Local Life - St Helens & Ashton Jan/Feb 2014 by Local Life 247 Ltd

St Helens & Ashton Edition

Jan/Feb 2014

Jack’s Tracks visits Rivington

Photo © Grafvision

Where Are They Now? Billinge’s Tommy Gore Class From The Past St Mary & St John’s, N-le-W www.locallife247.co.uk

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Year of Optimism

In this issue

Got the January blues yet? You’re probably not alone as we’re now officially in the most depressing month of the year. It’s not hard to see why; Christmas is all done and dusted, leaving most feeling a bit unhealthy and staring at a depleted bank balance (especially those with children in the family!) The nights are still dark and miserable, and the summer sun is months away.

18 20 26 30 32 36 38 42 46

But take heart from the fact that 2014 is shaping up to be a very interesting year for a number of reasons. The economy looks to be getting better after a tough few years, the Commonwealth Games are coming to these shores, Scotland will decide whether it wants to stay in the UK and in the summer England may not lose on penalties to Germany in the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Ok, perhaps that is stretching my optimism a little too far but we can all dream, can’t we? Joking aside, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we made 2014 the Year of Optimism? As a country, we can have a tendency to be a bit downbeat, always waiting for something to go wrong. After all, only in Britain could characters such as Basil Fawlty and Victor Meldrew be so celebrated! Perhaps if our collective attitude was more positive, we’d be further up the league tables for national happiness, rather than languishing behind the likes of Norway (1st), Holland (9th) and Germany (14th). And who knows, if we did exude more positivity, it might galvanise our national team to lift the World Cup in Rio on July 13 … penalties or no penalties!

Class from the Past Planning Ahead Recipe of the Month Puzzle Corner Jack’s Tracks visits Rivington Where Are They Now - Tommy Gore Garden Diary Home Services Useful Numbers Next issue - February

Advertising deadline - Thursday 14 January Published - Thursday 6 February Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB T 01744 649 722

info@locallife247.co.uk W www.locallife247.co.uk

Editorial: David Sudworth Sales: Julie Carroll Design & Production: Peter Bretherton Accounts & Distribution: Sally Boon

editorial@locallife247.co.uk sales@locallife247.co.uk design@locallife247.co.uk accounts@locallife247.co.uk

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 and Ashton edition is delivered to over 12,500 private home and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Newton-le-Willows, Garswood, Crank, Kings Moss and parts of Ashton and Moss Bank. Copies are also available to pick up free from Tesco Stores in Haydock and Earlestown. 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.

editorial@locallife247.co.uk

Local Life Media

@locallifemedia

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When you receive the new edition of Local Life - remember to recycle the old one.

Tree Recycling

Taped Memories

Local residents are being urged to recycle their old Christmas trees. Those living in the Rainford, Billinge, Newton, Garswood, Moss Bank, Crank and Kings Moss areas can drop them off until January 12 at the following designated areas: Mesnes Park, on Park Road North, Newton; Victoria Park, on City Road, St Helens; Gaskell Park, on Fry Street, Broadhill; Nanny Goat Park, on Recreation Street, Parr; Sutton Park, on Robins Lane; Fosters Park, on Railway Street, Hardshaw; Sherdley Park, on Marshall Cross Road; Clinkham Wood, on Moss Bank Road; Taylor Park, on Prescot Road and Downall Croft Doorstep Green, on Billinge Road, Garswood.

Are you an old Rainfordian? If so, the village’s Heritage Group wants to hear from you as they are undertaking a project with Rainford High to record people in their own home reminiscing about local life in days gone by. The aim is to ensure important information and memories are stored so they can be shared with future generations. If you can assist, please contact Ray Waring on 01744 885547 or email rayw91141@yahoo.co.uk

There will also be Christmas tree chipping events, where people can watch their trees get recycled, at Mesnes Park car park in Newton on Sunday, January 12, from10am to 3pm. For more information, contact the council rangers on 01925-229021 Ashton residents can put chopped up trees in their green bins, or take them to their local household waste recycling centres. These are at Kirkless, Makerfield Way, Higher Ince (Open Monday-Friday, 8am-8pm, weekends and Bank Holidays from 9am-6pm); Slag Lane, Leigh, and Chanters Industrial Estate, Atherton (both open daily from 8am-9pm).

Are you thinking about EQUITY RELEASE?

Well Read! Book worms living in the St Helens Council area are invited to join their local Reading Groups. A number of groups have already been set up and are welcoming new members. Details are as follows: Billinge Library: First Monday of the month at 2.15pm. Call 01744 677535. Moss Bank Library: Details to be confirmed – call 01744 677988. Newton-le-Willows Library: First Wednesday in the month, 7.30pm at the fire station on Borron Road. Call 01744 677885. Rainford Library: First Monday of the month, 2pm but full at present. Call 01744 677820.

• Want to repay a mortgage or other debts? • Home improvements? • Free up some extra income? • Enjoy a more comfortable retirement? • Help family on to the property ladder? • School or University fees? For more information or to arrange a free meeting please call Ian Howarth on 01744 882603 or 07712 479068 or e-mail ianh@brsequity.co.uk

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June’s Joy Mrs June Oldfield, from Fairholme Drive, Ashton-inMakerfield, was the lucky winner of our Lancashire Day competition. June correctly ‘translated’ five examples of Lanky speak and as a result received a copy of Dave Dutton’s ‘Lanky Spoken Here’. As an added bonus, June also received a free Local Life mug as well as some Lancashire Tea – the perfect refreshment for when she’s next reading her next copy of Local Life!

Ark Art Do you have a little one aged 4 to 11 who likes animals? Rainford Library, on Church Road, is holding an Animal Ark crafts session on Tuesday, February 18, between 2pm and 3pm. Under 8s must be accompanied by an adult and booking is essential. To book a place, contact G. McCabe on 01744 677820.

Mori Lee Prom Event! Saturday 18th January 10am - 5pm No appointment required – just pop in! Refreshments available Additional Exclusive Gowns available at the Event. You want your prom gown to be as unique as you are, so at Romancia our team will ensure the same dress is not sold twice by our store for any prom event.

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Garswood Rambling Looking to get out and see more of the great British outdoors this year? Garswood Rambling Club is looking for new members and local people are invited to go along to its meetings. They are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 8pm at Garswood Labour Club, on Garswood Road. For further information, contact Colin Boardman on 01942 718318.

Exhibition Planned Clear Winner Congratulations to Ursula Harrison, from Newtonle-Willows, who won an hour-long treatment with Clearwater Holistic courtesy of Local Life. Ursula entered the competition which featured in our November/ December edition. Ursula is pictured left with Joanne Hurst, of Clearwater.

Rounders League The St Helens Rounders League is inviting new teams for 2014. Those aged 13-plus are invited to take part. Sessions will run from the end of April to the beginning of September. To register your early interest, contact 01744 753798.

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To commemorate the centenary of the start of World War I, Rainhill Civic Society is planning to have an exhibition later in the year. Anyone interested in being involved in this project is invited to a meeting on Tuesday, January 14, at 3pm in St Ann’s Millennium Centre, View Road. The society is looking for helpers to prepare and run the exhibition as well as those who can tell them about family members who participated in the war. The Rainhill Remembered Group will also meet in the Millennium Centre on the same date, starting at 1pm. Visitors who are interested in Rainhill’s past are welcome. More information from Anne Slater on 0151 426 4455, Judy Lowe on 0151 426 2583 or Ros Tigwell on 0151 430 9947.

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Carrie On Fighting! Wigan Athletic FC are backing a local family’s fight to raise funds for medical research. Cheryl and Mark North set up the ‘Carrie On Fighting Fund’ after their nine year-old-old daughter Carrieanne, who was diagnosed with congenital myopathy two years ago. The condition affects around 1,000 people in the UK and results in weakness in muscles throughout the body from birth and in some cases, increasing disability. The Norths, from near Ashton, hope the fund will help push forward research into potential treatments for the condition, and have thrown themselves into raising support for it. As huge Latics fans, the family of five have already organised a charity raffle offering the chance to win signed shirts and footballs with their clubs branding.

can carry on doing the things she enjoys.”

Mum Cheryl said: “There is no treatment at the moment for Carrieanne’s condition. She is a lively girl and is now having to use a wheelchair to save energy, so that she

You can find out more about the Carrie On Fighting Fund by visiting http://carrieon-fighting.com/ and https://www.justgiving.com/Mark-North2

Christening Events

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College Deal Students at St Helens College will have even more opportunities to tackle after the institution signed a sponsorship deal with Saints rugby club. College chiefs say the partnership is set to create exciting and unique ventures for students studying on vocational courses such as photography, catering and hospitality, marketing, media and music. In addition, they will be given the opportunity to gain valuable work experience at the multi-million pound Langtree Park to enhance their curriculum and future employability.

Oh Yes You Have! Sally Pilkington, of Douglas Avenue, Billinge, was celebrating after winning tickets to see the Peter Pan panto at St Helens Theatre Royal. A delighted Sally is pictured with sons Jamie, 7, and Adam, 3. Other winners were Mr Marcus Conway, of Highfield Drive, Crank; Mrs E. Woods, of Heyes Avenue, Rainford; Mrs M. Cheshire, of Windsor Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield and Mr David Roberts, of Station Road, Garswood. For more great competitions, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled on future editions of Local Life!

St Helens College Principal Jette Burford said: “I am delighted to announce that St Helens College will be sponsoring St Helens RFC. It’s not only great to show our support to local businesses but it is an excellent opportunity for our students to gain valuable work experience at the club.” Dave Hutchinson, of St Helens Rugby Club, added: “The college has been a sponsor of the club for some time in various ways but we are now very excited to have them on board as one of our main partners. This is the start of a bigger and new partnership, creating unique opportunities for students which will hopefully help open up doors for them in the future.”

Rainford Sounds Local people are the stars of a new CD capturing the festive sounds of Rainford. ‘Sounds Like A Rainford Christmas’ features local primary schools, Rainford Band, the Parish Church Choir, the Ladies’ Ecumenical Choir and Martin Weston, All Saints Bell Ringers, Chloe Alban and Will Dickson. Copies of the CD are £5 each and can be purchased at Brewers Service Station, Houghton’s Newsagents, Rainford Post Office, The Rainford Deli, the Village Farm Shop and the Willowbrook Hospice Shop.

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RAINFORD HALL

Dial David! Are you in a local community group? Do you want to publicise a talk, school fair or charity fundraiser? If so, get in touch with us today! Local Life is distributed to thousands of homes across Wigan, St Helens, Chorley and West Lancashire. Each edition is crammed with stories for local events, and your group could be appearing in our next edition. Not only that, we can also tweet about your event to our 1,600+ followers on Twitter! So how do you go about it? Simply contact our Temporary Editor David Sudworth (pictured) with the details of the event - what, where, when, why, who for, how much - and anything else you want to tell our readers. The earlier you can provide the information, the better the job we can do.

David said: “Every month, we give community groups and organisations publicity in our magazines. Our readers enjoy keeping an eye out for local events so if you want to draw a crowd to your club or group’s latest gathering, you need to be in Local Life.” So don’t delay – contact David today by calling 01744 649 722 or emailing him directly at editorial@locallife247. co.uk

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Library Events Billinge Library has a host of new events for January. On Friday, January 17, people will be able to obtain a free ‘winter survival pack’ from St Helens Council’s Affordable Warmth Unit, who will be on hand to offer advice and information. Packs will be available from 10.30am-12.30pm on the day. On Friday, staff at the Main Street facility will be celebrating Chinese New Year with a craft session between 3.30pm-4.30pm. You are invited to go along and learn about the celebrations and make a decorative horse as 2014 is the Chinese Year of the Horse. And on Thursday, January 30, you can learn all about the art of quilling – a process that involves using strips of paper rolled, shaped and glued together to form decorative designs. Space is limited at this event so booking is essential on 01744 677535.

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Inspector Calls

Rainford Roots

St Helens Council Youth Service is recruiting ‘inspectors’ in the Billinge, Garswood and Rainford areas. Appointed persons will help the service ensure its clubs and activities are safe, fun and most importantly what young people want and need. Applicants can only be between ages 15 and 18, or up to 25 years for people with additional needs. For more information, visit www. sthelens.gov.uk/yaz

An update talk will take place on the Rainford’s Roots project at Rainford Library on Tuesday, January 14, at 2pm. Rainford’s Roots is an Heritage Lottery-funded community project run by Merseyside Archaeological Society which aims to undertake investigations of Rainford. Part of this included an excavation at the library last summer due to the site’s history as a public house and pipe shop. During digging, 19th Century artefacts relating to production and manufacture on the site were retrieved.

Tot Bop Toddlers can dance their little hearts out at a special dance session held for them on Mondays between 10am-11am at St Thomas’s Church Hall on Warrington Road, Ashton. The sessions are for 0-5 year olds and the cost is £1.50. For more details, visit www.wigan.gov.uk/ surestart

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The update talk is a free event and all are welcome. Contact the library for details on 01744 677820.

Child Drama Young children have the opportunity to shine at Newton Community Centre, on Park Road South, this year. Sprog Stars Drama and Singing group is held on Wednesdays between 4pm-5pm for ages 3 to 7. Brought to the centre by Dawn Louise Performing Arts (DLPA), children will be introduced to the fun and exciting world of performing arts which, on a play level, will allow and encourage each child to be creative and use their imaginations to create drama. Classes cost £60 per 10 week term, payable in advance. For more information, contact the centre on 01925 224731.

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Class from the Past - St Mary & St John’s, Newton-le-Willows

This month’s Class from the Past photograph is from St Mary and St John’s, Newton-le-Willows. We think it was taken in the late 1950s, which would put some of those pictured in their late 50s now.

Sudworth on editorial@locallife247 with the name of the school, the approximate year it was taken and, if possible, some of the names of those on the photograph.

Don’t forget we’re always on the lookout for old class photos to feature in this column, so if you have one you’d be willing to share, please email it to David

Perhaps you’re organising a school reunion soon and want to publicise it – what better way than sending in an old class picture for us to use!

School’s Out!

Give Peas A Chance…

A reunion is being organised by former pupils of a local grammar school. Alan Swift and David Robinson are hoping for a full house when classes of the old Up Holland Grammar meet up on Saturday, March 15, at St James’ Social Club, St James Road, Orrell, Wigan. Tickets are £10 each including buffet supper.

Tom Atherton is giving a talk to Rainford Gardening Club on ‘Sweet Peas for Everyone’ at their meeting on Monday, January 27. If you can’t make the January event, Marguerite Hughes will be giving people some inspiration on how to plan and design colour-themed gardens on Monday, February 24. The talks take place at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Cross Pit Lane, Rainford, at 8pm on each evening. Non-members are welcome to attend.

David, who now lives in Hindley Green, and Alan, of Crank Road, Billinge, are keen to stress that anyone who attended the old school is welcome to attend, that partners are invited and seating for larger parties can be reserved. People who want to go but are on their own are especially guaranteed a warm welcome and will be well catered for. To buy tickets, contact David on 07904 593540 or email davidrobinson7@blueyonder.co.uk. Alan can also be contacted on 07989 151312.

In The Swim Free swimming sessions for dads and their children are being offered at Ashton Leisure Centre. They take place every other Saturday at the OId Road venue. For more information, contact Louisa on 01942 723965.

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Planning Ahead Ashton 97 Tithebarn Road: Installation of a wastewater treatment system to front garden, along with surface water drainage works to rear garden in addition to the creation of a new access from Tithebarn Road (application reference P/2013/0906). This application, due to the location of the proposed works, falls within the St Helens Council area. 75 Greenfields Crescent: Plans for a first floor side extension (application reference A/13/78835).

Billinge 32 St Mary’s Avenue: Plans for a part two storey/part single storey rear and new pitched roof over existing flat roof to the side (application reference P/2013/0907).

Newton-le-Willows Rear of 101 High Street: Change of use from insurance office (A2) to a picture selling and framing business (B1), along with alterations to shop front (application reference P/2013/0916). St David’s RC Church, Park Road South: Removal of existing 12.4m high telecommunications mast, and the installation of a 15m high telecommunications mast with six antennae, three equipment cabinets, and one electrical pillar (application reference P/2013/0921). 82 Haydock Street: Conversion of ground floor photographic studio to a one-bed flat (application reference P/2013/0929). 55 Ashton Road: Single storey rear extension (application reference P/2013/0917).

Rainford 57 Beech Gardens: Proposal to demolish the existing conservatory, and erect a single storey rear extension, as well as part conversion of the existing garage in to habitable room, new front porch (application reference /2013/0926). 20 Harrison Road: Erection of roof over existing flat roof garage and porch (application ref: P/2013/0908). 40 Derby Drive: Two storey side, single storey rear extension and front porch (application reference P/2013/0914). 90 Old Lane: Demolition of existing kitchen lobby at the side and erection of a single storey side extension (application reference P/2013/0918). More information on these applications can be viewed at ww.sthelens.gov.uk apart from the proposal at Greenfields Crescent, Ashton, which falls under Wigan Council – more information available from www. wigan.gov.uk

Colliery Choir Men of all ages are being invited to join Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir. There are no auditions and the choir is very active in holding concerts to raise money for local good causes. Its current members come from every part of both Wigan and St Helens, and even beyond. The choir meets every Monday from 7.30pm in the Congregational Church Hall (next to the YMCA), on Hilton Street, Ashton. For further details, contact the secretary, Kevin Grimshaw, on 01942 749755 or visit www. parksidecollierymvc.co.uk

No Ifs or Butts! Are you having difficulty sticking to your New Year’s resolution to quit smoking? Help is at hand through Stop Smoking Support, which holds sessions every Tuesday in Room 11 at Garswood Primary Care Resource Centre on Billinge Road between 9am-noon. Appointments are necessary – call 01744 814837 or email smoking.support@bridgewater.nhs.uk

On Track Local train buffs are going international for their first meeting of 2014. That’s because Neville Bond will give members of the Newton-le-Willows Locomotive Club a talk entitled ‘From Sea to Shining Sea – 30 Years of North American Scenes’ on Thursday, January 23. The meeting begins at 7.30pm and is held at The Pied Bull Hotel, on High Street, Newton-le-Willows. Admission is free and all are welcome. For more information, email lcgb.nw@blueyonder.co.uk

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Shopping Shuttle

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Moss Bank pensioners are being reminded that a doorto-door shopping shuttle service is available for them. The service is aimed at those who need a hand with getting a supermarket shop done. The minibus service costs just £2 each, and there’s someone around to do the heavy carrying. The bus also has a lift to cater for people in wheelchairs. Once the shopping’s done there’s a chance to sit down in a cafe for a cup of tea and a friendly chat.

Are you looking to get out and about this year? Ashton-in-Makerfield U3A holds a coffee afternoon on the third Friday in the month from 1pm to 3pm where members and visitors can meet Interest Group leaders and find out more. On Friday, February 7, the guest speaker will be Mary Halliwell whose talk is entitled ‘An Unjust Hanging’ while on Friday, March 7, Neil Smith will entertain members and visitors with his talk ‘Have Guitar, Will Travel’. Both talks take place at the YMCA on Hilton Street, Ashton.

The service runs on alternate Mondays – for more information please ring Anne Marie Swift on 01744 29482 or email gabrielcare@yahoo.com

February meeting Garswood’s local parish council, Seneley Green, is holding its next meeting on Wednesday, February 12, in the Parish Hall at Montrey Crescent. It starts at 7.15pm and local residents are welcome to go along.

Net Gains New members are being sought for Billinge Angling Club. The annual fee is £12 per year, plus a first year joining fee. Juniors go free but must be accompanied. Call Gordon Grundy on 01744 893560 for more details.

The subscription fee is £12 for full members and £10 associate members. For more information, call 01942 200817.

Police Surgeries Billinge Police surgeries for the forthcoming year have been announced. All surgeries are held at Billinge Library on Mail Street, and start at 3pm. The dates, which are all on a Friday, are as follows: January 24, February 28, March 28, April 11, May 30, June 13, July 11, August 22, September 12, October 17, November 14 and December 19. For more information, contact 0151 777 6054.

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Reclaim Your Being able to look out at your garden on a Sunday morning whilst you relax with the papers and a cup of tea is one of life’s pleasures, but at this time of year, your conservatory lets you down by hosting temperatures more suitable for penguins than us human beings! We all bought into the home improvement revolution, seeing a conservatory as a costeffective way of adding space and value to a home. Sadly though, research shows that in the UK, a conservatory is unlikely to provide more than two hours of comfortable temperatures per day, which usually happen when we’re all out at work. Conservatories overheat in summer and they resemble a see-through fridge in winter. Our hard-earned cash has been invested into conservatories which, for many of us, have become, quite literally, white elephants. But now, with the help of long-established local company Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions, you can re-claim your dream conservatory and the sunshine lifestyle to go with it. With their innovative celling modiﬁcations, they can make your conservatory up to 95% warmer in winter and up to 75% cooler in summer. Not only that, but you’ll even save money on those ever-rising energy bills!

before

The conversion work transforms the internal appearance of your after conservatory roof and you’ll be left with a clean, crisp new plastered and painted ceiling with modern spot lighting inside instead of an ugly plastic roof. Customers can even opt to have a slated roof built on top of their old roof, so that the external view of the conservatory is transformed too! The owner of Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions, Paul Stubbs, says “The conversion process takes around ﬁve days and there will be minimal disruption to your home. In addition to the roof conversion, there are all sorts of extra options available; we can convert your conservatory into a cinema room, or even an

Well done Freedom for the best idea I have seen since double glazing! I now have a 7 metre lounge with Freedom doing a full makeover and that new ceiling looks amazing in the conservatory, especially with the new lighting system that was ﬁtted. Thanks - Mr Dale from Winstanley

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10 Year insurance-backed guarantee extra bedroom. We will manage the process from start to ﬁnish, using skilled tradesmen to ensure that you’re absolutely delighted with the results”. So when you’re writing out your New Year’s resolutions, make sure the pledge at the very top of the list is to convert your conservatory roof in 2014, so that you can get use of your conservatory 365 days a year. For more details of the conversion process, call Freedom Conservatory Roof Solutions on 01942 465000 or call Paul’s mobile 07761 966 024.

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Recipe of the month

PORK & LENTIL BAKE WITH APPLE This meal goes a long way for a small budget, warming and delicious - perfect for a winter supper. Good butchers and some supermarkets will sell pigs cheeks - they’re a great economical cut and become deliciously tender with a long, slow cook. Diced pork is a great substitute.

Ingredients • 180g unsalted butter • 6 sticks celery, washed and chopped • 2 medium sized onions diced • 450g or 8 individual pigs cheeks • 450g cooking apples, peeled, cored and quartered • 3 carrots peeled and batoned • 2 parsnips peeled and sliced thickly • 500ml apple juice • 500ml good stock • 200g puy lentils, rinsed and picked over for any stones • 1 tablespoon sunflower oil

Equipment Large casserole dish

Oven Gas Mark 2 1/2, 150°c

Method Fry the celery and the onion together in the sunflower oil until softened in a large casserole dish. If using pigs cheeks remove any tough membranes or fatty tissue and cut each cheek into 4. Add the pork to the celery and onion and cook until the meat is browned on all surfaces. Add the apples, carrots, apple juice and stock. Finally add the lentils and stir together making sure the meat and the lentils are submerged in the stock. Cook in a slow oven (150ºC/ Gas Mark 2 1/2) for 2 hours. You can cook it for longer and the meat will become even more deliciously tender. If using diced pork keep an eye on it, but 1 hour to 1 and a half hours should be perfect. Taste for seasoning before serving. Adjust as required.

Recipe courtesy of Diane Johnson

Serve in dishes with crusty bread and spring greens or purple sprouting broccoli.

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Sail Away in If you’re looking to broaden your horizons in 2014, then there’s no better way of experiencing all the world has to offer than a cruise! Established since 1983, Marken Travel in Billinge can organise all aspects of your cruise holiday of a lifetime - simply choose where you’d like to go from a huge range of options and we’ll put together a choice of itineraries for you. In addition to your cruise, we’ll also organise flights, hotels, transfers and any other requirements you have. JTA are ATOL protected, so your holiday is financially covered, and because we organise so many cruises each year, we get low, low prices which we pass onto our customers! Just check out a selection of our great offers!

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2014 Jewels of the Mediterranean – 9th May Return flights from London (regional supplements available), plus 1 night in 4* Columbus Sea Hotel in Genoa, then cruising for 7 nights on MSC Musica to Civitavecchia (Rome), Palermo, La Goulette, Majorca, Valencia & Marseille.

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www.markentravel.co.uk 29

Wordsearch Sudoku

Puzzle Corner

Guess where? Photo kindly supplied by Rainford Library

Answers are on page 41 of this magazine C T M H S E G A S U A S E O N A L A Y T H B U R G E R S I N S G R T S C O N E S I O M R L

Pate Strawberries Cheese Pasta Champagne Scallops Eclair Casserole

Sausages Cream Sponge cake Roulade Lamb shank Marmalade Onion gravy Mushrooms

Chasseur Rump steak Scones Sushi Burgers Chilli Custard

S I M K S H E B E C T U O U T E E A R Y A T H A R N L O M T R A L L V M P A T E K A R P S O C A I A P N G A A B D H S P L H D D R A O U T M F E S T O E A E R G G C H I L L I U E L O S S A N N K N A H S B M A L O S E T O E C L A I R D I K A

Find all the words associated with â&#x20AC;&#x2122;Scrumptious foodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; in the grid and the remaining letters will spell out a related phrase.

S E E S I H S U S E A T I N C G U H U N E K A C E G N O P S I R C C O T B A G U E T T E S

Catch a Patch!

Support Group

New allotments in Billinge look set to finally become a reality. The Parish Council is hoping to create a scheme on the Eddleston Fields on Rainford Road. Initial costings have now been completed and parish councillors are now awaiting final approval from the Eddleston Trust, which owns the field. If you wish to express an interest in taking up a plot, please submit your name and address to the Parish Clerk, Mr Tom Kelly, on 01744 892355 or email tomkelly@ billingeparishcouncil.gov.uk

The St Helens Thyroid Disease and ME Support Group first meeting of 2014 takes place on Friday, February 7, from 2pm to 4pm, at The Millennium Centre, Corporation Street, St Helens. The group aims to give free support and advice for people struggling with their illness. For more information call Gill on 07722120066.

February Flowers Rainford Flower Club’s first meeting this year takes place in February. Members will gather on Thursday, February 13, at 7.30pm in the Village Hall on Church Road. All welcome. Call 01744 883314.

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Street Dancing A free Urban Zone activities programme with workshops for children and teens is being offered to those in the Newton-le-Willows area. If you are interested in street dancing, music production, world crafts, rapping, African drums, graffiti art, DJ’ing/MC’ing or break dancing, you can sign up on Wednesdays, from 4.45pm-6.15pm, at Crownway Community Centre, Crown Street, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows.

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Jack’s Tracks

Rivington

all elements of this walk, I really would recommend a bright, slightly chilly day. If it was too hot, novices like me could find themselves coming a cropper later on when the terrain becomes much steeper, and the low sun lights up the moorland in a way no computer programme could ever hope to achieve.

OK, I will make a confession; the ‘healthier eating plan’ for Christmas didn’t quite work out. It’s the same every year; as soon as someone cracks open the tin of sweets, I’m unable to stop my hands wandering towards the orange creams. Perhaps I should spend next Christmas in blissful solitude up Rivington Pike, where the only temptation is to stay longer and enjoy the beautiful views. At this time of year, the low sun bathes the moorland in the sort of golden glow which is usually reserved for midsummer. We parked in one of the numerous spaces available near Go Ape on Rivington Lane. At the back of the wooden Go Ape building, there’s a path heading towards the reservoir, bounded by some metal fencing. Before long our feet were kicking up the blanket of brittle leaf fall which had carpeted the floor of the woods. Standing proudly ahead are rows of perfectly vertical trees, behind which lie the wide expanse of water. For

When down by the waterside, it is tempting to pitch up for a few hours with your flask and butties but this would be a mistake as greater treasures lay further down the trail. We followed the pathway adjacent to the reservoir until we reached the ‘ruins’ of Liverpool Castle. We must have spent a good 10 minutes there snapping away quite happily before realising that time is pressing on, and the glorious sunshine will only be out for another couple of hours or so.

Stepping away from the castle, we took an easterly direction onto a straight, ‘boulevard’ clearing before reaching the junction with Rivington Lane. Bearing right onto the lane, we started noticing sports pitches on the right through the trees. On the left, there’s Rivington and Blackrod School. We went right past the school

Designer Ruins The ‘ruins’ of Liverpool Castle stand on the banks of Lower Rivington Reservoir, and is a quirky feature of the walk. It was built by local landowner Lord Leverhulme in 1912 to remind him of the original castle which, as the name might suggest, was originally situated on the banks of the River Mersey. before taking a straight left onto Roynton Road. This is where the ‘fun’ really starts as it’s the most energysapping part of the walk. The gradient gets steeper and steeper as we started our ascent up to the Pike. Eventually, we came to a fork in the road so we bore right at the Electricity North West sub-station and made our way up onto the knoll. We came across a few sheep happily grazing away. After my previous experiences with cows in Parbold, I was slightly apprehensive.

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The original castle is now long gone and what stands at Rivington is a scaled replica showing what it looked like after being severely damaged during the Civil War. The reservoirs here were created to provide water to the city of Liverpool, hence the strong connection. Lord Leverhulme commissioned the replica and never intended it to be finished, therefore recreating the ‘ruins’ look.

However, relief was forthcoming as some stared curiously but the majority didn’t even raise their heads from the lush pasture to acknowledge our existence. The bridleway slowly snaked towards the Pike. This is where the mind plays tricks as the Pike was seemingly close enough to touch, but due to the steepness, it appeared to take ages before I felt I’d got closer to it,. Ahead of us lay the classic walkers’ dilemma; do you take the nice, level but longer path to the summit or do you take the short, but craggy and much steeper route. Being a glutton for punishment, I chose the latter and soon cursed every drink and ounce of food I’d digested over the previous two weeks. It was I guess the ultimate detox I suppose, but boy did I feel it!

imported direct from Reykjavik purely for my benefit, began to cool my throbbing joints. The sun was now starting to set over the distant horizon, and there were a few others up there taking the opportunity to saviour nature’s matinee. It seemed almost a waste to leave so quickly but at this time of year, once the sun has decided it’s going to bed, then it does so fairly rapidly, and we wanted to get back to the car park before dark. From here, it’s all downhill in the literal sense which, for all my complaining about the steepness going up, was actually hard on my knees and calf muscle. Once past the purpose-built steps, the terrain heading northwards is quite rough, although there is some brief respite around the Pigeon Tower, an elaborate summerhouse built in 1910 which looks onto the Rivington Terraced Gardens.

Once at the summit, the heat generated from my toils slowly started to ebb away and the wind, seemingly

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Village Green Tea Room

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Rivington Hall Pigeon Tower

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Rivington Lower Reservoir

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By now, we were on the home straight towards Rivington Hall. Past here, it was literally a straight route back to the car park. More by fluke than anything else, by the time we got back to the car, darkness had just about descended. In total, the walk took us two and a half hours and was five miles long. We were slowed down by the gradient and also the beautiful views, but that is no bad thing. So having now experienced the solitude of Rivington Pike, it is most definitely on my list for Christmas destinations next year. But the big question Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m now grappling with is can I resist the temptation to take a tin of sweets with me? I can imagine going two weeks without TV, my phone or other earthly possessions, but a Christmas season without the odd orange cream? That could be one New Year ambition too farâ&#x20AC;Ś

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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Where Are They Now? - By David Sudworth

Tommy Gore Wigan Athletic (1974-1980)

It’s a game which has gone down in Wigan Athletic folklore. On January 14, 1980, the Division 4 outfit travelled to Stamford Bridge to play Chelsea in the FA Cup. If getting to the third round in itself was like winning the cup itself, then beating West London’s finest must have felt akin to lifting the World Cup. And that’s exactly what happened; a single strike from Latics’ Tommy Gore sent the Blues – including their 1966 hero manager Geoff Hurst and legendary defensive bruiser Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris – crashing out. The match merely confirmed Tommy’s place in the Latics Hall of Fame. A Wigan player for the previous six years, the Liverpoolborn midfielder was a firm favourite with fans. He’d played in Latics’ first game as a Football League team in 1978 and earned a reputation as a class player. He left Wigan for Bury later that year and was unexpectedly forced to hang up his boots in 1984 following a neck injury while playing for Port Vale against Burnley.

I was fortunate to get to know him outside football through a family connection. He once lent me his big red book which he received after being on This Is Your Life. While at Liverpool, I played in the 1972 FA Youth Cup Final. On the way to the final, we played at Anfield and I scored at the Kop end. It was like a boyhood dream come true.” It turns out this was only the start of Tommy realising some of his dreams. Throughout his career, Tommy has had the privilege of playing against some of the greatest names in world football, including the undisputed greatest of all time, Pele. Tommy explains: “To make my wages up during my time at Latics, I played in the new North America Soccer League for Dallas Tornado. I’d play for Wigan during the normal English season then go over to America for the summer. At that time, Pele had signed for New York Cosmos and his first game was against us. He was

Local Life caught up with Tommy over a brew at his home in Billinge, where he’s resided for the past 30 years. Now aged 60, there’s no sign the competitiveness he displayed as a player has waned: “I have a huge passion for golf. I’ve been a member of Dean Wood Golf Club in Up Holland since I finished playing, and was made Captain last year, which was a massive honour for me. Dean Wood is a huge part of my life, it’s a fantastic club and I just love the place,” beams Tommy. Signed by Bill Shankly as a 14 year old, Tommy, who is a joiner by trade, started out at his beloved Liverpool. Following a brief spell at Tranmere, he was signed by Wigan manager Ian McNeill.: “Shankly was just a marvellous man, every story you hear about him is true. Apart from my dad he was the most amazing man I’ve ever met in my life, he just had this aura about him.

Playing against the Brazilian great in the USA

coming into the twilight of his career but those sorts of players don’t lose their skill. The pitches were awful but even so, Pele was still able to control the ball with no problem at all. It was a privilege to play against the greatest player ever to pull football shirt. At the end of the match, I went straight over to him and we swapped shirts. I still have it to this day.” After retiring, Tommy ploughed his efforts into his Wigan town centre snooker club, which stood next to the old Central Park. He bought the building in 1981 while he was still playing. It had originally been a Labour Club but had undergone a period of uncertainty due to the fact that, at that time, the council were widening the road system and it was unclear whether the land would be needed for the development. Once the council declared the site was safe, Tommy bought it for £50,000 and set about converting it: “I got the idea from my time as a player. Most football clubs had a snooker table and there was always a mad rush to get on it once training was over. I was asked if I wanted to go to a snooker hall in Bury, while I was playing there, and the place was packed. I thought it was something I could make work in Wigan, and I suppose looking back I was starting to think about what I’d do after I retired from football.”

home! The game has got more professional though. On the other hand, we used to have a lot more access to the top players; you could get to know them. When I was a youngster, my hero was Ian Callaghan, who played for Liverpool. Last year, while I was Captain of Dean Wood, I was at an event at Childwall and Ian came over and gave me a big hug, which was just amazing. We’d got to know each other over the years. I don’t think that happens as much these days.” And it’s these days which Tommy is keen to focus on. He’s a proud father to Michael, who lives in St Helens, and Jenni, who resides near Orrell. He also has five grandchildren and has been with his partner, Julie, for the past 18 years. Still lionised by Latics fans, he was the club’s guest of honour at the Charity Shield match against Manchester United a few months ago, and was presented to both teams on the pitch. He also comperes the Legends’ Lounge at the DW Stadium, where he gets the chance to reminisce with fans about his playing days. Like many ex-players, he is concerned the amount of overseas players now coming in is limiting opportunities for home grown talent, and that they don’t have the same longstanding ties with the clubs they play for. “Wigan is a built on the fact that it brings people through the ranks. There’s still people there like Graham Barrow, and Jonathan Jackson, the chief executive, used to even be a ball boy at Springfield Park. What are the chances of that happening with other clubs?”

In the late 80s, Tommy sold the club and returned to joinery. This led him to refurbishing Woolworths stores and, through a series of happy coincidences, he started maintaining carpets and upholstery on ships, which he continues to be involved in to this day. His passion for competition is now channelled into golf through Dean Wood, but concedes there is nothing quite like being a footballer: “It was fantastic, every boy’s dream. The dressing room banter was brilliant, and the relationship with the fans was amazing. When I was playing at Latics, we’d finish the match and then go for a few drinks in the old social club at Springfield Park. “The players are much fitter but the game was more physical in the 70s. Nowadays, clubs have nutritionists and all that, but when I was playing our post match meal would be fish and chips from the local chippy on the team bus going

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Garden Diary - by Angie Barker

Thanks Hubby ...but no thanks!

Award Winner

Never mind, I’ll turn my thoughts to the garden and this is a great time of year for planning ahead. One of the biggest problems I hear about from clients when they are assessing their garden is the lack of seasonal interest and colour. All garden designers have a favourite list of plants which will appear in their designed gardens time and time again. To some extent this will be down to personal preference but it will also be because those plants bring something to a planting scheme, whether this is structure, colour, movement, scent and so on. I thought I’d give you a glimpse of my own list of plants which I simply could not be without in my own garden and which I include in many of my planting plans - I wonder how many of these you have in your borders ... • Buxus sempervirens or Box – for evergreen structure • Bergenia ‘Bressingham Beauty’ or Elephants Ears – good seasonal interest 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.

Geranium nodosum © Hectonichus

Happy New Year everyone – how are your New Year resolutions going? I’ve been busy taking back the pressies Hubby bought me for Christmas - you would think after 25 years of marriage he would know what size I am. And I’m sorry and I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but why would he ever think I’d like a CD by Will.i.am (or William to the older and more cynical amongst us) – Michael Buble – now that’s a different kettle of fish.

• Geranium nodosum – long season of colour and great in shade • Heuchera mic. ‘Palace Purple’ – great texture • Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ – scent and makes a lovely small hedge • Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ – colour and fabulous for bees and butterflies • Sarcococca confusa – scent • Viburnum tinus ‘Eve Price’ grown as a half standard height It’s been very difficult to pick the above as there are so many other brilliant plants to choose from. Perhaps next Christmas I should give Hubby a list of plants he can buy me – then I wouldn’t need to take them back in January! 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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Can you stay ‘dry’ for January? That’s the challenge being set by St Helens health professionals who are encouraging local people to think about taking up the challenge of staying off the booze for a month. They say that with alcohol related problems on the increase and early deaths from liver disease a particular challenge for St Helens, the hope is that 2014 will signal a fresh approach in communities taking on the challenge together. Liz Gaulton, Director of Public Health at St Helens Council, said: “St Helens faces real challenges in relation to alcohol harm but we will not see the improvement needed until people think about their own drinking habits and how this affects their lives and the lives of people around them.” If you or someone you know would like any advice or support, contact one of the following: Addaction (01744 610555) , the confidential 24 hour St Helens domestic violence helpline (01925 220541) the Young People’s Drug & Alcohol Team for those aged up to 19 (01744 677990) or Footsteps, provides support for anyone affected by someone else’s drink or drug use (01744 808212).

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Puzzle Corner - Solutions

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we make it our business to help yours

ANDY HIDDEN

Domestic Electrician Award Winner 2012/13

07946 844904 andy@ahde.co.uk www.ahde.co.uk

• • • • • • •

Re-Wires Additional Sockets / Lights Home Safety Tests Fuse Board Upgrades all! Security Lighting Sm oo Alarms T Job CCTV No

Keys – Locks – Safes Whatever your locksmith needs we will be happy to help!

Visit our showroom 2, Lingholme Road St Helens WA10 2NS

• UPVC door opening, repair & security upgrades • Lock sales • Key cutting • Safes supplied and installed • OAP discount & free quotations

Call us now on

01744 732256

www.master-locksmith-sthelens.co.uk

For more information call

l Geails N £15 £20

Re-pointing Block Paving & Flagging Garden Walls, Fencing & Gates Timber Windows & Doors All Types of Disabled Adaptations

Solar Thermal & Solar PV

Extensions

Saving money is the clear beneﬁt!

Soffits & Fascias

ally

Trust this 3rd generation family run business to carry out all aspects of building work

U.P.V.C. Windows & Composite Doors

Design & Print Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service

Is your property in need of some TLC?

Wind Turbines Heat Pumps

Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect

LED Lighting

NG SERVICI

...and general Energy Savings

VAN CAR & motorcycles too es E ...and Lash Tan X y your FREE Spra H ils home survey eds A Sunb & GeTl Na Health Check ic Car U rton Acryl and Brethe Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double Glazed Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, Safety Glass, Toughened Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced

01744 649722

FREE Dennis Goulding

and we’ll provide you with a detailed report showing the returns available from your

own solar panels Y S 84 of Croston (10% typical return) dio residents me! R Stu T @ for all7PG me until you needCheck E e WN5Keep S Health Visit our showroom at , Billing 400 FREE Car on - 6PM Road S 4 619 your ford ay 10AM now Book Cricket : 0781

atalies

A5209

Shevington

Saturd hone : 84 Rain - 7PM, Open Telep 10AM y , Friday & Sunda ngineers esday Thursday TwinLakesMotorE ay, Wedn Closed ay, Tuesd Mond

Call

01772

REPAIR

603923

DING & WEL

Street Business Park

Slash your electricity and water heating bill

Protect your household from future energy price rises Reduce your household’s impact on the environment

Call us now

0843 224 9555 07595 420237 or

Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk

we make it our business to help yours

www.locallife247.co.uk

Unit 1, Gerards Park, College Street, St Helens, WA10 1ND

www.teevans.co.uk

We’re only a phone call away

01744 808 140 43

• WILSON BROS •

www.dailypoppins.com

Est. 1985

Areas Covered:

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate

01744 892732 Colin: 07958 302 166 Brian: 07760 160 988 www.wilson-bros.co.uk

St Helens Widnes Haydock Moss Bank Rainford and all surrounding areas

It doesn’t have to be spring, to spring clean Contact your local office on

01744 644 061 0151 268 6047 and make cleaning a chore of the past!

DP006

Advertise here Advertise your business in this section for £29 + VAT a month For more information please phone

01744 649 722

we make it our business to help yours

For Roofing & Roofline we’ve got it covered! Roofing Emergency repairs General maintenance Full re-roofs Strip and re-slate Flat/pitched roof conversions Installation of Velux windows Roofline Fascias Soffits Cladding Gutters including Seamless Aluminium Gutters Supply only service available

Domestic & commercial work undertaken Flat roof problem? Don’t felt it, GRP it! This new ﬂat roof treatment will last 30+ years!

Protec Roofing is a long established roofing company that serves domestic and commercial customers throughout the North West. Whatever your roofing requirements are, from emergency roofing repairs to new roofs to roofline, Protec Roofing are there to help you. We promise our customers; • No emergency call out fees • Emergency repairs done asap • Free consultation & estimates • Day and evening appointments • Free advice from experienced roofers • A 10 year insurance-backed guarantee If you’re thinking of improving the appearance of your property by installing new roofline, please give us a call. We can supply and fit a huge range of quality products including our revolutionary new aluminium seamless gutters. Because when it comes to roofs, we’ve got it all covered!

CALL TODAY TO GET A FREE QUOTE

01942 665 270 0774 876 7845 or 0770 221 8867 www.protecroofingnw.co.uk

www.locallife247.co.uk

Restore your bathroyo! m to its former glor At a fraction of the price of a new bathroom

After

Before

• Grubby Grout Returned to Ice White • No More Scrubbing at Mouldy Silicone • Tiles Polished to Perfection • Screens Returned to Crystal Clear • Give Your Bathroom the “Wow” Factor with a Mini-Makeover • Experts in Baths or Shower Cubicle Restoration

Useful Numbers

Call Now for Information & Your Quick Pack Quote

www.TotalBathroomRestoration.co.uk