St Helens Edition
Festival Fever Hits Rainford
Photo courtesy of Southport Flower Show
Playing It Cool with Phil Cool Jack’s Tracks visits White Coppice
Jul/Aug 2014
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Hope for Glory
In this issue
When Edward VII commissioned Elgar to write the Land of Hope and Glory back in 1902, who would have predicted that more than 100 years later, it would develop into England’s most patriotic and stirring anthem; guaranteed to raise the hairs on the back of every Englishman’s pink neck?
6 22 24 26 28 36 38 42 44 48 50 54 56 58 62
And while there may not be as much ‘Glory’ around as there was in Edward’s era, when it comes to ‘Hope’ we’re world champions. We might pretend that we’re a cynical lot, but deep down we’re a bunch of optimists really, aren’t we? Hands up if you’re hoping that England confound expectations and win the World Cup, that our favourite Scotsman Andy Murray can successfully defend his Wimbledon title, that our cricketers can beat India and that the cream of our athletes can succeed at the Commonwealth Games? But getting away from sports for a second, our main hope is that all the local summer fairs and other outdoor events are blessed with good weather, and that a great time is had by all who attend. It takes months of organisation to stage these types of events so, please, if you have the time, do go along and support your local summer fairs. As for us, we’re at the second Rainford Festival on Saturday, July 12, raising money for North West Air Ambulance, so come along and say hello. More than 3,000 people attended last year and organisers are expecting a similar turn out this year. There’s an artisan market, live music, lots of fun activities and displays, lots of stalls and Wish FM are there too. Hope to see you as well. Have a great summer.
editorial@locallife247.co.uk Next issue - August
Advertising deadline - Friday 4 July Published - Thursday 17 July Local Life Media
Class From The Past - Moss Bank School Rainford Festival Planning Matters Puzzle Corner Business Review - Windy Arbour Farm Win a £200 Travel Voucher Playing It Cool Recipe Of The Month Jack’s Tracks visits White Coppice What’s On Test Drive - Peugeot 308 Win Tickets to Southport Flower Show Garden Diary Home Services Useful Numbers
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Local Life is published every month. The magazine will be distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis. The St Helens and Prescot edition is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston Park, Windle, Prescot Road and parts of Nutgrove and Sutton Heath. Copies are also available to pick up free from Tesco Extra Stores in Peasley Cross and Prescot. The St Helens edition is delivered to over 12,000 private homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Laffak and selected areas of Haydock. Copies are also available to pick up free from Tesco Stores in Haydock and Peasley Cross. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.
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A Cut Above A Blackbrook hairdresser has been named as one of the area’s top apprentices. Rachael Boon joined St Helens College in 2012 with aspirations of becoming a hairdresser. The NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing apprentice successfully secured employment at one of St Helens’ top hairdressing and beauty establishments, TLC Hair and Beauty. The promising hairdresser is now on her way to becoming fully-qualified and has gained valuable experience building up her own clientele. The apprentice scheme has also provided Rachael with the opportunity to compete in World Skills competition where she scooped two bronze awards in Hairdressing, as well as picking up the title of St Helens College’s Student of the Year 2013. It was also recently revealed that Rachael, 20, was in the running to become the St Helens Apprentice of the Year. The former St Augustine of Canterbury pupil said: “Without my apprenticeship, I would have not been able to reach where I am today in my hairdressing career. I have always had a creative flair and the career path I
have chosen allows me to express that every day. I will take so much away from my apprenticeship as it has shown me that nothing comes without hard work, but when you put in the work in, the rewards are definitely worth it. “I feel I am quickly excelling in my field and have been so privileged to be supported by an amazing apprentice scheme at St Helens College.” Tina Boyle, of TLC Hair and Beauty said: “I have been in this industry for more than 25 years and it is very rare to get an apprentice of such high calibre. She goes above and beyond in terms of her duties and we feel very blessed to have her as part of our team.” To find out more information about Apprenticeships at St Helens College call 01744 62 3424 or visit www. sthelens.ac.uk
Show Fundraiser The Hunters Band 60s night takes place at Newton Social Club, Patterson Street, Newton-le-Willows, on Saturday, June 28. Tickets are £5 and available from The Coffee shop and also Jan’s DIY shop, both in Bridge Street, Earlestown. All the proceeds are being donated by the band to the Newton and Earlestown Community Group Town Show Fund, helping to make this year’s Town Show on Saturday, August 2, a fun day out for all the family. For further details visit, www.facebook.com/ groups/necg2012
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Class from the Past - Moss Bank School
This month’s Class from the Past is of a school which no longer exists. Moss Bank School was closed in the late 1970s, but its memory lives on through photos such as these. Can you spot a familiar face? Among those pictured are Ann Saunders, David Burt, Pauline Woods, Isabel Hurst,
Marilyn Parr, Mr Firth, Barbara Noonan, Mrs Coulton, David Lee and Billy Matthew. Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to share, email us editorial@locallife247.co.uk or call 01695 627999.
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Anyone for Tennis?
Cop Shops
With Wimbledon just a few days away, one local tennis club is already feeling ‘ace’ this year with the opening of their new clubhouse. Members of Winstanley Tennis Club, based on Hall Lane, off Winstanley Road in Orrell, are enjoying state-of-the-art facilities at their clubhouse, which is also open for room hire to non-members. In the last few weeks the clubhouse has hosted christenings, parties and a small wedding reception, and already regular groups are making the club house their ‘home’ base for meetings. For more information about private room hire at Winstanley Tennis Club, please contact Mrs Bradshaw on 07713 113943.
Rainford residents are invited to meet local police officers at three events up until the end of July. They will be holding a surgery on Friday, June 27, at Rainford Library, Church Road, between 5pm-7pm. On Friday, July 25, they will be at the library again at the same times. And on Thursday, July 31, they will be at All Saints Parish Church, between 11am-noon. All welcome.
The club is also holding an open day for all prospective new members next month. If you or your children enjoy playing tennis, then you are invited to pop along to the event which is being held at the club on Sunday, July 13, between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. The event is completely free, equipment will be provided and strawberries and cream will also be served.
Surname Origins St Helens Townships Family History Society meets regularly at St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square at 6.45pm for a 7pm start. The next meeting is on Thursday, July 17, when Peter Park will give a talk on the origins of surnames. All welcome.
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Fish Auction
Summer Reading
Are you an avid fish fan? Maybe you have your own aquarium? The North West Cichlid Group is holding a summer auction of cichlid fish, catfish and dry goods at Rainford Ex-Servicemen’s Club, on Cross Pit Lane. Booking in takes place from 12.15pm-12.45pm and the auction commences at 1pm. Entrance is £1. For more information, email gunner_steph@yahoo.co.uk or call 0151 295 5019.
There’s plenty going on for children at local libraries this summer! Each are holding a Mythical Maze Summer Reading Challenge. Find out more by attending the launch parties – these are being held at Moss Bank Library, Bowness Avenue, on Tuesday, July 1, from 3.30pm-6.30pm, at Haydock Library, Church Road, on Wednesday, July 2, from 3.30pm-4.30pm and at Rainford Library, Church Road, on Friday, July 4, from 3.30pm5pm.
Well Read Does your child enjoy reading, being creative and using their imagination? Garswood Library, on School Lane, holds its Let’s Read Junior Book Club on the last Thursday of every month between 3.45pm-4.45pm. All welcome. For more information, contact the library 01744 677797.
Calling all Nature Explorers New Walk’ ‘Wild g this openin er summ
Parish Meeting The next meeting of Billinge Chapel End Parish Council takes place on Monday, July 21, at 7.30pm in the Public Hall, Pingot Road. Members of the public are welcome to attend, and copies of the agenda will be available at www.billingeparishcouncil.gov.uk in due course.
This summer at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre explore a hidden gem of wetland habitat as ‘Wild Walk’ opens. Meander along a maze of wetland tracks through the muddy meadow, wet woods and reedy ramble, discovering wildlife and giant sculptures. Learn about some of the rarest birds, mammals and amphibians with special events including moth morning discoveries, bug hunts and pond dipping. Be a nature explorer on our award winning Canoe Safari discovering water voles and dragonflies.
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It’s a Lifesaver
Paying Respects
Would you know what do if your infant or child had an accident in the home? Why not take some time to learn practical lifesaving skills on a free, 10 week course held at Park Farm Centre, Kentmere Avenue, Moss Bank. It is run by St Helens Council’s Adult and Community Learning team and takes place on Wednesdays from 6pm-8pm.
St Helens will again pay tribute to members of the armed services when this year’s Armed Forces Day takes place in Victoria Square on Saturday, 28 June. The event takes place at the Cenotaph in Victoria Square and members of the public attending the event are advised to be in position around Victoria Square for 11.30am. Proceedings get underway at 11.50am with members of the armed forces, veterans and cadets parading towards the Cenotaph for noon for a service lasting approximately 30 minutes.
To book a place please contact Sue Mills at Park Farm Centre 01744 754367 or acypcentre@yahoo.com
Summer Play Park Farm, on Kentmere Avenue, Moss Bank, is hosting a summer play scheme from July 29-August 21 on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The play scheme runs from 9am-noon on those days. For more information call 01744 754367.
The event will also include a performance by young tenor Tom Loughlin and readings and displays by local cadets. Proceedings then move on to TS Scimitar, Mill Street Barracks, where refreshments will be served and a range of family activities will be available. The event requires the closure of roads around St Helens Town Hall from 9am to 1pm on the day. These include Hardshaw Street (from its junction with Parade Street) and Corporation Street as far its junction with Library Street (at the rear of Central Library). On the other side of the town hall the closure will also affect Corporation Street and Birchley Street - to its junction with Tolver Street. Victoria Square will also be affected. For more information about the event, contact Vicky Nelson on 0783 839 7892.
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Fun Galore! A Billinge company is shaking things up at St Mary’s Market in St Helens! Bounce City offers inflatable fun for kids of all ages. There are slides and castles galore at the new attraction, which recently got the civic seal of approval when the Mayor of St Helens, Cllr Andy Bowden, tried it out for himself.
St Helens Mayor Cllr Andy Bowden with Bounce City operators Colin Wilson (left), Johnny Hollis and young visitors to the attraction
The attraction is open Monday to Saturday 9am to 5pm. A onehour session costs £3.50 while half an hour is £2.50. For more information call Will Bounce on 01744 892732/07958 302166 or visit www.willbounce.co.uk
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Rainford’s Roots
Live and Learn…
The latest round of excavation in Rainford is coming to an end - and the unearthed findings will be going on display in the village soon. Volunteers have been busy digging out the garden at the rear of the library, which once housed a clay tobacco pipe works, for the past few weeks. Their findings can be seen in the Church Road library for a three week period as of Monday, June 30.
Education and learning isn’t just for young people… that’s the new message from St Helens College! They are reaching out to people who left school years ago and want to give learning another go, maybe to advance their careers. They also want to hear from those who might have recently left school or college and want another chance to fulfil their dreams of going to university.
Sam Rowe, from the Rainford’s Roots projects will be giving a talk on what it means to be a community archaeologist. This will take place in the Museum of Liverpool at 2.30pm on Monday, July 14. This will be followed by a quick tour of the newly installed exhibition case. All welcome. For further details, email Sam.Rowe@liverpoolmuseums.org.uk In addition to this, Rainford’s Roots is hosting an Elizabethan Craft Day at the Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, on Saturday, August 2. The day will feature living historians demonstrating various crafts, and it will give visitors the chance to have a go themselves. Crafts include pottery, candle making, making march pane, grinding grain, basket making, spinning and dyeing cloth. Also attending are Horus Birds of Prey, a storyteller, a face painter and musicians. The majority of these demonstrations will be by people in Tudor costume. The event will also have a children’s craft table, an archaeology display and some local businesses selling their homemade crafts. Organisers are encouraging visitors to wear a Tudor costume as there will be a prize for the best dressed visitor. The event takes place from 10am-4pm, it is free to attend and open to all ages.
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A college spokesman said: “The courses on offer at St Helens College range from those for the absolute beginner to those seeking formal qualifications. Our courses give you the chance to learn new skills, develop existing skills, gain a qualification, boost your confidence or simply learn for fun. “If you would like to find out more, visit our website www.sthelens.ac.uk which has details of all the courses we offer. If you would like some impartial help and advice, to discuss your career options and the learning routes available, call us on 0800 99 66 99 and make an appointment to speak to one of our trained careers advisors. To speak to our tutors and secure your place on one of our exciting courses, come along to one of our enrolment events.”
Moonlight Walk Be part of the biggest night time fundraising event in the St Helens area by signing up to the Moonlight Walk in aid of Willowbrook Hospice! The walk takes place on Saturday, July 5, and starts from Queens Park Health and Fitness, Boundary Road, St Helens. There are two route lengths available of either 10km or 6km. Entrance is £10 for adults and £5 for children. For more information, call the fundraising team on 01744 453798, email events@willowbrookhospice.org. uk or visit www.willowbrook.org.uk
Men’s Bowls Four week courses are being held for men aged 60-plus who want to try their hand at crown green bowling. The free introduction takes place on Tuesday or Fridays, from 1pm-3pm, in Rainford and Garswood in July and August. Equipment is provided and if you are interested, call Michaylo Fedyk on 01744 675402 or email sportsdevelopment@sthelens.gov.uk
9th July
2.00pm - 7.00pm
10th July
2.00pm - 7.00pm
28th August
12noon - 7.00pm
4th September 12noon - 7.00pm 6th September 10.00am - 1.00pm
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Sunflower Competition
Volunteer Plea
Can you grow Moss Bank’s tallest sunflower? That’s the challenge to local residents who are being given the chance to take part in the free competition. You can enter by simply taking a photo of your sunflower and emailing it to spacekidbob@hotmail.com or hand in a hard copy photo to the staff at Moss Bank Library before Friday, August 15. The tallest 10 sunflowers will be judged visually on Friday, August 22.
Do you have a little time to spare and enjoy meeting people? Ruskin Lodge, on Swinburne Road, St Helens, is a purpose built primary care centre offering respite care for up to 23 older people. Situated within Ruskin Lodge is a day centre which operates three days a week and offers a wide range of activities and new skills to learn, where guests can make new friends or are reacquainted with old ones.
Women’s Club
Volunteers carry out a range of activities including chaperoning on the coaches and acting as day centre assistants
The Haydock branch of the National Association of Women’s Clubs meets on Tuesdays from 7.30pm-9.45pm at Haydock Cricket Club, Piele Road. Each session costs £3 and all are welcome. More information is available from Christine Martin on 01942 393925 or email christinemartin49@gmail.com
If you (or someone you know) would be interested in becoming a volunteer, Ruskin Lodge say they would be absolutely delighted to hear from you. Contact Dot Hamlin at Ruskin Lodge or email on dot.hamlin@ pilkingtonfamilytrust.com
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He loved a good party, so that’s what we gave him
Dad was full of fun, so we didn’t want a traditional wake, when he said he spent most of his life waking the neighbours! He wanted us to simply celebrate his life and the GreenAcres payment plan made that possible, with easy and affordable interest-free payments. Have your goodbye, your way. Contact us for a copy of the Planning Ahead Brochure. www.greenacreswoodlandburials.co.uk/rainford Tel: 01744 649189 Email: info.rainford@greenacreswb.co.uk
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Folk Night By ‘eck - Fir Tree Farm in Kings Moss is holding Lancashire Folk Night! The Pimbo Road venue will be welcoming special guests including Scolds Bridle and the two usual singers Mark Dowding and Derek Gifford. The evening is being held on Friday, June 27, and it starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10 per person and include a hot pot supper. For more information, call 01744 894959.
In Fine Voice Haydock Male Voice Choir will be raising the roof in aid of Wigan-based Joseph’s Goal at the DW Stadium, Wigan, on Saturday, June 28. The concert, held in the South Stand Suite, starts at 7.30pm, with doors open at 6.30pm. The bar will be open until 11pm and there will also be a raffle.
Joseph’s Goal is a charity set up to increase awareness of the extremely rare genetic disorder Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia (NKH), a condition which five-year-old Joseph Kendrick, was diagnosed with shortly after being born in 2009. The charity aims to raise funds for research to find better treatments and eventually a cure. They are supporting Dr Johan Van Hove at the University of Colorado, who is the world leader in researching the condition. Tickets cost £7.50 and are available by calling Joseph’s Goal on 07702 078286, from Haydock Male Voice Choir on 01744 734176 or from the DW Stadium ticket office on 0871 6633552
WW1 Display Rainford Heritage Society is holding a World War I display at Fir Tree Farm, Pimbo Road, Kings Moss, on Saturday, July 19, from 10am–4pm. All welcome.
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Lucky Winners Little Jacob Sayer reckons Martin Mere is magnificent! The four-and-a-half year old, from Main Street, Billinge, is off to the top Lancashire attraction after winning a family ticket in our recent crossword competition (with a little bit of help from his dad Rob!). Other Local Life readers who are celebrating winning a trip to the Burscough venue are John and Diane Rutherford, of Dunblane Close, Garswood, who were both presented with the prize by Local Life editor David Sudworth recently. Remember, for more cracking competitions, keep your eyes peeled on Local Life!
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Festival Fever Hits
Rainford It’s not just Brazil which has a carnival atmosphere - festival fever is set to hit Rainford in July! The village’s second Summer Festival takes place at Rainford High Technology College, on Higher Lane, on Saturday, July 12. Organisers say it promises to be one of the highlights of the summer calendar with new attractions being announced daily. Visitors can expect a whole host of foodie treats, from a hog-roast to gourmet burgers and even hands-on cookery sessions for all the family. The under-18s Buzz Bar will be providing a range of drinks and there will be traditional sweets and cakes to enjoy or take home. A lively, artisan market will be showcasing crafts from across the region.
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There will also be live performances from exciting local bands, comedians, contemporary dancers and Rainford High students on the Wish FM and Rainford Junction Acoustic stages. Many musical tastes will be catered for, such as Samba, choir singing, ukulele, brass, rock, jazz and indie music.
The Local Life team will also be there on the day, so don’t forget to pop over and say hello.
Love Food, Hate Waste...
More unusual attractions include rides on the ever popular Segways, racing in inflatable Zorbs, a bird of prey exhibition, enjoying stories from Rainford High English students, watching dog displays, metal detecting for buried treasure and getting messy with painting workshops. Ian Young, the principal at Rainford High, said the whole school is getting behind the event: “There is a real buzz about the festival in school and across the village. “We are delighted that so many local Rainford businesses have come on board to support the event. It’s a great way of showcasing our amazing school and our neighbours here in the village and we look forward to welcoming all our new visitors on the day.” Tickets are available from the school reception, local outlets or online, priced at £2 each. Under-fives go free. For more information, contact the Festival team on 01744 885914, email festival@rainford.org.uk or visit www.rainford.org.uk/RSFestival RSFestival @RSFestival
Find out how you can save money and help the environment through an inspiration demonstration at this year’s festival. Rainford-based sponsors North West Waste Consultants will be present a Can Cook Pop Up Studio where you can learn valuable cookery skills and receive advice on how to reduce the amount of food you throw away. The 30 minute sessions will run regularly throughout day, hosting 10 cookery stations at each session. The Love Food, Hate Waste campaign aims to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste. By helping people to save money and avoid waste, it’s a win-win situation for everyone! NWWC Director Warren Aspinall said “We are delighted to be a part of such a great event and it is a brilliant opportunity to raise awareness of the need to reduce food waste and protect our pockets and the environment!” Rebecca Carpenter, from Can Cook Studio, said: “We’re really happy to be a part of Rainford Summer Festival, and can’t wait to get everyone cooking along with our talented chefs. This year our training focus has been on reducing Food Waste and creating delicious meals on a budget – something all individuals and families can benefit from. Rainford High principal Ian Young said: “It’s great to have local support for the event again this year. This campaign is about making a difference at home by looking after the environment but also about eating a healthier diet. The opportunity to learn tricks and tips from professional chefs that we can use at home should make for a great part of the day.” More information can be found via www. lovefoodhatewaste.com, www.cancook.co.uk and www.northwestwasteconsultants.co.uk
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23
Planning Ahead
Crank Memorial
Billinge
Crank could soon get a war memorial on the village’s recreation ground. A planning application submitted by Crank Village Community Association for a “modest” memorial at the Crank Hill site has been granted by St Helens Borough Council.
53 Elm Drive: Single storey side extension (ref: P/2014/0460). The consultation deadline is July 1. 12 Brownheath Avenue: Demolition of existing conservatory and erection of single storey side and rear extension (ref: P/2014/0462). A decision is due soon.
Rainford 2 Old Hall Gardens: Erection of a conservatory projecting 6m from the rear, 3.9m high overall and 2.8m to the eaves (ref: P/2014/0489). The consultation deadline is July 8. 52 Windermere Drive: Erection of front porch (ref: P/2014/0481). The consultation deadline is July 7. The Old Dairy, 12 Old Lane: Removal of condition 7 on approval P/2012/0735 which relates to the provision of one unit as affordable housing (ref: P/2014/0458). The consultation deadline is July 4.
Haydock 365 West End Road: Non material amendment to application P/2014/0028 to amend windows. For more information on these planning applications, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk
No representations were received and no objections were lodged by either the council’s public rights of way officer or the highways officer. In reaching his conclusion, planning case officer Tony Jackson said in his report: “The site is currently used as a small piece of open space bounded by allotments to the rear, bowling green to one side, and agricultural land to the other side. The proposal shall be located to the north of the site adjacent to the public highway. The memorial is modest in size and scale and shall fit well within the site. Due to the modest size and scale there shall be no reduction in the openness of the Green Belt. “Overall the development shall enhance the locality, and give the villagers a proper and fitting memorial for their fallen ancestors.”
Pub Plan Backed
Licence Bid The Club, on Church Road, Haydock, has applied to St Helens Council to have the option of staging plays, films, indoor sporting events, live music, recorded music, dance performances, and late night from 10ammidnight throughout the week. The Club also wants to have the option of supplying alcohol for consumption on and off the premises, from Mondays to Sundays between the times of 10am to midnight. A decision is due soon.
A former Rainford pub is now set for a new lease of life. Planners have given their blessing to plans to convert the Bridge Inn on Ormskirk Road into four self-contained flats. St Helens Council says it received no local representations during the consultation period. In coming to a decision, planning case officer John Waddelow said: “The proposals would improve the appearance of the building and improve the access arrangements at the rear of the building. The proposal would remove some visually poor elements, which were presumably built to aid the function of the building as a public house.”
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Business Review
The Generation Game! David Sudworth meets the Billinge family who have been supplying locals with 40 years of finest produce…
1974 will go down as a tumultuous year – one in which ABBA burst onto the scene at Eurovision, the country was almost crippled by a three-day week and, for the first time ever, a humiliated England squad failed to qualify for the World Cup. But for one Billinge family, 1974 marks the start of a journey which all these decades later continues to go from strength to strength. 40 years ago, the Turner family, which by then had already farmed at Windy Arbour for well over a century having moved from Roby Mill in 1860, decided to start selling its own produce. Peter Turner, whose mother Beryl started the Ashton Road shop, is now Managing Director of Houghwood Golf Club on Crank Road. He takes up the story: “It had been a very wet season which meant we couldn’t dig up all the potatoes. It also pushed the prices up that year, so mum started selling them from the farm as well as some eggs. There was a good response and it just took off from there.”
Eventually Peter, his late brother John, and John’s wife, Pam, took over the business. Little by little, more produce was added to the range. The distinctive farm logo adorned marketing John at work on the farm in the materials, including early 1960s kiddies’ pin badges. It seemed as if the Windy Arbour brand was everywhere. From small beginnings, they were now experiencing consistent growth. Between 1983 and 1986, they even held a contract to supply Wigan schools. Pam recalls: “At one time, there were a lot of farm shops in the area. I think almost everyone had a go at opening a shop but there are very few left now. The family has always had a passion for good produce and that can be seen in the shop today. For instance, we have different sorts of potatoes depending on how people want to cook them – there’s much more variety here than in the supermarkets. “For the majority of the year, most of our veg comes from the local area. During the height of the summer we go direct to many farms to collect produce cut just for us, sometimes having it on sale in the shop within two hours of it leaving the field - you simply can’t get fresher.”
James Turner, grandfather of John and Peter, at Windy Arbour, on what is now the shop car park
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John sadly passed away in 2010 but his good work continues thanks to his daughter Rachel Rigby and her husband, Geoff, who now run the shop with assistance from Pam.
Rachel with Geoff and ‘shop duty manager’ Jamie Bailey The changeover came at a time when people were becoming more aware of environmental issues and wanting to know where their food is coming from. As a result, farm shops have experienced something of resurgence… and Windy Arbour has reaped the benefits. To meet the new demand, the farm not only stocks fruit and veg, it has a fine array of other produce such as meat, dairy, pastas, jams and preserves, sauces and essential cooking ingredients. Looking around the clean, bright, well-stocked farm shop, it’s clear that locally-sourced and in-season produce is important to the Turners. Rachel said: “It’s a family business and we work together as a family. We’ve always had support from people like mum, Uncle Peter and dad. Whenever we wanted to try something new, they backed us and that is fantastic. It was their hard work which first got the farm its good reputation, and it’s now our job to not only keep the trust our customers have in us, but also build on it. Over the years, people’s tastes and expectations have changed and we always try to match that.” Geoff added: “Several times a week we get people saying ‘you can get everything here’ and that’s what we try to offer. People nowadays are more interested in where their food comes from, but they are also busy, so convenience is really important. That’s why we are open seven days a week.” And it seems the farm is in safe hands for some time to come yet. Last year, Rachel and Geoff celebrated the arrival of their son George… a name which comes from the Greek word for farmer! “Who knows, he may carry on the proud family tradition,” smiles Rachel.
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Moss Bank Gala Organisers have confirmed that this year’s Moss Bank Gala - the 36th since it was started back in 1978 - takes place on Saturday, July 12. Events kick off at 1pm with Parr Brass Band and Mucky Mountain Morris Dancers. The Gala parade is at 1.30pm from Moss Bank Mission, on Moss Bank Road, onto The Green opposite the Black Horse pub, and will be led by the Gala Queen and her entourage children in fancy dress, Parr Brass Band and Morris dancers. Following the crowning of the Gala Queen and children’s fancy dress competition, there’s more music and chance to join in with the Morris dancers. Any children up for more activity will enjoy taking part in a Mini Olympics. There is also a free craft tent, local charity stalls and children’s fairground. Children can enter all the competitions, taking their entries by 1.15pm; home baking, making a miniature garden and pictures. Not to be left out, adults can also enter the competitions; homemade cakes, home grown garden flower display and homegrown fruit and/or veg.
Throughout the afternoon the family can enjoy the music, sample refreshments in the Gala Café, face painting, follow the Tug-of-War and support the Bernard Wilson Memorial Raffle in memory of one of the founder members of the Gala. Prizegiving takes place at 4pm. Funds raised by the Gala go back into next year’s Gala, to Willowbrook Hospice and to Help for Heroes. If anyone would like to volunteer some time to help make the arrangements beforehand and the day itself a success, please call Christa on 07776 348277.
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Who’s There... Two Time Lords are heading to St Helens in July! Dr Who Day has been confirmed for Saturday, July 5, and will feature striking lookalikes of both Tom Baker’s fourth incarnation and the more recent David Tennant character. They will be appearing with the famous Tardis and trusty robot sidekick K9 along with some of the Doctor’s most feared opponents from over the years, including both Daleks and Cybermen. The show is from 11am-4pm and there will be plenty of opportunities for fans to have their pictures taken with all the characters. Other forthcoming town centre events include Summer Streets from Thursday, July 31, to Saturday, August 2,in Church Square and Church Street and the hugely popular Summer Beach from Tuesday, August 5, until Saturday, August 30, in Church Square
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Competition
Win A £200 Holiday Voucher Our high streets have seen massive change over the past few decades, with some leading brands disappearing virtually overnight. But locally, there’s one name which not only remains reassuringly familiar, but continues to go from strength to strength.
Mandi Grundy, from the Gidlow Lane area of Wigan, has been at Marken since it opened. She told Local Life: “I was 21 when I came here but had worked at other travel agencies, including Frames on Market Street in Wigan. I actually used to live in the flat above Marken Travel but this was eventually turned into Gordon’s office. It was a good team and we started getting loyal customers almost straight away, a number of who are still with us today.”
Marken Travel opened up in Billinge just over 30 years ago. The company was initially a set of Cheshirebased travel agencies, and the name came from an amalgamation of the original owners’ Christian names, Mark and Ken.
In 1988, the ownership changed hands and it was bought by Sheila Barlow, who was Gordon Clark’s PA, and by Trish Valentine, who worked as a travel advisor. Two years later, Carla Hesketh started at Marken as a 23-year-old. Like her colleagues, Carla already had experience in the tourism industry having worked at other agencies. 11 years later, Carla bought out Trish’s part of the business, and in 2006 she became the sole proprietor upon purchasing Sheila’s share.
In 1983, its managing director, Gordon Clark, who lived in Moss Bank, set his sights on having the company’s first branch outside Cheshire, and chose Billinge. His vision became a reality later that year when they opened up in a former dress shop at 200 Main Street in December.
Working alongside Carla and Mandi are travel advisors Carley Ashton and Malcolm Shearim, who are both from St Helens and have been at Marken for eight years and six years respectively. “We’ve seen many different changes over the years,” says Carla, who lives in Up Holland. “20 years ago, I’d have said Spain was the number one holiday destination but nowadays it’s so mixed that you can’t single out a particular place.
From left: Malcolm Shearim, Carla Hesketh, Mandi Grundy and Carley Ashton
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“The internet also changed a lot and in the beginning people started booking holidays online. However, people have started to realise the benefits of booking
via an agency such as Marken. For instance, there’s the protection we offer through being ABTA bonded, to the Tour Operators we use being Atol. If you’ve booked online and something goes wrong, it’s sometimes difficult or impossible to get to speak to someone. Here, we have a team Marken owner Carla Hesketh which has almost 120 years’ combined experience between us in the travel industry and who you can speak to face-to-face. As an Independent Travel Agency we have access to the whole travel market, we also keep our customers updated with current offers via a weekly email, if you would like to subscribe please email us at admin@markentravel. co.uk - you can also like us on facebook. We believe in customer service and attention to detail, the feedback we receive suggests this is why our customers book with us year on year. On behalf of the team I would like to say a massive thank you for your loyalty and support and a personal thank you to my staff “you are amazing “ However, it isn’t all about business, as Carla explained: “We do educational talks in schools and even had school visits here at the shop. We’ve also sponsored local sports teams and attend local events. We think it’s important to be very community-focused.” Marken Travel, 200 Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PE Tel: 01744 893291 www.markentravel.co.uk
Win a £200 Jet2 holiday voucher
All you need to do is to complete the wordsearch and return it to Marken Travel, 200 Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PE or email your answers to admin@markentravel.co.uk Entries must arrive no later than July 31. The draw will be made on Friday August 1.
T C R O A T I A A X L F E P Q E Y J S R B N N R A A I A U M N P C B N Z O A N E C V R U A E R F L K L X Z V N Y O O A J R U D T E A A C X E M T M F O I S D C G R J K K R Q W E A R F V R S O R H R A I C O O D C E A E T O R U P P R A G U E A B A E M P T W Z B E D Y I Y P Find as many holiday destinations as you can! Name ....................................................................................................
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To be in with a chance, simply complete the wordsearch on the right and send your entry to Marken Travel, 200 Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PE or email your answers to admin@markentravel.co.uk
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Marken Travel are giving you the chance to win a fantastic £200 voucher to spend on your next Jet2holiday.
Address ................................................................................................
To celebrate Marken Travel’s 30th anniversary, Local Life have teamed up with them and Jet2 Holidays to give away a £200 Jet2 holiday voucher.
Your entry must be with us by 5pm on Thursday, July 31. Pictures of the lucky winners will appear in a future edition of Local Life.
WIN A £200 HOLIDAY VOUCHER!
............................... Post Code ............................................................ Phone .................................................................................................... Email ......................................................................................................
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37
Playing it cooL David Sudworth meets the retired Lancashire funnyman who continues to make a big impression on today’s comedians…
After a lifetime of making people laugh, Phil Cool just can’t help himself. We’re at the Lancashire-born comedian’s farmhouse in Ribble Valley. The chat is light-hearted but poignant in parts, thoughtful but also mischievous. And of course, there’s the odd impression thrown in for good measure. “Hello…. good evening… and welcome,” says Cool, his face now looking more like Sir David Frost than the late, great inquisitor himself. It’s hard not to laugh. Although it’s a year since he announced his official retirement from one-man stand-up, it seems the 66-year-old can still turn on the old magic – the same gift which he discovered while a schoolboy at St Augustine’s in Chorley. “I discovered I could change my face into different shapes when I was about 12, I wrote a poem about our pottery teacher, Mr Lester, which went to the tune of Mr Froggy Goes A-Courtin’ and it made everyone laugh. “Once I knew I could do that, I’d get a real buzz out of it. It would get the adrenaline pumping and when I started doing gigs I’d still feel the effects of it three days later.”
a sort of ‘keeping up with the Joneses’ feeling, and I remember we had a blue-green trellis on the side of the house complete with great lupins and Lily of the Valley. We were the only family in the street to have a golden privet hedge, everyone else had green. “I recall we had an Anderson air raid shelter in the back garden which dad painted with black tar from Lostock Hall and he used it as a coal bunker. “Every decade or so I go back there and it all seems a lot smaller now. When I was growing up, Milton Terrace was on the edge of the countryside. It was my happy hunting ground, with places such as Cabbage Hall and Dickinson’s Farm.” At 15, he left school for a job at the old Stuttard’s cotton mill on Railway Road in the town before moving on to be an electrician. However, he harboured ambitions to make it in the world of entertainment, and took inspiration from Manchester folk-singer turned funnyman Mike Harding. He’d regularly try out material at the Laughing Gas Comedy Club, held at Clouseau’s night spot which was in the basement of the Royal Oak pub on Market Street, Chorley.
Born at Chorley Hospital on April 17, 1948, as Philip Martin, he lived a stone’s throw away from the town centre at 7 Milton Terrace. “There’s no blue plaque up yet,” notes Phil wryly in his soft Lancashire brogue. His dad, Tony Martin, who died in 1965, was a French polisher by trade and worked at Leyland Motors, doing dashboards for cars. His mum, Clara, worked at Yates’s Wine Lodge and the family of five, including Phil’s siblings Jim and Rita, enjoyed living on the ‘Poets Estate’. “It was a lovely street. The bottom of the street faced west so it had full sun, and we had the River Chor at the bottom. People took pride in their garden, there was
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Phil in full flow at Clouseau’ s
“I started out doing folk songs and then sort of went into comedy, a cross between Mike and Freddie Starr,” says Cool. “The first time Mike ever saw me was at Band on the Wall in Manchester and I was doing impressions on Tony Wilson and Bob Greaves from Granada Reports. “Mike then mentioned me to Chris Tarrant and he eventually got me onto his Saturday Stayback programme in 1983, which was filmed entirely in pubs in Birmingham.” It was early on in his fledgling career, 1980 to be precise, that Phil realised in order to make it big, he’d have to ditch his family surname.
With Jasper Carrott
“I was due to make my TV debut on Rock With Laughter. To work on TV back then you used to have to be a member of the actors’ union Equity, and they didn’t allow people with the same name to be registered. There was another Phil Martin near Manchester so we came up with a few ideas. Someone said it should be Phil Loon but I didn’t like it. I said I wanted to retain a bit of cool so that’s when we hit on the idea of calling myself Phil Cool. I must admit that even after all these years, I’m not happy about having to go under a different name.” While on Stayback, he was spotted by John Lloyd, who now produces QI, the BBC quiz show fronted by Stephen Fry. “John was working on Spitting Image at the time and they used me for some of the canned laughter. I did impressions of people like Mick Jagger, David Frost and Holly Johnson, who was the lead singer of Frankie Goes to Hollywood” From this, although a comparatively late starter, Phil’s career undertook a stratospheric rise which included spots on Pebble Mill at One and eventually landed him his own show, Cool It. Running from 1985-1990, the BBC 2 show was coproduced by Jasper Carrot and Phil penned all his own gags. The first series was such a success that it was repeated within a few months, back then a remarkable feat for a hitherto unknown.
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However, Phil admits to never feeling completely comfortable on screen: “I never really liked doing TV because it’s a strange environment; the lights, the studio, just everything about it. They haven’t got the atmosphere of a dusty, old theatre. “After doing a lot of TV, my stuff became less punchy. It was a mixture of getting tired after hectic recording schedules and also you can only use the material once or twice whereas when you’re on tour you can use the same stuff for six months.” Despite his reluctance for the small screen, plaudits continued to come his way. In 1987 he was asked to perform at The Secret Policeman’s Third Ball in aid of Amnesty International. His routines were by now also available on demand thank to the explosion of home video players in the 1980s, and official footage of his performances sold well.
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His career suffered a blow in 2000 when he had a heart attack, and in 2011 underwent a quadruple bypass. Naturally though, Phil couldn’t resist cracking a joke: “I remember when a nurse was giving me an enema and I got a naughty urge to do a Kenneth Williams impression and say ‘Ooh matron!’ I decided against it in the end. “I’m fine now. I visit the gym twice a week and go for lots of walks.” Last year, at the age of 65, Phil decided to retire from one-man shows, citing that he’d had his fill over travelling all over the country, the endless traffic jams and living out of a suitcase. Unlike some of his contemporaries, Cool has decided to stay loyal to his Lancashire roots, having lived in Timber Brook, Astley Village, on Laurel Avenue in Euxton and on Long Close, Leyland, before moving to the Forest of Bowland where he now lives with wife Bev. And it’s a venue in his hometown, at Chorley Little Theatre, where he’ll step out on stage with his 19-year-old son, Joe Martin, for An Evening of Comedy and Music this September. “I’m really looking forward to it. Joe has a real talent and I’ll be there doing some of my comedy songs which the audience expects.”
So what advice does he have for youngsters like Joe who want a career in show business? “To make it you’ve just got to keep at it. When you feel like dropping out, you really need to keep going. I was an electrician until 26 and only got my own TV show at 37. It was hard work and I struggled because I did it my own way. I tried to do it differently; some things worked and some things didn’t. I once did a few shows on a cruise ship and it went so badly that I was praying for an iceberg” However, his verdict is damming when it comes to TV talent shows: “With The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent it has just opened the floodgates into the business. People are now famous for being famous and the whole showbiz thing has been vulgarised. My old manager from Wigan wanted to get me on New Faces or Opportunity Knocks and he couldn’t understand why I didn’t want to. I thought it was the height of crassness… and totally not Cool.” An Evening of Comedy and Music with Phil Cool and Joe Martin takes place on Saturday, September 27, at 7.30pm at Chorley Little Theatre, Dole Lane. Tickets are £15 and available from Malcolm’s Musicland on 01257 264362. His autobiography, Phil Cool - Stand Up Chameleon, is available via iTunes.
Phil with Local Life editor David Sudworth
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Puzzle Corner - Solutions
Yee-hah! A bunch of rootin’ tootin’ baby cowboys in Rainford have been dressing up and having fun to raise money for premature babies. Mums and babies from the Rainford Baby Sensory group took part in a cowboy themed class on Tuesday, June 17. Baby Sensory has classes all over the country and this year has teamed up with Tommy’s charity to raise funds for research into premature births and miscarriage. Class leader, Lorraine MacArthur told Local Life, “Tommy’s wanted to raise £100,000 with this Baby Sensory fundraiser and as of last week the total is up to £127,000 and still increasing, I would just like to say a big well done to everyone.”
Eddleston Field Boost The John Eddleston Fields in Billinge are set for a £50,000 funding boost. It comes after the Rainford Road venue was named as one of 97 sports projects across England to receive National Lottery funding from Sport England’s Protected Playing Fields Fund. Work will include levelling out the football pitch and regarding the surface, helping to reduce fixture cancellations.
The photo on page 26 is of Mains Street, Billinge.
Clifford Stockley, chairman of the John Eddleston Field Society, and Julie Smith, Trustee of the Society, said “We are delighted Sport England has approved funding to allow us to carry out vital improvements to the pitches. These improvements mean that this sports facility can now be enjoyed by our community for many years to come.” Sport England chairman Nick Bitel said “We know how valuable playing fields are to communities throughout the country, giving individuals and teams somewhere to get active and enjoy sport. This fund allows us to maintain and protect these spaces so that high quality sport pitches are available in the heart of communities.”
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Recipe of the month
Pizza Turnovers Easy to make and perfect for any party.
Method 1) To make the pizza sauce, chop the onion and pepper finely put in a pan with the oil on a medium heat. 2) When the onion is soft add the passata and the tomato puree, stir in well, add the oregano and salt and pepper and leave to simmer for 5 minutes. When cooked take off the stove and leave to cool. 3) Take the puff pastry and roll onto a floured surface about 3-4 mm thick. Cut into 12 equal squares. 4) Beat the egg in a cup and brush the squares.
Ingredients • 500g packet ready roll puff pastry • 1 egg • 1 onion • 400g tub passata • ½ green pepper • 2 tablespoons cooking oil • 2 tablespoons tomato puree • Pepper and salt • Teaspoon oregano • 5 thinly sliced mushrooms • 4 slices of ham chopped • 250g Grated Mozzarella cheese
Equipment One flat tray covered with baking parchment
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5) Spoon the tomato sauce diagonally along each square, place on the sliced mushrooms and the chopped ham. 6) Place a handful of mozzarella cheese on each square and in the opposite corners and squeeze them to seal in the filling. Place on a baking sheet. 7) Brush the outside with egg and bake on the middle shelf in the oven (Oven gas 4-5 190c) until pastry is golden brown and cooked underneath.
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Jack’s Tracks
White Coppice Patience is a virtue, and sadly not one which I possess in abundance. I yearn to be like those who are happy to amble along, enjoying the moment. But alas it is not to be… my mind is always racing ahead, and it was certainly the case for this walk. However, if one platitude in the first sentence of this article isn’t enough for you, here’s another; that everything comes to he who waits. This was certainly the case for our afternoon drive to White Coppice on the eastern outskirts of Chorley.
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At just over 3.5 miles, this route is pretty diverse, passing through woods, quarries, farmland, a cricket club and a hamlet. The sound of water is never far away, and with those who are willing to veer off the formal route, some of the waterfalls are magnificent. We decided to go anti-clockwise, simply because the first part is fairly energy-sapping even for seasoned walkers. We left the car at a quiet fishing club car park just off Higher House Lane, ventured south-eastwards for a while before taking a private road into Healey Nab wood, which bills itself as a ‘true gateway’ to the West Pennine Moors. There’s even a chance to catch a glimpse of a roe deer or brown hare. You may even spot a green hairstreak butterfly, for which the site has been given Biological Heritage Status. Once out of the woods, there’s a rather steep traverse past the area’s historical quarries which after years of being mined are now silent. You will eventually emerge on to Healey Fold Lane (a bridleway). At this point, you do need to keep your wits about you as it is easy to go off in the wrong direction. I know because we did exactly that. You need to go right for a short distance, before entering the field on your left, heading across to where the footpath continues down through the tree line to the north end of Anglezarke Reservoir. From here it’s a short walk along Moor Road, passing the quaint Heapey
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Waterman’s Cottage and crossing the bridge, before taking a left and heading north besides Stronstrey Bank and The Goit canal. This is a great little stretch and, to be frank, a blessed relief after some of the gloop we had encountered underfoot in parts of Healey Nab. However, my relief is short-lived as we appeared to be sharing our route with a fair few sheep and lambs. Don’t misunderstand me, I’ve nothing against these cuddly creatures per se, indeed I’m partial to a few slices with my Sunday lunch, but I’m just a bit nervous of anything which has four legs and can’t talk. It goes without saying that if you have a dog with you, stick it on a lead well in advance. Our impromptu meeting passed without incident.
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when a game is in play. You’ll find a game at White Coppice every Saturday between now and August 30 inclusive, with all games starting at 1.30pm. There are two games in September (on 6 and 13) and these start at 1pm. There’s no admission charge and for further details, visit www.whitecoppicecc.co.uk
The path eventually takes you across The Goit and for me, this is where the hard work and mishaps of before became well worth it. For in front of you is the welcoming view of 140-year-old White Coppice Cricket Club. I can’t pretend to watch the sport, let alone understand the rules, but there is something very distinctly English about the sight of a rural cricket pitch. The public footpath runs through the grounds, so no matter what time of year it is, you can marvel at its charm, which is heightened by the presence of a number of quaint cottages at pitch side. To make the experience even better, you really should time the walk so that you arrive
Tithe
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Once away from the club, we pass through a charming hamlet which boasts the rather unusual sight of a ford. We then veer off leftwards over a stile and on to some more farmland as we make our way back to the car park. The journey was not without its excitement as once again we were sharing our space with some four-legged friends, this time a herd of cows. Although weary, I
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No Stone Left Unturned... The quarries at Healey Nab may now be disused, but they played an important part in the region’s infrastructure. Quarrying was still taking place there until the late 1960s, and the stone excavated from Healey Nab was actually used for the construction of the nearby M61 motorway.
picked up enough pace to cross the pasture in record time, leaving our fearless cameraman Peter to take a few snaps while I watched from the sanctuary of the next field. From this juncture, it was a fairly straight path beside the Heapey reservoirs back to the car park, saying hello to a few of the anglers who had pitched up with their tents and assorted baits. We clocked this walk at 3.5 miles and it took us 1 hour and 30 minutes. As I said a few pages ago, perseverance is important with this walk but there are treasures to be found on the home leg. And with great motorway links via the M6 or M61, these are treats which every Local Life reader can enjoy.
Indeed, Healey Nab was the main source of its materials, contributing to the five million tonnes needed to form the embankments and backfill the peat which had been removed to lay the foundations for the road surface. Another source of material was an old tip at Blackrod from where some 300,000 tons of burnt colliery shale was obtained. After a two year construction phase, the motorway was eventually opened to traffic on the November 28, 1969.
Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.
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What’s On in the North West Friday, July 4, to Sunday, July 6 The Northern Home Show Held at Manchester Central, it’s the perfect place to find the right products and services to create your dream home. If you’re keen to learn a new skill then the DIY Workshops should be your first port of call. The show’s workshops are ideal for anyone wanting to learn how to tackle DIY projects around the home as well as learning preventative maintenance skills. Manchester Central, Windmill Street, M2 3GX. Tickets are only £8 per person on the door and children under 16 go free. For more information and advance tickets, visit www.northernhomeshow.co.uk Saturday, July 5, and Sunday, July 6 Open Studio Sale Weekend All work is hand made by glass designer Stephanie Bowen at the studio and pieces can be made to order to suit any space including splashbacks. There will be a wide range of pieces on show with many having up to 70% off. Orders placed on the weekend will receive 30% off the normal retail price. 10am–4pm on both days at Morpheus Glass, Unit 11, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB.
Saturday, July 5 Chris Packham’s Wild Night Out Chris goes wild across the country with an entertaining and informative look at some of nature’s most popular and interesting species. Illustrated with his superb photographs from around the world and from his beloved UK, he explains the fascinating ecologies and behaviours or a range of creatures from Leopards to Barn Owls, from Cheetahs to Pond Skaters, from Polar Bears to Peregrines. 8pm at The Albert Halls, Bolton. All tickets £16 through The Albert Halls’ Box Office 01204 334400.
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Sunday, July 5 Symphony at the Tower with Katherine Jenkins International classical superstar Katherine Jenkins is set to appear at our Symphony at the Tower concert in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice. Starts 6pm. Hoghton, near Preston, PR5 0SH. Prices range from £36.50 (up to and including the day before the concert), £40.00 (on the day) and VIP tickets at £149.00, all plus booking fee. Tickets are available from www.seetickets.com Thursday, July 10, to Sunday, July 13 Wigan International Jazz Festival Jools Holland & His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra are among the top names to feature at this year’s festival. A very limited number of returned tickets are being released on the Monday, June 16, and Friday, July 4, subject to availability. The tickets will be in the general seating (£36.50) and bench seating areas (£33). Call 01942 828271. For the full Jazz Festival programme, visit www.wlct. org/wigan/whats-on/jazz/ Saturday, July 12 Rainford Summer Festival Rainford High Technology College is proud to present Rainford Summer Festival 2014. Last year the festival, which is hosted on the school site, enjoyed unprecedented success with crowds of over 3,000 people enjoying fun in the sun! 11am-7pm at Rainford High, Higher Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8NY. For further information call 01744 885914 or email festival@rainford.org.uk Sunday, July 13 Neil Young & Crazy Horse Young is acclaimed as one of the most important composers and performers of all time. His work ranges from the beautiful and moving folk sounds he has produced as a solo artist and with Crosby, Stills & Nash to the powerful & energetic rock as a result of his collaboration with Crazy Horse. Starts 7.30pm at Liverpool Echo Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool waterfront, L3 4FP. Tickets from £35 to £55 by calling 0844 854 1355. Wednesday, July 16, to Saturday, July 19 Disney’s Little Mermaid Presented by Chorley Youth Theatre and based on the Hans Christian Andersen story. In a magical kingdom fathoms below, the beautiful young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above. But first, she’ll have to defy her father King Triton, make a deal with the evil sea witch Ursula, and convince Prince Eric that she’s the girl with the enchanting voice. 7.30pm-9.30pm at Chorley Little Theatre, Dole Lane, PR7 2RL. 2.30pm performance on Saturday, July 19. Adults £8, children £5, family (two adults and two children) £22. Tickets on sale from Malcolm’s Musicland on 01257 264362.
Wednesday, July 16, to Thursday, August 28 Cinderella Enjoy Cinderella by the seaside at it shows at Blackpool’s North Pier. Starring Britain’s Got Talent finalist Stephen Hall as The King. A fun filled day for all the family guaranteed! Tickets cost £11.25 via www.northpierblackpool. co.uk Friday, July 18 Toploader Formed in 1997, Toploader achieved over two million album sales. Their cover of King Harvest’s song ‘Dancing in the Moonlight’ became a global hit for the band. They’ve supported the likes of Coldplay, Paul Weller, Robbie Williams and Bon Jovi. The band line-up is four of the five original members; Joseph Washbourn, Dan Hipgrave, Rob Green and Matt Knight. St Helens Citadel, Waterloo Street, WA10 1PX. Doors open at 7.30pm. Tickets are £15 via the Box Office on 01744 735 436. Thursday, July 24, to Saturday, July 26 The Gruffalo Don’t miss Tall Stories’ hit musical stage adaptation of the award winning picture book, The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. It is the perfect family treat with plenty of songs, laughs and scary fun for children aged 3-plus and their grown-ups. 10.30am & 1.30pm at the Charter Theatre, Preston Guildhall, Lancaster Road, PR1 1HT. Tickets £11, schools/groups £8.50 available via www.prestonguildhall.com
Friday, August 1 Whiskey In The Jar 25th Anniversary One of the north’s favourite Irish folk band celebrate their 25th Anniversary. They will be joined by members old and new as they work their way through a great repertoire of timeless Irish folk songs that will have you singing along and dancing in the aisles. Chorley Little Theatre, Dole Lane, Chorley, PR7 2RL. Tickets are £10 and available now from Malcolm’s Musicland on 01257 264362. Thursday, August 14, - Sunday, August 17 Southport Flower Show This is the UK’s largest independent flower show and a great day out. Located in Victoria Park and within easy walking distance of the town centre, it attracts around 70,000 visitors. The event will feature stunning show gardens, the finest flower and vegetable displays, specialist foods and books, celebrity guests and much more. Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport, PR8 2BZ. Tickets from £17. Call 01704 547147. Saturday, August 16, and Sunday, August 17 Around The World In 80 Days Adapted from Jules Verne’s classic novel, the show races its way across the globe, taking in continents, intrigue, love and even an elephant - all in the name of a bet. A cast of eight will transport you around the world via 108 characters, 33 scenes and some wonderfully funny feats of imagination in the Royal Exchange’s unique space. Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, M2 7DH. Tickets range for £14.50-£36. Call 0161 833 9833. Wednesday, August 20, to Tuesday, August 26 International Beatleweek The annual International Beatleweek Festival celebrates the music of the most famous pop group the world has ever known. This is truly an international event with bands from over 20 countries and fans from over 40. As well as live gigs, there are exhibitions, memorabilia sales, guest speakers, video shows, sightseeing tours and a convention. Various locations around Liverpool, including The Cavern on Mathew Street. For more details, visit www.cavernclub.org/beatleweek
Sunday, July 25 The Sooty Show Izzy Wizzy Lets get busy – It’s The Sooty Show! Direct from CITV, Sooty heads into town in a fabulous new show to delight the whole family. Joining the nation’s favourite bear will be Sweep, Soo and Sooty’s TV partner, Richard Cadell. 11am and 2.30pm at Parr Hall, Palmyra Square South, Warrington, WA1 1BL. Tickets £13.65 on 0844 847 2277.
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Sunday, August 31 Steaming Sunday The Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine is one of the largest and finest working examples of its type, and regarded as a feat of industrial engineering. Visit to look in awe at this giant’s immense size and power, but more importantly, experience it working as it did all those years ago - full steam ahead! Trencherfield Mill Engine, Wigan Pier Quarter, Heritage Way, Wigan, WN3 4EF. Prices: adult £4, children under 12/concessions £2, family ticket £10, group booking – over 15 people attending receive a 20% discount. Call 01942 777566 or 01942 828128
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Test Drive - by Tim Barnes-Clay
Peugeot 308
Peugeot must have sprinkled fairy dust over its designers, because there are now a number of attractive motors in its automotive stable.
technology, comfort and practicality.
It’s no secret that the French firm hasn’t always produced beautiful cars – yet, conversely, Peugeot has created some of the most popular vehicles on the road.
The appearance of the Pug is more akin to the latest Mercedes Benz A-Class than anything else.
Moving on up To bring more of a balance to the automaker’s looks department, the brand is moving upmarket. It’s an initiative started several years ago and seen most recently with the 208 and 2008. The initial design brief of the New 308 had the highest levels of quality at its heart and that has been more than noticed already. Crowned 2014 European Car of the Year at the Geneva Motor Show, the suave Peugeot offers a touch of
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Another prize-winner The new 308 is the fourth Peugeot model to be distinguished by the Car of the Year accolade; it comes after the 307 (2002), 405 (1988) and 504 (1969).
The front of the car is dominated by a floating front grille and a strong lighting signature. Slim full-LED headlamps glitter like diamonds and the striking illumination continues at the rear, with the three Peugeot lion claws drawn by piercing red LED lamps. Indulgent interior Inside, the 308 includes a touch-screen panel on the dashboard for added indulgence. It also has a practical purpose: it brings together many of the infotainment controls in one place, for ease of use and to create a contemporary and uncluttered cabin.
Everything is arranged for an experience that is intuitive and relaxing so that you can focus entirely on the road ahead. The head-up instrument layout means that information can be clearly read easily and safely, looking over rather than through the wheel. Good performance under pressure The Peugeot also has a compact steering wheel and newly developed electric power steering, resulting in a responsive and controlled driving experience. My 1.6, 156bhp petrol-powered Feline model certainly impressed me with its ability to stick to the road and hug bends - even when pushed hard. The car is stuffed to the brim with safety packages too As well as multiple airbags it has an Emergency Collision Alert System, which gives out an audible warning should you get too close to the backside of someone else – or if you’ve just not braked in time.
FAST FACTS • Max speed: 132 mph • 0-62 mph: 8.4 secs • Combined mpg: 48.7
Impressive safety features
• Engine: 1598cc 4 cylinder 16 valve petrol
The 308 is also furnished with an Emergency Collision Braking System.
• Max. power (bhp): 156 at 6000 rpm
This is a clever bit of gadgetry where, in the event of a possible crash, automatic braking is triggered to prevent the impact or reduce the consequences.
• CO2: 134 g/km
• Max. torque (lb/ft): 180 at 1400 rpm • Price: £21,345
What’s more, the five-door car offers great fuel economy, without compromising too much on space. There’s plenty of room for luggage and shopping, as well as for you and your front-seat passenger. Rear-seat travellers don’t have quite so much legroom, but headroom is fine and rest of the car is cosseting enough to provide a soothing ride. The new 308 is seriously worth considering if you’re after a mediumsize family motor. The fact that the model will also be manufactured and sold in China indicates just how much belief there is in this car.
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© M93 / Wikimedia Commons / CC-BY-SA-3.0 (DE)
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Competition - win tickets to...
Lucky Local Life readers are being offered the chance to win one of five pairs of tickets to Southport Flower Show in our fantastic reader competition. The UK’s largest independent flower show returns this summer for its 85th year, from Thursday, August 14, to Sunday, August 17, at Victoria Park in Southport, to feature the very best in garden design, gourmet food and entertainment. Attracting around seventy thousand visitors, the four day event will be celebrating this year’s World Cup in Brazil with plenty of entertainment, events and garden designs all taking their inspiration from Brazilian styles and culture. Strictly Come Dancing star Anton du Beke will be waltzing around the wisteria and fox-trotting through the foxgloves as he launches this year’s show on Thursday, August 14. Anton has not only competed in every series of the hit BBC show, partnering a string of high profile celebrities, he has also presented the cookery programme Step Up To The Plate and quiz show Hole In The Wall. Anton will present a variety of trophies on the day including the Best in Show as well as meeting visitors. There will be a host of different celebrities in attendance over the four days including celebrity chefs, gardening experts and TV stars.
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# There will be show gardens with over a million blooms on display and more than 350 independent stalls and shops, plus live music and entertainment provided throughout the event. The show also boasts the North West Food Festival which will feature more than 60 gourmet producers offering the opportunity to sample and buy goods in the food marquee. There is also a full working kitchen where celebrity chefs will be demonstrating their skills and signature dishes.
Across 3. Show is held in Southport’s _ Park 6. Show attracts _ thousand visitors
Down 1. 2. 4. 5.
South American theme of 2014 Flower Show Show incorporates the NW _ Festival Flower Show opens on Thursday 14th _ ‘Strictly’ star Anton du _ will open the Show
For tickets and all the latest information visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk Name ....................................................................................................
To be in with a chance of winning one of five pairs of tickets, simply complete the crossword on the right hand side and send your entry to: Southport Flower Show Competition Local Life 247 Ltd Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road Orrell Wigan WN5 7XB Or simply email your answers, along with your name, address, postcode and contact number, to crossword@ locallife247.co.uk Your entry must be with us by 5pm on Thursday, July 31. Pictures of the lucky winners will appear in a future edition of Local Life.
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Address ................................................................................................ ..................................................................................................................... ............................... Post Code ............................................................ Phone .................................................................................................... Email ...................................................................................................... Crossword Competition Rules 1. Only one entry per household 2. Entrants must be over 18 years of age 3. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date. 4. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed or damaged in the post. 5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition.
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Garden Diary - by Angie Barker
Love your lawn If you are looking to revamp your garden but don’t want to spend a fortune – a simple trick is to re-shape your lawn. Your sward does not have to resemble a football pitch either to instantly look better with a new shape and the edges defined. It is amazing what a difference it can make to your garden space. First of all consider what shape would best suit your plot. A circular lawn makes a real statement and adds movement, drawing the eye. They are great for small gardens because they make the space feel larger. Curves are good for creating a calming feel in the garden and for dealing with slopes. Don’t be tempted though to make the curves too tight as they can make the garden look fussy – go for sweeping curves which will also be easier to mow. Straight lines can form bold geometric patterns which are more suited to a contemporary style but
Angie is a qualified award-winning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.
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can look equally as good. Square stepping stones laid through turf can be a practical but eye catching way of navigating from one part of the garden to another and children love them! If you have a wide but narrow plot, try shaping the lawn so that the grass gets narrower as it gets further away from the house. It creates the illusion that the garden is actually longer than it is – nifty! Consider installing a brick mowing edge to give further definition and to stop plants which outgrow their border space from spilling out over the lawn and killing off the grass. So give it a try – and if you have a spare corner in the garden somewhere, perhaps at the back of a border, you can stack the turf you’ve removed and after a few months it will rot down and can be returned to the garden. I have to admit I am a bit obsessive when it comes to my lawn - Hubby will confirm it. Bent double almost on hands and knees scouring the turf for any sign of a weed – yes that’s me. And I have to admit - I love my lawn.
Call Angie now for your free consultation! Author: Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk
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• WILSON BROS • Est. 1985
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