St Helens & Ashton Edition
Nov/Dec 2012
Bonfire Night Round Up
Jack’s Tracks
visits Newton-le-Willows
Free Wine Offer at the Pied Bull
Christmas Photo: Billinge Hill by Nicola Gray
Events Guide
Win! A meal for t�o
in our Lancashire Day competition www.locallife247.co.uk
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The nights are drawing in… Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road Orrell Wigan WN5 7XB Advertising/Editorial 01744 649722 nicolag@locallife247.co.uk Accounts/Distribution 01695 627999 sallyb@locallife247.co.uk The December issue of Local Life will be published on Friday 29th November. The copy deadline for this issue is Monday 15th November. Local Life is published every month. Distribution areas will alternate each month between two separate edition areas; The St Helens and Prescot edition is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston Park, Windle, Knowsley Village, Prescot Road and part of Nutgrove. Copies of this edition 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 of this edition are also available to pick up free from Tesco Stores in Haydock and Earlestown. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the information 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, including pictures, may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.
When you receive the new edition of Local Life - remember to recycle the old one.
www.locallife247.co.uk
Yep, it’s gone, blink and you’ve missed it – summer is well and truly over! But this is actually my favourite time of year, the leaves are now all shades of colours and I feel it’s acceptable for my winter jumpers to make a bid for freedom! Christmas is just around the corner and we’ve got a bumper issue that will keep you busy all the way through the festive period. Don’t miss our Lancashire Day competition on p54 – three lucky winners will win a meal for two at the Pied Bull in Newton. What better way to warm your cockles than with good hearty Lancashire fayre, so get your Lanky dialect at the ready and send us your entries. We also have plenty of other places for you to visit so if you fancy wrapping up warm and getting out there then try out our latest Jack’s Tracks on p44-47 or have a look at the Bonfire Night rundown on p22. Don’t forget to check out the great hearty lentil soup recipe on p16 and the Christmas events section on p50 & 51 will keep you in the know for the run up to the Christmas holidays. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has contributed to the magazine – without your news and events we’d have nothing to talk about. So keep all your good news coming in 2013 and we will do our best to promote it for you. I do have one small request for all you lovely readers – if you have any old photographs of the area you live in please do send them into us because we would love to use them! See you in the New Year – in the meantime have a great Christmas!
nicolag@locallife247.co.uk
In this issue 4 16 22 23 31 32 41 44 50 54 56 58 59 61 67
30% off colour treatments at Phillippa Dickenson Dish of the Month – Hearty Lentil Soup Local Bonfire Rundown FREE swimming voucher! FREE sausages at Windy Arbour! Holts Arms Restaurant Review Puzzle Page Jacks Tracks Christmas Events Lancashire Day Competition Motoring Feature Motoring Services Gardening Services Home Services Tell Us Once Useful Numbers
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Memorial Walk Residents and schoolchildren in Billinge will be marking Remembrance Day with a memorial walk again this year. The march took place for the first time last year and the turnout was fantastic so organisers have decided to make this a yearly event.
Lest we Forget At 11.00am on Sunday 11th November, 94 years on from the signing of the Armistice in 1918, homage will be paid to those who died during the two world wars and in other more recent 20th and 21st century conflicts, including tribute to the many hundreds of St Helens men and women who gave their lives in the service of their country at a special Remembrance event in Victoria Square in the town centre.
There will be a service at the Memorial Garden on Main Street near Billinge Library – the service will take place at 11am on Friday 9th November. Prior to the march, residents will again join with local schoolchildren from St Aiden’s, Birchley St Mary’s and Chapel End to walk from the Millennium Garden up Main Street to the Memorial Garden. Refreshments will be provided at The Stork Pub funded by Billinge Parish Council. Anyone wishing to join in the walk can meet at the Millennium Garden at 10.10am If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to
A remembrance parade, organised by St.Helens Council and the Royal British Legion, will assemble by Birchley Street car park at 10.30am and will proceed to the War Memorial in front of the Town Hall. The Service will commence at 10.50 and the two minutes silence will be observed at 11.00am. The Valley Brass Band and local wartime singer Heather Marie will provide performances during the event.
editorial@locallife247.co.uk
Poppies or wreaths will be available before the day of the service from the Royal British Legion based at Unit 13 within St Mary’s Market. For more details about the service please contact the events team on 01744 675492 or e-mail events@sthelens.gov.uk.
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Relationship Building That’s what networking is all about! BNI or Business Network International is the world’s largest Referral organisation with 150,000 members across 51 countries. The fact is that every week a new BNI Group will begin somewhere and these relationships are just beginning.
Dance for Matthew In the last issue of Local Life we mentioned a Barn Dance being organised by the friends and family of Matthew Valentine in aid of the Niemann Pick Disease Group UK. Three year old Billinger Matthew suffers from the condition, which impairs his motor skills, but is doing well and his friends and family organised the night as a thank you to the group for the help that they have received with Matthew. Matthew’s aunt, Helen Valentine, told Local Life “We were amazed by the response that we had from Local Life readers and the kindness and generosity of so many people. The event was sold out and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. In total, we raised £1,808 for the charity.”
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Terry Hamill, Executive Director for BNI Merseyside, talks about the differences of becoming a founder member of a group or joining an established group. “In my time I have worked with more than 100 groups and started many of them from scratch. There are some differences to a start-up group and an established group for people to consider. When you apply to be part of any BNI group there is a honeymoon period where people get to know each other’s businesses and in turn build trust enough to pass serious referrals not leads. When you join an established group if the dynamic in that group is right and the right mix of professions for you then referrals will happen fairly quickly. The benefits of joining an established group is those relationships are already there for a large proportion of the members. When you join a new group, in some ways this can be the most exciting time as everyone is working together to create a powerful hub of entrepreneurs to help each other through referrals. The Ashton group meets at the Encore Hotel on the East Lancs road near Haydock every Tuesday - their goal is to reach 20 different business types and they are actively looking for new members. If you would like to attend simply e-mail kath@bninorthwest.com for more information or call 0800 046 3195.
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November
comes to town!
Saturday 10th 1.15pm - 4.45pm Saturday 17th 11am - 3.30pm Sunday 18th 12pm - 3.30pm Saturday 24th 11am - 4.45pm Sunday 25th 11.30am - 3.30pm
December
Saturday 1st 1pm - 4.45pm Sunday 2nd 11.30am - 3.30pm Friday 7th 11am - 4.45pm Saturday 8th 10.30am - 4.45pm Sunday 9th 11.30am - 3.30pm Thursday 13th 12pm - 4.45pm Friday 14th 12pm - 4.45pm Saturday 15th 10.30am - 4.45pm Sunday 16th 11.30am - 3.30pm Tuesday 18th 10.30pm - 4.45pm Wednesday 19th 10.30pm - 4.45pm Thursday 20th 10.30pm - 4.45pm Friday 21st 10.30am - 4.45pm
Meet Santa in his grotto at Tyrers and get a lovely gift! Tickets to see Santa are available from our menswear department – call 01744 20261
12.45pm - Saturday 10th November Come and see Santa and his elves arrive at Tyrers on an open top bus!
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Craft Fayre Here’s your chance to feast your eyes on an array of gifts and festive delights at the annual St Helens Craft Fayre. Kicking off on Tuesday 6th November you’ve got five days to fill your Christmas stockings with extra special gifts for family and friends. Church Square in the town centre will be littered with handmade jewellery, fudge, greeting cards, nostalgia gifts, handbags and much more, so don’t miss out!
Rainhill Beer Festival Calling all real ale fans! The Rainhill Beer Festival is back for its 10th year and 2012 is set to be the best ale offering yet! Last year the festival, organised by the Rainhill Rotarians, lost its venue when the Prescot Leisure Centre was closed. They bounced back and produced a great three day festival, which returns on Thursday 8th November until Saturday 10th November at the Rainhill Recreation Club on Victoria Terrace. Over the years this event has been a big draw for real ale fans and the Rotary Club will be putting on a show to remember with a huge marquee, sheltered queuing area, around 100 barrels of real ale and many exotic bottled
beers from all over the world! For more information please contact enquiries@rainhillbeerfest.org or have a look at the website at www.rainhillbeerfest.org
Springwoods for Christmas If you’re already having trouble thinking what to buy for your loved ones this Christmas, then Springwoods Health and Beauty might just have the answer. Salon owner Katy Boyd is hosting her annual Christmas shopping evening on Tuesday 13th November at her salon on Church Road, Rainford. You can join her from 6pm til 8pm for a browse through some exclusive gifts, perfect for those Christmas stocking fillers. There will be mulled wine and mince pies on offer, a free goodie bag on arrival and the chance to try out the new Thalgo anti-ageing eye treatment. For more information or to book your place please contact the salon on 01744 882791. If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk
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Card making course Get crafty this Christmas and you could wow your friends and family with your own homemade cards. The card making and scrapbooking course is held every Wednesday at the Newton le Willows Community Centre on Park Road South. This fabulous course is great for crafters and you can learn a new skill just in time for the festive season. The course will cover decoupage, card making and scrapbooking. For those of you who are more experienced crafters this is a good chance to share your ideas and techniques in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. The course takes place between 10-12pm and the cost is £5 per session payable a week in advance. If you would like any more information or to book your place please contact the centre on 01925 224731 or e-mail contact@ newtoncommunitycentre.co.uk If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk
Call - 01942 718602
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Cinderella
Magical Music
Panto season is nearly upon us and Rainford Amateur Dramatics Society is getting into the spirit with their version of the classic rags to riches story Cinderella. The performances will take place at the Rainford Parish Hall on Church Road. Performances will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 16th, Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November followed by Thursday 22nd, Friday 23rd and two performances at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday 24th November. Tickets are £8 for adults and £4 for children 16 and under - for more information or to book your tickets please call the Box-Office on 01744 883350.
Rainhill Musical Theatre Company are staging their latest offering ‘The Magic of Music’ at Rainhill Village Hall on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th of November at 7.30 pm. The talented local group promises an evening full of song and dance based on some of the most well-known musicals from the modern era. We’re talking soulful songs from Sister Act, a few rock ballads from We Will Rock You and some touching songs from Billy Elliott amongst others. This production promises to have something for everyone! Tickets are £6 and concessions are £5 – for more information or to book your seat please contact Rosie Sephton on 0151 292 4458.
Fancy a Ramble? St Helens Rambling Club would like you to join them on a coach ramble to the historical town of Ruthin in North Wales. There is a choice of three walks with different ascents, so depending on how spritely you’re feeling you can pick a walk to suit you. The group will be leaving from the Town Hall on Birchley Street at 9am on Saturday 17th November and the cost starts from £12. For more information please contact Jean Barker on 0151 548 4242 or Joan Fuller on 01744 812067.
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Join the Celtic Crew Billinge Celtic under 14’s, part of the successful Billinge Juniors set up, are looking for a couple of enthusiastic new players to join their team. Training is on Thursdays from 6-7pm on the astro turf at St Peter’s High School and matches are played on a Sunday morning. Please call Chris Smith on 07825 216667 if you are interested in coming along.
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Christmas Festival
Another Plaice
St Mary’s Market will be alive with magical and musical festive cheer on Saturday 24th November with traditional events and activities for the whole family to take part in and enjoy. The Citadel Choir will perform a number of modern and classic Christmas favourites around the Christmas tree and the St Helens Council Ranger Service will be holding a wreath-making workshop.
Customers of the Windy Arbour Farm Shop in Billinge will do a double-hake from next week, when Billinge’s ‘Fish Van’ - run by Pat Furnival from Furnival’s Fishmongers in Leigh - who trades twice a week from the Chapel End Labour Club in Billinge, parks up at the popular Billinge farm shop in addition to her usual times at the Labour Club. Pat will be at Windy Arbour, to begin with at least, from 12.15pm to 1.15pm on Tuesdays and 1.45pm to 2.45pm on Fridays. That is, if she can slip away from the tide of customers she will attract!
You will learn techniques to help you make your very own decorative festive wreath which you can take home to proudly display on your front door or above the fire. The free festival will take place between 11am-4pm so don’t miss out - for further information, please visit www. sthelens.gov.uk/markets
Ashton Library Let loose your creative side and take the kids down to Ashton Library on Saturday 1st December for a festive craft session. This is a great event for the kids with a chance to make some Christmas decorations and cards for all the family. Admission is just 50p so grab your seat between 11-12pm - for more information on events and activities please contact Ashton Library on 01942 727119.
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a r o f s u n Joi hopping S s a m t s i r Ch ening! Ev • • • • •
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Electrics 13
Ashton Bears
Does your daughter like Rugby? Well here’s her chance to play because the Ashton Bears All Girls team is recruiting new players to complete their squad. The team is looking for girls in year 6 to year 11 – the team trains every Wednesday evening from 6-7pm and Saturdays 10.3011.30am at Bears Park on Lower Bank Road. This is a great chance to learn ball control, make some new friends and improved your fitness levels at the same time. For more information please contact Julie on 07817 953064 or Cliff on 07890 023484.
Dickensian Day The Smithy Heritage Centre in Eccleston may have closed for the winter but they couldn’t let Christmas go by without a bit of a celebration. The centre will be hosting a Dickensian Christmas on Saturday 8th, Sunday 9th, Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th of December between 1-4pm. You and the family will be able to take part in some free craft activities in the run up to Christmas so make sure you put it in your diary. For more information and opening times please contact The Smithy Heritage Centre on 01744 730744 or e-mail smithyheritagecentre@hotmail.com
Christmas Stallholders Wanted St Mary’s Market in St Helens is inviting applications from artists to take part in a bespoke Arts and Craft Christmas Market. It will take place on Saturday 8th December between 10.00-3.00pm in the newly refurbished indoor market.
Stalls will be provided and a limited number will have electricity. The market is offering discounted stalls priced at £10 + VAT – stalls are awarded on a first come, first served basis. As well as the fayre there will also be a host of festive activities for the whole family to enjoy including music, performances and make and take workshops. To apply for a stall please contact the markets team on 01744 677155 or email themarketsteam@sthelens.gov.uk
Mini-Market Rainford Welfare and Treat Committee would like to invite you to their annual Christmas mini market on Saturday 10th November. The market will take place between 10-12pm at the Church Hall and will be filled with all the usual goodies. Stalls will include cakes, vegetables, cards and lots of Christmas favourites – there will also be a presentation of a Christmas hamper to some lucky raffle winners. Do come along and support your local charity all proceeds will go towards Christmas food parcels for housebound residents and over 90’s, plus the annual tea and concert on 5th and 6th July 2013. For more information please contact Ivor on 01744 882533.
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tesy of Jule
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Soup
Hearty Lentil and Preserved Lemon Soup Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 80 minutes Serves 6
Method Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion then cover and cook, stirring occasionally until the onion is soft. Add the garlic, ginger and spices and cook for a couple of minutes. Then pop in the remaining ingredients except the yoghurt and coriander and bring to a simmer. Cook gently uncovered for about an hour, stirring occasionally and adding more water if it starts to look too dry and thick. It’s done when the carrot and potato are tender and the lentils have broken down. Taste and season but remember that there will be a lot of salt from the preserved lemon. If you prefer a smoother soup you could puree it a little with a stick blender but I think it’s better rustic-style. Serve hot with a dollop of yoghurt and a few sprigs of coriander.
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Image cour
A truly warm and tasty soup to serve at your bonfire night celebrations Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
3tbsp olive oil 3 onions 5 cloves garlic, 2tbsp grated ginger 1tbsp cumin seeds, ground 1tbsp fennel seeds 3 cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1tsp chilli flakes, or to taste 2 carrots, finely diced 3 sticks celery, finely diced 1 Desiree potato, scrubbed & finely diced 3 x 400g cans tomatoes 750ml water 300g red lentils 4 quarters preserved lemon, rind only, finely chopped
Natural yoghurt, to serve Coriander leaves, to serve
St Aidan’s Christmas Fayre Everyone is on the countdown to Christmas and with only eight weeks until the big day you might want to start thinking about your shopping. St Aiden’s Parish Church will be holding their annual Christmas fayre in the John Eddleston Centre on Main Street, Billinge on Saturday 8th December. Between 11am-2pm you can browse various stalls including jewellery, toys and games, books and crafts giving you a great chance to bag some great stocking fillers. There will also be tombola, cake stall, refreshments and a raffle. Admission is free and there will be a visit from a very special guest!
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Festival of Carols The annual Rainford Christmas concert will be held in the Village Hall on Saturday 15th December. In past years the concert has been a big draw for local residents and the 2012 concert promises to better than ever. Rainford Band will be providing musical accompaniment so gather the family together and join in with some classic carols. The concert will start at 7.30pm lead by members of the local clergy – entry is free and tea and coffee will be served.
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Make it a Creative Christmas
Well, this can all be a thing of the past because Billinge Arts & Creative Crafts on Beacon Road, Billinge is here to help. Owner and local resident Lesley Tracey believes that gift giving should be a joy and to help you out she has put a lot of thought and effort into her Christmas stock.
One of the biggest stresses of the Christmas season is gift giving. It can be a real fight to find the right gift for a loved one - add to this the hustle and bustle of the major department stores and wallet fatigue, Christmas can become a nightmare!
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The gift shop is brimming with inspirational festive gifts from home furnishings and beautifully wrapped gift sets to stocking fillers and cards for every occasion. All the products on sale are carefully sourced from local traders and will provide a meaningful present that won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for some handmade decorations, gorgeous soaps or original artwork this is the place for you. The store is definitely ready to help you with your Christmas shopping and Lesley is expecting a delivery of Christmas cake, handmade fudge and choc mint treats perfect for anyone with a bit of a sweet tooth. Why not spend some quality time with the kids and make some of your own Christmas decorations. Or create presents to give to family and friends – you can put your own spin on the decoration and give your own limited edition presents. The shop is open from Thursday to Sunday so get cracking with your Christmas shopping and bag some unique gifts. For more information about booking the craft studio and opening times please give Lesley a call on 07890 128146 or pop in a have a look around. Billinge Arts & Creative Gifts, Beacon Road, Billinge, WN5 7HE. Telephone: 07890 128146
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Fun Day On Saturday 1st December you can join Willowbrook Hospice for some jingle bell fun at St Helens College between 10.30am-2.30pm including a family jungle parade at 11am through the town centre. This is a great way to start the festive season; so come along and see Rudolph, peek into Santa’s grotto and shop in the Christmas market. There is entertainment and a children’s play area, and adults can have a drink in the café. Children will also be able to post a letter in Santa’s post box free! For more information about the Fun Day, please contact Willowbrook on 01744 453798.
Recipes Needed Do you fancy yourself as the next Nigella? If that’s a yes then get your recipes at the ready because Willowbrook Hospice needs your creative input. The Hospice is publishing a cookery book in 2013 to help raise funds for the hospice, as well as indulging in their favourite pastime….food! If you have a favourite recipe, why not send it to them and tell them why the recipe is important to you. Maybe
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it is your mum’s hotpot recipe that always reminds you of coming home from school, or cakes that your children love. All you have to do is dig out your favourite recipe and send it to the Hospice fund raising office before Saturday November 17th and a selection of recipes will be chosen for publication. Send entries to 54/56 Claughton Street, St Helens, WA10 1SN. For more information please contact the hospice on 01744 453798 or e-mail events@willowbrookhospice.org.uk
Britain’s Got Talent! The Loveable Rogues, finalists in Britain’s Got Talent, will be in St Helens on Saturday 17th November to switch on the town’s Christmas lights! The band will headline the event alongside fellow acts The Mend and local favourites The Lancashire Hotpots. The switch on will take place in Victoria Square from 4pm on the 17th and promises a wonderful evening of free music, entertainment and lighting! Taking centre stage will be a spectacular lighting, fire and fireworks show – this will be a great afternoon of festive fun and it’s free too, so don’t miss out! For more information please contact the events team on 01744 675492
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Admission costs £6 for children and this includes entry to the museum and a visit to Santa’s grotto and £6 for adults this includes entry to the museum plus tea, coffee and a mince pie. Booking is required and is available from the beginning of December, for more information please contact the Museum on 01744 451681 or e-mail paul@ nwmort.co.uk
Winter Craft Fair If you’re looking for the ideal place to start your Christmas shopping then we have got the information you need. Following on from their successful exhibition last year, the Art & Craft Guild of Lancashire will be setting up shop at the World of Glass on Chalon Way East on Saturday 24th November until Sunday 13th January.
Santa Special Weekend This is definitely one for the kids! Santa is coming to town and he will be paying Tyrers Department store a very special visit on Saturday 10th November. The kids can see Santa and his elves arrive at 12.45pm on an open top bus courtesy of the North West Transport Museum. Tickets to see Santa are available from the menswear department or by calling 01744 20261. If you can’t get to see Santa at Tyrers, don’t worry because he will be back at the North West Transport Museum in December. Santa will be saying hello from his very own bus grotto on Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th December between 12-4pm. There will be lots of festive family fun to enjoy with a free bus service in one of the specially decorated Christmas buses.
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There be a wide variety of unique gifts available including jewellery, ceramics, embroidery and photography. Admission is free and the exhibition will be open to the public between 10am-4pm on the ground floor gallery. For more information please contact the World of Glass on 01744 22766 or e-mail info@worldofglass.com
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Open Studio Sale weekend
On Saturday 10 th & Sunday 11 th of November 2012 Need some inspiration for Christmas presents this year? Come along to our open weekend and choose from lots of lovely and unusual gift ideas with upto 70% off many items for this weekend! Christmas decorations, bowls, jewellery, wall panels, mirrors, coasters and sculptures will all be on show at great discount prices. So come along on Sat 10th & Sun 4th December open 10 - 4 both days. Unit 11, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB t/f 01695 624182 w www.morpheusglass.co.uk e info@morpheusglass.co.uk
splashbacks | panels | coasters | jewellery | hangings | sculptures | bowls
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Bonfires to remember! St.Mark’s 2012 Firework Extravaganza
Event held at St.Mark’s Centre, Park Street, Haydock WA11 0BH. Starts at 6.30pm. Fun for all the family with a new firework display and children’s’ crafts. Admission - Adults £3, children £1.50, family £7.50 (2 adults and 2 children)
Holts Arms, Billinge
Friday 2nd November
Bonfire & Fireworks Display
A spectacular Annual Bonfire and Fireworks Display will take place at the Sports Club on Crow Lane East in Newton-le-Willows. Gates open at 5:30pm, the bonfire is lit at 7:00pm and the fireworks start at 7:30pm. Please note that there is no on site car parking. Admission - Family Ticket £5 (2+2 kids U-11), Adult £3, Children (11+) £2, Children U-11 £1
Saturday 3rd November
Annual Bonfire & Firework Spectacular
Orrell Cricket Club invite you to enjoy their annual bonfire and firework spectacular. Gates open at 5.30, bonfire lit at 7pm, fireworks start at 7.45pm. Full Bar, and also hot and cold refreshments available. Orrell Cricket Club is on Winstanley Road opposite Hewitt’s Business Park (WN5 7XE). Admission - £3, child £1 (with accompanying adult)
Prescot Bonfire and Fireworks at Whittakers Garden Centre On Saturday 3rd November, Rainhill Rotary Club will be hosting their excellent fireworks and bonfire night at Whitakers Garden Centre in Prescot. As well as the bonfire and fireworks, there will also be funfair rides and food stalls. Gates open at 5:30pm, the bonfire is lit at 6:15pm and the fireworks start at 7:00pm. Tickets can be bought either in Advance (discount) from the Garden centre from the 22nd of October, or on the night. Ticket Prices are as follows. (family tickets are 2 adults and 2 children) Price Adult (advanced) £5 Family (Advanced) £14 Child (Night) £5
Child (advanced) Adult (Night) Family (Night)
£4 £6 £14
Proceeds of the bonfire night will go to Willowbrook Hospice.
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Bonfire on the meadow behind the pub as well as a fireworks display! On sale are toffee apples, Sparklers, Hotpot, chilli and hotdogs, and there’s an outside bar too. Admission – Free
Sunday 4th November
Fireworks Spectacular Skelmersdale Cricket Club
Gates open at 5pm and the firework display begins at 7:30pm. There’s a bar, food stalls and a fun fair for all the family! Skelmersdale Cricket Club is on Blaguegate Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 8TY. Admission - £3 on the gate
Monday 5th November
Spark in the Park
Event held at Sherdley Park in St Helens. Opens at 5pm, children’s display start at 7pm, main display starts at 8pm – simply the biggest and best firework display in St Helens. Funfair operates from 5pm10pm. Thousands will wrap up warm and tuck into toffee apples to witness one of the biggest events of the 2012 events calendar. Admission - Free
Halton Fireworks 2012
The sky over Halton will be filled with a stunning array of colour during the 20 minute display as the fireworks explode into the air accompanied by music. There will be entertainment from 6.30pm with music from a local radio station to entertain the crowds. The fireworks will be starting at approximately 7.30pm. Viewing from Mersey Road, Runcorn & Victoria Promenade, West Bank, Widnes with FREE parking in Runcorn & Widnes Town Centres & Catalyst Car Park, Spike Island, Widnes. Please note that space is limited. Admission - Free
FANTASTIC NEW FACILITIES AT PARR SWIMMING NOW & FITNESS CENTRE: OPEN! • Refurbished teaching pool • New splash pool for youngsters • New lighting & ventilation in both pools • Improved changing facilities • Modernised spectator area • More car parking spaces
FREE Swimming Day Sunday 18th November 9.00am – 5.00pm (Official opening 11.00am with VIP Guest) Enjoy free swimming & aqua-activities throughout the day! Parr Swimming & Fitness, Ashcroft Street, St.Helens WA9 1BQ. Telephone: 01744 677236 * Please refer to St.Helens Council policy on admission for
go active
young people under 8, who must be accompanied by an appropriate person over 16 years of age. Please note that your time in the pool may be limited depending on demand.
SERVICE AND VALUE YOU CAN TRUST
@GoActiveSTH
GoActiveSTH
www.sthelens.gov.uk/goactive
Free swim voucher
www.sthelens.gov.uk/goactive
Present this completed voucher to reception to redeem your free swim. Name: Email address:
Postcode:
Voucher for free swim only valid on Sunday 18th November between 9.00am – 5.00pm at Parr Swimming and Fitness. Subject to availability. Please note that your time in the pool may be limited depending on demand. The information provided on this voucher will be processed in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998. Your contact details may be used to provide you with information and updates in relation to GoActive. By submitting this voucher, you will be indicating your consent to receiving promotional information from us relating to other information and updates in relation to GoActive, unless you have indicated an objection to receiving such messages by ticking the box.
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Artisan Market Inglenook Farm on the Rainford By-pass will be hosting their monthly artisan market on Sunday 11th November at 10am. With up to 40 stalls selling everything from fabulous antiques, locally crafted gifts, jewellery, art, local farm produce and food you will be spoilt for choice. There will be live swing music, wood carving demonstrations and plenty to do in the courtyard. For more information about the markets please contact Inglenook Farm on 01744 886612.
Come Dine With Me Do you love dinner parties? Are you a great cook? Well get your aprons at the ready as the Channel 4 hit show Come Dine With Me is back for a new daytime series – and producers are looking for contestants in the St Helens area. Now, if you’re like us then this show is already a bit of a guilty pleasure, but for those of you not in the know here’s how it works. Over five days, five strangers, from all walks of life take turns to host the perfect dinner party for each other. At the end of the week the best host wins £1,000 cash prize.
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If you or anyone you know would like to take part then please leave your name, address, age and contact details by e-mailing cdwm@itv.com. The shoot dates are 28th January to 1st February 2013 – so if you’re over 18 and have a passion for cooking get in touch.
Christmas Markets If you’re planning a trip or two to the region’s Christmas markets to get ahead with your Christmas shopping or sample the unique festive atmosphere, we’ve got the dates for you! Liverpool’s Christmas Markets open on Thursday 22nd November and run until Friday 21st December, Manchester’s Christmas Markets open the week before on Saturday 17th November and finish a couple of days later on Sunday 23rd December.
Get a mention If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk
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Unlock the Secrets to Youthful Ageing Natura Skin Clinic, near Warrington, is a friendly, family run clinic. Unlike other local clinics or spa salons, every procedure at Natura is carried out by a doctor. This ensures patients receive the best treatments, performed by experienced and skilled doctors, for optimum results. Natura’s approach to youthful ageing, and dermatological treatments, aims to improve overall well-being by balancing both inner and outer health.
treatment. Your legs can be vein free and clear in time for next summer, as you don’t have to worry about avoiding sunshine during the winter months. Natura are also the only UK clinic offering Multi-Layer Skin Rejuvenation; an exclusive treatment using medical lasers for smooth, refreshed skin.
As well as popular Botox, dermal fillers, lip sculpturing and laser hair removal, Natura is the only clinic locally to provide leg vein removal with guaranteed results. Now is great time to take advantage of this fantastic
To book your free skin evaluation at Natura Skin Clinic, or to find out more, please call 01925 398 315, email Doctor@natura.co.uk or visit www. naturaskinclinic.co.uk.
A free skin evaluation is offered to all new patients. This is a consultation where patients discuss their skin concerns and the Doctor will then make treatment recommendations based on individual needs. Natura is renowned for achieving visible yet natural looking results, with an on-going consultancy for continued results.
Natural beauty through medical expertise Natura Skin Clinic is a friendly, family-run private clinic in Cheshire where every single procedure is carried out in clinical safety by highly experienced doctors. Discover more about our non-surgical treatments using the latest technology or book your free Skin Evaluation today. Botox • Fillers • Laser Hair Removal • Multi-Layer Skin Rejuvenation • Face & Leg Vein Removal • Skin Tightening • Laser Dermabrasion • Skin Resurfacing
Call 01925 398 304 or visit www.naturaskinclinic.co.uk Natura Skin Clinic • 230c Newton Road • Lowton • Warrington • Cheshire • WA32AD
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The year was 1840. Queen Victoria turned 21 and married Prince Albert, Haigh Hall had just been built, Benedictine nuns were resident in Orrell Mount, Winstanley consisted of just a few dozen houses and from his farm in Walthew Green, near Roby Mill, Mr Henry Turner supplied milk, eggs and bacon to the labourers constructing the Wigan to Southport railway line. In 1861, the farmer moved his family to Windy Arbour Farm near Billinge and the Turners have been farming there ever since. The Turner family are just one of dozens of long established farming families in this part of Lancashire and are an integral part of the area’s history. Shared experiences often means that the relationships between Lancashire’s farming families is a close one; farmers starve together when crops have failed, feast together when times are good, and nowadays they work together to promote each other’s fresh produce to the public via farm shops. Farm shops, selling fresh food direct to the public, have always been around but it’s only in the last decade or so that farm shops have begun to flourish. Their growth has been fuelled by discerning shoppers who have rediscovered their love for the taste of fresh fruit and vegetables. Many shoppers are turning away from some big supermarkets whose practices such as freeze-drying produce to ensure availability out of season and polishing produce in bleach for cosmetic purposes have, quite literally, leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
Taste the Chris Kearton (Croston) – Main Crop Potatoes
John Midgely (Tarleton) – Fennel, Specialist Lettuce and Celeriac
The farm shop at Windy Arbour, first established in the early seventies, has experienced enormous growth over the past few years as shoppers from the local areas flock to enjoy fresh produce at prices that often knocks spots off supermarket prices. Early morning trips to Manchester markets to pick up the very best fruit on display is an essential part of the job at the Windy Arbour and fresh vegetables arrive daily from farms all over Lancashire. There’s much more to Windy Arbour than just fruit and veg though. The shop is proud to stock meats from longestablished family butcher K&J Green of Heskin, who provide a quality of meat and poultry second to none. Many famous Lancashire food producers are represented at Windy Arbour including Greenfields cheeses, Mrs Dowson’s Ice Cream, Hawkshead Relish, Wm Santus and Fiddlers Lancashire Crisps. There’s a range of speciality foods from award-winning producer Cottage Delight, including jams, marmalade, biscuits, cakes, olives, drinks and cooking sauces. As you can see from the advertisement on the next page, Windy Arbour are staging one of their regular Butcher’s Block events on Sunday 11th November. You can come along and pick up six sausages free when you buy a cut of meat from the butcher, K&J Green of Heskin! Don’t miss it!
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John Dobson(Tarleton) - Spring Cabbage and Onions
Difference!
Jimmy Rimmer Jnr (Tarleton) – Lettuce and Celery The photographs in this feature were taken by www.heathercapture.co.uk
Christmas at the farm shop is especially busy! In addition to an excellent range of Christmas trees (which are in stock from 1st December), Windy Arbour also supply the best turkeys, beef, chickens, lamb, bacon and sausages guaranteed to enrich the finest festive feast. Meat orders are now being taken – download your order form for www. windyarbour.co.uk or pick up a form from the shop. And any foodie worth their Sea Salt will want to come along to the Cottage Delight Tasting Event being held at Windy Arbour on Saturday December 1st. You’ll be able to taste a range of seasonal produce specially selected to complement Christmas fayre of all kinds. In the meantime though, Windy Arbour would like to pay tribute and say thank you to their carefully selected suppliers across Lancashire who provide the food that ends up on the plates of many households in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley and Up Holland. Pictured on these pages are just a small selection of our many suppliers. If you appreciate good food and you enjoy knowing that the food on your plate is almost as fresh as if you’d picked it from your garden, do come along and taste the difference at Windy Arbour Farm Shop – we’ll guarantee you a warm welcome. Windy Arbour Farm Shop Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX Telephone: 01744 892208 windyarbour
Clive Wareing (Tarleton) - Carrots, Kale and Specialist Varieties
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@WindyArbourFS www.windy-arbour.co.uk
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Photo: BC Arts Photography
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Cracking Challenge If you’re into crafts and looking for a new challenge, then the Orrell Eggcrafters would like to hear from you. The group, who have now been in existence for over 25 years, are looking for new members and have an open day coming up where potential egg crafters can go along and try their hand at egg crafting, which is the art of decorating eggs. The Open Day is being held this Saturday (3rd November) from 10am to 3pm at the Church Hall behind Salem United Reformed Church on Church Street in Orrell. Expert tuition is supplied on the day to help everyone; for more details please contact Wendy Dickinson on 01942 216552 for further details.
E E R ! s F e g a s u a S
Christmas Fayre Chapel End Labour Club in Billinge is holding a Christmas Fayre on Saturday 24th November between 1pm-3pm. Admission is just 25p for adults and children go free. There will be a variety of stalls on the day including tombola, dolls world, new goods, bric-a-brac, cakes and a raffle. For more information please contact Irene Bromilow on 01744 886164
T FROM
AC U F TU N
DIR ER
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Sheds Log Cabins Workshops Wendy Houses Summer Houses Free delivery Free 100% pressure treated Free erection Warbreck Garden Centre Lyelake Lane, Nr Westhead, L40 6JW Telephone: 01695 51442 Lady Green Garden Centre Ince Blundell, Nr Formby, L38 1QB Telephone: 0151 929 2800
Butchers Block Sunday returns to Windy Arbour Farm on Sunday 11th November! Butchers Block Sundays are run in conjunction with Lancashire Master Butchers; K&J Green of Heskin
Windy Arbour Farm Shop Ashton Rd, Billinge, WN5 7XX (top of the 2 mile stretch) Telephone: 01744 892208 www.windy-arbour.co.uk windyarbour
@WindyArbourFS
Opening hours 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4.30pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun
FREE Sausages! Free Pack of 6 delicious pork sausages when you buy at least one cut of meat on Butcher’s Block Sunday.
See our show sites at;
It’s Back!
Offer limited to one pack of sausages per customer on production of this voucher – offer only available on 11/11/12
www.solidsheds.com
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The Foot Returns by Nicola Gray
It was a rather unremarkable October afternoon when I walked into the Holts Arms in Crank Road in Billinge. The roaring fire, the quaint country pub atmosphere and the prospect of a really good meal changed that immediately; the stresses and strains of the week just fell away. ‘The Foot’, as it is known locally due to its position at the foot of the ancient causeway that once linked Manchester to Liverpool, has always been a very popular local venue with locals of all ages. You could easily lose a winter’s afternoon here, with its roaring log fire, low beams, a host of real ales and a friendly buzz. It closed for a while when the previous owners left, but the place underwent an extensive refurbishment in May last year, with a new look to compliment a new menu. The decor is warm, the space is enormously well thought and it’s a classic English country pub. Surrounded by beautiful countryside the Holts Arms is the ideal venue to recharge your batteries after a brisk walk with a gourmet feast or pint at the bar. Well behaved dogs are welcome in the pub too. Since the refurbishment, manager Phil Guest is doing a roaring trade and this is unquestionably down to the outstanding cuisine; the imaginative rustic menu is perfect for the place! Phil has also been awarded the Cask Marque Award for his real ales and scored an outstanding 100% in all categories, so if you want to experience real ale at its best don’t look any further.
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The menu is enough to make your mouth water with everything from pub classics like fish and chips and gammon steak to something for a more exotic palate like fresh Spanish seafood tagliatelle. Partial to a bit of Pate my eyes lit up when I spotted the Chicken Liver Pate. It tasted as lovely; light and not too over powering and was accompanied by the most delicious homemade onion marmalade, a great start to what turned out to be an incredible meal.
My fellow diner, Ben, opted for the Marinated Olives, Pesto and Tomato Concasse. Now Ben is quite a connoisseur when it comes to olives and reliably informed me that they were satisfyingly fresh and packed with taste. This came with a basket of warm bread and was perfectly proportioned as a starter. On to the main course and we couldn’t wait to see our favourite winter warmers. I went for the Holts Arms 8oz Steak Burger, complete with Blue Cheese and Bacon and for the amount of food on the plate, the value for money is just legendary! The beef was tender and tasty and extremely moreish, so much so that I just had to finish it all as I couldn’t bear to leave any on my plate. This meal was served with mayonnaise, tomato relish, some delightful hand cut chips and onion rings. Ben went for the Beer Battered Fish and Hand Cut Chips and I could see from his face that he was impressed with the portion; he couldn’t wait to get started and it didn’t last very long! The lightly battered fresh fish was served with hand cut chips, mushy peas and homemade tartar sauce and I’m pleased to say that Ben will be taking me back to the Holts Arms to sample some of the other dishes, high praise indeed! Perhaps it is because the Holts Arms is a country pub, but the portions served up were large enough to feed a hungry farmer! And because of this, we just couldn’t manage a dessert each, so we shared a hot chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice cream! It didn’t sit around long enough to get cold; it was the most indulgent way to finish a truly memorable meal. But don’t take my word for it! As you can see from the voucher below Phil is keen to attract customers old and new to the Holts Arms to try out the wonderful food. If you’ve not been to the Holt arms for a while, why not make it a Christmas to remember and re-acquaint yourself with the finest old country pub in the area; a place of home cooked food, real beer and great company.
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FREE Bottle of Wine on all Christmas bookings for 4+ people booked before 20th November 2012
This voucher only applies to bookings for our Christmas menu Offer not to be used in conjunction with any other offer
Holts Arms the
Crank Road, Billinge, WN 5 7DT
01695 628006
www.holtsarms.co.uk
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There – I’ve said it! All those glossy colour Sunday supplements extolling the virtues of having a conservatory; extra family space to relax in the sunshine without actually braving the outside elements are just an overblown sales campaign to sell conservatories. Whilst they are high on our wish list when it comes to improving our homes; conservatories rarely live up to expectations. A conservatory is supposed to be a calm and tranquil space, one that lets us linger over the Sunday papers without having to put on an extra layer or jumping up to retrieve the lifestyle section from the rose bushes. In reality you probably have a love hate relationship with what can only be described as your glass box. They overheat in the summer and winter temperatures rival the North Pole during the winter months; all in all you start to feel like you haven’t benefited from the extra room you paid for. In fact, research shows that, in the British climate, a conservatory is unlikely to provide more than two hours of comfortable temperatures per day.
the problems associated with plastic ceilings. Freedom has already helped people save on their energy bills and given them a room that they can use 365 days of the year. The process does not alter the external appearance of your roof or remove any part of your conservatory causing a minimal amount of disruption to your home and because the work is internal there is no need for any planning permission. Paul says “Following our three-day installation you will no longer need to look at an ugly plastic roof, you will have a plastered and painted ceiling with a bespoke lighting and audio package of your choice. Before we plasterboard we lag the plastic roof with insulation that helps to deflect heat away and keeps heat in and the material we use meets all the current building regulations and fire certificates.” Paul is dedicated to designing new Conservatory concepts and is constantly looking at other ways of improving your Conservatory living. In a short space of time his team have now created a Plasma TV wall, which will carry your TV and give you extra floor space; cables can be hidden were possible
Well, before you seal those French doors shut for good we’d like to tell you about a local company who might just have the answer to all your conservatory woes. Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions promise to give you back the extra room you have always dreamt about. With their innovative ceiling modifications they can make your conservatory up to 90% warmer in the winter and up to 75% cooler in the summer! After suffering with the same problems in his own conservatory, the Billingebased owner of Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions Paul Stubbs came up with a revolutionary idea to combat
We offer deferred payment plans and accept all major credit & debit cards
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Conservatory roof before “Conservatory overheats in summer and winter temperatures rival the North Pole!”
Conservatory roof after “...save on their energy bills and given them a room that they can use 365 days of the year”
and they can fit full surround sound cinema systems using ceiling speakers and mood lighting. Paul added, “We have also designed a Wood Burner that can be safely vented through either our roof conversion or existing polycarbonate; this will not only heat your conservatory but save you money on energy especially in the winter months. All the burners are DEFRA approved and fitted by approved tradesman.”
So if you would like to claim back the use of your conservatory and possibly save on your energy bills, call the team now on 08456 860542 for more details. Freedom did our porch and conservatory and we now have balanced heat throughout the down stairs and I am saving £15.00 per week alone on Gas. The fitting team were brilliant and had it all done in 3 days. Our best room in the house is now our conservatory, which before Freedom came along, was unused - Mrs Gillbanks from Poolstock
Call
08456 860542
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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
or
07761 966 024 35
Battle of the Blues!
The search for Britain’s best unsigned and original Blues talent is back in Newtonle-Willows for a second year! The True Blues Club on Earle Street will be host to the New Brunswick Battle of the Blues for the second year in succession - if you are in a blues band or even a solo player then don’t miss out; there are some amazing prizes on offer! Newton-le-Willows have been chosen to host the North West heats again this year, due to the great response they got in 2011. Successful musicians will come head-to-head in the North West heat, to be held on Friday 11th January 2013. The competition will give the winning band or artist the fantastic opportunity of flying to Fredericton in Canada to perform on a world stage at the internationally acclaimed Harvest Jazz and Blues festival in September 2013. The competition is now inviting bands and artists from the North West to enter the first stage and you have until Friday 30th November to throw your hat in the ring. All the regional winners will take part in the London final in March and will be judged by a panel of blues greats. If you think you’re good enough, or know someone who is good enough to fly the flag for Britain at the 2013 festival then get in touch. You can enter the first stage of the competition by visiting www.tourismnewbrunswick.co.uk. Artists will need to demonstrate the ability to produce new and original work, though some covers are permitted.
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suFFeRING WITH MusCLe, jOINT OR NeRve PAIN?
What sorts of problem can you help me with? We can relieve pain that is caused by a variety of muscle, joint and nerve problems. This includes both new and old pain resulting from your job, sports, poor posture, accidents and some types of arthritis or wear & tear. We specialise in treating neck and back pain as well as pulled muscles, stiff joints and trapped nerves.
How can you help me? We always start off with a 45 minute consultation and examination to find the underlying causes of your problem. We then use gentle, safe hands-on treatments to relieve your pain.
How soon can you help me? We are open six days a week and offer appointments the same or the next day. We are open Monday-Friday 8am-7pm, Saturdays 8am-4pm.
Why do we offer gentle treatments? Because we treat young children and senior citizens, we know that people prefer gentle, painless treatments.
Don’t suffer with muscle, joint or nerve pain! Find out how we can help you:
01942 498480
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Why do you have a digital x-ray department? We have our own digital x-ray department at the clinic so that we can take and show you your pictures within 24 hours. This helps us to show you the underlying causes of your problem, allowing us to start treatment quickly and get you out of pain.
Mike Paull Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr Matt Birch Doctor of Chiropractic
• Consultation & Examination £59 • Digital X-ray pictures (per area) £59 • Treatment sessions (each) £35
Chris Green Sports Injury Specialist
Jenny Richmond Sports Injury Therapist
© Designed for Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic by Lindsey Brightwell e.designaddiction@hotmail.com
A
t Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic, our team of Chiropractors and therapists can help to relieve most types of muscle, joint and nerve pain.
Low back or neck pain? visit our clinic WIGAN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
TReATMeNT FOR YOuR sPINe, MusCLes, jOINTs & NeRves 27 BRIDGeMAN TeRRACe. sWINLeY. WIGAN. LANCAsHIRe. WN1 1TD LBWFC1 051111
A5_single page_WFC1.indd 1
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28/11/11 22:22:43
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Have your garage converted before Christmas
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Competition Winners
The winners of the Martin Mere tickets competition featured in the September issue of Local Life were Sue Wass from Stanley Avenue in Rainford, Robert Moore from Aviemore Close in Garswood (pictured), Liz Carter from Standish Drive in Rainford, Mr & Mrs Boardman from Garswood Road in Billinge (pictured with grandchildren Maia & Reuben), Mrs Jones from Slag Lane in Haydock, Mrs Achilles from Kelvin Close in Garswood, Mrs Hill from Beech Gardens in Rainford, Ann Arnold from Willow Avenue in Newton Le Willows, Sarah Jones from Chapel Close in Comberbach, Northwich and Brenda Lawrenson from Buttermere Crescent in Rainford. Well done to all the winners, who won a family ticket to Martin Mere in Burscough. You can win a meal for two at the Pied Bull in Newton le Willows in this month’s competition - turn to pages 54 & 55 for details.
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Could you be their forever family?
Have you ever considered opening your home and life to a child who needs you? If you have ever thought about adopting a child now is a great time to have all your questions answered. National Adoption Week runs from 5th-11th November and you can find out all you need to know about creating a loving and secure home for a child who needs it. Nationally there are an increasing number of children in care who cannot return to their biological parents and now need a permanent home that can provide stability and an opportunity for them to thrive and reach their full potential. To help overcome the challenge of recruiting adopters locally; Warrington, Wigan and St Helens Councils have joined forces and formed WWiSH, an innovate shared adoption service that will help countless children across the boroughs. The service aims to make the adoption process more efficient and effective through widening the pool of prospective carers. WWiSH need more prospective candidates to come forward and make a real difference to a child’s life. Across Warrington, Wigan and St Helens, there are approximately 66 children in the care of the local authorities. Many are currently living in temporary foster care and need new forever families to adopt them and give them a great deal of love and attention. Adopters come from all walks of life and what matters the most is your ability to provide a caring home. Some Adoption myths explained‌ SEXUALITY - You can be straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. You might be in a relationship, single or not living with your partner. We welcome applications from all prospective parents that can offer a stable, loving home to a child in need. AGE - You must be aged over 21 to adopt, however, there is no upper age limit as long as you are fit and healthy enough to look after a child until they reach adulthood MARITAL STATUS - People who are widowed, separated or divorced, single people, married couples, cohabiting couples and same-sex couples can all apply to adopt. Choosing to adopt a child is a big decision; however WWiSH has an excellent support package for all prospective adopters, including settling in grants, training courses and life-long support. The team will work closely with you to help determine if adoption is the right choice for you and your family. The dedicated team are always on hand to answer your questions. If you would like more information about adoption, to ask the team a question or to request an enquiry pack please contact 01942 487272, e-mail wwish@wigan.gov.uk or visit the website at www.wwish.org.uk.
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HUGS, KISSES... FAMILY WISHES Tilly is two years old and needs to find an Adoptive family She has lived with her foster carers since she was a few months old, and now needs a forever family of her own to help her flourish. Tilly is a happy little girl with strawberry blonde hair; she has a wonderful laugh and smile and her carers say that she is a joy to care for. Could you dry her tears? Rock her to sleep? Make her your daughter?
There are currently 66 children in Warrington, Wigan and St.Helens who need forever families. Could you adopt Tilly or a child just like her? The WWiSH Team will be hosting events throughout National Adoption Week. Come along and speak to our friendly, experienced Social Workers in an informal setting.
Monday 5th November Wigan Life Centre, 11.00am - 3.00pm Friday 9th November Tesco Extra, St.Helens Linkway, 11.00am - 3.00pm Saturday 10th November Golden Square, Warrington, 9.00am - 6.00pm Find out more, or request an information pack:
01942 487272 wwish@wigan.gov.uk www.wwish.org.uk www.locallife247.co.uk
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Legh Arms – The Hermit
Newton Park
Park up near the Legh Arms just off Mill Lane in Newton le Willows and turn left down the A49 (South). Pass under the arches of the railway bridge, and go past the Millstone Pub on your left. Just after you have passed Whitefield Avenue on the left, you’ll come to a crash barrier taking the A49 over the London to Scotland mainline. After walking ten yards past the start of the barrier, look for a weathered stone slab by the bridge wall on your left - this may be partially obscured by the overgrown hedges. This is the Bloody Stone, formerly known as the Hawkstone.
The Bloody Stone Two different tales abound over the history of the Bloody Stone, but both involve Sir William de Bradshaigh. In the first tale, Sir William returns to Wigan in 1323 after many years at the Crusades to find his wife, Mabel, married and living with a Welsh knight. Not surprisingly he takes grave offence and set off to confront the man and catches up with him in Newton and slays him on the Bloody Stone. Mabel, who is mortified by her betrayal, walks barefoot once a week from her home in Haigh to Mabs Cross in Wigan as a penance for her bigamous actions.
There’s certainly much to see in this 4.8 mile walk in Newton-le-Willows. Newton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and remained an agricultural village before the advent of the railways in 1830 (more about the railways later). Located right at the heart of the Lancashire Coalfield, Newton was the home of Parkside Colliery, the last deep shaft mine in Lancashire to close in 1993. In addition to being the home of Parkside Colliery, the fields between Newton and Winwick were the site of one of the last battles of the Second Civil War (1648-1649), and it’s around this battle site that our walk takes place. Keep your eyes peeled, because in addition to the historic sites, there is also an abundance of wildlife to see on the walk, particularly birds of prey.
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The second tale has it that Sir William de Bradshaigh himself died on the Stone back in August 1333, slayed by another man. The list of suspects was a long one – the courts at the time named 44 men, his wife Mabel named 33 suspects. de Radcliffe was a surname that that was shared by many men on both lists; and the favourite was John de Radcliffe of Ordsall, but it was William Mose of Westleigh who was tried and hanged in June 1334 for Sir William’s murder.
Battle of Winwick Pass According to the English Battlefield Trust, one of the last battles of the second Civil War took place in the vicinity of the border between Newton and Winwick in August 1648. Somewhere in the region of 4,000 of the Duke of Hamilton’s Royalist troops, mainly Highlanders, used the stream in the wooded valley north of Hermitage Green Lane to front their position and form a defensive line to halt the advancing troops of Oliver Cromwell (pictured). Nearby Parliamentarian sympathisers assisted Cromwell’s efforts to drive out the Royalists from their strong position, probably using a track through Hermitage Green to outflank them. Open warfare and running battles ensued, and the Royalists last stand was said to have taken place on a green just north of Winwick Church. According to Cromwell, 1,000 Royalists were killed in the battle and were buried in a mass grave in the area, and up to 2,000 were captured. A few days later, the remaining stragglers, along with the Duke of Hamilton, surrounded at Uttoxeter and the war was over.
Once you go over the bridge, you will pass the entrance to the old Parkside Colliery on your left and Red Bank Farm Shop on your right. Opposite the sign that denotes the boundary between St Helens and Warrington there’s a path on the left. Have a wander down there – and look at the river bank - you are on the site of the Battle of Winwick Pass. Don’t follow the path any further down as you will end up getting lost (like we did!). Instead come back out onto the main road, and carry on down the A49 in the same direction for a further twenty yards and then turn left into Hermitage Green Lane. This quiet country lane takes you away from the hububb of the A49. The first stretch of the lane is dark and overgrown, but the lane soon opens up into some glorious countryside. After walking for just over ½ a mile, you’ll reach a T junction which is opposite the now-closed Hermit Pub. Folklore suggests that the pub was named after the elfin hermit who guarded St Oswald’s Well, which we are just about to pass. The Green next to The Hermit has the occasional Romany visitor as our picture shows.
The Hermit – Barrow Lane Turn left at the junction onto Golborne Road and carry on through the S bend. Golborne Road changes into Parkside Road at this point. Get on your tip toes when you reach the gate on the left and you can just about see a random area overlooking the pond which is marked by wooden fence posts. This marks St Oswald’s Well, a holy well that is dedicated to St Oswald and whose walls are lined with medieval stonework. According to some, the well marks the site of the slaying of the first Christian English king in 642, but isn’t the only well in the UK that has this claim.
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The building in the distance just beyond the well is Woodhead Farm, the childhood home of Sarah Eleanor Pennington, who married Edward John Smith in January 1887. Mr Smith subsequently became the captain of the Titanic and went down with the ill-fated liner on its maiden voyage in 1912. Almost immediately you’ll spot a partially hidden public footpath symbol on the right hand side. Cross the road, clamber up the rise, and hop across the rather rickety stile. Stay up high on the left hand perimeter of the field and head towards the bottom left hand corner of the field. Hop across another wooden stile at the corner of the field and you will then head straight across the field in the same direction towards one of several gaps in the hedge. Once you have reached that gap, head over a second field in the same direction until you reach the wooden fence that borders the motorway. Turn right when you reach the fence and head along the wooden fence perimeter towards the corner of the field. Before you reach the corner of the field you’ll pass two separate
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sets of stone steps; take the second set to climb up towards the M6 slip road. Cross over the slip road; walk across the M6 motorway bridge, then across the exit slip road, turning 1st left onto the A579 towards Leigh. Cross over after Kenyons Farm after the footpath on the left ends, and shortly afterwards the footpath on the right ends too, so do take extreme care at this point. You’re heading towards Barrow Lane which is denoted by a public footpath symbol opposite Oven Brick Farm.
Barrow Lane – Legh Arms Turn left at the sign and carry on down this concrete track for ½ a mile, taking in the marvellous views of the Horwich Moors, until its conclusion. Turn right along Parkside Road for a further 350 yards and then turn right again at a public footpath sign and head down the dirt track towards Highfield Farm for a further 350 yards. The path forks at this point; bear left and follow the path that is clearly marked through a field towards the wooden area and the railway line. At the end of this path you can either cross the railway line, turn right to explore Highfield Moss or turn left. For the purposes of this walk we’re going to turn left and head alongside the fence next to the railway line.
Huskinsson Memorial The Liverpool MP William Huskisson was run over by the Rocket locomotive at the opening of the Liverpool-Manchester railway line on 15th September 1830 and this Neo-Greco structure was erected in his honour in 1831 and renovated in 2001. He had the dubious honour of being the first man killed in a railway accident. The memorial stands close to what was Parkside station; this location was chosen for a station because it was equal distance between Liverpool and Manchester, and it was used for watering facilities for the steam trains of the time.
For the record though, Highfield Moss is an area of special scientific interest and attracts rare plants and nature. The Moss is bisected by the railway, and the site on this side of the railway is comparatively small. Apparently though, the peat land vegetation is the best remaining example of the raised mires which once covered large areas of south Lancashire. The other thing you should know about Highfield Moss is that it’s a twitcher’s paradise, so if you’re into birdwatching then take those binoculars with you. Anyhow, we’re not in Highfield Moss, we are heading along the path next to the railway line at this point and we’ve got 500 yards to go before we once again meet up with Parkside Road. Just 50 yards short of this road you’ll pass within yards of the Huskisson Memorial (see below), but the memorial is better viewed from the other side of the railway line. Once you reach Parkside Road turn right. Walk 350 yards and you’ll arrive at a T-Junction. Turn left onto Southworth Road, walk past Trebaron Garden Centre (or call in if you want to visit the café!), go under the M6 bridge and 750 yards later, you’ll pass Willow Park on the right and once again end up at the Legh Arms. 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.
At the opening ceremony of the line, William Huskisson, who was travelling as a guest of the Duke of Wellington in his personal carriage, became involved in a heated political discussion with the Duke and Mr Huskisson decided to leave the carriage. He stepped down from the carriage and was hit by a train hauled by ‘The Rocket’, which was steaming along at 24mph. Mr Huskisson was taken to the parsonage at Eccles aboard another locomotive, driven by George Stephenson himself, but he died from his injuries shortly afterwards.
Local Life would like to thank Peter Astles of The Parchments in Newton-le-Willows for his invaluable help in supplying the concept, and some of the pictures for this Jack’s Tracks. For more information about Newton Park visit the Newton Park Forum on Facebook.
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Character and As the Autumn nights draw in and the temperature drops, our thoughts turn to warmer climes as we weigh up the possibilities of some winter sun to sustain us through the dark, cold British winter. For a popular winter sun destination with character and charm, it’s difficult to see past Malta, along with its sister islands of Gozo and Comino. It is Malta’s mix of climate, history and beaches combined with familiar shops and English spoken everywhere – even the street signs are written in English – that has made the island so popular with British holidaymakers.
The fortress city of Valletta is the heartbeat of Malta, characterised by history, architecture and fine art. The city is Europe’s smallest capital; there are just 6,500 residents within the city’s gates. With its narrow streets, pavement cafés and delicate Italianate architecture, Valletta feels very much like an Italian city – albeit with branches of M&S and other British high-street stalwarts. Valletta hasn’t always been the island’s capital. Mdina, known as the Silent City, had that honour up until 1570. The city dates back to Roman times and is
surrounded by a dry moat, which was never filled with water as no one ever worked out a way to get it there. Mdina’s network of narrow, pedestrianised streets is flanked by sandstone buildings, most of which are private homes owned by Malta’s gentry. Its lofty position on the island gives the air a different quality and, in the past, invalids who couldn’t afford to go to Switzerland would come to take the air in Mdina. Gozo is Malta’s tiny tranquil sister island. About 8 miles long and four miles wide, Gozo is the place to go if you enjoy unspoiled secluded bays, bracing walks and charming restaurants. Here, terraced fertile valleys give way to surf-bashed rocky headlands and sheltered creeks, and legend has that Gozo was once known as Ogygia, the enchanted isle where the nymph Calypso dazzled and delayed the home-going Odysseus for seven years.. This little island is relaxing and friendly, easy to reach and, out of high season, is not expensive.
Its location in the Mediterranean has meant that Malta has played a key part in European history, and its occupation by Greeks, Sicilians, Romans, Arabs and British, to name but a few, has left many cosmopolitan influences throughout the islands.
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Lying between the coastlines of Malta and Gozo is the tiny island of Comino, where the main attraction is the transparent cyan waters of the Blue Lagoon. Frequented by large numbers of tourists, and very popular with divers, snorkellers and swimmers, the Blue Lagoon is a picturesque bay with a white sandy base and rich marine life. The island is a popular location for filmmakers and appears in the movies Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo and Swept Away.
Charm So if you’re just itching to get away for a dose of winter sun, why not head off to Malta, the jewel of the Mediterranean, where there is lots to see and do. Marken Travel is one of a small selective band of travel agents dealing Mercury Direct, a Malta holiday specialist for over 30 years. On this page, Marken Travel have illustrated just a small range of their special offers for Malta, but please give them a call on 01744 893291 for further details or if you’d like them to deliver a brochure to you – or just call into the store at 200 Main Street in Billinge.
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Christ�as Events Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th November Crafts for Christmas
Thousands of top quality products under one roof at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. Indulge yourself, your family and your friends with stunning fashions and accessories, leather bags and belts, dazzling jewelry from sparkly fashion to graceful diamonds, lustrous velvets and satins in scarves, and luxurious soaps and skincare. Decorate your home and table with elegant candles, platters and bowls and tasty treats. Visit the Specialist Food area, which is brimming with scrumptious cakes, wines, cheeses and meats. Time: 9am – 4pm Cost: £6 - £9 Contact: 01428 682292 or visit www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: HG2 8QZ
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th November Christmas Shopping Fair at Tatton Park
It’s an early chance to look for those special Christmas gifts for all the family and ideas for presents not usually found in High Street shops. Time: 10.30am to 5pm Cost: Free entry to the Fair. Normal parkland entry charge applies Contact: 01530 834056 or visit www.countrywide-events.co.uk or www.tattonpark.org.uk Sat Nav Ref: WA16 6QN
Monday 12th - Tuesday 13th November Arley Hall Christmas Shopping Spectacular
Browse and shop with some gorgeous individual producers and stall holders from Cheshire and beyond. We have over 50 stalls offering a feast of fabulous things for Christmas set within the beautiful house and grounds of Arley Hall near Northwich. There will be stands selling a handpicked selection of food and gifts providing ideas and inspiration for all your Christmas presents. Time: Mon - 6pm-9.30pm (Champagne reception), Tues - 10-3pm Cost: £5 - £12 Contact: 0161 928 0925 or visit www.arleyhallshoppingspectacular.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: CW9 6NA
Saturday 17th Nov to Sunday 23rd Dec Manchester Christmas Markets
Don your Santa hat, dust off the mulled wine glass, and get into the festive spirit – it’s time to head down to Manchester’s world famous Christmas Markets. No Mancunian winter is complete without a wander through the chalet-lined streets of the markets. This year the market will be celebrating its 13th year and will take over eight
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different spaces around the city, each with its own distinct character and atmosphere. The array of over 200 stalls is mind-boggling, with mouth-watering delicacies from all over Europe. The choice is getting bigger and bigger and includes gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothes, toys and an array of food and drink. The markets run until Sunday 23rd December. Contact: www.manchestermarkets.com
Sunday 18th November
A Christmas Vintage and Retro Craft Fair A vintage and retro craft fair will take place at the impressive Haigh Hall in Wigan. There will be live music, a pop up hair and make-up salon and mulled wine, along with a selection of lovely stalls. The venue is perfect to put you in the Christmas mood with open fires and decorations. Cost: £1 Time: 10am - 4pm Contact: 07787 316234 E-mail victoriaclaire@vibrantvintage.co.uk or visit www.vibrantvintage.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: WN2 1PE
Thursday 22nd Nov- Monday 24th Dec Chester Victorian Christmas Market
Chester’s Victorian Christmas Market offers a wide range of beautiful ceramics, jewellery, hats, gloves and scarves. Bestselling toys will feature and the festive food offer will include Christmas cakes and puddings, mince pies, cheeses, meats, sweets, fine wines as well as the winter warming treats of mulled wine and hot chestnuts. Move inside to Chester Market for the best local Christmas produce and more excellent gift ideas. Stalls and attractions will remain open to 24th December. Time: 10am – 6pm (Thurs 10am-8pm) Cost: Free Contact: www.christmasmarkets.com
Saturday 24th November The Great Liverpool Xmas Art Fair
The Royal Liver building hosts the Great Liverpool Xmas Art Fair. Come and view the work of some of the UK’s top contemporary craft and design artists. Some artists will be giving demonstrations and talks throughout the day - programme available on our website address. We will also have a local choir singing carols too. Time: 10am - 7pm Cost: £2 Adults (Children free with an adult) Contact: 07917 522706 or visit www.thegreatliverpoolartfair.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: L3 1HT
Guide Sunday 25th November Samlesbury Hall Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas fair is back again to kick start the festivities, with lots of ideas for Christmas gifts and sumptuous food for the festive season, and of course there will be mulled wine and mince pies! Time: 11am - 4pm Cost: £3 Adult, £1 Child Contact: www.samlesburyhall.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: PR5 0UP
Saturday 1st, 8th & 15th December Grassington Dickensian Festival
See the Christmas lights, the village square and the cobbled streets transformed into a traditional Victorian market, as shopkeepers, villagers and even some visitors dress in Victorian costume. Enjoy the musicians, dancers, street entertainers and exhibitions of traditional country crafts. There is no car parking in Grassington, so use the Park and Ride at Swinden Quarry on the B6265 Skipton to Grassington road. Cost: Free, but £8 a car for the Park and Ride Contact: www.grassington.uk.com Sat Nav Ref: BD23 6BE
Saturday 1st - Wednesday 19th December Delamere Forest - Santa’s Grotto
Visit Santa this Christmas in his magical grotto at Delamere Forest! Take a train ride around the forest on our musical land train. Stay for lunch at our Victorian themed food and drink street, and go home with your amazing Christmas tree for your house. Site is free entry and free parking, though charges for trees and Santa apply. Tree sales are open every day 9am-5pm & late nights Friday 7th & 14th, Santa’s grotto is open weekdays 3-5pm, Fridays until 8pm & weekends 9am5pm. Contact: www.forestry.gov.uk/delamere Sat Nav Ref: CW8 2JD
Saturday/Sunday 1st/2nd & Saturday/ Sunday 8th/9th December Victorian Christmas Weekends
Come to Speke Hall for a true Victorian Christmas experience. Admire the ground floor of the house decorated for Christmas with greenery and foliage from the Estate. Hear a selection of carols and festive music in the Great Hall, and then treat yourself to some delicious treats from the Restaurant. Event held on Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December.
Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th, 15th/16th and 22nd/23rd December Walton Winter Wonderland
A Victorian-style Christmas celebration set in a traditionally decorated cobbled courtyard at Walton Gardens near Warrington. Step back in time and enjoy Christmas as it used to be. There will be entertainers, live music, Christmas markets, Yule log making, festive fayre, nativity scene and of course, Santa in his enchanting grotto. If that wasn’t enough there’s a new queuing system that should half waiting times! Time: 10.30am - 4pm Cost: Free access - Grotto £5 per child with a gift from Santa Contact: 01925 601617 (option 2) or visit www.warrington.gov.uk/waltongardens Sat Nav Ref: WA4 6SN
Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th & 15th/16th Dec Southport Christmas Markets
Come and spend the day at Southport’s Christmas Markets picking up those last minute Christmas gifts from stalls on Chapel Street selling food, toys, jewellery to name but a few. Enjoy the Traditional Entertainment which will consist of choirs and bands. Time: 9am-5pm Saturday & 10am-4pm Sunday Cost: Free Access
Sunday 9th December Croston Village Christmas Fair
The traditional Lancashire village of Croston will hold their very successful annual Christmas Fair on Sunday 9th December from 1.00pm to 5.15pm. In addition to a Land Train to Santa’s Grotto there will be a street magician and a magic show, brass bands, singers, morris dancing, circus performers, a piper and much more. Children will love the donkeys and dogs while their parents can shop for last minute gifts at the many craft stalls. Food and drink will be provided by stallholders and local hostelries. The event will end with a torchlight procession. Parking available at Bishop Rawstorne School. Cost: Free access Contact:www.crostonfestivities.co.uk Sat Nav: PR26 9HH
Friday 14th December - Sunday 6th January Liverpool Christmas Family Festival
The Liverpool Christmas Family Festival is a magical Christmas festival taking place in The Waterfront Big Top at the Echo Arena. Enjoy a spectacular Christmas Pantomime of Sleeping Beauty and the Christmas experience. There will be a Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Market, a junior Fun House, Funfair Rides and much more. Please pre-book your place via the website or call the number below. Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult over 18. Festival tickets are £5 and there is an additional charge for some attractions in the Family Festival. Contact: 0844 8000 400 or visit www.echoarena.com Sat Nav Ref: L3 4BB
Time: 1pm - 4pm Contact: 0151 427 7231 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/spekehall Sat Nav Ref: L24 1XD
...mer�� Christ�as!
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Lyme pupils rise to the challenge Pupils at Lyme Community Primary School in Newton-le-Willows set out to provide clean water for a children’s centre in Kenya through a series of fundraising events. But so successful were their efforts, that they ended up supplying the whole village! The school was raising money for the New Hope Children’s Centre in Kenya by taking part in an enterprise challenge. Each KS2 class was given £50 and set about using the cash to generate a bigger fundraising total. They made personalised T-shirts and mugs, as well as friendship bracelets, key rings, bookmarks and cakes which were then sold to the rest of the school community.
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By the end of the challenge it was clear that the young entrepreneurs had exceeded all expectations. Deputy Head teacher Jonathan Haw said, “The money raised was match funded by Barclays Bank, which gave us a grand total of £600. This meant we were able to buy equipment that provided water for the whole village.” The youngsters’ efforts were rewarded when representatives from New Hope arrived at the school recently to say thank you – and show them pictures of the new water pump in action. Pictured: Anne Chege and Cecelia Wambui from the New Hope Children’s Centre show their appreciation of the fundraising work done by Lyme pupils.
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Long Live Lanky
Lancastrians up and down the county are preparing to celebrate Lancashire Day on Tuesday November 27th. Every year this celebration unites young and old in an event that sees thousands of people swear their allegiance to The Queen, as the Duke of Lancaster. This landmark event commemorates the day in 1295 when Lancashire sent its first representatives to Parliament by King Edward I of England to attend what later became known as The Model Parliament. For many years the Lancashire Day proclamation has been read out by town criers throughout the county and many pubs, clubs, schools and organisations will be holding Lancashire Day events. So have a scout around your neighbourhood and see how you can add to the celebrations. Lancastrians across the county will be wearing their red roses and donning their flat caps with pride this Lancashire Day, make sure you’re one of them by getting back to your roots. Long live Lanky! For more details about how you can celebrate Lancashire Day – visit the website at www.forl.co.uk
Here at Local Life we get to know about some of the best places to eat in Lancashire and we thought it was high time we shared them with our readers! And what better way to celebrate Lancashire Day then with some fantastic and not to mention free local food! We have teamed up with The Pied Bull in Newton-leWillows to give readers the chance to win a meal for two. We have three meals to give away and all you have to do is match our Lanky phrases with their standard English translation and send your entry to; Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB by the closing date of 30th November 2012, or e-mail your entry, plus your name, address and contact number to competition@locallife247.co.uk Name .............................................................................
a,
Ah’m afeart
b,
Eaw’t diggl’in?
c,
Swant a brew?
d,
Geritt ett’n
............................... Post Code .....................................
e,
Binmonbin?
Phone ............................................................................
f,
Woss up wi thi? How are you doing? Would you care for a cup of tea?
a I’m afraid
Address ......................................................................... ........................................................................................
Email ............................................................................. Crossword Competition Rules 1. Only one entry per household 2. Entrants must be over 16 years of age 3. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date. 4. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed or damaged in the post.
What is wrong with you?
5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition.
Has the Bin Man been?
Local Life 247 Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act and abides by the guidelines of the act. We will never sell or pass your data to any third party company. However, we would like to contact you occasionally by email with news of great local offers and also to check our magazine distribution in your area.
Would you eat it please
If this is acceptable to you, please tick this box.
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now s g n i Book taken* being
Come dine with us! Christmas parties with style at The Pied Bull. FREE Christmas Party – Lunch 3 courses £12.95 (£8.95 children) Served 12pm - 3pm Monday - Saturday
Christmas Party – Evenings 4 Courses £18.50 (£13.50 children) Served 5pm - 9pm Monday - Friday 3pm - 9.30pm Saturdays
Christmas Day
5 course gourmet meal £48.50 (£29.50 children) Complimentary glass of Bucks Fizz on arrival Served 12pm - 4pm
New Year’s Eve
5 course gourmet meal £38.50 (£23.50 children) Complimentary bottle of house wine per couple Served 6.30pm - 9.30pm
Bottle of Wine When a minimum of two people each order two courses from our a la carte menu Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer Expires 30/11/12
The Pied Bull 54 High Street Newton-le-Willows WA12 9SH
01925 224549
www.piedbull.com
*Deposits payable at the time of booking
www.locallife247.co.uk
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NOT SO
There’s a special John Cooper Works cockpit design, with sports seats, sports steering wheel, interior trim strips in Piano Black, an anthracite-coloured roof liner and dark speedometer and rev counter dials. You also get John Cooper Works door sills and if you want to delve into the options list, there are a whole host of ways to personalise your car. Other standard kit includes air conditioning, electric windows, rear parking sensors, roof rails, Bluetooth compatibility and a DAB digital radio with a USB input. Safety-wise, stability control and the usual braking and traction aids are standard, along with six airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system.
It isn’t the obvious choice for the John Cooper Works treatment but the result might just surprise you. Andy Enright takes a look at a rather rapid MINI Countryman. There is a certain logic in deciding that if you’re going to buy a big MINI, then it ought to have a correspondingly big punching engine. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman packs a 218bhp haymaker, which skittles it to 60mph in just 6.7 seconds, helped by that all-wheel drive chassis. It’s quite a package. It’s not cheap at almost £30,000 but it is extremely talented all-rounder. If you can get your brain around a big, powerful and rather pricey MINI, there’s a lot to like here. There’s no getting away from the fact that this car is quick. It’ll smash through 60mph from a standing start in just 6.7 seconds. In addition to that, traction is also helped by the fitment of Dynamic Stability Control with Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control. In other words, you’ll not want for grip, wet or dry. Power is deployed through a six-speed manual gearbox, top speed is a reassuring 140mph and peak torque is rated at a chunky 280Nm. There’s also an overboost facility, kicking in when the engine is under particularly heavy demand, say when you’re overtaking, to boost this to 300Nm. When it’s parked next to a 1960s MINI, the Countryman appears a behemoth. Get inside and there’s a decent amount of space, the 350-litre boot offering more room than the Clubman estate. It’s still a long chalk short of what you’d get in something like a Volkswagen Golf or a Ford Focus, but that’s the inevitable price of making a style statement. The JCW version gets an aero body kit, the JCW logo on the radiator grille and tailgate, front foglamps fitted as standard and a contrast paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps. Lightweight 18-inch Twin Spoke light-alloy wheels are fitted as standard, with 19-inch rims available as an option. You can also specify the rear seat of the Countryman as either a three person bench or two separate chairs.
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The 1.6-litre turbo unit fitted to this Countryman gets almost universal praise and it turns in some very decent fuel economy figures too. For a 218bhp car, the combined fuel consumption of 38.2mpg isn’t at all bad. Go for the optional automatic model and that drops to 35.4mpg, but that’s still hardly catastrophic. Emissions are rated at 167g/km for the manual and 187g/km for the auto. Stick
MINI ADVENTURE
but that aside it barely puts a foot wrong. Even those grumbling about the price need to look at it in the context of the amount of capability that buys you. Where else for this sort of money are you going to get a 4WD sporting car this fast backed by BMW-style standards of engineering? I have a sneaking suspicion that this car might suit quite a large number of people very well, assuming that they could be persuaded to consider the thing in the first place. It’s fast, nicely built, looks good and won’t cost a fortune to run. If those don’t sound like the ingredients for a very promising car, then I’m not sure what does.
to the basic car and you shouldn’t be stung with heavy depreciation. I’m still a firm believer that MINIs should be small. That said, it would be churlish not to recognise the John Cooper Works Countryman as one heck of an achievement. Yes, it’s a fairly big car without a lot of room for your bags,
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Motoring
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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. Call her now for your free consultation! Award Winner
Still time to plant for spring colour I would like to address a misconception in this month’s diary, which is that come November there is nothing more that can be done in the garden until the following March. The truth is you can construct a beautiful garden during the winter months, get your plants in (just be careful not to plant when the ground is very wet or frosty) and be ready to enjoy your new garden in the spring. Come March, any reputable contractors will already be booked up for months ahead so now is the perfect time to start planning your garden transformation. And if you just need some new plants to enliven your winter borders, there are some wonderful shrubs that produce scented flowers in the colder months and here are three of my favourites.
So as well as starting to think about your Christmas shopping list, please do give some thought to your garden at this time of year - next spring you’ll be so glad you did. 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
Award Winner
Sarcococca confusa (Christmas Box) is a small evergreen shrub, which produces sweetly scented white flowers during the winter months and grows well in shade. Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ is also evergreen, producing yellow scented flower spikes and can get to around 4 metres so you need room for this one. Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ has strongly scented pink flowers on leafless twigs all through the winter months. This shrub reaches 2 metres. Shrubs like these are invaluable in the garden at this time of year for wildlife too as well as helping to lift the human spirit.
Broken Mower? Treat your mower to a service! * We’ll sharpen & balance your mower blades * We’ll change your mower’s oil, air filter & spark plugs * We’ll check your mower’s motor & cables * We’ll even clean your mower too!
Prices start from just £30 November is also the time for planting Tulips. They come in a stupendous range of colours, sizes and shapes, flowering from spring through to early summer. One of my favourites is ‘Queen of Night’ which is a single late tulip with deep purple petals and looks fabulous teamed with white tulips. Pure sophistication and elegance. (Oh, that’s nice - Hubby says just like me… hmmm he‘s after something).
www.locallife247.co.uk
ditioned mowers We also sell re-con prices (with 3 new at up to 75% off d) & free blade regrin months warranty
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Spruce up your Sills! Window Sills can be the bane of your life; all too often they can spoil the appearance of a beautifully kept home – grubby marks, discolouring and mould are all too common a problem. But given the time and attention not only can your window sills increase the kerb appeal of your home, they can also prevent water damage around the windows.
Before
After
If you’ve struggled with unsightly window sills you’ll know even the toughest amount of elbow grease won’t bring them back to their original state – harsh chemicals can damage the sill and conventional cleaners just won’t do the job. Don’t despair because we would like to introduce you to a local company that can restore your grubby sills to their former glory. Homesill UK now has a local franchise in your area and they have combined the very latest design manufacturing and technology to bring you a long lasting protection for your exterior window sills. Not only will your new window sills be stylish they will also make regular maintenance a thing of the past – once in place all that is required to keep your sills in pristine condition is a simple clean with a damp cloth. Homesill franchisee Jeff Harrison said, “The reason for staining and engrained dirt in your windowsills is because they are made of a softer material than the window. With our Homesill system we can remove lumps of unsightly weathered silicone and top your old sill with a new durable over sill, keeping your existing sill in place.”
10% OFF Exclusive Offer for Local Life Readers Offer Valid until 30th November 2012
Call now Jeff on
0843 2894537 or 07526 312070 www.homesill.com
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The Homesill products offer an ideal hard-wearing surface for today’s modern home and you can have your choice of styles and colours, which enables you to choose contemporary or traditional sills to complement your exterior décor. Jeff can also help you with ideas and products for your interior sills as well. Jeff added, “Traditionally homes had sills of different colours that matched doors and garage doors. If you look around you will see that house builders are changing the image of their new builds to more traditional appearances – black and white is such a classic look. Although if you would like to keep your sills matched with your window frames we can achieve this for you too.” There is a wide range of products to choose from you can have virtually any colour sill with wood grained effects, wood finishes such as oak and for the more adventurous customers you can even plump for carbon fibre and metal checker plate sills with a finish of your choice. Prices start from as little as £39 per sill - this typically includes one metre sill with two end caps fully installed by experienced fitters. Transform the appearance of your home with the Homesill makeover and make those discoloured sills a thing of the past!
For all your Plumbing Needs • • • • •
Elan Engineering Company
All Plumbing & Heating Work Undertaken Boiler Replacement & Servicing Kitchen Fitting, Bathrooms & Building Maintenance Landlord Certificates 518564 Over 30 Years’ Experience Call Dave now on: or 01744
07713 086484
25492
REGISTERED GAS ENGINEERS I FULLY INSURED QUALITY GUARANTEED WORKMANSHIP Heating systems, Gas checks, Unvented cylinders, Boiler swaps, Repairs, Servicing, Power flush, Radiators, Valves, Controls and Air conditioning units
Contact: Brian Roberts I Telephone: 01942 272851 Mobile: 07880 685021 I Email:info@alaska-services.com
If you need a new heating system or replacement boiler, call the installation specialists now for a free quote!
r u o y l o o C ry! o t a v r e s con We supply high quality roof vents to fit every conservatory roof
We can fit your new roof vent for just £295
Our friendly family company has been serving the Lancashire area for over 25 years. For more details on our services please visit www.fgwelch.co.uk Our other services include; i Annual servicing i Landlord Gas safety checks i Home efficiency upgrades i System power flushing i All general plumbing
WE REPAIR ALL MAKES OF BOILERS!
Awarded winner of the Good trader scheme, for consistently high standards of customer feedback 2011
Telephone:
01744 649 676 Registration No.
88604
Give us a call and reclaim your conservatory
08456 860542 or 07761 966024
www.locallife247.co.uk
TEL:
MOB:
01942 504 429 07931 766 684
www.fgwelch.co.uk
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www.bodtree.co.uk
COMPUTER PROBLEMS? Broadband broken, computer slow, printer packed up, virus/spyware or your keyboards gone kaput
Bodtree Systems fix all types of PC problems in the comfort of your own home
Call Catherine Now 07540 222787
www.dailypoppins.com
Areas Covered:
St Helens Widnes Haydock Moss Bank Rainford and all surrounding areas
It doesn’t have to be spring, to spring clean
Advertise for just £4.15 (+VAT) a week! For more information please phone
Contact your local office on
01744 649722
01744 644 061 0151 268 6047 and make cleaning a chore of the past!
we make it our business to help yours
DP006
PC Repair Centre HEALTH CHECKS, VIRUS REMOVAL, UPGRADES, SOFTWARE PROBLEMS, LAPTOP POWER SOCKETS, LAPTOP SCREENS, NO FIX NO FEE, FREE ESTIMATES
01942 386314
Sameday iPhone Screen Replacement Wigan Road, Ashton-In-Makerfield WN4 9ST
Come home to a warm welcome!
L.J Telecom Services Ltd business and residential
• Business Telephone Systems • Voip & Structured Cabling • Residential Extns, • Faults & Gen Enq
Specialists in wood burning stove installations Call now for a free estimate or visit our website at www.shaunbannonbuilding.co.uk
Empowered by Innovation
Tel: 01744 661221 Askus@LJTelecomServices.co.uk
01744 28684 or 07968 943587
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www.LJTelecomServices.com
design & print Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service
Prices start from only £45 per 5000 For more information please phone
01942 387329
we make it our business to help yours
Trust us with all your building needs Extensions - General Maintenance Barn Conversions - New Builds PVC Windows & Conservatories
Paul Darbyshire Construction Tel: 01744 895 792 Mob: 07790 654 608 E-mail: pauldarbyshireconstruction@live.co.uk
Matthew Rigby Property Care Company
• Plastering & Tiling • Joining - laminate flooring and doors • Damp-proof injection • Gutters cleared & PVCU deep cleaned • Pointing, painting and lots more! For all aspects of home care, call Matthew on
07840 096233
For all your home improvement needs! • Fitted Kitchens & Bedrooms • Wood & Laminate Flooring • Staircases & Partitions • Gates, Fencing & Decking • UPVC Windows & Doors • Building projects For your free quote call Darren on: 07515 872927
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Advertise for just £4.15 (+VAT) a week! For more information please phone
01744 649722
we make it our business to help yours
Dreaming
of a new Bathroom? You can have it all with a complete bathroom refurbishment and it won’t cost the earth! • Design and Installation • High Standards of Work • Minimum disruption to the customer • Over 30 years’ experience Call Mike now for your FREE no obligation quote
01942 717529 or 07958 656696 mike-tilestyle@hotmail.co.uk
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Tile Style
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Church Road in Rainford
Jobs Domestic Cleaners Required - All Areas Growing company requires cleaning staff for immediate start. You must be honest and reliable, and all references supplied will be checked. Flexible hours to suit your lifestyle and good rates of pay for the right candidate. For details call Stephen on 0800 043 0722 or 01744 649091. Distributors Required Local Life requires distributors (aged 13+) for the following areas Garswood – Garswood Road, Station Road, School Lane, Manor Close and Strange Road area. Garswood – Spindle Hillock, Gordon Avenue, The Clough, Cornmill Close and Billinge Road area. Distributors will typically work for 2/3 hours every 8 weeks, delivering in their own neighbourhoods. You must be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. Please e-mail your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
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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
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 514 788 0774 876 7845
or 01942 665 270 or 0770 221 8867 www.protecroofingnw.co.uk
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When someone has died, Tell Us Once and we’ll tell all of the relevant services within St.Helens Council plus other government agencies for you. For more information, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk/tellusonce or call 01744 676789.
Useful Numbers Ashton Cllr B Clarke Cllr J Haddley Cllr N Ash Ashton Library Ashton Police Team
01942 487 673 01942 487 689 01942 736 216 01942 727 119 0161 856 7436
Billinge & Garswood Cllr A Bacon Cllr S Murphy Cllr J Pearson Billinge Medical Practice Garswood Surgery Billinge & Garswood Police Team Billinge Parish Council Clerk Selenley Green Parish Council Clerk Billinge Library Garswood Library
0787 293 8085 01942 743 098 01942 743 021 01744 892 205 01744 621 670 0151 777 6054 01744 892 355 01744 892 167 01744 677 535 01744 677 797
Haydock Cllr W Anderton Cllr Banks Cllr A Burns Haydock Medical Cen. (Dr Vaughan) Haydock Medical Cen. (Dr Roberts) Haydock Library
0787 985 0518 01744 676 109 01744 677 295 0844 477 8626 01744 22272 01744 677 801
Moss Bank Cllr J Fletcher Cllr Fulham Cllr P Lynch Windermere Medical Centre Moss Bank Library
01744 884 984 01744 676 109 01744 676 109 01744 739 645 01744 677 988
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Newton Cllr S Dyer Cllr Gomez-Aspron Cllr N Taylor Newton Community Hospital Dr Pitalia – Comm. Hosp. Dr Pitalia – Bridge St High St Surgery Patterdale Lodge Market St Surgery Newton Library
01744 671 900 01744 676 109 01925 220 104 01925 222 731 01925 220 469 01925 225 755 01925 290 311 01925 227 111 01925 221 457 01744 677 885
Rainford Cllr A Jones Cllr R Nichols Cllr D Monk Rainford Health Centre K McRae Health Centre Rainford Library Rainford Parish Council
01744 893 367 01744 676 109 01744 678 032 01744 882 855 01744 882 606 01744 677 820 01744 884 709
General Medical St Helens Hospital Wigan Infirmary Whiston Hospital Minor Injuries Walk in Centre NHS Direct
01744 26633 01942 244 000 0151 426 1600 01744 627 400 0845 4647
Police & Councils Merseyside Police Greater Manchester Police St.Helens Council Wigan Council
0151 709 6010 0161 872 5050 01744 676 789 01942 244 991
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