Wigan Edition
March 2016
Life after
Sooty
Local News Food & Drink Jack’s Tracks Health & Fitness What’s On Business View... Photo by David Sudworth
01942 522283
Homesafe Roof Solutions Ltd, 2-4 Brown Street North, Leigh, WN7 1BU
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4
Pulling
together
W
hen a local business or service closes, it’s sad for the people involved with that business. When a Post Office or Library closes, the ripples go far wider. And the effect can’t just be measured in numbers. For those who do not have access to a wider family network, a visit to a library or a post office is often their only daily interaction with other people. That’s why, when a local business opens that encourages social interaction, such as the Bag and Bean Café on the site of the old Billinge Garden Centre, it’s welcome news. It can, and does, in a small way, provide family and friends with a meeting place. Which brings me very nicely onto Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers (see pages 2627). This is a pop up breakfast café being held at St Luke’s Church Hall in Orrell every Saturday from March 5. There will also be stalls and attractions at the Saturday Breakfasts, run by a mix of charities and local cottage industries. The café profits will be used to invest in the local area and into local community groups but more importantly, it provides a platform for the community, even those who are busy working all week, to catch up with friends and neighbours. We hope you’ll join us.
Chris Pearce - Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Next issue - April 2016
Advertising deadline - Thursday 10 March Published - Thursday 24 March Local Life Media
@locallifemedia
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In this issue Get a feel for
Planting seeds of
folk
change
32
78
5 top tips for
Jack’s Tracks
cyclists
Culcheth
60
86 Test Drive - Skoda
Life after
Sooty
Superb estate
67
94
Regulars
Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB
Telephone: 01695 627 999
44 Puzzle Corner
98 What’s On
50 Planning Matters
104 Useful Numbers
Sales: Clare Glover, Nicola Gray
54 Class from the past
114 View from the lump
Editorial: David Sudworth wigannews@locallife247.co.uk
sales@locallife247.co.uk
84 Eating Out Guide
Design: Peter Bretherton
design@locallife247.co.uk
Sections
Distribution: Sally Boon
sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
Accounts: Sam Garrahan accounts@locallife247.co.uk
6 Property
74 Business View
16 Local News
78 Food & Drink
32 Fashion
86 Leisure
54 Education
90 Gardening
56 Travel
94 Motoring
60 Heath & Fitness
105 Home Services
72 Legal & Finance
Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to over 14,000 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Ashton, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton. The next issue is delivered to over 13,000 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, or read online at www.locallife247.co.uk
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.
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Wigan Property
sponsored by
My predictions for
W
2016
hat does 2016 have in store for Wigan’s 29,633 homeowners and landlords?
Those of you who read the Wigan Property Blog will know I am not the sort of person who pulls punches. So I’m going to say that prices will rise between 3% and 4% this year, and here’s why. The price of an average Wigan property is 4.2% higher today than it was a year ago. That may not sound a lot, but when you consider inflation is currently running at -0.1%, and average salary growth is only around 2.5% a year, this is bad news for first time buyers. But the real issue in the Wigan property market is the shortage of property to buy, as people either worry there will be no suitable house to move to, or cannot afford to upgrade. However, on the supply side, Chancellor George Osborne said in his Autumn Statement that he will change the planning laws to ensure the Government meets the pledge made at the General Election of 200,000 new homes a year. All I can say is: ‘Good luck hitting those numbers George!’
state this has dropped to 118 days; a drop of 37%. However, when you delve even deeper, the best performing type of property today in Wigan is the three-bed, which takes 114 days to find a buyer on average compared to the one-bed, which takes 164 days. It just goes to show, even though the average has dropped since 2011, other factors have changed. For more thoughts, opinions and views on the Wigan property market, visit www.wiganpropertyblog.com
Why? Because houses take years to build, so where does that leave us in Wigan in 2016? So while Mr Osborne sports yet another high viz jacket and hard hat for the TV cameras, let us look at the shortage of properties for sale. In February 2011, 1,695 properties were for sale in Wigan. Today that figure is 985. So on the face of it, there is less choice for Wigan buyers. But it also means with a restricted supply of properties for sale , and therefore keeps property prices high for Wigan house sellers.
Louise Breakey
Everything isn’t all doom and gloom though. Again, back in February 2011, the average property in Wigan took 186 days to find a buyer. Latest figures
57-59, Ormskirk Road, Newtown, Wigan, WN5 9BE T: 01942 238 200 www.breakeyandco.com
MARLA, MNAEA
Author of The Wigan Property Blog
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Wigan landlords count
C
the cost
ast your mind back to 10pm on Thursday, May 7. That was the moment Exit Polls revealed the Conservatives would be returned to Government with an outright majority. The middle classes in Standish and Orrell value growth. Looking at all the properties sold, as undoubtedly exhaled a huge sigh of relief as recorded by the Land Registry, within three miles of Wigan landlords, faced with rent controls from the centre of Wigan in September 2015 compared Labour, now had something to cheer about. This is to pre-Credit Crunch, in September 2007, we see because the Tories were always considered to be a the following: party which accepted the importance of the rental market. Since May though, Chancellor George Osborne has announced future rises Sept 2007 Sept 2015 Difference in Stamp Duty for Buy To Let Detached in Wigan 33 36 +9% landlords, as well as a change in the interest relief on Buy Semi-detached in Wigan 76 3 -30% To Let mortgages. The loss Terraced houses in Wigan 92 61 -34% of mortgage higher rate tax relief will make a number Apartments/flats in Wigan 51 3 -94% of properties not stack up financially. The new rules are likely to slow demand in the Wigan housing market, What amazed me were the drop in the number of which is in fact good news for the other landlords, semis, terraces and in particular apartments selling as there is less competition from ‘amateur’ landlords in Wigan compared to the sales of detached, which offering too much. hardly changed. Fewer properties are selling than November’s figures have just been released and they show a slight drop of property values in Wigan of 0.3% over that month. That figure doesn’t surprise me due to the time of year. It’s quite dangerous to look at one month in isolation, so looking at a more medium term view, over the last 12 months, property values in Wigan have risen by 4.6%. However, regular readers of the Wigan Property Blog know my passion for looking deeper into the stats. The really interesting information is the
last decade in Wigan and the types of properties selling have changed... interesting times ahead for the Wigan property market! All I’d say to Wigan’s landlords is do your homework, make sure the numbers do stack up, take advice and opinion from professionals and above all, for those of you planning to add to your portfolio, buy the right property at the right price. One place for such advice and opinion is the Wigan Property Blog at www.wiganpropertyblog.com
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11
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STORWOOD CLOSE, ORRELL
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Distributors wanted
Bowling’s back!
Local Life requires distributors aged 13 and above for this edition of our magazine. Distributors will typically work for 2/3 hours every eight weeks. The areas we currently require distributors for is as follows:
Up Holland’s Community Bowling Green on Hall Green is reopening after its winter break. The facility will be available again from Wednesday, April 1. The green can be used casually at a charge of £2 per hour or unlimited use of the green until September 18 costs £18, or £13 for over 60s/under 16s.
Golborne – High Street, Park Road, Barn Lane, Harvey Lane, Whitlow Avenue, Halewood
Unlimited use contracts can be purchased from 6.30pm-8pm on Tuesday, March 24 at the Community Meeting Room, next to Up Holland
Avenue, Helen Street, Walters Green Crescent, Ashton Road & Millingford Avenue
Library, on Hall Green.
Ashton In Makerfield – Windsor Road, Kiveton Drive, Weavermill Park, Tenbury Drive & Balliol Way, Diane Road, Upland Road, Belvedere Road, Golborne Road. If you are interested, please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
After this, contracts will be available from the library, parish councillors, from G. Speakman (01695632036), P. Skellett (01695 625857) or from David Hughes, the clerk to the parish council, 10 The Nook, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9JB (call 01257 251775).
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Clubs’ new
start
A new chapter in Orrell Rugby and Winstanley Park Cricket clubs’ history could be written as early as 2019, Local Life can reveal. The location of the teams’ new community sports club has been revealed as a 13 acre site next to Winstanley College. A formal planning application is expected to be submitted by the end of March, with a decision hopefully made by the end of July. The clubs have signed a 99 year lease for the site, which will provide a permanent home for both organisations and, they say, an opportunity to boost their thriving junior sections. For Winstanley CC, the move will see them vacate their current ground where they have been since 1878. The new facilities will also play host to Orrell
RUFC, who finally find a home 10 years after leaving their Edge Hall Road ground. Orrell RU chairman Tony Havlin said: “The implementation plan is to phase the development as funds allow, and begins with the preparation and seeding of the land, allowing the pitches to be used as soon as possible. The clubs have invested a significant amount into the project, designed to be built in three phases, and are looking to raise considerably larger sums to enable its completion.” Winstanley College principle Louise Tipping welcomed the move: “We are delighted to support this exciting sporting and community initiative from Orrell RUFC and Winstanley Park CC. We are looking forward to having them as neighbours with whom we can work to support community sport.”
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Get
involved
Do you have a vision for the Orrell and Billinge area? Can you lead a group of residents and bring about improvement to the area? If so, the Orrell and Billinge Community Network want to hear from you. This community group is appealing for new people to join with them in their efforts to bring positive changes to the residents of Orrell and Billinge. Over the past few years, the group have been successful in funding the new Orrell War Memorial, running a monthly coffee morning and hosting the Over 75s Christmas Party. The current chairman, Marjorie Price, and secretary, Carol Littler, are standing down shortly, but will be remaining as
members of the group. All residents from the Orrell and Billinge areas are welcome at the meetings, which generally provide a platform for information updates, opportunities to air grievances and the chance to present ideas to fellow residents of Orrell and Billinge. The meetings are attended occasionally by council and police representatives too. The Orrell and Billinge Community Network meet at St Luke’s Church Hall on Lodge Road in Orrell. For more information, go along to the next meeting which is being held on Wednesday, March 2, at 7pm or email Marjorie on mgprice.16@hotmail.co.uk.
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Mon - 7.00 - 8.00pm - Upholland Methodist Church, Alma Hill. Tues - 7.00 - 8.00pm - Highfield St Matthews CE Primary School. Weds - 7.00 - 8.00pm - Bispham Club, Billinge Thurs - 7.00 - 8.00pm - Lamberhead Green Working Men’s Club, Pemberton.
zumba.com
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M58 link
delay?
Formal plans for an M58 link road across Wigan look to have been held up. Transport chiefs had been hoping to submit an official planning application for the controversial scheme early this year. However, Wigan Council confirmed to Local Life that as yet, they still don’t have an expected date for an application. The multi-million pound scheme is being championed by the council as a way of tackling
congestion through Pemberton and Newtown. But critics argue it will create more pollution and cause even more traffic jams.
Clarins Gift Of Beauty Buy 2 Clarins products and get four essentials & this gorgeous bag FREE!
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Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PA www.expressionsofbeauty.co.uk
01744 894214
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Flats plan for
offices
Proposals have been unveiled to convert Orrell’s dilapidated council offices into flats. Roby Mill-based Robin Park Letting Agents have applied for permission to create four self-contained apartments in the Orrell Road building, and build 14 homes in the former tip at the side. According to papers submitted with the application, the homes would consist of 13, three-bedroomed houses and one, two-bedroomed bungalow. The current outbuildings would be demolished.
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The offices and depot, which were closed over three years ago, netted a reported £531,0000 windfall for the council. Architects on behalf of the applicants have warned the council that renovation of the old offices is dependent on permission being granted for the new build properties in the old depot: “This level of provision should allow sufficient funds to be made available to properly renovate and convert the existing run down Council Offices into the four apartments. The expensive conversion of this building may not be viable without the funds generated by this number of properties and a lesser number may necessitate the demolition of the existing building.” A final decision on whether to give the plans the green light is expected to be made by Wigan Council by April 19.
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The last
post?
Four local Post Offices have been put on the market. Orrell’s PO, on Church Street, is the latest to have been offered out by mail chiefs, with the option of either taking over the service at the building, or incorporating it into other premises. Local Life understands that moves are already afoot for the latter option - an official announcement is expected soon. Services at Hawkley, Bryn and Up Holland are also up for grabs. The Up Holland site, on Hall Green, has
been empty for some time now, with fears it may never reopen. A Post Office spokeswoman told Local Life: “Postmasters at these locations expressed an interest in leaving the network and we are currently looking for new operators to run these branches. “Customers should be assured we are committed to maintaining a service to local customers in the areas and are working hard to ensure this. Any local retailers interested in one of these business opportunities can get further details from our website www.runapostoffice.co.uk”
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Ladies’ appeal
success
Big-hearted members from Orrell & District Townswomen’s Guild helped raise £2,475 for a good cause. They presented Helen Kay from The Eve Appeal, which raises cash for research into women’s gynaecological cancers, with the bumper cheque at a recent meeting.
The group meets at St Luke’s Parish Hall, Lodge Road, on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm, except on Bank Holidays then it’s the second Monday. Call Margaret Case on 01942 701716 for more details.
The money was raised by members with the help and support of local residents and traders. Sue Jones, branch chairman, said: “We’d like to thank The Mount, Lovels, Houghwood Golf Club, The Delph Tavern, Hills Florist, Venus Beauty Studios. Expressions of Beauty, Lakeside Hair Studios, S. Gee and J. Gill and all members for their donations and outstanding work raising such a vast amount in our charity year.”
Editor Required Could you be the face of Local Life? Local Life is the fastest growing community magazine in the North West and we’re looking for an Editor/Editors to work from our offices in Orrell near Wigan.
To apply
The successful candidate/s will be flexible, highly motivated, well organised and be able to fit in with a small and friendly team.
please email your CV to chrisp@locallife247.co.uk
We will expect you to be NCTJ qualified and be able to demonstrate experience in print media, ideally local newspapers.
Closing date 11th March
This post is a full time position, but we also welcome applications from those candidates who are happy to job share. Car required – generous mileage allowance provided. Salary dependent on experience
The little magazine with a big reach
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Wigan
Sir Ian, who turns 65 in April, is standing down as chairman of Healthwatch Wigan, a role he has held since leaving Parliament in 2010. He represented Makerfield for 23 years and, between 2003-2006, was Labour Party chairman under Tony Blair. Sir Ian, who lives in Ashton, made the announcement at a recent Healthwatch Wigan Board meeting. He said: “I have learnt a lot about myself, met so many good local citizens, made new lifelong friends, ruffled a few feathers, and have had, so far, 10 operations performed by our nationally acclaimed Acute trust.”
As a result of Sir Ian’s retirement, Healthwatch is now looking for a new chairman. The role, which is being advertised, involves maintaining strong working relationships with Wigan Council, NHS and the local Health and Wellbeing Board. For further information about the role call 01942 489737 or email dave.nunns@healthwatchwigan. org
DIR ER
EC
R
T FROM
AC U F TU N
Respected former Makerfield MP Sir Ian McCartney is leaving Wigan and returning to his native Scotland.
E TH MA
Sir Ian leaves
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Can you
dig it?
A celebration of Wigan revolutionary Gerrard Winstanley is back - and local bands are needed to help ensure it goes with a blast. The Wigan Diggers Festival organisers need groups and artists with a political edge to get in touch with them before Friday, April 1. The festival itself - the sixth time it is being held locally - takes place on Saturday, September 10.
that the land should be available to every person to dig and sow, so that everyone, rich or poor, could live, grow and eat by the sweat of their own brows, as according to them: “The earth was made to be a common treasury for all.�
Winstanley, who was born in Wigan in 1609, led The Diggers - their nickname came from their belief
Download a form at wigandiggersfestival.org and send it to diggersstageentertainment@gmail.com
Winter cricket call Calling all Year Five and Six pupils - Highfield Cricket Club is inviting new recruits to its winter coaching programme for under-11s. The current programme is based at the Deanery High School Sports Hall between 6pm and 7pm on Thursdays up until Easter, following which they will move outside to their own training facilities at Billinge Road ground in Highfield. The sessions are overseen by fully qualified coaches with appropriate safeguarding accreditations. Please contact the under-11s coach, Gary Speakman, on 07721 639970 for more information.
Walking with cancer A new service provided by Macmillan Information and Support is proving to be a real hit with patients. The Walk and Talk group meets every Thursday at Mesnes Park, Wigan, at 1pm to provide them with an opportunity to enjoy some exercise, have a relaxing drink and socialise, making new friends. Macmillan decided to establish this new group in response to people wanting to remain physically active while they are undergoing treatment for cancer. For more information, call 01942 822760, 01942 774620 or 01942 488481.
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Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers
T
wo local businesses have come forward to boost the Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers, which starts next Saturday (5th March) at St Luke’s Church Hall in Orrell. H Greaves & Son Butchers of Up Holland and Windy Arbour Farm Shop in Billinge have both agreed to supply the first week’s foodstuffs free of charge for the Saturday Breakfasts, to help organisers to gauge subsequent order levels for this fundraising initiative. Geoff Rigby, one of the owners at Windy Arbour Farm Shop stated “The people of Orrell and Billinge have been supporting us for over 40 years so it’s a welcome opportunity to be involved in something to put back into the local community”. H Greaves & Son Butchers, who employ 35 staff at their Chequer Lane site in Up Holland, and supply quality meat to hotels and restaurants, has a fine reputation as one of the best butchers in the North West. The Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers consist of a pop-up breakfast café, along with up to 12 stalls and attractions, which will run every Saturday morning at St Luke’s church hall as from March 5th. The doors open at 9.30am until 12 noon, and the kitchen will initially be managed by Rob Miller, the Head Chef at The Delph.
Geoff Rigby from Windy Arbour
The Saturday Breakfast Committee, which consists of Mary Forrester, Chris Pearce, Michael Winstanley and Jayne Wood will be hosting a drop in event at the Church Hall this Tuesday (1st March) from 4.30pm-7pm, with presentations at 5pm and 6.15pm so that potential stallholders, volunteers and charities/community groups can come along and check out how the community fundraisers will run.
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The Charity/Community Group Co-Ordinator at Saturday Breakfasts, Michael Winstanley, states “These fundraisers represent a good platform for charities and local community groups to raise funds for their organisation. We are expecting a good mix of groups, from major charities to the smallest local community group to be involved”. If you represent a charity/community group and you would like to get involved with Saturday Breakfasts then please email Michael on mwinstanleym@aol.com or come along to the drop in session at St Luke’s Church Hall on Tuesday 1st March between 4.30pm-7pm. The Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers run every Saturday between 9.30am and 12 noon as from this Saturday 5th March. At St Luke’s church hall in Lodge road, Orrell. Everyone is welcome. Christopher Greaves from H Greaves & Son Volunteer Co-ordinator Mary Forrester appealed “We have a dozen volunteers at the moment, but we’re looking for other people who can serve breakfasts, greet people, wash up and who are happy to set up and clear away. We’re looking for a minimum commitment of just one Saturday morning in every four, and the volunteers will be fully involved in choosing where the money raised should be spent”. Potential volunteers should come along to the drop in event at the Church Hall on Tuesday 1st March for more details or email Mary on forresterm@sky.com.
“a good fundraising platform for charities and community groups” Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers has been funded by Wigan Council’s The Deal, along with Local Life magazine, and is organised and run by the volunteers of the Saturday Breakfast Group, which is affiliated to the Billinge & Orrell Transition Group.
Looking at fundraising options? New community fund rasing venture offers opportunities for up to 21 charity/community groups per year
Minimum Time - Maximum Return
Interested? For details call Michael on 07810 243555 or Chris on 01695 627999
Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers
Or visit our drop in evening; 4.30pm-7pm on Tues March 1st at St Luke’s Church Hall, Lodge Rd, Orrell.WN5 7AT
28
MP’s pensions fury
Vintage Collection
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.
Treat yourself to an affordable extravagance! Heskin Farmers Market & Craft Centre, Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, PR7 5PA T: 01257 450 448 E: info@jewelsmay.com www.jewelsmay.com
Makerfield’s MP is demanding a rethink over women’s pensions. Yvonne Fovargue says changes to retirement ages mean that women born in the 1950s face having to make alternative financial arrangements at very short notice. The MP said: “The 1995 Pensions Act increased the state pension age for women from 60 to 65 between April 2010 and 2020, to bring it in line with that of men. But in 2011 the government moved the goalposts. They decided to accelerate the rise in the women’s state pension age from April 2016 so that it reached 65 by November 2018, then rising to 66 by 2020. The impact of the 2011 Act to State Pension Age has been laid bare as figures reveal that over 12,000 women in the borough born in the 1950s have been hit by the accelerated timetable, with significant changes to their State Pension age imposed without an appropriate notification period. This is an injustice that the Government must now put right.”
Church’s dilemma A Billinge church is discussing ways of trying to retain children’s involvement in worship through their teenage years and into adulthood. St Aidan’s Parochial Church Council debated the “extensive difficulties” over how to keep children interested in church life as they got older. A proposal to lower the age of Confirmation to those aged eight to nine years has been put on ice for the time being, but members say they will look at it afresh in the future. Meanwhile, PCC members are set to hear from the Rev Tim Montgomery on the forthcoming changes within the deanery as part of the Transforming Wigan project. Part of its remit is to reduce the average age of those attending and engaging with the church as an institution.
29
Volunteers urgently needed An urgent appeal has been launched for volunteers to help out at the Saturday, Morning Club at Orrell YMCA on Winstanley Road. The group is held between 10am-noon and aimed at seven to 13 year olds. Activities include art, table football, snooker, table tennis, computer games and so on. Some volunteers have recently retired so new blood is needed to take their place, otherwise the club’s future may be in jeopardy. If you can help, call Margaret on 07974 596046.
Modern Collection
Support for osteo patients Ashton, Leigh and Wigan Osteoporosis Support Group is welcoming new members. It meets four times per year at the Bethel Hindley Green Church, Atherton Road, Wigan. The meetings are 2pm– 3.30pm and the programme for 2016 is : Wednesday, March 16: Age UK Wigan Borough Starting Point plus other services, by Kathy Cooper Wednesday May 18: Update on the work of the National Osteoporosis Society by Katie Hall, regional development manager Wednesday, August 24: Osteoporosis and exercise by Sue Doyle, a retired chartered physiotherapist Wednesday, October 19: Medical update; speaker to be confirmed. All are welcome and there is no need to book, tea and coffee are available. For more information contact Pat on 0161 799 4476 email patandjohn@ ymail.com or Kate 01942 222545 email kmfussell@ gmail.com
Lymphoma group Wigan Lymphoma Association Support Group is welcoming new members. It meets at Tesco Community Space, Tesco, Central Park Way, Wigan on the second Monday of the month at 3.30pm. The support groups are for anyone affected by Hodgkin/or non Hodgkin Lymphoma or any other blood cancer. Call Karen Bonell on 07710 393 891.
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.
Treat yourself to an affordable extravagance! Heskin Farmers Market & Craft Centre, Wood Lane, Heskin, Chorley, PR7 5PA T: 01257 450 448 E: info@jewelsmay.com www.jewelsmay.com
30
Rail plans on
track
Commuters in Wigan and Up Holland may soon benefit from better transport links to West Lancashire’s biggest employment hub. Plans have been unveiled to create a new rail spur on the Wigan Wallgate to Kirkby line via Skelmersdale. A push to get the 1960s New Town its own train station has been ongoing almost since its former station, near Blaguegate playing fields, closed over 50 years ago. Transport chiefs say that creating a connection to Skelmersdale would be beneficial to Wigan and vice versa. Experts also point to students from the town who attend Winstanley College, and would use Orrell Station. The newly-unveiled Lancashire Strategic Transport Prospectus says: “Up Holland is not easily accessible without a car and only served by an hourly train service to Kirkby and Wigan, and bus services are slow and journeys indirect. Skelmersdale would be served by a new spur from the existing Wigan Wallgate to Kirkby line into the town centre, enabling through services to operate to both Liverpool (via Kirkby) and Manchester (via Wigan), providing direct access.”
English classes Two local venues are offering a friendly welcome to people who want to learn English. The English Club meets on Fridays, term time only, from 1.30pm3pm at Jireh Baptist Church, Chapel Street, Orrell. For more information contact Pamela Thomas on 01942 218717. Alternatively, the Conversation Group, where you can learn English in an informal setting, is held every Monday from 1.30pm-2.30pm at Hope Children’s Centre, Kelvin Grove, Marus Bridge. For more information, call Linda on 01942 404087.
Stallholders Wanted New pop-up breakfast café requires stallholders every Saturday 9.30-12 noon
Tiered display tables provided £10 per week - First month free!
Interested? For further details call Chris on 01695 627999
Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers
Or visit our drop in evening; 4.30pm-7pm on Tues March 1st at St Luke’s Church Hall, Lodge Rd, Orrell.WN5 7AT
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Latest fashions
Get a feel for
I
t started on the catwalks last spring, when Valentino’s floaty, fringe and feather printfilled autumn show caused fashion editors everywhere to swoon. Now, the high street has latched onto folksy fashion in a big way, and the Valentino SS16 collection is another dreamy prairie girl parade, meaning this is a trend that’s got legs. So stock up on snuggly wraps, muted prints and textured knits and fight the cold snap in style...
Cosy coats Your shortcut to the old school folk trend? That’ll be a blanket coat in a dark hue and hefty fabric. Buttonless and with a big shawl collar, this midlength jacket eschews the need for a belt or scarf and is easy to throw on over jeans and a jumper on winter mornings, when it’s too cold to contemplate lots of wardrobe options. Just add a bobble beanie or wide-brimmed felt hat and you’re good to go. Monsoon Kosmo Blanket Coat in Stone, £89 (www.monsoon.co.uk)
folk
by Katie Wright
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Frock foundation Make a long-sleeved dress the basis of your look. Think high-necked hippyish baby-doll or drop-waist frocks (they have more of a retro feel than cinched-in skater dresses) in dark, stylised florals, rather than chintzy prints. Alternatively, a woollen tube skirt in an ethnic print makes for a warm but sleek silhouette, to which you can add chunky knits on your top half. H&M Skirt, £24.99 (available in February, www.hm.com)
Natty knits A cardigan or sweater is the next key piece you need, but not just any old fine knit. The bigger the better, so look for shaggy yarns in open weave fabrics that won’t weigh you down. If all-over texture feels too bulky, look for jumpers with a touch of fringing at the sleeve or hem - cream or ivory are ideal for breaking up a dark colour palette. Navy & Ivory Stitch Cardigan, £99; Ivory Woven Hem Tee, £39; Hartford Indigo Flared Jean, £79; Tan Edie Sandal, £129; all Mint Velvet (www.mintvelvet.co.uk)
Girls On Film Knitted Ragged Grey Jacket, £38 (Little-Mistress.com)
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Americana accessories You don’t need masses of accessories to complete your foray into folk, but a pair of sturdy brown boots anywhere from burgundy to tan - is a must. Bag-wise, you want an unfussy cross-body in a similar shade. If you’ve invested in this season’s saddle bag, you’re all set, but for a flippy flourish, a feather-strewn, whipstitched duffle bag is bang on trend. Duffle Bag With Feathers, £38 (www.simplybe.co.uk)
Accessorize Sable Panel Saddle Bag, £25 (www.accessorize.com)
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Mark’s coming
home
A Billinge man left paralysed following a motorcycle accident in Australia is set to return home in March. Mark Middlehurst was on a working holiday in Perth when, on November 3, disaster struck. His mum, Julie, and her husband Malcolm flew out immediately to be by his side. He sustained severe head injuries and is still unable to respond. And because he needed a full medical team, the cost of bringing him home ran into the tens of thousands of pounds. A rallying call went out for donations and the family is now looking forward to bringing him home. Speaking from Perth, Mark’s mum Julie told Local
37
Life: “Mark is a likeable and popular lad and his many friends and family have fundraised to help sustain our stay here and for his repatriation. They raised money to enable us to bring our son home where we are hopeful that having family and friends around him may encourage a response.
“Bringing Mark back means so much to us all” “We want to say a massive thank you to each and every person who has donated to Mark’s fund. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of family, friends, local businesses and complete strangers.
“A special thank you goes from me, Malc, his brother David and girlfriend Caro to everyone who has organised the fund raising events, you have gone out of your way to help bring Mark home to where he belongs. It means so much to us all.”
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Group wants to grow
Pub is an asset
An organisation which celebrates its 90th birthday next year is looking for new members. Orrell & District Horticultural Society was formed in 1928 and has continued without a break since, and were even involved in the Dig For Victory campaign during World War II. Eric Unsworth, chairman, said: “Recently two or three elderly stalwarts have had to end their attendance at meetings due to age and/or infirmity. Any visitors are made welcome; all aspects of horticulture including gardening are included in the programme of talks.” The group meets on the first Tuesday of the month from 7.30pm at the Independent Methodist Church, Fleet Street, Lamberhead Green.
A campaign to get the Hare and Hounds pub in Billinge listed as a community asset has ended in victory. Locals Roger Buckner and David Stevens, supported by Billinge & Orrell Transition Group, led the bid. Roger said: “Well run pubs play a pivotal role in local communities, but are increasingly under threat of closure. Over the last few years we have lost the Black Horse, Moss Bank; The Brown Cow, The Unicorn, Billinge; The Old Dog, Alma Hill; The Abbey Lakes, The Owls,The Rose & Crown,The Sandbrook, Orrell and The Crawford Arms, Crawford. Landlady Janet Hornby has shown how a local pub can flourish and not have to rely on being a food or gastro type establishment. For one customer who is almost blind the pub is like a second home.”
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Flood
worries
Fears have been raised over whether an Ashton site set for housing could flood. Plans have been unveiled to redevelop vacant land to the south of Princess Road, west of Mill Street and north of Druid Street. A similar application, for nine houses, at the site was withdrawn last year. Locals claim the site, part of which includes Millingford Brook, flooded at Christmas. Papers submitted for this latest application acknowledge that the site lies within a category three Flood Risk Zone, but the applicants claim that the homes themselves will be built outside the zone. In addition, they say all properties will
“benefit from additional measures of protection.” It adds: “The brook is listed as a flood risk potential, but no knowledge of recent flooding, within the last 50 years, is held. “There are no known overshadowing or overlooking issues that are any worse than other surrounding developments and the overall street scene will complement the area. “The proposal seeks to use an existing piece of land which could quickly become a liability for local residents if not developed. A final decision on whether to grant planning permission is set to be made by Wigan Council soon.
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Puzzle
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Guess where? Answers are on page 97 of this magazine
Sudoku
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Play area
plea
Up Holland folk are being urged to support a bid for a new play area in the parish. Schoolchildren, councillors and parents believe a revitalised park would serve the more rural parts of the village. One play area currently deemed unsafe is the one in Crawford, which was built in the 1970s. Three local children; Roisin Gribbon, aged 8. Alice Griggs and Joshua Gaunt, both aged 10, (pictured with parish councillors) delivered a presentation at a recent Up Holland Parish Council meeting,
emphasising the need for action. Locals from across the whole of Up Holland are now being urged to support the push. A number of events are being planned later this year to raise money and several applications are being completed.
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‘No closures’
pledge
Fears that children’s centres in Orrell, Winstanley and Ashton could be closed have been scotched.
0-5s will still be delivered there. They will become community hubs, as part of a network of other places where families spend their time like schools, sports clubs, nurseries, libraries and health centres.
Council chiefs moved swiftly to deny rumours following the end of a consultation exercise into children’s services across Wigan. Instead, they claim they want to “redesign” services for 0-5s.
“We are proposing to develop five Start Well Centres. It will be the responsibility of Start Well Centres to ensure that there are services available that meet people’s needs, close to where they live, so there is an offer in every community. Parents won’t have to travel to a Start Well Centre to access services. Through community hubs, we want to increase the type of venues that services for 0-5’s are delivered from.
There are currently 16 centres in the borough, including at Orrell Lamberhead Green Primary, Hope Children’s Centre on Kelvin Grove and at Ashton Library. James Winterbottom, director of children’s services at Wigan Council, explained: “We are not proposing to close any of the current children’s centre buildings. They will remain and services for
“While there is a financial reality to face within public services, it is our belief that by working differently we can deliver more efficient and more effective services.”
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Police are urging the public to give them any information on youths who have been “garden hopping” on Church Street, Orrell. Officers say that although there has been a marked drop in reported incidents of anti social behaviour in the area, youngsters going from one garden to the next is still an issue. If anybody can identify any persons responsible, please report it via 0161 856 7124. Elsewhere in Orrell, police say the number of reported burglaries and car crime is again down on the previous three months quarter. A spokesman said: “We must not get complacent, and I would urge the public to report any suspicious behaviour on 101.”
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Cash deadline draws near Time is running out to apply for community groups who need cash help to support World War I commemoration events. The deadline for Wigan Council’s World War One Community Grant Scheme is Friday, March 4. Funding is available to anyone planning an event this year which links to events during The Great War, including the Battle of the Somme and the Battle of Jutland. Organisations wishing to submit an application should be able to show how their scheme will either help raise awareness about World War One history, benefit armed forces families, get the community involved or leave a lasting legacy for future generations thereby meeting the aims of the armed forces community covenant. Call 01942 404619 for a form.
Tell us your story! 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! Simply email us at wigannews@locallife247.co.uk
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Planning Matters Ashton
Winstanley
47 Belvedere Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse, dormers to front and rear (ref: A/16/81966/HH) A decision is due by March 25.
392 Billinge Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse single storey and first floor to rear. (ref: A/16/81982/ HH) A decision is due by April 4.
Orrell Adjacent to 57 Moor Road: Erection of attached single storey retail unit with office, kitchen & WC (ref: A/16/81953/FULL) A decision is due by March 30. Pemberton 10 Dean Crescent: Single storey rear extension with a projection of 4.5m, height to eaves of 2.4m and height to ridge of 3.6m (ref: A/16/81938/PDE) A decision is due by March 7.
69 Merton Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse frist floor to side. (ref: A/16/82005/HH ) A decision is due by April 1. 14 Birchwood Close : Single storey rear extension with a projection of 3.5m, height to the eaves 2.5m and height to the ridge 3.6m. (ref: A/16/82027/PD ) A decision is due by March 22. For more information on these plans, visit www. wigan.gov.uk
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Tomorrow, this could be
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Every Podbuild is completed to a modern finish, with a full electrical package routed from your home, highly efficient LED lighting and a door canopy with pelmet light. Leaving you nothing to do other than move in and enjoy.
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Class from the
past
Wigan Dyslexia Centre March 21st is the last date to process Access Arrangements for GCSE and A level examinations Dyslexia / Dyscalculia screening
£15 + travel For more details contact enquiries@ed4all.co.uk or Mobile 0786 792 4813 www.ed4all.co.uk
This month’s Class from the Past is from Up Holland Grammar School. It’s believed this photo was taken in the 1940s. 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
School intake to increase Hawkley Hall High School is to increase its intake. Education chiefs at Wigan Council have been notified by the Academy Trust for the school that it intends to up its admission number from 200 pupils to 230 pupils for the 2017/18 academic year.
Nursery improves ABC Private Day Nursery, on Orrell Road, has recorded an improvement on its Ofsted rating. The previous inspection, last April, said it ‘requires improvement’. Its latest inspection saw the nursery securing a ‘good’ rating. Inspector Joanne Ryan said: “They have effectively addressed all areas for improvement set at the last inspection.”
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Simon enthrals
pupils
Falklands War veteran Simon Weston spoke to an audience of over 1,000 at an Ashton school.
he touched the hearts of so many and has inspired our students to go out and be the best they can be and to never give up. It was an experience we will never forget.”
Mr Weston was scarred for life when his vessel, the Sir Galahad, was attacked during the conflict in 1982. He told staff and pupils at Cansfield High, on Cansfield Grove, about his ordeal and how he pulled his life back together during the 50 minute talk. Lisa Rothwell, from Cansfield, told Local Life: “The whole morning was a once in a lifetime opportunity,
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Travel
South African
adventures by David Sudworth
A
re you looking for stunning scenery, incredible natural wildlife, amazing activities and endless adventures?
If so, you can find it all and more in South Africa with Billinge-based Marken Travel and Premier Holidays, who have teamed up to offer you something special in this most beautiful of countries. A vast and beautiful land of contrasts, South Africa offers spectacular experiences for all who visit. One of the best starting points is the capital city of Cape Town, where in just a few days you can explore majestic Table Mountain, watch the penguins play at Boulders Beach and visit iconic Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Take your pick from
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the many incredible hotels in the area and don’t forget to take advantage of the amazing food at the choice of restaurants along the V&A waterfront, followed by fantastic sundowner cocktails. One of the best things about South Africa is the incredible value, particularly when it comes to food and drink. People don’t often realise how affordable the destination is or how fantastic their local food can be. With the excellent exchange rate at the moment, there’s a huge range of choice for every guest and you can enjoy a delicious meal with wine for around half the price you would expect to pay in the UK.
the sun rises for the chance to catch them in their natural habitat, a magical start to any day.
Adventure is also a huge part of this amazing country - a wildlife safari is top of most visitors’ lists and the world famous game reserves such as Kruger and the Eastern Cape are some of the best places to spot the ‘Big Five’. During a morning game drive listen for lions, rhino, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs waking up and keep your eyes peeled as
If you’re keen to sample a taste of the finest wines in the area then there’s no better place than Stellenbosch. Set in the heart of the Winelands with an impressive reputation for the very best grapes, no visit would be complete without trying the local produce. You can indulge at one of the many beautiful wine estates or vineyards and relax
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Telephone: 01744 893291
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Africa Checklist Language: isiZulu, Afrikaans, English... Currency: South African Rand Time difference: +2 hours Cost of a beer: 99p Cost of a cappuccino 84p 2 Course meal: £4 at some of the finest hotels, which are the perfect place to unwind. There are also plenty of opportunities to discover the country’s rich heritage with guided tours of the fascinating Swazi Villages, Drakensberg Mountains and Rorke’s Drift Battlefields; taking in the wealth of history and culture which South Africa has to offer. Alternatively, beach lovers will be more than at home on the glorious golden sands of Durban, an ideal destination to end your South African itinerary. Marken and Premier Holidays’ tailor-made South African itineraries offer the perfect introduction to
South Africa’s main highlights. Choose from their action-packed Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route and Game Reserve itineraries; an escorted Glimpses of South Africa tour, a self-drive holiday encompassing Cape Town, the Drakensberg Mountains, Battlefields and Beach or simply contact them to create your own incredible South Africa holiday.
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Health & Fitness
Chris Hoy’s five top tips for
cyclists
W
ith 11 World Championship track cycling wins and six Olympic gold medals - plus one silver - under his belt, Sir Chris Hoy certainly knows a thing or two about cycling. Since announcing his retirement from competitive cycling in 2013, the Edinburgh-born 39-year-old is still passionate about bikes, and now spends much of his energy ‘pedalling’ his HOY Bikes and HOY Vulpine cycling clothing and accessories ranges. The legendary bike-rider shares his top tips for becoming a better cyclist...
By Abi Jackson
Buy the right bike for you Bikes aren’t one-size-fits-all, and designs can vary significantly. Also, ensuring your bike ‘fits’ you correctly will not only affect performance, but will play a big role in your comfort and avoiding injuries. “It’s important that your bike is suitable for what you intend to use it for. If I was purely commuting, I’d choose a hybrid like the Shizuoka, that can go anywhere and take pannier racks. Someone riding sportives would need something different. Ensuring the bike is the right size is crucial. Spend time with
61
people in a bike shop, such as Evans Cycles, and get them to make sure the bike fits correctly. An illfitting bike will easily put you off riding.�
Get faster and fitter by riding intervals If you want to improve your fitness on the bike, it pays to factor in some training tactics. “Time constraints often affect training, and it can be tough to make gains in the face of a busy work/life schedule. Intervals [which means alternating stints of high and low-intensity effort in one workout] help solve this problem, and often produce breakthroughs when your training has felt stale for a while. If you have a favourite climb, where there’s not a lot of traffic, try doing 30 seconds of effort followed by 30 seconds recovery. If you are at home on the turbo and listening to music, you can incorporate this by riding hard for one song, and easing off the next. Make sure you have warmed up properly first, and try to do around five efforts to start with.
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Set some goals You don’t have to start big with your goals, but having set targets to aim for will help keep you motivated, enable you to monitor your progress and improvements and ensure your efforts are rewarded. “Setting yourself a target and writing these down can make the difference between achieving them or not. I used to set myself long-term goals, like becoming Olympic champion, but it’s important to include shorter-term goals to help measure success and keep you motivated. It doesn’t matter whether it’s to be world champion or to ride your first sportive, it’s important to have something to aim for.”
Invest in suitable clothing There may have been a time when the ‘Lycra brigade’ attracted sniggers, but there’s a reason people invest in proper kit - in fact there are numerous
reasons, including enhanced performance, comfort and even safety. “Wearing the right kit really does make a huge difference in performance and your comfort - you wouldn’t go running in a pair of leather shoes. Certainly get yourself a good pair of padded shorts, and make sure you dress appropriately for the weather, layering up when it’s cold and keeping yourself dry when it’s wet.”
Fuel properly Whether you’re a weekend rider in it for the fun, or hoping to work on those personal bests in sportives, getting the nutrition and hydration right is important. “If you are going for a ride, always remember to take something with you. There are plenty of nutritional supplements that make it easy to get the energy you need. Science in Sport [SiS] GO gels are a great way to get a quick energy boost on the bike, and also, remember it’s crucial to stay hydrated. The best advice I can give is to drink little and often - as soon as you feel thirsty, you are already starting to dehydrate.” For more information about HOY Vulpine, visit www.vulpine.cc
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Suffering in
To help combat loneliness and isolation among cancer patients, the charity recently re-launched their online community, where patients are welcome to share their experiences, ask questions and chat via the forum with others going through cancer.
A third of cancer patients say they’ve felt lonely or isolated, but most (84%) admit they’d rather put on a ‘brave face’ than talk about how they’re feeling, according to research to coincide with Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Talk Week back in January.
Jacqui Graves, head of health and social care at Macmillan Cancer Support, says: “There is an army of people within the cancer community who can help, no one has to face cancer alone. Whether in hospital or at home recovering from treatment, you’re only one click away from someone who knows exactly what you’re going through”
silence
A survey revealed that one in seven would feel too ‘embarrassed’ to talk about feeling alone, while 88% said they wouldn’t want to make their feelings ‘someone else’s problem’.
The Online Community can be found at community.macmillan.org.uk
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Life after
Sooty Peter Corbett talks to David Sudworth about fame, fortune and why he retired at 50
“I
normally wear a hat, if that’s okay? Photographers sometimes ask me to take it off as it hides the face. But this is me...”
For Peter Corbett, the desire to be himself is understandable. After all, for a quarter of a century, he was known as Matthew; the hapless, slightly boastful but good-natured presenter of The Sooty Show. In real life, he’s nobody’s fool. Upon selling the rights to Sooty for £1.4m, Peter retired aged just 50 to a whitewashed cottage by the Bridgewater Canal in Lymm, Cheshire. “The actors’ union, Equity, were very strict back then about not having two actors with the same name. That’s the reason Harry H. Corbett, who starred in Steptoe & Son, had to put the ‘H’ in between, to distinguish him from my father. But nobody calls me Matthew anymore. In the village, I’m known as Peter.” Born on March 28, 1948, in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, Peter literally grew up alongside Sooty: “Dad bought Sooty for 7s 6d from a shop in Blackpool the same year I was born.”
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Primarily to be used as an assistant in Harry’s magic acts, it soon became clear that the little bear was something special. Originally all yellow, Harry blackened his ears, hence the name Sooty. Their big break came during a TV appearance on Saturday Special in 1952, and from then on Britain - and Harry - became obsessed with Sooty. Meanwhile, Peter was striking out on his own: “At school, I was hopeless at everything apart from playing the fool. And I soon learned that not only could you do that on stage, but I was very good at it. “I went to do things like Doctor Who and by 1975 I was presenting Rainbow. I carved out my own career because father had Sooty and there was no way of that coming up any time soon. We never thought it was going to come our way, but fate intervened.” Indeed it did. During Christmas 1975, Harry suffered a massive heart attack, and it was touch-and-go as to whether he’d live. With shows booked, Peter was asked to step in. “Because of my time on Rainbow, I was familiar with children’s shows but having to step into my father’s shoes so quickly was a hell of an ordeal. “I had about three shows the following day and didn’t know the words. It was like a Generation Game sketch, we had words taped to the lighting, the backs of the puppets’ heads... everywhere. At the time, my mum Marjorie did Soo’s voice. So there we were; she was missing her husband and I was almost grieving for my dad as we didn’t know
Peter (back) with dad Harry and brother David whether he’d survive, but we struggled through. There was a sort of wartime spirit about it all, and although it sounds awful, it was quite funny, in the way when you’re not supposed to laugh at a funeral but you can’t help it.”
“I said: ‘No dad, you can’t do this...’” Although Harry survived the heart attack (he eventually passed away in 1979), the ordeal had left him facing a long recovery. At that point, Peter had to make a choice: “Rainbow was a great job but obviously I couldn’t do both. I said to my father that if I took Sooty on, he can’t come back six months later and say: ‘Oh, I feel fine now, I’ll take over from here.’ If I do it, it will be forever. He understood, but three years down the line, you can guess what happened. “I said ‘no dad, you can’t do this. We have a formal understanding’ to which he said that if he couldn’t do Sooty, he’d rather die. It was a terrible situation for a father and son, who loved each other, to be in. “Eventually, we worked out a compromise whereby he could do live shows on the south coast - the ‘mouths’ as we call them - places like Bournemouth, Weymouth etc. He couldn’t stray from there and couldn’t do any TV shows either as I was with Thames Television at the time.
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“We did have a horrible experience once when he was booked to do a show in Bromley and I was doing a show on the night in Croyden, about 12 miles away. The manager at my venue went absolutely ballistic, threatening lawsuits and everything. Father was gutted about it as he didn’t realise.” With Peter having acquired Sooty for £27,000, he was now in total charge of the show’s destiny. And that also meant striking a better deal for the show: “My father was much more sentimental than me. I renegotiated the contracts because Thames TV pay was appalling. I went and asked for three times more, even though I was advised against it as there was a fear they may just pull out altogether. My view was that I’d rather have walked away than carried on making a small amount or even a loss. They actually agreed and I later learned they’d have paid four times the fee - they were building office blocks and car parks on the back of the profits they were making from Sooty! “When I left Thames to go independent I was approached by someone who offered his services as my financial director. When I asked why I should employ him, he said: ‘Because I was the little b*****d who kept your money down at Thames and
if you want me to do the same for you, I will’ - so I hired him!” Peter also discovered that writing music was also a money-spinner, so he always ensured that the shows ended with a song... penned by himself!
“It wasn’t just me throwing eggs” Although the TV shows looks almost unrehearsed, Peter says the amount of work which went into them was massive: “There was a lot of preparation, it wasn’t just a case of me throwing eggs and flour at myself. You had to conceive the storyline, then conceptualise it, do the script, rehearse and then shoot it, which always took a while. But the trick is to make it look almost off-the-cuff. “It cost about £75,000 per episode to make. At its peak, we had a catering bus for 30 people who were all my employees. We rented out Granada Studios in Manchester and populated it with people working on the show, which could be around 45 at any one time.” Peter is under no illusion how lucky both he, and his father, were for their 50 year unbroken run
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between them on television: “We must have come within a whisker of being axed so many times. It is a backstabbing world and there would have been many times when they could have said: ‘Oh, have a year off’ but as everyone knows, once that happens, you never come back. Even in my father’s time, they could have changed presenter. They tried to make him wear a wig, which he refused, and also talked about him having surgery to make him look younger. But the fact is we had two year contracts, which were unheard of in children’s TV.” In 1998, Peter sold the rights to Sooty to a Japanese bank. Although the move didn’t work out for the Sooty brand, it gave Peter the chance to wind down after 25 years in the spotlight: “It was the right time to sell. I went out on top and if I’d have carried on,
“I approve 100% of Richard”
Peter with Local Life editor David Sudworth for my dad and for me. Matthew has three things he’d like to do which have been talked about; a film, a documentary and a screenplay about our family with me playing my father, which may or may not come off. “As far as Peter is concerned, he just wants his three children and six grandchildren to be fit, happy and well. The grandchildren watch old Sooty Shows from time to time, and they just see it as gramps being silly...”
the show would have fallen and I wouldn’t have been able to sell it. You couldn’t carry on at that rate and promised my wife, Sallie, that I’d retire at 50. I also have a medical condition called chronic lymphatic leukaemia and there was a strong possibility I may not have lived very long. However, it has since plateaued and, touch wood, seems actually to be getting less worrying.” 64 years after first appearing on our screens and Sooty, along with his pals, Sweep, Soo and Scampi, are continuing to get into mischief. Richard Caddell, who bought the rights for Sooty eight years ago and is now the show’s presenter, is planning a film, and Peter has been asked to star in it: “Richard asked me if I’d play the part of the Mayor of a seaside town, and I said I’d love to. If I could do a film before I popped my clogs that would be fantastic. I approve 100% of Richard. He has so much respect
Richard Cadell with Sooty, Sweep and Soo
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Financial planning
Investment
Orphans by David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP), Chartered Financial Planner and Managing Director
A
s a result of consolidation within the wealth management sector there has been a reduction in financial adviser numbers. Consequently, there are now even more ‘orphan’ clients that are no longer receiving ongoing financial advice. So what do I mean by orphan clients? ‘Orphans’ are those individuals that have invested into pensions and investments who are no longer in touch with their advisers. Typically this occurs for a number of reasons: • Your adviser may have retired or moved to another company. • New regulation has meant that lots of banks have now withdrawn from giving financial advice. • Your previous adviser is more focused on attracting new clients than looking after your own long term interests.
• What fund changes have been made to your investments to reflect both your attitude to risk as well as the investment market conditions? • What tax planning has been carried out by your adviser to reduce/ mitigate income, capital gains or inheritance tax? If you are happy with the answers to the above it sounds like you are very much on the right track and have the ‘trusted adviser’ relationship. I believe that regular contact, effective portfolio management and a desire to build a long-term relationship with clients contributes to successful investing over the long term. At the time of writing the FTSE100 stands at 5604, a fall of broadly 18% from the market close, 12 months ago. Whilst all clients that invest into the stock market should be prepared to take the longer term view (at least 5 years), this just goes to show that market climbs and falls are never in straight lines. Quite often, however, the bounce back from a fall can be just as aggressive as the fall itself. The old adage of ‘time in the market and not timing the market’ remains a very good discipline for investors to follow. Should you wish to review your existing investments or if you are looking to make new investments please do not hesitate to give the team at Prosper a call. The cost of the initial consultation is met by ourselves and there is no obligation to take things any further.
If any of these situations sounds familiar please read on... Did you know that your existing investments may well contain renewal commission which can be worth up to 1% per year to your original adviser – in other words; on an investment with a value of £100,000 you could be paying anything out up to £1000 a year. Is this a fair charge…? • When was the last time you saw your adviser? • How often do you receive detailed updates from them? The value of investments, and the income derived from them, can go down as well as up and you can get back less than you originally invested.
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HS2 work available
Carrington’s tasty event
Wigan businesses are being encouraged to bid for contracts to work on the new High Speed rail service. HS2, which is set to cut through part of the eastern side of Wigan borough, has recently published a Contract Opportunities Table on the Business Section of its website. The table gives an indicative view of contracts being procured directly by HS2 Ltd, as well as their status. Interested parties will be able to find contact details for suppliers who have been invited to tender for, or have been awarded contracts with HS2. Businesses seeking opportunities to become part of the HS2 supply chain will be able to engage early with HS2’s direct contractors and prepare for the likely indirect opportunities each contract will provide. For more information, visit www.gov.uk/government/ publications/hs2-contract-opportunities
Roby Mill-based Carrington’s Catering welcomed more than 30 of Liverpool’s key decision makers, tourism chiefs and leaders as part of an exclusive lunch at Liverpool’s historic Town Hall. The event, held in association with Downtown in Business and Clare House Children’s Hospice, saw guests enjoy a luxury three-course meal courtesy of Master Chef of Great Britain Darren Wynn (pictured) and his team. Director of Carrington’s, Helen Wynn, said: “It was an honour to have been given the chance to play host to a high number of key corporate figures from all over the city.”
Meets at 6pm,Tuesday, 1st March at Legends Bar, Leigh Sports Village Stadium
Networking and support in a friendly and informal atmosphere for all Wigan Borough-based businesses.
Admission £5 Please pre-register your attendance at
www.wiganbbc.org.uk @WiganBBC
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Spruce up at Co-op
Charge for Lancs scheme?
Orrell’s Co-op store is set for some head office investment. Plans have been unveiled to install new fencing, cycle hoops and plant machinery to side of the Church Street building, together with a colour change to the shop front. Papers submitted with the planning application to Wigan Council state: “The proposed shopfront changes will enhance the look of this store. The cycle hoops will help promote sustainable transport modes.” A decision on whether to grant permission is due soon.
A free scheme designed to weed out cowboy tradesman in West Lancashire could soon be chargeable. Cash-strapped Lancs Trading Standards bosses are considering making companies pay a fee to be part of the Safe Trader register, although the exact amount is still under wraps. The service seeks to provide assurance to consumers that member businesses have signed up to a code of practice to deal fairly and honestly with customers and charge a reasonable price. They now say that, in order to enable continued delivery of the scheme, it is proposed that a charge be introduced for membership. A decision is due soon.
Jobs boost A major new distribution centre has been unveiled in Ashton with the potential to create hundreds of jobs. The M6 Epic 110+ site, a joint venture between db symmetry and Legal and General Property, is located in South Lancs Industrial Estate. The site comprises 110,000 sq ft of space and is now attracting the attention of major operators, say its owners.
Free, no obligation discussion for all your bookkeeping needs Contact Petra on Telephone Mobile
Club meeting The next Wigan Borough Business Club meeting takes place on Tuesday, March 1, at Legends’ Bar, Leigh Sports Village Stadium. Admission is £5 and you need to pre-register at www.wiganbbc.org.uk
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Business view
Planning for
growth by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy
A
s we enter Spring many of us have set ourselves goals with regards to fitness, holidays or our finances.
If you are a business owner, now is the perfect time to think about what you want to accomplish within your business in 2016, and for you to start to put your thoughts and ideas into a plan. Business planning is a vital step for success within any industry. Without a measurable plan of action, it’s easy to lose track of what you are aiming to achieve. A good business plan will focus the mind, clarify ideas and define long-term objectives. So why not take firm control of your company’s future with a simple business plan?
Starting a business plan: Financial and business planning can seem daunting at first, especially if you haven’t done a similar exercise before. To simplify matters, here are three easy questions to ask yourself. Write down your answers and they will instantly form the basis of your business plan: > Where is your business at right now? Make an assessment of your business as it is at the moment, look at your strengths and weaknesses and think about how to utilise your strengths to increase performance and profitability. > Where do you want your business to be? Think about any new products or services you can offer your customers, or ways of expanding your existing
offering to new customers. Set achievable targets and goals and revise them regularly. > How will you get there? Think about what resources you will need to ensure your aims and goals are achieved. Look at the key areas in which your business needs to perform and start to measure them through key performance indicators (KPIs). What gets measured gets managed!
What to do next: It is a great idea to talk through your answers with someone outside of your business, who is impartial but has a solid understanding of your goals. Here at CMA, as well as making sure your business finances are in the best shape possible, we are also experienced business advisers and can provide expert assistance to help you grow. We go the extra mile and work with you to understand your current position and future business goals. We can help you to devise a full, extensive plan to ensure your business thrives. We offer a free advice service / initial consultation.
Talk to us about your business today: 01257 255521 info@cma-accountancy.com www.cma-accountancy.com CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DR
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Growing your business is like playing chess Knowing which move to make comes with insight and knowledge
CMA Accountancy can provide expert assistance to help you grow your business Book your FREE initial consultation today
www.cma-accountancy.com info@cma-accountancy.com Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge. 01257 255521
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Food & Drink
Planting seeds of
change
O
riginally from Derry, Northern Ireland, Carlin had always been interested in food and cooking from scratch, but her vegan transformation took place during a stint living in Chicago. “Chicago itself had a massive, massive effect on me,” says the 34-year-old. “They were so far ahead of us in regards to vegetarianism and veganism - I’d never seen vegetarian food like it. So when I’d seen the possibilities of what it could be like, it became exciting to me, whereas before, it seemed like you were depriving yourself”
By Ella Walker
there isn’t anything she misses from her previous, cheese-tastic diet. The premise of her latest book, The New Vegan, is to make vegan eating accessible to everyone. If you’re tempted to switch to a vegan lifestyle, get started with one of these recipes from Carlin’s new book...
Not only has going vegan given her a whole new career avenue, it’s had a huge impact on her health and how she feels about herself. “We weren’t feeling 100%, I would say. We weren’t ill or anything like that, but we’d both put on a bit of weight, we were very lethargic, we were having terrible sleep, my skin and my hair and my nails were never looking worse,” she says, explaining how she and her now-husband were feeling in the run up to deciding to ditch meat and dairy. Dairy “was the first thing to go”, she says, but claims
The New Vegan by Aine Carlin is published by Kyle Books, priced £14.99. Photography by Nassima Rothacker.
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The Foot
returns
Quality Food In A Village Setting
T
he Holt Arms known to many as the “Foot” due to its position at the foot of the ancient causeway that once linked Manchester to Liverpool, has undergone a transformation in the past 6 months. Since the reopening in March this year, owner Ian Mitty, a local of 15 years, is doing a roaring trade and this is unquestionably down to the outstanding cuisine, wide variety of real ales and overall quaint country pub atmosphere. The next step in the journey is now complete with a significant refurbishment of the village pub restaurant. A new Winter menu landed on the 20th November and the Foot now offers an excellent Spring menu. At present the Lunch and Early Bird Offer of 2 courses for £7.95 3 courses for £9.95 is still very popular. As you can see from the offers and vouchers Ian is keen to attract customers old and new to the Holt Arms to try out the fantastic food. If you have not been to the Holt Arms for a while, why not make a visit and re-acquaint yourself with the finest old country pub in the area. A place of outstanding
Free Bottle
of House Wine Free bottle of house red or white wine voucher (must be noted at time of booking)when 2 dine and have two courses each Offer ends on 31st March 2016.
FD erses eer t on purchase of Main Meal
#
#
Maximum of one bottle per table.
home cooked food, real beer and overall a wonderful atmosphere.
Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer Offer ends on 31st March 2016.
The Holt Arms Crank Road, Billinge, WN5 7DT 01695 628006
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Taste test
Putting Simms Road on
the map... by David Sudworth
’ve never eaten in a place which doesn’t officially exist. Unsurprising I know, but if you look for Simms Road on a map of Garswood, you’ll draw a blank.
I
that Clare’s pudding was in fact a Bury black pud, and not the sliced version which usually comes fried. And Clare herself was gushing with praise for this most traditional of northern fayre.
However, the Simms Road Inn building, on Garswood Road, is very much in existence, and has been for the best part of 315 years.
To be honest, it was the stilton which drew me to the mushrooms. The sauce was creamy with a capital ‘c’, knocking spots off the mass-produced
One legend has it that the building is named after a local man called John Simm, who was given the building after being shot in the eye and blinded by its previous owner. Noone knows for sure, but its history can be traced back tothe Gerard and Downall families. For those who want to know more, there’s a board outside. Anyhow, on to the task in hand. I’m here to discover whether all these good things I’ve heard about the Simms’ homemade food, freshly prepared by mine host Andrew Burton himself, is true. My colleague Clare and I made the short drive from Local Life HQ to Simms Road and were welcomed by a lovely, bright interior. On this most drab of winter days, it lifted the spirits for us both. For starters, Clare chose the Free Range Black Pudding Salad while I went for the Creamy Garlic and Stilton Mushrooms. I was pleasantly surprised
watery competition you find in many places. I also liked the fact the mushroom still had a semblance of structure and hadn’t been cooked to within a millimetre of their existence. It’s only a little thing, but such attention to detail in this competitive market sorts the wheat from the chaff. On to the main courses and Clare stuck with traditional by having a handmade short-crust beef and stilton pie while I chose the Vegetable Pasta Bowl. Every customers gets the’ I wish I’d ordered that’ feeling from time to time, and that’s how I
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felt when Clare’s pie came out. Although not a natural pie fan, I can be persuaded when it’s homemade. And when Clare took one mouthful and then simply said: “Amazing” I knew she wasn’t kidding. However, my Vegetable Pasta Bowl was a fine specimen indeed, for one simple reason - it had veg in. A statement of the blindingly obvious maybe, but a lot of places wouldn’t dream of including green beans, cauliflower etc in their sauces. Such ingredients are commonplace in Europe, yet in the UK we seem reticent to include anything other than a bit of onion and maybe a carrot. Maybe it’s a lack of confidence in our own skills, but this dish is testament to the fact that if you stick your neck out, it will be rewarded. In some ways, I dread dessert courses. Maybe it was the tapioca pudding at school which did it, but for some reason there are many places which treat sweets as more as an after-thought than the icing on the cake (no pun intended) they ought to be. This is where, yet again, Simms Road comes up trumps. Clare’s Double-Layered Chocolate Fudge Cake and my Deep-Filled Bramley Apple Pie, both homemade, were devoid of the bitterness you get in the slabs of factory-produced monotony. Instead, these provided a comforting end to two very good, very honest, and very good value meals. What I like about Simms Road is that it has that word - honest - running through every fibre of its being. The owner, Andrew, who is in his second spell at Simms Road, is upfront with customers. He advises
them to book early and, if possible, pre-order to ensure he has the fresh ingredients in. There’s no simply shoving something in a microwave here, and because of that they can and do run out. But in return for that honesty, you get quality food which is freshly and thoughtfully prepared.
Putting ‘Simms Road, Garswood’ into your Sat Nav may not get you very far at all. But I guarantee that once you’ve been to this Garswood hostelry, you’ll have no trouble remembering the route for next time... Simms Road Pub 532 Garswood Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Wigan, WN4 0XH 01744 894246
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Gluten-free orange
polenta cake Method
Preheat the oven to 170C/gas mark 3 and grease and line a 15cm cake tin.
Serves 8 - 10 Ingredients 120g polenta 80g ground almonds 100g gram flour (made from ground chickpeas) 1tsp bicarbonate of soda Zest and juice of 2 blood oranges 100ml olive oil 100ml agave nectar 1/2tsp orange extract 100ml soya yogurt 40g crushed pistachios, to decorate For the cashew frosting: 150g cashews, soaked in water for at least 6 hours 100ml agave nectar Juice and zest of 1/2 orange 1/2tsp orange extract 1tsp (heaped) coconut oil 2-3tsp water
First, make the frosting. Drain and rinse the cashews and blend in a food processor or high-speed blender with the agave, orange juice and zest, orange extract, coconut oil and two tablespoons of the water. Scrape down the sides frequently until it becomes completely smooth, adding a little more water if necessary. The frosting will go through several stages; nutty, coarse and eventually silky smooth. Don’t take a shortcut by adding too much liquid. Keep blending and refrigerate until needed. Mix the polenta, ground almonds, gram flour and bicarbonate of soda together in a large bowl. Stir through the blood orange zest to ensure it is evenly distributed. In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk together the oil, blood orange juice, agave, orange extract and yogurt. Make a well in the centre of the flour and pour in the orange and olive oil mixture. Fold gently and transfer to the prepared cake tin. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check whether the cake is cooked by inserting a skewer to see if it comes out clean. Once baked, leave to cool briefly on a wire rack before removing it from the tin. Set aside until completely cool. Slather over the chilled cashew frosting, smoothing it around the sides with a spatula. Finally, decorate with crushed pistachios. The cake is best eaten fresh, but will keep for up to three days.
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Eating out
guide Fifteens @ The Fox With real fires burning, local fresh food and great cask ales, Fifteens @ The Fox offers a perfect combination of a traditional pub with relaxed fine dining, seven days a week. 01695 628178 Roby Mill, Up Holland, WN8 0QF fifteensatthefox.com
The Rigbye Arms This pretty pub with its low beams, quirky rooms and real fire, has centuries of hospitality steeped into its timbers. Offering a variety of fresh local produce and local game, there is something for everyone. 01257 462354 2 Whittle Lane, Wrightington, Wigan, WN6 9QB rigbyearms.com
Advertise
here £30 + VAT
Call 01695 627999 Papa Luigi’s Traditional Italian cuisine at its best! Enjoy a little bit of Italy in elegant surroundings and a warm friendly atmosphere, where you can relax and unwind or celebrate in style. See our website for more information. 01942 231558 Wigan Lane, Wigan, WN1 1JP papaluigiswigan.co.uk
Houghwood In a perfect setting, Houghwood’s restaurant has panoramic views across the course and over to the Welsh hills. A modern British menu is served Wednesday to Sunday. Monthly tribute events and theme nights. 5 star food hygiene rating. 01744 894754 Crank Road, St Helens, WA11 8RL houghwoodgolfclub.co.uk
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Rigby’s Coffee Shop
rigby’s Coffee Shop The High Moor Restaurant From set menus to a-la-carte meals and a traditional Sunday lunch, The High Moor Restaurant has an enviable reputation for superb food, outstanding wines and genuine hospitality. 01257 252364 High Moor Lane, Wrightington, Wigan, WN6 9QA highmoorrestaurantwigan.co.uk
Lovels Bistro Tasty food, happy times and great value - you’ll not be disappointed with the quality, taste and service. We’re more than just a great wedding venue. 01695 624 426 Holland Hall, Lafford Lane, Up Holland, WN8 0QZ hollandhallhotel.co.uk
Delph Tavern Award-winning CAMRA freehouse with a fast growing reputation for excellent quality food at reasonable prices. Traditional British classics served, plus some exotic surprises too. Food served Wed-Sun only. 01695 622239 Tontine, Orrell, WN5 8UJ facebook.com/TheDelphTavern
The Corner House Fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere - perfect for any special occasion or a casual get together. Our traditional menu sources local produce. See our website for special offers. 01257 451400 9, Wood Lane, Wrightington Bar, Wigan, WN6 9SE cornerhousewrightington.co.uk
Enjoy a trip out to Pimbo Garden Centre and tuck into a wide selection of delicious home cooked, locally sourced, food served seven days a week at Rigby’s Coffee Shop. 01695 622601 Pimbo Garden Centre, 32 Pimbo Lane, Up Holland, WN8 9QQ pimbogardencentre.co.uk
The Simms Road Inn Homemade pub food classics made with locally sourced produce - featuring our award winning Steak & Ale pie, supplemented with cask ales and quality wines from around the world. Food served every lunch and dinner. 01744 894246 Garswood, WN4 0XH burtonandrew55@yahoo.com
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Culcheth
Circular
by Chris Pearce
B
elieve it or not, it didn’t rain every day in January. It was a long time coming but one day, when the sun finally made an appearance, we loaded our Border Collie, Jack, into the car and headed south for a short trip to Culcheth for this 6½ mile walk. Culcheth is a quintessential English village located NE of Warrington. Its buzzing village centre boasts of many independent shops and there are also pubs and restaurants aplenty, so it’s well worth stopping for a bite to eat after or during your walk.
Your starting point for today’s Jack’s Tracks is the car park for the Culcheth Linear Park, off Wigshaw Lane in Culcheth (WA3 4LX). Once you’ve parked, start off by walking under the road bridge carrying Wigshaw Lane and carry on down the linear path for 600 yards until you reach the main Warrington Road bridge. Climb up the path leading to Warrington Road and turn left. Cross over and then follow the road 500 yards, into the pretty Cheshire village of Culcheth, passing Newchurch Primary School on the way.
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Once you’re approximately 175 yards passed the farm, the track you are on takes a 190 degree bend to the right. Right on the bend, take a minor pathway which goes straight on. If you go under an old rail bridge (like I did!), you’ve gone too far so turn back. Follow the path in the same direction for over ½ a mile cutting across a few fields and a farm track along the way, until you eventually reach the B5212 (Holcroft Lane). Turn left and you’ll immediately spot a public footpath sign approximately 150 yards in the distance on the right hand side. Turn right at that point and stick on the left hand side of the field parallel to the leylandi trees. Just as you arrive at a copse, a slight left hand fork will take you into a field. Follow the right hand perimeter of the field until you reach the tarmac driveway leading to Holcroft Hall. Turn right towards the hall, and then take an immediate left and follow Heyshoot Lane for just over
Once you reach the junction with Church Lane where the Culcheth Arms is, turn right down Church Lane, heading out away from the hustle bustle of the village. Just before you reach the handsome lych-gates of the Newchurch Parish Church, bear right down Bent Lane. 200 yards further on you’ll see that Bent Lane forks into two; follow the public footpath sign and take the left hand fork down the track. Follow the track for 300 yards, enjoying the views of Culcheth over your left shoulder. Keep your eyes open for the public footpath on the right just before Ratcliffe House Farm. Turn right at the footpath sign and look at for a bushy hedge on the left hand side. At the end of that hedge, there’s an opening which you need to go through and once you’re through, follow that fenced off pathway right the way past the farm.
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half a mile. All along this lane, you’re just a few yards away from following the course of the Glaze Brook, the other side of which is a plethora of farms forming a welcome barrier between Culcheth and Manchester’s unremitting urban sprawl. The lane eventually merges into Hawthorn Avenue, so carry on in the same direction as the road narrows once more into Heyshoot Lane which comes out at the 16th century Raven Inn and the A574. Turn left and follow the main road for 200 yards, then cross over and turn right down Fowley Common Road. Follow this road for 300 or so yards and just after number 30, turn down the public footpath on the right. Follow the path for 200 yards, ignoring the metal kissing gate on the left around halfway down the path. Once you reach the brook, bear left and follow the path besides the brook. Once you reach
disma
ntled railwa y
Hitchfield Wood, the pathway diverges from the brook and you should bear left through the wood. Once you reach a boundary fence on the outskirts of the wood (you’ll see Culcheth High School in the distance) turn right and follow the path in the same direction for 1/3 of a mile until you reach a brook. Cross the bridge over the brook and turn left, then take the right hand bend almost immediately afterwards to head towards Leatherbarrow Farm. Once you’ve reached the farm turn left and follow the farm track right out onto Jibcroft Brook Lane. Turn right at the junction with Twiss Green Lane and follow the road to the main B5207. Turn right, cross over and take the next left down Broseley Avenue. After 350 yards, turn down a clearly marked path on the right directly after the golf course. There’s multitude of paths as you cross
450 yards of scrubland by the golf course, but if you keep heading in the same direction you’ll eventually find your way to Culcheth Linear Park. Once you have done that, take a left turn and follow the linear path for approximately ½ mile and you’ll end up at the car park where you started.
A574
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
Glaze Brook
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contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.
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Plan now for summer
scent by Angie Barker
Award Winner
W
hen I was a little girl (Hubby is chuckling to himself as he ponders just how long ago that was!) our garden had a large Lilac tree. The flowers were pale mauve with the most wonderful perfume and now that I have a Lilac growing in my garden, I look forward to every spring when I can breathe in its perfume and be transported back in time to my childhood. It’s funny how scent is so closely linked to memory. This is the perfect time of year to start planning for summer scent in your garden and whilst we all have our favourites, I think these are some of the best: Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ is one of the nicest. They do like good drainage so if you garden on heavy clay, best to put them in pots with free draining compost. A line of them edging a path looks lovely and as you brush past you can take in the perfume. Sweet Peas – annuals have the best perfume and there are lots of colours to chose from. Remember with these that you can’t plant them out until the last frost has passed.
Angie is a qualified award-winning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.
Herbs – these are a wonderfully fragrant group of plants, Thyme. Mint and Rosemary being my favourites. A word of caution, don’t plant Mint in a border – it will completely take over – keep it in a pot. And of course you can’t mention perfume without thinking of Roses. Be careful when selecting your Rose because not all of them are scented and some more so than others. David Austin has a wonderful selection and the website is excellent, giving lots of detail of each one’s particular perfume. Pergolas and trellis will give you the opportunity of growing scented climbing plants. Jasminum officinale (needs a warm sheltered spot) and Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ (Honeysuckle) are fabulous. Place near a patio and before you know it you’ll be sitting in your garden on a warm summer’s evening, not only sipping a glass of wine but drinking in some heady perfume – life doesn’t get much better! (Hubby agrees).
Call Angie now for your free consultation! Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk
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Test drive
New ŠKODA Estate
Superb T
he new ŠKODA Superb Estate is the ideal companion for everyday family and working life.
Driving it on the UK’s roads recently, I discovered the fresh model has the largest boot in the automotive mid-class. Although the Superb Estate is only 23mm longer than its predecessor, the load area holds 27 litres more than before with the rear seats up. By putting the chairs down in the back, the capacity will increase to almost two cubic metres - 85 litres larger than that of the second-generation model. Even carrying long objects is possible; the front passenger seat can easily be folded down when
by Tim Barnes-Clay
required. This allows objects of up to 3.10 metres in length to be transported. The new ŠKODA Superb Estate not only triumphs in terms of space, but also in its practical solutions. Up to 31 Simply Clever features are on offer for the model – 11 of which are in the boot alone. Just as with the saloon version, the latest ŠKODA Superb Estate is optionally available with a virtual pedal, which enables you to open the electric tailgate hands-free with a simple foot movement around the bottom of the rear bumper. Another new addition making its debut on the new ŠKODA Superb Estate is the practical tip-to-close
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Tel: 01942 222 413
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function that initiates the electric boot closing mechanism with a simple pull. Additionally, folding down the rear backrests can be done at the touch of a button, situated in the load area. The variably adjustable false boot floor offers the highest practical benefits in the ŠKODA Superb Estate. This intermediate moveable surface can divide the boot in various ways, making it more flexible. The system also creates practical storage space: the boot’s coat shelf and the retractable cover can be stored under the double floor. The roller cover has been designed as a manual retractable load covering. By applying gentle pressure, it automatically moves back and the boot is free for loading. The cover also has an automatic unlocking roller blind. This means it will automatically move one notch back when the boot door opens.
The flashlight is charged automatically in its holder as you drive, and is also magnetic. The ŠKODA Superb Estate I drove - and highly recommend - is the SE L Executive 2.0 TDI 190PS 4x4 DSG. It offers bags of pull, up to 55.4mpg - and 0-62mph in a quick 7.7 seconds. It’s obviously a larger, heavier version of its latest hatchback sibling, but this doesn’t affect its dynamic ability. What’s more, grip is fantastic in poor weather, thanks to this particular model’s allwheel drive system. All the key controls feel smooth and well-weighted – hearteningly classy, even. And the Superb goes about its business in a hushed, unruffled manner, irrespective of the engine you choose.
Another practical feature is the aforementioned new coat shelf, which can be found under the roller cover. This can hold flat items, such as a jacket.
Pick U p Drop O & ff servic e availa ble
Four folding hooks in the boot can help to securely transport items that might otherwise move around, for example shopping bags. The ŠKODA net programme is also useful here; one horizontal and two vertical nets can secure items when required. Finally, in the boot you will also find a removable LED torch, which can be used outside the vehicle.
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Puzzle
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The photo on page 44 is of the construction of the M6 motorway near Windy Arbour
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Events & Leisure
What’s Fame - The Musical Class
Sunday, February 28
Hannah Wilson, professional dancer and musical theatre cast member of Fame – The Musical is visiting SK Dance Studio to run a special Fame workshop. This class is for aged six years and upwards. During the hour and 30 minute workshop, you’ll learn some of the iconic dance routines from the show and get a taster of what it’s like to audition
on
for a big musical theatre production. Starts at noon at Shevington Youth Club and Community Centre, Highfield Avenue, Shevington. You don’t have to be an existing SK Dance Studio pupil to attend. Entry is £10. For more information, visit www. skdancestudio.co.uk
Northwest Wedding and Venue Exhibition Sunday, February 28 This event, held in the Premier Suite at Macron Stadium, DeHavilland Way, Bolton, from 11am4pm, will be brimming with many leading wedding specialists from across the region showcasing a vast range of ideas and inspiration. A unique opportunity to chat to various venues with some hidden gems you may not have considered for your special day. Entry is free of charge.
The Red Shoes Wednesday, March 2-Saturday, March 5
Charlie Chocolate Easter Friday, March 25 to Monday, March 28 It’s a magical chocolatey Easter at Tatton Park. The year-long magic of Roald Dahl’s Tremendous Adventures at Tatton Park starts on Good Friday when you’re invited to go on the most incredible journeys with Danny the Champion of the World, Matilda and Fantastic Mr Fox in the Gardens, Farm and Mansion. Over the Easter weekend, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired jollities will add to the fun. Opening hours: Gardens 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm); Farm 12pm -5pm (last entry 4pm); and Mansion 1pm-5pm (last entry 4pm). There’s a £6 entry charge. Contact Tatton Park on 01625 374400.
A new musical adaptation from members of Wigan’s Willpower Youth Theatre, held each day from 7.30pm (plus a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday) at St Michael’s Hall, Shaw Street, Wigan. Tickets are £6 for adults and £5 for concessions via 01942 745082.
29th Wigan Beer Fesitival Thursday, March 3-Saturday, March 5 Beach fancy dress will be the theme for this year’s ale fest at Robin Park Sports Centre, Loire Drive. Over 80 real ales will be on offer, as well as cider and perry, live entertainment, games and tombola. As usual, there’s also a free shuttle bus from Wigan town centre. Opening times are Thursday, 5.30pm11pm (£2); Friday, noon-6pm (£1) and 6pm-11pm
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(£3) and Saturday, 11.30am-10pm (£2). Free entry for CAMRA members. For more information, visit www.wigancamra.org.uk
Saturday Breakfasts Saturday, March 5 Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers’ first event. The initiative, funded by Wigan Council’s The Deal, along with Local Life magazine, is organised and run by the volunteers of the Saturday Breakfast Group, which is affiliated to the Billinge & Orrell Transition Group. Saturday Breakfasts run every Saturday between 9.30am and noon at St Luke’s church hall in Lodge Road, Orrell. Everyone is welcome.
James Martin Monday, March 7 This Plates, Mates and Automobiles tour marks 20 years since Saturday Kitchen presenter James first graced our TV screens. His show will be a fast-paced, interactive and high tech extravaganza. Packed with James’ signature cooking demonstrations, full of surprises and not to mention some very special guests, the audience at Southport Theatre will be thrilled as this multimedia production is brought live to the big stage. Doors open at 7.30pm at tickets cost £34.15. They can be purchased via www.atgtickets.com
Women and The War Monday, March 7 A talk held at Up Holland Library, Hall Green, on World War I and the effect it had on the lives on Lancashire women and their families. Starts at 10am - admission free. Call 0300 123 6703 for more information.
Pit Brow Lasses of the Wigan Coalfield Tuesday, March 8 Held at the Museum of Wigan Life from noon1.15pm. As part of International Women’s Day, Alan Davies, author of The Pit Brow Women of the Wigan Coalfield, explores the experiences of the famous
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pit brow lasses of the Wigan area. Hear how these women battled proposals to ban them from the mines and how their unique working wear made them famous to the great Victorian public. Alan will explore their story from the 1840s until the last pit brow lassie of the Wigan coalfield finished work in 1966. Price: £2.50 per person including tea/coffee.
Encore Wednesday, March 9 David Fawcett Roper from Rossendale gives a presentation entitled Encore to Parbold & District Flower Club at Parbold Village Hall from 1.15pm New members and visitors are most welcome. New member subscriptions cost £34 per annum and the visitors’ fee is £6 per meeting and includes refreshments. Call Eileen 01704 893124.
Stories of a Make-up Artist Thursday, March 10 Talk by Melanie Doyle to members of Standish Women’s Institute from 7pm and Ashfield House Hotel, Standish. New members and visitors welcome. Call 07974 909472 for more information.
Annual Charity Ball Saturday, March 12 Soroptimist International of Wigan event at the DW Stadium. This year the event will raise money for charities such as Mary’s Meals , Wigan and Leigh Hospice plus other local, national and international charities. The MC for the evening will be Dave Guest from BBC North West Tonight and there will be dancing to the band Street Level. Tickets for the event are £45 each or £405 for a table of 10, the ticket price includes a champagne reception plus a three course dinner. For further information about the event or to buy tickets, contact Louise Layland on 01942 233902 or Sandra Kidd on 07903 243105.
Stephen and Pernille Quigg
Peter Kay’s Dance For Life Saturday, March 26 For the first time ever the award winning comedian Peter Kay will be hosting an ambitious fundraising dance-a-thon party at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, with all of the profits going to Cancer Research UK. The three-hour dance-a-thons will have enormous dance floors, which will feature state of the art sound and lights as DJ PK takes to the turntables. Join Peter’s ‘Dance for Life’ Team at www.justgiving. com/teams/danceforlife, all the money raised will be going to Cancer Research UK. Tickets cost £28 to book call 0844 8000 400. Over 18s only.
great evening of song, banter and entertainment. For more information, call Bill Halkett on 01257 464000.
Dead and Buried Saturday, March 12
Join Museum of Wigan Life staff to dispel the dark myths of the Victorian dead and shine a light on some of the forgotten, outdated and downright creepy funerary practices, traditions and superstitions of the age. Held from noon– 2pm at the Library Street venue. Entry is £2.50 including tea/coffee. Booking essential, please telephone (01942) 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan. gov.uk to book your place.
Spring Hanging Baskets
Saturday, March 12
Tuesday, March 15
This duo will be performing at the Hilldale Village Hall. Doors open at 7:30pm and tickets are only £7.50 each. Take your own drinks and nibbles for a
Session held at part of the Ashton & Bryn Making Memories programme, held at Ashton Library, Wigan Road, from 1pm-3pm. Entry is £2.
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all participants make, decorate and take home their own chocolates just in time for Easter. Starts at 6.30pm. Places can be booked by contacting the library on 01257 400496 or Standish.Library@ wigan.gov.uk
Music Mayhem Friday, March 18
Rick Astley Tuesday, April 5 The Newton-le-Willows born star is back on familiar turf for this show at Parr Hall in Warrington. His career began in 1987. aged just 21, and his debut single Never Gonna Give You Up went to the top of the UK charts within two weeks of its release. The rest of the world’s music charts soon followed suit. Rick decided to leave the music business in 1991, only to re-emerge 13 years later with an eight-date tour. Since then, Rick has re-discovered his love for playing live, gradually increasing his international gigs and he continues to tour all over the world. Tickets cost £29.50/£19.50 via www. pyramidparrhall.com
Disney on Ice Silver Anniversary Wednesday, March 16-Sunday, March 20 Commemorate 25 years of the most memorable Disney tales with all your favourite characters at the Liverpool Echo Arena. Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the timeless worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Frozen. Tickets from £18.25 - £44.50 via www.echoarena.com
Chocolate Making Thursday, March 17, A Friends of Standish Library event held at the Cross Street venue with Gill Ebsworth from Chocolate Velvet in Manchester. The cost is £15 a head and
A St Thomas the Martyr Church, Up Holland, fundraiser event held at 7pm in the parish rooms. Entertainment includes a ukulele band and solo artist, Olivia Garcia, plus gift, veg and cake stalls. Tickets cost £4 - call Kath on 01695 721038, Edith on 01695 623686 or Anne on 01942 515409.
Musical Evening Friday, March 18 Event to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Golborne Mining Disaster. This musical evening features a performance from Haydock Male Voice Choir and is held at St Thomas’ Church, Church Street, Golborne, from 7.30pm. Tickets, which cost
Fantastic FREE Entertainment! Big Band Night
with the Ronnie Moore Big Band
Wednesdays from 8.45pm
Cabaret Night - £2 Saturdays from 8.00pm
Planning a function?
Room hire up to 125 people Non - members Welcome
Come along - we’re open Tue, Wed, Thur, Sat + Sun
Sacred Heart Parish Centre Throstlenest Avenue, Springfield, Wigan, WN6 6AR
01942 519059 / 07931 552545
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£5, are available from Eric Foster (01942 729587), Colin Rooney (01942 720819) or simply pay on the door.
Heather Small Friday, March 18 As the lead signer in M People, who had hits such as Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero, Heather Small was one of the most recognisable voices of the 1990s. She’s now appearing at Wigan’s Monaco Ballroom, The Rose Club, Atherton Road, Hindley, from 7.30pm on March 18. Tickets cost £27.50 and £35 via www. roseleisure.com
Handel’s Messiah Saturday, March 26 St James with St Thomas Church in Poolstock hosts on a production of The Messiah by Handel as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations. The chorus will be made up of the church choir, members from local churches and other interested individuals. The soloists are Rebecca Goulden, soprano, Nicole Boardman, mezzo, Andrew Brown, tenor and Adam Marsden, bass. The cost of tickets, including cheese and wine is £10 per person and are available from myself on 01942 740777.
Children’s Easter Party Monday, March 28 Organised by Pemberton Community Association and held from 1pm-3.30pm at Pemberton Masonic Hall, Chapel Street. Tickets cost £3 and are available from Pemberton Lighting and Plan-It Party, both on Ormskirk Road.
For One Night Only Friday, March 18 St Michael’s Amateur Dramatics Society presents an evening of song, comedy, music and gameshow entertainment in aid of the upkeep of the Swinley St Michael’s church hall, on Shaw Street. Tickets are £6, take your own supper and drink. Ring June 07806 787250.
Wizard of Oz with Sooty & Friends Sunday, April 10 Click your heels, clap your hands and journey over the rainbow as Dorothy and her dog Toto enter the wonderful land of Oz at Preston’s Charter Theatre. During their travels down the yellow brick road our two friends meet some colourful characters including a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and even a Lion, who really wants some courage. The four new friends travel to see the great and powerful Wizard of Oz, but this won’t be easy as the Wicked Witch of the West is determined to stop them by any means necessary. Tickets from £18 and a family ticket is £58 via www.prestonguildhall.com
From The Jam Thursday, March 24 Original The Jam bassist Bruce Foxton and guitarist Russell Hastings will be joined on stage at The Citadel by pianist Tom Heel to perform a selection of songs from The Jam’s extensive back catalogue as well as handing over the microphone to the audience for a question and answer session. Tickets from £20 via www.citadel.org.uk
Charity Band Night Saturday, April 2 This Alzheimer’s Society fundraiser takes place at St James’ Social Centre, St James’ Road, Orrell. There will be two live bands playing and a disco to end the night - a hot and cold buffet is included in the
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Little Angels Staffie Rescue Bingo and Bobs Friday, April 8
Rory McGrath: Remembers... (Or Is It Forgets?) Sunday, April 17 The star of BBC’s Three Men In A Boat and They Think It’s All Over looks back on his life and career. Join Rory as he remembers some bits and makes up the rest. Contains adult themes and traces of peanut oil. Tickets £14 via www.thelowry.com
£7 a ticket price (or £5 for children of all ages). Call Aimee Williams on 0781 7034363 or email me at aimee-williams9292@hotmail.co.uk. Alternatively tickets are available from behind the bar at St James’ Social Centre.
Sign of the Times Wednesday, April 6-Saturday, April 16 Wigan Little Theatre presents this comedy about the aspirations and thwarted ambitions of two men. Frank is an aspiring spy novelist and head of installation at Forshaws, a commercial lettering factory. Alan is his reluctant trainee, more interested in listening to music and designing album artwork for his band Lizard, than Frank’s beloved bracketing systems. The audience follows their fortunes at work with plenty of laughs and witty observations. Shows take place each day except Sundays. Tickets cost from £8 via www.wiganlittletheatre.co.uk
Fundraiser evening at St James’ Social Centre, St James’ Road, Orrell. There will be bingo, Play Your Cards Right, hotpot, cake stall, raffle, Pound Coin Roll, a mini quiz, an Open The Safe game and more. Doors open at 6.30pm. Bingo starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 per adult and £3 for a child. Contact Suzy Finch for tickets on 07944 084971.
Handmade Craft Market Sunday, April 10 Lots of various craft stalls and beautiful handmade gifts at Swinley Labour Club, Coppull Lane, from noon-4pm. Refreshments available. Free admission Anyone who wants to book a stall, should contact Rebecca Atherton- email- rebeccasatherton@gmail. All stalls cost £15 each
Acrylic Portrait Paint Wednesday, April 13 Standish Art Group presents a demonstration of acrylic portrait paint by Anthony Ogden from 7pm9pm at Standish Community Centre, Moody Street in Standish. Guests are welcome with an admission charge of £2 to cover refreshments.
Antiques Talk Thursday, April 14 Betty Hayhurst has more than 35 years of experience and specialises in silver, porcelain, pottery and glass. The talk is held at Standish Library, Cross Street, from 2pm. Take your family heirlooms along for an expert opinion. Entry is £3.
104
Creating A Buzz
Reminisce With Diane Teskey Tuesday, April 19 Session held at part of the Ashton & Bryn Making Memories programme, held at Ashton Library, Wigan Road, from 1pm-3pm. Entry is £2.
Winstanley Tennis Club Open Day Sunday, May 1
Thursday, May 19 At 7pm in Standish Library, there will be a talk on beekeeping, honey and bee products entitled Hive Power. The cost for this talk is £3. This event is supported by the Friends of Standish Library who provide free refreshments and a friendly welcome. Places can be booked by contacting the library on 01257 400496 or Standish.Library@wigan.gov.uk.
Held from 1pm–4.30pm at the Hall Lane venue. Enjoy an afternoon of free tennis (rackets and balls provided) and meet the club’s head coach, Chris Anders. There will also be a tombola, cake stall, refreshments and a bar. For more information visit www.winstanleytennisclub.co.uk
Useful numbers Medical Pemberton PCT Clinic Concourse Walk-in Centre Bradshaw Street Surgery Church Street Surgery Hall Green Surgery Holmes House Avenue Surgery Hall Green Clinic Orrell Clinic Matthew Ryder Clinic Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic Wigan Infirmary Ormskirk Hospital NHS Direct
01942 775 820 01695 588 640 01942 222 336 01695 622 982 01695 622 268 01942 483 213 01695 622 781 01942 775 750 01695 736 280 01942 498 480 01942 244 000 01695 577 111 08 454 647
Dentists Moor Road Dentist Church Street Dentist Tower Hill Dentist Hall Green Dentist St Raphael’s Dentist Emergency Dental Repairs
01942 215 091 01695 625 565 01695 622 410 01695 622 066 01695 627 617 01695 623 334
Local Life Magazine
Police Greater Manchester Police Skelmersdale Police Station Up Holland Police Team
101 01695 566 134 0845 1253 545
Council and Councillors (Wigan) Wigan Council www.wigan.gov.uk Cllr Ready (Orrell & Billinge) 01942 487 675 Cllr Arrowsmith (Orrell & Billinge) 01942 486 859 Cllr Murphy (Orrell and Billinge) 01942 487 688 Cllr Kenny (Winstanley) 01942 487 677 Cllr Morgan (Winstanley) 01942 486 880 Council and Councillors (West Lancashire) West Lancashire Borough Council 01695 577 177 Cllr Moran (Up Holland) 01695 550 256 Cllr Owen (Up Holland) 07908 800 550 County Cllr Fillis (Up Holland) 07811 388 153 Cllr Baybutt (Roby Mill) 01257 255501 Cllr Evans (Roby Mill) 01695 624 683 Libraries Hope Community Library Lamberhead Green Library Up Holland Library
Advertising & Editorial 01257 498329
01942 777 545 01942 705 060 03001 236 703
Accounts & Distribution 01695 627 999
105
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110
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with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect every step of the way and on that you have my word! Stuart Goulding
...and general NG SERVICI
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First Class Workmanship • All types of re-roofs • Strip & re-slate or re-tile • Built up felt/flat roofs, dormers etc. • Insurance work undertaken • Roofline uPVC fascias, soffits & guttering
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113
Ian Martland
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114
A View From The Lump Local gossip, gripes and goings-on Taking flight
Game on
So Orrell’s once grand council offices are set to be turned into apartments, if the men with the pencils and protractors at Library Street’s planning department give it the nod. As part of the process, a Bat Survey (stop sniggering) was commissioned, and it concluded that it’s unlikely to be a haven for these flying critters. Less generous folk have suggested that any batty activity hasn’t been seen at the Orrell Road site for over three years now. But obviously I’m not one of them...
As a member of the older generation, The Lump takes pride in setting an example to the young ‘uns. The fags were binned when Sean Connery still had hair, bad language is kept until after the watershed and I always watch Songs of Praise on a Sunday. However, the youngest little Lump seems to have homed in on one habit I just can’t kick; over the last few years going to see Latics slide down the leagues faster than a drunk at a family party. After months and months of mithering, I’ve finally relented and, next month, I’ve agreed to take them to their first game. Luckily, it’s only a fiver for kiddies but I do wonder whether afterwards I’ll be getting a call from Esther Rantzen. Left completely traumatised after watching a game at the DW? I guess you could just say That’s Life!
Another level The Lump does love to read the musings of Ashton Residents’ Association. While some of their campaigns are indeed praiseworthy (the volume of traffic through the town being one), they appear to have gone off piste recently by sharing a page on
Facebook against the slaughter of whales in Taiji (nope, me neither). Anyhow, of late they seem to have gone back to more local matters, namely the price hike at Wigan’s Grand Arcade car park. “Wigan Council has made about a million and a half last year in profits from car parks. Looks like they are getting greedy,” stormed one recent post. Justifiable perhaps, if it were true. Because this particular car park in question is actually privately owned and has nowt to do with the Metro. Doh!
Give us a brake And finally, a plea to all the impatient so-and-sos who seem to have infested the two mile stretch through Winstanley and Billinge recently. I’m not sure whether it’s the extra daylight we’re getting as we edge closer to spring, but some seem intent on using it to audition as the next Top Gear presenter. The other morning, it was extremely icy and yet, there they were, at it again. I don’t know where these fools get the confidence from, but I do know it’s entirely misplaced. So if you are one of the speed freaks, do us all a favour; book a day at Silverstone and get it out of your system.
115
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