Local Life - West Lancashire - May 2016 by Local Life 247 Ltd

West Lancashire Edition

May 2016

n to see The Corrs Witickets Local News Food & Drink Jack’s Tracks Motoring What’s On Home Services... www.locallife247.co.uk

Masterchef

moment L

ike many of you I’m sure, I’ve become an avid viewer of the BBC Masterchef, marvelling at the entrants’ creativity and cringing at the pressures they face in the TV studios. It’s fascinating to hear about how they managed to get onto Masterchef, but whatever their respective journeys, they have two things in common; bravery and an unshakeable belief in themselves. I had my own Masterchef moment recently when, at a weekly community event, our two first choice chefs were unavailable at late notice and I had to step up, prep and cook 50 or so breakfasts in the space of a couple of hours. It went like a dream and the feeling afterwards was, I can only imagine, equal to scoring a goal in a cup final. The truth is though; it wasn’t as hard as I thought it was going to be. In fact, we’re down two chefs again on Saturday, only this time, I won’t be losing any sleep on Friday night. Isn’t that often the case that the thought of fear itself is greater than what it is we fear? Many of our young people are facing their own Masterchef moments in the next few weeks, sitting examinations of one kind or another, and many of them will currently, just like my daughter, be in a state of panic. I’ve told her to be brave, prepare thoroughly and believe in herself and hopefully it will make a difference. Maybe it will make a difference for your children too? Fingers crossed,

Chris Pearce - Publisher

Local Life Media

@locallifemedia

In this issue Love

Fast

Hesketh Bank

food

Ignoring bowel

Jack’s Tracks visits

cancer?

Haigh

52 Test Drive - Mercedes

Win tickets to see

The Corrs

GLE 350d

Regulars

Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB

Telephone: 01695 627 999

34 Class from the past 47 Eating Out Guide 48 What’s on

Sections 6 Local News 7 Property 36 Health 42 Food & Drink

48 Leisure 58 Gardening 60 Home Services

Next issue - June 2016

Advertising deadline - Friday 29, April Published - Friday 6, May

Publisher: Chris Pearce chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Sales: Lisa Jackson sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: Nicola Gray westlancsnews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Peter Bretherton design@locallife247.co.uk Distribution: Sally Boon sallyb@locallife247.co.uk Accounts: Sam Garrahan accounts@locallife247.co.uk Local Life (West Lancashire) is published every month. The magazine will be distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis. This edition will be delivered via Royal Mail to every home in the L40 postcode district and also to the PR4-6 and WN8-7 postcode sectors - that’s a total of 13,240 copies. The next edition will be edition is delivered via Royal Mail to every home in the L39 postcode district and also to the L40-6 postcode sector - that’s a total of 12,655 copies.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

Dance classes The Friends of St Bede’s are holding dancing lessons every Monday evening from 7-8pm in St Bede’s school hall, Ormskirk. The lessons will be given by two professional dance teachers at a cost of £2.50 per session. All funds raised will go to the Friends of St Bede’s to support the school. For further information please contact Jess Robinson on 07981 044910 or just turn up on the night.

Parbold Ramblers If you like getting out and about to stretch your legs how about joining the Parbold Ramblers? The group is currently on the lookout for new members who enjoy getting out for a good walk. Walks take place on the 1st Sunday of each month leaving from Parbold shops via car share. Annual membership is £12 which includes public liability insurance. If you fancy giving this a try then you can always sign up

For your special day or something special to say!

for a day membership at a cost of £1.25. For more information and a list of future walks please contact Jimmy on 01257 463057.

U3A art exhibition On Wednesday 30th March, Mawdesley and Neighbouring Villages U3A’s Art Group held its Spring Exhibition of paintings and drawings in Mawdesley Village Hall. A large number of pictures were on display demonstrating the range of subject matter and techniques being used, and a number of sales were made on the day. The Art Group is a thriving social activity within this branch of the U3A and new members are always very welcome. If you would like to take up, or develop, your artistic skills in a friendly and supportive environment, please contact Norman Foulds on 01257 462121 for more details.

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All things Swing! If you love a bit of Jazz and fancy an evening of Swing music, then make a note in your diary to get

Modern Collection

down to Briars Hall on Sunday May 15 at 8pm. Jacqui and her Rhythm Katz are a nine piece swing band with horn section, rhythm section and fantastic male and female vocalists performing some of the greatest big band and swing sounds. You can expect to hear the sounds of Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin, Bobby Darin, Nat King Cole and many more. Admission is £3.50 on the door for more information please contact Briars Hall on 01704 892368.

Teddy bears’ outing The Teddy bears will be out in force at the West Lancashire light railway on Sunday May 22. Enjoy a family day out on a beautiful steam engine and look out for some cuddly friends on the way. There will

Jewels May is a gorgeous independent jewellers shop nestled amongst 50 small rural retail business in Heskin Farmers Market and Craft Centre. This little treasure trove of sparkle boasts an amazing collection of antique, vintage and modern precious luxury jewellery items. The owner has a passion for old cut diamonds and precious stones in amazing unique settings, and the shop also specialises in pre-owned luxury watches.

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be two steam engines in operation on the day and the rides will take place from 11.30-4.30pm from the platform on Station Road in Hesketh Bank. If your little one brings their favourite bear, they travel half fare. There’s bound to be plenty of surprises down in the woods that day – so for more information and to purchase tickets please go online at www. westlancs.org

Vintage Collection

Luncheon club Tarleton & District gentlemen’s club would like you to join them for a spot of lunch! The luncheon club meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 12pm at the Rufford Arms Hotel on Liverpool Road. Members are currently accepting applications for the forthcoming season – the annual subscription is £15 and a four course lunch is £15 every month, which includes a speaker. For more information please contact Mike Barron on 01772 814105 or 07973-704141.

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Newburgh

fair

The 39th Newburgh Fair will be held on Saturday, June 25 with up to 2000 visitors expected at the annual event. The Fair will have an Olympics theme and be dubbed Rio De Newburgh, with a procession through the village starting at 12pm. The programme for the week before the Fair includes a Lancashire evening, a Ladies Night and a quiz and karaoke night for teens and beyond.

Anyone interested in having a stall at the fair or wanting to buy tickets should contact Fiona Casey on 01257 463837 or email fionacasey@live.com

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Burscough charity walk In June 2006 Cindy Robertson and Margaret Gardner set out to raise funds for Cancer Research by walking the 127 miles of the Leeds Liverpool canal. Their aim was to complete this in just seven days as a way to raise money for the charity and to celebrate Margaret’s 60th birthday. Now ten years later – the friends are preparing to do it all over again! Margaret told Local Life, “In June we are doing the walk again and hope to raise even more than the £2200 we raised last time. “We plan to walk from Liverpool to Burscough on Monday 5th June and Tuesday 6th June, and after Margaret’s birthday celebrations on the 8th and 9th June, we plan to leave Leeds and arrive back in Burscough well before the Heritage celebrations for the bicentenary of the Leeds Liverpool Canal.” The ladies are looking for some local support to help them on their way – so if you would like to join them

on the more local stretches of the walk, or would like to make a donation please contact Margaret on 01704 892492 or Cindy on 01704 895186.

Becoming Hattie The next exciting instalment from the Proteus Theatre Group will be their interpretation of Becoming Hattie. This one-woman show is an affectionate look back at the life and career of Hattie Jacques. It is 1974 and 8-year-old Jo is idly watching the telly when ‘Sykes’ comes on. There, on the screen, is a woman unlike anyone else – that woman is Hattie Jacques! Forty years on and Jo has followed in Hattie’s footsteps; she too is an actress. But why is she cast as the nurse, never the surgeon? And why is she too fat to play Lady Macbeth? The play will be performed at Aughton Village Hall on Winifred Lane on Thursday 5th May from 7pm. Tickets are on sale now at a cost of £7 and are available by calling Sue on 01695 422423.

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tournament Tarleton Rugby Club will be holding their fifth annual rugby sevens tournament on Saturday, June 4 in memory of their founder member.

annual tournament as a tribute to all the hard work and dedication he had given over the years.

The event has gone from strength to strength and is now the regional qualifier for the RFU national sevens competition. Teams also come from all over the country to compete in four senior competitions as well as

Local businessman Jonathan Skofic, who founded the club, was also chairman, past president and player, and he tragically died in 2011 at the age of 52. Members of the club decided to set up this

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the elite, open, social and women’s categories. The first match will kick off at 10am at the Carr Lane ground in Tarleton and there will be plenty of entertainment for the whole family; including an all-day bar, barbecue, grand raffle, live music and refreshments. Entry is £2 for adults and £1 for children, with all funds going to help the development of the club. For more information about the tournament please contact the club on 01704 895702 or go online to Twitter @ Skofic7s or search Facebook, Skofic Rugby Sevens.

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Five-a-side There is a brand new community five-a-side football league that has formed at Hesketh Bank AFC. The league kicks off every Monday evening between 8-10pm. All new teams that sign up to play will receive five free football kits (excluding socks). League matches are 40 minutes long with fully qualified referees and league staff. To enter your team for free please contact Jack Nixon on 07772 303789 or go online at www.leisureleagues.com

Girlguiding in Burscough The girl guides in Burscough are on the lookout for new leaders and unit helpers to assist their popular group. Their numbers have swelled so much in recent months that they now have enough girls on the waiting list to open a new group. A leader is a volunteer who has completed the leadership qualification. A person works towards

this qualification in their own time by attending their unit and also attending training sessions put on by girlguiding. Unit helpers just have to have a heart for guiding, be over 18 and be DBS checked and help out in line with their own commitments. The girls in our units really enjoy guiding and meet together every week in term time. For more information please contact Jane Taylor on 07876 565910.

Tarleton bowling club Tarleton bowling and social club on Sutton Lane will be hosting an open day on Sunday July 3 at 1-4pm and anyone wishing to go and play crown green bowls would be made most welcome. Experience is not essential and bowls will be provided on the day along with complimentary refreshments. For more information please contact David Bailey on 01772 816679 or email dvd.bailey1@gmail.com

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Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants The Chapel Gallery in Ormskirk will be hosting the Pirates, Pants and Wellyphants Exhibition from Saturday April 16 until Saturday 25th June. Nick Sharratt, the man behind the instantly recognisable illustrations for Jacqueline Wilson’s Tracy Beaker books, is now the subject of a colourful, interactive, humorous and hands-on exhibition. The show features many of the well-known characters Nick has illustrated over the years, including Daisy, Hetty Feather and Pirate Pete. For more information please contact the Gallery on 01695 571328 or e-mail chapel.gallery@westlancs.gov.uk.

Fashion show If fashion is your passion then head on down to Parbold Village Hall on Tuesday May 10th for a ladies fashion show and pop up shop. The event is being held to raise money for the West Lancs RDA

group – there will be a fashion show and ex high street fashion available to buy at 50% off. There will also be a charity raffle with a host of fabulous prizes up for grabs on the night. Doors at open at 7pm and the show starts at 7.30pm, tickets cost £5 per person and can be purchased by contacting Debbie on 01695 422399 or Glenda on 07931 435627.

Quilt exhibition Local groups of quilters have teamed up to hold an exhibition on Saturday June 25 in support of the North West Blood Bikes. Croston Quilters, Quirky Quilters and Douglas Valley Quilters will be hosting their third quilt exhibition at the Village Hall in Parbold from 10am-4pm. There will be lots of attractions including quilts, refreshments, a raffle, tombola and lots of handcrafted gifts for sale. Entry is £2 for adults and accompanied children go free.

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Love

Hesketh Bank

The Love Hesketh Bank campaign, designed to celebrate all what is great about the village, was launched in February 2014 and this year the Parish Council has introduced awards to continue this work, recognising individuals that have made an outstanding contribution to the village. Carl Pickering from Top Shop News was presented with the award for putting Hesketh Bank on the map when he was pronounced the national ‘Independent Newsagent of the Year’.

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Upon receiving his award, Carl said, “I never thought that when I was a boy doing a paper round from this shop that one day I would not only own it, but win an award for it. None of this would be possible without the commitment of everyone who works at Top Shop News and the support of our customers, so thank you all from me and my wife, Katrina.” Steve Kirby was presented with the award for leading the Heritage Trail project, which was launched in 2015. He is pictured here in front of the trail notice board and holding a village trail leaflet which are available from Booths Café and Tarleton Library. Upon receiving the award, Steve said, “I was very pleased to be involved in this project, which was made possible with a match funding grant from a joint West Lancashire and Sefton Council initiative to develop sustainable tourism. I’m delighted with the end result because it has proved to be a very popular trail and helped to put Hesketh Bank on the tourism map.”

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Barry Dawson was presented with the award for the Hesketh Bank Village Show, which is now in its ninth year. He is pictured here with the bill board announcing this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s show on 17th September wearing the Love Hesketh Bank pin badge that was presented to him by Councillor Diane Earles. Upon receiving the award, Barry said, â&#x20AC;&#x153;This was a big surprise. I set up the show, in the spirit of our original Horticultural Show which ran for many years, to put something back into the village that I was born and bred in. The village has changed a lot since then but I am pleased we are continuing this tradition.â&#x20AC;? The village show has raised funds for many projects over the past 8 years including, and most recently, the resurfacing of the church hall car park. Duncan Taylor was presented with the award for brightening up the village with hanging baskets and Christmas decorations, which he has done for many years for the Parish Council. He is pictured

here in one of his greenhouses at Arden Lea, the business his father started and his two sons now run, wearing the Love Hesketh Bank pin badge that was presented to him by Councillor Diane Earles. Upon receiving the award, Duncan said, “I knew nothing about this. I don’t do it for any recognition, I just enjoy doing something practical to add to the village I have lived in all my life.” Speaking about the winners, Chairman of the Parish Council, Paul Sergeant said “This is our way of recognising the efforts of individuals who have put a lot into Hesketh Bank over the years and saying thank you on behalf of all the residents.” Are you a Hesketh Bank resident? You can tell the council what you love about Hesketh Bank on facebook.com/loveheskethbank or @ loveheskethbank

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Competition

Win tickets to see

The Corrs!

n Evening At The Races and Haydock Park Racecourse will welcome The Corrs as the first act to their 2016 summer season of open-air live concerts at Haydock Park Racecourse. Last year, over 40,000 fans descended onto the hallowed turf at Haydock Park to see show-stopping headlining performances from Kylie, Madness and Kaiser Chiefs after a day of racing. Since releasing their album ‘Forgiven, Not Forgotten’ in 1996, The Corrs have gone on to sell over 30 million albums worldwide. Known for hits including ‘Runaway’ and ‘Breathless’, the band took a 10-year break to spend time with their families while Sharon and Andrea also pursued solo careers. They returned last year to a rapturous welcome, with their album ‘White Light’ going straight into the UK charts at #11 and saw the band catapulted back into the touring circuit with a sold-out arena tour.

The Corrs told Local Life ‘We love open-air summer shows, so are really looking forward to playing Haydock Park on 18th June after the races. We had a fantastic time playing songs from our new album ‘White Light’ at the Echo Arena at the start of the year so can’t wait to perform all our hits for a few familiar faces and more this summer.’

We’ve got hold of four tickets to this concert at Haydock Park on Saturday 18th June , so two lucky Local Life readers and their guests will be part of the sell-out crowd on what’s sure to be a night to remember. To enter this competition, simply complete the simple crossword on the opposite page and return your entry to us by Tuesday 31st May at; The Corrs Competition, Local Life Media, Unit 8 – Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB. Or just visit our website (www.locallife247.co.uk), click on the competition graphic and enter your answers.

Across 6. Rochdale’s biggest star, Lisa _ 7. English singer/songwriter, Jess _

Down

An Evening At The Races offers a value for money experience unlike any other this summer. Alongside show-stopping headline performances by some of the world’s biggest artists, the action kicks off earlier in the day with a six race card - giving fans the chance to witness powerful equine athletes who are stars in their own right, and enjoy the thrilling drama and spectacle of them racing for glory.

1. Irish pop-rock group, The _

The Jockey Club Live, who run An Evening at the Races events, are leading promoters on the UK live scene. They delivered a spectacular line up of some of the hottest chart talent and legendary household names in 2015 and this year is set to continue the incredible success. Acts already announced for 2016 at North West based racecourses include Deacon Blue (Aintree – 13th May), Tom Jones (Aintree – 10th June), Jess Glynne (Haydock Park – 1st July) and Lisa Stansfield (Haydock Park – 5th August). The events are renowned for combining a fun filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in the informal and relaxed open-air setting of some of the world’s most famous racecourses.

Address ....................................................................................................

Tickets for all the above concerts are available via www.thejockeyclublive.co.uk.

2. Sir Thomas Jones Woodward, aka Tom _ 3. Racecourse near junction of M6 & East Lancs Rd, _ Park 4. Glasgow band formed in the 80’s, _ Blue 5. Home of the Grand National Name ....................................................................................................

....................................................................................................................... ................................ Post Code ............................................................ Phone ...................................................................................................... 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. 5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition. 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 will contact you occasionally to check our magazine distribution in your area.

Puzzle

corner

Guess where? Answers are on page 51 of this magazine

Sudoku

Charity raft race Burscough Heritage Weekend is one of a host of events planned to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The weekend is planned for Saturday, June 18 and Sunday, June 19 at Burscough Wharf. The weekend will see the return of the hugely popular charity raft race on Sunday 19, as teams of local groups and businesses compete to stay afloat. The race will take place from the Slipway Pub to Burscough Wharf – there will be prizes for winners in the open age and junior races, best themed raft, most recyclable raft and the fanciest float. Entry costs £20 per raft and all of the proceeds raised will

go to the Lancashire Association of Boys and Girls Clubs. For more information about the event or for an entry from please contact Nick Eckersley on 01695 576844 or email nickeckersley@nreltd.co.uk

Astronomy talk Mere Brow History Society will be hosting a talk on Wednesday, May 18 about Preston astronomer Moses Holden. Speaker Steve Halliwell will be talking about his biography of Moses Holden and giving a unique insight into one of the pioneers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The talk will take place at Mere Brow Village Hall at 7.30pm.

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Class from the

past This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class from the Past is from Burscough Bridge Methodist, and is believed to be from the 1950s. Maybe you can spot a familiar face? Remember, if you have a photo youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be willing to share, email westlancsnews@ locallife247.co.uk

NEW FOR SEPTEMBER 2016!

Parents/carers can access additional chargeable sessions From September 2016, we will be able to offer additional chargeable sessions on top of our FREE Maintained Nursery School provision for 3-4 year olds 15 hours free flexible provision with the choice of accessing up to another 15hrs as additional chargeable sessions. Sessions can be taken as morning, afternoon or full day (with lunchtime arrangements provided) Before and After school club offered 7.45-9.00am and/or 3.30-5.45pm The Nursery was judged by OFSTED as OUTSTANDING in all areas! “With excellent teaching in the bright and well organised Nursery and Reception classes, they make brisk progress and enter Year 1 with skill levels above the national average.” “A warm and welcoming ethos exists where the adults ensure that pupils are treated equally, feel safe and enjoy school” “The curriculum also contributes extremely well to pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. For example, children in the Nursery were having great fun learning about the Chinese New Year in the realistic pagoda that had been created in the outdoor area.”

Health & Fitness

Ignoring bowel

cancer?

he British are notoriously private and prone to embarrassment when it comes to bodily functions, particularly those ‘down there’ which may go some way to explaining why up to two-thirds of eligible people aren’t taking part in bowel cancer screening. Despite having been introduced 10 years ago in some areas of the UK - and the fact the programme could save over 2,000 lives a year by 2025 - less than half the people offered the home tests aren’t completing them. In some communities, uptake is as low as a third, and men, as well as people in deprived and ethnic minority communities, are the least likely to take part. April’s Bowel Cancer Awareness is aiming to change this, in a bid to help more people detect

By Lisa Salmon

changes early - which means better outcomes, higher survival rates and even the chance to stop cancer from developing.

A common cancer More than 41,500 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer, and around 16,000 people die from it every year, making it the UK’s second biggest cancer killer. However, if it’s caught early, many survive - in fact, there’s a 98% five-year survival rate for those diagnosed at the earliest stage, and by far the best way of catching bowel cancer early is through screening. “Bowel cancer is one of the most treatable cancers,” stresses Gail Curry, head of health promotion at Bowel Cancer UK. “Screening saves lives by catching it at it’s earliest stage when it’s most treatable.”

What’s in a test? Bowel cancer screening tests, called faecal occult blood tests (FOB), are sent out every two years to people aged 60-74 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and to those aged 50-74 in Scotland. Recipients are required to collect and send back (in the pre-paid envelope provided) three small bowel motion samples - there are instructions detailing exactly how to do this - which are then analysed in a laboratory for traces of blood. If blood (which can be an early sign of bowel cancer) is detected, there will be further tests. However, even if something does show up, it doesn’t always mean it’ll turn out to be cancer. “Evidence shows that one of the main reasons for people not doing the test is that they think there’s nothing wrong with them, and they have no connection to bowel cancer. But the test is designed to diagnose any problems before symptoms arise,

Gail Curry, of Bowel Cancer UK

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so just like cervical and breast screening, it’s a prevention method,” says Curry. The screening can even prevent bowel cancer from developing in the first place, by picking up noncancerous growths (polyps) which could become cancerous in the future.

Easy business The idea of collecting a stool sample can be offputting for some, but Curry urges everybody not to be embarrassed. “A lot of us have children or pets and have had to deal with their poo, so you shouldn’t be afraid of doing the test on yourself. People aren’t asked to touch it with their hands and it’s very straightforward,” she adds. “It’s done in the privacy of your own home, it’s not painful - and doing it is a lot better than getting bowel cancer.”

Who gets bowel cancer? Age is a major risk factor for bowel cancer, with nearly three-quarters (72%) of people diagnosed with the disease aged 65 and over. However, the number of young people developing this form of cancer is rising, so symptoms should always be addressed with your GP if concerned.

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A strong family history of bowel cancer is also linked to developing the disease. It’s believed that up to a third of cases may be caused by a change or fault in one or more genes, although it’s usually not known which genes are involved. People with a history of chronic inflammatory bowel problems, including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, or polyps (growths on the bowel lining) and type 2 diabetes, may be at higher risk too. “The majority of bowel cancers start from polyps but not all polyps turn into cancer,” stresses Curry. “They’re very common and mostly nothing to worry about, but if they get large, the risk of them becoming cancer is higher.” Lifestyle factors can also increase the risk of bowel cancer, with smoking, drinking alcohol, eating an

unhealthy diet and obesity all linked to the disease.

Spot the signs These symptoms don’t always indicate cancer, but it’s best to get them checked without delay, to be on the safe side... • Bleeding from the bottom and/or blood in your poo. • A change in normal bowel habits lasting three weeks or more, especially to looser or runny poo. • Extreme tiredness for no obvious reason. • Unexplained weight loss. • A pain or lump in the tummy. Curry says: “People can be afraid or embarrassed if they have blood in their poo, or another symptom ‘down there’, but doctors see these symptoms all the time. If anyone has any symptoms, they shouldn’t wait for the test kit to arrive, but go straight to their GP.” For more information, visit www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

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Care in your OWN home ASK AMANDA!

Can you tell me more about “personal care” and how it differs from other care services?

Personal care is the area of our work which requires careful attention and sensitivity. Understandably for some customers and their families having someone help with these personal tasks can make them feel a little uncomfortable at first. With bathing for example it may take a while before a customer feels comfortable allowing a carer to help, or they may feel more reassured with certain carers. In terms of regulation personal care is the part of our service that is monitored by the Care Quality Commission (CQQ).

ANSWER. “Personal Care” includes helping a customer wash, bathe, brush their hair, clean their teeth and go to the toilet. These activities may involve moving a loved one around the house. We can also “prompt” someone to take their correct medication from a blister pack. Personal care relates to tasks which are a little sensitive and if the person was of good health they would carry out themselves unaided.

Not all our customers require personal care or they may use it with a range of our other services. Support outside personal care includes: companionship, help with hobbies, making meals and drinks, taking someone out and about in our insured vehicles, looking after pets, staying overnight or helping 24 hours a day. Many of our customers despite being over the age of 80 continue to lead very active lives!

Amanda Singleton is the Registered Care Manager for Independent Living – she answers your questions.

If we can help with personal care for a loved one, or provide general help

please call Amanda 01257 696 050 Independent Living can provide the best quality bespoke care in peoples own homes. We offer a wide range of services that are all tailored to suit individual needs.

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Food & Drink

Fast

food By Claire Spreadbury

uilt is something many mums suffer immensely from.

In today’s busy world, it’s so hard to find time to do everything you should for your kids - including cooking from scratch. And it’s so easy to reach for the fish fingers and waffles and give little ones a lunch you know they’ll love. But with even a tiny bit of time, you’ll be amazed at what you can whip up in the kitchen. To prove the point, Annabel Karmel has unveiled her latest batch of recipes, splashed deliciously across 220 pages in her new book. There are quick recipes, ingredients-based ideas, dishes for entertaining - from pasta bakes, to cakes and steaks - there’s pretty much everything you could ever need to feed a family at any age. But the difference with this latest release - The Busy Mum’s Cookbook - is that you really don’t need hours on end to cook up these delicious storms. So there are the 20-minute recipes for people (like me) who don’t have the time (or inclination) to cook. Just the other week, I was cursing for agreeing to ‘do’ dinner the evening before a 10k race (something else to try and squeeze in and feel guilty about), because I wanted a pasta dish that wasn’t too heavy. By the time the kids had gone to

bed, all I wanted to do was slump in front of the telly and watch The Voice. So what did I do? I turned to page 44 and whipped up Karmel’s Mushroom And Broccoli Pasta in about 20 minutes flat. There are oodles of quick and easy dinner ideas to get kids excited - the Sweet Potato Curls (though, granted, mine looked NOTHING like the ones in the picture!) make a brilliant alternative to chips, the Frittata With Cherry Tomatoes is “the best frittata in the whole wide world”, according to my three and six-year-old, and the Apricot, Pecan, Raisin And Chocolate Cookies are easy for little hands to make - and taste so good, you’ll struggle to keep away from the biscuit tin. Feeling inspired? Try the easy Annabel Karmel recipe on page 46.

Annabel Karmel’s Busy Mum’s Cookbook is published by Ebury Press, priced £20.

Taste test

Style &

Substance

hen The Fox came onto the market a few years ago, residents in Roby Mill despaired that this once popular village pub would be, like so many local pubs, sold for housing. One resident though, who lives less than 100 yards away from The Fox, clearly remembered its glory days and spotted an opportunity to turn back time. That resident is Tony Callaghan, whose Inn the Bar group has a growing portfolio of pub restaurants, and he snapped up the ailing Fox and brought it back to life at Fifteen’s @ The Fox. You might think that, being part of a group, Fifteen’s at the Fox will have a corporate antiseptic look and feel. In fact, nothing could be further from the truth, as you’ll realise when you’re confronted by a giant gorilla in the car park. Everything is different at The Fox, nothing matches. It’s as though they have a house clearance business on the side and they use the leftover bits at The Fox. It gives the place a

distinctive, albeit quirky, style, but I’m looking for substance too – can The Fox deliver this? Examining the menu closely, it’s apparent that food at The Fox is for a more refined palate. It’s the sort of place where you can imagine the head chef burning the midnight oil, concocting future menu options. This thought leads me very nicely into our meal there last Thursday lunchtime. I opened up with a bit of Lancashire and Chinese fusion – black pudding and Lancashire cheese, enveloped into spring rolls, and served with delicate pea shoots and home-made chutney. Two strong flavours which just shouldn’t work together, but actually do to a wondrous effect, in an imaginative dish leaving a lingering combined tang on the palate. According to our waitress, there’s an even more popular variation of this dish consisting of sweet potato, red pepper and goats cheese, so that’s one for next time. My dining partner kept with the cheese theme, indulging in an oven baked Camembert, served with a selection of crusty breads and toasts. This really a starter for two, but looked glorious on a plate served to the next table along, and my partner was tempted. The deep and intense flavour of the creamy Camembert was complemented by the infusion of rosemary and garlic, and it was indeed a glorious dish. We sent both plates back empty, and then spent the next few minutes wondering if we had dulled our appetites to enjoy our main courses? Those fears were dispelled within seconds when my partner’s next dish arrived. Chicken Ballotine – chicken wrapped in sundried streaky bacon, served

with creamy mash and baby vegetables. The tender chicken complemented the delicious bacon and like the rest of our meal was so well presented. Textures and colours were added by those baby vegetables; carrots, beetroots, spring onions and courgettes, which were all cooked perfectly. The gorgeous Madeira jus topped off a lovely dish like a dream. I have a bit of a name in our house for cooking the perfect salmon, but mine just couldn’t come near my dish, which was a pan fried piece of salmon with

nearby pubs and restaurants in the shade by comparison, both in choice and in value. The Fox has a place for every one of all ages and if you consider all the components you need for the perfect pub – great food, cask ales, reasonable prices, sunny beer garden, real fires, friendly staff, and relaxed atmosphere – The Fox ticks all the boxes. Fifteens @The Fox Roby Mill, Up Holland WN8 0QF 01695 628178 pickled fennel and cucumber, new potatoes, and a fiery red pepper and basil dressing. The crispy skin atop the salmon was absolutely priceless on its own, but when combined with the soft flaky consistency of the salmon, it was the jewel of a suburb dish which was just bursting with flavours and textures. Finally, our appetites were defeated by the space available so we elected to share a dessert and we opted for The Fox’s extra special Eton Mess. This is a particular favourite of mine, and the Fox’s version was, without a doubt, the best I’ve tasted. Fresh, ripe and juicy fruit, including the largest blackberries and raspberries I’ve ever seen bring a fresh, fun and fruity lunchtime to a close. In essence, The Fox has bags of quirky style, but there’s also substance by the plateful. This place, once the most popular pub for miles around, has now regained its former standing in the local community, and can boast a menu which leaves

www.fifteensatthefox.com

Chicken

goujons

wrapped in parma ham

Method Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6 and grease a baking tin.

Makes 14 goujons Ingredients 2 large skinless chicken breasts 7 slices Parma ham 2tsp runny honey For the sauce: 200g creme fraiche 2tbsp fresh green pesto Squeeze of lemon juice Salt and black pepper

Place the chicken breasts on a board. Cover them with cling film, then bash them with a rolling pin until they are slightly thinner. Remove the cling film and slice each breast into seven goujon-shaped strips. Cut each slice of Parma ham in half. Wrap each goujon in a piece of Parma ham, then place on the prepared baking tray. Drizzle over the honey, then roast for 10 minutes, until cooked through and crisp. Mix together the creme fraiche, pesto and lemon juice and season. Serve hot (heated through in a small saucepan) or cold with the crisp goujons. Tastes great served with baked potato or sweet potato wedges.

Eating out

guide Brookes Bistro A stylish and contemporary venue serving great bistro style food. Home cooked food & cakes. Full English Breakfast and Breakfast Menu Served all day every day. Delicious Sunday Lunches. 01695 581557 Brookside Living, Aughton Street, Ormskirk, L39 3BH

Tastebuds

The Cricketers

Delicious homecooked food using local and seasonal produce. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea or high tea in our restaurant or outside on the decking overlooking the boats. Home made cakes and scones baked daily - delicious ! Fettler’s Wharf Marina 20 Station Road, Rufford, L40 1TB 01704 822 888

In elegant yet cosy surroundings near Ormskirk centre, you can enjoy simple pub classics or a range of innovative daily specials. Famed for its delicious selection of Lancashire Tapas. Fantastic value set menu every Sunday. 01695 571123 24 Chapel St, Ormskirk L39 4QF thecricketers-ormskirk.co.uk

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Courtyard Café Located at Warbreck Garden Centre, the Courtyard Café is open 7 days a week and serves a range of fresh food, including what has been dubbed ‘the best breakfast around’. 01695 722960 Lyelake Lane, Lathom, L40 6JW warbreckgardencentre.co.uk

Quattro’s A family run Italian restaurant situated on the Rainford By-pass at Bickerstaffe. Being just off the slip road of the M58 makes this an ideal location for meeting friends and business lunches. 01695 720800 54 Rainford Road, Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk L39 0HF quattros.co.uk

Events & Leisure

What’s

effects. Meet the Pendle Witches and hear the accused Alizon Device’s story in her own words. Immerse yourself in an exciting walkthrough experience where you will hear, touch, smell and feel everything. The Blackpool Tower, Bank Hey Street, Blackpool, FY1 5BJ www.thedungeons.com/blackpool

Liverpool Lightnight Friday, 13th May

Harlem Globetrotters 2016 Sunday, 1st May The world famous Harlem Globetrotters, featuring some of the greatest athletes and entertainers on the planet, will celebrate 90 historic years with a very special Manchester Arena show. The Globetrotters’ one-of-a-kind show is unrivalled in the world of family entertainment, with incredible ball handling wizardry, rim-rattling dunks, trick shots, hilarious comedy and unequalled fan interaction. Manchester Arena, Manchester, M3 1AR Contact 0844 847 8000 or visit www.manchester-arena.com

Wicked Women Up until Sunday, 8th May The Blackpool Tower Dungeon has launched a brand new thrilling show entitled ‘Wicked Women’. Delve through 1,000 years of Lancashire’s murky past, accompanied by the loathsome ladies as you encounter laughs, frights and amazing special

LightNight, Liverpool’s one-night arts and culture festival returns to illuminate the city for a seventh year. World-class galleries, museums and public spaces stay open late for a free showcase of the city’s arts and culture. Explore Liverpool with your friends and family along a trail of light projections, street performances, exhibitions, walks, talks and hands-on activities for all ages. Various city centre venues, Liverpool, L3 8EN Contact 0151 478 4550 or visit www.lightnightliverpool.co.uk

Ormskirk Medieval Weekend Saturday, 14th May to Sunday, 15th May What did Ormskirk look like a thousand years ago? Experience the sights, smells, sounds and tastes of the past as Historia Normanis take you on a journey through time at Coronation Park in Ormskirk. There’s lots of activities for all the family, including archery, cooking demonstrations, a fashion show, story telling, themed stalls and much more. Open from 11.00am until 5.00pm each day. Coronation Park, Ormskirk L39 3BY

Tatton Park Country Show Saturday, 14th May to Sunday, 15th May Set in the beautiful parkland at Tatton, this family-oriented Country Show has something for everyone with a range of arena entertainment including Jez Avery’s Stunt Bikes & Buggies, Terrier Racing, Birds of Prey Flying Displays, Devilstick Peat Children’s’ Entertainer, Have-A-Go Dog Scurry and, on Sunday, the Companion Dog Show and much more including skilled craftsmen demonstrating their rural skills. There will also be a delightful range of arts, crafts and gift marquees. Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN Contact 01206 374400/263088 or visit www.oakleighfairs.co.uk

Mamma Mia Tuesday 10th May to Saturday 4th June 2016 Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good musical. Set on a Greek island paradise, a story of love, friendship and identity is cleverly told through the timeless songs of ABBA. Sophie’s quest to discover the father she’s never known brings her mother face to face with three men from her distant romantic past on the eve of a wedding they’ll never forget. Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6FT Contact 0161 245 6600 or visit www.atgtickets.com

Castlefield Food Festival Thursday, 12th May to Sunday, 15th May A weekend showcase with some of Manchester’s finest chefs, restaurants and street food traders. After its unbelievable inaugural success in 2015, the Castlefield Food Festival returns to Manchester in May for a four day run, offering more tastes, treats and entertainment than before. The newest addition to the packed schedule is the first ever Night Market. Castlefield Bowl, 101 Liverpool Road, Castlefield, Manchester, M3 4JN www.castlefieldfoodfestival.co.uk

Dinosaurs…. The Next Adventure Saturday, 28th May to Sunday, 4th September They’re BIG, they’re FIERCE... and they’re BACK. After four years away, Chester Zoo’s award-winning dinosaurs return for another unforgettable summer. Take an exhilarating journey back to the Jurassic age when these gigantic creatures roamed and ruled the earth. You’ll walk amongst the predators and their prey, not knowing what is lurking around the next corner. This fearsome collection of dinosaurs includes the Giganotosaurus, one of the biggest carnivores of all, Utahraptor with his curved claws and feathery limbs, and the gentle giant, the plant eating Brachiosaurus. Chester Zoo CH2 1LH Contact 01244 380280 or visit www.chesterzoo.org

International Mersey River Festival Friday, 3rd June to Sunday, 5th June The International Mersey River Festival is a celebration of Liverpool’s wonderful and historic waterfront in a completely free three day extravaganza of family fun, amazing music and entertainment along the iconic River Mersey. The festival will see the visit of 60 narrow boats, four Tall Ships, the International Canoe Polo Tournament, jet skiing demonstrations, have-a-go water sports sessions at Salthouse Dock, flyboarding and a thrillingly heart-stopping Yakovlevs air display. There will also be a dedicated children’s area which will include street theatre, arts and crafts. www.merseyriverfestival.co.uk

Southport Food and Drink Festival

Burscough Heritage Weekend

Friday, 3rd June to Sunday, 5th June

The village of Burscough comes alive to celebrate

A ‘foodies’ paradise with a little something for everyone to enjoy, stimulate your senses and try food from different cultures at Street Food stalls. Tantalise the taste buds by sampling the different produce around the event - handmade cheeses, sausages, sweet and savoury pies, chutneys and pickles are just a few of the delights that can be taken home. Set in the beautiful Victoria Park, there will be entertainment from local bands throughout the day. If you are bringing the kids along then make sure you pop over to the ‘kids’ corner’ for circus workshops, food themed activities and much more. Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport, PR8 2BZ Contact 01704 533333

200 years of the Leeds/Liverpool canal with a weekend of fun for all the family. You can enjoy horse and carriage rides, traditional musical entertainment, craft demonstrations, free vintage bus rides and an exhibition with images of the Burscough of old. There’s also fairground rides and vintage vehicles on display, and most events are centred around the Wharf area, which has a selection of independent shops. Burscough Wharf, Burscough L40 5RZ 10am-5pm both days

Woodvale Transport Festival Saturday, 18th June & Sunday 19th June Taking place on Southport’s beautiful Victoria Park, the Woodvale Transport Festival will feature all the usual Woodvale Rally favourites including Classic Cars, Car Clubs, Military Vehicles, Motor Cycles, Model Railways, Model Boats, Model Aircraft, Model Racing Cars, Bandstand, Refreshments, Bar, Car Boot Sale, Morris Dancing, & Arena attractions. Victoria Park, Southport, PR8 2BZ Contact 01704 576122 or visit www.woodvalerally.com

Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th June

Cheshire County Show Tuesday, 21st June & Wednesday, 22nd June With its roots firmly embedded in farming, the 2016 show will, again hold the many competition classes for cattle, sheep, pigs, dairy goats, but will also include hundreds of classes for light and heavy horses, show jumping, rare breeds of livestock, poultry, pygmy goats, pigeons, cavies, rabbits and dog show. The show will also feature the Food Halls, a Food Live Theatre and much more. Cheshire County Show, Tabley, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 0HJ Contact 07966 499748 or visit www.royalcheshireshow.org

Much Ado About Nothing Wednesday 22nd June Join the Lord Chamberlain’s Men this summer at Speke Hall to see Shakespeare’s famous Much Ado About Nothing. Please dress for all weather situations - it does get chilly towards the end of the performances so coats are recommended. The event will be held on the North Lawn and a buggy service will be available to help transport visitors (and their picnics!) from the car park to this area. Speke Hall, L24 1XD Contact 0151 427 7231 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

A warm welcome awaits customers old & new at...

Over 30 Lancashire

walks

FREE to download at www.locallife247.co.uk

THE

STANLEY CLUB BURSCOUGH

Members Notice

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Tel: 01704 894454 or 07548 890628 1, Liverpool Rd North, Burscough, L40 5TN Open from 7pm weekdays & 12pm weekends. Email - info@thestanley.club Website - thestanley.club

Puzzle

solutions

The photo on page 28 is of the A59 in Rufford

sponsored by

Haigh

and Lady Mabelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wood by Peter Bretherton

his walk is of about 4.5 miles with a difference in elevation of 320ft; most of the climbing being on the second half of the walk.

Take this lane and follow it until it turns to the right, where you leave the lane to continue straight on along a surfaced path.

We start the walk from the pay and display car park at Haigh Hall Country Park, from where we head east along Copperas Lane past the gothic cottages, towards the village of Haigh. After about a 1/4 mile youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll notice Haigh coming into view ahead of you. Continue all the way up the road until you reach the main road at Haigh.

Where the path takes a sharp turn to the right, you need to go left, through the metal gate and then right into the field. This section was very muddy when we did the walk. Your aim here is to keep to the right and find the path close to the fence line, but you may need to go out into the field first to avoid the mud as we did.

Here you will find a narrow lane to your right, that runs down the side of the Parish Church of St David.

The path is an old rail bed and you follow it first going under a road bridge and continuing on,

keeping to the left hand side of the path to avoid more mud further along the way. Eventually you reach the Leeds & Liverpool canal where you cross the bridge and continue on down the hill until reaching Aspull Sough Minewater Treatment Scheme site.

Haigh Windmill

Here you take the path to the right and after about quarter of a mile you come to a tarmac path on your left. Take this path down to where it emerges at a clearing, where you come across another old rail bed. Walk straight across and you’ll notice a stepped path leading down to one of the old entrance roads to the Haigh Estate. At the bottom of the roughly stepped path you go right and head down this road to where it joins the main driveway that runs from Wigan Lane up to Haigh Hall. Here you go right again walking up a short climb heading towards the Hall. At the top of the climb take the rough surfaced road on your left just before the bridge over the old railway cutting.

Follow this road down over the small stream and up round to the left. As the road starts to go downhill again you’ll notice a stone marked with the words Wigan Way. The stone stands at the bottom of a path that leads up through the trees. Take this path to where it emerges by the side of the Alms Houses, from where you then follow the unsurfaced single track road out onto Hall Lane. Here you turn to your right and walk along the lane until you pass a line of

The Grade II listed windmill at Haigh, the last surviving windmill (wind pump) in Greater Manchester, was built in or around 1845 to pump water 500 metres uphill from a nearby pond to the Haigh brewery of John Sumner & Company, that was situated behind the Balcarres Arms. In 2011, with the aid of £60,000 largely by Heritage Lottery Funding, the windmill underwent extensive restoration.

Arley Lane

Fir Tree Farm laurel bushes on your left, at which point you’ll find a gate and public footpath.

Go around the gate and follow the track until you reach the path on the right. Taking this path leads you through Lady Mabel’s Wood (a Woodland Trust site) and on up to the Leeds & Liverpool canal. At the canal turn to your left B5239 and follow the towpath, d Rock Lane taking in the views along the way, until you reach the bridge (number 61) where you leave the canal and go over the bridge to climb Sennicar Lane. This

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Marylebone Water Treatment Site

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.

will eventually bring you out onto School Lane, but before emerging at the junction, as with Jack, ensure your dog is safely back on its lead. Turning right you walk along School Lane, taking in the view on your left towards Blackrod and the hills beyond, before reaching the car park from where you started out. If at this point you’re in need of some refreshment you’ll find a café in the old stables, just inside the park. Other attractions include a huge children’s play area, miniature railway and more.

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Test drive

Mercedes-Benz

GLE 350d Coupe by Tim Barnes-Clay

f you love pomp and ceremony, you will adore this broad-shouldered offering from MercedesBenz.

The GLE 350d Coupe 4Matic AMG Line, on test here, doesn’t know the meaning of ‘subtle’. It doesn’t need to. After all, why buy a machine of this magnitude if you don’t want people to notice you?

So, what exactly is the GLE Coupe all about? Well, it’s Mercedes-Benz’s answer to super-SUVs, such as the Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and BMW X6. The goliath houses either a 3.0 litre V6 diesel, churning out 255bhp or a far less sensible V6 petrol, producing 362bhp. Both engines come hooked up to a slick-shifting nine-speed automatic ‘box. Behind the wheel, the diesel model has more than enough pull for British roads and, in AMG Line trim, you can either waft or thunder along encased in splendid surroundings. Kit includes: heated front seats, climate control, a DAB radio tuner, auto dimming and folding mirrors, parking sensors and a reversing camera. On the move, body roll is not really noticeable – which,

The car’s looks will divide opinion. It’s a bit like looking at a certain well-known, generous-nosed, French actor. Some women swoon, other’s scowl at the sight of him. But, whether you think the GLE is handsome or hideous, it is definitely mesmerising.

considering the heft of the GLE, is a feat of engineering and design in itself. The permanent fourwheel drive set-up provides tons of traction, too, so the mighty Merc is safe, as well as talented at delivering driving enjoyment. You can sharpen up the steering and throttle response, and you can even adjust the air suspension at the touch of button. For instance,

the Stuttgart’s firm’s ‘Sport’ setting just ups the ante a bit, providing a heavier steering reaction and a more ‘on-rails’ like experience through corners. But, if you don’t want your passengers throwing up, the Merc is best left in its standard ‘Comfort’ mode. Here, the SUV is in its ‘natural’ state, allowing you to control its power in a more measured way, while the well-weighted steering guides the car through twisty tarmac effortlessly, rather than crazily. The air-suspension hides the fact that you’re riding around on 21 inch alloys by soaking up even the evillest of potholes. There is only one price to pay for the awesomely outsized wheels – and that’s a bit of extra noise. This is only really noticeable at motorway speed, but combined with 70mph wind-blast around the wing mirrors, the calm of the otherwise hushed cabin can become threatened at times. The GLE Coupe will take five-up, no problem - and even though it’s a coupe, rear passenger head and leg-space is ample. Only six-footers, upwards, will be vaguely bothered by the low-slung roofline. Room in the boot is very good, too, with plenty of space for a pushchair and the weekly shop, or a stack of suitcases. Only the high load lip rains on the parade, making the lifting of heavy items into the cargo area more of a chore than it should be. When all is said and done, the Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d Coupe 4Matic AMG Line is a well-appointed, fine-driving vehicle. The engine and automatic gearbox are nothing short of perfect; the steering response and handling are bang on the money – and even the sophisticated switchgear takes some beating.

You could argue that the Porsche Cayenne has a cooler badge, and that the Range Rover Sport is more of a thoroughbred. And you could even maintain that the BMW X6 has better kerbside appeal. But the Cayenne is not as striking - and everyone seems to have a Range Rover Sport. The same goes for the BMW. No, the Mercedes is one rung higher up the ladder of ‘different’. And that’s a good thing – especially when you take into account that the Porsche and Range Rover have a higher price-tag. At the end of the day, none of the cars mentioned here are bad. In fact, they are all stonkingly good. It’s very much a case of “one man’s meat is another man’s poison” or “one man’s pleasure is another’s pain” when it comes to choosing between SUVs of this high calibre.

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