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

LocalLife St Helens Edition

Sept/Oct 2020

WIN nbow

Rai

Glass Art

Meet the Chamber Chief Pages 30-31

Free Eggs Offer Page 35

Houghwood Heroes Page 32

Prescot Festival Winner Pages 42-43

Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks - Winter Hill Pages 44-46

Camper Conversions Pages 54-55

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etting through the whole COVID-19 health situation is turning into a bit of a marathon. And as marathon runners know, there often comes a time, usually at the 18-20 mile mark, when a runner hits a “wall”. The early gung-ho spirit displayed a few months ago has been replaced by the weary realisation that there is still some way to normality. For those who wonder if they have enough in the tank to reach the finish line, here are three suggestions to help you do that: Remind yourself of the positives: Six months down the line, you know a lot more about the virus and how to reduce the risk of being exposed to it. Re-commit to your end goal. For a marathon runner, it is completing 26 miles & 385 yards. For you, it is being alive and healthy when this is all over. Don’t focus on the finish line. Just concentrate on getting through the day. That’s all we can do, remain positive and take one step at a time. September is a great month for getting out and about enjoying the last of the summer and, even if events are far and few between this year, there is still some glorious countryside nearby to enjoy. For some inspiration, visit www.locallife247.co.uk, where you can download over 70 free walks! Stay safe and see you at the finishing line,

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

Keep in touch with the LocalLife Team!

LocalLife

Telephone: 01744 649722 info@locallife247.co.uk

locallifemagazine247 @locallifemedia Local Life 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB 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.

This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s highlights 30. Meet the Chamber Chief

Contents 12. Beauty Boost your hair and skin!

18. Food Section Peppered pork steaks & more.

22. Back to School Tech ... for the new normal.

26. Home Interiors A new look for your windows.

32. Houghwood Heroes

34. WIN Rainbow Glass

48. Health Good posture & migraine awareness.

52. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size.

57. Home & Garden Services Find the best local traders for you.

44. Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks - Winter Hill

42. Festival Winner

54. Camper Conversion

Next Issue - November/December 2020

Advertising deadline - 22nd October Published - 5th November

Want to promote your business in

LocalLife?

01744 649722 www.locallife247.co.uk

Kate Braves the Shave Billinger Kate Martin is shaving her hair off in October to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer. Kate, a Countryside Ranger with the National Trust, is braving the shave in honour of her mum, Lesley Clarke who sadly lost a five year-long battle with the blood cancer Myeloma, in March this year. As Local Life went to press, Kate had already raised an amazing £2,100 of her target of £2,250. Teacher Lesley was an active member of the Billinge community and lived in the village for over 40 years. She was a member of the congregation at St Mary’s church, attending the church’s music group, and was a member of several local walking groups during her life. She left behind a husband, son, daughter and two grandchildren.

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Kate told Local Life, “Macmillan nurses supported my Mum throughout her treatment at Whiston and St. Helens hospitals, and they did everything from helping her to complete forms, to organising beauty treatments whilst she was in hospital and finally helping to organise the equipment needed so that she could spend her final weeks at home with us. “All of this support helped both Mum and the family immeasurably during a very difficult time so I want to raise some money to ensure that Macmillan can keep supporting people living with cancer and their families”. To help Kate beat her target of £2,250, please visit her page here; https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/ shavers/kate-martin

Heritage Open Days England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage Open Days, will return in September and is heading outdoors to discover Hidden Nature. Uncovering stories, sites, places and people that traditional history has missed or forgotten has always been at the heart of HODs. Although Heritage Open Days have been scaled back somewhat from previous years, it is hoped that the Hidden Nature events will encourage people to spend time outdoors and discover green spaces they were unaware of or had previously overlooked. Events aren’t limited to those accessible in person either. For the first time, the Heritage Open Days (HODs) programme will feature digital events, enabling nature lovers to take tours and explore the natural world from the comfort of their sofa. Heritage Open Days run from 11-20 September. To search for local venues taking part, visit the website www. heritageopendays.org.uk

Give your Views There is still time to raise your views on how to support cycling and walking in St Helens. A surge in cycling and walking for exercise and essential travel has been seen in St Helens Borough since lockdown started and a Liverpool City Region study found six in ten people asked expected to walk and cycle more even as lockdown measures are eased. And with funding available to improve cycling and walking routes to make them safer and support social distancing now is the time to add your suggestions on how to make a difference across the borough. By taking part in the ‘St Helens Liveable Streets’ consultation, residents can raise an issue by pinning a ‘virtual’ location on a map and leaving suggestions on how active travel and social distancing can be achieved. Comments will help the council to secure emergency funding to deliver walking and cycling facilities, and support project delivery in the future. St Helens Borough Council has already been awarded

funds from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to improve the existing cycle lanes on Jubits Lane/ Chester Lane and Clockface Road in Bold with temporary measures which help separate cycles and cars making it easier to cycle and walk. You can leave your views on this website; https:// sthelensliveablestreets.commonplace.is/ The consultation will close at the end of September.

Craft Fairs Five Craft & Gift fairs in aid of raising vital funds for Age UK Mid Mersey are scheduled to take place in September, October and November at the splendid location of Mansion House in Victoria Park, St Helens. The first of the fairs takes place on Sunday 27th September, running from 11am-4pm. Dates for the other Craft & Gift fairs at the same venue are 24th and 25th October and 7th and 29th November. For more details, or to book a stall, email marissa@ memorylanefairs.com

LEADING LOCAL SPECIALISTS 25 HARDSHAW STREET, ST HELENS, WA10 1RP 2 DERBY STREET, PRESCOT, L34 3LJ

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A Question of Have you ever pondered why your friend’s home looks like something out of Homes and Gardens magazine, and, despite your very best efforts, your home just doesn’t? Is good taste in furnishing and décor something that you’re born with or do you have to sit through hour upon hour of TV makeover shows before you can appreciate the finer nuances of interior design? Well, don’t mention this in company, but it is possible that your friend has the services of an interior designer. Millan Interiors, who are based in the pretty village of Parbold are Lancashire’s best kept secret when it comes to interior design. Since the company was launched over ten years ago, they have transformed some of the finest homes in the area, and the business is going from strength to strength. The driving force and inspiration behind the company is Debbie Peers who opened Millan Interiors in 2008. Her mum was a seamstress and, even from her early years, Debbie knew her creative path was carved for her. After leaving school Debbie studied hard at Art and Design

Taste

and was rewarded with a career at ITV, where she stayed for nearly 20 years. Initially hired to design sets for TV shows, Debbie later was promoted to Producer before she realised her dream of opening Millan Interiors. Adele Headley, Debbie’s business partner, who lives in Eccleston, worked for a lighting design company for twelve years which gave her the inspiration to study design further. She firstly completed a HNC Interior Design and Architecture where she won the student of the year award, and then continued her studies at UCLAN to complete a BA Hons. Interior Design. With a few more awards on the way, she completed her threeyear course in two years before joining forces with Debbie at Millan Interiors. Millan Interiors is a one-stop shop; they supply paint, wallpapers, bespoke curtains & blinds, tracks, poles, cushions, carpets, furniture, lighting, and much more besides. They even have their own in-house workroom with a dedicated seamstress who has over 30 years experience in high quality, hand finished soft furnishings. Their knowledgeable curtain fitter with years of experience is an integral part of their team. He offers expert advice, helping you make informed choices. Millan also provide an upholstery service carried out by expert furniture craftsmen. Their services include the re-cover of sofas, chairs etc as well as in-house design of headboards, footstools and much more. Whether you want a tin of paint or a complete house makeover you’ll be made welcome at Millan Interiors.

9 You can choose from a plethora of the finest names in home furnishings. Farrow and Ball and Little Greene compete to offer you a huge selection of paints and the staff at Millan Interiors are qualified paint consultants for both companies. Looking for wallpaper or fabrics? Choose from hundreds of sample books from the likes of Zoffany, Harlequin, Anthology, Osborne and Little, GP & J Baker, Sanderson, Mulberry, Romo and Designers Guild to name just a few. Not everything at Millan Interiors has a price tag though. The inspiration and advice provided by Debbie and Adele, who between them have decades of experience in home furnishings, is invaluable to anyone wishing to transform their home interiors.

So if you want to create a more impressive home, where you can proudly entertain your family and friends, then do call in and see Debbie and Adele. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t got the first idea about design, or if you’re well accomplished and just looking for some final touches to your décor, this friendly, down-to-earth pair will look after you and help you create the home of your dreams. Millan Interiors 5/7 Mill Lane, Parbold WN8 7NW 01257 46 34 77 www.millaninteriors.co.uk Opening Hours ~ Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri 10am-4pm, Thurs 10am-1pm, Weekends by appointment only

Interior Design Services • Bay Window Specialists • Home Consultations Available

Visit our showroom to view our fine selection of... Soft Furnishings, Upholstery, Furniture & Lighting

Millan Interiors, 5/7 Mill Lane, Parbold WN8 7NW T: 01257 46 34 77 www.millaninteriors.co.uk Proud stockists of

Opening Hours: Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri 10am-4pm, Thurs 10am-1pm, Weekends by appointment only

Amazing Mazes After an enforced and prolonged summer break for many parents, here’s your chance for you to finally tell the kids to ‘get lost’ - at least for a while. September sees the end of the maze ‘season’, but there are still a few days left to enjoy a trip out. Here are three options for your trip out: Closest to home is Kenyon Hall Farm in Croft, just off junction 22 of the M6. Here you can try out the themed Superheroes Maize Maze, paying tribute to all the superheroes who are helping us through the current health trauma. The maze is aimed at children aged 3 - 13 and most people take around 30 minutes to find their way out. Other activities at Kenyon Hall Farm include pick-yourown fruit and there is a café and farm shop. See www.kenyonhall.co.uk for more details. A Maize Maze is just one of the many attractions at Windmill Animal Farm near Burscough, an attraction ideal for pre-school and primary school children.

In addition to the maze, attractions include close ups with rabbits and guinea pigs, there’s a reptile area with a large collection of reptiles from around the world, outdoor play areas and a café. There is also an on-site train which runs round the site every hour, on the hour. See www.windmillanimalfarm.co.uk for more details. Brimstage Maze on the Wirral, just off junction 4 of the M53, is open at weekends throughout September and offers a great time for all the family. Though the indoor play is temporarily closed, the outdoor activities are all open. In addition to the huge maze, other attractions include crazy golf, pedal karts, zip lines, jumping pillows and laser battles. See www.brimstagemaze.co.uk for more details. You must pre-book at all these attractions via the relevant websites.

the auction centre The leading Auctioneers and Valuers

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

Wigan Valuation Days

4th Wednesday of Every Month St Thomas Church, Peter Street, WA10 2EB 9.30 – 12 noon Check website for Details Call 01744 881 477 for more information

2nd Tuesday Of Every Month Purposed Life Church, Greenhough Street, WN1 3SU 12 noon – 2.30pm Check website for Details Call 01942 299 057 for more information

9 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ Telephone: 01928 579796 Email: enquiries@theauctioncentre.co.uk

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HOLIDAYS • SHOrt breAKS • DAY eXcUrSIONS

Great Value breaks London - 20th November - Only £159 4 days/3 nights B&B - The International London Christmas Shopping & Sightseeing Includes transfers from our Docklands hotel into the City

Dumfries – 6th November – Only £169 3 days/2 nights Dinner B&B – Cairndale Hotel Home of spectacular countryside and castles

WHY MeMOrY LANe? 3 Home pick-up for holidays 3 Executive coach travel 3 Quality hotels 3 Local well-established operator

New 2021 brochure out now! Call us now for your Free copy on 01942 728960

Holidays below still available for this year - 2020 Holiday Diary OctOber

Holiday Diary NOVeMber

4/10/20

Bournemouth

6/HB

£349

6/11/20

Dumfries

3/HB

£169

9/10/20

Blackpool & Illuminations

4/HB

£259

9/11/20

Llandudno

5/HB

£259

11/10/20

Jersey by Air

6/HB

£499

9/11/20

Bournemouth Turkey & Tinsel 5/HB

£355 £199

18/10/20

Tenby

6/HB

£369

13/11/20

Llandudno Turkey & Tinsel

4/HB

25/10/20

Killarney, Ireland

6/HB

£479

20/11/20

London

3/B&B

£159

26/10/20

Warner Nottinghamshire

5/HB

£449

23/11/20

Torquay Turkey & Tinsel

5/HB

£369

Check out our September - December day excursions on our website

Call for more details on 01942 728960 or visit www.memorylanetravel.co.uk

Memory Lane Holidays & Travel is a trading name of Ashcrofts Mini Travel Ltd. Company Number 06950361

Beauty Boosts It won’t be long until the weather starts cooling down, but in the meantime we’re still in for a few hot, sticky days. If you’re struggling with the heat, a face mist can help, but they’re often little more than water with a splash of artificial perfume. I tend to use an organic rosewater (£12, www.akamuti. co.uk) instead. If you decant it into an old spray bottle, you can use rosewater as a face mist, toner or cooling spritz. As well as helping to beat hot weather (or in my case hot flushes), rosewater is great for your skin – boosting moisture and leaving skin feeling calmer and softer. It also smells gorgeous. I’m planning to carry on using it throughout autumn and winter to

counteract the drying effects of central heating. Looking for a more wallet-friendly retinol? Dermaworks’ Retinol Night Serum (www.dermaworks.co.uk) is incredibly good value at just £14.95. It’s 2.5% retinol (most high-street retinol serums are only 1%) and it’s packed with other ingredients that your skin will love, including moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid. It’s also vegan, 100% natural and cruelty-free. Over time, it’ll help to repair cells and improve skin texture. For best results, you’ll want to use it for a few months, although you should still see some benefits pretty quickly. My skin feels noticeably softer the morning after using it. And, unlike a lot of other serums I’ve tried, this one doesn’t feel greasy or sticky. Hand sanitisers are certainly handy, but they can also be very drying – leading to sore, cracked skin. Green People’s new Deep Cleaning Hand Foam (£11.50, www. greenpeople.co.uk) is a good alternative. It’s free from alcohol and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), so it won’t strip the skin of its natural oils.

It’s even gentle enough for sensitive skin. It’s over 90% organic, and the antibacterial and antimicrobial properties mainly come from essential oils, including tea tree. And, even better, it’s a dual-purpose foam. You can use it as a hand sanitiser when you’re out and about, and a foaming hand wash back at home. The benefits of retinol are widely known. It’s one of the best ingredients for tackling fine lines and sun damage, boosting collagen production and generally making skin look healthier and fresher. If you’re new to using retinol, Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal products are a great place to start. As with everything from this brand, you know you’re getting skincare that’s the result of months (if not years) of research and has been scientifically proven to work. The eye cream has only been out for a few months but is already getting rave reviews. It feels lovely to apply and it’s safe to say that I agree with the 93% of testers who’ve seen a reduction in lines and wrinkles. It’s £70 at www.murad.co.uk.

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Cuppa for Macmillan What’s not to like about an event dubbed the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning - drinking coffee, eating cake and raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity that offers so much help to cancer sufferers each year. The event raised over £27 million pounds in 2019 as people all over the UK hosted their own coffee mornings. With the COVID restrictions in place, it’s going to be difficult to top that target this year so Macmillan are urging as many people as possible to sign up to host their own coffee mornings. Signing up is easy and you’ll even receive a free Coffee Morning Fundraising Kit to get you started. Fresh on the menu this year are socially distanced coffee mornings and virtual coffee mornings, and there are plenty of ideas on the Macmillan website to help. Take coffee mornings to your loved ones with doorstep deliveries, host garden coffee mornings, hold online quizzes are just some of the ideas for this year’s events. The official date for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning is Friday 25 September, though many are held after

Call us now on:

07751 000102 10 North Road St Helens WA10 2TL

or before that date. You can sign up to host a coffee morning or search for a coffee morning near you at www. macmillan.org.uk

Festival Cancelled Ashton-in-Makerfield Festival, the annual cultural and musical extravaganza which has been running in the town successfully for 26 years since 1993 has been cancelled for 2020. The Festival was due to run from 12th26th September.

Gamble Future A public consultation was held on the potential future use of the Gamble Building back in March, and feedback has shown an overwhelming desire by local people to see the building used as a community arts, cultural and educational space. With this in mind, the council’s Integrated Care Services and St Helens Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be potentially relocating to Forster House. The Archives Service will remain in the building.

Equity RElEasE are you aged 55 and over? are you a homeowner?

You may be able to release equity from your home in the form of a lifetime mortgage.

• Paying Off Any Existing Loans, • Credit Cards or Mortgages • Assisting Children with Property Purchase • Purchase a Holiday Home • Home Improvements • Dream holidays • Inheritance Tax Planning www.hansonifa.co.uk

Easy Equity Release is a trading style of Hanson Financial Services. Hanson Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 482628. This is a Lifetime mortgage which may reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to state benefits. To understand the features and risks ask for a Personalised illustration. Any information contained herein is a personal opinion of the author and should not be considered to be advice of any kind. Inheritance Tax planning is not regulated by the FCA. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. By consolidating your debts into a mortgage you may be required to pay more over the entire term than you would with your existing debt. Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes will Hanson Financial Services charge an advice fee, currently not exceeding £1,295. Our adviser will talk through the setting up costs of a lifetime mortgage before you make any decision to proceed.

Cremation Webcasting A webcasting service at St Helens Crematorium which was introduced in lockdown is to be made a permanent arrangement. The webcasting service was brought in to allow family and friends to pay their respects whilst following government guidelines. Since webcasting was introduced, more than 1,300 people have used this facility. Councillor Andy Bowden, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said: “We’re glad to now offer this webcasting service for cremations on a full-time basis, ensuring that family and friends who aren’t able to attend in person, can pay their respects in a dignified way.”

Having a clear out? We can clear your: • House or Garden • Garage or Shed • Office, Warehouse or Shop

If you are arranging a funeral at the Crematorium and want the service to be webcast, speak to your funeral director in the first instance. A consent form will need to be completed and then you’ll receive an invitation to join the streaming time slot, which you can forward via email to others with joining instructions. For more details about this and other services, visit www. sthelens.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-marriages

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YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT. Alexander Ross Mortgages is a trading style of WE Financial Services Limited which is an appointed representative of LJ Financial Planning Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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Queens Award for Trust St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust Voluntary Services were amongst 230 community groups in the UK who have been honoured recently with the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent to an MBE. The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in 2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and aims to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to benefit their local communities. Two members of the group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in May 2021, alongside other recipients of this year’s award. Over 450 people volunteer across Whiston, St Helens and Newton Community hospitals, helping in many different ways by visiting and spending time with patients, supporting hospital staff and assisting the spiritual care team. The Trust holds a recruitment session every two months where potential volunteers are invited to attend and receive a number of brief presentations from key

members of staff about the Trust. If you would like to join the Trust and book a place on the next available induction please email volunteers@sthk.nhs.uk and provide your name and contact details.

Light Up One family event that is not expected to be affected by COVID-19 this autumn is the Blackpool Illuminations. Dubbed as the greatest light show on earth, Blackpool Illuminations enthral millions of visitors every year. Blackpool’s Illuminations season has been extended by two months and will now run from September 4 to January 3, 2021, for the first time in history. However, there will not be a live switch-on event this year. Instead the switch-on will be held in a closed set in the Tower Ballroom and streamed live free on MTV at 8.30pm on Friday 4th September. Performing at the event will be Spice Girl Melanie C, Fleur East, Becky Hill, Tom Grennan, Diversity and Blackpool’s very own Rae Morris. You can find out more about Blackpool Illuminations, including 2020 switch-on times and illuminated tram tours at the website www.visitblackpool.com

Car Parking If you’re a user of the Hardshaw Centre car park in town, please be aware that the payment method has now switched from a ‘pay on foot’ method to a ‘pay and display’ method, so you will need to pay when you initially park the car. Cash payments will still be available and users also have an option to pay via a Pay by Phone app.

Mawdesley Markets

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Markets at the Cedar Farm Galleries near Mawdesley have returned. Fresh local produce and hand-made foodie treats are available at the Farmers Market which runs from 10am-2pm on Saturday 5th September and thereafter on the first Saturday of the month. And if vintage is your thing then don’t miss the Handmade and Vintage Market, where you can browse amongst vintage goodies, clothing and accessories, handmade jewellery, luxury candles, mosaics, soaps, gifts and other beautiful things for the home. This market takes place on Saturday 19th September and thereafter on the third Saturday of the month.

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

READY

in 35 mins Serves 4

Peppered pork steaks with sautéed vegetables Pork steaks are great value and quick to cook. Try them with this tasty vegetable and apple topping for a filling meal.

Ingredients 4 thick-cut pork steaks 2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp dried oregano 1 large parsnip, peeled and diced 2 small turnips, peeled and diced 1 tbsp olive oil 15g butter 1 onion, roughly chopped 1 large apple, peeled, cored and diced 100ml apple juice 1 tsp Dijon mustard TIP: You can use butternut squash or courgette instead of the parsnip and turnips – you won’t need to parboil them before sautéing.

Method 1 Place the pork steaks in a shallow dish. Mix together the pepper, thyme and oregano, and sprinkle half the mixture over the pork steaks, turning to coat. Set aside. 2 Parboil the diced vegetables in a pan of lightly salted boiling water for 2 minutes. Drain well. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Add the onion and vegetables and sauté for 6-8 minutes until almost tender, stirring frequently. 3 Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Add the pork steaks and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until seared and just cooked through. Remove from the pan, cover tightly with foil and rest for 10 minutes. 4 Add the diced apple to the sautéed veg and cook for a further 3-4 minutes until tender and golden, then stir in the remaining pepper and herb mix along with the apple juice and mustard, and bring to the boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half. Adjust seasoning to taste. Serve the pork steaks topped with the sautéed veg and any pan juices.

Cod, Prawn & Parsley Pie

READY in 1hr 15mins Serves 6 Cod and prawns in a smooth herby white sauce topped with fluffy mash, â&#x20AC;&#x201C; itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the ultimate fish pie!

Ingredients

Method

1.6kg floury potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks

1 Cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling, lightly salted water for 1520 minutes until tender.

750g cod fillet

2 Meanwhile, place the cod in a large frying pan and pour over the milk. Add the bay leaf and peppercorns and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5 minutes then remove from the heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove the cod from the pan and set aside. Strain the milk into a large heatproof jug.

1L milk 1 bay leaf Few black peppercorns 75g butter 50g plain flour 3 tbsp freshly chopped parsley 175g frozen peas, thawed 225g large peeled prawns, thawed if frozen 15ml olive oil Sprig of fresh parsley, to garnish TIP: You can use any white fish fillet for this pie - haddock or coley will work just as well. Alternatively, replace half the cod with salmon fillet or smoked haddock, if liked.

3 Melt 50g of the butter in a medium saucepan. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 850ml of the milk. Bring to the boil, stirring all the time, then simmer for 3-4 minutes until you have a smooth, thick sauce. 4 Preheat the oven to 200C, fan 180C, Gas 6. Flake the fish, discarding any skin and bones, and stir into the sauce with the parsley, peas and prawns. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Transfer the mixture to a deep ovenproof dish. 5 Mash the potatoes with the rest of the butter and milk and season to taste. Spoon the mash over the fish mixture to cover. Drizzle over the olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden and bubbling. Serve garnished with a sprig of parsley.

Pear Tart Bourdaloue READY

in 1hr 30min plus chilling Serves 6-8

This classic French tart has a lovely rich almond frangipane filling. Choose pears that are firm, but not rock hard.

Ingredients 225g ready-made puff pastry 75g unsalted butter, softened 75g caster sugar 2 medium eggs, beaten 1 tsp almond extract 75g plain flour 100g ground almonds 3 firm pears, peeled, halved and cored 2 tbsp apricot glaze, warmed (see Tip)

TIP: Look out for small jars of apricot glaze in the baking sections of supermarkets, or make your own by pushing 3-4tbsp of warmed apricot jam through a fine-holed sieve.

Method 1 Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a 23cm round fluted flan tin. Trim the edges and prick the pastry all over with a fork. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. 2 Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, then the almond extract. Sift over the flour and fold in with the ground almonds to make a smooth mixture. Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/Gas 6. Place a heavy baking sheet in the oven to heat up. 3 Spread the mixture in an even layer in the chilled pastry case. Place one pear half, cut side down, on a board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice widthways through the pear half about 10 times. Repeat with the other pear halves, keeping them in their shape. 4 Arrange the sliced pears on top of the almond mixture, fanning them out slightly. Place the flan tin on the hot baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/fan 160C/ Gas 4 and bake for a further 20-25 minutes until golden. Cover the tart loosely with foil for the last 15-20 minutes of the cooking time to prevent the top from over-browning. 5 Leave the tart to cool for 10-15 minutes then glaze the top with the warmed apricot glaze. Serve warm or cold with crĂ¨me fraiche, if liked.

22 IPAD Apple’s world-beating tablet is portable, powerful and has all the apps you need, and with the latest software update it’s also a real alternative to many laptops.

Back to

School Tech for the new normal

It’s £379 from Apple.com. HUAWEI MOBILE WI-FI DONGLE

Technology has always been an important tool for schoolchildren and students, but it’s even more important now: during lockdown it became clear that children and teenagers with access to appropriate technology were better placed for remote learning. Lockdown may be over, but if infection rates rise again then we could go back to ‘blended learning’ where some or all of the school week has to take place at home – and older children are expected to use technology for homework even when things are normal.

If your child can’t get a fast, reliable internet connection for studying this dongle connects to the 4G mobile phone network and creates a Wi-Fi network you can connect multiple devices to. It’s £65 from Logitech.com. It costs from £22 per month at three.co.uk.

FJÄLLRÄVEN KÅNKEN LAPTOP BACKPACK A sturdy, padded backpack is important for carrying tablets or laptops around, and while the Fjällräven Kånken is one of the more expensive ones it’s beautifully made and very fashionable. Be careful, though: this brand is widely counterfeited so only buy from reputable retailers.

And of course, technology isn’t just for studying. It’s also for having fun: video chatting with friends, playing games, bingeing on TV box sets and taking advantage of apps. And that means buying tech can be a challenge: what should you buy if you want something that’s useful for school or college work as well as leisure time?

It costs from £71 at Amazon.co.uk.

We think these products should be in your tech shopping list. Apple’s iPad has no real rivals, so if a tablet is your preferred option that’s the one to go for: even the cheapest one is incredibly powerful and flexible; however, it’s also eminently breakable, so consider a protective case and gadget insurance too. Apple may seem like the go-to choice for laptops too, but its Mac laptops are much more expensive than equally powerful Windows PCs. There are lots of really great Windows laptops for very good prices, and Microsoft’s Surface range is stylish as well as powerful. We’ve also given some thought to getting online when there isn’t good broadband available, and to something that’s as important as any PC’s processor or tablet’s tech: the backpack it’s going to be carried around in.

LOGITECH CRAYON Logitech’s tablet stylus is as much fun as an Apple Pencil but it’s an awful lot cheaper. It’s great for drawing and note-taking, and it works on the current iPad and the iPad Pro. It’s £65 from Logitech.com.

MICROSOFT SURFACE GO 2 Many schools and colleges are based on Windows apps and require a Windows computer. Microsoft’s Surface Go runs the full version of Windows 10 and is desirable, portable and affordable – it’s £399 from Microsoft.com.

COME & STUDY AT ONE OF THE

OPEN EVENTS WED 14 OCT 2020 5:30-8:00PM TUES 3 NOV 2020 5:30-8.00PM SAT 14 NOV 2020 11:00AM-1:30PM TUES 2 FEB 2021 5:30-8:00PM If we are unable to hold these events in college, we will offer Virtual Events instead.

TOP 10

COLLEGES IN THE COUNTRY* “The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding.” OFSTED 2019

Ofsted June 2019

Yasmin Baker The Belvedere Academy Biology - A*, Chemistry - A* Psychology - A*, EPQ - A* Now studying Medicine at Imperial College London

“My time at Carmel has been absolutely fantastic! My teachers supported, encouraged and challenged my ability to help me reach my potential. My experience has led me to excel and secure a place at a top medical school.”

Bartosz Jablonski St Gregory’s Catholic High School Chemistry - A, Mathematics - A Physics - A, French (AS - B Now studying Physics at The University of Manchester

“My time at Carmel has been amazing. Alongside having such a friendly and welcoming environment, the teaching here is fantastic and has definitely given me the opportunity to achieve what I’ve aimed for.”

Prescot Road, St Helens, Merseyside WA10 3AG Tel: 01744 452200 (Reception) 01744 452214 (Admissions) Email: info@carmel.ac.uk

Jacob Burke St Gregory’s Catholic High School Chemistry - A, Physics - A* Maths - A*, Further Maths - A* Now studying Engineering (MEng) at The University of Liverpool

“My time at Carmel has provided lots of challenges and enjoyment. I feel it has left me well equipped for university and my future career.”

Dona Josh St Gregory’s Catholic High School Biology - A, Chemistry - A Maths - A, EPQ - A* Now studying Biochemistry at The University of Oxford

“The opportunities provided by the college have allowed me to develop my passions and gain valuable skills for the future. I have developed both academically and as an individual.”

www.carmel.ac.uk A Catholic College for the Community *The Times % A* / A*-B Grades (16/08/19)

Cycle Training

Oktoberfest Arrives

Free training is being offered to new cyclists to help build confidence and improve bike riding skills.

It’s time to dust down your lederhosen and dirndls because Oktoberfest is coming to Liverpool! This traditional Bavarian festival will be held in the State Ballroom on Dale Street, and will bring great beer and steins, Oompah bands and performers, along with German pretzels and bratwursts, all served on trestle tables, the Bavarian way.

Cycling has become the ‘new normal’ for lots of people, and Merseyside Road Safety Partnership are working with BikeRight! and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to offer these courses as part of a package of measures aimed at improving safety in the region. Cycle training is also available for children aged ten and above who missed the training delivered in schools due to coronavirus. Courses will be accessible from across Merseyside, with courses for residents of St Helens being delivered at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness. The courses are all run by qualified trainers, and are an ideal way to boost confidence in adults and children alike. Courses for adults run on Saturdays for 2 hours, those for children aged ten and over are from 9am-3pm. Demand is high, but more dates are being added. Book online at https://www.bikeright.co.uk

Tickets for the event are available at www.eventbrite. co.uk.

Shop Artisan An Artisan street market is to be held in Ormskirk town centre on the first Sundays of September and October, offering visitors an exciting range of foods, clothing, jewellery, homeware, crafts and gifts. The market moved from nearby Burscough Wharf recently to the wider spaces of Moor Street in Ormskirk town centre. The Artisan market will be an additional market offer for Ormskirk and the surrounding area and attract increased footfall on the Sundays when it is held, which are 6th September and 4th October, 11am to 4pm.

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Make a conservatory feel like a fully decorated room with the addition of patterned Roman blinds. Blinds in Frond Fennel fabric from the Observatory Collection, from £67 per metre, ILIV.

CURTAINS, BLINDS, SHUTTERS and more Not just for privacy, blocking light or keeping in the warmth, window treatments can complement a room’s architecture, disguise a poor view, link the inside to the outside and add texture, colour and pattern.

• Usually considered the luxurious choice, curtains can be made in a range of styles, from minimal to ornate. Its heading determines how a curtain hangs, usually in the form of a tape sewn onto the back of the curtain and pulled to form pleats, gathers, ‘goblets’ or other shapes. • For a less formal look, tap-tops, tie-tops, deep hems and eyelets simply slide onto a curtain pole. They are often found on ready-made curtains. • The clean-lined look of made-to-measure blinds is no longer the poor relation to curtains. And while they are usually cheaper (since they use less fabric) they can still be luxurious. Roller blinds are the most utilitarian, and very practical in bathrooms, kitchens, conservatories and perhaps even children’s rooms, while Roman blinds, featuring softly draped folds, suit many types of room.

Interesting borders, hems and trims all add to the effect. Venetian (or slatted) blinds are another option, available in natural wood or an array of eye-catching colours. • Good-looking but unfussy, shutters are great for privacy, blocking out sound and light, and also add an extra layer of security. Shaker-style shutters have a timber frame and solid centre panel, can be natural or painted, and are ideal for a Georgian or Victorian home. American shutters, with tilting louvres for letting in the light, look upmarket and work virtually anywhere. • Used on its own or as an addition to conventional window treatments, window film can be an inexpensive option. Where a room is overlooked, for example, the window can be covered (wholly or partially) in opaque or patterned film which still allows in a lot of light.

Why not have a roller blind printed in a unique design and made to your specifications? World map blind, £105, Artylicious Home & Gifts.

Venetian blinds offer the option of tilting the slats to filter light as well as raising or lowering. Made-to-measure 50mm textured wooden blinds, from £22.50, English Blinds.

Stained glass designs are printed onto frosted (for privacy) or clear film that is easily attached to any type of window for an interesting effect. Period stained glass effect design, made to your size, £65 per square metre, Purlfrost Window Film.

Solid-wood shutters keep out the light and noise while aiding your security and looking smart. Classic wood shutters in a custom colour, from £66 per square metre, California Shutters.

Curtain poles can be specially made to fit bay windows, and while fulllength curtains are not the cheapest option, they do eminently suit a period property.

Made to measure William Morris Compton Midnight curtains, with light filtering lining as standard, plus optional blackout and thermal upgrades, price according to size, Blinds 2go.

Add a pom-pom trim to the bottom of a pretty Roman blind and you have a lovely, decorative window treatment. Custom-made Hardwick Apple Green roman blinds, from £65.75, English Blinds.

Full-length curtains with a large eyelet heading are both elegant and modern. Curtains and Roman blind in Observatory Seaspray 05, from £25 per metre, ILIV.

A series of roller blinds is a sleek option when a minimal look works best with the décor. Made to measure roller blinds, from £35.94, English Blinds.

This neat blackout blind is motorised so can be controlled by remote, app or smart home – no dangling cords to fiddle with. Custom-made roller blind in Regal Natural, £136.13, 247 Blinds.

Chamber’s new

leading lady… St Helens Chamber’s new Chief Executive tells Local Life how her drive to help people landed her the top Chamber role. Sitting in the café at St Helens Chamber of Commerce, it is almost impossible not to notice how quiet this usually bustling business centre is. The Salisbury Street headquarters is normally a hive of activity with networking events, business meetings and educational courses. The current pandemic has changed the way the Chamber team operates, for now, but not even Covid19 can dampen their spirits. Tracy Mawson is her usual welcoming self as she breezes over to our table: “Oh we’ve missed the café serving time, we could have had a brew!” she greets me. Tracy has been announced as the new Chamber Chief Executive, she will officially take the reins from the long-serving Kath Boullen, on 1 September, following nine years as deputy. “Yes, it will be like starting a new school year, I’ll have my pencil case ready and the blazer dusted off. Kath has trained me well and has been giving me some great advice, the whole team has been so encouraging!” says Tracy.

During her nine-year tenure as deputy, Tracy has led the business services department and more recently the education and careers guidance services. Tracy had a nervous wait to hear about her new job. “I waited all day and finally at about 7pm I got the phone call; I was obviously really pleased.” Tracy remembered. “I felt the interview had gone really well but the competition and the rigour of the approach made it difficult to gauge, I definitely could have done with an earlier phone call.” she laughs. Tracy grew up in Kent with her parents and brother and sister, she also spent time in Somerset and Hertfordshire, before moving up to Merseyside in 2003. Tracy added, “This is my 17th year in the North West, I live in Liverpool with my husband and two sons and have worked in St Helens since 2011. “In fact my favourite thing about St Helens is the people, I have always found it a really welcoming place, especially the business community. Everyone likes to go the extra mile and we

31 see that in things like the creation of work experience places and lots of charitable engagement; there is just a really warm feeling that comes along with it.” For Tracy, her dream job was always going to involve working closely with people, “Careers advice when I was at school was a bit mad – there’s no other way to say it. When I had my careers meeting in secondary school, they came up with a librarian or an archivist”, she laughs. “I always liked books and I was academic but I’m really sociable and I just didn’t think that was the full picture for me. I thought I may become a politician or a councillor; funnily enough my first job was in publishing at The Oxford University Press, so they were pretty nailed on with the book thing, they just hadn’t thought of publishing. “I definitely didn’t get good careers advice and I think the same can be said for a lot of young people today. That’s why I love what we do here at the Chamber, helping young people to see that there is a full range of options available to them.” Even after nine years, Tracy can still remember her first impressions of the Chamber, “Oh I was blown away by the size of the operation. To have this facility, the quality and capacity of this building is still exciting. I think of it as a real investment and a symbol of ambition for the town. There have been many highlights in Tracy’s time at the Chamber so far, but none more so than when the team can recognise achievement. “My favourite part of the job is getting the chance to meet people; in particular the business fairs and the business awards. To see people, succeed and reach their goals, knowing that we as a team have provided a space in which they can thrive, is a great feeling. Tracy continues, “My proudest moment as deputy has happened really recently, helping our business community

navigate the impact of the pandemic has been an eye opener. The business team mobilised within 12 hours of lockdown and all services went online. They have sustained that and have helped more than 1000 firms in the borough. “By having individual conversations, and tailoring advice we have helped firms to apply for grants, handle their staff and think about how they will reopen and recover. We didn’t furlough anyone; we supported our businesses and I am really proud of that.” Tracy is fully immersed in St Helens life and its clear to see, even when she casually mentions that she has completed the St Helens 10k four years in a row. “I love to run, and I try my best to keep fit and healthy in-between taking my sons to their many commitments.” she says with a smile. Talking about her vision for the future of St Helens and the Chamber Tracy says, “Unfortunately we have to be prepared for economically tough times, I really want to fulfil our mission to help our community succeed, protect people and identify green shoots of recovery around St Helens. “I think this is a chance for people to take stock and think about what they would like to do, whether that’s starting their own business, developing new skills, or simply seizing opportunities. We will be working closely with the council to build on this and enable the people of St Helens to be prosperous and have the opportunities they deserve.”

Chamber Fact File: • The Chamber currently has 1020 members • 20% of businesses in St Helens are members • Membership starts from £135 + VAT a year • The team won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2017 To find out about joining St Helens Chamber Visit www.sthelenschamber.com or call 01744 742125

Houghwood

Heroes

A group of local golfing fanatics swung for glory at Houghwood in June to raise an astonishing £15,205 for NHS Charities Together. The golfers met at the Billinge course just before sunrise at 3.45am on 23rd June, going on to play an exhausting 72 holes of golf until the final group completed the challenge by 8.30pm that evening. The challenge of walking over 26 miles of hilly terrain and taking an average of 350 shots each wasn’t a new one, for many of the group who had completed a similar challenge in 2017 and raising approximately £6,500 for the MS Society and Willowbrook Hospice. Organised by Spencer Anglesea, with the help of Neil Steen and Mark Berry, the event nearly didn’t happen due to lockdown restrictions. Spencer said: “We started planning this event before the country and golf was forced to shut down and it was only in late May that we were allowed to play golf in groups of four which meant all of a sudden we were ready”.

Spencer added: “We’d like to thank the directors at Houghwood Golf, who very kindly loaned us the course for the day and donated a free 12 month membership as a raffle prize, and we couldn’t have done the challenge without Neale and Sue Spence from Muffin Man, who provided food for us throughout the day because the clubhouse was still closed due to lockdown regulations”. Well done to all those golfers who participated in raising such an incredible amount of funding for NHS Charities Together: Spencer Anglesea, Neil Steen, Mark Berry, Ben Anglesea, Oliver Anglesea, Jonathon Whalley, Matthew Whalley, Paul Mottram, Andrew Mottram, Alan Scott, Andy Ashton, Paul Jones, Paul Miller, Steve Molloy, Steve Simmons, Tony Mather, Simon Cutler, Payton Berry, Joe Webster, Lewis Derbyshire, Tony Derbyshire, Jack O’Brien, Martin Johnson, Neil Bradshaw, Andy Hampson, Harry Elliot, Gareth Leyland and Steve Peet.

WIN

Rainbow

! t r a s glas

If there’s a prize for the image of the year, the rainbow would win hands down for 2020. What started off as an idea to providing children with some observational points during those daily walks when schools were first locked down spread like wildfire as the image evolved into a symbol of hope, associated particularly with our beloved NHS. Local glass artist Stephanie O’Brien, the co-owner of Morpheus Glass who are based at the Love It Gallery on Winstanley Road in Billinge, has created a range of exquisite rainbow art to help people commemorate 2020 and we have got three pieces of this art to give away to three lucky readers. The first prize is a rainbow arch with a value of £55, the second prize is a large rainbow heart with a value of £20 and the third prize is a rainbow bee, with a value of £17.95. Other pieces in the Morpheus Glass Rainbow collection include bowls, candle stands, decorations and discs of various sizes. Prices for the collection start at just £6.50.

There is little doubt that 2020 will be referred to in years to come as a ‘before’ and ‘after’ time in history and it’s well worth visiting Love It Gallery and browsing through the rainbow collection which commemorates this important time. To win one of our fabulous prizes simply visit our website, www. locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on ‘competitions’ and then answer the following question;

What is the name of the Gallery where you can see the Morpheus Glass Rainbow collection? The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Wednesday 30th September 2020 and the winners will be notified within five working days. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Only one entry per household. Local Life 247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter this competition.

1st prize

Time to #ShopLocal

worth £55

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2nd prize

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• Freshest fruit, veg & meat around • Finest local produce • Scrumptious cakes and bread • Great range of local craft beers

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3rd prize

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FREE Eggs! ½ dozen large local eggs with purchases over £5 One original voucher per customer Expiry date 30th September 2020

Ashton Rd | Wigan | WN5 7XX 01744 892208 www.windy-arbour.co.uk

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Paradise on Earth Clinging to the southern tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a lovely medieval jewel lapped by the blue waters of the Adriatic. Framed by hills fragrant with rosemary and thyme, the old town is enclosed by fortifications where red roofs, spires and domes mingle their reflections in a glistening harbour. Byron called it the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’ and graced by a sprinkling of emerald islands just offshore, it feels almost like a dream. Dubrovnik long prospered on maritime trade, ruled in turn by Byzantines and Venetians until it became the Republic of Ragusa in 1358, reaching its golden age in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. Rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake, it lost its freedom under Napoleon then was taken over by the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. Upheavals continued in the former Yugoslavia and in 1991-92, the city was besieged and heavily damaged during Croatia’s war of independence.But today, finely restored and listed by UNESCO, the old town fills you with delight. Steps and cobbled lanes climb up the slopes, sunflowers bloom in hidden courtyards and church bells ring all around. Main highlights are easy to find, from Gothic and Renaissance buildings to Italian fountains, monasteries and churches. The Franciscan monastery boasts one of the oldest pharmacies in Europe (1316) while the Baroque church

of St Blaise displays the patron saint holding a model of the city. The cathedral claims a rich treasury of relics and paintings and a connection with Richard the Lionheart. Caught in a storm on his way back from a crusade, he promised to build a cathedral where he reached land. And so he did, though what we see today was rebuilt after the earthquake. Other cultural sites include the Sponza Palace, housing 7,000 volumes of the city’s archives, and the Rector’s Palace, former home of the Republic’s figurehead and now the History Museum.Time to relax? Watch the world go by on a café terrace, stroll along the

39 Stradun (the main pedestrian street between the city gates), explore the morning market or head for the harbour and city walls. The walls are two kilometres around and up to six metres thick on the land side. Never breached, they bristle with fortresses, bastions and towers, such as the sturdy Minceta dating to 1464, when every visitor to town had to bring a stone. There are steep steps and spectacular views over harbour and town, while high above an orange cable car glides up to the panoramic hilltop. Beaches stretch along the coast or you can sail or kayak to the nearby islet of Lokrum, full of chirruping crickets. Draped in lush vegetation, it’s a peaceful nature reserve and the perfect escape for romantic couples. Look out for the salt water lake known as the Dead Sea, the exotic botanical garden and the Port Royal tower looking back to Dubrovnik and its old harbour.Tempted? Just follow George Bernard Shaw for “If you want to see paradise on earth,” he said, “you must come to Dubrovnik.”

OCTOBER FLIGHT GUIDE Manchester-Dubrovnik direct from £25 www.skyscanner.net OCTOBER WEATHER GUIDE

Dubrovnik 21°C-14°C www.holiday-weather.com CURRENCY Croatian Kuna (HRK)

Ready for late summer

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

Film

Reviews by Bill Robinson

Black Lives Matter The current global, social and political upheaval has made ever clearer the injustice and unfairness that is shown to people of colour in all aspects of life. This injustice extends to the film industry where, depending where you do your research, black directors make up only 10-15% of all directors of the top grossing films. This is undeniably down to major production companies’ total lack of faith in films made by/about people of colour to be critically and commercially successful, and so I want to cover some of the best films that fall into the underappreciated category.

Hidden Figures (2016) “Hidden Figures” tells the true story of the unknown black, female mathematicians that were instrumental in the success of the NASA space programme in the early 60s, particularly the famous launch of astronaut John Glen into orbit. I still think “Hidden Figures” is one of the most clever and descriptive names ever given to a film, and the movie itself is just as clever. It manages to highlight institutionalised racism within STEM fields as a serious issue that is holding back some of the world’s greatest minds from showing or discovering their abilities, without creating a film that is totally depressing in its tone. The dialogue can be witty and light-hearted, whilst also being serious when it needs to be. The performances also find this balance, with the three main characters able to deliver humour and sincerity in equal, effective measure. This is totally worth a watch. Available on Blue Ray

Uppity: The Willy T. Ribbs Story (2020) The most recent film of these three is perhaps my favourite, and as a big F1 fan, it’s certainly the closest to my heart. “Uppity” is the story of Willy T. Ribbs, the first prominent black racing driver in the world. Decades before Lewis Hamilton made a name for himself as the only black F1 driver, Willy T. Ribbs’ story is one of insurmountable odds and an absolutely steadfast dedication of the craft of motor racing. The documentary charts Ribbs’ rise through the ranks of the sport, from lower Formula cars to top level NASCAR and even the fastest race on the planet, the Indianapolis 500. Shamefully, motor racing sorely lacks healthy numbers of black drivers even today, making Willy’s struggle four decades ago, even more of an incredible feat and a must watch documentary. Available on Netflix

Get Out (2017) I just absolutely love this film. Its brilliant in so many ways. On the surface, “Get Out” is about young African American Chris Washington being taken to visit is girlfriend’s parents for the first time. Nothing sounds particularly untoward at first, until Washington notices some strange things about the all-white, wealthy property he has been taken to. “Get Out” then descends into being one of the most effective and powerful psychological horror films of the 2010s. The film is a potent metaphor for the way echoes of the slavery era still linger in modern, western society, held up by iconic performances and writing that won director Jordan Peele the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Focusing on suspense rather than outright terror, “Get Out” is another film that perfectly fuses the conventions of its genre, with its important and powerful meaning. It is amazing. Available on Blue Ray

Water Sports You and the family can make the most of the last of the light summer nights by trying out a range of water sports at Scotman’s Flash in Poolstock. Every Thursday night in September, Inspiring Healthy Living (IHL) will be hosting stand up paddle boarding sessions and kayaking. The stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) sessions run from 6.30pm to 8pm, and the cost per person is £15 with equipment hire which consists of a board, paddle and a buoyancy aid. If you have your own SUP, the cost is reduced to £10. The sessions are suitable for everyone aged 12 or over. These are instructor-led sessions so are suitable for all levels from absolute beginners to improvers. If you have children under 12, then you’ll be interested to hear that there will also be a supervised kayaking session alongside the SUP session for ages 8 and over. The cost of this session will be £10 and a discounted rate of £7 is available for those who have booked onto the SUP session. You must pre-book for these sessions and you can do so by visiting the website www.inspiringhealthylifestyles. org/wigan/, click on ‘Services’ and then on Scotman’s Flash. Other activities at Scotman’s Flash include rafted canoeing, funboat sailing and topper sailing. You can also organise group activities or one-on-one sessions. For more detail outdooradventure@ihlmail. org for further details.

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LocalLife

Rita takes

Festival Prize The tale of a boy’s dreams underneath a magical night sky has won the 2020 Prescot Festival Short Story Competition. Rita Simpson (pictured) received £100 for the bittersweet fantasy ‘When You Wish upon a Star.’ The contest was the only aspect of the local arts festival that was able to go ahead this year, although music lovers online enjoyed an array of archived video performances from some of the acts scheduled for the festival. The Prescot Festival has been at the forefront of the renaissance of arts and music in the town since 2005 and the festival’s celebration of culture includes not only the 10-day annual festival, but a year-round programme of arts and music and a commitment to promoting other arts groups and initiatives in the area. The 2021 Festival will take place from Friday 18th to Sunday 27th June 2021. For further details, visit www. prescotfestival.co.uk

When You Wish upon a Star By Rita Simpson A silver trail silently weaves its way around the tightly packed, sleepy terraced streets, sometimes criss-crossing itself as it returns to a missed courtyard or entry. Above, a full moon illuminates the glutinous, shimmering ooze as it journeys along, while inside, a young boy stands at his bedroom window, staring out. The lone figure dreams of travelling to the planets, landing on the moon, being an astronaut, but tonight is different, he is distracted. He watches in astonishment at the moving spectacle below, on his very own street and rubs his eyes, not certain of what he is seeing. Before he

can check, a hand gently pulls him back from the window. “Back to bed Kelvin. School in the morning. It’s nearly midnight.” “But Dad, I need to tell you…” Before Kelvin can finish his sentence, his frustrated dad is at the bedroom door, shoulders hunched, thinking when will his son ever sleep the whole night through, instead of staring out of his bedroom window, star gazing. “Night, son,” mumbles Kelvin’s dad. Later he hears his father’s snores and creeps back to the

43 window and there it is, all down the middle of the street, the silver trail. He finally drags himself away, knowing he won’t sleep a wink, tossing and turning, wondering where this trail came from and where it is going. Tomorrow his mum and dad will see it too. But morning brings only daylight. Kelvin questions his school friends, to find out if they have seen what he has seen, but nobody mentions anything unusual. His mind is racing, unable to stop the images in his head. Questioning himself, did it really happen? Midnight again, certain his parents are both asleep, Kelvin goes to the window. The street, encased in moonlight, he leans out of the open window, spotting in the distance an approaching shimmering shape, low on the ground. All ready dressed, he slips his boots on and sneaks downstairs, unlocking the front door, pocketing the key, before pulling the door closed. Moments later, he watches, awe struck, as the rivulet of light unfurls its way up the street. Kelvin runs alongside it, following the trail, as it travels onward. A constant, steady flow of luminous liquid wraps around the timid streets, leaving Kelvin behind and he knows now he won’t be able to keep up with it. Out of breath, he stops running, and looks back down the street at the silvery trail left behind and reaches into it. Transfixed, his hand lights up, glaring in its intensity and he feels his fingers tingling and the heat emanating from them. But in seconds, the trail has gone, vanished. He finds himself alone on an unfamiliar street, the magic has disappeared with it and the moon is cloaked in darkness. Fear, disappointment, and sadness overwhelm Kelvin and he sinks to the ground, not knowing what to do next. He doesn’t understand what has happened to him and he has no one who will believe him. On the verge of tears, he tells himself he must get up and go home. Running in all directions, he finally finds himself at his own front door. No one hears as he turns the key and creeps upstairs to his bedroom. He can’t rest, there are too many questions unanswered and he blames himself for what has happened. In his head he can’t stop repeating the words, I’ve spoilt everything, I’ve spoilt everything, if only I hadn’t touched it. In the morning, he struggles to get out of bed and only for his father being off work, does he get a lift to school. They have a supply teacher, a Miss Farthing. She tells the children that today they will be involved in listening and

writing stories and if there is time, to read out their own. Kelvin loves reading and he can’t believe his luck, it is the only thing that will stop him from thinking about last night’s events. They spend the first lesson in the library, picking a favourite book, to share later with the rest of the class. Kelvin scrambles to find Cosmic or his other favourite, The Boy from Mars. After break, Miss Farthing wants them to write a story. By the time she has finished talking about story structure, Kelvin knows exactly what he’s going to write. He scribbles away, spilling out his secret on to the paper, only stopping when the dinner bell rings. But he hasn’t written his ending. Don’t worry she tells the class; you can finish them later. But things don’t go to plan, Miss Farthing is called away and when she does turn up, she apologises, their stories will have to wait, instead she’s going to tell them a story, one her father told her when she was growing up and was obsessed with space. Kelvin is thinking about his story ending, when he catches the words, silver stream. He listens, astonished, as she tells the story of the boy who sees a magical stream, flowing through his town when everyone else is in their beds, fast asleep. How he tried to follow it but couldn’t keep up and on the second night when the boy dipped his hand into it and the stream disappeared. Kelvin’s whole body is tingling, as Miss Farthing recounts the third night. How the desperate boy rushed out and threw himself into the flowing mixture and was carried along, all through the night until dawn broke and both the stream and the boy had disappeared. “But what happened to him, miss? “ The whole class is asking. Miss Farthing pauses, people believe the stream only reveals itself to the chosen, those who long to be in the heavens. Jumping into the stream on the third night of Full Moon will grant them their wish; to be carried away, to live forever among the stars above. Kelvin knows exactly what he is going to do.

Winter Hill

& Rivington The vast majority of the Jack’s Tracks we have published over the last ten years have one thing in common; at some point during the walk, Winter Hill and its conspicuous masts are easily visible. We’ve never done a walk that includes Winter Hill though, and so we have put this right with a delightful easy-to-follow 6½ mile walk that encompasses Winter Hill and Rivington that offers wonderful 360-degree views of the County Palatine of Lancashire and beyond. Park in the public car park just the other side of Rivington & Blackrod High School (BL6 7RU), walk back past the school and take the left turn which runs by the tennis courts. After 425 yards you’ll arrive at a three-way

by Chris Pearce Distance: 6½ miles Difficulty: Moderate junction; take the middle path which is heavily cobbled and has the farm gate in the distance. Follow this path up a gentle incline for ¾ mile, passing the turn off to Rivington Terraced Gardens on the way. Once you arrive at the new-ish looking fingerpost, take a 45-degree right turn in the direction of Rivington Pike and follow a shale path uphill past the site of Stone House Lodge. Then make sure you take the path that branches off of the shale path on the u-bend. 200 yards later you’ll arrive at a wide stony track. Instead of carrying straight on up to the (very visible) Pike, turn left and follow this track for 1/3 of a mile to the Pigeon

Quarry (dis)

For those with the OS Maps

Moor Bottom Winter Hill Flats

app on your desktop, mobile or tablet, this walk is named: JT-Winter-Hill-Rivington

Belmont Road

Noon Hill Slack

Winter Hill

Noon Hill

Catter Nab

Rivington Hall Barn

TV Station

Tower

Rivington Pike

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Rivington Terraced Gardens

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Rivington Moor

River Doug

Rivington Country Park

Brown Hill

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Rivington Lodge

P Jepsonâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridge

Masts

Crooked Edge Hill

Higher Knoll

Wilderâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Moor Rivington & Blackrod HS

Wilderswood

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.

46 Tower. Bear right at this point and the stony cobbled path follows the natural curvature around the hills. One mile further on, you’ll need to look out for some steps on the left leading to a wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and bear right shortly afterwards where the footpath sign is. After ten minutes of climbing steeply up the hill, you’ll arrive at a fork. Bear left at this point, hugging the lefthand lip of the hill and once you pass the first mast, the path bends rounds and changes to a tarmac path that cuts through the various ironmongery on the summit. Look out for the trig point which is situated in the lefthand side of the path and there are also plaques marking the 1958 plane crash and the demise of a 20-year-old Scotsman who was ‘barbarously murdered’ on Rivington Moor in 1838. The tarmacked path bends to the right, you’ll pass directly to the left-hand side of the TV mast and follow the path for ½ mile, turning off the path onto a grass track at a footpath sign on the right. Follow this grass path for a further ½ mile as it eventually falls steeply away and you

reach Pike Cottage. Tun right at the cottage onto Belmont Road and head once again for Rivington Pike. Follow Belmont Road for 1/3 of a mile until you reach a steel bar gate, which bars vehicular access. Just before the gate, there’s a stile on the left. Go through the stile and walk on the path downhill through grazing land for another 1/3 of a mile to the wooden gate. Carry on down a tarmacked road in the same direction for a further 400 yards until you reach the three-way junction referred to earlier in the walk. Turn left at this point and you will end up back at the school and your starting point shortly afterwards.

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The Importance of

Posture

Posture can be defined as the way we carry and position our body throughout our daily physical activities. Poor posture can lead to a variety of muscular-skeletal issues including chronic pain and joint degeneration. It is therefore important that you are aware of best posture and aim for it, particularly if you spend a lot of the day in one position, such as sitting at a desk for example. If you have had bad posture for a long time (and most of us do) it will feel very strange and alien at first when you try to correct it, as the body wants to keep doing what it is used to. However, if you persevere, coupling this with regular exercise to strengthen muscle tone, eventually muscle memory will kick in and you will find that your posture has improved without you having to constantly think about it. For a good seated posture your knees should be slightly lower than your hips, so you need to position your chair height accordingly. If you work at a computer, ensure that the screen is at a comfortable eye level and you are not having to hunch forward or bend your neck. Sit with your feet flat on the floor

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facing forwards, a hip width apart, and straighten your back so that your tailbone ‘sticks out’ rather than your back being rounded. Your spine should form a gentle ‘S’ curve. Finally, make a conscious effort to lower your shoulders, slightly pushing your shoulder blades back and down at the same time. You may need to do this more than once as we all tend to naturally carry our shoulders in a raised, rounded position, which over time can lead to muscle tightness, tension headaches and back or neck pain. Are you a fan of stilettos? If so, you may want to limit their wear as high heels push the spine forward, over-arching the back. They also put pressure on your knees and the balls of your feet, which can cause joint problems later. Save the shoes for special occasions rather than wearing them every day.

49 Exercise and core stability are important when maintaining good posture. Over time, without regular movement and exercise, muscles weaken and muscle fibres shorten, leading to potential joint and ligament issues.

effect, even leading to an increased risk of depression. Charles Darwin first scientifically proved the link between movement and emotion in his studies of humans and animals.

Stretching exercises two or three times a week will help relieve tension, increase circulation and maintain muscle condition. Yoga and Pilates are two forms of exercise that are excellent for improving tone, flexibility and posture. There are classes available for all levels, and online tutorials.

Try this experiment. Stand in front of a full-length mirror and note how you are carrying yourself. If you are feeling stressed, tired, or sad, it is likely that this will be reflected in your posture: for example, your head may be drooping, your shoulders hunched, your weight unevenly distributed and your back rounded. Now close your eyes and evenly distribute your weight, straighten your legs (keeping knees soft) and then gently lengthen your spine and neck as much as you are able, vertebra by vertebra, tucking in the pelvis. Push your shoulders back and down then slightly lower your chin. Smile and then open your eyes. Not only will you be standing taller and straighter but you will almost certainly look and feel better too.

Ergonomic furniture and aids can also help with best posture, for example by using a lumbar support cushion in your office chair or in the car. Always ensure that your furniture supports you adequately. A squashy chair that is too low and difficult to get out of may not be ideal. Likewise, your mattress should also support your back properly when you sleep. To check this, notice if your spine is straight when you lie on your side. If not, it may be time to change your mattress. Your pillow should also cradle your neck so that it is in alignment with the spine. Bad posture not only physically impacts on our body: it has also been proven to have a detrimental psychological

If you have concerns about your posture and suffer from chronic pain, visit your GP who can refer you to the appropriate health professional, such as an osteopath, physiotherapist or chiropractor.

Migraine Awareness Week It’s Not

‘Just’ a Headache

The World Health Organisation lists it as one of the most disabling lifetime conditions. It’s more common than epilepsy, diabetes and asthma combined. Yet migraine is often poorly understood and trivialised. Migraine Awareness Week, running from 4th–10th September, aims to educate the public about migraine and reduce its stigma.

What is Migraine - and who is at risk? Migraine isn’t ‘just a bad headache’. It’s a complex set of symptoms, often including headache, that’s triggered by physiological changes – and it affects over 8 million people in the UK. People with a family history of migraine are more at risk and women are three times as likely to suffer as men are. There’s no one known ‘cause’, but several triggers that can precipitate migraine have been identified.

Prescot Chiropody Clinic

Migraine Triggers • • • • • • • • • •

Stress, anxiety or excitement. Hunger or lack of food. Dehydration. Sleep. Alcohol. Caffeine. Prolonged screen time. Smells. Hormonal changes in women. Environmental factors – changes in temperature, humidity and altitude, loud noises, and flickering lights. • Jaw tension or coughing. • Unaccustomed exertion. • Illness Tyramine, found in some soft cheeses and wine, is no longer considered a trigger by most experts.

Types and Symptoms of Migraine Most migraines fall into these categories: Migraine with aura: Previously known as focal or classic migraine, this accounts for 10-30% of migraines. Migraines with aura present as neurological symptoms that usually last less than an hour and prior to a headache (although the headache may not appear at all). The most common symptoms are visual disturbances, including tunnel vision, double vision, blind spots or temporary blindness, flashing lights and sparkling/coloured spots, stars or zigzags. However, some people may also experience: • • • • • •

Weakness on one side of the body or partial paralysis. Dizziness or vertigo. Numbness or tingling. Disturbance to speech, hearing and memory. Feelings of fear or confusion. Fainting.

These more severe symptoms tend to occur most often with rare subtypes of migraine, such as migraine with brainstem aura and hemiplegic migraine.

51 Migraine without aura: The most common type of migraine, experienced by 70-90% of sufferers. Attacks usually last between 4 and 72 hours if they go untreated. The headache is usually a throbbing pain, often on one side, which often worsens when you move or exert yourself. It’s often accompanied by nausea and sometimes vomiting and/or diarrhoea. You may become sensitive to light or sound, too. Menstrual Migraine is usually without aura and affects fewer than 10% of women. It’s thought to be triggered by falling oestrogen levels and/or prostaglandin release during the menstrual cycle, so it’s most likely to occur within the two days before, and the first three days during, a period. It often lasts longer than other types, recurring daily for a few days.

Preventing Migraine Avoiding triggers and sticking to a regular routine of exercise, sleep and healthy eating can help. If your migraines are severe and/or frequent, your GP may recommend preventative medications such as topiramate and propranolol.

Treating Migraine Take medications swiftly, as the stomach often stops working effectively during a migraine. Over-the-counter painkillers may help, but you may need something stronger. Pharmacies can supply medications containing pain relief and an anti-emetic that alleviates nausea and vomiting and aids painkiller absorption. Your GP may prescribe triptan medications, which reverse the blood vessel dilation thought to cause migraine. FOR SUPPORT AND MORE INFORMATION: Migraine Action: http://www.migraine.org.uk info@migraine.org.uk Tel: 08456 011 033 The Migraine Trust: http://www.migrainetrust.org/ Tel: 020 7631 6970 The National Migraine Centre: http://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/ info@nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk Tel: 020 7251 3322

Botox injections are now licensed for treatment of chronic migraine. It’s thought they work by interrupting the pain feedback pathway to the brain. Menstrual migraine sufferers may find relief from hormonal contraceptives, oestrogen supplements and mefenamic acid (an anti-inflammatory painkiller that can also alleviate heavy periods). Some people find that sleep or resting in a darkened room is the only way to ease their migraine.

When Should You Visit Your GP? • If you’ve never had migraine before. • If you suffer from migraine more than 5 days in a month, even if your pain is under control with medication; you may require a preventative medicine.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Advice Finally, if you experience any of the symptoms below, it’s important to be assessed quickly - they can also indicate a stroke or meningitis. • • • •

Paralysis or weakness in one or both arms or the face. Slurred/ garbled speech. A sudden agonising headache. Headache accompanied by a high temperature, stiff neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision and rash.

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The best van for a

Camper Conversion A SELF-BUILD OR COMMISSIONED CAMPER VAN CAN OFFER MORE FREEDOM AND BESPOKE DETAILS THAN A FACTORY UNIT. THESE ARE THE BEST VANS TO BASE YOUR DESIGN ON. Camper vans are big business in the UK, with a lot of people finding the idea of having a mobile version of their own home an appealing prospect. And it’s easy to understand the appeal of these palaces on wheels. After all, once you’ve paid your initial investment, holidays become staggeringly cheap. Even staying on the most luxurious of campsites costs pennies compared with a night in a hotel room, while those equipped with on-board water tanks, bathroom facilities and leisure batteries can even handle a few nights of ‘wild’ camping or rallying – perfect for those who like being ‘off-the-grid’. The UK is awash with independent firms who specialise in converting vans into campers. They range from the cheap and cheerful to the seriously luxurious. Some mainstream manufacturers have got in on the act, too – just look at Volkswagen’s California. However, it’s also possible to home-build your camper if you’ve got the time. Guides online are plentiful and easy to follow, and it can prove far cheaper than going for a third-party conversion. Plus, you’re able to specify the van to your liking. But before you start a conversion, you need a van – and these are our top three.

FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM

The Transporter might be the cool one, but the Ford Transit has plenty going for it in this class. For starters, it’s the best-driving panel van you’ll ever find – your kitchen sink will never have enjoyed such brilliant grip and handling. A range of efficient diesel engines provide your motive power, and few vans have such a car-like driving environment – there’s even a premium stereo and smartphone connectivity.

VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER The VW Camper is an icon – there’s no other way to put it. Ever since the rear-engined ‘splitties’ became an image of California surfer culture, these vans have been effortlessly cool, and though the modern T6 is a totally different beast it still has that vibe nailed. Volkswagen knows this, and if you want a stylish camper it’s possible to buy your Transporter van in cool two-tone colour schemes or with retro alloy wheels. VW also offers a petrol engine – a rarity in this class.

55 MERCEDES SPRINTER Want big, premium, and full of tech? You’ll need to look at the new Mercedes Sprinter. One of the safest vans on offer thanks to high-tech safety gear, this big brute comes in a wide variety of wheelbase and roof height variations so you can easily get the camper size you desire. It also has the most premium cabin on the market, with controls and displays lifted directly from Mercedes’ passenger car range. And, best of all for some people, there’s a three-pointed star on the bonnet. What could be better?

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Well-being and

water

Most people find the sound of water relaxing. The benefits of ‘blue space’ – the sea, rivers, lakes, canals and waterfalls, have been studied, and found to be psychologically restorative; associated with increased sense of well-being, lower levels of stress and mental illness, lower blood pressure, and higher levels of vitamin D. In short, being by water is good for body and mind. Can we replicate this in our gardens? The presence of water in the garden can transform a space into a natural haven of calm, and provide a focal point. Running water in a garden produces negative ions which are known to increase serotonin production in the brain. Serotonin is the chemical that elevates our mood and relaxes us. There are many ways to introduce water into a smaller space, including natural look ponds and waterfalls, but you don’t need a deep ornamental pond; you can create a small pond in a container, or create a toddler and petfriendly pebble pond, or install a modern water feature which uses reflective surfaces that bounce light around, creating movement and life in the tiniest space. Any water source will attract a wide range of wildlife. I have a metallic sphere water feature on my patio that seems to be a magnet for dragonflies, which are a delight to watch. A shallow beached area or pebble pool will attract bathing birds, and also frogs and toads, which can shelter, breed, and stay out of sight of potential predators. You may even attract a hedgehog or two. They enjoy shallow pools with sloped edges, so they can drink and bathe without falling in. A small barrel or container pond will allow algae to grow which will attract water invertebrates including snails, pond skaters and water boatmen. Kids love water so introducing a pond is a great way

to encourage them to learn about local wildlife while having fun. Safety is crucial though; if you have young children it might be better to wait until they are older before creating a large pond, as it will require constant supervision. A pebble pool with a small fountain effect provides all the sound and fun of water with none of the depth, and a large trug or half barrel can be transformed into a tiny wildlife pond. If you do create a pond, position it where it can be seen from the house, make sure the edges slope gently, and fence it off while the children are young. Planting around water features is half the fun. The water forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides is perfect for growing in shallow water or in the muddy area at the edge of ponds. It has pretty blue flowers in late spring and attracts newts, which lay their eggs on the leaves. Irises and grasses look lovely planted around any water features and you can even find a tiny lily - Nymphaea ‘Pygmaea Alba’ white - for small ponds, which has the bonus of being heavily scented. Water features in a garden are no longer the preserve of the rich, with acres to spare. Even if you only have a tiny balcony you can now enjoy the sight and sound of water in your outside space.

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November 2020 15th October

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march 2020

Forgotten Buildings:

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LocalLife St Helens Edition

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ST HELENS

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Ballooning

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Local Life - St Helens - September 2020

Articles inside

Meet the Chamber Chief