Local Life - Wigan - January 2018 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife Wigan Edition

January 2018

Iconic local

images Pages 43 - 46

OMADS Reaches 50 Pages 66 - 68

Charity Ball Pictures Pages 16-17

Garswood Park Walk Pages 78 - 81

Local News Motoring Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks Garden Diary Event2Go Home Services locallife247.co.uk

Photo: Shooting Star over Billinge Beacon by Ian Bonnell

Mere Oaks, Standish

£550,000

Back Lane, Appley Bridge

£425,000

This 5-bed family home on a small development has 2243 sq ft of magnificent living space and boasts many quality features including a private large rear garden.

This gorgeous period cottage, has 3 double bedrooms, a high quality fitted kitchen and exquisitely landscaped and gated private gardens.

Walthew Green, Roby Mill

Barrowcroft Close, Standish

£350,000

£300,000

This stunning detached 3-bed property with beautiful gardens has traditional features combined with a modern style to make this a magnificent family home.

This impressive 4-bed detached family home in a culde-sac offers simply stunning living space of the highest specifications with beautifully landscaped gardens.

Ince Hall Ave, Ince

£300,000

Almond Brook Road, Standish £250,000

A truly impressive 3-bed detached bungalow with a beautiful open plan lounge diner and a stunning fitted kitchen set within ¼ acre of land.

This 3-bedroom semi-detached home, just 2 mins from the M6, has two immaculate reception rooms and a modern kitchen diner rear, with beautiful open views.

a name you can trust

Fellside, Whelley

£240,000

Riverdale Close, Standish LG

£220,000

An exceptionally large 4-bed detached home, located on a large plot in a quiet cul-de-sac, with a high level of presentation throughout and a large rear garden.

Perfectly positioned on this popular development, this beautifully maintained 4-bed detached family home sits in a quiet cul-de-sac.

Dicconson Terrace, Wigan

Arnside Road, Orrell

£180,000

£170,000

This large, 4-bed Victorian home with period features near to Mesnes Park has three reception rooms, a fully fitted kitchen and low maintenance gardens.

This immaculately presented 3-bed detached family home is in excellent decorative order throughout and boasts beautifully maintained gardens.

Greenhill Crescent, Billinge

West Mount, Whelley

£160,000

3-bed semi-detached home in Billinge, boasting a beautiful open plan lounge-diner, a spacious modern kitchen and a sunroom leading to a rear garden.

£160,000

This beautiful 3-bed semi-detached home boasts a spacious UPVC conservatory, a stunning fitted kitchen, and an open plan lounge-diner.

www.alanbatt.co.uk

Copyhold Farm, Wrightington - OIRO ÂŁ800,000

Very rarely does a property like this come up for sale. Parts of Copyhold Farm date back to the early 1600s and many original features have been retained. Set within excess of 3 acres of gardens and pastures, this superb 4 bed family home also offers potential for equestrian use.

www.alanbatt.co.uk

Finance Now Available T&Câ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s apply, please ask for details

Telephone:

01942 583 558

721 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan WN5 8AQ (FREE parking to the rear)

wiganfiresandfireplaces.co.uk Photo for illustration purposes only

Go for it...

et’s face it, it really doesn’t matter whether the starting point is the 1st of January, the 24th April or the 17th September, those readers who have the will power to commit to a resolution deserve support. Whether it’s the route to healthiness or happiness or some other ‘ness’ you’re striving to achieve this year, we wish you all the best in your efforts. Sadly, I will be joining those that ‘do’ resolutions this year because Santa (ok, my mother-in-law) has brought me some yoga sessions for Christmas. That’s right – Yoga Sessions. God, she must hate me because she knows I have the core flexibility of a slab of bonfire toffee. However, I have been urged by the rest of the family that this is a ‘good thing’ so yes, I shall be visiting a yoga class near you soon – please don’t laugh at my exertions or any strange noises that slip out from my being. What did she get in return? A rather nice binder from WH Smith with the words; ‘I’m Dead. Now What?’ on the cover, which she can use to carry important information about her ‘belongings, business affairs and final wishes’. I still carry the bruise on my head where she threw it at me. Anyway, a very happy year to you and yours, let’s hope 2018 is a good vintage for us all. And as for Local Life, well, we celebrate our 10th birthday this year – where has the time gone? Our resolution this year, as always, is to bring you an ever-better magazine every issue. See you next time,

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

In this issue Shooting

star

Regulars 36 Planning 37 Class from the past 62 Puzzle Corner

75 Test Drive 82 Garden Diary 98 The Lump

Sections 43 Winter

sleep

6 Property 52 Health 56 Travel 60 Legal & Finance 64 Business View

70 Events2Go 81 Pets 82 Gardening 86 Home Services

Next issue - February 2018

Advertising deadline - Thursday, 11 January

52 Half a century of

acting up

Published - Wednesday, 24 January

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

Telephone: 01695 627 999 66 Test Drive

McLaren 570GT 75 Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks visits

Garswood Park 78 locallifemagazine247

Publisher: Chris chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Sales: Nicola, Chris, Sally sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: David, Niamh wigannews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Peter design@locallife247.co.uk Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk Accounts: Sam accounts@locallife247.co.uk Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to 13,034 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton. The next issue is delivered to 13,039 private homes and businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Aspull and Haigh. You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life at Sainsburys or Tesco Extra in Wigan. 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.

@locallifemedia

events2go

BIRCHLEY ROAD, BILLINGE

£389,950

NEW

ALDER LANE, CRANK

£320,000

Stunning family home providing almost 1400 SQFT and boasting open views to three sides.

BROOMHEY AVENUE, WHITLEY

GRASMERE AVENUE, UPHOLLAND

NEW

Impressive detached house boasting substantial living & entertaining space along with open views to front.

NEW DEWBERRY FIELDS, UPHOLLAND

£199,995

Superbly presented detached family home providing almost 1000 square feet of living space.

www.reganandhallworth.com

£215,000

An extended 3 bedroom detached house with an amazing west-facing rear garden. No chain.

NEW

£250,000

Generously sized 1930s semi-detached home located on one of Whitley’s most coveted roads.

TONTINE, ORRELL

£159,950

A newly renovated & truly remarkable grade II listed Georgian stone-built cottage.

Wigan town centre showroom

01942 205555

NEW

SHEFFORD CRES WINSTANLEY

Impressively sized three storey family home providing a generous 1192 SQ.FT of living space.

Realistically priced semi-detached home located in popular area & available chain free.

£79,995

SWINLEY ROAD, SWINLEY

LIBRARY STREET, WIGAN

£625PCM

Large modern two bedroom self-contained apartment in the town centre.

£750PCM

A stunning Victorian bay fronted terraced home in ideal location.

TO LET

Competitively priced end townhouse offering superb potential and available with no chain.

TO LET

MAYFIELD ROAD, ORRELL

£124,995

TO LET

NEW

APPLETON GROVE, GOOSE GREEN £149,995

NETHERBY ROAD, SPRINGFIELD

£525PCM

Newly renovated two bed mid terrace property in a great location.

Wine bar for

Winstanley?

A former Winstanley laundrette is set to be turned into a wine bar. Unit 12 in The Winstanley Centre, Holmes House Avenue could soon be the home of a Portland wine bar, if permission to revamp the vacant laundrette goes ahead. It was due to be officially approved as Local Life went to press. Bar bosses told customers they hope to be open for business by February. According to papers lodged with Wigan Council,

vehicle parking will remain the same, and there will be no external materials used for the site’s proposed change of use. Employees at the site will include four full-time employees; two part-time staff; and the equivalent of five total full-time employees. Should the wine bar become a reality, opening hours are said to be be 12pm-11pm Monday to Thursday; 12pm-12am on Fridays and Saturdays and 12pm-11pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

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Bid for

cash

Local community groups in Orrell and Billinge are being urged to bid for cash raised by Saturday Breakfast, the community fundraising group which operates the breakfast café at Greenslate Farm in Billinge. Figures are being finalised as Local Life went to press, but there is expected to be £1,500-£2,000 up for grabs, which represents the profits from the September to November 2016 period. Saturday Breakfast, which launched in March 2016, have already donated over £7,000 to twelve local community groups including the Friends of Orrell Station, Bispham Scouts, Orrell RU Juniors and Bookcycle. Groups interested in bidding for funds are asked to email Michael

Winstanley at mwinstanleym@aol.com or call into Local Life at Hewitt Business Park on Winstanley Road during office hours to pick up an application. Saturday Breakfasts are run wholly by volunteers for the good of local community groups. If you have a Saturday morning to spare each month and would like to volunteer then please email alisonbutlin@ me.com. Saturday Breakfast re-starts at Greenslate Farm on Saturday 3rd February. Supplies for the breakfasts comes from H Greaves Butchers and from Windy Arbour farm shop and the doors open at 9am, with last orders at 11.30am.

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One last push for

tribute

Campaigners are mounting “one final push” to help deliver a permanent memorial to Wigan’s industrial past. A statue of a mining family has now been formally commissioned and will be installed on land between the old baths and Wigan Town Hall. The driving force behind the bid - Wigan Heritage and Mining Monument group (WHAMM) - have raised the money for the actual statue, but are now wanting locals to dig deep one last time to fund the groundworks and lighting.

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Neil Cain, from WHAMM, told Local Life: “The campaign had a successful 2017 and benefitted from some splendid support from the public and organisations such as the Komatsu Mining Corporation, Wigan Council, local union branches, The Victoria public house in Aspull and the White Lion and Railway in Whelley.

Treat yourself to a new look for the New Year!

“The team has been active in fund raising throughout the year aided by Greater Manchester Police Band, Wigan Cricket Club, Friends of Haigh Woodland Park and the organisers of the Diggers’ Festival, but we need one big push to get us home and fund the groundworks and Victorian style lamp we want to illuminate the sculpture.

any treatment over £30

“We have an evening of Lancashire songs, poems, dialect and music at St Michael’s Church, Swinley, on Friday, February 9. Tickets are £8 each - call Marianne on 01942 492855.

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Every Generation Please book appointments on

01942 223 129

Every Generation, 259 Orrell Road, Orrell WN5 8NB

Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/ wiganheritage or by cheque to W.H.A.M.M. at 22 Milton Grove,Wigan WN1 2PG Thousands lost their lives or were injured or disabled in helping to mine an estimated 750 million tons of coal from the Wigan area. While there is no complete record of mine workings, it is known that there have been a total of over 1,000 pits, large and small, across the town.

Arts hub for

village

Mothballed Up Holland Library is destined for a new lease of life. Lancashire County Council’s cabinet has agreed in principle an application for the Community Asset Transfer (CAT) of Up Holland Library in Hall Green to Artz for All, a community interest company which provides creative opportunities and services to people, schools and organisations across the district. As well as providing an independent communityrun library service, the group is proposing to turn the building into an arts centre, providing opportunities for young people to take part in activities such as drama, music, dance and photography, as well as providing space for wider community activities where possible.

The county council had also received a CAT application from Up Holland Parish Council for the same building, focused on providing an independent community-run library and maintaining it for use by the community, but this was knocked back. County Councillor Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services, said: “Libraries are a vital service at the heart of our communities, offering free access to books and information, as well as being a place where communities can get together. “We have committed to

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13 reopening libraries where they’ve been closed, whether they’re run by the county council or independently by community organisations, and we are grateful to all the voluntary and community groups who have shown such commitment to the library service and its future development. “We have agreed in principle to transfer ownership of Up Holland Library to Artz for All and we’ll work closely with them towards the completion of this process so that people have access to another library complementing the statutory service operated by the county council. “Up Holland Parish Council made a bid for the same building and this was a difficult decision to make because the two applications were very strong, and

both presented excellent options for a library and community services. We could only accept one of them but I would like to thank the parish council very much for the time and effort they have put into their application.”

What the doctor ordered

New homes

Up Holland and Roby Mill residents are being

The first stage of a major housing development in

advised they can now see a GP in the evenings and weekends at certain times. Times are as follows: on Tuesdays from 6.30pm to 8pm at the Skelmersdale Family Practice; on Wednesdays from 6.30pm to 8pm at the Matthew Ryder Clinic in Up Holland and at the Tarleton Group Practice from 6.30pm to 8pm; on Thursdays at the West Lancashire Health Centre in Ormskirk from 6.30pm to 8pm.

Wigan has been given the green light by councillors.

At the weekend, you can see a GP, nurse and blood clinic at the Sandy Lane Health Centre in Skelmersdale on Saturday from 10am to 4pm and on Sunday you can see a GP and nurse from 10am to 2pm. To make an appointment to see an extended hours GP, contact your GP practice. If your local surgery is closed, you can still see a GP with the out-of-hours service; just call 111 and you can speak to a local GP over the phone or face to face if necessary.

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Wigan Council’s planning committee has approved the building of 157 homes by Bellway Homes at land south of Landgate Lane in Bryn.

Earn extra

cash!

Local Life require distributors for the following areas; Winstanley Pemberton Road, Pennine Avenue area Ravenswood estate Highfield Findley Cook Road – new estate Merton Road, Sandpiper Road area Orrell The Mount estate Shelley Drive estate Up Holland Chequer/Miners View estate Distributors typically work for 2-3 hours every 8 weeks. Applicants must be aged 13+ and be fit, enthusiastic and reliable.

Interested? Please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

LocalLife

Charity night

out

Two charities benefitted to the tune of ÂŁ4,000 from a Charity Night organised by local estate agent Borron Shaw. Proceeds from the night were shared by The Brick, the homeless charity from Wigan, and a national charity, The PSP Association, which provides practical help and advice for people with

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy & Cortico Basal Degeneration. The event was held at Houghwood Golf Club in Billinge, and a charity raffle and auction was followed by a disco. The Charity Night was such a success that plans are already in place to hold the event again in 2018. If you would like to register for tickets to the event, please call Borron Shaw on 01695 632123.

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Please contact Holland Hall Wedding Co-ordinator Karen Caddock to arrange an appointment to discuss your Perfect Day

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Terms & Conditions All monies are nonrefundable and nontransferable. Restaurant bookings of 8 or more will be required to pay a deposit of ÂŁ5 per person. The hotel offers a free car park, but is not liable for damage to or theft of/from vehicles. We regret that for any decrease in confirmed party guest numbers, payments, including deposits cannot be offset against food, beverages or accommodation. If a booking is held provisionally, the hotel reserves the right to remove the booking if it is not confirmed with a deposit within one week. For all bookings only the organiser is responsible for payments and amendments, and the collecting and providing of orders using the pre-order sheets. This voucher is not to be used in conjunction with any other offer. A booking has to be made to validate the voucher. This voucher booklet excludes all Valentine Day promotions. Management reserves the right to change or otherwise modify and bookings in order to meet the needs of the company. Allergen Information - Any of the dishes listed on our new menu may contain one or more of the 14 allergens. Allergen advice is available on request. Please advise a member of staff it you have any particular dietary requirements. Valid: Monday 15th January 2018 - 28th February 2018

OTHER OFFER VOUCHERS AVAILABLE PLEASE CALL TO RECEIVE YOUR VOUCHER BOOKLET info@hollandhallhotel.co.uk | Tel: 01695 624 426 | www.hollandhallhotel.co.uk

Farm plan on hold

Tell Us Your Story!

Plans to develop part of a Tontine farm are on hold.

Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve. Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about? Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition!

Helen Ashton had applied for permission to convert vacant workshop at Lawns Farm, 40 Lawns Avenue, into four homes. However, the application has now been withdrawn pending the results of a winter bat survey. Up Holland Parish Council had objected to the development, citing issues related to rights of way and access: “ The parish council is confident that the existing Right of Way from Sandford Road, over land owned by Up Holland Parish Council, does not extend to potential residents living in converted workshop units. It is our understanding that this is not a public right of way and only applies to owners of Lawns Farm for their use and in connection with the farm business.”

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Sports hub cash

bid

A new sports hub could be created in Newtown. Lathwaite Park, off Lathwaite Road, is in the running as Wigan Council bids to bring a £10m boost to grassroots sport through the creation of three state-of-the-art hubs. The other preferred sites are Howe Bridge in Atherton and Cardinal Newman playing fields in Hindley. Wigan Council is applying to be part of the successful Parklife programme spearheaded by the Football Association, the Premier League and Sport England. Parklife is The FA’s plan to address poor facilities in grassroots football and has already delivered state-of-the-art 3G artificial grass pitches

in cities including London and Sheffield. Clubs currently holding leases on the preferred hub sites are being consulted with and have been invited to be partner clubs and use Parklife as their base. The hubs will have a minimum of three full sized floodlit 3G artificial grass pitches, changing rooms and clubhouse facilities for community sports clubs representing all playing ages to use and car parking. Council bossies say they will significantly reduce disruption caused by frozen and waterlogged surfaces during the harsh winter months. The centres will be fully accessible and will present opportunities to play flexible forms of the game and will be available for use by other sports.

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Club nets impressive Winstanley Tennis Club Juniors have beaten competition to become reigning champs. The Junior Team is now the Bolton League Division One Champions which is a tremendous rise from their position as runners up in Division Two last season. Helen Cannell, from Winstantley Tennis Club, said: “This is a fantastic achievement in their first season in Division One. “Well done to all the team: Jemma Cannell, Niamh Everett, Lucy Parker, Eliza Winstanley, Tom Dillon, Dylan Hartley, Jack Parker, Tom Sanderson and Joseph Burrows.”

title

Margaret’s

delight

A Goose Green woman had a bumper festive season thanks to Local Life. Margaret Donnelly of Clapgate Lane, won one of our hampers as a raffle prize at MP Yvonne Fovargue’s annual veterans lunch. Over 120 veterans attended the event at St Matthews Parish Hall, Highfield. Cllr Clive Morgan, a former Welsh Guard and veteran of the 1982 Falklands War was MC for the day. Guests enjoyed a traditional three-course Christmas lunch by H&H Catering Ltd and were entertained by St Edmund Arrowsmith High School students. MP Fovargue welcomed special guests Mr Mark Dumican, Headteacher at St Edmund Arrowsmith High School and Deputy Leader of Wigan Council, Cllr David Molyneux. The Rev Sian Gasson opened the event with prayers followed by the Exhortation led by Mr John Burns (Chair – Ashton in Makerfield Royal British Legion) and Mr Lawrence Powers (Burma Star Association). Yvonne Fovargue MP said: “On behalf of the whole community across the Makerfield constituency, I want to recognise and celebrate the outstanding

contribution made by the men and women present today both at home and abroad.” Winstanley Cllr Clive Morgan said: “I am grateful to Yvonne Fovargue MP, local councillors and Wigan Council for supporting the lunch since the inaugural event in 2012.”

Funding row protest Winstanley College’s principal Louise Tipping has joined protests over funding for maths students. Under plans unveiled in the last Budget, schools and colleges will receive an extra £600 per student – but only for each additional student that decides to study A level Maths, Further Maths or a Core Maths qualification. The leaders of the North West’s 21 Sixth Form Colleges say the Chancellor should have taken the opportunity to increase the basic rate of funding for all sixth form students. At a meeting

at Winstanley College, the Principals backed the Support Our Sixth-form campaign which is urging the government to increase funding for every sixth form student by £200.

Secret meeting over link Wigan councillors met in secret to agree Compulsory Purchase Orders powers for the new M58 link road. The move gives town hall bosses the power to force private landowners to sell land to them. The decision was taken “after taking account of human rights issues.” At the meeting, councillors also gave civil servants the authority to seek a preferred contractor to deliver the scheme. However, this will be subject to a further report. It’s believed there may be scope to use the scheme as a way to securing Apprenticeship placements. The controversial road, which will connect the M58/ Orrell junction with Ince, has been talked about for a number of years. This, however, marks the biggest step to date in making the road become a reality. Official minutes from the private discussion say: “The Cabinet considered a report, which provided Members with an update on the M58 Link Road Scheme and requested approval to progress the scheme up to the submission of full funding

road

approval, including undertaking a competitive tender exercise to identify a preferred contractor to deliver the scheme. The report also requested approval for the making of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO), in respect of the land and new rights required to construct the new link road. “Members asked a number of questions and commented on the various aspects of the report. They were pleased with the timescales that had been proposed and suggested that regular updates were essential.” A number of locals are against the scheme, including some in Highfield. They claim the road would present major health and safety issues including increased noise and air pollution, loss of wildlife habitats and loss of open space. A residents’ spokesman added: “We passionately believe that this link road would cause much more harm than good and would rather that Government funding - taxpayers’ money - be put into creating better public transport, helping local business’ and encouraging greater community cohesion and a safer, cleaner, healthier, sustainable place to live.”

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Property

Budget

boost by Alan Batt

hilip Hammond saved the best till last in his Autumn Budget. Following more than an hour of outlining his financial vision for the UK he grabbed the headlines by announcing that Stamp Duty is to be abolished for first time buyers purchasing homes up to the value of £300,000. I see this as fantastic news and welcome the move with open arms. Why? First time buyers are essential to keep the property market moving and this decision to abolish Stamp Duty for first time buyers will save them between £6000 to £15000. Many property chains have first time buyers in them and without them the market slows down and can stagnate, so any measure to help people get onto the property ladder is to be applauded

and this Stamp Duty decision will certainly help people, especially young people, buy their own homes and will energise the local market. We’ve plenty of first time buyers recently who have registered their interest in properties but have wisely held off pursuing purchases any further until the budget because of talk around a possible abolishing of Stamp Duty for first time buyers. These people are now motivated to move with extra money in their pockets. Mr Hammond also announced a raft of other plans connected with housing including: Concentrating new homes in city centres and around transport hubs. Five new garden towns developed by public and private partnerships. Commissioning an urgent review to be ready by next Spring to look at the gap between planning permissions and the number of homes built.

Alan Batt Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has worked within the Wigan property market for over 30 years.

An extra £44 billion capital funding, towards guarantees and loans for extra homes. More help to develop new homes on smaller plots to help small and medium sized property developers. A consultation looking at longer tenancies in the private rental sector.

30 A stated aim to see the end of rough sleeping in the UK by 2027, with three new pilot schemes muted. And giving powers to local authorities to charge 100 per council tax on empty properties. It’s not often, especially in recent years, that we’ve been excited about something announced in a budget, but the Stamp Duty news will really boost

the market in and around Wigan. If you’re a firsttime buyer keen to learn what’s now available to you locally, or a property owner interested in learning more about how this announcement can benefit you, please give me a call on 01942 233999 or send an email to: sales@alanbatt.co.uk

Wigan Wages outstrip

house prices

recently read a report by the Yorkshire Building Society that 54% of the country has seen wages rise faster than property prices in the last 10 years. The report said that in the Midlands and North, salaries had outperformed property prices since 2007, whilst in other parts of the UK, especially in the South, the opposite has happened and property prices have outperformed salaries quite noticeably. Digging a little deeper for a local angle, I took a more detailed look at the Office of National Statistics (ONS) data for Wigan Council and discovered that in the last ten years, salaries in Wigan have risen by 17.1%, more than the regional picture, which increased 15.8% over the same period and slightly less than the national picture, which showed an increase of 17.6%. Over the same ten year time frame, net property values in Wigan are 2.62% higher than they were in Spring 2007 (If you remember they dipped quite a bit in 08/09) and therefore wages in the Wigan area have increased at a higher rate than property values to the tune of 14.5%. All this is important, as the relationship between salaries and property values is the basis on how affordable property is. On the face of it, the change between 2007 and 2017 in terms of ‘property-affordability’ hasn’t been that great. Go back another 10 years to 1997 though, and that tells a completely different story. In 1997, house prices were on average 3.5 times workers’ annual wages, whereas now workers can typically expect to spend around 7.7 times annual wages on purchasing a home. Although my figures show that the situation is improving in Wigan, the damage done to the home ownership market in the 1980’s and 1990’s will take a long time to rectify. If you want a chat about where the Wigan property market is going – please read my other blog posts on http://wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk or drop me note via email on sales@alanbatt.co.uk

For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the Wigan property market, check out www.wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk

Overdevelopment fears Over 100 new homes for Up Holland would represent overdevelopment. That’s the view of local parish councillors who have objected to Morris Homes Ltd’s proposals to build on land at Chequer Lane, near the M58 and Tower Hill Road. In a letter to West Lancs borough planners, Up Holland Parish Council said: “The proposals would result in an overdevelopment of this site in the light of Up Holland’s infrastructure, such as schools,

dentist, doctors that have been identified, with no assessment made of the capacity of these to accommodate further residential development. “It is the opinion of the parish council that residents would use cars for shopping either in Up Holland centre or further afield. There is already insufficient public parking in central Up Holland forcing people to park in the surrounding residential areas which at times are unable to cope with this.” No final decision had been made on the bid as Local Life went to press.

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More ready for

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The number of children ready for school in Wigan Borough has almost doubled in the last five years. As the Mayor of Greater Manchester urges organisations to sign up to a new pledge to help get children ready for school, Wigan’s school ready journey is already well underway. Figures released by the Department for Education showed that last year 12,157 children in Greater Manchester started school not ready to learn. This represents 32.5 per cent of children who started school last year in the city-region. In Wigan school readiness figures have improved significantly over the last five years from 37 per cent in 2013 to 69 per cent in 2017 – higher than the 67 per cent North West average. Wigan Council was invited to speak at

the October Greater Manchester School Readiness Summit by Mayor Andy Burnham. At the summit the Mayor said more needed to be done to bring neighbourhood services like health visitors, school visitors, GPs and schools together to identify and support those children at risk. This approach is already being utilised in Wigan through its Start Well model. Mike Chew, assistant director for children’s integration at Wigan Council, said: “The model was set up two years ago after residents told us they wanted services to be more accessible and joined up. On the back of that we commissioned five Start Well Family Centres to be based in those areas facing the most difficult challenges in a bid to improve outcomes for children and families.”

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Planning Matters Orrell 321 Orrell Road: Erection of greenhouse to rear following removal of existing shed. (ref: A/17/84770/HH). Land adjacent to 59 Brook Lane: Change of use of land to form garden curtilage together with erection of 1.8 metre boundary fence. Retrospective application. (ref: A/17/84794/RET).

Wigan Central Land adjacent to 375 Wigan Lane: Erection of detached 3 storey dwelling with first floor balcony to rear together with vehicle access and landscaping. (ref: A/17/84700/FULL). Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, Wigan Lane: Listed Building consent for the erection of a single storey

extension to front elevation of the emergency department. (ref: A/17/84904/LB).

Wigan West Beech Hill Medical Practice, Beech Hall Street: Prior notification for the demolition of the medical centre. (ref: A/17/84843/DEM).

Winstanley Winstanley Dry Cleaners, Unit 12, The Winstanley Centre, Holmes House Avenue: Change of use from laundrette to a wine bar. (ref: A/17/84698/CU). 26 Culcross Avenue: To extend dwellinghouse, single storey to side and rear. (ref: A/17/84825/HH). For more information on these plans, visit www.wigan.gov.uk

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Class from the past

This month’s Class from the Past is actually a photo of teachers from Up Holland High School. It’s believed this photo was taken around 1972. Maybe

you can spot a familiar face? Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to share, contact us today by emailing wigannews@locallife247.co.uk

Care leavers’ Council Tax

break

Young adults who have left care are to be exempt from paying council tax in the area. Wigan Council’s cabinet approved plans to exempt anyone aged between 18 and 21 who has previously been cared for by Wigan Council from paying council tax. It is hoped the move will help support care leavers to establish independence and reduce the risk of these young people from getting into debt and rent arrears at this crucial time in their life. The change has been introduced by the council immediately and will be back-dated to April. Care leavers in full time education up to the age of 25 are already exempt.

James Winterbottom, Wigan Council’s director for children’s services, said: “Care leavers are among the most vulnerable groups in our community but also have many individual skills and talents that benefit our communities in many ways and we want to make sure that we support them.”

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Action over wellbeing Incidents of self-harming in West Lancashire appear to be falling. Data compiled by health chiefs show that the amount of emergency hospital admissions have fallen each year since 2012/13. The highest number of suicides in Lancashire is in the Preston area, which is between 13.8-16.8 per 100,000 people. The English average is 10.1. A report to county councillors said: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Suicide rates in Lancashire are high. Amongst women under 30 years old and males under 40 years old, suicide is the

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Helping the

homeless

Wigan Rotary Club and Soroptimist International of Wigan have again joined together to help The Brick by donating sleeping bags for some of the homeless in the town. Wigan Rotary Club president Gwyneth Millard said ‘Once more we are delighted to be able to help The Brick with their work in providing much needed care for the homeless. Sleeping bags are a small part of what they need but we are confident they will serve a useful purpose.’

Angela Holmes, Wigan Soroptimist president, agreed and continued ‘The charity do such wonderful work in the town.”

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Shooting

star

David Sudworth meets the Billinge dad-of-two whose photographs are delighting locals

an Bonnell knows he’s lucky. “Most people who enjoy photography have to travel for miles, but we’ve got great scenery on our doorstep.”

He’s not wrong. Although technically, Ian himself came quite a long way to enjoy the scenery Billinge and the surrounding area has to offer - from Australia to be precise. “I was born in Melbourne because my parents, Eddie and Mary, emigrated there in 1965. They had me in 1968 but came back in 1970. So I’ve been in Billinge since I was two and grew up on Hillside Close.” The former Chapel End and Rainford High pupil is becoming well known in the area for his stunning photographs - mostly thanks to the power of social media.

Crosby Beach

45 Liverpool Waterfront

“I’ve always sort of been interested in photography and my dad certainly was. In fact, every so often we come across photos he took of Billinge in the 1970s. Some of them have even appeared in Local Life. “She thinks I’m mad for going out at five o’clock in the morning, trying to catch the sun coming up,” he laughs. For Ian, 49, it remains largely a hobby. By day he works across the North West repairing petrol pumps

“Wife thinks I’m mad for getting up at 5am!” on garage forecourts. “It’s starting to become a bit of a business but there’s not a great deal of money in photography unless you’re a wedding photographer, and for me it’s more man-management than anything else. “I’ve been to photograph my son Matthew’s band, Last Reserves, but even that is completely different

Sign Post Billinge

46 to doing landscapes. It’s nice to have variety though. I had a stall at St Aidan’s Church’s Christmas fair a few weeks ago and sold a few then. It’s not at the stage where it’ll pay the mortgage though,” he smiles. For Ian, his own particular interest is when there’s any sort of activities in the skies.

“Doing trigonometry for first time in 30 years”

Carr Mill Dam

“I’ve captured a shooting star going over Billinge Hill and various shots of the moon. To be honest, a lot of the skill is about being in the right position to take the shot. For the first time since school, I’m doing trigonometry and reading maps. For some shots of Billinge Hill, I’ve been standing on a bridge over the M58 at Skelmersdale. “It’s all good fun though, and I just hope people get as much enjoyment out of them as I do.” To view Ian’s photos, visit www.facebook.com/ IanBonnellPhotography/

Wigan Pier

Cloudscape Billinge

Lets talk about

Funerals

nderstandably many people find talking about death and funerals difficult and although we all know death is inevitable, it’s not surprising to hear that over 80% of people haven’t had the conversation with their loved ones about their final wishes. This isn’t just about what music is played or if you want flowers or not, but more fundamentally whether you want to be buried and where, or whether you want to be cremated and what will happen to your ashes.

There are options available to make a funeral personal. A black hearse, limousine and the funeral procession dressed in black is a very traditional approach and one that many people find respectful and befitting, but this isn’t for everyone. Perhaps having a traditional hearse doesn’t connect with you or the way your loved one lived their life, and you would much prefer to have the whole funeral as relaxed and informal as possible, a celebration of life.

There are lots of small things you can do, but unless you talk about your ideas and wishes to your nearest and dearest, they are left making difficult decisions at what can already be a very distressing time. Whatever the circumstances surrounding the death of a loved one, you always have the final choice as to which funeral director you want to carry out your wishes. It’s your choice of funeral director and it’s your choice of funeral. Cherry Blossom Funerals was founded by Paula Huber who has a passion to support people to have a funeral that’s personal, meaningful and is reflective of the life lived. Please get in touch if you would like to talk to us about a funeral or are thinking ahead and would like to plan for a funeral.

Health & Fitness

Winter

here is never a time when sleep isn’t important. But with the shorter, vitamin D-deprived days, gloomy weather - and the dread that it’s going to drag on for months - at this time of year, solid slumber is more vital than ever. Winter, like all the seasons, has its joys (little beats a stroll on a perfect, crisp winter’s morning; stark blue sky, robins and the last of the leaves glistening with dew). But the reality for many is it can be quite hard work, too, whether it’s loneliness, worrying about the cost of Christmas or suffering the moodzapping effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), not to mention those winter bugs doing the rounds. And so we’d do well to give ourselves - and our immune systems - a helping hand, which in so many ways, starts and ends with decent dozing. Here are five things to think about if you want to win at winter sleep. Hot and cold Nobody wants to lie shivering in bed with feet

sleep By Abi Jackson

like ice blocks. But overheating can actually be more detrimental to sleep, so it’s important to get the temperature just right. “Ideally, the brain temperature needs to be fractionally lower than the body’s core temperature, so ideally your bedroom needs to be cool, around 19C,” says physiologist and sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, author of Fast Asleep, Wide Awake: Discover The Secrets Of Restorative Sleep And Vibrant Energy (£12.99, Harper Thorsons). “So you’ll walk in and find it a bit chilly, but you can put a hot water bottle into the bed which you then discard as you get cosy. It’s important not to overheat as this will make sleep fretful and restless. I find it helpful to keep a fan in my room, even in winter, carefully positioned so I don’t get too cold if I use it. Also, a eucalyptus stick on your bedside table’s a good idea. Eucaplytus is cooling, so if you wake during the night - 2 to 4am is the most likely time for overheating - you rub the menthol stick between your eyebrows and temples and it has a cooling effect on the brain and,

53 surprisingly, the mind.” Go for layers of bedding, rather than one thick duvet, “so you can discard some as you journey through the night”. Comfort is key A comfortable bed, that’s just right for you, makes a big difference - but often it’s only when you actually experience it, that you realise just HOW much (investing in memory foam pillows actually changed my life). A calm environment can equal a calm mind, but when it comes to designing your bedroom, “quality of sleep should be the top priority”, notes James Cox, co-founder and CEO of British brand Simba Sleep, whose unique 2,000 spring/Visco memory foam mattresses can be delivered to your door in a box (from £399, www. simbasleep.com and selected John Lewis stores). “So ditch the lumpy, uncomfortable mattress.” The best mattresses aren’t likely to be the cheapest, but if you are looking to make investments, few things are more rewarding than years of good sleep. A good mattress can also play a role in helping manage and reduce aches and pains. Cox notes that innovations have come a long way, so it’s worth considering designs that combine experience and technological developments. Tech it or leave it We bang on about the importance of stepping away from those screens before bedtime, but the message just isn’t getting through for many of us (according to a recent survey by Simba Sleep, almost one in six Brits spend at least two hours a day on social media in bed). Bottom line: if you want to nail a solid sleeping routine, you need to switch off those devices. Dr Ramlakhan recommends an “electronic sundown” of around an hour before getting into bed, in order to calm those dopamine hits from constantly looking at a screen, and cut down on the blue light exposure that suppresses melatonin - “the sleep hormone” - production. “We might associate the device with being mentally engaged and in work-mode too, especially if we also have access to email on the device,” she adds. Try old-school bedtime reading - with actual books - instead. “Neuroscience shows that the reading

54 brain responds differently to reading on paper than it does to reading on a screen. With the latter, the reading rate tends to be faster, less mindful and more skimming - sort of multi-task reading - as if looking at a social media feed. Reading on paper tends to be more mindful, and we slow down and read in more detail (neuroscientists call this deep reading).” What’s on the menu? Just as we think about fuelling up in the morning, with energy-boosting breakfasts and those allimportant caffeine kicks, if you’re aiming to improve your sleep, the same theory applies at the end of the day - in reverse. So tailor what you eat and drink in the evening, with winding-down in mind. Keeping stimulating and sugary substances to the first half of the day is one thing, but it can go beyond that. “To sleep well, we need to eat foods that help the brain produce melatonin: a small amount of carbohydrates with a small amount of protein rich in tryptophan,” suggests Dr Craig Hudson, founder of Zenbev.com. “A cheese sandwich will help sleep, but a big steak dinner will make your sleep worse. Food for sleep is like everything else; a little in moderation works well.” A late heavy dinner may make you feel sleepy, but setting your digestive system up for a night of overdrive isn’t going to amount to the best quality slumber. The same goes for alcohol - yes it may seem to help you drift off, but booze actually hinders quality sleep. Making a soothing tea part of your pre-bedtime routine is a great idea - not only can this be a natural way to aid sleep, but the simple act of making yourself a cuppa, and then sitting quietly to sip it, nurtures a sense of calm and mindfulness. Embrace bathing rituals Running yourself a bath is a fantastic way to embrace self-care, treat yourself to a little luxury, and really switch from manic ‘day mode’ to relaxed and sleepready (and it’ll help with dragging yourself away from those screens, too). Even once a week, a bath is worthwhile, and alchemist, aromatherapist and intuitive body worker Michelle Roques-O’Neil, founder of the ‘balancing and emotionally healing’

THERAPIE product range, says even a 10-minute bath will make a difference when you don’t have time for a half-hour soak. Make the ritual even richer by incorporating some aromatherapy based products, such as THERAPIE Himalayan Detox Salts (£38 for 400g, roquesoneil.com), which combine pink Himalayan salts, geranium, juniper berry and powdered amethyst. “This is one of our most popular products,” says Roques-O’Neil. “It’s great for when you’re really overextended, especially with digital overload. If you’re very anxious, suffering from insomnia, you’ve just overdone it. This will help pull you down to Earth.” Applying a soothing body oil, or lavender-based moisturiser, can be another effective step in your snooze-ready self-care ritual, finishing off with a spritz of lavender pillow spray.

WELLBEING NEWS 85% of over-75s say listening to music sparks special memories It’s often said that scent is incredibly powerful at triggering memories and, according to a new survey by the Royal Voluntary Service, hearing music transports many of us back in time too. Nearly three-quarters of the 500 over-75s quizzed as part of the charity’s Sing Your Heart Out campaign, admit they’ve forgotten lots of things - but can still remember the words of their favourite songs. Many say music has the power to help them remember pivotal events from their past, such as the day they met their partner (14%), a special day (12%) or their wedding day (8%). Furthermore, 92% agree that singing along to music lifts their mood, 81% think it helps keep their mind active, while 63% say it helps them forget health worries. Presenter Phillip Schofield, said: “My song is Make Me Smile by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. That’s my childhood in a song. What seemed like endless summer days, growing up in Newquay. Playing on the beach, being late for tea having lost track of time.”

Travel

Zakynthos for

everyone

entioned by the Daily Telegraph as one of the 20 Mediterranean islands you must visit in your lifetime, Zakynthos (or Zante has it is more popularly known) is the most southerly of the Ionian Islands and one of the most popular Greek islands. There is something for all the family on this gorgeous island with stunning

views, where locals offer tourists the hospitality which Greece is famous for. This island paradise has three distinct geographical areas: the north west region is mountainous with many traditional mountain villages, the central region is a fertile plain chock-full with olive groves and vineyards and the south east is characterised by its beautiful

57 beaches. Similarly, there are a range of contrasts on the island for tourists, depending on what you’re looking for in a holiday. Zante boasts numerous sandy beaches, mountain villages, beautiful natural scenery, water sports and good quality restaurants, bars and nightclubs to more than cater for all your entertainment needs.

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If it’s all out partying you’re after, then Laganas will fit the bill perfectly. Over 100 bars and clubs are packed into the main street in Laganas, so you can imagine how exciting things get during the summer holidays. Just off the coast of Laganas is the famous Marathonisi ‘Turtle’ Island, with beautiful almost tropical beaches, and also a small bay with intriguing sea caves to explore and a great spot for snorkellers. There are no buildings allowed on the island, but a quaint boat that bobs around the island selling refreshments.

Zante holidays for you. Go to Alikanas and you’re ideally placed for exploring Zante’s lush north coast which has dramatic white cliffs, magical sea caves and one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Greece. Take a trip to one of the Zante’s best loved tourist spots, the Blue Caves, which are located at the northern tip of the island, underneath Cape Skinari. The caves show a range of blue hues on the white rocks caused by reflections from the sea. The area

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58 is popular for snorkelling to see the wide range of marine life living in the clear waters. On the south eastern tip of the island, the pineforested Vasilikos peninsula is an area that has been mostly protected from large-scale development because of the loggerhead turtles that breed on Gerakas beach. Arguably the most beautiful area on the island. Nearby Daphni beach, also a turtle nesting beach, is well-worth a visit too. Not far from Keri is the beautiful pebble beach of Marathias. It is off the beaten track and well-worth the walk down. The island also boasts one of the most photographed beaches in Greece, Shipwreck Cove, which is a blissful cove backed by plummeting limestone cliffs; but be warned, there is usually a long queue out onto the viewing platform where you can photograph it. The Zante authorities take their conservation seriously; the only airport on the island is closed after dark because it’s close to beaches where

Greece Checklist Language: Greek Currency: Euro Time: +2 hour Beer: €3.50 Cappuccino : €2.91 3 Course Meal: €15

loggerhead turtles lay their eggs at night and some of the beaches are also closed at night for the same reason. It’s no wonder that the Telegraph rates this jewel in the Ionian, Zante, so highly. With its breath-taking green hills, lemon and orange trees, authentic Greek villages, olive groves, vineyards, long white beaches; all framed by a crystal clear blue sea. Your family holiday for 2018 awaits you!

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Financial Planning

New Year

Resolutions by David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP),

Chartered Financial Planner and Managing Director

Happy New Year to everyone, let’s hope you will all “Prosper” throughout 2018. Amongst the nation’s favourite resolutions are more exercise, more dieting and less drink. Sadly, all these involve an element of deprivation and it’s hardly surprising that even the most strong willed of us are faltering by mid-February. One resolution that you may want to retrospectively add to your list, which importantly involves very little pain but can have significant benefits, is to have an investment health check. Every January I notice a significant increase in the number of enquiries from Local Life readers. What prompts this increase? Perhaps time off over Christmas, completion of tax returns, whatever the trigger, reviewing and revamping your portfolio now could make a significant difference to your portfolio value. Apart from weeding out the poor performing funds and checking you’re still on track, you might find your finances could be arranged more tax-efficiently. I was recently talking to a new client who was having a moan about the amount of paperwork he was receiving from all his different investments. At the heart of the problem was that “everything was all over the place” - for every investment he was dealing with a different company. He’d lost

complete control of his portfolio and the piles of paper in his study had continued to grow. No action was being taken by his previous adviser, potentially costing him money. He didn’t have a clue what his valuations were and didn’t know how well his investments had been performing. I asked him what his “ideal” would feel and look like. He replied that he wanted to; Retake full control of his investments rather than getting swamped with paperwork and information. Have “peace of mind” knowing that an expert was also keeping an eye on his investments. Invest in a wide choice of leading companies without being tied in to a single company/fund. Just deal with “one firm” for all of his different investments rather than speaking to many. It probably does not come as a great surprise to learn that we have the solution to all these issues and our Wealth Management Service delivers on all the points above. Indeed one of our recently engaged clients described the difference between the old way of managing investments and using the Prosper Wealth Management Service as “an absolute revelation”. If you would like more information please feel free to get in touch on 01257 423800. Alternatively visit our website www.prosper-ifa.co.uk or email us to request a brochure. The cost of the initial consultation is met by us and you are under no obligation to take things further. If you invest in the stock market the value of your investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount invested.

Remember all investments can fall as well as rise in value so investors could get back less than they invest.

CROSSWORD Across:

Down:

7. Bramley’s, Perhaps? (7,6)

1. Aim (4)

8. Collar Bone (8)

2. Servant (6)

9. Therefore (4)

3. Sneer (7)

10. Source of Barium (7)

4. Sap (5)

12. Southpaw (5)

5. For Each (6)

14. Small Holding (5)

6. Elevate (8)

16. Relating (7)

11. Drinks after Slopes? (5-3)

19. Russian Royal (4)

13. Reserves (4,3)

20. Reserve (3,5)

15. Uproar(6)

22. Wall Edging (8,5)

17. Abrasion (6) 18. Jelly (5)

All the puzzle solutions are on page 84 of this magazine

21. Dreadful (4)

• Scooters • Stairlifts • Wheelchairs • Recliners • Beds and lots more

Visit us at Platt Street, Platt Bridge, Wigan WN2 5DA Call 01942 864000 and we’ll come to you!

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