Local Life - St Helens - Mar/Apr 2021 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife St Helens Edition

Mar/Apr 2021

House Plants Special Pages 28-30

Rainford Newsletter Pages 36-37

The Sweet Life Pages 44-46

Jack’s Tracks Ashurst’s Beacon Pages 48-50

Hometown Girl

Carole Matthews Pages 14-17

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idden away behind the positive headlines of the Prime Minister’s road map, the one leading us to those sunny uplands, was the caveat that local or regional lockdowns may come into force if infections rise again. Here in St. Helens, we’ve had a bellyful of lockdown restrictions and every single one of us has a part to play in making sure that this doesn’t happen again. Crucially, when you are asked to go for your jabs, for God’s sake, go. Affirming yourself as a proud anti-vaxxer might get you your 15 seconds of infamy on social media, but your actions could lead to you joining the many anti-vaxxers who have ended up in ICU, bitterly regretting their words. Whilst a healthy sense of scepticism is a necessary quality to have in this world of fake news, wilfully ignoring scientific facts that show how well the vaccines have performed is unacceptable behaviour, and could be downright dangerous for both you and the unfortunate people around you.

New Season Online

Let’s just imagine being able to sink a pint at the local pub, meet with friends for a meal, hug your family, get your hair cut, cheer on Saints live, book a sunshine holiday and all the other pleasures that we used to take for granted but will never do so again. The faster we all have the jab, the faster we’ll be able to do those things again. So when that call comes, get the jab! Come on St. Helens, you can do it!

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

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This month’s highlights 14. Hometown Girl Carole Matthews

Contents 18. Tech Tracking your outdoor exercise.

23. Food A rich and cheesy tartiflette.

38. Puzzles Pages Try these brainteasers for size!

42. Baking Lovely lemon tart & an orange loaf.

26. Create a Cosy Retreat

28. House Plants Special

51. Health Brain aging & Self help for sore knees.

54. Motoring Fiat 500 - hybrid power.

56. Gardening Create an English country garden!

57. Home & Garden Services

48. Jack’s Tracks visits Ashurst’s Beacon

36. Rainford Newsletter

44. The Sweet Life

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Holiday Camp

Lockdown Panto

If your kids are desperate to make a break for it this Easter, why not book them some much needed outdoor fun over the Easter holidays?

St Helens Theatre Royal will be bringing the holiday fun to your front room with their online offering of Jack and the Beanstalk.

The Mountain Monkeys Holiday Club will be holding their outdoor adventure holiday club from Tuesday April 6 to Friday April 16, at the Boat House at Carr Mill Dam, off Garswood Old Road. The Holiday club is divided in to two groups; Cheeky Monkeys for children aged 5-7 and Chimps for children aged 8-11.

Original plans to stage the panto live have now been revised as it is not yet permitted to open the venue’s doors to the public. Instead, Jack and the Beanstalk will be filmed and streamed online during the Easter break, enabling families to enjoy the experience of pantomime during the school holidays but from the comfort of their own home.

Activities will include, kayaking, rock climbing, raft building, stream walks, problem solving and team building exercises. The cost of the holiday camp is £25.50 per day, with a free t-shirt if you book a full week, there is also a 10% sibling discount available. The price includes all the equipment needed, including life jackets, and wetsuits where needed. For more information about the holiday club or to make a booking please contact Mountain Monkeys by calling 07799 286836 or going online at www.mountainmonkeys. co.uk.

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The whole family can join Jack on his gigantic journey up the beanstalk as he discovers geese with golden eggs, a magic harp, and not forgetting a close encounter with a very hungry giant. Theatre staff have planned for 17 performances between Friday April 2 and Sunday April 11, and booking is now open. Theatre Manager Chantelle Nolan said, “We were really looking forward to welcoming audiences back into the theatre this Easter, we’ve all missed out on so much in the last year, so families can still experience all the panto fun and laughter but from the comfort of their own living room, while tucking into their Easter eggs.” Streaming access can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01744 756000.

Lego Challenge Rainford Parish Church has some exciting news for Lego lovers. Members will be taking part in a Lent Lego Challenge and are inviting anyone who loves Lego to join in and share their Lego creation throughout Lent. The daily challenges started on Monday March 15 but will run for three weeks, up to Easter, so there is plenty of opportunity to get involved. The idea is to for participants to get involved in the daily build challenges and explore some of the key events of Holy Week. If you don’t have Lego, not to worry, you could use other construction toys or junk modelling. For more information about the event, please search for Rainford Parish Church on Facebook or email enquiries@Rainfordparishchurch. org.uk

Don’t Miss Out on the Staycation Boom! We are now taking bookings from 17th May 2021 and UK holidays are going FAST!

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Running for Willowbrook Willowbrook Fundraising Officer Melissa Kenny has been busy during the latest lockdown, pounding the pavement in preparation for the London Marathon in October. Melissa has been a fundraising officer for Willowbrook for seven years and has seen first-hand the devastation that the pandemic has inflicted on the Hospice. She told Local Life, “Unfortunately since the outbreak of coronavirus in March 2020 our income has been hit hard and we continue to look for ways to raise money and awareness. “We have been blown away by what our wonderful supporters have achieved through these challenging times. Now it is my turn to take on a challenge and raise as many funds as possible.” Melissa hopes to raise £1,300 in donations, that’s £50 for

each gruelling mile, and at the time of going to press she had already raised £445 through her JustGiving page. Melissa continued, “After working through the pandemic and seeing first-hand the care we provide to people in our community, I feel privileged to be given this opportunity to run in the London Marathon to raise funds for those people who need our help and support. “Now I have started to turn up my training, when I am running, I think of those patients, families and supports of the hospice. I am running for them and for our community to keep this vital service going!” If you would like to show your support and donate, please go online at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/MelissaKenny1

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Quiz Night Have you always fancied yourself as a contender for Mastermind? If the answer to that question is a resounding yes, then the St Helens Library online quiz might be right up your street. At 2pm on the first Friday of the month, it’s time to put your literary knowledge to the test and see if you can come out on top. The next quiz will be held on Good Friday, April 2, so get your thinking caps on and join a group of likeminded people. You can join the quiz by searching for @ STHLibraries on Twitter and Facebook.

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Library Reopens St Helens Library is now open for essential computer access and a click and collect book service. Now based in the World of Glass Museum on Chalon Way East, St Helens Library joins Chester Lane Library in offering IT support, available to book by appointment for up to 45 minutes at a time during opening hours to assist with essential tasks such as study, access to benefits, searches for work and training opportunities. For library members wanting to borrow books, a click and collect service will also be available at this site. View the catalogue here: https://sthlibrarieswp.koha-ptfs.co.uk/. All items currently on loan are renewed until 1st April and fines for overdue items have been removed. To accommodate housebound residents, places are still

available on the Home Delivery Library Service which allows members to enjoy up to 20 books or audio books delivered direct to the home once a month. To contact the Service call 01744 677898 or email homedeliverylibraryservice@sthelens.gov.uk

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That’s Entertainment Organisers of Rainford’s Picnic in the Park have announced that they will be moving forward with their plans for this year’s event. Picnic in the Park is scheduled to take place on Saturday June 12, with a reduced capacity of 2,000 to adhere to any social distancing measures and tickets are now on sale. The group will be keeping everyone informed of their plans via their website and Facebook page as they work towards another fabulous festival this year. Amongst the six bands appearing at the event is the magnificent ‘From The Jam’, made up of two of the original members of The Jam, Rick Buckler and Bruce Foxton, along with vocalist Russell Hastings.

In addition to the music line up there will be children’s activities, a range of stalls and various food outlets. No alcohol is sold on site, but you are welcome to bring your own along with your own food choices. Food can also be purchased on the day from various outlets. Monies raised from the festival will benefit local clubs including Rainford Rangers, Rainford Cricket Club, Rainford Tennis Club and the 1st Rainford Boys’ Brigade and Girls’ Association. Prices start from £10 for primary school wristbands and can be bought by going online at www.rainfordfestival. co.uk

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A Home away from Home The past year has undoubtably been one of the most challenging times for families across the UK. We have seen families separated and shielded from their support network for almost a year and although many of us live in hope that these times are coming to an end we continue to live under the most difficult circumstances we have experienced in some time. For the vulnerable and older people it has been an exceptionally difficult and distressing time as their lives have been so greatly disrupted with many being left feeling a sense of confusion and loneliness during long periods of isolation. There is, however, a source of respite and relief for those who are particularly vulnerable, providing much-needed companionship as well as support for their families. Bridgewater Day Care is an adult day care service held at their centre in Golborne, providing a lifeline for those who are unable to manage independently at home, and for their family members who have caring responsibilities. The day care centre is part of a wider service offering with Bridgewater Home Care, one of the leading home care providers across the North West winning numerous awards for the quality of care they provide. The aim of the Day Centre is to provide a ‘home away from home’ for clients where they can socialise, interact with others in the local community and receive the support and stimulation that they cannot currently receive from

home. It is also a service that aims to give back some time to the family members that have daily caring responsibilities and provide a form of respite from the ongoing challenges of everyday life. The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm and provides a variety of activities such as games, reminiscence therapy, cognitive stimulation, nutritious meals, arts & crafts, physical activities, armchair aerobics, refreshments throughout the day and engagement in technology; all of which aim to improve mental health, wellbeing and quality of life. The Day Centre has been fully operational since the outbreak of the pandemic, implementing full COVID-19 guidelines with social distancing measures in place including clients sitting 2 meters apart and staff members wearing full PPE, so clients and their families can rest assured they are in safe hands. The services Bridgewater Day Care provide really do make such an important difference to people’s lives and for many it has become something they would find it difficult to live without. Some clients visit the centre one day a week, whereas others attend the centre every day, with services being flexible around the needs of clients and their family members. For further information about Bridgewater Day Care or to arrange a visit to the Centre please call the Day Centre Manager, Lisa, on 01942 723 115.

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Hometown

Girl

by Nicola Gray Putting pen to paper or rather fingertips to keyboard, when there’s a blank page staring back at you, can be a daunting experience at the best of times. So, to imagine selling 6 million books worldwide and racking up more than 4 million library lends in the UK alone, must be something that dreams are made of. This just happens to be reality for St Helens-born author, Carole Matthews and I for one want to know more! Carole is an internationally bestselling author of 34 hugely successful romantic comedy novels. Her unique sense of humour has won her legions of fans and she can count places on the Sunday Times and USA Today bestseller lists among her accolades. Carole’s lasting memory of St Helens was the family home on Ecclesfield Road in Eccleston. Carole tells me, “I was an only child and that’s when my love of books started. I was never happier than when I was reading.” Although she always dreamed of being a teacher, an air traffic controller, a travel guide or a hairdresser – writer never featured once! Carole continues, “I have vivid memories of my childhood and in particular the fields behind the house, now playing fields, used to be farmers’ fields and everyone – including the children – used to pick peas and potatoes in the summer. I had lovely friends and a freedom that I don’t think kids today enjoy as much.” St Theresa’s Primary School in Knowsley Road is where Carole’s education started and she later moved to the brand-new St Julie’s Primary School on Brooklands Road, when it opened. Carole continued, “I have incredibly good memories of my years there and had strong women teachers in Mrs Whittle and Mrs Sudworth. My secondary school was Notre Dame High School – long before it became De La Salle.

“I found those school years difficult but, again, I was blessed with incredibly good friends who I’m still in touch with. My school reports generally said something like ‘if only Carole would stop talking/ daydreaming she might make something of herself.’ It’s kind of worked out okay in the end.” Writing novels wasn’t always on the agenda for Carole, her first job came working as a shop assistant, she tells me, “I worked in a shop called Come and Save in Cambridge Road and we lived in a flat above it. I also had a job in a sweet shop on a Sunday afternoon in Boundary Road. Truth be known, I wanted to be a journalist, but didn’t want to go to university and thought that I would have to. I ended up doing that eventually but in a very round about fashion. I think all the jobs I’ve done have led to me being an author – which is absolutely what I love.” Carole left education at the age of eighteen and secured a job in London. She recalls, “There was little work in St Helens at the time and I got a government grant to find work out of the area. I’d completed a secretarial course in sixth form and became a secretary at the University of London. I moved to Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire which I absolutely loved and commuted daily into the city. It was a fabulous first job and thought I was quite the little miss about town.” Carole added, “I now live-in sunny Milton Keynes, it’s a much-maligned place, but I love it!” St Helens though has always been home, her

15 mum and family still live in the town and Carols visits regularly, she says “We always go to eat at The Star or The Derby Arms in Rainford. I like to take a walk around Carr Mill Dam if we have time or along the Sankey Valley Way beside the old St Helens Canal.” She continues, “My old haunts included the night club Francoise – or Frannies as we called it – and the disco at the Fleece Hotel in St Helens. I went to Larkins, before it closed, for a family party and remember it as The Plaza night club in my day. My Uncle David was telling me all the bands he saw there back in the sixties – the Beatles, Gerry and the Pacemakers, Freddy and the Dreamers, Cilla Black, so many of the big names. “On Saturday nights I used to go with my friends to the rugby club disco at Moss Lane and spend all night on the dance floor. The ‘in’ place to go was the Bottle and Glass near Rainford – we thought we were so cool if we went there. That is one thing I miss about St Helens; the friendliness of Northerners is, of course, legendary and you just don’t get that casual chat with strangers where I live now, I also miss being able to pop to Southport or Formby. I’m miles from the sea here and miss it.” But how did Carole get her big break? She tells me, “It took me a while to get there but, after moving to London and working as a secretary I retrained as a beauty therapist and ended up on a television programme called Look Good, Feel Great. I did a little slot on aromatherapy massage along with Diana Moran, The Green Goddess, and Rosemary Connolly of The Hip and Thigh Diet fame. “After that I worked as a freelance journalist, writing articles mainly for beauty

magazines. Then, on a whim, I entered a short story competition. It was the first fiction I’d ever written and, to my surprise, won a thousand pounds. Very sensibly, I didn’t spend the money on shoes and handbags, but booked a course on novel writing. By the time the course came round I’d started to write a book and the tutor took me to one side and said it was good enough to publish. She gave me the name of an agent and he took me on straight away. It was the start of the

16 America after my book, ‘For Better, For Worse’ hit the New York Times bestseller list. As I was about to go on, the studio floor manager told me that the show went out live to 60 million Americans which utterly terrified me.

‘chick-lit’ craze, and I was lucky to be writing the right thing at the right time. Thank you, Bridget Jones!” This transcript was to be Carole’s first foray into publishing, her agent sold her book, and ‘Let’s Meet on Platform 8’ was published. Carole added, “It was such a thrill to see a book that I’d written in the shops and I’m pleased to report that never really stops!” It seems Carole really lives up to the adage of love what you do; she’s found her passion and has been enjoying all that brings. When asked what she most loves about being an author, she tells me, “My job is so varied. I’ve got to do lots of fun things over the years in the name of research and that’s been great, as an author, you also have complete control over the worlds you create”. When pressed about her proudest moments throughout her career, I sense there might be too many to mention, and that Carole is also quite modest. She adds, “I’ve written thirty-four novels and have been on the Sunday Times bestseller list with most of them. I was awarded an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Romantic Novelists’ Association and have recently won the Romantic Comedy Novel of the Year for Sunny Days & Sea Breezes which is fabulous .’ “There’s so much to be thankful for and next year, it’s the twenty-fifth anniversary of the publication of my first novel, I never thought when I wrote my first book that I’d be able to make a long career of it.” Despite all the accolades, none of the selfdeprecating Northern humour has left Carole and she cheerfully tells me about the time she almost met Dustin Hoffman. Carole says, “I went on breakfast television in

“I have no idea what they said to me or what I replied. I was so traumatised that when I came off the show at 8 a.m. I went straight to a hotel bar and drank many glasses of wine. Because of that, I missed meeting Dustin Hoffman. Sometimes I still wake up in a cold sweat thinking about it.” Carole’s level of success doesn’t just happen overnight, despite her humble attitude its obvious that she is a talented writer and has worked hard at her craft. But what advice would she give to any budding writers out there? She tells me, “I’m often asked for shortcuts to getting published, but you have to sit at your computer long enough to produce roughly 110k words. Try to write a little every day – it’s amazing what you can accomplish in just an hour and it’s the only way to tone your writing muscles. “Without wanting to sound cheesy, write the book that comes from your heart. If you chase publishing trends, they’ll be over before your book is finished. Enjoy writing your first book – it’s probably the only one that will be done without the constraints of a contract or deadlines!” Carole is a woman of many talents and along with writing best selling novels she also enjoys paper crafts, cardmaking and crocheting. Along with her hobbies, Carole tells me that walking with her husband has really been a blessing through lockdown, “My husband and I like walking and try to get out every day for about an hour and at weekends, when we’re able, we’ll do a longer hike. “During the first lockdown I was on a tight deadline to complete my follow-up

17 Christmas book – Christmas for Beginners – so it was business as usual. This time round, it’s been much more difficult to concentrate and find inspiration when we’re not actually doing anything or going out anywhere. I didn’t realise how much I needed that. After dominating bestseller lists and selling 6 million books around the world, what could possibly be on the agenda for Carole? “I think this very weird time has caused many people to think about their lives and how they want to live them. I’ve spent forty-odd years working flat out and I’d like to ease back a bit – though I’m finding that easier said than done,”

Carole adds, “I love the Lake District and want to spend more time there when we can. I was lucky to be able to travel extensively when I was younger, so my wanderlust doesn’t take me very far now! I love walking up hills and, if possible, finding a nice tea shop or pub when I come down again. That’s definitely the plan for 2021.”

Carole’s list of novels can be found online at www.carolematthews.com

SIGMA ROX 7.0 CYCLE COMPUTER If you prefer pedalling to pounding pavements, Sigma’s GPS cycle computer can track your performance on every ride and deliver every conceivable kind of statistic. £59, Wiggle.co.uk

Track Exercise your outdoor

Great gadgets from simple trackers to the smartest smartwatches FITBIT INSPIRE HR

One of the simplest and cheapest exercise trackers is the pedometer, which tells you how many steps you’ve walked in a given period. There are lots of them around for very little money: for example, the Omron Walking Style One Step Counter, a pocket-sized digital pedometer, is around £16. However, if you’d like to track more than just steps you’ll need to look at a dedicated fitness tracker. These aren’t necessarily much more expensive – you can get Huawei’s attractive and effective Huawei Band 4 for less than £30 – but they’re more useful, as they typically add heart rate monitoring, activity tracking, calories burned and other key data. Some also offer sleep tracking. Although they’re battery-powered they usually last much longer than smartwatches, typically going for over a week between charges and not needing long to recharge. There are versions designed for kids, too, such as the Fitbit Ace, which track activity but not calories.

This Fitbit is cheap but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking in features. It has a workout monitor and heart rate sensing as well as step and calorie counting, and it syncs nicely with Fitbit’s phone app. £59, Fitbit.com

HONOR BAND 5 SMART FITNESS TRACKER A fully featured fitness tracker for under £30? That’s what this little marvel from Honor delivers. It’s a great little device available in a range of colours. £29.99, Amazon.co.uk

The next step up from fitness trackers is the smart watch. Apple’s watch is the market leader here, but it’s also one of the most expensive, and you can get good smartwatches such as the Samsung Galaxy (£159) or the Huawei GT2e (£99) for a lot less. These devices offer a wider range of fitness tracking features and usually connect to your smartphone to share data with your health and/or fitness apps. In many cases the line between fitness trackers is blurred. For example, the Fitbit Versa Lite is a smartwatch, but really it’s a super-powered fitness tracker and unlike more expensive devices you can’t install your own apps. The latest generation of the Apple Watch is really impressive, both as a smartwatch and as a fitness tracker. It isn’t cheap – the latest model, the Series 6, starts at £379 – but the more affordable Apple Watch SE starts at £269. The older Apple Watch Series 3 is £199, although we think the SE is more capable and worth paying slightly more for.

APPLE WATCH SE This is the current mid-range Apple Watch and it’s effectively a cut-down version of the rangetopping Series 6. It’s packed with fitness features. £269, Apple.com OMRON WALKING STYLE ONE 2.0 STEP COUNTER This pocket-sized device contains the same kind of 3D accelerometer sensor you’ll find in smartphones, enabling you to track your steps, kilometres and miles. £15.99, Argos.co.uk

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Photography Competition Willowbrook Hospice are looking for budding photographers to help them produce an image that will be printed on their sympathy cards. In order to do this, they have launched their first ever photography competition in a bid to find the perfect image. The brief is simple; what sight in your local area makes you feel hopeful? You can take inspiration from your favourite nature scene, wildlife, a sunrise or a simple flower. The choice is yours! Whatever gives you hope, Willowbrook would like to see it. To enter the competition please send your entry to helenh@wilowbrookhospice.org.uk. The closing date for entries is Wednesday March 31.

Live on Stage Inglenook Farm, located on the Rainford Bypass, are introducing a series of open-air COVID-friendly events for 2021, starting with their new Comedy Club and Jazz Nights, which will run on a monthly basis. If you have ever fancied yourself as the Frank Sinatra or Ella Fitzgerald of Merseyside, then the Jazz Night might be just what you are looking for. Featuring the Danny Miller Big Band, you can enjoy an evening of jazz renditions and at the end of each show audience members will get their chance to sing live! The Jazz nights are staged on Sunday May 20, Sunday June 20 and Sunday July 25.

Alternatively, if you’re after a bit of light-hearted fun, why not try the Comedy Club? Two hours, five stand-up comedians and a whole lot of laughs. Hosted by MC Edy Hurst, the Comedy Club dates are Sunday June 6 and Sunday July 4 from 6-8pm. There will be a licenced bar and snacks available, all you need to do is bring your own chair. Tickets for each of the events are £10 and can be bought by calling Inglenook Farm on 07396 618212 or emailing events@ inglenookfarm.co.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 contact us on editorial@locallife247.co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.

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UNIVERSITY CENTRE ST HELENS OUR DIGITAL 2021 HIGHER EDUCATION GUIDE IS NOW LIVE!

Discover a variety of higher-level qualifications and degrees, studied on a full and part-time basis, with smaller class sizes and lower tuition fees.

Stay local and study a degree right in the heart of St Helens! • Applied Chemistry • Applied Microbiology • Business Management • Computing • Criminal Justice • Early Years

• Engineering • Exercise, Health and Fitness • Fine Art Painting • Foundation Diploma in Art, Design and Media Practice • Game Art

• Graphic Design • Media Production • Social Policy, Health and Housing • Teacher Training • Theatre and Performance

Download your copy at:

sthelens.ac.uk/applynow

START YOUR CAREER AT

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READY

in 1 hour Serves 4

Tartiflette This rich and cheesy potato gratin makes a fabulous warming supper. Serve with salad and crusty bread.

Ingredients 1kg Charlotte potatoes, halved 1 tbsp olive oil 2 small onions, peeled and thinly sliced 1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed 4 smoked bacon rashers, finely chopped 100ml dry white wine 100ml double cream 4 tbsp crème fraiche Salt and freshly ground black pepper 150g Reblochon cheese, rind removed and sliced Sprig of parsley, to garnish

Method 1 Boil the potatoes in a large pan of lightly salted water until just tender. Drain well, cool for 10 minutes then cut into thin slices. Preheat the oven to 200C / fan 180C / gas mark 6. 2 Heat the oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onions and garlic for 5-6 minutes, stirring. Add the chopped bacon and continue cooking until the onions are golden and tender. Pour the wine into the pan and bring to the boil. Boil until the liquid has almost evaporated. 3 Layer the potatoes and onion mixture in a large square baking dish. Mix together the cream and crème fraiche and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pour over the potatoes. 4 Lay the cheese slices on top. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve garnished with parsley.

TIP: Use any other cheese you prefer. Try mature Cheddar, taleggio or Gruyere.

Power Squad

Quiz

Theme: Happy

1. In the film Happy Gilmore, Adam Sandler stars as the title character, who discovers a talent for golf after struggling to find success at which other sport? 2. “We few, we happy few, we band of brothers” is part of a famous speech from which William Shakespeare play? 3. Also the title of a well known TV show, what word meaning “extreme happiness” can also refer to a type of song that originated in 18thcentury England and is sung by three or more unaccompanied voices? 4. The TV sitcom Happy Days was set in which city in Wisconsin? 5. Who famously sang Happy Birthday Mr. President at a birthday celebration of John F. Kennedy held at Madison Square Garden in 1962? 6. In March 2020, which country was named the happiest country in the world for a third consecutive year?... a) Switzerland; b) Finland; or c) Thailand? 7. Is the first note sung in the song Happy Birthday To You higher or lower in pitch than the last note sung in the song? 8. In 2014, which internet-based company launched a new marketing campaign that featured the slogan “find your happy”? 9. Which 2019 film was advertised with the tagline “put on a happy face”? 10. In 1982, what became the first UK number one hit single to have the word “happy” in its title? Quiz solutions can be found on page 60 of this magazine

RLWC2021, the team running the Rugby League World Cup, are looking for volunteers to help them deliver a successful tournament later this year. The Power Squad will be made up of 2,000 volunteers who will be welcoming the world to England when the 16th edition of this historic global event kicks off in the autumn at 21 venues across 18 host towns. The Power Squad will play a key role in the delivery of the six-week tournament with a range of roles, including transport, spectator services, accreditation, way-finding, media, content and broadcast support. Recruitment is open now through an online application process and will conclude on 23 April 2021. The programme features a dedicated interview process followed by comprehensive training for successful candidates. Candidates must be available for a minimum of three shifts across the tournament and available to attend training sessions in the summer as well as being 18 or above by the 1September 2021. Apply or find out more information on The Power Squad programme for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 here: volunteers.rlwc2021.com

Free Parking Saints fans will be able to park for free on the majority of town centre car parks when fans return to the stadium. St Helens Borough Council has been in consultation with St Helens R.F.C. to find new parking options with the demolition of Chalon Way Car Park, which had been a match day parking facility for fans. Now fans will be able to use all open-air car parks across the town centre for free when they can finally return to the stadium. All car parks and on street parking bays except Tontine and St Mary’s Multi-Storey Car Parks will be open for match day parking for free. More information on the free parking plans will follow once restrictions are eased later this year.

All New Yaris Hybrid might be more affordable than you think.

DESIGN

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Model shown is the MY21 Yaris Design Hybrid Petrol 1.5 VVT-i Auto £21,850 including optional Pearlescent paint at £880. Official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km): combined 57.6 (4.9) - 68.9 (4.1). Combined CO2 112-92 g/ km. Prices correct at time of being published. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. Terms and conditions apply. Figures are provided for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results. Fuel consumption and CO2 produced varies significantly depending on a number of factors, including the accessories fitted (post-registration), driving style, conditions, speed and vehicle load. All models and grades are certified according to the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP). All mpg and CO2 figures quoted are full WLTP figures. The official CO2 figures for vehicles have changed, due to a change in the official method of calculation. CO2 figures are used in the calculation of Vehicle Excise Duty (car tax) for new cars during their first year of registration. As a result, all CO2 figures, car tax and ‘on the road’ prices for new vehicles, which were provided or displayed prior to 1 April 2020, may now have changed for vehicles which were not registered before that date. These dates may change, please visit www.vehicle-certification-agency.gov.uk/fcb/wltp.asp for the latest information. Choice of options and accessories fitted (pre-registration) may affect the official CO2 figures, car tax and ‘on the road’ price. For details of your preferred model and grade derivative, please contact your local Toyota Centre. ^0% APR Representative available on new retail orders on Yaris Hybrid Design. Orders between 1st December 2020 and 31st March 2021 and registered and financed through Toyota Financial Services by 30th June 2021 on a Toyota AccessFlex (PCP) plan with 0%-35% deposit. Scrappage Saving Allowance is not available in conjunction with a Finance Deposit Allowance. Toyota Financial Services is a trading name of Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Offer may be varied or withdrawn at any time. 8,000 miles per annum, excess miles over contracted charged at 8p per mile on Yaris Hybrid. Toyota Centres are independent of Toyota Financial Services. Participating Toyota Centres. Affordable finance through Toyota AccessFlex (PCP). Terms and conditions apply. *If you trade-in any car or commercial vehicle that was registered up to and including registered before 30th November 2012 you can receive between £2,000 and £4,000 (saving dependent on model chosen and incl VAT) scrappage saving off the Recommended On The Road Price of a New Toyota. Offer excludes GR Yaris, Mirai, Hilux Active grade and Proace City. New Toyota vehicles must be ordered between 1st December 2020 and 31st March 2021, and registered by 30th June 2021. To qualify for the scheme the owner of the trade-in vehicle must be named as the registered keeper and resident at the UK address shown on the Vehicle Registration Document (V5) and have owned trade-in vehicle for a minimum of 6 months before the new Toyota order date. The new vehicle must be registered in the same name. Offer can be used in conjunction with the Finance APRs but not available with any other customer saving programme or finance deposit allowance. Available to retail customers only. Participating centres only and subject to availability. For further information please contact your local Toyota Centre. Toyota Financial Services may pay the Toyota Centre a commission for introducing you to them. Commission may be calculated based on either a fixed amount relating to the vehicle you are financing, a percentage of the amount you borrow, or a combination of both. Toyota Financial Services may also make other types of payment to the Toyota Centres for introducing you to them. Any such amounts will not affect the amounts you pay to Toyota Financial Services under your finance agreement.

Create a

Full-length curtains help block out light, sound and draughts. Curtains and headboard in Knot Garden Grey, £75 per metre, James Hare: 0113 243 1204; james-hare.com.

Cosy Retreat Warm and quiet, dark and comfortable – ensure your bedroom has all the ingredients for a great night’s sleep. Lack of sleep has a profound effect on our physical Lack of sleep affects our physical and mental health, and as many as one in three of us suffer from poor sleep. So, make your bedroom sleep-friendly: dark, quiet, tidy and comfortably warm.

choice of materials includes latex, memory foam, polyurethane foam and gel. These mattresses mould to the sleeper’s shape and are often warmer than sprung mattresses. Alternatively, ‘hybrid’ mattresses provide the traditional support and comfort of springs with a pressurerelieving, non-sprung top layer.

Start with the mattress First, decide whether you would prefer a sprung or non-sprung mattress. Sprung mattresses are filled with lots of springs and the best are individually ‘pocket’ sprung to adjust to the body and eliminate ‘roll-together’. An option is a sprung mattress ‘zoned’ across the middle to give extra support for heavier hips and shoulders, or made ‘half and half’, to provide different tensions on each side of the bed. Another solution for sleeping partners of very different weights is a ‘zip and lock’ system of two different mattresses fastened together. Sprung mattresses can be filled with a variety of materials and tufted construction is generally considered better than quilting. In cheaper mattresses, fillings usually come in compact pads, while in better quality mattresses there will be layers of loose fillings in greater volumes. Look for a highquality mattress cover with hand stitching on the sides and sturdy handles to help with turning. Non-traditionalists might consider a non-sprung mattress where the

What about the windows?

A handmade bed frame with an entirely natural, organic mattress. Eva bed with storage, from £1,470 for a small single, Naturalmat: 01392 877 247; naturalmat.co.uk.

Windows can be a source of earlymorning light, and noise, heat loss and draughts at any time. For regularly opened single-glazed sash windows, specialist seals fitted into a rebate will improve draughtproofing, while secondary glazing is ideal for seldom-used windows. Well-fitting timber shutters can be at least as effective as double glazing. The traditional solution is a thick, floor-to-ceiling curtain with a thermal or blackout lining. Extend the curtain pole beyond the window edges so that light cannot creep in. If using blinds, thick, blackout versions fitted close to the wall are best.

Don’t forget about the floor

A soft, curving headboard could help your bed feel enclosed and cosy. Matilda Dove Grey bed, from £549; Amazonia Toile duvet cover set, £28; Farrah Palm Leaf ceiling fitting, £65; all Dunelm: 0845 165 65 65, dunelm.com.

A fitted carpet with thermal underlay deadens sound and prevents draughts from suspended timber floors. If you prefer original timber floorboards, seal any gaps at the base of the skirting boards and add thick bedside rugs for extra comfort. Insulation added below the boards is also effective.

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Passion for House Plants

Go green in style with our guide to creating a beautiful indoor garden in any room

House plants look amazing, adding colour, pattern, texture, interesting forms and a feeling of vibrancy. They can fill a dull corner, provide soft screening and help dampen noise. The Royal Horticultural Society reports that indoor plants have been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce fatigue and headache. Intriguingly, patients in hospital rooms containing plants report decreased postoperative pain. The psychological benefits include the satisfaction of nurturing a small seedling to a healthy, mature plant, as well as the pleasure of watering, misting and pruning, while the RHS says that house plants have been shown to reduce stress levels, improve mood, increase productivity and potentially lengthen attention span. Plants make us feel good.

What plants to choose? Select plants suited to homes, where it is shadier and temperature fluctuations are greater than in their normal habitat. Good examples include the spider plant, the Boston fern, several varieties of dracaena, Sansevieria trifasciata, rubber plants, peace lilies, aspidistra and ivy. Succulents and cacti tend to be easy to care for and come in a range of shapes and sizes. Personalise a home work space with a series of small plants, placed at different heights for variety. Gerry Floor lamp, £161; Drax desk lamp in black, £137: both Pooky.

Many plants thrive on humidity, so placing them in a bathroom is a great idea. Ionian bath in copper, £5,082; Sherwood porcelain replica-wood flooring in Rowan, £71.88 per 80x80 cm panel; both Fired Earth: 01295 812 088; firedearth.com.

29 For fashion followers, the most-discussed plants on Reddit in 2020 included the pothos, monstera, philodendron, hoya and peperomia.

Where to put your plants Generally plants need good light (but not bright, direct sunlight) and should be away from heat sources, draughts and cold. Darker rooms like bathrooms need shade-tolerant plants. Provide a stable, waterproof base, and keep harmful plants away from children and pets. Huge statement plants look incredible in hallway, living room or dining room corners, or group several plants together for a similar effect. Place smaller plants on tables or use tall planters, or put a row of small plants on a mantelpiece, shelf or window ledge, or dot them among books and vases in a bookcase. Hang them from the ceiling, stage them in steps, or pop them on wall racks. Grouping in odd numbers looks best, and a range of widths and heights looks relaxed. Opt for varying shades of leaf colours or try a more regulated appearance, and contrast leaf shapes for natural variety.

Huge plants make a grand statement in a living room, especially combined with bold colours and architectural fittings. Charlotte Chandelier, £380, with 18cm pendant shades in Posh Pink velvet, £35 each, Pooky.

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Growing in Style Show off your house plants and keep them happy and healthy with these great accessories. FOLLOW A FEW BASIC PRINCIPLES AND YOUR INDOOR GARDEN IS BOUND TO FLOURISH. • Regular watering is crucial, but choose an indoor watering can that doesn’t take up too much space and looks nice on display. The narrow spout and high handle help when watering hanging pots, plants on high shelves or tabletop terrariums.

Grow your own indoor kitchen garden with herbs in recycled planters on a sunny window sill. Seeds and compost from Dobbies.

Water plants and herbs with a galvanised steel watering can. Garden Trading indoor watering can, £16, Heavenly Homes and Gardens.

• Use pruners to remove spent leaves or take off live stems in order to reshape your plant or encourage bushier, dense growth. Those with stainless steel blades are rust-resistant and easy to keep clean. • Check whether your plant will benefit from regular misting. Leaf curling, yellowing and brown leaf edges are all signs that it needs a bit of extra humidity. Choose a mister with a fine, gentle spray – the aim is not to make the leaves soaking wet, but to keep them clean (it helps them photosynthesise) and change the air quality around them.

A pruner helps maintain healthy, happy plant growth. Made in London out of Jesmonite in collaboration with homeware designer Salt Studios, this handmade propagation station comes with a glass test tube to display your cutting, plus a bookmark with useful instructions.

Burgon & Ball house plant pruner, £12.50, Leaf Envy.

Propagation station, £35, Leaf Envy.

• If you are short on sunlight, try indoor growing lights, which are more intense than ordinary light bulbs. They also have a range of colour spectrums optimised to aid plant growth. Look for all-in-one kits or separate bulbs or tube lights.

This planter combines two styles of natural rattan. The upper pot includes a waterproof liner, keeping the lower shelf (and floors) safe and dry. Mayfield plant stand, £75, Garden Trading.

Stylish round metal hanging lamp and plant pot in sleek gold and black. £95, Cult Furniture.

Perfect for orchids and succulents, this plant mister makes a pretty addition to a kitchen or bathroom windowsill. Botanical-style plant mister, £14, Ella James. These seagrass baskets are tactile and soft without being floppy. Redford round baskets, from £40 each, Neptune. Try a plant subscription – you’ll be sent a new plant monthly, with information and care instructions. A Plant Doctor is on hand to help with any problems. Plant & Pot monthly plant subscription, £35, Leaf Envy.

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Making your

House a Home JC Kitchens and Bedrooms in St Helens has long been the go-to place for the highest-quality kitchens in the North West. After relocating to larger premises in 2017 and subsequently decorating display units and expansive new shopfront windows with unique accessories, it quickly became apparent to proprietor Jo that there could be a niche in the market.

Existing shop windows filled with home accessories led to daily questions about whether such items were for sale. After realising that there was, in fact, quite some demand for local giftware, the decision was made to open a shop just across the road from their existing store. Jo and her son spent the first lockdown working together with Johnny Vegas, Martin Blondel and Andrew Mikhail delivering foodstuffs and other essential items out of the Eccleston Arms to those in need across the region, and the two were keen to work together on a new project. Regalos – which is Spanish for gifts – is now open on Tennis Street (just off Greenfield Road) and across the road from JC Kitchens and Bedrooms. Regalos has a range of striking and original decorative accessories to give any home a style upgrade and has an excellent range of gifts suited for all occasions and price points.

With new stock arriving each week, including a range of hand-made items from regional craftspeople, it is set to quickly become the goto place in St Helens to buy home accessories and giftware. Here is a small selection of what you can expect from Regalos.

Click & Collect Service - Now Available

9 10

11 1.

Sheep Doorstop

2. Grey World’s Best Dad sign 3. Tree of Life Doorstops- Silver & Bronze Marble effect LED candles, varied colours and sizes 4. Wooden Log Birdhouse 5. Wooden stars - Varied colours and sizes Ceramic Easter bunnies

6. Lyndsey Johnstone - Hand-painted gin glass

7. Felt Garden Gnomes 8. Sass & Belle - Bamboo Plate, Spoons & Heart Spoon 9. Sass & Belle - Bee salt & pepper set 10. Wooden Happy Easter sign

11. Marble effect LED candles, varied colours and sizes 12. Decorative Hedgehog 13. Tree of Life Coat Hooks - Silver and Bronze 14. Wicker Heart 15. Sass & Belle - Set of 4 wooden bee coasters

Regalos Home Accessories & Giftware 14 Tennis Street, St Helens, WA10 6SJ 01744 755105

16. Stone Love Letters

Follow @RegalosUK for fresh stock updates.

Newsletter KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE

Rainford Parish Council’s Response to the Covid-19 Pandemic

During the First Lockdown, help was at hand if you needed it. The Parish Council set up the Rainford Volunteers Group to help the elderly and vulnerable in our community. The group helped with shopping, posting letters, chatting on the phone and collecting and delivering prescriptions. It was a testament to the Rainford sense of community that so many people quickly offered to become volunteers. A ‘buddy’ system was established to support the well over 100 households who signed up for the scheme. Many appreciative families contacted the Clerk’s office at the Village Hall to emphasize what a lifeline the scheme had been for them. The Parish Council is very grateful to all those who came forward and helped make the initiative a great success and the Chairman of the Council sent a letter of thanks to all Volunteers.

Rainford Village Hall

During the next few months, the Village Hall will gradually be opening up again. If the roadmap out of lockdown goes to plan, all the businesses will be open from 12.04.2021 and classes will be able to resume from 17.05.2021. The bar, which had a complete refit just before the first lockdown, will re-open for socially distanced Friday night quizzes on 21.05.2021. These will continue for 5 weeks and will be a good way for people to ease back into social situations. From 21.06.2021 at the earliest, all restrictions will be lifted and the Wedding Receptions and other functions and events that were planned will be able to take place. The Parish Council will have undertaken all the required risk assessments and put in place measures to ensure that Rainford Village Hall is COVID-19 secure for visitors and staff. The Village Hall will soon be introducing a new booking system, which will make it possible to check available dates and make payments via the website.

Bar refurbishment at the Village Hall

Just before lockdown, the bar area in Rainford Village Hall was completely overhauled. Local firm David Rigby Joinery worked with the Parish Council on this innovative project. Why not come along and see the changes for yourself when the bar re-opens for free Friday night quizzes on (hopefully) 21.05.2021. Friday Night is free Quiz night starting at 7.30pm

before

After David Rigby and the Chairman of Rainford Parish Council, Councillor David Monk

If you are planning a function or event and would like further details about hiring Rainford Village Hall, please ring 01744 884709 and speak to the Event Co-ordinator, Victoria Swainbank. Alternatively, you can email admin@rainfordparishcouncil.com

Boundary Commission Review

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has issued draft recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for St Helens Borough Council. There are two parts of the draft recommendations that involve Rainford. 1. The Boundary Commission Review (BCR) considers that the existing Rainford ward is significantly overrepresented with three members of St Helens Council, but there is no ideal solution which offers good electoral equality while respecting community identity and providing clear and recognisable boundaries. The draft recommendation suggests the ribbon of housing to the west of the A570 Rainford by-pass becomes part of Windle ward as it considers this will improve the electoral equality of Rainford ward. The commission would, however, be particularly interested in further evidence from the residents of the area along the Rainford by-pass, as to whether they feel that their community identity lies to the north towards Rainford village, or to the south. 2. The BCR also suggests a change to the wards for Rainford Parish Council. At present, there are 5 wards: Crank, Junction, Mosboro, Muncaster and Randle, each represented by 3 Councillors. The modification would

37 create an additional ward called Hill Top and alter the number of Councillors for each ward:

Business (almost ) as usual

Crank Hill Top Junction Mosboro Muncaster

Further details can be found on the Parish Council website: www.rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

1 1 2 3 5

Have Your Say The BCR are keen that submissions to the consultation should make alternative suggestions where there is disagreement with the draft proposals. It has an open mind about the draft recommendations and every representation received will be considered. The Commission website has a special consultation area which shows maps of the areas, with the facility to draw alternative boundaries. The Parish Council will be making a submission and encourages residents to do the same. www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk

Parish Council initiatives for 2021

The Parish Council has been considering how it can better serve the Rainford Community. Look out for the following in the coming months: • Business Around Rainford: a new forum for Businesses in Rainford and for Rainford residents who have businesses • The Club’s Club: a group to bring together the many societies and organisations within Rainford to share ideas, expertise and knowledge • Organised litter picks to keep our Village looking clean and tidy and discourage people from thoughtlessly discarding their rubbish • Community Speed Watch: Volunteers will soon start their training so that they can be out and about around Rainford, checking the speed of traffic on the roads and looking out for illegally parked vehicles If you are interested in getting involved with any of the above or have other suggestions for ways the Parish Council could engage with the community, please contact the Clerk, Sally Powell on 01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com

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

01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com @rainfordvillagehall

@rainfordparishcouncil

Parish Council meetings are currently taking place via Zoom but that doesn’t mean that you can’t join in. Please contact the Clerk’s office for the link. 01744 884709.

The Full Council meets on the fourth Monday of the month. The Finance, Planning & Administration committee meets on the second Wednesday, and the Community Liaison committee on the third Tuesday.

A very special anniversary The Parish Council were delighted to send flowers to mark the 70th Wedding Anniversary of Crank residents Florence and Eric Parr and congratulate them on an incredible achievement.

Photograph courtesy of Tony Foster

Census March 2021

The census is taking place in March 2021. It is a survey that happens every 10 years and gives a picture of all the people and households in England and Wales. It helps plan and fund public services, like transport, education and healthcare. By taking part and encouraging others to do the same, you’ll help make sure you and your community get the services you need. There will be plenty of help to take part for people who need it. The census will be completed many online, but paper copies will be available. You can find out more at www.census.gov.uk follow the census

@census2021

Christmas at the Village Hall

Christmas Party nights will be back at the Village Hall this year on 17 and 18 December 2021. Contact the Event Coordinator, Victoria Swainbank for further details: 01744 884709/07410132073 admin@rainfordparishcouncil.com

Puzzle Pages CROSSWORD

DOWN

1. Item of food associated with Christmas (5,3) 2. Divisions of the school year (5) 4. Female reproductive cells (3) 5. Vehicle of extraterrestrial origin (6,6) 6. Land area, especially of a farm (7) 7. Flip (a coin, for example) (4) 8. Popular tourist area in north-western

England (4,8)

12. Unemotional person (5) 13. Graveyard (8) 15. Horse’s bit (7) 19. Mammary gland of bovids (5) 20. Tori ___, singer whose albums include

American Doll Posse (4)

22. Quoits target (3)

ACROSS

1. Traditional story (4)

17. To stretch out (3)

3. Woman’s hairstyle in which the hair has a puffy appearance (8)

18. Trend-setting fashions (5,7)

9. Place of complete bliss, delight and peace (7)

21. Civilian dress worn by a military person (5)

10. Imperial units of length (5)

22. Lever operated with the foot (7)

11. Day in spring on which the Resurrection is celebrated (6,6)

23. Climbing garden plant having fragrant flowers (5,3)

14. Uncertainties, doubtful factors, ___ and buts (3)

24. Land force of a nation (4)

16. Devotional paintings of Christ or other holy figures (5)

WORDWHEEL Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

TARGET EXCELLENT: 36 or more words GOOD: 28 words FAIR: 25 words

R U

O E

WORDSEARCH

GOLF WORDSEARCH

SUDOKU

APPROACH COURSE

HOLES

SLICE

BALL

DIVOT

HOOK

STROKE

BIRDIE

DRIVER

IRON

SWING

BOGEY

EAGLE

PAR

TEE OFF

BUNKER

FAIRWAY

PUTTER

TREES

CART

FORE

ROUGH

WEDGE

CHIP

GREEN

RULES

WOOD

CONDOR

GRIP

SHOT

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.

The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.

2 8

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: have a private reason for doing or being involved in something. Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.

D N I R

H A V G

N A E O

A X E T

5 4 3

9 1

14 21 16 16

18 21 13 15 11 All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 60 of this magazine

Use Your Pension Wisely The UK has seen a rise in the number of people accessing their pension pots or enquiring about doing so since the global pandemic started last year. The number of people taking part of their private pension in a tax-free lump sum has increased by 55%, whilst the number of people withdrawing all their private pension in one lump sum increased by 94%.

lifestyle. Ask yourself: How much might I need? How much might I get? Do I still have a mortgage to pay off? What other sources of income do I have, and do I need my pension to keep up with inflation? Could I consider working for longer? Do I want to have annual holidays?

Investors reacted to the pandemic according to their own circumstances. Many people’s incomes have been significantly reduced and so taking money out of their pension pot seemed like a quick fix cash-flow solution.

3. Costs later in retirement: Think about costs later in your retirement. What will your living costs be in the future? Care needs are not a subject we are comfortable thinking about, but it is important to have conversations about it with your family, as well as Powers of Attorney, Wills and inheritance.

Beware the Tax Rules But there are complex tax rules around pension withdrawals so it is vital to get professional financial planning advice, which will allow you to make an informed decision once you are aware of the potential consequences. Once you reach the age of 55 (due to change to 57 in 2028) you can access your private pension pot. You can take some or all of it, to use as you need, or leave it so that it has the potential to continue to grow. You can withdraw up to 25% of the value of the pension in a taxfree lump sum without incurring any tax liability, but if you withdraw anything over that, it is subject to income tax at your marginal rate.

Holding your Nerve Many pension savers resisted the urge to access their pension pots in the face of continued financial uncertainty. Others have continued to invest in their pensions throughout the pandemic, as stock markets slowly recover since the crash of March 2020.

Should you withdraw your pension – Here are 4 Things to Consider 1. Pension freedoms: You can now do a lot more with your pension pot than previously. Everyone is different and it is important to find the right solution for your circumstances. 2. Income requirements: Consider the amount of money you will need each month to maintain your

4. Health and life expectancy: We often vastly underestimate this, but evidence shows we are mostly living longer, with a growing variation in healthy life expectancy. If you have a partner, do you need to provide for them financially after you die, or are you relying on them? Callisto Wealth Management specialises in formulating long-term retirement plans individually tailored for you. Because we’re all different. Some will expect to retire in their 50’s or even their 40’s and will dip deep into their private pension pot before normal retirement age, whilst others expect to work until they are well into their 70’s and may not touch their private pension until then, preferring to let their investments accumulate. Some have long term health conditions, whilst others are fit and active. Others envisage literally sailing into the sunset, with plenty of annual cruises or exotic holidays, whilst some would be happy with a week in the UK. Whatever your future plans are, Callisto Wealth Management will be able to help you plan for your future and put together a sensible long-term retirement plan. Call us now for a complimentary initial meeting.

Andrew Platt CFPTM Chartered MCSI

The value of investments (including property) and the income derived from them may go down as well as up. Callisto Wealth Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Our FCA reference is 607698 and our listing can be found at register.fcaorg.uk

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

Take the first step today towards enjoying the rest of your life.

Call us on 01744 881421 to arrange a no-obligation consultation at Rainford Hall. Remote consultations also available.

Call us now for your FREE Budget 2021 guide. Callisto Wealth Management Ltd Rainford Hall | Crank Road | St Helens | WA11 7RP 01744 881421 www.callistowealth.co.uk enquiries@callistowealth.co.uk

READY

in 1hr 30min plus cooling Serves 8

Lemon Tart This divine dessert has a crisp and buttery pastry case filled with a tangy lemon cream filling.

Ingredients 300g ready-made sweet shortcrust pastry Flour, for dusting Grated zest and juice from 3 large lemons 100g caster sugar 2 medium eggs 2 medium egg yolks 150ml double cream Lemon slices and mint leaves, to decorate

Method 1 Roll the pastry out on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 23cm loose-based fluted flan tin. Trim the edges and prick the pastry base all over with a fork. Chill in the fridge for 30 mins. 2 Preheat the oven to 200C / 180C fan / gas mark 6.Place a baking sheet in the oven to heat up. Line the pastry case with greaseproof paper and baking beans. Bake on the hot baking sheet in the preheated oven for 10 mins. Remove the lining paper and beans and bake for a further 5-10 mins until the pastry is pale golden. 3 Reduce the oven temperature to 170C / 150C fan / gas mark 3. In a large bowl, whisk together the lemon zest, sugar, eggs and egg yolks. Gradually whisk in the double cream and lemon juice. Leave the mixture to stand for 10 mins. 4 Pour the lemon mixture into the pastry case and bake for 30-40 mins until the filling is just set – it should still be a little wobbly in the centre. Leave to cool in the tin. To serve, carefully remove the tart from the tin and decorate with lemon slices and mint leaves.

TIP: Allow the pastry to come to room temperature for about 30 mins before rolling out, otherwise it may crack.

READY

in 1hr 30min plus cooling Serves 8

Orange and apricot loaf

Get the kettle on and enjoy a slice of this delicious fruity loaf cake.

Ingredients 175g unsalted butter, softened 175g caster sugar 175g self-raising flour 3 medium eggs Grated zest and juice from 1 small orange, plus extra zest to decorate 75g ground almonds 125g ready-to-eat dried apricots, chopped

Method 1 Preheat the oven to 170C / fan 150C / gas mark 3. Grease a 900g (2lb) loaf tin and line the base and two long sides with baking paper. 2 Place the butter, sugar, flour, eggs and the orange rind and juice in a bowl. Beat with an electric whisk until thoroughly combined. Toss together the ground almonds and apricots and fold into the mixture. 3 Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and gently level the surface. Bake for 50 minutes - 1 hour 10 minutes until risen and golden and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes then turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Serve dusted with icing sugar and decorated with the extra orange zest.

Icing sugar, to dust

TIP: If the top of the cake starts to over-brown before the end of the cooking time, cover loosely with a piece of foil.

Sweet Life The

Where are you going for your first holiday AC (After Covid?). A holiday is the top of everyone’s to do list for 2021, ideally to a destination with sunshine, good food and the new ‘must haves’ - access to good health facilities and close enough to get home quickly should we need to.

for and the olive green seas of the Adriatic. The senses of travellers, which may have dulled by frequent visits to Italy, will once again awaken as they find release in places like Lecce, known as the Florence of the South, and other beautiful Pugliese towns and villages.

After much deliberation, we plumped for Italy. After a year like 2020, a bit of la dolce vita is much required and very welcome, thank you. Italy sounds like a safe bet, but rather than face the crowds of Rome, Florence and Milan (and the prices in Venice), we’ve opted to travel south to the Mezzogiorno to discover the little known and ruggedly beautiful region of Puglia.

But it is perhaps outside of its cities that Puglia shines brightest. From the ancient countryside to its dramatically broken coastlines, and above all, its proud and generous people, eager to share the delights of Puglia with you.

Situated in the boot heel of Italy, Puglia offers everything the Italophile craves: ancient towns steeped the history of many cultures; extravagant architecture, food to die

Let us start in the baroque splendour of Lecce, where buildings of beauty and interest are to be discovered almost around every corner. The Lecce Cathedral, originally built back in 1144, is just one of numerous religious buildings of note which are over 500 years old in compact Lecce. The city’s amphitheatre, built by the

45 Romans, is situated near Sant’Oronzo Square and was once able to seat more than 25,000 people. The city has a long traditional affinity with Greek culture and the Messapians who founded the city are said to have been Cretans. Even to this day, a group of nearby towns not far from Lecce, the griko language is still spoken. Whilst visiting in this gorgeous baroque grandeur, you can soak up the ambience of Leece’s streets, cosy cafes and elegant boutiques. Most visitors pass by the port of Bari on the way to Lecce, but bustling Bari doesn’t lack history or culture. The old town contains the bones of St Nicholas (aka Santa Claus – yes, that Santa Claus!) in its Basilica di San Nicola, and there’s an excellent archaeological museum. Superb seafood and a bustling street food scene in Bari appeals to all foodies. Bari’s port is a point of departure for those

adventurous travellers departing across the Adriatic for the shores of Croatia, Montenegro, Albania or Greece. Strategically placed atop the steep Pizzomunno cliffs between two sweeping sandy beaches is Vieste. Surrounded by the Parco Nazionale del Gargano, Vieste is perfect for cycling and hiking and all things considered, it is one of the south’s most complete all-inone destinations for the whole family.

Discover Undiscovered

! y l a t I

Fly/Coach Tour of Puglia including Lecce & Vieste

£1,169 p.p. 8 days in 4* hotels

Most meals included Price based on 2 sharing – single passenger price is £1,344. Depart from Manchester on 4/4/22 – other dates available

Independent Travel Specialist

Riviera offer over 100 global escorted fly/coach tours. Call us today or pop in to collect a Riviera brochure.

200 Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PE | Tel: 01744 893291 | www.markentravel.co.uk

Lonely Planet describes the town as ‘a cross between Naples and Dubrovnik, with a bit of Puglian magic mixed in’. Some of the finest vistas at Vieste though are actually at sea, as the nearby coastline is made up of grottoes and arches, their calcareous rock shaped by water and wind, so do take in a boat trip whilst visiting Vieste. Otranto is Puglia’s and Italy’s eastern-most town, and is one of the region’s most charming and picturesque towns; a fascinating mix of history, architecture, sea-front promenades and an amazing white sandy beach with turquoise waters. But it wasn’t always like this – when 18,000 Turkish soldiers landed in 1480, they laid waste to the town and its population. 800 survivors barricaded themselves inside the Cathedral with their bishop, Stefano Agricoli, to pray for deliverance. Divine intervention was not forthcoming, however, and they were beheaded whilst their bishop

was cut to pieces and his head paraded round the town on a pike. Years later, a Papal decree formally beatified the 800, who became known as the Blessed Martyrs of Otranto. Just beyond the borders of Puglia, but often visited by tourists is Matera, the jewel of neighbouring Basilicata, which is reputed to be the world’s third-longest continuously inhabited human settlement. Natural caves in the tufa limestone attracted the first inhabitants perhaps 7,000 years ago. In the 1950’s, Matera’s clustered sassi (cave dwellings), were little more than oneroom caves containing appalling poverty and unthinkable living conditions, and the town was denounced as the ‘Shame of Italy’. Today, the value of this extraordinarily built environment been recognised, and in 2019 the city was recognised as a European Capital of Culture. The sweet life in Puglia is just waiting for you…

One final word... If there is one thing that the pandemic has painfully illustrated, it is the very real value of booking via a travel agent. Many of those who booked independently without cover sadly lost money, whilst others struggled to get to where they need to be. Whilst booking via a travel agent can be more expensive sometimes, in todays’ current travel climate it’s worth using a travel agent, if only to have an experience and knowledgeable person on your side should the unexpected happen whilst you are on holiday.

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Ashurst’s Beacon

by Chris Pearce Distance: 3.1 miles Difficulty: Medium

Beacon Country Park in Up Holland is a popular local facility. 300 acres of rolling countryside and woodlands, the park is used throughout the year for walking, golfing, picnics, kite flying, sledging and occasional events. However, because the main car parks and much of the activity takes place well away from the Beacon that the park is named after, Ashurst’s Beacon, many people don’t even know it is there. This 3.1 mile route starts from a small public car park just downhill on the left from The Beacon Inn (WN8 7RR). Once parked up, exit the car park and turn left by the roadside for 150 yards. Just before you reach Beacon Villa there are footpaths right and right – turn left and head downhill. Great views of Merseyside and Cheshire here as you head on the path through the golf course. Just before the path winds left to cross the bridge, you need to head straight on over a smaller bridge straight into a copse. Follow the path in the same direction running parallel to the brook until you exit opposite Beacon Cottage on the single- track Elmers Green Lane. Turn right and follow the lane up a gentle incline for 500 yards until you arrive at a crossroads dominated by St Michaels and All Angels Church. Cross over and walk by the front entrance of the church down Higher Lane. Take the next right turn - a shared entrance to the church car park and a cobbled road to the Grade 2 listed Ashurst’s Hall – you need to turn into the car park and then pick up the path on the left that runs parallel to the cobbled road. Head past the pond on the right and very shortly afterwards, look for the ancient path up Ashurst Hill, which is totally enclosed by trees. This pathway is

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to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure

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Ashurst’s Beacon

Ashleigh Farm

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or tablet, this walk is named:

For those with the OS Maps app on your desktop, mobile

Chisnall’s Farm

Stone Hall

Bangham’s Farm

50 250 yards long and is rough with uneven cobbles. Once you pass through the wooden gate at the end of the path, you’ll have a short steep climb to a plateau with four different pathways – go straight on and you’ll soon see the shape of the tower at the top of the Beacon. Once you’re at the top of the hill, look for the directional plaque set in stone to the left. Using the directions on the plaque, take the path in the direction of Winter Hill. Go down the slope, through the wooden gate and head diagonally across the field. Cross the brook via the footbridge and follow the path round the field until you exit onto Long Heys Lane. Turn left and follow this single track road downhill for 350 yards and then turn right at the entrance to Banghams Farm. Pass though the garden gate to the right of the main farmhouse gate, and follow the path round and away from the farm. At the farm’s boundary, you’ll cross The Dingle stream and arrive at the dirt track known as Stone Hall Lane. Turn right and follow the track uphill bearing left for 400 yards, bearing left towards a rather handsome Grade 2* listed building called Stone Hall. Bear right through the farmyard when you arrive and go through a couple of gates to exit. Keep left as the track splits and take the next opening on the left near the stone stile, heading uphill along field perimeters for 0.4 mile until you again reach Long Heys Lane. Turn right and head past Stopforths farm and the entrance to Bradshaws Farm. Look for a set back footpath to the left just before The Manor House and follow this rather slender footpath for 325 yards across a field, a driveway and then an enclosed wooden area. Once you hop over the final stile into a wooden area, you’re back at Ashurst’s Beacon. Turn left and follow the path to the main road. The starting point is just across the road to the right.

A history of

Ashurst’s Beacon The tower at Ashurst’s Beacon was built in 1798 by Sir William Ashurst to act as a watch tower in preparation for the Napoleonic War. However, there was a previous tower at the site, which was used as part of a relay of beacons stretching from Liverpool to Lancaster during the Anglo-Spanish war of 1585. The land surrounding Ashurst Beacon was acquired in the 1920’s by Thomas Meadows, the Editor of the Wigan Observer, who apparently twice restored the tower at his own expense. In 1962, his widow Florence Meadows donated the 17 acres of land to Wigan Corporation on condition that ‘this land should forever remain a beauty spot for the enjoyment of the people of Wigan’.

Brain aging: what are the signs? Lost your keys again? Feeling accident-prone? Does it seem harder to concentrate these days?

task is to us, the more we find ourselves distracted by outside noises and interruptions.

Some scientists believe that evidence of neural decline may reveal itself from the age of just thirty.

Clumsiness If you’ve been more accident-prone than usual recently, or have found it harder to deal with fiddly tasks like fitting a key into a lock, that could be due to brain aging.

Invisible changes While grey hair, stiff joints and laughter lines are all clear signs that our bodies are aging, the chemical and structural alterations happening inside our heads are completely unseen. While our skull size remains the same, our grey matter reduces in size, with some areas of the brain shrinking more, and faster, than other parts. The biggest losses appear in the prefrontal cortex, the cerebellum and the hippocampus, areas associated with attention focus, memory, speech, muscle co-ordination and learning. The wrinkled outer layer of the brain, known as the cerebral cortex, also thins as we age and this is also more pronounced in some parts than others. Other symptoms of an aging brain include decreased blood flow, less communication between nerve cells and an increase in inflammation.

Wandering attention An older person taking a test or doing a job that requires concentration will probably be more easily distracted than someone younger. Youngsters have more ability to ‘zone out’ when they are doing an important task (think about the teenager who does h o m e w ork Mobile: 07475 004637 while listening • Depression & Anxiety to music and • Bereavement using social • Work Related Stress media). It’s all • Relationship Issues linked to our • Infertility • Trauma reduced ability • Addiction to handle • Eating Disorders emotional • Self-Harm a r o u s a l , • Anger Management which means www.empathycounsellingservices.co.uk the more info@empathycounsellingservices.co.uk important the

Research carried out in America suggests that as we age, we become less able to judge distance when we encounter nearby objects. We also concentrate more on the objects we are interested in and less on any obstacles that lie in the way of our goal: typically that might mean reaching for the pepper grinder and knocking over a glass of wine on the way.

Losing your sense of smell and taste If things don’t smell or taste as good as they did when you were young, don’t blame the cook. We are all born with around 9,000 taste buds on our tongues. These buds are very good at regenerating, which is why, when you burn your tongue, your sense of taste returns so quickly. But as we age, our taste buds become less able to replace themselves and we lose the sensitivity that helps us identify different flavours. The senses of smell and taste are closely linked and age can be a factor in the loss of both, but if you notice a sudden change in your sense of smell, there may be other causes, such as nasal polyps, blocked sinuses or seasonal allergies.

Forgetfulness You may have noticed that as you age, it becomes harder to remember names, or recall something that you have learned. The ability to remember learned facts, life events and the names of people you have met is called ‘declarative memory’, while remembering how to tie a shoelace or ride a bike is part of your ‘procedural memories’, which don’t tend to fade as quickly. Another aspect of brain function affected by age is ‘working memory’: the ability to solve problems or hold information such as phone numbers, or where you have parked, in your head.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle A healthy lifestyle, paired with activities that keep your brain alert, can boost cognitive abilities and ward off the signs of aging.

Self Help for

Sore Knees Do you suffer from osteoarthritis (OA)? This painful condition affects around one-third of people aged 45 or above. Although it can affect any joints, around half of sufferers have arthritis in their knees. The WHO regards osteoarthritis as a ‘priority disease’. It ranks in the top ten of most disabling conditions and as the population ages, along with the growing issue of obesity, numbers of OA sufferers are set to rise.

What is osteoarthritis? When you bend a joint, the two bone surfaces rub against each other. Cartilage pads on the ends of your bones cushion the movement. The joint is enclosed in a capsule and lubricated with synovial fluid. WIth OA, the joint is gradually destroyed. The cartilage becomes thin and roughened, the bone surfaces become irregular, and debris collects within the joint space. The joint is supported by muscles and ligaments. If these become weakened through age or accident, there is too much pressure on the joint.

OA causes Outside of an accident such as damage to a cruciate ligament, the exact cause of OA is unknown, but it’s linked to your genetics, ageing and obesity. It’s more common in females and is associated with other chronic diseases, such as diabetes.

OA symptoms Pain, stiffness, and joint swelling are the most common symptoms. Your knees may look deformed.

OA treatments Exercise is very important, even when your knees are hurting, plus using the joint helps reduce stiffness and encourages blood flow. Not using your knees worsens the problem as it encourages the thinning and softening of the cartilage. Exercise reduces chronic inflammation – a metabolic process that exacerbates cartilage breakdown. A physiotherapist can help. Cycling and swimming are good options as they cushion the knee from direct weight

bearing, and hydrotherapy is also worth considering. Medical studies confirm that weight loss and exercise result in significant benefits. For example, in a 2013 randomised trial, 399 participants aged 55 and over and with BMIs between 27 and 41 were randomised into three groups: diet; exercise; or both diet and exercise. They were then followed up for 18 months. The diet and exercise group did the best, losing an average of 10.6Kg – 11.4% of their body weight. This group also had significant reductions in pain, better knee function and improvement in quality of life compared to the other two groups.

Prescot Chiropody Clinic

Lose weight

• Alternatively, try Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Losing weight may seem an impossible task. However, it can be done and studies prove this often leads to a significant reduction in pain and improved mobility.

• The efficacy of hyaluronic acid injections has not been substantially proven but may have benefits for some.

In a 2007 review (Christensen R. et al) of four studies involving 454 patients with OA, those who lost 5% of their body weight over twenty weeks demonstrated a marked improvement in pain and much improved mobility.

• Try to reduce the strain on your knees and spread your weight evenly by using a stick.

Pain relief Try paracetamol along with non-steroidal antiInflammatory (NSAID) drugs such as ibuprofen, diclofenac and naproxen. NSAIDS reduce inflammation in the arthritic joint. An NSAID gel rubbed into the joint may be helpful. Your GP will discuss other medication options with you: • Drugs called COX-2 inhibitors, such as celecoxib, are very effective anti-inflammatories. Sometimes opiates such as co-codamol are advised.

Other lifestyle tips

• Start the day with a hot bath or shower – the heat eases joint stiffness. • Try using hot pads or an ice pack on the sore joint. • Massage has been found to be helpful for pain relief. • Sometimes your doctor may suggest use of a knee brace.

Complementary and Alternative therapies

• Capsaicin cream can be applied to the knee joint.

Glucosamine, curcumin, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids all appear safe, but there is a lack of medical evidence for their efficacy.

• A steroid can be injected directly into the joint. Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatories.

Mindfulness, meditation and acupuncture have all been advocated and can help improve symptoms.

UK Drive: Hybrid power keeps the

Petrol Fiat 500 going a little longer

Charming it may be, but Ted Welford finds the Fiat 500’s age has now got the better of it.

What is it?

What’s under the bonnet?

As recognisable and as loved as a Mini or Land Rover Defender, the 500 was Fiat’s icon throughout a big part of the twentieth century until 1975, followed by a revival of the model in 2007.

If you want a manual 500, the only option is this new mildhybrid petrol, with automatic models using the 1.2-litre unit that Fiat has been using for years.

That reincarnation was a hit and Fiat still sells 400,000 of these city cars every year, despite a multitude of rivals.

What’s new? This year saw the introduction of a new electric 500. It looks similar to the petrol car but is rather different underneath, and should be yet another hit as it’ll be one of the cheapest EVs around thanks to a sub-£20,000 starting price. There is also Fiat’s new 500 Hybrid. It’s not a full hybrid, but rather a petrol engine with a small electric motor, battery and belt-integrated starter-generator that improves efficiency and aims to allow for a smoother drive. So does it succeed?

With just 69bhp, 0-60mph takes 13.6 seconds, but around town it’s more than up to the task. A six-speed manual gearbox is also a pleasant surprise for a car of this size. The mild-hybrid system is also noticeable with the regenerative braking when you take your foot off the accelerator, though the engine can ‘switch off’ while coasting in order to improve fuel economy.

What’s it like to drive? It’s in urban areas where the Fiat excels. It bucks the trend of city cars growing in size, as at 3.5m-long it remains tiny and an absolute doddle to park, helped by great visibility. The steering is also brilliantly light, and even gets a ‘City’ mode to make it even lighter. But elsewhere the 500 shows both its age and its flaws. The ride quality is poor while the driving position leaves a lot to be desired – you feel like you sit on the car, rather than in it. Refinement is also poor, even by city-car standards. Next to rivals like the Volkswagen Up!, it’s well behind the pace.

How does it look? It’s likely buyers choose the Fiat 500 because of the way it looks. And with its scope for personalisation, bubblelike shape and cool retro-inspired design, it offers bags of charm and appeal in this respect. A range of trim and liveries add to the appeal. It’s more impressive just how fresh the 500 looks considering it’s been around since 2007 in its current guise – the only real design changes in that time being

some new lights at the front and rear, fresh alloy wheel designs and updated bumpers. Some subtle ‘Hybrid’ badging is also fitted as part of this update, however.

What’s it like inside? The interior also has charm – not least with the cool colourmatched dashboard, which is a particular highlight. There’s a clear instrument cluster, with an optional seveninch TFT display in the middle. A seven-inch touchscreen is also fitted, and while not the best system you can get today, it’s simple to use and gains Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A panoramic glass roof is also a nice touch. But the colourful dash and technology can only go so far with the Fiat 500, as other areas feel especially cheap, with hard and scratchy plastics littering the cabin. It’s also small even by city-car standards, with a dinky 185-litre boot and compromised rear space.

What’s the spec like? Prices for the Fiat 500 start from £13,020 and for that you get a Pop-spec car. It’s not especially well-equipped but

gains air conditioning, a DAB radio and a speed limiter. But our choice is the £14,750 Lounge model, which adds a touchscreen, leather steering wheel, rear parking sensors and a glass roof. Prices rise through to £17,150 for the top-spec Launch Edition, which includes sat nav, 16-inch alloy wheels and special seats made from recycled materials. But at that price, you can buy a far more accomplished supermini.

Verdict It’s a testament to the 500’s cool retro design, easy-to-drive nature and quirky interior that this Fiat continues to be as popular as it is. Used around the city it’s really appealing, and the Hybrid system has added greater efficiency to the package – meaning it will be very cheap to run. But none of these traits can hide some glaring weaknesses of the 500, which are really just down to its ageing design. Its poor driving experience away from town and cheap cabin make it fall off the pace of rivals, and given it’s not especially cheap, it means this Fiat – is tough to recommend. Consider the electric model instead…

How many kinds of

sweet flowers grow… The quintessentially English country garden has classic, timeless appeal, and although easier to achieve in the countryside can still be recreated at least in part in town. Shrubs make a great backdrop so choose a range of different shapes, textures and shades of leaf colour for that cottage garden feel. For best effect choose mainly or all deciduous shrubs with just a few evergreens. A wooden or metal gate painted white gives the right feel, and when smart, traditional-look fixings and fixtures are painted contrasting black, the look is complete. In a country-style garden the combination of a wide range of types of flower in an even wider range of colours is perfect. Contrasting colours look great as long as there is plenty of greenery in-between. Plant loosely and almost randomly in drifts, with no straight lines anywhere, to give beds and borders a country style, whatever their size. Allow plants to grow closer together so there is no bare earth, and when planting a bed from scratch use hardy annuals to fill in any gaps while the main plants grow, to create a wall-to-wall carpet of colour. Plants in pots add seasonal splashes of colour, so include temporary plants such as brightly coloured pelargoniums and geraniums or longer-term plants such as bulbs and small shrubs. Choose a pot with an informal, rounded shape, rather than anything too geometric or modern; a terracotta pot works a treat. Have a range of heights in the flower borders, basically

with smaller plants in front and the largest at the back, but add in tall, slim plants throughout to add colour, interest and height variation without blocking your view of their smaller neighbours. The classic choice for this is the purple-flowered Verbena bonariensis. A wall made from brick or stone make a perfect boundary. A drystone wall with variations in the grey and brownish colours of the stone looks great in all weathers, and you can grow plants such as house leeks in some of the crevices. If your garden needs steps, choose stone. It is longlasting, withstands hard frosts and needs no preservative treatments. Combined with a wall of the same material, steps like this almost look natural, particularly when laid slightly unevenly. Ivy is perfect for covering up unattractive features such as an ugly wall. It grows rapidly and is a useful wildlife habitat, but don’t allow it to grow out of control. Maximise planting opportunities with containers made from natural materials such as terracotta. Positioned on top of a wall they’ll mark the boundary well and bring seasonal colour. Swap the plants around at summer’s end and use winter-flowering pansies for colour throughout the year. Plant small, compact plants along the edges of paths and steps to add colour and interest. Small saxifrages look great but won’t swamp the steps either!

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term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk is It setting. educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

All Saints’ Primary

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01744 810 000

Nursery Bridge | WN6 9DT Little Acorns Lane | Appley

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www.northwestwindowrepairs.co.uk

Convert your bath to a

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Imprinted Concrete Specialists

Huge range of colours & patterns • Resin Driveways • Block Paving • Indian Stone • Flagging We can also revive your old drive! Ask about our sealing service

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01942 621 959 07867 697 972

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AJC WALK IN SHOWERS Typical price

£1800 Fully guaranteed One day installation No mess - no fuss Easy to clean & maintain

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07919 876 825 Workshop address: Bulldog Tools Ind. Est. Darlington Street East Wigan WN1 3BT

We also fit full bathrooms!

• WILSON •

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BROS

£30 + VAT

Est. 1985

Call 01744 649722

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Underfloor heating

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01744 602931 or 07756 274503 7 Albany Avenue, Eccleston Park, L34 2QN

PLC

MAINTENANCE MuLtiSkiLLed HandyMan

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07847 394040 01744 606938

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair

Our Focus Is Quality & Price

• Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate

From a Loose Slate to a Complete Construction LOCAL FAMILY FIRM

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References Available

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Call us on... 01744 600074 Mobile: 07867 592460 13 Hawes Ave, Carr Mill, WA11 7EA

ALPINE LTD Roofing & Building Services

www.wilson-bros.co.uk

£30 + VAT

Call 01744 649722

LocalLife

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• Flat roof specialists • Damp proof specialists • Quality workmanship • Affordable pricing • Quick response to all repairs

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Your local roofing company from repairs to re-roofs, fascia’s, soffits & gutters.

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want to book advertiSinG? Call us on 01695 627999 for more details or email sales@locallife247.co.uk

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

Transform your conservatory into a home office

NEW Generation Rockdoor now available

SISTER COMPANY OF FOXWELLS BUILDERS Established since 1999

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

Representative example: Total cash price £1164, deposit £0, amount borrowed £1164 over 12 months. 12 monthly repayments of £97. Interest rate 0%. Total repayable £1164. Credit is subject to the lenders T&C. Warmlight Windows, Doors and Conservatories Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 7700524. We are a credit broker, not a lender and have a facility with one lender.

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

28544

Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads)

Local Life - St Helens - Mar/Apr 2021

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