St Helens & Prescot Edition
Oct/Nov 2013
Looking at local Farmers’ Markets Rainhill Music Festival Class from the Past - St Anne’s School
Cover photo: © Peter Bretherton
Jack’s Tracks visits Anglezarke
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Local. Valued. Trusted.
Something to Sing About
In this issue
This area has a proud tradition of producing homegrown talent, most notably in the world of sport, business and entertainment. And judging from this month’s edition of Local Life, that rich flow of talent from our doorstep is set to continue for some time to come.
17 22 30 32 36 40 42 44 46 48 52 53 54
Rainhill folk will soon be welcoming back its increasingly popular Music Festival, with a full programme available (see full details on the facing page). This month, we speak to the driving force behind the festival, Andrew Dickinson, about how from relatively small beginnings, it has becoming one of the highlights of the cultural year. Turn to pages 22 and 23 for a full interview with Andrew. At Local Life, we know you like nothing more than keeping your finger on the pulse of what’s happening, so that’s why we’ve launched a new column, Planning Ahead, which gives you a round-up of the latest planning applications in the area on page 24. Also do check out our new Class from the Past section, featuring an old school photo. If you have an old picture you’d like to share, email it to us at editorial@locallife247.co.uk Finally, we’ve had some good news at Local Life towers… our Editor Nicola Gray has given birth to a baby girl! Little Evie arrived a few weeks early , clearly inheriting her mum’s ability to never miss a deadline, and weighing 3lb 4oz. The proud mum is now taking some well-earned time off with husband Ben and their new addition. As a result, I’ve temporarily joined the team, reporting on community events. So if you have anything you want to be considered for publication, please do get in touch using the details on this page.
Class from the Past Rainhill Music Festival Recipe - Baked Hake Fillet Planing Ahead Jack’s Tracks Puzzle Page Farmers Markets Garden Diary Win a Chill Out Spa Day for Two Test Drive Home Services Puzzle Solutions Useful Numbers
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Editorial: David Sudworth Sales: Julie Carroll Design & Production: Peter Bretherton Accounts & Distribution: Sally Boon
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Local Life is published every month. The magazine will be distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis. The St Helens and Prescot edition is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston Park, Windle, Prescot Road and parts of Nutgrove and Sutton Heath. Copies are also available to pick up free from Tesco Extra Stores in Peasley Cross and Prescot.
Happy Reading!
The St Helens and Ashton edition is delivered to over 12,500 private home and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Newton-le-Willows, Garswood, Crank, Kings Moss and parts of Ashton and Moss Bank. Copies are also available to pick up free from Tesco Stores in Haydock and Earlestown.
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Prescot Bonfire
Free Publicity!
Bonfire Night will be with us soon – and the Rotary Club of Prescot is inviting people to its celebratory event at Whitaker’s Garden Centre, Liverpool Road, Prescot. The bonfire and firework display, plus funfair rides and food stalls, will be held on Saturday, November 2, starting at 5.30pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6.15pm and the fireworks start at 7pm.
If you want the crowds to come along to your next community group event, school fair or charity fundraiser, email the details to Local Life. Not only can we publish the event free in our four magazines in Wigan, St Helens, Chorley and West Lancashire, but we can also tweet about your event to our 1500+ followers on Twitter!
Advanced ticket sales are £5 for adults, £4 for children and a family ticket (two adults, two children) will cost £14. These are available at Whitaker’s from October 21. Pay on the gate charges are as follows: £6 for adults, £5 for children and a family ticket (two adults, two children) will cost £15. Funds raised on the night will go towards Willowbrook Hospice and other local charities.
Email us the details of the event (what, where, when, why, who for, how much) along with a name and contact number and anything else you want to tell our readers. The earlier you can provide the information, the better the job we can do, so don’t delay – email us today editorial@locallife247.co.uk.
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Police Meeting
Ooh La La!
Rainhill residents are being invited to have their say on local policing at a meeting on Wednesday October 16, 7.30pm at Rainhill Village Hall. More information can be found at www.merseyside.police.uk
The smell of continental meats and cheeses will be wafting through the air in St Helens town centre as a Continental Market is held in Church Street. The market starts on Thursday, October 3, and carries on until Saturday, October 5, between 9am and 5pm on each day. Visit www.traditionalmarket.co.uk
Black Tie Beautiful You in Prescot in association with Zoe’s Place is holding a black tie event in aid of the hospice. It takes place on Saturday, October 12, at 6.45pm at Blundells Hill Golf Club, Rainhill. Tickets are £30 and are available from the Beautiful You in Prescot and Blundells Hill. All money raised goes directly to the charity. Organisers say sponsors and donations will be very much appreciated. Call 0151 426 2339 for more information.
Mind Volunteers The St Helens branch of mental health charity Mind is continuing its push for volunteers. It is holding coffee mornings for prospective volunteers on Friday, November 1, and Friday, December 6, all between 10am and 1pm at the Millennium Centre Community Lounge on Bickerstaffe Street, St Helens. For further information, call 01744 607937, email sthelmind@yahoo.com or visit www.sthelensmind.org.uk
Society Meetings Rainhill Civic Society has unveiled its events programme for October and November.On Tuesday, October 29, Stephen McNulty presents ‘Fallen Heroes from Prescot and Rainhill in World War I’ at St Ann’s Centre at 7.30pm. And on Wednesday, November 13, there’s a course at the Victoria Hotel where historian Alan Crosby looks again at the wills and inventories of Rainhill people in the 17th and 18th Centuries. To book a place and for details about the cost, call Judy Lowe on 0151 426 2583.
Sale and Quiz St Ann’s Millennium Centre is holding a Table Top Sale on Saturday, October 12, from 10am to 2pm. Tables are £5 each. The centre is also hosting a Harvest Quiz on Friday, October 18. Entry is £6 and tickets are available from the Millennium Centre.
Rainhill Garrick Society presents...
Table manners a comedy by Alan Ayckbourn Directed by Rosetta Parker
Showing on 24th/25th/26th October Ticket prices adults £6 Concessions £5.00 7:30pm start (Doors open at 7 o’clock)
For tickets call
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Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, off Weaver Avenue, Rainhill, L35 3LU Parking FREE After 7pm
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Beer We Go! Beer and cider lovers are in for treat in November as the 11th Rainhill Charity Beer Festival comes to town. Rainhill Rotary Club is hoping to top the £14,500 raised last year by drawing a large crowd who will be able to choose from 100 cask ales. There will also be a Lager & Cider Bar with wine available, and a free drivers’ bar. The real ales include many Champion Beers plus a 12% brew called Baz’s Bonce Blower from The Parish Brewery. The Festival is being held at Rainhill Recreation Club (Rainhill Cricket Club), Victoria Terrace, Rainhill, on the evenings of Thursday, November 7, and Friday, November 8, ( from 7pm to 11pm) and then on the Saturday (November 9) from 1pm until 11pm. For more information, visit www.rainhillbeerfest.org or log onto the Facebook page. Pictured: Bert Rawsthorne, of Rainhill Rotary Club
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Spooky Crafts
2014 Calendars
Need something to get your children or grandchildren in the mood for Halloween? Eccleston Library is holding a Spooky Crafts event between 2.30pm and 3.30pm on Wednesday, October 23. Fancy dress is optional. Space is limited so booking is essential. Call 01744 677575.
Local people can remember Rainhill’s past all year round thanks to a new calendar produced by the Civic Society. The 2014 calendars have photos of yesteryear on them which are postcard-sized and can be detached for use as a notecard. One calendar with an envelope costs £3.50, or three can be purchased for £10. They will be on sale at Rainhill Library on the Saturdays of October 5, November 2, and December 7, – all between 10am and 1pm.
In Good Voice The corridors of St Helens Town Hall will once again be filled with music as it hosts two events this October. On Saturday, October 5, Haydock Male Voice Choir will be in concert with Chester Ladies Choir. Doors open at 7pm for a7.30pm start. Tickets are £7. Contact 01744 734176. On Saturday, October 26, Silhouette Dance Club presents Silhouette’s Got Talent. Doors open at 6pm for a 6.30pm start. Tickets are priced at £5. Call 07717 211159 for further details.
Pirates & Princesses Ahoy m’hearties! Church Square in St Helens town centre will be a hive of pirate and princess-themed activities between Thursday, October 24, and Saturday, October 26. Parents and grandparents are invited to take the kiddies along during those days.
They are also available at Rainhill Remembered meetings, held at St Ann’s Centre, View Road, on the Tuesdays of October 8, November 12 and December 10, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm each time. Alternatively, they can be bought at Civic Society meetings at St Ann’s Centre from 7.15pm on the Tuesdays of October 29 and December 3.
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PCSO Advice
On Track
Local police community support officers will be on hand to give crime prevention advice at Eccleston Library between 2pm and 3.30pm on Friday, October 25. There will be an opportunity to ask questions and pick up leaflets on how to keep your home safe over winter. Bike marking will also be available. For more information, contact the library on 01744 677575.
Rainhill Railway & Heritage Society welcomes Mr Duncan Law, of Northern Rail, who will give a talk on the electrification of the Liverpool to Manchester line at its next meeting. ‘In Stephenson’s Footsteps’ will be held at the Village Hall on Monday, October 7, starting at 7.30pm. All welcome and entry is free.
Christmas Show Rainhill Model Railway Club is holding a Christmas show at Rainhill Village Hall, Weaver Avenue, on Saturday, November 30, from 10am-5pm. Admission is £2 for adults and £3 for children, and includes a visit and gift from Santa. For more information, visit www.rainhillmrc. org.uk
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St Ann’s Church of England Primary School in Rainhill holds a playgroup every Wednesday from 1pm-2.30pm for children aged up to three years. Ready, Steady, Grow takes place during term time only and there’s lots of activities to keep your toddler occupied. For further information, call the school office on 0151 4265869 or email stannsce@sthelens.org.uk
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Wedding Fayre Sunday 27th October 2013 12-4pm. Free Admission ♥ Free Car Parking ♥ Free Bucks fizz on arrival You will have access to all of the venue information and carefully selected suppliers will be there to showcase their products and services, to help you bring your wedding day together. Bridalwear ♥ Menswear ♥ Cakes ♥ Florist ♥ Cars ♥ Jewellery ♥ Honeymoons ♥ Hair and Beauty ♥ Entertainment ♥ Photographer ♥ Stationery ♥ Photobooth and much more. Stunning catwalk show 2pm.
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Man On a Mission Rob Partington is a man on a mission – to get people fit and healthy! Ex-Royal Marine Commando is the brains behind OzoneFit, an organisation that delivers Military Style Fitness programmes at outdoor locations all over the North West, including Sherdley Park . Founded four years ago, the OzoneFit team comprises of Royal Marines, Army and Navy Physical Training Instructors and the team works with people of all abilities to improve their levels of fitness. Getting motivated enough to lose weight, get fit and tone up your body is never the easiest of tasks, but the OzoneFit team will welcome, guide and support you to reach your goals. You can expect to experience outdoor fitness fused with a military style edge!
The groups jog, walk, run, crawl and jump their way around session, and you’ll work together in pairs and teams whilst interacting with Instructors who will motivate and encourage you throughout! OzoneFit can also help those who need to introduce regular exercise into the lives of children. The company runs Team Military fitness days in local schools, providing fun and interesting training sessions, and will also host basic first aid courses for children too. For more details, call Rob on 01772 298527. You can find out whether Military Style training is for you by trying an OzoneFit session at Sherdley Park in St Helens completely free of charge. Simply visit the website at www.ozonefit.co.uk and click on the 1st Session Free picture on the home page to register for your free session. Sessions are held at Sherdley Park on 7pm on Monday and Wednesdays and at 9.30am on Saturdays.
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Windle Meeting
Hate Crime
Windle Parish Council’s next meeting is October 15, at Eccleston Village Hall, Kiln Lane, starting at 7pm. An agenda for the meeting will be produced nearer the time. For more information log onto www.windleparish. org.uk
Chiefs at St Helens Council are backing Hate Crime Awareness Week, which runs from October 12-19. They’ve signed up to a pledge to raise awareness about the crime in a bid to put a stop to it locally.
Women in Business A cash boost of up to £200 is available for local women who want to set up their own business. The Women’s Organisation is offering appointments at Poco Coffee Shop, Eccleston Street, Prescot, for those interested in finding out what support is available to them. For further information email info@thewo.org.uk or call 0151 7068111.
Cllr Richard McCauley, cabinet member for community safety, said: “Although the number of incidents involving hate crime in St Helens remains low, it’s something that can have a devastating impact on local communities. Being victimised just because of your race, the country you come from, the religion you follow, your sexual identity or your disability can be a frightening experience. But with everyone’s help we can make hate crime a thing of the past.” You can report hate crimes to Merseyside Police by calling 101, or alternatively contact the charity Stop Hate UK on 0800 138 1625 for independent and confidential support. To sign the pledge visit www.safersthelens.org.uk/ pledges/hate-crime-pledge/
Pub Fun The Old Mill pub in Prescot holds a quiz night, Play Your Cards Right and Karaoke evening every Thursday at 8pm. All are welcome.
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Watch your ‘Manners’
Christmas Fair
‘Table Manners’ by Alan Ayckbourn is Rainhill Garrick Society’s latest production. It will be showing at Rainhill Village Hall, on Dane Court, off Weaver Lane, from October 24-26 inclusive. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start. Tickets are £6 for adults and £5 for concessions. Pay on the door or tickets are available on 01744 813429.
A Christmas Fair is being held at St Helens Cricket Club in aid of the Once Upon A Smile charity, which provides support to families that have lost a child, or to children who have lost a parent to a long term or terminal illness. The fair takes place from 11am-2.30pm at the Windleshaw Road venue on Saturday, October 19. There’ll be lots of festive fun including tombola, face painting and a Name The Teddy competition. Tickets are £1.50 which includes a drink and mince pie.
The Society is continuing its lookout for new members who can get involved in front of house, onstage and backstage duties. Rehearsal nights are at Rainhill Village Hall on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7.30pm. Visit www. rainhillgarrick.co.uk for more info or follow the Society on Twitter @rainhillgarrick
Windle Advice Windle councillors Lynn Glover, Sophie Robinson and David Baines are offering advice and help to local residents at their regular surgeries. For the first Tuesday in the month, at term times only, they are available at the Reception, Cowley Sixth Form College, Hard Lane, from 4pm-5pm.On the second Tuesday of the month, they can be found at Morley Way Community Centre, from 5pm-6pm. And on the second Friday of the month, they hold a surgery from 7pm-8pm at Windle Labour 2011 CATALOGUE Club, Dentons Green Lane. 9
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Parish Council Rainhill Parish Council is holding its next meeting on Monday, October 21. The venue is the Village Hall and the meeting starts at 7.30pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
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RAINHILL Rainhill Guide House, Guide House, Stoney Lane, L35 9JY Sunday 5:45 - 7:00 pm (Kardy-O-Fun® Aerobics) Tuesday 10:00 - 11:30 am (Kardy-O-Fun® Aerobics) ST HELENS St Helens Centre For The Deaf, 32-40 Dentons Green Lane, WA10 6QB Monday 6:00 - 7:30 pm (Kardy-O-Fun® Aerobics)
ST HELENS St Matthews Church, St Matthews Grove, Grange Park, WA10 3SE Wednesday 6:00 - 7:30 pm (Kardy-O-Fun® Aerobics) WHISTON Whiston Town Hall, Old Colliery Road, L35 3QX Tuesday 5:45 - 7:15 pm (Kardy-O-Fun® Aerobics) Follow us on
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A Place to Learn A Place to Achieve A Place to Enjoy Children learn through a skills-based curriculum which allows them to make sense of their learning in the real world.
“Great teaching, my child is really happy there”
Literacy, numeracy and science skills link with other curriculum areas in topic. At Longton Lane visitors are invited in to make learning fun. Children at Longton Lane enjoy learning on educational visits such as Chester Zoo, Blue Planet Aquarium and Rainhill Library. Every year music is brought to life at the Young Voices Concert.
“My child, who joined in year 5, has been made to feel very welcome: her progress has been good since”
LL Longton Lane Community Primary School Headteacher: Mrs Kathryn Maggs Longton Lane, Rainhill, Prescot, Merseyside, L35 8PB Telephone 01744 678343 E-mail: longtonlane@sthelens.org.uk Websites: www.longtonlane.st-helens.sch.uk
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www.longtonlneprimaryschool.org
Class from the Past - St Anne’s School, Rainhill
Welcome to our new column where we help Local Life readers rekindle memories of their school days by publishing your photographs. This photo of St Ann’s School, Rainhill, taken in 1978 was kindly sent in by Andrew Whitley and Stephen Platt, and they provided the following names. Back row: Samantha Smith, Catherine Whitley, Jane Dutton, Amanda May, Sian Murray, Jayne Dignam, Deborah Ashton, Christine Hesketh, Julie Smith, Susan Johnson, Anne-Marie Whalley
Third row: Gregory Carns, Howard Jackson, Andrew McCale, Phillip Sharratt, Andrew Frith, Michael Nielens, Warren Ryland, Andrew Whitley, Alan O’Grady, Steven Jones, Stephen Fackey. Second row: Pauline Whitley, Joanne Houghton, Tanya Howard, Kate Owen, Paula Gaskell, Jane Gibson, Judith Fairclough, Louise Rhodes, Ruth Oakes, Front row: Maxwell Speakman, Leslie Davis, Phillip Smith. Teacher: Mrs Fitzsimon (not pictured) Do you have a school photo to share? Send your photos via email with as much information as possible to editorial@locallife247.co.uk
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Art Attack!
It’s The Business!
The 13th Knowsley Open Art Exhibition opens to the public on Monday, October 21, at Huyton Gallery, Civic Way. It lasts until late January and is being run by Knowsley Council Submissions to the exhibition are now closed and exhibitors are being reminded that the deadline for delivering their pieces to Huyton Gallery/ Library is Thursday, October 10, between 10am-6.30pm, and Saturday, October 12, between 10am-12.30pm.
Knowsley is to once again celebrate the achievements and success in local business at its annual Knowsley Business & Regeneration Awards ceremony. This year’s awards will take place on Thursday, November 28, in the Grand Marquee at Knowsley Safari Park.
Beecham Family A presentation on the Beecham Family will be held at Central Library in St Helens town centre between 2pm and 3pm on Monday, October 14. Spaces are limited so booking is essential. Call 01744 676952 or email localhistoryandarchives@sthelens.gov.uk
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Cllr Dave Lonergan, cabinet member for regeneration, said, “These awards are becoming more popular each year and we anticipate this year’s event will attract even more guests. It’s great to hear the stories of triumph and success in local business and the evening is a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate these achievements.”
Local Heroes Do you know any ‘local heroes’? 2014 will mark 100 years since the start of World War I, and Knowsley Council is commemorating it with a mobile exhibition called ‘Local Heroes, Distant Voices’. The council would like to hear from the public who know of any ‘local heroes’ it could consider featuring in its exhibition. If you have a relative who served in The Great War or any other military conflict and would like to share their story, contact Tina, Vicky or Susan on 0151 443 5617 or tina. ball@knowsley.gov.uk by Thursday, October 31.
Big Draw
Prescot Pledge
Fun drop-in art activities are available for all the family at St Mary’s Market in St Helens Town Centre on Saturday, October 19. The Big Draw is hoping to live up to its name with free drawing sessions with artists from Platform arts group. An ability to draw is not necessary. For further information, call 01744 677448 or visit www. whatsoninsthelens.com
Police have pledged to continue tackling anti-social behaviour and underage drinking in Prescot town centre. Officers say they have provided hi visibility patrols throughout the area as well as provided regular reassurance to residents and local businesses. The police say they will continue to monitor the situation and ensure they provide resources where they are most needed.
Diabetes Talk Lara Wessels, of the Five Boroughs Partnership Trust, will give a talk on Making Your Favourite Meals More Diabetes Friendly at the St Helens Diabetes UK Group meeting on Wednesday, October 6. The talk will start at 7.30pm in St Helens Town Hall. All are welcome. For further details, contact 0151 4800821.
Remembering Trafalgar St Helens Historical Society welcomes Charles Esdaile to its meeting on Monday, October 21. He will be giving a talk on Remembering Trafalgar, starting at 7.30pm in the Friends Meeting House, Church Street, St Helens. All are welcome.
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High Notes David Sudworth talks to the major driving force behind the increasingly popular Rainhill Music Festival. It’s hard to imagine that organising a music festival is an easy task at the best of times, but doing it from 200 miles away in London would seem impossible for some. Not for Andrew Dickinson.
Held over six days this November, it aims to bring some of the brightest local talent – many of whom will be hoping to follow in Andrew’s footsteps. So where did it all start? "One of my major influences in my early years was the John Houghton Trust, a yearly competition held in Rainhill awarding prizes to young musicians," says Andrew. "It was really beneficial to have something to aim for every year, learning the piano and singing can often be relatively solitary, as you spend a lot of your time practising on your own for hours. The Trust was great in recognising how much you had progressed from year to year, as well as giving you a chance to perform to an audience, which at an early age is one of the hardest aspects to master. I was lucky enough to do well in the competition, but it taught me a great deal about how to handle nerves and I still think of those Finals evenings fondly. "I came home one Christmas, I think it was 2008, to find the Trust hadn't taken place the previous year. This surprised me as I was sure that there were still lots of children in Rainhill learning to play or sing. I resolved there and then to try and bring back the competition, which we successfully did in 2010 after a year of fundraising. The competition was so successful that I decided to add a music festival around the competition, with the same goal of giving young people a platform to perform. Our first full festival came in 2011, and we have been growing ever since.”
Rainhill born and bred, he grew up on St David's Close, where his parents still live, and went to St Bartholomew’s Primary, he now lives in the capital living out his dream as a tenor singer. However, Andrew has never forgotten his roots, and it's his attachment to the area which has made the Rainhill Music Festival a popular annual attraction.
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Indeed it has, now in its third 'full' year, the festival is getting a growing reputation for excellence. Although Andrew was aspiring to such heights, he admits he had no idea how it would work initially: "The festival was really just an idea at the start. I've been immensely lucky to have the support of my family and a great committee in doing all the unseen work that goes on. Being in London makes it tricky for me to manage all the details
of the Festival, but my committee also make great sacrifices, because we all share the same passion for injecting this opportunity into the local area. "Although I'm lucky enough to perform in some amazing places in my day job, some of the festival events we've organised have been really special nights for me personally. It's immeasurably rewarding to see the impact you can have on children with so much talent - it makes all the hard work absolutely worth it."
coming up and I'm hopeful that I can continue to improve and have some more memorable experiences." For more information on Andrew, visit www. andrewdickinsontenor.co.uk.
Rainhill Music Festival Programme Sunday, November 10: War Memorial Concert, 6.30pm at St Ann’s Church. Monday, November 10: Orfea Ensemble, 7.30pm at St James’ Church. Tuesday, November 12: Unplugged, 7.30pm at St Bartholomew’s Church. Wednesday, November 13: ISing, 7.30pm at Rainhill High. Thursday, November 14: Battle of the Bands, 7.30pm at the Citadel, St Helens.
And aside from the Festival, what plans does Andrew have for the future?
Friday, November 15: Rainhill Young Musician of the Year. 7.30pm at St Ann’s Church.
"Moving to London to study at the Royal Academy was a fantastic opportunity to gain further exposure in the operatic world, and I've been lucky enough to sing at many festivals and Opera Houses across Europe. I'm still at the start of my career, as at 28 I'm still relatively young in this profession, but I've got some nice projects
Saturday, November 16: Children’s Classical Concert. 6.30pm at St Ann’s Church. Tickets for all events are £5 for adults, under 16s go free. For more details visit www. rainhillmusicfestival.com or call 0845 2577763
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Planning Ahead
Cheers at Centre!
Eccleston
A community centre in Eccleston has been given a licence to serve alcohol on a permanent basis. The Lester Drive Centre’s application was given the nod by St Helens Council, meaning it can now serve alcohol anytime between 10am and 11pm on Mondays to Sundays, if it wishes to. In addition, the licence also allows for plays, films, live music, recorded music, performance of dance (all indoors) on Mondays to Sundays between 10am and 11.30pm.
Eccleston Hall, Prestbury Drive: works to protected trees. Works include the following: failed silver birch with only the lower trunk remaining - applying to remove the stump and plant a new silver birch in its place. Silver birch opposite front door - remove long branch overhanging drive back to main branch. Horse chestnut, north lawn - the crown is unbalanced. Applicant wants to reduce the crown by 20% of branch length on the hall side of the tree to rebalance the crown and reduce risk of failure (application reference p/2013/0708). Mill wood, adjacent to 22 Ledbury Close: works to protected trees, felling of two oak trees and branch removal on one oak. Replanting of woodland edge (application reference p/2013/0713).
Prescot Knowsley hall, George Hall Avenue: restoration of existing stable blocks within walled paddocks (application reference 12/00275/lbc). Consultation expiry date is October 4.
Whiston 78 Sandstone Drive: conversion of garage to form living accommodation (application reference 13/00492/ful).
Windle Land adjacent to Bleak Hill Farm, Bleak Hill Road: erection of six semi-detached and one detached dwelling with associated vehicular access and landscaping (application reference p/2013/0704). Public consultation ends on October 7. For more details in Windle, Eccleston, Rainhill and Nutgrove, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk. For Prescot and Whiston areas, visit www.knowsley.gov.uk
New Salon? A proposal to change the use of 371-373 Warrington Road, Rainhill, from a car showroom to a beauty salon, along with alterations to the shop front, is currently being considered by St Helens Council. The public consultation period ended on September 30 and a decision is due to be made in due course. For further information, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk
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The application will run indefinitely and comes after the centre had successfully applied for a number of Temporary Event Notices which also allowed for the supply of alcohol on one-off occasions. The licence holder will be the Eccleston Old People’s Welfare Committee, which also runs the venue. The centre was opened in 1968 by Mary Wilson, the wife of the then serving Prime Minister, Harold Wilson. Today, it hosts a number of local clubs and is also made available for hire. For more information on the centre, visit www.lesterdrivecentre.org.uk
Day Care Plans A decision is due to be made soon on whether to grant permission for a children’s day care centre in Whiston. Knowsley Council has received an application to change the use of 2 Sandstone Drive from an office building into a centre. The plans include external alterations to access a new play area and alterations to the car park. The target date set by the council to decide the application is November 11. For more information, visit www.knowsley.gov.uk
Licence Variation New Star supermarket, at 5 Warrington Road, Prescot, wants to increase the amount of time it can serve alcohol at night. Currently, the hours for serving alcohol by retail there are 6am to 11pm. But now it is asking Knowsley Council for a change so it can serve from 10am until 2am. The application for a variation in the licence is currently being considered by the council, and the deadline for representations is October 8. For more information, visit www.knowsley.gov.uk
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Help Offered Vulnerable people are being given a helping hand by St Helens Council. The authority has launched a programme which aims to boost their independence, freedom and confidence when making journeys on public transport. It’s been found that those with additional needs, physical or learning difficulties, people for who English is not a first language, and people who have lost confidence or feel threatened, are denied access to jobs, training and education. For a referral form, or for more information, contact St Helens Council Travel Trainers on 07748 333357 or email: sustainabletransport@sthelens.gov.uk
Read and Rhyme Tots can start learning from an early age at Rainhill Library with its Read and Rhyme Time. The sessions are on Fridays at 10.30am and all are welcome. Call 01744 677822.
Great Outdoors St Helens & District Rambling Club is looking for new members. The group holds regular fortnightly Sunday coach rambles and youth hostel weekends, among other events. For further details, ring the membership secretary on 07535 953488.
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Councillor Surgery Cllr Joe De’Asha holds a surgery for residents on the first Friday of every month between 9.30am and 10.30am at Rainhill Library. Locals with a council-related problem are invited to go along and raise their concerns with him.
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Recipe of the month
Baked Hake Fillet Served with tender stem broccoli, crab crushed potatoes and roast pepper coulis Ingredients 4 new potatoes (cooked)
Olive oil
Pinch of parsley
Butter
Crab (brown or white)
Nutmeg
2 large red peppers
Lemon
3 tender stem broccoli
Seasoning (salt pepper)
7/8oz hake fillet
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Method 1. Pre heat oven on gas mark 7 or 220 c and warm it through 2. Boil your potatoes, then slightly crush them 3. Chop the parsley roughly, and then season the warm potatoes, place them onto a baking tray and roast until golden brown 4. Roast the peppers. When they are roasted place them into a sauce pan with a small vegetable stock cube and 1/2 pint of water. Boil together until tender 5. Pass the Roast pepper liquid through a fine sieve into a clean sauce pan 6. Poach the Broccoli until it is cooked to your liking then refresh the broccoli in ice water to keep the colour vibrant 7. Gently flour the Hake and place skin side down in a roasting tray and roast for 8 minutes 8. While the Hake is roasting, gently reheat the Broccoli 9. Place the crushed potatoes and the crab in the centre of your plate then gently rest the hake fillet and reheated Broccoli on top 10. Pour the warm roast pepper sauce over the Hake and enjoy!
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Money Saving - by Martin Lewis If you live in rented accommodation, you don’t need your landlord’s permission to save money. There are many things you can do to slash bills around the house. With the numbers of tenants rising, rents are fiercely expensive in many areas, so never has it been more crucial. Here are my top tips for renters: Renters have a right to switch and save on energy If you pay the gas and electricity bill directly (not via the landlord), and it isn’t specifically banned in your tenancy agreement, you can and should compare and switch. Don’t stick with the previous tenants’ supplier, as it can be costly. Always do a meter reading as soon as you move in. To find your cheapest deal, use an Ofgem Confidence Code comparison site, where you simply plug your details in and it gives you the answer. Even if you’re on a prepaid meter, you can still switch supplier and save. Yet if you want to convert from a prepaid to a normal meter, it’s best to get your landlords permission in writing, as it physically changes the property. Cheap contents insurance If you rent, your landlord is responsible for buildings insurance, so you only need contents cover. As for what each covers, a quick way to picture this is to think of all the stuff that’d fall if you turned your home upside down. If only you and/or your family live in the home then getting the cheapest cover is quite simple. Simply combine Confused.com and Comparethemarket.com to bag the maximum number of quotes in the minimum time. Then check avica.co.uk and Directline.com, which they miss.
Furnish for FREE! If you’ve gone unfurnished or part-furnished, then online giveaway sites can help you for nothing. Hundreds of top-quality goodies are available daily for free from web communities like uk.freecycle.org and ilovefreegle.org. Some is tat, but some is treasure. Check letting fees Renters can be hit by huge and unfair fees. Some reported to me include £120 for permission to buy a dog or £60 for photocopying a contract. Sadly, there’s little regulation over these charges, but at least make sure you know what they are so you avoid them. Do I need my own TV licence? In shared homes, this usually depends on the tenancy agreement. Joint tenants can usually share, but if you have your own tenancy, you need your own licence. For exact rules (including lodgers), see www. moneysavingexpert.com/tvlicence. FREE boilers Four big energy providers—EDF, Eon, Npower and Scottish & Southern—are giving away boilers (typically worth £2,300) for nothing, plus loft and cavity wall insulation. You don’t have to be a customer to qualify. You need to have an inefficient/broker boiler and be on a low income/get income-related benefits or pension credit. To check, call the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234 (England and Wales). Check your driving licence If you’re stopped with incorrect information on your driving licence, it can result in a £1,00 fine. Over 2.6 million have the incorrect address. Few know your photo licence must be renewed and updated every 10 years (the 4B date on your licence). Renewing costs £20, but is cheaper than a fine.
Each month, Martin will be writing a feature for Local Life - advising our readers how to save thousands of pounds every year! Don’t miss it! Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, is an award-winning campaigning TV & radio presenter, newspaper columnist and a best-selling author. An ultra-specialised journalist, focusing on cutting bills without cutting back, he runs and founded the UK’s biggest money site, www.moneysavingexpert.com with 13 million monthly users.
Get Martin’s FREE tips and money-off vouchers emailed directly to you each week by signing up to www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips
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Have A Heart The British Heart Foundation shop in Prescot town centre is looking for volunteer assistants. Those interested in helping out in the shop are being urged to call in to the Eccleston Street store and ask for either Tess or Clare.
Cricket AGM Rainhill Cricket Club is holding its senior awards presentation and Annual General Meeting on Friday, October 18. Players and parents are asked to arrive at 7.15pm for a 7.30pm start. To confirm attendance, visit http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/rainhillcc/
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The St Helens branch of the National Rheumatoid Arthritis Society will be hearing all about Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep at its meeting on Tuesday, November 26. The talk will be given by occupational therapist Yvonne Hough in St Helens Town Hall’s Room 8, between 6.30pm-8pm. All are welcome to go along.
Economy Push Plans for a new ‘super authority’ to drive economic growth have been backed by council chiefs in Knowsley. The council has given its own blessing to a plan which would see it work alongside other local authorities, Merseytravel and the Local Enterprise Partnership in the region on matters of economic development, regeneration, transport, strategic housing, employment and skills. It follows a five week consultation period with local people. However, it is being stressed the plan would not lead to a merger with other councils – it would merely provide a platform to drive economic growth in the area. Knowsley’s leader, Cllr Ron Round, said “The creation of a combined authority will help us to deliver our City Region’s priority, which is to accelerate economic growth and create jobs. Many other areas across the country are also pursuing changes to their governance arrangements and becoming a combined authority would enable the Liverpool City Region to compete with them.”
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Need some inspiration for Christmas presents this year? Come along to our open weekend and choose from lots of lovely and unusual gift ideas, all work is handmade at the studio and many pieces will have upto 70% off 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 the 12th & 13th October 2013 open from 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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Jack’s Tracks
Anglezarke & Rivington As part of the West Pennine Moors, which in itself has around 90 square miles to explore, Anglezarke has plenty to offer the energetically-minded. However, today we were just going to explore a small section of it, a circular walk comprising of around 4.8 miles around Yarrow and Anglezarke reservoirs. First thing to say is this is not a walk for a complete beginner, as the steepness in the early stages can be challenging. However, once you overcome that, you are rewarded with wide-ranging views spanning from the Welsh mountains right across to Blackpool Tower. Notwithstanding the fact it was a pretty overcast day in early September, our views were fairly clear. To get to the starting point, head to Moor Road car park, sandwiched between Anglezarke Reservoir and Yarrow Reservoir (nearest postcode is PR6 9DQ). Don’t forget to take some loose change as it is a Pay & Display car park. It also closes at 5pm each day, so that needs to be borne in mind before setting off. It took us three and a half hours, but I’m not a regular walker and we included a 15 minute break, plus time for taking photographs. Once the ticket was on the dashboard, we headed off – Jack speedily so in search of his first ‘fetch’ stick – down the path and into the wilderness. To be honest, you
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could spend all day picking the blackberries which were in abundance and not get much beyond 500 yards, but we were feeling slightly more active so carried on northwards, with Anglezarke Reservoir appearing through the trees on the left. Nature lovers can have a field day in these parts with mallard, tufted ducks, sparrow hawks and coots all inhabiting the area. Eventually, once we passed the quarry stone, we veered away north eastwards towards the perfectly manicured banks of High Bullough reservoir. Just past that is a small wooden bridge on the right which we trekked over, with Jack still a good 50 yards ahead. This is where the walk starts to get steep, and it didn’t help that the air and ground was quite moist. At the top, the ground was quite boggy and unfortunately had a slightly unpleasant whiff to it. The good news is it didn’t last long and we soon had Manor House, a beautiful Grade II listed building dating back to the 17th Century, to marvel at. It’s at this point your energy-sapping endeavours begin to be rewarded with lovely views. Bear right after Manor House onto the main Moor Road towards Winter Hill to continue on your way.
Thankfully, the walk now starts to get a little flatter as we head southwards. Eventually, we got to a small bridge but instead of crossing it, we followed the stream and ended up coming across two points of historical interest. The first, on the left hand side, are the stone remnants of a waterwheel and pumping station – a legacy from the area’s lead mining which can be traced back to the 1690s. The mines were finally abandoned in 1837, and it was only in 1982 that excavations uncovered the only brick work which can now been seen from behind a fence, erected due to the fact they could be susceptible to collapse. The second point of interest is on the steep pathway directly behind the old waterwheel, and it’s a memorial to a Wellington Bomber aircraft which crashed there during World War II. Once viewed, come back down the slope, across the river at the next footbridge and you will now be heading towards Alance Bridge. If you’re feeling a bit weary at this point, or time is running out on your vehicle ticket, you can always tail off back to the car park. Jack was in no mood to call it a day at this point, although admittedly I was wavering, but we soldiered on.
Anglezarke Plane Crash Memorial This monument, erected by the Rotary Club of Horwich almost 60 years ago, marks the spot where six men lost their lives during World War II. On November 12, 1943, the crew of Zulu 8799, a Wellington Bomber, took off from Wymeswold in Leicestershire on a training exercise. It would never return. The aircraft started to get into difficulties across Lancashire, causing its engines to start making loud noises, and eventually it came down on Hurst Hill. All men on board, pilot Flight Sergeant Joseph B. Timperon, from Australia, and Sergeants Eric R. Barnes, Matthew Mouncy, Robert S. Jackson, Joseph B. Hayton and George E. Murray, were killed instantly. A subsequent investigation found that the weather conditions that day was the most likely cause. Each year on Remembrance Sunday, a service is held there to pay tribute to the six who lost their lives.
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Manor House
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RAF Memorial
Manor House Farm (PR6 9DQ)
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Anglezarke Reservoir
Start/Finish
Parson’s Bullou
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Alance Bridge
Yarrow Reservoir
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Yew Tree Inn (PR6 9HA)
Upper Rivington Reservoir
Village Green Tea Room ane
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Rivington
The clouds were now parting, enabling the sun to put in an appearance. Before long we found ourselves literally at a fork in the road; bear left across the stream for a well-earned cuppa and rest, or keep to the main asphalt pathway and get back to the car quicker. We mused about it for a couple of minutes and decided the lure of refreshments and a sit down too hard to resist. However, having had my fill of steep paths for one day, I groaned inwardly at the sight of yet more of the blighters. However, this path was purpose built, not ‘au naturel’, and even had a sturdy metal handrail to clasp onto to pull my weary bones onwards and upwards – such luxury!
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.
And respite was soon forthcoming as we stumbled upon Village Green Tea Room, a converted chapel in the heart of Rivington, which offers a good selection of drinks and food. I opted for a fresh orange and vanilla slice while Jack quenched his thirst with a free bowl of water just by the doorway. Once our batteries had been recharged, we set off onto the home straight, heading down Sheep House Lane/Horrobin Lane and then taking a right before the road crosses Upper Rivington Resevoir. It’s a fairly staright route from there and, as we saw, is popular with joggers and cyclists. Poor Jack was now showing signs of flagging but from somewhere he managed to sniff out a tennis ball and in no time he was back to his bouncy self. One of the final features of the walk was the manmade river between the Yarrow and Anglezarke reservoirs. Although completely dry, and by the looks of it that has been the case for a good while, it’s really fascinating and provides an ideal spot for some last minute photos. Once done, we headed back to the car. By this time, having spent hours playing ‘fetch’ and dipping his paws in the various streams, Jack was feeling a bit lazy and wanted to be lifted up into the car for the drive home. What followed was a bit of a human/hound stand-off, but I persevered and eventually, albeit begrudgingly, Jack climbed in under his own steam. And that’s the lesson I learned from this walk, if you are a beginner but willing to persevere, in the end you will be rewarded with an enjoyable day which shows that, when put together, Mother Nature and man’s hand can actually come together and provide quite a stunning result.
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Wordsearch Sudoku
Puzzle Corner
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Guess where? Photo courtesy of Prescot Museum
Answers are on page 53 of this magazine Ambrose Rookwood Assassination Bang Barrels Bonfire Execution Fireworks Gunpowder Guy Fawkes Hangman House of Lords John Johnson John Whynniard King James London
November Parliament Penny for the Guy Plot Pseudonym Sir William Waad Thomas Percy Treason Undercroft York
Free Travel Training
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Market Forces Farmers’ markets experienced a boom for many years prior to the recession, but how are they faring in the current climate? David Sudworth reports… TV has an uncanny knack of tapping into the mood of the times, but in certain circumstances it can actually promote change from almost out of nowhere. Hugh Fearnley- Whittingstall’s 1999 series, Escape to River Cottage, was one such example of a broadcast which in some ways was out of place in a nation that was seemingly obsessed with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?
One market which has endured though can be found at Cedar Farm on Back Lane, Mawdesley. Every first Saturday of the month, traders and shoppers come from far and wide to browse, buy and swap tips about cooking and drinking. And it’s not just established businesses which can be found there, a number of fledgling enterprises have also set up stall in recent months. One of those is Wigan-based Lady Mabel’s Ales, run by teacher Paul Christopherson. Paul, who brews in the kitchen of his home on Chorley Road, Standish, hit on the idea purely as an extension of his hobby.
The concept of ‘grow your own’ was not new though; it was the sort of philosophy to which The Good Life’s Tom and Barbara were aspiring to back in the mid-1970s, albeit presented in a lightly mocking way. Before that, it was how many families survived during the war. However, both programmes, although shown almost 30 years apart, in their own ways helped start a trend which culminated in the birth, or perhaps rebirth, of the Farmers’ Market. And once the craze took hold, no place was deemed out of bounds - city centres, village halls and even busy roadsides were all given over to large groups of cheery souls milling in and out of smartly dressed tables offering traditional cheeses, artisan breads and freshly harvested vegetables. Even the lure of cut price ‘everything under one roof’ supermarkets couldn’t tempt them… farmers’ markets were by and large able to retain their faithful devotees with minimum effort. Then the financial crash hit hard; prices started rising, jobs were put at risk and savers were hit with rock bottom interest rates. Almost overnight, people became more price conscious. This led to some markets either being postponed or cancelled altogether. Indeed, in researching this article, I turned up at one venue only to be told the market had ceased some months previously. In another case, I phoned in advance and was told the same story.
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Paul Christopherson, from Standish, with his daughter, Tess, at their Cedar Farm stall “I’ve been brewing for four years but decided to give this a try so have been selling since April,” says Paul. “I’m interested in ghost stories so the enterprise is named after Lady Mabel who did penance for bigamy by walking barefooted from Haigh Hall to Mabs Cross. The beers are named after ghosts so we have Bigamist, Red Clogs which was a Pemberton ghost, and Headless Horseman. “We really like this market. People who come here like to know they are buying local, maybe items they can’t buy anywhere else, and importantly where it comes from.” Milling around the stalls, it’s evident that part of giving people what they want includes branching out from offering just the traditional farmers’ market fayre.
Mandy Costick and Matt Brice, from Chorley, recognised this and sell homemade snacks…. for dogs. The inspiration came from raising money for the shelter their German Shepherd rescue dogs, Zara and Dino, came from and from that Zara & Dino’s Doggie Cakes was born.
So are farmers’ markets here to stay? John believes they have a bright future, provided they keep pace with customer demands. “We’ve been coming to Cedar Farm for four or five years now, “ he said. “This is well established market, it has quality produce so the numbers of people coming has been consistent. “Some markets have died off and we have dropped markets because they are poor. Providing markets can evolve and give the customer what they want, they will be here to stay.”
Mandy Costick and Matt Brice, of Chorley-based Zara & Dino’s Doggie Cakes Matt maintains they are a niche brand but one that fits in well with the farmers’ market offer: “Programmes like River Cottage and Jamie Oliver have made people more aware. The prices at farmers’ markets have nudged up, but for us it is about the quality of the produce. People want to know what they, and in our case their pets, are actually eating.” Fellow trader John Kirby, of Lancashire-based Reedy’s Naturally jams and chutneys, agrees that provenance is a big plus, especially in the post-horsemeat scandal era. “For instance, our beetroots and onions come from Banks, and our tomatoes and rhubarb come from Kirkham Prison,” reveals John. “The newer customers do ask quite regularly.”
Sarah Rodriguez, from family-run Inglenook Farm
ORGANISER’S VIEW
‘People becoming entrepreneurial’ Sarah Rodriguez and mother Barbara Cobain host markets at Inglenook Farm, just off the Rainford Bypass, between St Helens and Ormskirk, every second Sunday of the month. One aspect which has been noticeable in the 18 months they’ve been running, says Sarah, is how the recession has actually inspired some people to set up their own enterprises. Sarah told Local Life: “You notice people who have been made redundant who have now decided to be entrepreneurs. For instance, we know someone who used to be a financier but is now making his own chocolate which we stock here at Inglenook.
John Kirby, of Reedy’s Naturally jams and chutneys, sources some of his produce from West Lancashire
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“We get up to around 40 stalls full of foods and crafts, and it’s thriving. The economic situation has made people wanting to buy local, supporting local businesses as opposed to large corporations. There’s a huge presence on social media such as Facebook and Twitter around this.”
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Garden Diary - by Angie Barker
Great balls of… Box ! After quite a few disappointing summers at last we can say that we’ve had a good one! The warmest and driest summer since 2006 and it was great to be able to use our gardens as outside rooms for relaxing in, entertaining and cooking. I believe the latest trend is the pizza oven – not for us though, Hubby is not a fan of pizza. Having reflected on summer now is the time of year to be giving some thought to winter structure in your garden because there is nothing more disheartening than seeing plants disappear below ground, with nothing left standing. Some perennials like Rudbeckia and grasses such as Miscanthus, will actually withstand all that winter can throw at them so don’t be tempted to cut them down until the spring. They will give structure and look really pretty with a frost and some winter sunshine.
Angie is a qualified award-winning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.
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Award Winner
One of the best shrubs for winter is the Cornus (Dogwoods). This group of plants provide colourful winter branches in a range of shades from bright red through to yellow and green. I have to say however that my favourite plant for winter structure is Buxus sempervirens - or Box. Low hedges and topiary look lovely with a dusting of frost or snow. And if you ever visit my garden you will see that I have a fetish (oh Hubby starts to look interested now – no dear not that kind of fetish). I’m referring to Box balls – or spheres to use designer parlance. I can’t get enough of them. I have over a dozen of them – in pots and planted in borders. They make brilliant focal points, accentuate entrances and can look very contemporary or contrast beautifully with softer planting in a cottage garden scheme. So get down to your local garden centre and experiment with them – they are not cheap plants because evergreens are slow growing – but you could always buy a smaller, less expensive Box plant and nurture it yourself into whatever shape you like. You can even buy wire structures to help you. Call Angie now for your free consultation! Author: Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk
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Quit Campaign Local smokers are being urged to kick the habit during ‘Stoptober’ - the nation’s biggest ever mass participation stop smoking challenge. St Helens Council and its Health Improvement Team are supporting the Public Health England campaign in a bid to help local people quit. People in St Helens are asked to sponsor smokers to quit for October and raise money in aid of Willowbrook Hospice. All people signing up will also be entered in a draw to be a quit hero. Workers across St Helens will sign up, including those at St Helens Council, Arriva, Wincanton, Sainsbury, Helena Housing and St Helens Hospital. Dr Stephen Cox, Clinical Accountable Officer for St Helens Clinical Commissioning group said: “GPs support this initiative. As well as the money saved from stopping smoking – an average of £4,000 a year for two parents
who smoke – quitters will start to notice immediate health improvements including a better sense of smell and taste and more energy. Longer term, those who stop smoking reduce their risk of heart disease and lung cancer as well as protecting others from their secondhand smoke”. For more information and to sign up visit www. smokefree.nhs.uk/Stoptober or call 0800 022 4332 to be put through to your local stop smoking service.
Temporary Closure The Hardshaw Centre rooftop car park in St Helens will be closed for at least the first two weeks of October as “essential” maintenance work enters its final phase. Other town centre car parks are unaffected and will be open as normal.
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Win a Chill Out Spa Day for Two!
A warm welcome awaits you at the Vitality Spa in Wrightington - a sanctuary of rural peace and tranquillity set amidst the rolling Lancashire countryside, just minutes away from J27 of the M6. This is a Spa that has been designed specifically with your relaxation in mind and where you can unwind and relax from the stress and strain of everyday life.
worth almost ÂŁ150. To enter the competition, simply complete the crossword on the opposite page and return your entry to:
Vitality Spa is based within the Wrightington Hotel, which is fully equipped with an amazing array of leisure facilities, and works with the hotel to deliver an unbeatable Spa Day for those who value wellbeing, beauty or just pure relaxation.
Or, email your answers along with your name, address and contact number to crossword@locallife247.co.uk.
Local Life have 2 x Chill Out Spa Days for two to be won in a great competition which, in total, is
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The closing date for the competition is Thursday 31st October 2013. The lucky winners will, along with a friend, spend a gloriously indulgent day at Vitality Spa. You’ll be able to have a leisurely swim in the pool, let your
Across 3. Name of Spa 5. Another name for a Whirlpool Bath 6. The Spa is situated near the M6 Junction Twenty _ Down 1. Room of extreme heat 2. Hotel where Vitality Spa is based 4. One of the two treatments on offer, _ massage Name ....................................................................................... Address ...................................................................................
troubles float away with the bubbles of the Jacuzzi and unwind in the steam room and sauna. After enjoying a two course lunch, including a glass of wine, you’ll be able to truly chill out when the treatments begin, and you and your friend will be pampered with a choice of the following treatments - Decleor Mini Facial, or a Back Massage scheduled throughout the afternoon. At the end of your day at Vitality Spa, you’ll be walking away feeling happy, refreshed, full of vitality and with a pocketful of memories of your wonderful spa day. For more details about treatments at Vitality Spa, visit www.vitalityspa.co.uk.
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Test Drive - by Andy Enright
Detect this A Honda SUV with a small and efficient diesel engine? It doesn’t seem the likeliest thing but here it is; the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC. Let’s face it, diesel seems to have been a dirty word for a long time at Honda. Initially it was convinced that variable valve timing and petrol engines were a combination too good to ignore, but people still wanted the economy of diesel. Rather grudgingly, Honda inserted a 2.2-litre diesel into its line-up that was never clean, economical or refined enough to really cut the mustard. It’s only in recent years Honda has belatedly got with the program. The fourth generation CR-V is the recipient of a 1.6-litre i-DTEC unit. It’s a perfect fit for the CR-V; clean, economical and with just the right power and torque figures - throwing into sharp relief how badly Honda missed the target down the years with diesels. Still, that was then and this is now and the company is entitled to look very smug indeed.
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This version directs drive to the front wheels only, so perhaps we should be a little wary of the ‘4x4’ label, preferring ‘light SUV’ instead. It’s fitted with a manual gearbox only and handling is helped by the fact this is the lightest diesel engine of its type. Care has also been taken to achieve a significant reduction in the engine and road noise entering the cabin. Sound insulation material has been applied to the floorpan below the passenger compartment, while sound absorption material has been fitted to the rear door, rear wheel arches, door frames, front bulkhead and bonnet. The doors now also feature a double seal. With the rear seats folded flat, the boot capacity of the CR-V has grown by 148 litres to 1,648 litres and with the seats folded up, the boot capacity is a capacious 589 litres. The load length has been increased by 140mm to 1,570mm, while the height of the load lip has been reduced by 25mm to make it easier to load heavy or awkward items. The boot of the CR-V can now accommodate two mountain bikes or four sets of golf clubs.
Prices for this 1.6 litre diesel variant have been kept quite competitive, starting at just under £23,000 for the S model. This variant is reasonably well equipped, featuring a DAB Radio, dual zone climate control air conditioning, cruise control, electric adjustable and heated door mirrors, USB connectivity, steering wheel remote audio controls, a five inch Intelligent Multi Info Display, 17” alloy wheels as well as all the driver safety aids such as ABS, driver seat power lumber support and Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) as standard. If you can stretch to a £25,000 budget, the plusher SE variant adds in front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, Bluetooth Hands Free connectivity, a CAT 1 alarm with ultrasonic sensor, a leather steering wheel, a leather gear shift, rain sensing auto wipers, dusk sensing auto lights and an auto dim rear view mirror. With both trim levels, there’s the option of satellite navigation for just under £800 more. Top of the range is the leather-lined SR model, priced at around £27,000. Here, you also get heated front
seats, a premium audio with subwoofer, painted roof rails, privacy glass, Bi-HID xenon headlights with auto levelling, active cornering lights, the High Beam Support System that dips your lights for you at night, headlight washers, front fog lights, driver and passenger seat power lumber support and 18” alloy wheels. Honda needed this engine and it probably needed it three years ago. Although it might at first seem a powerplant better suited to a family hatch than a fairly sizeable SUV, 300Nm of torque ought to be enough to shift a CR-V without feeling too sluggish. So good is this engine that it seems a little odd that Honda is positioning it quite so coyly with only a limited amount of options for the buyer but if you like things kept simple, this is the best buy in the CR-V range. What you do need is something really well built and desirable but which won’t cost the earth. That’s exactly the formula the CR-V 1.6 i-DTEC sticks to. It’s long overdue but now it’s here, you know what to do.
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