LocalLife St Helens Edition
March 2020
Events2Go Pages 42-44
Halls of St. Helens Pages 20-22
Jacks Tracks: Sandstone Trail Pages 46-49
Local News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Health Events2Go Home Services locallife247.co.uk
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ike many who have waved off kids into adulthood, me and the wife have become accustomed to nipping off for a European city break. So far though, 2020 has been a flightfree year. We saw in the New Year in the Peak District, enjoyed a minibreak in Ireland recently, and with trips to the Highlands and to Wales scheduled for summer, 2020 will be the first time we’ve holidayed in all four home nations in a single year. With the notable exception of LJLA, I hate airports with a passion anyway and the thought of flying in a metal tube with a few hundred other souls isn’t an attractive one right now. And whilst swapping the sun-kissed beaches of the Med for windswept beaches of mid-Wales, and forgoing cocktails in the Caribbean for the distilleries of the Highlands might not be to everyone’s taste, we’re going to give it our best shot! See you there?
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This month’s highlights 20. Halls of St. Helens
Contents 26. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size
28. Books Books for Mother’s Day
37. Recipe Sticky Chinese chicken wings
38. Health Section Core strength & motivation
42. Events2Go
16. Building for Books
34. Take the High Road
Stay busy this March!
50. Gardening Time to make a change?
56. Home Services Find a local trader for you.
46. Jack’s Tracks: Sandstone Trail
45. Beef in Guinness
54. Test Drive
Next issue - April 2020
Advertising deadline - 20th March Published - 2nd April
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News & Features
Young Artists
175th Celebration
The St. Helens Youth Open Art Competition 2020 opens for submissions this month!
Bipsham Methodist Church on Crank Road in Billinge celebrates its 175th anniversary this month.
Young people from nursery-age through to Key Stage 4 are all encouraged to enter, with separate categories depending on age group. There’s also a category for secondary school photography and digital art, which could result in a work placement at Vinyline Graphics for the lucky winner.
The occasion will be marked by a series of events: on Saturday, March 7, the church will hold a Gift Day from 10am-12pm with refreshments, before Bispham’s Own Concert takes place in the evening. A night of music, poetry and quizzing awaits you from 6:30pm - tickets cost £7.50 including a hotpot
Works are welcomed across all mediums, from sketches to sculptures; mixed media to short films. Submissions should be handed in at St. Mary’s Market on Tuesday, March 10 or Wednesday, March 11, from 2pm-5pm. The works will then be exhibited from Saturday, March 21 until Friday, May 1 in The World of Glass and the market, with a prize-giving ceremony on Thursday, March 26.
supper, dessert and a glass of bubbly, bookable on 07913 382258.
For more information or to download an entry form, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/youthopenart or call 01744 676498.
Make her special y a D ’s r e h t o M
A special Family Service takes place on Sunday, March 8, from Chair of the District Rev. Paul Martin, followed by a raffle and refreshments in the church hall. Finally, at 6pm on the Sunday, join a special service led by Rev Shaun Swithenbank in church.
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Rainford Ride The Lancashire Lanes Sportive returns in April with a brand new route. Starting from Rainford High School, choose from a 45 mile or 75 mile fully signposted cycle route to help raise funds for the Steve Prescott Foundation. Entry to the longer race costs £20, or £16 for the 45 mile route, both including beans on toast at the finish. For an entry form, visit www. steveprescottfoundation.co.uk or call 07971 792859. The event takes place on Sunday, April 26 from 9am.
Go Greenslate Greenslate Community Farm in Billinge will hold a monthly Farmers’ Market packed with local produce and delicious food. Beginning on Sunday, March 8, the market will take place on the second Sunday of the month from 11am-3pm. Since the closure of the nearby Rainford
Farmers’ Market, Greenslate saw the need for a permanent event in Orrell, to help support the local economy and environment. If you’d like to get involved with a stall, email Rhiannon at rhiannon@greenslatefarm.org.uk with details of what you’d like to sell. For more information, check out Greenslate Farm’s Facebook page or visit www.greenslatefarm.org.uk
Charity Boot Sale A car boot sale in aid of Willowbrook Hospice will take place at the Living Well on Borough Road on Saturday, April 25 from 9am-12pm. Whether you’re looking for a bargain or want to shift some pre-loved goods, what better reason than to support a local hospice? Pitches cost £10 - secondhand sales only please. The on-site cafe and shop will be open to serve refreshments on the day. For more information or to book, call 01744 453798 or email events@willowbrookhospice.org.uk
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Picnic in the Park Rainford’s premier music festival returns this summer - and tickets are already selling fast!
Also on this year’s line-up is cover-singing trio Perfect Strangers, ABBA-tribute Masters of the
Picnic in the Park 2020’s line-up is already an impressive one. Headlining the show this year is tribute band From the Jam, featuring Russell Hastings - the only frontman other than Weller to have worked with both Bruce Foxton and Rick Buckler. The band will transport you right back to the mod days of your youth.
Scene, and Ultra 90s, proffering an awesome mix of 90s dance tracks. Four-piece rock band Days Above, based out of Ellesmere Port, bring a variety of upbeat and energetic covers from the 60s right up to the modern day, as well as original tracks, to the stage. Meanwhile, Wigan rock n’ roll band Boomin present a set of unpredictable original songs. The event takes place on Saturday, June 6. Tickets this year cost £20 per adult or £10 per primary school child. VIP gazebo packages are also available for £140, including 6 standard tickets and a plot for your gazebo. Proceeds go to local sports teams and organisations. Wristbands are bookable now at www.rainfordfestival.co.uk
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4th Wednesday of Every Month St Thomas Church, Peter Street, WA10 2EB 9.30 – 12 noon Check website for Details Call 01744 881 477 for more information
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Serves Up! Rainford Tennis Club is a fantastic venue to play tennis - and new members are always welcome. Along with team tennis leagues, one-on-one coaching sessions and access to all-weather courts, the club is a great place to socialise with fellow tennis enthusiasts. There are annual awards nights, BBQs, social nights and open days to take part in when you’re off the court. For more information and membership fees, visit www.rainfordtennisclub.co.uk
St. Helens Secrets A community cafe in St. Helens has discovered a hidden bunker beneath its floorboards. Claire Rigby, owner of Momo’s Cafe on Westfield Street, discovered a World War II air raid shelter after hearing rumours of one located somewhere on the street.
The shelter was converted from a Beecham’s storeroom; once Claire had drained the water flooding the space, she uncovered original furnishings from the room’s use in the 30s and 40s. Claire hopes to eventually open the area to the public, though a lot of work would need to be undertaken in order to make it safe.
Put Your Records On Free DJ workshops for young people aged 7-17 are taking place around the borough this month, in association with UC Crew. Join DMC finalist and two-times IDA champion DJ P-Nutz to learn the essentials of DJing including beat matching, scratching, mixing and turntable tricks. Workshops take place at Parr Library on Monday, March 9 at 5:30pm, at Darkstar Ultimate Laser on Friday, March 20 at 7pm or Thatto Heath Library on Friday, March 27 at 5pm. Spaces are limited to 15 participants - just pop into the venue to book.
LEADING LOCAL SPECIALISTS 25 HARDSHAW STREET, ST HELENS, WA10 1RP 2 DERBY STREET, PRESCOT, L34 3LJ
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Funding Available Community organisations across St. Helens are eligible to apply for grants of up to £10,000 for projects that help young people support each other during bereavement. Co-Op Funeralcare in St. Helens are partners in this stage of the Co-Op Foundation’s #IWill fund, which aims to make social action a part of life for young people. Past grants have tackled improving community spaces and combatting loneliness; this particular project comes about in response to a survey that found 16-29 year olds are the most likely to bottle up grief. Around 5 grants are expected to be made in total; groups have until noon on Friday, April 3 to apply. For more info, visit www.coopfoundation.org.uk
Tell Us Your Story! Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve. Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about? Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition! Simply call us on 01695 627999 or contact us on sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk
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April Arts Citadel Arts has a full programme of family events scheduled for the Easter holidays – here’s what to expect at the former Argos store on Church Street. On Saturday, April 4, John Hinton brings his show ‘Ensonglopedia’, bursting with science-themed songs and rhymes! Entry to the event is free, and performances take place at 11am, 12pm and 1pm. The next day sees a hilarious kid-friendly comedy show come to St. Helens in ‘Funny Looking Kids’. Tickets cost £5 or £3 concessions and the performance begins at 2:30pm. Babies aged 0-2 will love interactive opera ‘Meet Me a Tree’, featuring a blend of classical music and familiar nursery rhymes. Tickets cost £5 per child
(adults go free) and the show starts at 11am, with optional free play at 10:30am. Take a magical musical bus ride with ‘Rolling Down the Road’, featuring singer-songwriter David Gibb. The whole family won’t be able to resist singing along! Tickets cost £5 or £3 concessions, and the pre-show crafts get underway at 12:30pm on Friday, April 17. Finally, catch the unmissable Comedy Club for Kids on Saturday, April 18 from 2pm. The show is perfect for ages 6+, and invites the best stand ups to cut out the rude bits and entertain the entire family. Tickets cost £5 or £3 concessions. Pre-show crafts kick off at 1:30pm. All tickets are bookable on 01744 753201.
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Choir Concert A special choral concert is taking place this month to commemorate the 41st anniversary of the Golborne Mining Disaster. Join the Golborne Ex-Miners and Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir for a night of music on Saturday, March 21 from 7:30pm at St. Thomas’s Church on Church Street, Golborne. Entry costs £6 with proceeds to financing the Edge Green No 9 Mining Memorial.
Memories with Mum Meet Your Muslim Neighbour are hosting a special community event on Saturday, March 28. Try your hand at Arabic calligraphy, Henna hand art and more. There’ll also be a prize presentation for the winners of the Mother’s Day poetry and art competition. The event takes place at St. Mary’s Market in the town centre from 10am-4pm.
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Building for A local college student is making a special trip to Ghana to help build a new library for a disadvantaged village. Alana Hesketh, whose mum Carla owns Billingebased independent travel agent Marken Travel, had dreamed of taking part in the voluntary Enliven Mama scheme since high school, but knew getting there would require plenty of hard work and determination. ‘The trip was actually part of the reason I opted to go to Winstanley College,’ Alana tells me. ‘It’s a chance to be part of something completely life-changing for the villagers – and for me. I recently learned that they’re currently using a single pocket dictionary to teach an entire class English, so the new library should help!’ Alana will head to the Ashanti region of Ghana, to a village near Kumasi, and get involved with establishing a new library filled with books donated by Orrell Book-Cycle, who will fill an entire shipping container to send over. Winstanley College are also providing old computers to furnish the new library. The two-week Enliven Mama project will take place at the end of June. Alana needs to fundraise a total of £2000 to pay towards the charity work and her own travel expenses – and to do so, she’s planning to conquer the 3 peaks along with her dog Ava, helped along with her parents and friend Ruth. ‘We’re going to be climbing Scafell Pike, Ben Nevis and Mount Snowdon,’ Alana continues. ‘I’ve done a lot of climbing in the Lake District before, and I used to be a Scout, which gave me the idea,
books but this will definitely be a new challenge.’ Along with the three hikes, Alana has already hosted a fundraising bake sale at college and a tombola stall at Wigan Christmas Fair last year. She’s also hosting a Games Night on Friday, March 20 from 7:30pm-10pm at Rainford All Saints Parish Church Hall - expect bingo games and quizzes, plus a raffle with plenty of prizes. Tickets cost £5 and are available from Marken Travel. Attendees are welcome to bring their own drinks, with cakes and snacks for sale throughout the evening. You can donate to Alana’s cause at www.gofundme.com/f/1t3fj62t9c or hand in cash donations at Marken Travel on Main Street, Billinge.
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Now a housing estate off Dunriding Lane, the ground was home to the St. Helens rugby team since 1890, pre-dating the birth of the Northern Rugby Football Union by five years. As a rugby union club since their conception in 1873, St. Helens only switched to playing rugby league after the inaugural meeting of the Northern Union in Huddersfield in 1895. Talks took place at the George Hotel, and resulted in 22 clubs breaking away from the Rugby Football Union (RFU) to form their own northern committee – the first ever semiprofessional rugby football game founding modern
THE BIRTH OF RUG ING BY AT LE R B A LE
UE G
Blue plaques can be found all across the country to commemorate geographical locations and their links to famous people, events or former buildings. This month we’re looking at a blue plaque dedicated to St. Helens’ sporting history, found on the site of the former Saints ground on Knowsley Road.
CE
People’s Plaques On this site on 7th September 1895, St Helens played their first home game under the rules of Rugby League (then known as the Northern Union) St Helens v Rochdale Hornets
day rugby league. Saints continued to play at Knowsley Road until its closure in 2010 and subsequent demolition the following year. The ground was also home to St. Helens Town FC from 2002-2010. 22 blue plaques were installed across the country, at the sites of all the original Northern Union grounds, to mark the 120th anniversary of the game’s conception in 2015.
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St. Helens Search Heart of Glass is inviting people from across the borough to take to the streets for a treasure hunt
participating, the bigger the prize pot! There’s a guaranteed minimum prize of £1,000, and a
with a difference.
maximum of £6,000 if all the books are sold, for the first person to complete their book.
Street Hunt, the latest project from the St. Helensbased arts organisation and artist Joshua Sofaer, is a sort of visual crossword puzzle. From April 4th, families, individuals and groups could win up to £6,000 - just purchase a Street Hunt book and start the search! You’ll be looking for road signs shown in various photographs with some vital information blanked out, and it’s your job to fill out the missing names.
Books cost £6 each and will be available at the old Argos store in the Hardshaw Centre. For more information, visit www.heartofglass.org.uk
Eventually, the names will reveal a poem, and a story will be gradually revealed. The more people
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Halls of
St. Helens By Jess Phillips
St. Helens is full of hidden gems: picturesque nature reserves, impressive factories and awe-inspiring historic buildings. Set back in expansive grounds or hidden by trees, many of these buildings are easily missed by the untrained eye, and that’s only the ones that have managed to evade demolition. Perhaps an even unluckier fate is for the years to pass without intervention and the sites to fall into disrepair, as with Winstanley Hall in Wigan and St. Joseph’s Seminary in Up Holland. The years have been slightly kinder to Rainford Hall, Fairfield House and Birchley Hall - all located within 4 miles of each other – as they’ve all been redeveloped into usable, modern spaces. But what of their heritage? image credit: Carol Southward
Birchley Hall On Birchley Road in Billinge you’ll find Birchley Hall Care Home, operated under the banner of Qualia Care. But the Grade-II* listed building has an illustrious history spanning centuries; first built around 1594 (though a house did exist on the site since 1202), Birchley Hall had an essential part to play during the Reformation of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
Christopher Anderton purchased the land for the Birchley Hall estate from Roger Wetherelt in 1558, during the rule of Queen Elizabeth I. Christopher died in 1593, and was succeeded by his son James, who followed in his father’s footsteps to become a lawyer. It was James who built the current Birchley Hall and set up an illegal Catholic printing press out of it during the persecution; as a Catholic stronghold during the reigns of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, St. Helens in Lancashire was the ideal place for such a press to be established in 1604. Birchley Hall Press, including James Anderton and his cousin Lawrence, produced around 25 titles including ‘One God; One Faith’, ‘The Christian Manna’ and ‘The Non-Entitie of Protestancy.’ Most were published under the pseudonym John Brerely to protect the Andertons from persecution, though the press was eventually discovered by a spy in 1613 and all the books seized. Birchley Hall was also home to a secret chapel; erected around 1618 - perhaps just before James’ death later that year - the chapel was built above one of the wings of the hall. A trap door was installed in the floor for priests to escape if necessary, while another concealed opening led out to the roof. It was here that a watcher would be stationed to alert chapel attendees to anyone approaching. In the 1940s, a pewter chalice, vestments and a few altar-stones were discovered in Birchley Hall, which would have been carried by priests. During the Reformation, celebrating Mass was punishable by death, so any Catholic priests who continued to preach took a great risk in doing so. Rumours have circulated of a hidden tunnel from Birchley Hall to Crank Caverns, for priests to escape out into the open, but these have not been confirmed.
21 houses either side of the main building. In the midst of WWII in 1943, the Hall was requisitioned by the War Department for use in the war effort, and afterwards became a children’s home and a student hostel before its conversion into office space.
image credit: Qualia Care
The Gerard family eventually acquired Birchley Hall in the 19th century, letting it to a series of tenants, before it was sold to John Middlehurst in 1898. In 1944 it was sold again to Vincent Wood, a relative of the Middlehursts, who lived there until the hall became a Sue Ryder care home in 1975.
Not so lucky was the nearby Muncaster Hall, a uniquely Victorian building located at the top of Muncaster Drive in Rainford. The hall was first home to Richard Pennington in 1857; the heir to a wealthy cotton mill in Hindley, Pennington and wife Elizabeth took over several farms and houses in Rainford. Later, the Hall and its associated properties, which totalled 315 acres, were sold to the Earl of Derby for £37,000. Muncaster Hall was later leased to the Pilkington family, and purchased in 1940 by Richard Heyes for agricultural purposes. It was eventually demolished in the 1950s, just 100 years after its erection.
In 1951 the Birchley Hall Press was resurrected, operating in the same building as the original, more rudimentary press. Vincent Wood took care of the actual printing through his company Wood Westworth & Co. Ltd., based in St. Helens. It published a few titles including ‘Liverpool’s Hidden Story’ and ‘This is the Faith’, until around 1960, and image credit: Carol Southward now exists as a publisher of online magazines in Hampshire.
image credit: Carol Southward
Rainford Hall Located on Crank Road, close to Fairfield Hospital, Rainford Hall was developed into office spaces in the eighties. The hall was first built back in 1782, purchased by Colonel Richard Pilkington from its previous owner Dr Alexander McKibbin in 1875. Pilkington was the first to redevelop the hall into a building better befitting the 19th century, adding various farms and
image credit: Sue Adair
22 a devout art enthusiast, trading only the pieces he believed in. Godfrey was a trustee of St. Helensbased charity the Rainford Trust, set up to promote the arts in the local area, and gave his name to
image credit: David Dixon
Fairfield House Now known as Fairfield Independent Hospital, Fairfield House began its life as yet another Pilkington family home. Old maps show Rainford Hall as the main property on the some 1,600 acres of land it occupied, with a building named Crank Hall slightly north and Fairfield House off to the west. Crank Hall ended up as a Macmillan Hospice before it was eventually demolished towards the end of the 20th century, but Fairfield House lived on. It was at Fairfield House in 1918 that Godfrey Pilkington was born. The son of Colonel Guy Pilkington, one of the directors of the Pilkington company, Godfrey went on to become a director himself: albeit not in the glass industry! From 1953 until his death in 2007, Godfrey Pilkington was a director at Piccadilly Gallery in London and
the Godfrey Pilkington Art Gallery in the Gamble Institute. His artistic leanings were instrumental in securing Antony Gormley and Anthony Green to sit on the judging panel for the St. Helens Open Art Competition, which he chaired. Colonel Guy Pilkington made Fairfield House his home in the 1950s and 60s, lending his name to the building once it became a hospital, operated under the Guy Pilkington Memorial Home. It admitted its first patients in 1980. It’s easy for the historic buildings around us to fade into the background on our daily commute or when out and about in the local area. But lurking just beyond the surface are examples of St. Helens’ rich heritage, just waiting to be rediscovered.
image credit: Irene Garvey
image credit: Sue Adair
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Puzzle Pages
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5. Device providing access to a computer (8) 6. Flexible twig of a willow tree (5) 7. Newspaper writers & photographers, collectively (5) 8. Central pillar of a circular staircase (5) 13. Ball game played with long-handled racquets (8) 16. Prehistoric metalworking period (4,3) 17. Three score (5) 18. Liqueur flavoured with anise (trademark) (6) 19. Tall tower referred to in the Bible (5) 21. Jewelled headdress (5)
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WORDSEARCH THEME: Cities Find the hidden words in the word search grid
SUDOKU
Accra
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Lima
Seoul
Athens
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Moscow
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Bern
Oslo
Warsaw
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Paris
NUMBER BLOCK The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right. The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom.
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The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.
3 5 7 3
WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Even a small amount of money is important Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.
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18 14 13 18 10 All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 62 of this magazine
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Books for
Mother’s Day
It’s not always easy to get five minutes to yourself when you’re a mum, particularly if you have young children demanding your attention. So if you’re looking for a gift this Mother’s Day, why not combine a book with the promise of free time? Take the kids to the park for a couple of hours so that mum can collapse on the sofa to read in peace. Dear Mum, From You To Me We’ll admit, this is as much of a gift to you as it is to her. Unlike a normal journal, Dear Mum, From You To Me uses prompts to help your mum record her memories. The idea is that she’ll pass the book back to you when she’s finished writing in it, so that you can get to know her better and have a record of her life to treasure.
The Happiness Project Gretchen Rubin While it can seem that the days of sleep deprivation and explosive nappies will never end, children grow up pretty quickly. This lovely journal asks mums to just write one or two sentences each day, about their children, work, or life in general. It’s set out for one date per page, but with room for five years’ of memories, so the diarist can then look back to see what thought was top of their mind that day a few years ago.
According to Yes Dawn French Rosie Kitto is one of those characters it’s pretty much impossible not to like. Slightly eccentric and warm-hearted to boot, primary teacher Rosie sets off from England to work as a nanny for the rigidly upper-class Wilder-Binghams in Manhattan. Funny and at times poignant, it’s a light-hearted easy read.
The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy Fiona Neill As a Newsnight Producer, Lucy Sweeney had it all under control, but her life as a stay-at-home mum is anything but orderly. From trying to dodge the yummy mummies and alpha mums at the school gates, to fantasising about Sexy Domesticated Dad, Lucy bounces from one hilarious mishap to the next.
Neal’s Yard Beauty Book Susan Curtis, Fran Johnson and Pat Thomas Beauty Book provides a wealth of advice on everything from treating dry skin to makeup application. The benefits of a huge range of ingredients are listed, from almond oil to black pepper, and there are step-by-step recipes for making a wide range of beauty products.
Eating Well Made Easy Lorraine Pascale While it focuses on healthy eating, these recipes are far from bland. They’re also straightforward to follow and use ingredients you can pick up from your local shop. Recipes include Sichuan Bang Bang Chicken, Mushroom and Chestnut Lancashire Hotpot.
29
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developing a long term attainable financial plan which can be regularly reviewed. With the UK pensions freedom legislation enforced in 2015, pensions have now become one of the most tax efficient and flexible ways in saving for and funding retirement. With a complex array of legislative changes and retirement planning products available, it is more important than ever to seek professional and independent advice to ensure you make the right decisions for your future.
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34
Take the
High Road By Jess Phillips
Rugged mountain ranges, verdant grasslands and unblemished lochs – the Scottish Highlands have it all. With hidden castles and mysterious crags around every corner, the best way to experience the landscape is to go and explore it for yourself, just as Birds of a Feather actress Lesley Joseph did on Holidaying with Jane McDonald and Friends, opting to tour the beautiful Loch Lomond, Fort William and Inveraray. There’s no place better to get a feel for the Highlands’ renowned natural beauty than Loch Lomond and the surrounding Trossachs National Park. Whether you’re setting up your tent for a night in the wilderness or heading off to climb the numerous Munroes for a better view of the picturesque surroundings, there’s a huge variety of activities and sights on offer. Start at Inchcailloch
Summit - a small island located on Loch Lomond and accessible via boat; its woodland is a fantastic place for wildlife spotting, while the island itself offers unmarred views across the loch. If you’re looking for a bit more of a challenge, try Ben More, the highest Munro in the area at 1,174 metres tall. Of course, there’s plenty more to do on the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond after you’ve worn yourself out walking. Pay a visit to the Birds of Prey Centre, try kayaking or treat the kids to an adrenalinefuelled day at the TreeZone Aerial Adventure course. Gentle boat trips offer an exclusive view of the loch, with expert guides on hand to provide insight on the intricate workings of the waterways. Catch a cruise from Balloch for spectacular introduction to the southern section of the loch, or from Luss, Tarbet or Inveruglas to explore the fjord-inspired northern shores.
35 It is the nearby village of Tarbet which provided a home base for Lesley Joseph when she took a Shearings coach break as part of the Channel 5 show, ‘Holidaying with Jane McDonald and Friends’. The quiet hamlet is the ideal location for traversing the local landscape: just an hour’s drive away is the bohemian culture capital Glasgow; an hour in the opposite direction you’ll find Inveraray Castle. Built in the 1700s, the contemporary building actually replaced the former 15th century castle, and was inspired by designs from Vanbrugh, the architect who designed Blenheim Palace. The castle boasts four turrets with conical roofs in truly Gothic fashion, which provided the perfect backdrop for a shoot of Downton Abbey back in 2012. Visitors can tour the castle’s interior and sweeping grounds, including the Armoury Hall and China Turret –
TV As seen onenMcDonald
Ja ‘Holidaying with s’ en & Fri d
so named for its extensive collection of Oriental porcelain. For a truly cinematic experience of the Highlands, travelling by train is your best bet. The West Highland Line travels from Glasgow to Oban, Fort William or Mallaig, traversing a daunting landscape of rocky precipices and untamed countryside. The train to Mallaig passes over the Glenfinnan Viaduct – used for
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36
Travel
the Hogwarts Express in the Harry Potter films – while the Oban line skirts past the aptly named Loch Awe. Single malt fans should disembark at Fort William to sample locally distilled whisky at the Ben Nevis Distillery. Established back in 1825, the venue promises the perfect dram, ranging from single to vatted malts. The distillery still uses pure water from the mountain and locally sourced peat in its processes, leaving the whisky’s quality down to the fresh Scottish elements. And Fort William has more than just whisky to offer. Set in the shade of Scotland’s tallest mountain, the quaint port town borders the eastern shore of Loch Linnhe, and is dotted with historic ruins. See the remains of its namesake 17th century fort and the Old Inverlochy Castle to discover more about the town’s heritage. Afterwards, why not take a breather and soak up the town’s peaceful atmosphere? Fort William’s waterfront is dotted with cosy B&Bs, classic pubs and stylish restaurants, making it the perfect place to wind down for a while.
While you’re there, visit Neptune’s Staircase: an elaborate series of locks dating back to the early 19th century, with a sculpted path running parallel for canal enthusiasts and keen walkers alike. It’s quite breath-taking to stand at the bottom and look up at the vast staircase, but you’ll also find a convenient viewing platform on the second floor of a neighbouring café halfway up for an alternative viewpoint. Follow in Lesley Joseph’s famous footsteps or pave your own way through the natural beauty of the Highlands; whichever you choose, Scotland has so many secrets to discover beyond the banks of its many lochs. So ditch the plans to fly away this summer and explore something a little closer to home – you never know what you might come across.
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READY
in 1hr 35mins Serves 4-6
Sticky Chinese Chicken Wings A perfect scrumptious supper dish
Ingredients
Method
1.5 kg chicken wings
1 Preheat the oven to 120C / 100C Fan Gas ½. Place a rack on a large baking tray.
2 level tbsp baking POWDER ¾ tsp table salt ½ tsp pepper 3 spring onions, chopped
Sticky Chinese Sauce 1 tsp vegetable oil pinch of salt and pepper 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger peeled and finely chopped 1 tbsp sweet chilli sauce 2 tbsp honey 4 tbsp dark brown sugar 5 tbsp dark soy sauce 1 tsp lemon grass paste 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced 1 tbsp sesame seeds (lightly toasted)
2 Cut each wing at the joint so you have a mini wing and a drumette. Dry these with kitchen roll (they mustn’t be too damp, then place in a large bowl and add the baking powder, salt and pepper. Mix to combine. Remove the chicken and place in a single layer on the rack, skin side up. Discard the remaining coating mixture. Place the chicken on the lower shelf of the oven for 30 minutes to dry. 3 After 30 minutes, turn the oven up to 220C / 200 Fan / Gas 6, rotate the tray and place on the middle shelf in the oven for 45-50 minutes until the wings are golden and crispy. Remove from the oven to cool slightly. 4 Place all of the sauce ingredients into a saucepan, stir and bring to the boil. Allow to simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens slightly. Turn off the heat. 5 Place the cooked wing pieces in a large bowl and carefully pour over the warm sticky sauce. Mix to combine, then serve topped with chopped spring onions and some toasted sesame seeds.
38
Right to the
Core
By Robert Grant Why core exercises are important We know that getting fit is important for a healthy life. Often, we equate fitness with running, cycling, walking or some other form of exercise. But there’s one aspect of fitness that is almost always overlooked; our core muscles. Whenever I talk about building muscle everyone pictures someone at a weight bench pumping iron until their biceps bulge out of their shirts. But strengthening and toning your muscles can be much more subtle. And even a small amount of work on your core strength can dramatically improve your overall fitness and well-being. What Are Your Core Muscles? Your core muscles form a ring around the middle of your body. Most people think of the six pack muscles in the abdomen, but the core includes a range of muscles in your sides and back as well. Their job is to keep the top and bottom halves of
your body connected together whilst allowing them to move independently. They form a strong foundation that the majority of your other muscles depend upon when you move your body. When Do I Use My Core Muscles? Practically every movement you make and every position you put your body into involves your core muscles. They are really important. Bending over to pick something up, twisting to look behind you and sitting up in bed are more obvious moments your core is activated. But running, walking, sitting in a chair and even standing still all rely on core strength. Without it the top half of your body would simply flop over. What Are the Benefits of Core Strength? Building a strong core provides a firm and flexible support for every activity your body performs. The stability provided gives you better balance and better posture which in turn helps prevent falls and
39 injuries in your day-to-day life. The support from your core muscles takes the strain away from your skeleton and helps hold it in place alleviating some forms of back pain, stiffness and soreness when you move your body. Any time you move whether it’s for exercise or doing the housework or gardening, a strong core will help you perform better and reduce muscle fatigue in the other parts of your body by giving them a firm base to attach to.
attempting any new exercise regime. Most people think of sit ups as the prime core exercise. I advise people not to do sit ups as they are not particularly effective and the continual flexing of the base of your spine can lead to lower back injuries. My top tips are planks, leg raises and mountain climbers. If you’re not sure what these are have a chat with your local personal trainer or gym instructor, or search on YouTube for easy-to-follow
How Can I Build My Core Strength?
tutorials.
One of the best things about core strength is that you don’t need a gym or expensive equipment to improve it. There are lots of exercises you can do at home. Make sure you seek medical advice before
Take your core strength seriously and it will improve every aspect of your fitness as well as provide the central support essential for your body.
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Get Motivated.
Get Fit By Robert Grant
Reinvigorate your fitness routine It’s several weeks since my New Year resolution to lose weight and get fit. It’s cold and damp outside. The gym is miles away, and there’s a TV program on about a knitting group in Nicaragua that looks interesting, and this sofa is ever so comfortable. My self-motivation tank is empty! Does your determination and energy to get fit after New Year’s Day seems to run out sooner each year? Do you need to get fit? Do you need to lose weight? Do you know you’ll feel better if you do? It’s so much easier to fall back into old habits than to actively make a difference to our health isn’t it? So how do we stay motivated?
Motivation is all in the mind. There is no physical difference between those who get fit and those who get fat. The fit people are just those who manage to leave the house and move their bodies. Clearly, we need to help our mind overcome the inertia currently preventing us moving from the couch. Get up, get dressed, get out. It sounds simple but getting out of the door is the biggest hurdle. If you can force yourself to go through the motions of getting into your exercise kit, walking to the door and out of the house you’re 90% of the way towards actually exercising. If you’re standing outside dressed for exercise it’s harder
41 to change your mind and sneak back inside for another slice of cake. Set an alarm to tell you when it’s time for your exercise class, run, etc. Make sure you’ve got workout gear that makes you feel good. Something stylish, comfortable, colourful, or high-tech; it doesn’t matter, use whatever works for you. Make the getting dressed part something to look forward to. Baggy, stained, holey jogging bottoms will put you off the idea of stepping outside. Then just grab your keys, open the door and step outside. Start slowly. It’s important to pace yourself. Just because your neighbour can sprint 5 km in 20 minutes doesn’t mean that you have to. Whatever exercise you are doing find a pace that is comfortable while still pushing you. As you exercise more you will gradually increase your exertion. Push yourself too hard at the beginning and exercise will seem
exhausting, painful and make it harder to get going the next time. Once you begin to see your performance improving, you’ll get excited about beating your personal best and want to prove to yourself just how good you are. Set a short-term goal. The ultimate goal might be to fit into a size 10 dress, or have a perfect six pack with matching biceps, but realistically that’s probably more than a few months away. Pick a goal that you can achieve within the next two months. Dropping one dress size, being able to run non-stop for 1 km, being able to do a proper pull-up. Achieving goals is as important as setting them when trying to keep your motivation high. Small successful steps build one on the other until all of a sudden, your ultimate goal is just within reach. Keep on keeping on. Don’t over-think it, just do it.
42
Upload your event for FREE at www.locallife247.co.uk/events Lenten Organ Recital
Afternoon Tea
Thursday, March 5, 6pm-9pm
Saturday, March 7, 2pm
Peter and Carol Kwater in association with St. Helens Sinfonietta present a wonderful night of organ music. Enjoy a meal at 6pm before the recital at 7:30pm. Tickets £10 on 01744 28314.
Celebrate International Women’s Day with a delicious afternoon tea and entertainment from Rainford Ladies Choir. Tickets £12.50 on 01942 270159 with proceeds to local charities.
Ormskirk Street URC, King Street, St. Helens, WA10 2JZ
All Saints Parish Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HE
World Day of Prayer
Model Railway Exhibition
Friday, March 6, 1:30pm
Saturday, March 7, 10am-5pm & Sunday, March 8, 10am-4:30pm
A prayer service organised by the Christian women of Zimbabwe, followed by refreshments. Bispham Methodist Church, Crank Road, Billinge, WN5 7DT
Enjoy an exhibition of model railways, with free vintage bus rides between the show and the Museum of Road Transport! Entry £5 per adult or £3 per child, more info at www.rainhillmrc.org.uk
Danielle Louise Thomas
Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill, L35 4LU
Friday, March 6, 7pm-9pm
Farmer’s Market
An evening of music from Danielle Louise Thomas and Liverpool Cathedral’s Gilbert Scott Singers. Tickets £6 including hotpot supper, with proceeds to Prescot Festival, on 07762 607618 or prescotfestival@gmail.com Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34 3LA
Sunday, March 8, 10am-3pm Shop local produce with Greenslate’s inaugural Farmer’s Market! Taking place the second Sunday of every month, you’ll have the chance to help the environment and source great food. Greenslate Farm, Tracks Lane, Billinge, WN5 7BG
Ladies Fashion Evening
Spring Running Day
Friday, March 6, 7pm
Sunday, March 8, 10am-4pm
Browse jewellery, bags and ladies’ clothes for sale, plus refreshments. Tickets £5 on 07788 863389.
Embark on free heritage bus rides around St. Helens, browse transport stalls and more.
Winstanley Tennis Club, Hall Lane, Orrell, WN5 7XN
North West Museum of Road Transport, Hall St, St. Helens, WA10 1DU
43
Family Fun Day
Tribute Night
Sunday, March 8, 11am-4pm
Saturday, March 14, 7:30pm
Something for everyone to enjoy including yoga, arts and crafts, messy play and holistic therapies.
Raise awareness for HimVisible and help combat suicide with a night of music from artists like One Eyed God & Andy Wood. Tickets £6 from the venue.
Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HB
Spring Quiz Friday, March 13, 7:30pm Join Rainford Heritage Society for a fun quiz, including a hotpot supper and raffle. Tickets £7 on 01744 885547. Rainford X Sports & Social Club, Bushey Lane, Rainford, WA11 7TE
St. Patrick’s Night Friday, March 13, 8pm Help fundraise for Prescot Mission Christmas with a themed night of live entertainment and a hotpot/curry supper! Tickets £10 at www. prescotmissionchristmas.uk or from the venue. Prescot Cables, Hope Street, Prescot, L34 6HB
Ladies Fashion Event Saturday, March 14, 10am-2pm Learn to boost your own style and self-confidence with life coach Sandra Edwards and style consultant Gina Dobson, and find which colours suit you! Tickets £30 including refreshments on 07598 367552 or 07721 498230. Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HB
Spanish Evening Saturday, March 14, 7:30pm Celebrate all things Spanish and look towards summer! There’ll be Flamenco dancing, tapas, sangria and more. Tickets £20 on 01744 884709. Rainford Village Hall, Church Rd, WA11 8HB
Haresfinch Social Club, Haresfinch Rd, St. Helens, WA11 9NS
St. Patrick’s Day Party Saturday, March 14, 7:30pm Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with Irish music from Roisin Dubh, plus beer pong and other pub games. Tickets £5 including beef stew supper, proceeds to local sports teams. Book on 01744 28866 or events@ruskinsthelens.com Sticky Wicket Bar & Grub, Ruskin Drive, St. Helens, WA10 6RP
Bananaz Bingo Friday, March 20, doors at 7pm Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a night of crazy bingo, dancing and fun prizes to raise money for Willowbrook Hospice! Tickets £15 including 5 games and accessories, bookable on 01744 453798. Rainhill Ex-Services Club, Warrington Road, Rainhill, L35 4LS
Instagram Apocalypse Friday, March 20, 7pm-8:30pm A satirical look into anxiety and the strange era we’re living in – who do you trust when the news is fake and global politics is a joke? Tickets £6 for adults, £5 for library card holders or £3 concessions on Eventbrite or from the venue. Chester Lane Library, Four Acre Lane, St. Helens, WA9 4DE
44
Games Night
WWII Talk
Friday, March 20, 7:30pm-10pm
Tuesday, March 24, 6pm
Help Winstanley College student Alana Hesketh raise money for a trip to Ghana with a fun night of bingo, quizzes and a raffle! Tickets £5 from Marken Travel on Main Street, Billinge.
A look at life in St. Helens during the Second World War, from a civilian’s point of view, by Sue Gerrard. Tickets £3 or £5 including hotpot supper, bookable at the venue.
Rainford All Saints Parish Church Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HE
Momo’s, Westfield Street, St. Helens, WA10 1QJ
Come Wine with Me Friday, March 20, 7:30pm-11:30pm Sample over 60 wines from all over the world, plus enjoy a hotpot supper, to raise money for the Tunza Centre! Tickets £10 on 07739 039177. The Tunza Centre, Boundary Road, St. Helens, WA10 2PZ
Northern Soul Night Friday, March 20, 7:30pm-midnight
Easter Egg Bingo Wednesday, March 25, doors at 6pm Join the Garswood Crochet Group for some Easterthemed bingo, with fabulous prizes to be won. Proceeds to Willowbrook Hospice. Independent Methodist Church, Victoria Road, Garswood, WN4 0RG
Lenten Organ Recital Thursday, March 26, 6pm-9pm
Enjoy a night of Northern Soul and Motown music every third Friday of the month. Entry £3, call 07974 306180 for info.
Hear beautiful songs on the organ performed by Will Jeys – organ scholar at Liverpool Cathedral. Tickets £10 including a meal on 01744 28314 or ormskirkstreet@btconnect.com
Garswood Sports & Social Club, Garswood Road, Garswood, 2N4 0XJ
United Reformed Church, King Street, St. Helens, WA10 2JZ
Art Exhibition
Thomas Beecham Talk
Fri, March 20 - Sun, March 22, 10am onwards
Tuesday, March 31, 6pm
See local artists exhibited in oone place, plus entrants to the Junior Photography Competition. Enquire at the Village Hall for entry details.
An informative talk about Thomas Beecham, founder of Beecham’s Pills. Tickets £3 or £5 including hotpot supper, bookable at the venue.
Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford,
Momo’s, Westfield Street, St. Helens, WA10 1QJ
WA11 8HB
Family Fun Day Sunday, March 22, 11am-5pm A fun time for the whole family, including the fun dog show and dog walk event! The dog walk starts at 11am. Taylor Park, Grosvenor Rd, St. Helens, WA10 3HX
Digital Maker Station Thursday, April 9, 11am-4pm A creative and crafty day of digital curiosities, filled with free activities to get involved in. Drop in and experiment! Billinge Library, Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7HA
45
READY
s
in 3hrs 20min
Serves 4-6
Beef in Guinness with Herb Dumplings Ingredients For the stew 2 tbsp oil 1kg braising steak , cut into large pieces 2 tbsp plain flour , well seasoned 3 onions , sliced 500ml Guinness 2 sprigs thyme
For the dumplings 75g butter, frozen and grated, or 75g suet 150g self-raising flour 1 small onion , grated 2 sprigs of thyme , leaves stripped and chopped Water for mixing
Method 1 Heat the oven to 150C/fan 130C/gas 2. 2 Heat a little of the oil in a large oven-proof pan. 3 Lightly flour the pieces of braising steak and fry in small batches until well browned. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate. 4 Add the onions to the pan and fry on a fairly high heat until they soften and tinge brown at the edges. 5 Pour the Guinness into the pan, letting it bubble up, then return the meat to the pan along with the thyme. Cover the pan and transfer to the oven for 2-2 1/2 hours or until tender. The sauce will sweeten and thicken during the cooking time. 6 Make the dumplings (towards the end of the cooking time by mixing the grated butter or suet, flour, onion and thyme together and season well. 7 Gradually add water to the dry ingredients until you have a soft dough. Divide into 12 balls. Place the dumplings on top of the casserole and return it to the oven, uncovered, for 25 minutes. Serve with shredded Savoy cabbage.
46
Sandstone Trail
by Chris Pearce
Distance: 7 miles Difficulty: Medium/Hard A head for heights and a sure-footed nature are necessary for this 7-mile walk which, in parts, follows part of Cheshire’s Sandstone Trail. The Trail stretches for 34 miles through Cheshire, it has been voted by ITV viewers as one Britain’s Favourite Walks, and it’s easy to see why. On the first half of the walk there are a couple of flights of steep steps to navigate, which are set in the sandstone cliffs, and some breath-taking sheer drops, but you also need to be aware of lots of protruding tree roots and random sandstone rocks. Park up at the free car park off Simons Lane (WA6 6HQ) near Frodsham – look for the phone masts. At the entrance to the car park turn left and follow Simons Lane downhill until you see a bungalow (Overhill) and turn left up the shared driveway/ footpath. Follow the footpath right up to and over the driveway to a care home (Heathercliffe), and carry on down a wooded path downhill. Once you reach Bellemonte Road, turn right and turn left when you reach the Bellemonte pub. Look out for the footpath sign on the right and follow this down into a wooden area. You’re faced with a fork almost immediately and you need to bear left. You’ll pass a Frodsham Hill Wood sign and straight after a fingerpost; head for Delamere/ Beeston and carry on in that direction on the ridge of the wooden area, ignoring various turn offs (including one uphill for the Sandstone Trail). Tantalising glimpses of the Mersey coastline appear through the trees as you follow the path, and uninterrupted view are far and few between at this time of year. Shortly after passing Alf and Grace’s bench you’ll arrive at a fingerpost, go down the wooden stairway and then you’ll come to a fork; bear left if you want to clamber down some very
47
For For those those with with the the OS OS Maps Maps app app on on your your desktop, desktop, mobile mobile or or tablet, tablet, this this walk walk is is named: named: Netherton JT-Sandstone-Trail JT-Worsaw-Hill
Overton
Overton Hill
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Beacon Hill
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Higher Mickledale Farm
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48 steep and large steps set in the sandstone cliffs or carry straight on if you want to go the much safer route and follow the path down two flights of metal steps. Either way, you’ll arrive at another fingerpost and you should follow the sign to Delamere. A few yards further on you’ll cross a wooden bridge and come to sign number 596, indicating you need to climb up the steep cliff steps on the right (towards Whitchurch). Once you’ll get to the top, you’ll be by the 10th hole of Frodsham Golf Club. Follow the path until you come to another bench, this one dedicated to David Nicholls. At this point the Sandstone Trail itself weaves uphill, but instead carry on in the same direction until the wood opens up somewhat, and look out for a ½ fingerpost sign; take a 90 degree left turn here and, when you come to a ‘proper tree’ sign, bear left uphill and when you arrive at the next fork, bear right staying on somewhat level ground. Once you arrive at the next fingerpost, take a 90-degree right turn and follow the Sandstone Trail all the way downhill for over ½ mile until you reach The Ridgeway Road. Turn left uphill for 150 yards and once you arrive at the Ridgeway Country Holiday Park, look for the footpath opposite. Climb up the steps of the footpath, then more steps downhill and bear left when you reach a brook follow the path parallel to the brook and cross the wooden footbridge a little further on.
49 Take the path uphill and follow the path round the edge of the woods, bearing left until you reach Commonside. Cross over and, after a short climb up the hill, you’re following a footpath on the edge of more woodland. You’ll take a newly created diversion round Austerson Old Hall and arrive at a single-track road (Yarrangall Green), turn left and then turn left again when you get to the main Manley Road. Follow this busy-ish road uphill for 250 yards and then turn right down a track to Claim Farm. Once you reach the dog-leg bend to the right, take a 90-degree left turn, go through the gate and head along the side of field. Once you’ve crossed a track/gallops, bear right slightly and follow the overgrown path round the left-hand side of this field uphill towards a house in the distance. Once you’ve reached the road, cross and head up Bushells Lane until you reach a staggered crossroads; turn left up Waterloo Lane. At the end of Waterloo Lane, take a right turn. At the back end of a slight right-hand bend, you’ll need to take a track on the left and head up towards the ridge. Once you reach the next crossroads, take a left and follow the track past a covered reservoir until you reach Manley Road. Turn right and look for a gate built into the hedge approximately 250 yards on the left-hand side. Take the path which cuts diagonally through a field
until you reach the driveway to Higher Mickledale Farm. Go straight across the driveway to another path and follow in same direction all the way to Simons Lane. Turn left and walk uphill; you’ll see the car park from where you started the walk on the right-hand side. Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.
50
Gardening
“It’s time... time to make
a change” by Angie Barker
Do you remember that song “It’s Time” from the early nineties by the Winans? (Hubby doesn’t. But then he preferred Pat Boone to Elvis so its hardly surprising). It came to mind the other day when I was looking at our garden and wondering whether I should change the shape of our lawn. It has been a circular shape from the start of the garden when we moved in fourteen years ago and having the need to replace a path running off it, I wondered if it created an opportunity for a new approach. It often happens in gardening that what sometimes appears to be a disaster can actually lead to something better. A case in point is Monty Don’s treasured Box hedge falling subject to Box Blight, it turned out to be a chance for him to turn his borders into a space for grasses which he now loves. Take a good look at your garden and assess what is working well for you and what needs to go. Are those old Lavender plants that have been there for years now looking past their best? We think nothing of updating our décor in the house, painting a room a new colour for example so we should be more open to the prospect of making changes in our outdoor rooms. Just imagine the possibilities if that overgrown Conifer hedge was removed to make way for a new planting scheme filled with light and colour. Imagine the wildlife you could attract into your garden if you made part of your border into a pond...
A great way to pick up ideas and view your garden with fresh eyes is to visit other gardens. There are lots of opportunities in our neck of the woods, from group openings by local gardeners, to the National Garden Scheme and RHS gardens and spring is the perfect time to visit. Another lyric from the song is “what we need is a little bit of love” - a lovely sentiment and one perhaps we should be applying to our gardens (and Hubby of course).
51
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54
Motoring
Renault Grand
Scenic Review
Multi-purpose vehicles, once about as electrifying to look at as a soggy satsuma, are easier on the eye these days. You could even say they’re desirable, especially the current Renault Grand Scenic. Inside the French-made machine, digital instruments replace the conventional speedo that the old model housed. There’s also a prominent infotainment unit in the middle of the dashboard. If you can operate an iPad – it’ll be like falling off a log for you to use this. It all looks agreeably upmarket. But it’s not all about appearances. Behind the latest Grand Scenic’s stylish body and sporty 20-inch alloy wheels, you have a car that offers a practical transport solution for a family of seven. You never have to worry about where to put stuff as there are loads of oddment bins to keep coins, cans of drink – and toys. Picnic tables in the rear fold-out – and feel sturdy enough to put up with kids leaning on them
and eating their lunch on. There are lots of trims to choose from, and I drove the Iconic, which comes with front and rear parking sensors; DAB radio; cruise control and hill start assist. On the road, the Grand Scenic is agile for a large motor, and visibility is excellent. The car stays relatively free from body roll and offers a firm ride, but not an uncomfortable one. The five-door Renault is planted at speed, and it feels secure. And so it should, having achieved the top five-star safety rating from crash test body, Euro NCAP. The petrol version is the one to go for if you can. My test model had the 1330cc 140ps unit fitted. It gives just enough punch to make the car a good, efficient commuter. Top speed is only 119mph, but in a country besieged by safety cameras, is a fast car even relevant anymore? Not really – what’s more
55 significant is the 40.9mpg the Grand Scenic can achieve with this engine. On top of that, you’ve got lowish CO2 emissions of 139g/km, meaning road tax is relatively cheap. As well as being transport for parents who haven’t given up on what their car looks like yet, the Grand Scenic offers a good seating set-up. In addition to the usual five chairs, two more can be raised from the cargo floor - making this a true seven-seater. Furthermore, one-touch folding seats collapse easily to give a flat floor. Oh, and this Renault is one of the only cars in its class - if not the only one - where you can activate this feature from inside the load area. The Grand Scenic also offers 596 litres of boot space when the five seats are up. And you still have 233-litres of cargo capacity when all seven seats are in use.
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Home Services
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ALPINE LTD
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Rainford Electrical
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Electrical Installations & Repairs
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All aspects of domestic work undertaken Lights, Sockets, Fuseboards etc Electric Oven & Shower Repairs P.A.T. Testing & Inspection
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61
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!
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Puzzle Solutions CROSSWORD ACROSS: 1. Embrocation, 9. Rancour, 10. Rhine, 11. Shin, 12. Pedigree, 14. In-law, 15. David, 20. Internet, 22. Coma, 24. Tsars, 25. Narrate, 26. Haberdasher. DOWN: 2. Mansion, 3. Riot, 4. Cartel, 5. Terminal, 6. Osier, 7. Press, 8. Newel, 13. Lacrosse, 16. Iron Age, 17. Sixty, 18. Pernod, 19. Babel, 21. Tiara, 23. Arms.
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Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!
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