass Ceiling Friday, March 8, 8am-10am
Enjoy free heritage bus rides around St. Helens, plus trade stalls of books, models and photos. Admission charges apply – for info, call 01744 451681.
Join Bishop Chris – one of the first women to be ordained in the Church of England – and hear the challenges and joys of breaking through the glass ceiling. Tickets £5, light breakfast provided.
North West Museum of Road Transport, 51 Hall Street, St. Helens, WA10 1DU
The World of Glass, Chalon Way East, St. Helens, WA10 1BX
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Bananaz Bingo
Pamperlicious Wellbeing
Friday, March 8, doors at 7pm
Sunday, March 10, 11am-6pm
Bananaz Bingo returns bigger and bolder than
Experience countless beauty, wellbeing and holistic
ever! Win some fabulous prizes playing bingo on the Hawaiian themed night, plus loads of dancing! Tickets £15, available from www.willowbrook.org.uk or on 01744 453798. Over 18s only.
therapy treatments at this positive wellbeing event. Children’s entertainment available while adults enjoy beauty therapies, crafts and healing. For more information, contact Kelly on 07909 228102.
Rainhill Ex-Services Club, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 4LS
St. Helens Hotel, Linkway West, St. Helens, WA10 1NG
Chairman’s Quiz Friday, March 8, 7:30pm-11:30pm Test your trivia at the annual Chairman’s quiz and enjoy a hotpot supper. Tickets £7 with all proceeds to Rainford Girl Guiding – these must be pre-booked on 01744 884709 or Clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com
Mackenzie Brown Monday, March 11, 5:30pm Mackenzie Brown, author of Ten Little Thrills, heads to St. Helens to celebrate World Book Day, exploring the thriller genre with ten diverse stories. Light refreshments available, free entry. Rainhill Library, View Road, Rainhill, L35 0LE
Rainford Village Hall, Church Rd, Rainford, WA11 8HB
Evening with John Archer Saturday, March 9, 7pm An evening full of magic, comedy and a bit of ukulele with the hilarious John Archer! Tickets £5, part of the Bishop’s Mission events programme – head to Eventbrite or call 07753 499841 to book.
Best of Brass Friday, March 15, 7pm-9pm Parr Band present the Best of Brass – a great concert with a hotpot supper and a drink. Tickets £6 via 07762 607618 or prescotfestival@gmail.com Prescot Parish Church, Church St, Prescot, L34 1LA
St. Helens Hotel, Linkway West, St. Helens, WA10 1NG
Fashion, Fun & Fizz
Comedy Night
Enjoy a fabulous night of fun with a fashion show, plenty of beauty stalls and lashings of prosecco. Tickets £2, available from the community centre.
Saturday, March 9, doors at 7:15pm Hilarious stand-up from Ste Porter, Peter McCole, Tanyalee Davis and Dave Twentyman, plus curry or hotpot supper. Tickets £18, all proceeds go to local sports clubs. Windle Labour Club, Dentons Green Lane, St. Helens, WA10 2QF
Friday, March 15, 7pm-9:30pm
Newton Community Centre, Park Road South, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 8EX
St. Patrick’s Day Saturday, March 16, 7:30pm An evening of live music featuring Danny King, a disco and hotpot supper. Tickets £10 for guests or £8 for club members, including entry to Play Your Cards Right, available on 01744 892836. St. Mary’s Club, Trent Road, Billinge, WN5 7QT
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Win tickets to Blue Planet II – Live in Concert The UK’s most watched TV show of the year is coming live to the Liverpool M&S Bank Arena on 26th March and we’ve got a pair of tickets to give away in this super Local Life competition! Bringing the wonders and mysteries of the planet’s oceans and its inhabitants to the UK arena stage, Blue Planet II – Live In Concert will present a selection of incredible visuals from the BAFTA Award winning BBC One landmark series, highlighting the amazing natural wonders of our blue planet in breath-taking detail, projected on a giant state of the art 4K Ultra HD LED screen. Accompanied by the original immersive television music score by Bleeding Fingers Music, the concert will be performed live by the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, and conducted by Matthew Freeman. If that isn’t enough of a reason to catch this performance, which is part of a 13 date UK and Eire tour, then the announcement of top BBC presenter Anita Rani as host for this live show should ensure a packed out Arena. Rani said of narrating Blue Planet II – Live In Concert: “I am really honoured to have the role of host on the Blue Planet II Live In Concert arena tour. The TV series was such a fantastic and enlightening show and has really empowered society to view our oceans and environment with a great deal more care. I can’t
47 Blue Planet II Live in Concert is a BBC Studios Natural History Unit Production and licensed by FKP Scorpio. The BBC is a trademark of the British Broadcasting Corporation and is used under license. BBC logo © 1996
wait to stand on stage with an 80-piece orchestra and huge screen showing some of that incredible Blue Planet II footage, it should be an amazing experience!” During the four-year filming of Blue Planet II, the teams embarked on 125 expeditions and travelled to 39 countries. The concert will feature exciting visuals from the show including the now infamous Tusk fish, the Crab and Eel rock pool chase and the ‘folklore-turned-reality’ Sea Lion tuna hunt, to mention but a few. To enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to Blue Planet II – Live In Concert, simply visit our website, www.locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on ‘competitions’ and then answer the following question; Who is the host of Blue Planet II – Live In Concert in Liverpool on 26th March 2019? The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Sunday
17th March and the winners will be notified within five working days. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Only one entry per household. Local Life 247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter this competition.
Tickets for Blue Planet II – Live in concert are available from www.AXS.com, www.eventim.co.uk, www.seetickets.com & www.blueplanet2live.co.uk
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Wedding Fayre
Afternoon Tea
Sunday, March 17, 12pm-3pm
Wednesday, April 3, 1pm-3pm
Experience the best in local wedding suppliers in preparation for the big day, plus entertainment from a wedding singer and a bridal catwalk. Complimentary glass of bubbly and canapes on arrival, free entry.
Enjoy a delicious afternoon tea with friends while feasting on cakes and sandwiches, all to raise money for Willowbrook Hospice. Tickets £7.50, available from The Living Well or on 01744 453798.
St. Helens Hotel, Linkway West, St. Helens, WA10 1NG
Cheese & Wine Evening Thursday, March 21, 7pm-10pm Sample the delights of South America at Willowbrook Hospice’s cheese and wine evening! Tickets £10 with proceeds going to the hospice, available on 01744 453798 or from events@willowbrookhospice.org.uk
The Living Well, Borough Rd, St. Helens, WA10 3RN
Photography Exhibition Until Friday, April 5 Kirsten Jane presents her 35mm photography exhibition to commemorate the last 20 years of her career, with a heavy focus on film and slides. Millennium Centre, Corporation Street, St. Helens, WA10 1HJ
The Living Well, Borough Road, St. Helens, WA10 3RN
Lenten Organ Recital
1940s Night
Enjoy a beautiful organ recital from organist Andrew Wyatt, plus a delicious meal. Tickets £10, available from the church.
Friday, March 22, 7:30pm-11pm
Thursday, April 11, 6pm-9pm
A night of wartime music with Katz Korner – period dress encouraged! Head back to the 40s with dancing, a raffle, tombola and supper. Tickets £12 with all proceeds to the Helen Marie charity – bookable on 01744 734155, 01744 756298 or 07724 995298.
United Reformed Church, King Street, St. Helens, WA10 2JZ
St. Mary’s Club, Trent Road, Billinge, WN5 7QT
The Easter bunny has visited and it’s time for an egg hunt! Make your own nest and bunny from natural materials to take home and explore real nests from different birds. Tickets £5.75, bookable on Eventbrite.
Frankie Allen Friday, March 29, 7pm Join the UK’s most feared comedian in his latest tour, plus support from Simon Cain. Tickets £15, available from 01744 26911 or online at www.skiddle. com/13475770 Parr Conservative Club, Broad Oak Road, St. Helens, WA9 2DG
Easter Hunt Thursday, April 18, 1:30pm-3pm
Fir Tree Farm Woods, Pimbo Rd, King’s Moss, WA11 8RD
Easter Family Day Saturday, April 20, 12pm-6pm Easter fun for all the family with on-stage entertainment from fire eaters, illusionists, jugglers, contortionists and unicyclists, plus craft stalls and giant inflatables. Kids go free! Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0HQ
Health
Read
Right
Could your child benefit from a binocular vision exam? When Sarah’s 10-year-old daughter complained of headaches after school, she did what any sensible parent would do and booked an eye test. After a 15-minute exam she was told that Maisie did not need any glasses and that there was nothing wrong with her. After a few months, Maisie’s symptoms hadn’t disappeared, and her grades were suffering. “She didn’t want to read and was falling behind in class.” Sarah took her back to the optician, who this time gave Maisie some glasses. “She wore them for a couple of weeks but gave up after that as they weren’t helping, in fact she said that they made things worse for seeing the whiteboard. Sarah’s friend advised her to take Maisie to see the optometrist who had helped her son when he had struggled with similar issues. “Immediately I could see that this was a different kind of eye exam.” We didn’t feel rushed. The optometrist was really interested the type of difficulties Maisie was experiencing, when they happened, and how she coped with them. She performed a whole battery of tests and explained everything as she was going along. She told us that Maisie was having difficulty co-ordinating her eyes so was having to put in more effort to ‘see’, and as she became more tired with the effort of school and study, it became harder and harder for her to keep up the co-ordination.’
In a classroom eyes need work as a team at all distances. They should be able to point accurately at the same point on a page, then be able to refocus quickly and accurately on the whiteboard and back again, hundreds of times per day. They need to be able scan across lines of text without drifting off to another line. If eyes can’t work as a team, children might try for a while but often develop unhelpful coping mechanisms like turning their head, screwing their eyes up, and excessive blinking. Eventually they give up and may become disenfranchised from learning. The binocular vision system is more likely to malfunction in children with dyslexia or an underlying health condition. Binocular vision examinations measure the ability of the child’s eyes to work together, and then the optometrist can make helpful suggestions, such as glasses, or exercises (sometimes called vision therapy), or a mixture of both. Occasionally coloured overlays might prove useful too. By Kath McLean
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50
In a
Heartbeat
What are ectopic heartbeats? Ectopic heartbeats are extra heartbeats that occur just before a regular beat. Ectopic beats are normal and usually they are not a cause for concern. About 70% of medically normal adults without any symptoms at all have ectopic beats if monitored over 24 hours. They are far less common in children and are more likely to be a result of an underlying heart abnormality in those cases. There are two types of ectopic beat: PAC - Premature atrial contractions, which begin in the upper chambers of the heart. PVC - Premature ventricular contractions, which begin in the lower chambers of the heart. An ectopic beat might be felt as an extra awareness of the heart beating; a feeling of faintness; a sensation of the heart stopping for a second, or a fluttering sensation in the chest. The fact that some people become aware of their ectopic beats doesn’t automatically mean there is a problem. Most commonly people who become aware of their ectopic beats are also susceptible to anxiety. What tends to happen is that during an episode of anxiety their system is flooded with adrenalin and their heart begins to race. They become aware of their heart racing, and then suddenly they experience a (perfectly normal) ectopic beat, only it feels anything but normal to them because their heart is already racing. They can then become hyper-aware of any perceived differences in rhythm, and this can feed their anxiety.
Most GPs can diagnose ectopic heartbeats from symptoms and by listening with a stethoscope. Sometimes they will arrange a precautionary electrocardiogram (ECG). If someone is aware of their ectopic beat only when they are sitting quietly, this is less of a concern than if the ectopics become noticeable after exercise, such as running upstairs. Ectopics are also of more concern if there is a history of a previous heart attack, or a family of heart disease. A GP will want to rule out complications such as ventricular tachycardia and arrhythmia. If further investigation is required the GP might order an echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), or a coronary angiography, an MRI, a CT scan, or exercise testing. In most cases ectopic heartbeats do not require treatment; however, there are certain well-known triggers. It can be helpful to review all medications and their possible interactions, stop smoking, reduce alcohol and caffeine intake, and reduce stress and anxiety as much as possible. Remember, most ectopic heartbeats are not a cause for concern, but if they are persistent, or you are worried, then consult your GP. By Louise Addison
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No Fear Smear Uptake on cervical cancer screening is at a 20-year low, with many women aged 25-29 opting to skip their smear tests. But getting screened can save your life - and it’s not as scary as you might think. Cervical cancer is most common in women aged 3045, though it’s possible for sexually active women of any age to develop it. Screenings test for abnormal cells and diagnose these in around 1 in 20 women, though these cells don’t always become cancerous. Sometimes, however, it’s necessary for the cells to be removed to prevent further harm or changes. Cervical cancer is extremely rare in women under 25, and you won’t need a smear test if you’ve never been sexually active. Often, symptoms of cervical cancer don’t present themselves, but if you have abormal bleeding between periods, discomfort or pain during sex, lower back pain or unusual discharge, it’s a good idea to get checked out by a GP.
Smear tests typically take around 3 minutes. You’ll be asked to lie on your back with your legs up, your ankles together and knees apart. A speculum - a plastic cylinder with a round end - is inserted into the vagina. This is uncomfortable for some women, but the discomfort doesn’t last long. Once the speculum opens gently, a small, soft brush is inserted to sample the cells. In some cases you can request a smaller speculum if you find the test painful, or lie in an easier position just speak to the nurse administering the test. Effort is always made to preserve your modesty during the examination - if you’re wearing a skirt or dress you’ll be able to leave it on to cover yourself a little more, and a sheet will be placed over your lower half. St. Helens Councillor Jeanette Banks said: ‘It is such a small amount of time for such big peace of mind to make sure you are healthy. Booking an appointment could literally be a life saver.’
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Wouldn’t family life be better without back pain and sciatica?
Dr Mike Paull & Avissa (Doctor of Chiropractic)
Chiropractors specialise in the care of your nervous system and spine so that you and your body are better able to heal.
Call 01942 498 480 for further details or visit us at www.ChiroHospital.com or on Facebook: wiganfamilychiro WIGAN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC HOSPITAL, 27 BRIDGEMAN TERRACE, WIGAN, WN1 1TD
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Diabetes Support The St. Helens & District Diabetes UK group will meet on Wednesday, March 6 at 7:30pm at the United Reformed Church on King Street. Special guests and diabetes specialist nurses Hollie Fullerton and Claire Lee will be speaking about inpatient care for people with diabetes. You’ll get the chance to ask any questions you have, and enjoy light refreshments afterward. The group particularly welcome anyone who has been recently diagnosed with diabetes, but anyone with an interest in the condition is welcome to join. For further information, call 01514 800821 or visit www.st-helens-and-distrcit.diabetesukgroup.org
Struggling with anxiety, depression, anger, guilt, destructive behaviours, bereavement or abuse? Counselling can help you to make sense of your problems and become the person you want to be. Call 07816 611 366 for an appointment or email: janelucascounselling@gmail.com 9 Victoria Street, Rainhill, L35 0LB
www.janelucascounsellingandtherapies.com
Dealing with Dementia Watching a loved one suffer from dementia is a heartbreaking process. The condition currently affects around 850,000 people in the UK alone, with one in six people over the age of 80 diagnosed. The gradual loss of memory, inability to focus or communicate, degrading vision, and in some cases aggression and hallucinations, is difficult for the person with dementia and those closest to them. There is no known cure for Alzheimer’s disease or the dementia symptoms associated with it, but there are a few things you can do to make life easier for those going through it. Make interactions positive. Keep the overall tone of conversations light and be optimistic – if you’re stressed out or getting frustrated, the person with dementia will likely pick up on it and become stressed themselves. Don’t cut them out of conversations or roll your eyes if they ask the same question more than once. Stick to simple questions. Go slowly, with one question at a time, and avoid leaving too many choices. For example, if you’re deciding on what to cook, hold up visual representations of a couple
of meals and let them choose from those. Memory aids such as signs around the house can be good for directing your loved one to where things are kept – if they struggle with reading, use symbols instead. Reassure. Dementia is scary – although the person isn’t always aware of what they’re going through, it can sometimes hit them head-on. Deal with this by gently reassuring the person that they’re safe, and do your best to make them comfortable. Being physically affectionate can also help ground them in the present if words just aren’t working. Reminisce. Although short-term memory degrades, long-term memory is more likely to be retained, and it can be a fun activity to look back on the good times. Take an afternoon to look through family photo albums or at old maps. If you’re struggling, get help. Day centres for dementia patients can be a godsend if you’re struggling by yourself, and provide fun, dementiafriendly activities to get involved in so you can get some time and space to yourself. For more info, dementia/carers/
see
www.nhs.uk/conditions/
54
Leisure
Charnock Richard by Jess Phillips We arrived in Charnock Richard for our latest 5 ¼ mile walk on a cold, misty day, when the snow around us was just beginning to thaw and melt into sleet. These conditions made for an atmospheric endeavour indeed – especially with the ruins of the abandoned Camelot Theme Park rising above the treeline. Having parked up just off the A49 in Church Lane (Postcode PR7 5NA), we set off west, crossing the main road to head along Brook Lane. At the end of this lane you’ll come to a large set of gates leading to a farm – go through the small gate provided for public access and back onto the driveway. Note at this point that the public right of way has recently been changed. Head through the gate on the opposite side and go diagonally across the paddock, then down the
Length of walk: 5.25 miles Difficulty: Medium Accessibility: Muddy in places with stiles to negotiate; some of which are a little wobbly. Some fields may contain livestock. One public footpath has been diverted. narrow fenced-off pathway. The path bends into a sharp left culminating in a stile – cross this into a field. The snow made crossing the field a little tricky, but seeing tree branches emerge out of the fog made it feel like we were the only people left in
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the world – only the far-off traffic noise dictated otherwise! I was, however, very glad I’d brought my wellies. Follow the path along the hedgerow and down to the right, where you climb over another stile. There’s a small footbridge afterwards, then a short climb. From here take a left through the woods – and plenty of mud – until you reach another stile into a field. Follow the edge of the field until you come to a footbridge which transports you across the M6 motorway. The bridge deposits you in the grounds of Park Hall, where you take an immediate left to follow the driveway out onto Park Hall Road. It’s here that you’re promised a good view of Camelot – the now defunct amusement park first opened its gates in 1983, delighting families with medieval fun for decades before dwindling visitor numbers caused it to close for good in 2012. Some of the rides – including the 80ft Knightmare rollercoaster – still stand today, visible from the motorway and nearby fields. You can also get a great view of the front turrets –and any lurking security guards - from the car park. From here, go right, following the road until you reach Highgrove Avenue. Turn into it, and follow it to the end when you can continue through the gate into another field. Carry on along the path, which
goes down and across a footbridge, then turn right and follow the path all the way to Red Lane. Once you emerge, turn right again until you reach an unnamed lane, then take another right. This lane leads you to the gates of a farm at the far end; head left over the stile and follow the path straight up to the M6, turning right to the bridge. Once over the bridge, head left over another stile, then follow the path until you reach one more. Climb it, then keep to the right of the field until you reach the Old Hall Lane stile – watching out for any stray sheep coming out of the fog, of course! A left turn takes you back to the A49, and an ideal place to grab some refreshments if you’re feeling peckish. The Bowling Green pub offers a cosy, familyoriented environment which is perfect for warming up. At the main road, go left and cross into Delph Lane, which winds all the way around to Church Lane. Take one last right and continue back to your starting point – and make sure to turn the heaters up for the journey home!
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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.
Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial
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Motoring
HONDA
CR-V HYBRID by Tim Barnes-Clay
Diesel seems to be dying, and that’s a shame for a lot of people. There are a lot of good diesel-driven cars out there, and the scrapyard is where government leaders would like to see them. Therefore, it seems odd that automakers are still churning them out. Indeed, many of the car launches I go on include oil-burners. However, that’s not the case with Honda. The Japanese firm has committed itself to an electrified future and claims that by 2025 two-thirds of its
European transactions could encompass electrified vehicles (EVs). The brand aims to usher in a full urban EV later next year, but its first step towards this new age is a hybrid version of the CR-V. The model is in its fifthgeneration, and the hybrid powertrain is already housed within the Accord saloon in the United States. That means it’s a proven unit, so its debut in the CR-V over this side of the pond looks like a safe bet.
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58 The system is named Intelligent Multi-Mode Drive (i-MMD), and it facilitates a trio of drive settings. All-electric can be selected in EV Drive, but only for limited amounts of time, due to the minuscule 1kWh battery bundle. Hybrid Drive utilises the clout of the 2.0-litre petrol engine, which runs at low revs to run one of the Honda’s electric motors. This then produces the muscle used by the other motor for momentum. Engine Drive shuts a clutch to allow the front axle to be propelled by the petrol motor, while the transmission is a single fixed ratio transmission. Both all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions are offered. So, in Hybrid Drive, the simplest way to understand how the Honda powertrain works is to imagine it being akin to a hydrogen fuel cell car – but, instead, it’s using petrol to produce a charge for the electric motor.
Fast Facts • 0-62 mph: 9.2 seconds • Combined mpg: 51.4 • Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder petrol + 2 electric motors • Max. power (PS): 184 • CO2: 126 g/km Price: £37,255
switchgear falls easily to hand. The paddles behind the tiller enable you to change the intensity of the energy recuperation system, as well. There’s also a Sport setting, which is meant to give a quicker throttle response – but its influence is minimal.
The CR-V Hybrid favours EV Drive or Hybrid settings when it’s not on the motorway. This means the engine is either not running, or it’s just trickling power to the battery pack. But the best bit is that the Honda automatically sorts through its trio of modes depending on what your driving is like - and the changes are virtually flawless.
The ‘green’ Honda rides pleasantly and absorbs potholes well, but the heavy car does suffer from body roll in corners. Generally, it feels like a decent set-of-wheels, though, and that’s where most of its allure lies. The CR-V Hybrid’s 51.4mpg fuel efficiency isn’t earth-shattering, but it’s comparable with most similarly-sized diesel-driven vehicles. It’ll be easier on the pocket than the standard petrol-propelled version, that’s for sure.
If driven conservatively, the CR-V Hybrid is a hushed and comfy car. The cabin is refined, and the
Alas, practicality isn’t as good with the CR-V Hybrid. This is because the environmentally-friendly power
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WORD MIX UP: CORK OAK, SAGUARO CACTUS, GRIZEDALE, GREEN MOUNTAIN, TANDAYAPA CLOUD, SIKKIM PINE, HAMSTERLEY, CHARNWOOD.
59 system cuts into the Honda’s boot space, slashing it from 561 litres to 497 litres. There’s a lot of handy room in the cabin, though - and leg and headspace in the rear are better than ever. Keep an eye out for the new CR-V Hybrid – you can order it now, but it officially goes on sale in the UK in February 2019.
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60
Gardening
Hardy
Annuals
Hardy annuals: the name is an oxymoron. Hardy plants are supposed to be able to survive the winter aren’t they, but annuals, by their definition, don’t. In fact, the names hardy, half-hardy and tender, when applied to annuals, refer to the relative cold tolerance of the newly planted seeds. Hardy annual seeds can handle being frozen in the soil so are ideal for planting outside, either in the autumn or now. Productive, adaptable and cheap, they are the ideal credit-crunch plants. They are also easy-to-grow, so are brilliant for beginner gardeners. For best results sow them as thinly as possible, cover lightly with sifted soil then firm it down. Protect them from cats and birds with netting until the seedlings are well established then thin them out to the distance recommended on the packet. Good flowers for the annual-novice include poppy, calendula, larkspur, fried- egg plants (limnanthes), love-in-the-mist, clarkia and cornflowers. If I could grow only one it would be Nigella damascena (love-in-the-mist). It’s an old cottagegarden plant and ‘Miss Jekyll’ is a beautiful, soft, pure blue variety with the added bonus of stripy seed pods once the flowers have faded. The king of the hardy annuals though has to be the sunflower. Children particularly love to grow them. Sow them singly in small pots or directly into the earth. If you sow them directly, plant two seeds into each hole and thin to one once they are established. They may need to be staked as they grow. There are some terrific varieties. A favourite of mine is Prado Red, which as the name suggests, produces deep red flowers. If you pinch them out, they‘ll grow to five
feet and produce numerous blooms on each plant. If sunflowers are the kings of the hardy annuals, then sweet peas are surely the fragrant queens. Oldfashioned or antique varieties tend to be best for scent though their flowers are slightly smaller. The great thing about sweet peas is that you have to pick them to prolong flowering so you have a wonderful excuse to have a fragrant home all summer long. Sweet peas should be planted a little deeper than other annuals. They are very thirsty flowers. My granddad used to line his sweet pea trenches with lots of wet newspaper. He won prizes for his blooms, so he obviously knew a thing or two about it. Next time you’re at the garden centre...walk right on by the showy (and expensive) potted plants and head for the seed section. For a very small outlay you can add colour, shape, interest and completely transform your plot ...and if you don’t like it, you can always change it again next year. Happy gardening!
By Rachael Leverton
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Wilson Brothers
01695 633173 Wilson Brothers www.wilson-bros.co.uk
Landscape & Artificial Grass Specialist We’ll design & create your new modern low-maintenance garden Our wide range of artificial grass are all guaranteed for 10 years
10 YEAR GUARANTEE
Call Andy today for more details
01942 387 044 ~ 07941 602 539 Check out our projects on www.turfcouk.co.uk
M. Baker
Fencing Call Michael now for your free quote
• All fencing supplied & erected • Replacement Panels • Post Repairs • Fully Insured
01695 363859 or 07977 534387
Want a beautiful garden without all the hard work?
We’ll do it all for you!
• • • • •
GARDEN MAINTENANCE / ONE OFF TIDY UPS JETWASHING DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS APPLICATION OF LAWN TREATMENTS HEDGES & SHRUBS MAINTAINED WEED SPRAYING OF PATHS & DRIVEWAYS
Professional Lawn Treatment & Garden Maintenance ~ Est. 2001 ~
01744 893 477 or 07950 651 956
GreenhillsLC@gmail.com
BILLINGE BASED
AABRON LANDSCAPING SERVICES • Raised Beds • Artificial Grass • Lawns Re-Turfed • Driveways & Patios • Fencing, Flagging & Block Paving • Gardens Designed & Constructed
Free fixed-price quotations provided All genuine like-for-like quotes beaten!
01744 606 080 / 07780 801 341 51 Sandringham Drive, WA9 3TQ www.aabronlandscaping.co.uk
Home Services
www.bodtree.co.uk
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H. TEBB & SON French Polishers & Upholsterers of Distinction • Domestic and commercial work welcome
COMPUTER PROBLEMS?
Broadband broken, computer slow printer packed up, virus/spyware or your keyboards gone kaput Bodtree Systems fix all types of PC problems in the comfort of your own home
Call Catherine Now 07540 222787
No Call Out Charges • Local Company • PC Experts Tel: 01744 778381 - 01942 418763 - Mobile - 07540 222787
• Free Pick Up and Delivery
St Helens’ premier domestic cleaning service
• Established in St. Helens since 1946 • Free estimates
01744 23074 91 Shaw Street, St Helens, WA10 1EN www.htebb.co.uk
Mr Soot
CHIMNEY SWEEP
Woodburners
Open fires
mr-soot.com 07724 311 992
Stoves
Cleaning in the St Helens area for 10+ years
We only use reliable, vetted staff • £10.75 per hour - minimum 2 hrs • Same cleaner each visit • All domestic duties provided
Call or email Joanne 01744 649091 joanne@acleanbreak.co.uk / www.acleanbreak.co.uk
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Providing professional carpet & upholstery cleaning since 1993 Carpets Leather
Upholstery Curtains Oriental Rugs Hard Floors
For more information call:
UPVC CLEANING
• Windows, Fascias, Gutters etc.
CONSERVATORIES
• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning)
POWER WASHING • Driveways & Patios etc.
01925 411 449
ROOF CLEANING
Visit our website and check out the testimonials.
• Moss Removal & Bio-Treatment • Softwashing / Low Pressure
www.alliancechemdry.co.uk
T: 01942 409401 M: 07881 816839 - Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning - Specialist Leather Cleaning - Fully insured and trained member of NCCA - FREE no obligation pre-inspection and quote www.carrolls-carpetandupholstery.co.uk
SPECIAL OFFER - 20% OFF
ALL CLEANING PACKAGES Call Clint for a free no obligation quote.
01744 470 051 or 07834 241 642 www.justcleanpropertycare.co.uk
as seen
ON TV
Ovenclean will transform your oven and put the sparkle back into your kitchen!
• • • •
Ovens Grills Extractors BBQ’s
• • • •
Hobs Ranges Microwaves AGA’s
Call today to book your oven clean Domestic cleaning
Oven cleaning
Carpet cleaning
T: 07938 566 401 www.dreamcleanswigan.co.uk
Ironing service
0800 840 7127 or 07724 694337 www.ovenclean.com
66 Specialists in boiler installations, repair & maintenance All work fully warranted
Book a boiler health check for £65
& get a carbon monoxide alarm (RRP £29) FREE!
FINA
NCE Brand New Bathrooms OPTIONS AVAILABLE Boiler + Central Heating Installs, Servicing + Repairs Extended warranties available 24 Hour Call-out Domestic + Commercial
Freephone 0300 3030121
01744 892437
Email ops@hotmail.co.uk
Rainford Electrical Electrical Installations & Repairs
21 Naburn Drive, Orrell, WN5 8SB
Small jobs a speciality
Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk
Call Alan Leigh on
506515
01744 883883 or 07884 496434
W.Hurst & Son Ltd
No job too small. No call out charge – guaranteed.
ELECTRIC CONTRACTOR www.whurstandson.co.uk
• • • •
All types of electrical work 35+ years experience No job too small Friendly and reliable
Est.1975
All aspects of domestic work undertaken Lights, Sockets, Fuseboards etc Electric Oven & Shower Repairs P.A.T. Testing & Inspection
Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809
www.orrellheating.co.uk
Call the team on
For a free quote & advice call Jeff
01695 622 191 07850 622 191
30 years experience. All electrical work undertaken from full re-wires to alarms/CCTV.
Call Steve on
07809 427 508
www.hjselectricalservices.co.uk
Keeping your home and family safe • CCTV – Tailored high-quality CCTV solutions for your home and/or business • Alarms - Hard wired & wire-free systems security solutions • Full installation, repairs & maintenance. The only St Helens company to reach NSI Gold standard
Call us today for a free, no obligation, security survey. Unit D, Moss Park, Dairy Farm Road, Rainford, WA11 7JR
01744 607080
enquiries@best-security.co.uk
Established 1984
www.best-security.co.uk
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A Genuine Family Run Business With Friendly & Courteous Staff SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES
Accredited Installer & Ser vice Partner
11672
Established 30+ years ~ emergency call outs
Call Paul for advice and a free quote
07929 428 496
12 YEARS
WE REPAIR EXTENDED ALL MAKES WARRANTY ON SELECTED BOILER OF BOILERS! INSTALLATIONS Telephone:
01942 504 429 88604
• Boilers • Bathrooms • Servicing
Installations, Upgrades & Maintenance
• Annual Boiler Servicing • Landlord & Home Owner Gas Safety Checks • Mechanical Power Flushing • Thermostatic Valves/Radiators Fitted • Home Efficiency Control Upgrades
Registration No.
All aspects of Gas Heating & Plumbing
MOBILE:
07515 505 501
www.fgwelch.co.uk
FINANCE AVAILABLE
42-44 Rainford Road, Billinge
BIG
H
ASK FOR DETAILS
Commercial & Domestic Gas Engineers
202783
Gas Appliances repaired & serviced Homes, schools, churches, offices & factories
Call on 07778
80 40 60
HEATING www.bigHheating.co.uk
Call-Outs welcome 24/7
ATB Plumbing & Heating Heating & Plumbing Services • Boiler Installations & Repairs • Servicing & Maintenance • Gas Safety Certificates
152642
• We’re on call 365 days a year – our service & maintenance plans start from just 41p per day!
Boiler Installs, Repairs & Services Fire & Cooker Installations Bathrooms Fitted System Flushes Landlords Certifications 624630 LPG
Call Alec on 07730 735 174
64-80 Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2JW
01744 22331
Bartons-heating.co.uk
rainford-boiler-tech.co.uk
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MultiSkilled Handyman Roofing & Roofline- repairs and replacement Decorating, Building, Gates supplied & fitted Plastering, Gardening
Do you have Failed Double Glazing Units?
For all your home improvements - No job too small
PlC MAINTENANCE
Don’t pay £££’s to replace the frame, we’ll replace the glass panes. We also replace; Window locks, Door locks, Hinges & Handles. ...and we do conservatory repairs. Call us now for a free quotation on
01744 810 000
07847 394040 ~ 01744 606938
Want to promote your company in Local Life? Call Sally:
01744 649 722
locallife247.co.uk
www.northwestwindowrepairs.co.uk
LocalLife
Our Focus Is Quality & Price
Extensions & Alterations Specialists
01744 602931 or 07756 274503
LOCAL FAMILY FIRM
SKF Rendering Ltd
All aspects of Building & Roofing UPVC Rooflines References Available
7 Albany Avenue, Eccleston Park, L34 2QN
Call Steve for friendly We’ll transform the look of your home with our machine-applied coloured renders. advice and a free quote
13 Hawes Ave, Carr Mill, WA11 7EA
FREE
T Car Health Check Y rton R for all residents of Croston and Brethe need me! E Keep me until you Check S FREE Car Health Book your
TwinLakesMotorEngineers
Call now on
01772 603923
DING REPAIR & WEL
IC
MUS
ING
GAM
IA
MED
E X H A U S T S Call Jake today for a free
• FREE Hearing Tests • Earwax Removal • Hearing Aids & Repairs • FREE 1 Week Hearing Aid Trial
Drop in or contact
We provide regular garden maintenance such as mowing
and trimming, and we also perform extra services such as patio and gutter cleaning.
07377 543 110quote
Darren on:
01942CE215 ” 391 8-10 Gathurst IEN Road, Orrell, WN5 8QH PER E EX www.wiganhearing.co.uk
ge Rural Villa NURSERY
L LIF
“REA
10% off
FUNDED PLACES for Available 2/3/4 year olds
Rated by OFSTED as DING OUTSTAN
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...and motor
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JPA Garden Mainten ance offers a friendly and professional service at competitive prices.
g aid
ICING CAR & VAN SERV cycles too
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01744 649 722
g after your garde
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For more information call
Need help lookin
“W NP with TUITIO IC MUS
Ask us
Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service.
Put your hearing first with
OW ST OL N GE R” ENR IGAN’S BIG IDE ROV
rin
Design & Print LocalLife
Call us on... 01744 600074 Mobile: 07867 592460
One Coat Through Coloured Renders, Acrylic Renders & EWi Renders (Insulated). 48 colours. Approved applicators for:
ou r
ea
01744 636 584 07986 528 547
From a Loose Slate to a Complete Construction
fh wide range o
OPEN Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM
£35.50 per day
Large outdoor A PLAY ARE
POP IN for a chat
Present this voucher for 10% OFF your next hearing test or earwax removal.
Contact us today
for further information.
Terms and conditions
uk
apply
Call Sarah
on 01744
886166
for more
information
or visit
nursery.co.
www.crank
69
M H Roofing
Established over 15 years Friendly advice and competitive rates No job too small
• High Performance Felt Flat Roof Systems • Storm Damage and Insurance Work • Slating and Tiling full roofs • Poiniting and Guttering • Fascia Boards
Call 01744 884117 or 07702 693225
Fully Insured & Insurance Backed Guarantees
www.mhroofingltd.co.uk
3 Maggots Nook Road, Rainford
• WILSON BROS • Est. 1985
Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate
01695 633173 Colin: 07958 302 166 Brian: 07760 160 988 www.wilson-bros.co.uk
Matthew Rigby Property Services
Damp Control Specialists
We provide an honest, accurate assessment of your damp problems using state of the art diagnostic equipment. Call us to assess your property and we will provide you with a comprehensive damp report. Contact Matthew on
07840 096 233 Reliable, friendly, local service
Facias, soffits, cladding, dry verge and gutters - call us now for all your roofline requirements! We specialise in seamless aluminium gutters. Clean, stylish and guaranteed for 25 years!
01942 735 515 / 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183 www.orrellroofline.co.uk
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KEYS LOCKS SAFES • Repairs & Upgrades on all locks, including UPVC • Safes supplied & installed • Key cutting service • Emergency call outs welcomed • All work guaranteed Call your local lock expert for a free quote
CALL PAUL LOCKSMITHS ESTABLISHED 2000 • UPVC & WOODEN DOOR SPECIALIST • Emergency Door Opening • UPVC Door Lock Repairs
Call us now on
01744 732 256
Established 1970
Visit our showroom: 2, Lingholme Road, St Helens, WA10 2NS
GARAGE DOOR
REPAIRS
All GARAGE DOORS REPAIRED : Springs, Cables, Locks, Rollers etc. Doors of all ages repaired
• UPVC Door Lock Changes • UPVC Door Lock Upgrades • Wood Door Lock Changes • All Work Guaranteed A Registered Insured NCFE Certified Company
Call Paul for a Fast, Reliable, Professional Service
01744 894939 / 07891 330214 www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk Strawberry Cottage, Pimbo Road, St.Helens WN8 9QL
TELEPHONE
01744 526 589 MOBILE 07932 718 362 WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK
A.J.Davies Est.1991
Haydock Decorators • High Quality Decorating • Neat & Tidy Workmanship
Painter & Decorator Over 20 years experience Haydock Decorators
For a free quote & friendly advice contact Paul on 07596 956 030
Paper Hanging a Speciality Friendly & Very Reliable Service Both Domestic & Commercial Trading for over 26 years
Call Adam on 01744 755 005 e-mail ajdaviesdecorator@hotmail.co.uk
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Come and visit the largest showroom in the North West
® Quality installations of windows, doors, fascias, soffits and gutters First for quality • First for service • First for reliability No contractors • No salesmen Just a smile and a honest price from a family run business
Rockdoor Approved Installer Reg No 02767596
SISTER COMPANY OF FOXWELLS BUILDERS Established 16 years
Call us for a Free Quote Office Number: 01942 871 777 Victoria Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, Leigh, WN7 5SE warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk • info@warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk
Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!
Quality ~ Choice ~ Value Windows
Bi-Fold Doors
Thermally-efficient conservatory roofs expertly fitted by accredited installers
Orangeries
©
Don’t just lock it, Rock it!
Conservatories
Manufacturers and installers since 2004
Contact us on 01744 891717 for a no obligation quote
28544
Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads)
www.orrellwindows.co.uk