Local Life - Wigan - June 2015 by Local Life 247 Ltd

Wigan Edition

June 2015

Win tickets to see

Kaiser Chiefs

Building alliances in

Standish Local News Food & Drink Jack’s Tracks Health & Fitness What’s On Business View... www.locallife247.co.uk

Cover photo © Mark Chapman

Beware the

Dragon D

eath, divorce and moving home are the three best-known most stressful things humans go through. I’m going to add another; nursing a teenage daughter through GCSEs. If, like me, you’re going through this at the moment, I truly feel your pain. Whatever you do though, don’t suggest that the electronic devices she is seemingly glued to could possibly distract from her studies – it’ll be like unleashing a fire-breathing dragon. Here are some more tips which are helping keep the peace in our house. Make sure you have plentiful supplies of her favourite food and drink. Buy a couple of DVDs that she’ll enjoy on the rare nights off. Organise lifts to school on exam days. Don’t constantly check up on her revision progress. Make her a hot chocolate last thing at night so she’ll sleep well. Above all, keep calm at all times and don’t let her provoke you into an argument, it’ll end up in tears all round. Cheer up, it’s only a few more weeks, and then as a reward, you’ll have the pleasure of picking up such a hefty a bill for the prom dress, make up, hair, shoes and transport that it would make George Osborne’s eyes water. Happy days!

Chirs Pearce - Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Next issue - July 2015

Advertising deadline - Friday 5 June Published - Wednesday 17 June Local Life Media

@locallifemedia

In this issue Learn your

Potato & chorizo

stripes

tortilla

Loving

Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks

summer

Limbrick

Building

Win tickets to see

Alliances

Kaiser Chiefs

Regulars

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

26 Class from the past

72 Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s On

38 Planning Matters

106 View from the lump

Telephone: 01695 627 999 Sales: Chris Pearce, Nicola Gray sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: David Sudworth editorial@locallife247.co.uk

56 Puzzle Corner

Sections

Design: Peter Bretherton

design@locallife247.co.uk

Distribution: Sally Boon

sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

Accounts: Sam Garrahan accounts@locallife247.co.uk

6 Property

58 Business View

12 Local News

64 Food & Drink

20 Fashion & Beauty

72 Leisure

46 Children & Education 86 Gardening 50 Heath & Fitness

90 Motoring

54 Legal & Finance

94 Home Services

Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to over 13,000 private homes and businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Aspull and Haigh. The next 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. You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life at Sainsburys or Tesco Extra in Wigan.

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

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Meadows get funding

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A little-known woodland in Appley Bridge has had a makeover. The Meadows, a 10 acre country park linking the Leeds-Liverpool Canal and the River Douglas, now benefits from newly built, drained paths along the bank of the Douglas and through open meadow and woodland. It was funded with grants from Lancashire County Council, which administers monies from the Landfill Tax, and a grant from Villages in Partnership. West Lancs Mayor Doreen Stephenson recently went to inspect the works for herself (see picture on the right). Derek Thompson, chairman of Appley Bridge Community Association, which owns The Meadows, said: “There are superb views over the Douglas valley farmland from the new wooden benches.

There is an open area with a picnic table and benches. People can stroll along these paths and come out near the canal locks to see narrow boats appearing from the deepest locks on the canal.”

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Annabel’s doubles

Hair Up 4 Prom?

success

A Standish student is among those celebrating a season of sporting success. Annabel Rowlands, 17, was honoured at Winstanley College’s annual sports awards held at the Mercure Wigan Oak Hotel, Annabel won a women’s tennis doubles championship along with Laurie Clark, 17, from Horwich. The students have excelled in sport this year, with victories in the regional rounds of competitions, including 49 students, of which Annabel is one, who qualified for the Association of Colleges (AoC) Sport National Championship Finals in Bath, where they represented the North West.

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Lions volunteers

tonne up

A tonne of rubbish has been removed from the 200-year-old Leeds & Liverpool Canal at Appley Bridge by Douglas Valley Lions Club volunteers. The major litter clearance at Appley Bridge Lock No. 91 unearthed traffic cones, car tyres and even a kitchen worktop, along with a range of fly-tipped material and litter threatening the appearance of this popular and attractive canal. The Lions adopted a stretch of waterway between Parbold Moorings and Appley Bridge in 2012 in response to the Canal & River Trust’s ‘adopt a canal’ programme. Since the start of the canal adoption, monthly towpath taskforce clean-up events have taken place including litter picking along the towpath, painting locks, clearing graffiti and refurbishing community noticeboards. Alice Kay, volunteer leader for the Canal & River Trust, said: “We’re very thankful for the support of the Lions tackling such a problematic issue such

as litter. Their efforts will only make the waterways more enjoyable for thousands of visitors who use them each day. Our waterways have an incredible history so it’s important that they’re supported into the future and we’re making every effort to work closer with local people and bring the canals closer to the heart of the community.” Douglas Valley Lions Club spokesman, Alan Trevarton said: “We take a lot of pride in our local canal and the main aim for us has been to try and keep the banks litter free and create a welcoming space for local people to enjoy. Littering and flytipping is mindless and disgraceful and people should really take more care when discarding their rubbish. It can build up very quickly so we just ask that people show a bit more respect and help us protect this beautiful environment.” People interested in joining the monthly litter picks between Parbold Bridge 37 and Finch Mill Swing Bridge 43 can contact volunteer@canalrivertrust. org.uk or contact the Lions direct on 08458 335739.

Woodfold pupil Corey’s An inspirational six-year-old from Standish helped to raise thousands in memory of his dad who died from bowel cancer. Ric Coggins was just 32 when he was diagnosed. He passed away in 2011 when his son, Corey, was a mere toddler. However, Corey is now doing his bit to help raise money for Wigan & Leigh Hospice, which cared for his dad, a marketing and public relations specialist

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who was well known in the Greater Manchester business community. The youngster raised funds by selling wristbands at Woodfold Primary School and at Standish Swim School, where he takes his swimming lessons. It isn’t the first time Corey has taken on a fundraising challenge for the Hospice. In 2014 he sold loom bands and the year before suggested organising Daddy’s Duck Race. The duck race, which took place near Wigan Investment Centre, raised over £4,000. Mum Carrie Coggins said: “Corey is really keen to

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keep on helping the hospice and he’s already thinking about his next fundraising idea. “When Ric was ill, the hospice team were fantastic. Staff regularly came to our home to care for him and were always there to answer any questions and support us as a family. They also gave myself and Corey a lot of support after Ric died. Corey knows that the hospice helped his dad and that it constantly needs to raise a lot of money so he’s really keen to do his bit to help.” Christine Edwardson, community Fundraiser for the hospice, said: “Corey has done a brilliant job of fundraising for the hospice and we’re very grateful to him for all his hard work.”

Corey with mum Carrie and Christine Edwardson

Aspull Village Club Plans have been unveiled to transform Aspull Village Club. Langdale Capital Ltd, based in Ramsbottom, Lancashire, want permission to part demolish the existing building and make external alterations. They also want permission to operate Unit 1 as a shop, with Unit 2 possibly being used for financial/ professional services or a restaurant/cafe. Part of the proposal would involve vehicle access and the formation of a new car park. Papers lodged with Wigan Council’s planning department say the Haigh Road facility was last used as a club in 2011.

plans In 2012, the building was put on the market with a guide price of £450,000, with the agents suggesting it would be suitable for “a number of potential roadside development opportunities or even resident development, subject to planning consents.” Local traders have expressed concerns that a big supermarket chain could move in. One name mooted was Tesco although a spokesman denied they are planning to open up in Aspull. The deadline for consultation responses is May 27. For details visit www.wigan.gov.uk - the reference is A/15/80751/FULL

They also say the specific end use of the units has not yet been confirmed.

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Latest fashions

Learn your

stripes by Katie Wright

here’s a clear winner in the print stakes on the summer catwalks. Stripes were everywhere, from Louis Vuitton (rendered in patent leather) and Chanel (long cardis and matching boots) to Paul Smith (natty blazers and drop waist dresses).

Set largely against a white background, these linear designs did have a whiff of the nautical about them, but simply whacking on an old Breton top won’t cut it this season. It’s time to go bold with your printed pieces, layering up contrasting colours or pairing matching separates - from graphic coordinates to feminine frocks, there’s a look to flatter every figure. Forget what you think you know about this misunderstood motif and listen up, these are the new stripy styling rules... Set Your Coordinates Coordinates have been around for a few seasons now but if you still haven’t given these matchymatchy two-pieces a go, now’s a fine time to try, because spring’s runway-inspired editions are chicer than ever. Double Up The other way to work two stripes in one is by contrasting your motifs, a bit like double denim. Layer up on your top half by wearing a loose striped shirt open over a cami in a similar print, or a kimono over a tunic, but make sure the palettes of the pieces match, and keep your bottom half one block colour. Skirt The Issue

Tall Geo Stripe Jersey Maxi Dress, £30 (www.simplybe.co.uk)

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Splice Your Stripes While the old adage does generally apply that vertical bands are more slimming than their horizontal counterparts, if you’re still not sure about stripes, then a flattering way to play it is with patchworkeffect prints. Dress For The Occasion Shake off the casual connotations of stripes with a gorgeously girly Fifties-style dress, perfect for a late spring wedding or garden party. Don’t be tempted to load up on jewellery, however. Choose between either necklace or bracelet (a simple stack of bangles neatly mirrors the linear print), and belt a soft trench over the top if it’s chilly.

Sophia Prom Dress, £119 (available in store; www.monsoon.co.uk)

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New mums going

AWOL

New mothers are leaving their babies and going temporarily ‘AWOL’ at Wigan Infirmary’s maternity unit, a new report has revealed. An internal inspection, conducted by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust, says there are times when infants are left on the ward and the whereabouts of the mothers are unknown. The review, carried out by staff and volunteers, raised a number of other issues across the Trust, including hospital security at night, the large number of medically discharged patients still in hospital, slow computers and clinic starting times. The report also highlighted areas of achievement, they included the resilience of the service despite it being under massive pressure, play services for children, care, and commitment of staff.

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Of the maternity services, the report said: “Delivery Suite and Maternity have well-controlled environments. There was good security noted for both areas. Patients reported feeling safe. Maternity staff commented on the problems with staffing levels. The team noted problems with patients who are absent. Most patients are young and mobile. They leave the ward to go outside, but there is little if any knowledge of where they are during this time. This does cause problems with medicines, but also infants are left on the ward.” “Diane Swindlehurst, head of midwifery, told Local Life: “Mothers are asked to advise a member of our staff any time they wish to leave the Maternity Unit. This is due to the security arrangements which control access. All mothers are advised not to leave their baby unattended. If any mum chooses to leave the unit, the midwives look after the baby until mum returns.”

Competition winners Congratulations to the following Local Life readers who were winners in our recent competition in conjunction with Green Thumb lawn treatment service. 1st Prize, one year on complete programme Mrs B. Speakman, Maldon Road, Standish. 2nd Prize - one year on enhanced programme Mr B. Spence, Foxfield Grove, Shevington. Runners up - one free lawn treatment; Ms Wane-Smith, Mill Lane, Appley Bridge; Mr J. Kehoe, Wessex Close, Standish; Mrs K. Turner, Naylor Farm Avenue, Shevington; Mrs P. Jones, Ashfield Park Drive, Standish; Mrs E. Whittle, Wigan Road, Standish; Mr A Frain, Elnup Avenue, Shevington; Ms T. Fletcher, Spiredale Brow, Standish and Mrs L. Lowe, Churton Grove, Shevington.

Avondale Street closure Avondale Street in Standish will be closed to traffic on Sunday, May 24. United Utilities will be carrying out work to repair a dangerous manhole frame and cover. In order to carry out the work safely, Avondale Street will be closed to traffic and two way temporary traffic signals will be used on Preston Road.

Shevington youth call Youngsters are being urged to attend the new Shevington Youth Club. The Highfield Avenue facility welcomes under 12s from 5.30pm-7pm on Mondays, and then ages 13-plus from 7.30pm-9pm on the same day. For more information, call 01257 423342.

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Treasurer wanted Standish Community Radio is looking for a treasurer. Ther statiion, which goes across Wigan, is a not for profit organisation staffed entirely by volunteers and funded through fundraising campaigns such as O2 Think Big, Awards for All & more. If you are interested in the treasurer role at the station, email mail@standishcommunityradio.co.uk

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Fundraiser in Nigel’s

memory

A golf competition is being held in memory of a Wigan man who died less than a year after getting married. Nigel Lloyd passed away on December 1 from cancer. He was aged 49. The competition is being held to raise money for St Catherine’s Hospice, at Lostock Hall, Preston, where Nigel died. After leaving high school, Nigel attended Wigan College and then went on to serve his apprenticeship with Barratt’s as a joiner. In 2006 Nigel decided to venture into the unknown and joined Her Majesty’s Prison Service as a Prison Officer at HMP Wymott near Leyland. In 1999, Nigel met Jayne and after a long courtship they tied the knot on April 20, 2014. The couple had two children, Daniel and Anna, as well as a loveable Boxer dog, George. The competition is being organised by Nigel’s workmate, Iain Melling, a fellow Wiganer, for June 17: “Nigel was highly respected by all his colleagues and is sadly missed. There will be over

Nigel and Jayne on their wedding day with children Daniel and Anna 50 of his friends and colleagues participating in the competition at Nigel’s home golf club, Chorley. Also Nigel’s wife, family and friends will be attending to give their full support to all the golfers. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the members and officials of the club for allowing us to hold this event.” To donate to St Catherine’s, visit hwww.stcatherines. co.uk/donate/

Villagers given a say over housing for the elderly People living in rural areas of West Lancashire are being encouraged to have their say on draft planning documents for the borough. The first document, about affordable housing and housing for the elderly, and provides details on how the Council will seek to secure these types of housing through legal agreements with private developers who are building homes in the area. The second concentrates on minor development in the Green Belt, such as house extensions, barn conversions and stables. John Harrison, assistant director of planning at

West Lancashire Borough Council, said: “The draft documents are likely to be of interest to many people, whether they want to provide or live in affordable housing, or housing for the elderly, or whether they want to carry out building work in rural areas.” The draft documents are available at www. westlancs.gov.uk or can be viewed at local libraries during normal opening hours. Further details can be requested by calling 01695 585274 or emailing localplan@westlancs.gov.uk The deadline for comments is Friday, June 26.

Group’s busy summer

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Standish’s Marie Curie Cancer Fundraising Group are gearing up for a busy summer. The volunteers have raised a staggering £11,000 in the past year, representing a total of 550 hours of nursing care for people with terminal illness in their own homes. The group’s Blooming Great Tea Party takes place this year on Friday, June 19, at Standish Methodist Church starting at 10am. There will be tea, cakes and crafts. Admission is free. The Standish Marie Curie Fundraising Group will also have a stall at Shevington Fete on Saturday, August 1. For more information, visit www. mariuecurie.org.uk

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Playing field views

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Shevington residents are being asked their views on whether land at Vicarage Lane should be used for allotments and sporting activities.

A meeting in October flagged up some concerns among residents whose homes are near or back on to the site. Some residents are concerned about the market value of their properties. However, others have backed the idea.

Two plans have been produced by the local parish council; both showing two football pitches, one rugby pitch and allotments at the Vicarage Lane boundary of the site. The only major variations in each plan is the location of the rugby pitch, which could be located on either the eastern or western side of the site.

The plans are on display on Shevington Parish Council noticeboards, in the village library and online at www.shevingtonpc.gov.uk

Class from the

The deadline for replies is earmarked for mid-June, and these can be handed in at the library or emailed to clerk.shevingtonpc@yahoo.co.uk

past

This monthâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Class from the Past is from Standish High. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s believed this photo was taken in the late 1980s. Maybe you can spot a familiar face?

Remember, if you have a photo youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d be willing to share, contact David Sudworth today by emailing editorial@locallife247.co.uk

Speed limit

confusion

Confusion over speed limits in Wrightington are set to be rectified. Highways bosses at Lancashire County Council have agreed to take action over signage “discrepancies” on Mossy Lea Road, Hall Lane, Moss Lane and Crow Orchard Road in the parish. They say the legal orders, which determine the speed designation on any one road, is at odds with what some of the signage says, and this needs to be tackled. A report to highways cabinet member and Wrightington County Cllr John Fillis said: “The

speed limits are included in the speed limit order proposals in order to regularise the existing speed limits as currently signed on these roads. The reason for this is that although the speed limit signing exists on site, there are discrepancies between the signing on the ground and the existing orders, which needs to be rectified. “While there is a Speed Limit Order (SLO) for the northern section of Mossy Lea Road, there are discrepancies. It is proposed to revoke the existing SLO and return this section of Mossy Lea Road to restricted road status of 30mph.”

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Parents are being urged to warn their children away from canals and quarries this summer.

“If you see someone in difficulty, please dial 999.”

It comes following the death of 13-year-old Miracle Godson, who died when he jumped into the icy waters of the privately-owned East Quarry in Appley Bridge.

A West Lancs Borough Council spokesman said: “The quarry is owned by a private company. We are aware there is security fencing together with warning signs.

Posters have now been put up on noticeboards by police who say: “There are a number of ponds with

“The council is not aware of any proposals to fill in the quarry. There is no planning requirement for the quarry to be drained and the owner cannot be required to implement the planning permission.”

deep water. Please do not play or swim in the water as there is a risk of drowning. Dangers include it being very cold, difficult to get out, it can be deep, there may be hidden rubbish (eg shopping trolleys or broken glass), there are no lifeguards, it is difficult to estimate the depth and it may be polluted.

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A bid to turn Appley Bridge’s former Post Office into a takeaway has been shelved - but new plans are now being considered. An application had been lodged with Wigan Council to convert the Miles Lane building into a hot food outlet. These have now been superseded by fresh proposals which simply state it would be a retail unit. There are also plans to change a house at the side of the old PO into two retail units. Upstairs, there would be a one-bedroomed manager’s flat.

It would be accessed by means of an external staircase. The existing car parking area is set to be resurfaced, with marked out parking bays. It is envisaged that seven spaces would be provided in total. News that the branch would close came in February, when locals were consulted about the services moving next door to Costcutter. A final decision on the planning application is due to be made soon. To view the plans and other background documentation, visit www.wigan.gov. uk - the case reference number is A/15/80574/FULL

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Locals’ generosity for Plans for a fundraiser in memory of a Standish man who died after thugs stole his van are gathering pace. As reported in our last edition, Geoff Carr, 67, of Green Lane, was crushed against a tree by thieves who were attempting to steal his van while he was on a job at Aintree Racecourse. A charity Ironman event from the Red Rum statue at Aintree to the Charnley Arms on Almond Brook Road is being now organised for Saturday, August 22, and events to financially support this have already taken place at the Charnley. The next event is the Silver Tally Mega Funday on Saturday, May 23, which Geoff’s son-in-law Dave Chadwick says is growing bigger by the day: “We’re overwhelmed by the generosity especially from the

Geoff contributors. So far, we’ve raised £1,130 so well on our way to our target of £7,000.” Speaking about the Ironman event, Dave said: “What’s exciting is the competiveness between local pubs who have each now entered a team from the Silver Tally, Charnley Arms, the Boathouse in Appley Bridge, the Black Bull in Standish and Sevenwoods in Westbrook, Warrington. We also have a full team of five from BUPA. This will be concluded in some additional It’s A Knockout challenges on the day. We’re still looking for cyclist or walkers to take part in the 23mile ride or walk, and we’re still looking for volunteers. We’re also looking for a local bus company who can help transport entrants to Aintree, so if anyone can help, please get in touch on 07917 832613 or email dave. chadwick@ctrassociates.co.uk as soon as possible.”

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Planning matters Aspull Walkers Lower Farm, Scot Lane: Barn extension (ref: A/15/80741/AG). A decision is due soon. Greenhill Barley Brook Nursing Home, Elmfield Road: Single storey extension to side of existing care home (ref: A/15/80686/FULL). A decision is due by June 12.

8 Braithwaite: Single storey extension to the sides (ref: A/15/80731/HH). A decision is due by June 23. Standish Lower Ground 31 Princess Road: Single storey rear extension (ref: A/15/80771/PDE). Consultation deadline: May 28. Standish with Langtree

Haigh

13 Birch Avenue: Single storey side extension (ref: A/15/80780/HH). Consultation deadline: May 31.

Haigh Hall Country Park, School Lane: Creation of new play area together with associated fencing (ref: A/15/80779/FULL). A decision is due by June 24.

351 Preston Road: Erection of detached garage (ref: A/15/80778/HH). Decision due by July 1.

Shevington 37 Park Avenue: Single storey to side and rear (ref: A/15/80533/HH). The consultation deadline is June 4.

Wrightington 4 Manse Avenue: Demolition of existing linked garage at side and erection of kitchen extension at side with dormer bedroom above (ref: 2015/0362/ FUL). A decision is due by July 1.

For more information on the Aspull, Greenhill, Haigh, Shevington and Standish applications, visit www.wigan. gov.uk. For details about the Wrightington proposal, visit www.westlancs.gov.uk

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- Talks which are open to the public

Local Life is distributed to over 100,000 homes across Wigan, St Helens, Chorley and West Lancashire. Each edition is crammed with stories for local events, and your group could be appearing in our next edition. The types of events we publicise are as follows:

- We’re also on the look out for old school photographs, street scenes from yesterday and want to hear from you if your group is celebrating a special milestone.

- Charity fundraising events - Local school, church or community fairs - Amateur concerts community groups

performances

- Pleas from community groups or associations for new members

Simply contact our Editor David Sudworth with the details - what, where, when, why, who for, how much - and anything else you want to tell our readers. The earlier you can provide the information, the better the job we can do. So don’t delay – contact David today by emailing him directly at editorial@locallife247.co.uk

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Building

alliances David Sudworth meets the locals who are seeking cooperation, rather than confrontation, with Standish’s housing developers

“C

ountryside Properties? Isn’t that a contradiction in terms? There’ll be no fields or trees left!”

The pithy comment, posted on a social media site about new marketing signage which has sprung up near green fields, seems to sum up some folks’ views of what is happening around Standish at the moment. A flurry of planning applications to build on open space are coming through the system. Some have already been granted, either in full or in part, while others are in the pipeline. Over the next 10 years, around 1,000 new properties are planned for Standish. While some residents may get angry or feel the need to get the protest posters out, one group has decided it wants to work with - rather than against - the system to get the best deal for the area.

New homes currently under construction on Old Pepper Lane

Standish Voice is a group of 180 people which believes the house building planned over the coming years will

create challenges, but can also bring opportunities for the village. It was set up last July in the wake of Wigan Council’s decision for to earmark over 1,000 homes for Standish. It is headed up by its chairman Gill Foster, a management consultant who has a background in local councils, and vice chairman Paul Ogden, who is a regional journalist. Recently, the group was granted Neighbourhood Forum status under the Localism Act by Wigan Council. This major step means that they now have the right to draw up a Neighbourhood Plan which, alongside the council’s own Local Plan, will act as the basis for which all planning applications will be assessed against.

met developers and will continue to build that relationship. We are not moaners, we are doers.” Paul, who is 47 and Standish born and bred, is similarly fluent when he talks about the need to address the reality of the situation, rather than wishing for what might have been: “There’s a lot of anger in the community but the fact is the houses are coming – that’s something we have to face. We want to get the best we can not just for those who

The Neighbourhood Plan will be put to residents within the designated area by way of a referendum. If more than half of those who vote on the day support the plan, it will go forward for adoption. A consultation on what could go in the document is

“There had to be another way” due to take place later this summer. Far from being just another protest group, they are keen to stress the need for a constructive approach. “I specialised in many areas, including housing and planning, when I worked in local authorities, so I know the system,” says Gill, who went to Whitley High and Winstanley College. “We are looking at how we can influence the development to minimise the effects. Paul went to the council meeting last year to speak and it’s fair to say as a result of discussion we came away thinking that there had to be another way. “We had a local meeting and around 100 people turned up. We explained what a Neighbourhood Forum was, what it entailed and we got support for it. We then went to Donna Hall, the council’s chief executive, and that was very positive. We want to stress that we are not political at all. We’ve also

Gill Foster and Paul Ogden in Standish live here already, but for those who will be moving in to those new homes.” Standish Voice have already had some positive effects on the current plans for the area. After they made representations to the council’s planning department, the consultation period on plans for

contributions so we’ll be working to ensure that is spent on improvements.” The positive, cooperative attitude has impressed many at Wigan Council. Mike Worden, the authority’s assistant director for planning, said: “These proposals came from the people of Standish who want to be more engaged with the planning process. Creating a neighbourhood plan plays a crucial role in giving people the chance to influence how their local area should develop.” Anyone living or working in the Neighbourhood Area can become a forum member, free of charge, and attend the monthly meetings at Standish Unity Club, Cross Street. For more information, including a detailed map to see whether you live in the designated neighbourhood area, please visit www.standishvoice.co.uk

Active sites in Standish A development site on Rectory Lane – one of many sites across Standish the housing estate off Almond Brook Road was extended by two weeks. However, apart from wanting to influence how development is managed in the village, Standish Voice also wants to act as an umbrella organisation for the various groups which are active in the area. “We definitely want to improve community spirit,” says Paul, who lives on Pepper Lane. “People have said it has diminished over the past few years but we want to help put back some of the civic pride.” Another matter on Standish Voice’s radar is the infrastructure issues which new developments will bring, although, again, they adopt a realistic outlook: “The difficulty is that there are people who remember Standish when there were very few cars on the road,” says Paul. “There is a lot of traffic in the mornings and evenings but I doubt there is much can be done about it. There is however around £5,000 per house coming to Standish in developer

Land behind Almond Brook Road (298 homes decision due in June) Land behind Pepper Lane and the Robin Hill estate (300 homes - application due soon) Land at the former golf course on Rectory Lane (Outline permission granted for 250 homes. A further 250 homes next to the site, off Cranleigh, have been refused, but an appeal hearing is due in July) Land to the north of Rectory Lane (Outline permission for 150 homes - detailed plan now submitted) Land off Old Pepper Lane (39 homes under construction) Land at Bradley Hall Trading Estate (Outline permission for 148 homes) Land at Almond Pastures, off Almond Brook Road (Permission granted for five homes) Land off Lurdin Lane, Chorley Road (Outline plan for 110 homes refused - appeal hearing set for July).

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A water slide is returning to take over Standishgate in Wigan town centre this June. Over 900 people splashed down 110ft Ticket to Slide over two days last August to raise over £10,000 for Wigan and Leigh Hospice. Ticket to Slide will be built by volunteers and staff from the hospice in partnership with Wigan Council for one day only – Sunday, June 14, from 11am-4pm. The slide will run from outside the Grand Arcade entrance along the length of Standishgate to Wilkinson where there will be a 20m stopping zone.

Fundraising and Lottery Manager at the Hospice, Maxine Armstrong, said: “We’ll be pumping highly pressured water along the slide so be warned everyone taking part will be absolutely soaked by the end!” Tickets are £10 each on 01942 524204 or see www. wlh.org.uk for more information.

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A great

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Two college students were interviewed on live radio to mark the end of their work experience placements at Wrightington Hospital. Lewis Edwards-Yates and Sara Cookse, from St John Rigby, have completed a block work placement which has seen them work in a range of departments from Admissions through to Theatre. Lewis and Sara joined hospital radio DJ Kevin Riley, who asked them about the medical student programme, what their plans are for the future and how the experience has enabled them to gain a competitive advantage when making applications to Medical School. Lewis, who aims to study medicine at Manchester

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University and has ambitions of becoming a GP, said: “The Medic Programme at St John Rigby has been fantastic. I have had some wonderful experiences. To stand next to a surgeon carrying out a hip-replacement procedure in the hospital that pioneered the procedure was a unique and awe inspiring experience. It is only by being part of this course at St John Rigby College that I have been given this opportunity.” Head of Science and Future Medic co-ordinator, Victoria Brown, said “It is an excellent opportunity for those young people who are considering a career in medicine. The programme is designed to challenge students to be the best they possibly can be. The partnership the college has with Wrightington Hospital is a vital component of the programme.” Principal Peter McGhee said: “Over the past few years, our students have regularly broken all achievement and high-grade records. One of the key strategies we have used to achieve these excellent results has been to introduce a series of Futures Programmes. Linking employment, higher education and college studies has enabled us to ensure that our students are leaving with not just the best grades they possibly can, but also a broad skill set.”

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Health & Fitness

Loving

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By Abi Jackson

here’s something magical about summer that lifts spirits, boosts motivation levels, relieves tensions and generally makes everything seem happier and more fun.

For many of us, it means spending more time outdoors, topping up our minds, bodies and souls with a good dose of nature, fresh air and sunshine. Yet ‘summer dread’ can crop up too. If your countdown has been spent fretting over the thought of having to bare more flesh, put up with another bout of sweat rashes and chafing, or cope with the intensified social pressures, then read on.

Summer though, like everything else in life, doesn’t have to be ‘perfect’ - and you don’t have to have a ‘perfect’ bikini body, or ‘perfect’ social life to enjoy it. You just need some expert tips on how to make the most of a few months of sunshine. Lucy Paltnoi, an energy healer and guide, says: “Each year, I clear the winter energy out of our home. I go through every room and decide what stays, goes or needs to be repaired, and store away blankets, jumpers, coats and boots, and take out lighter layers, T-shirts, cardigans and jackets. Cupboards are cleaned and tidied. I finish with some vases of fresh flowers or plants and light some candles, inviting new, sparkly energy into our home for the season ahead.”

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Sioned Quirke, NHS and media dietician, likes to have a serious fridge clear out: “I usually find several items that have been sitting there for a while that I won’t use again, or may have passed the recommended storage time especially sauces and conserves. I give my fridge a good clean too and I find using antibacterial wipes so easy and quick - makes it less of a chore!” Anna Magee, women’s health expert and editor, is a huge fan of small changes: “I give the house a ‘skinny makeover’. The average person makes a staggering 200 food decisions a day, according to research by Cornell University, so I change a few things about the way we eat to subliminally increase my willpower. These include drinking out of tall glasses (proven to lead to drinking less), covering healthy leftovers in cling-film so I can see them, and Sunday’s chocolate cake remainders in foil so I can’t. It also means setting the scene with soft jazz at dinner - in another Cornell University study, people in a fast-food restaurant listening to soft jazz ate 18% less than those listening to rock’n’roll! “Lastly, I put my running shoes by my bed and my kit on the radiator, so they’re within eye shot as soon as I wake up. I need to intercept that moment between opening my eyes and deciding that working-out is a bad idea, by being able to see

my gym kit the moment I wake up! It also primes me to think about the goal I have set of being confident on the beach come August, and reminds me that my bikini body won’t make itself!” But for GP, Dr Sarah Brewer, she uses the better weather to get healthy: “As soon as the sun shines, I’m out in the garden in the hope of replenishing my vitamin D levels: thinning the wild garlic; mulching the herb garden; collecting young bay tree leaves for fish dishes; tying in four grape vines climbing over my pergola. It’s so lovely getting outside again, and sunshine lifts my spirits.”

Financial planning

Time to give your investments a

spring clean by David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP), Chartered Financial Planner and Managing Director

pring’s the time of year when people traditionally give their homes a thorough freshen up, removing any unnecessary clutter. It’s not just homes that deserve a thorough annual deep clean - investors should do the same with their portfolios.

monitor. In addition to making sure you have a well thought-through mix of assets, it is vitally important to closely monitor your individual funds, especially those which are actively managed since fund managers can drop the ball or change jobs.

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Puzzle

corner

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Holiday Essentials

Answers are on page 79 of this magazine

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Business view

The sky’s the

f you are in the process of, or have recently set up your own business you don’t need us to tell you how stressful the first few months can be. As you enter the unknown, with an endless list of things to do, wouldn’t it be nice to have someone with the relevant business start-up experience by your side? Here at CMA Accountancy, based in Appley Bridge, we don’t just provide the usual accountancy services such as bookkeeping, payroll, VAT help and self-assessment tax returns, we also advise start-up clients on the best routes to business. In many cases the best solution is to set up a Limited Company. There are many benefits associated with limited company formations, including: • A limited company has much more credibility than a non-limited company in the eyes of potential clients, partners and finance streams • Setting up as a limited company usually provides limited liability to shareholders, meaning that if the business goes bankrupt etc, your liability is restricted to the amount of your investment in the company • Directors and shareholders of limited companies can be paid in dividends which are free of National Insurance, meaning your overall tax payments will be lower • You can claim a wider range of expenses, such as travel, phone, use of your home, equipment, pensions and fees

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Top marks for

High Moor

As a former coaching inn which has been welcoming travellers since 1642, The High Moor certainly knows more than a thing or two about keeping customers happy. The Wrightington eaterie has now been recognised nationally having scooped a ‘Highest Quality Assured’ taste accreditation from Visit England, and a Loves Local Award from Taste North West. The assessment criteria is based on the quality of food, use of locally and regionally sourced produce and ingredients, as well as excellent customer service. The High Moor joins other successfully accredited dining venues in the North West and can distinguish itself to customers with a presence on www. tastenw.co.uk as well as Taste Northwest’s mark of quality promoting quality assurances in food and service. Simon Jones, chef patron at The High Moor, said: “We are delighted with Visit England Taste Accreditation achieving the Highest Quality Assured rating and strongly support this initiative that champions the whole experience of dining out. “We are passionate about providing our customers with top quality dishes and good natured service in our beautiful surroundings,” said Chef Patron Simon Jones.

Head chef Norman Price, Nicola Holland, Daniel Francis, owner Simon Jones, Rachael Prudence, Joanne Chatterley, Tom Evans and Susan Hart Thanks also to our local suppliers for helping us to achieve this award with their excellent produce.” Mark Loynton, managing director of Taste Northwest, said: “We’re pleased to showcase great eateries such as The High Moor that offer great food combined with an inviting environment and a commitment to excellent customer service – an all round winner for food lovers.”

Wine time at next Wigan Borough Business Club meeting Winetasting is on the menu at the next meeting of Wigan Borough Business Club. Dougie Lowe, of Ince-based Parallel Wines, will be doing the honours on Tuesday, June 2.

at 6pm. The charge to attend is £5 per delegate but no membership is required - all welcome to go along and use the opportunity to do some networking.

The meeting place is Winstanley Tennis Club, Hall Lane, off Winstanley Road, Billinge, and it starts

For more information, visit www.wiganbbc.org. uk

£1.75m deal for IT

company

A Wigan IT company has been bought up in a deal worth £1.75m. Willow Starcom, based at Wigan Investment Centre, was acquired by Manchester-based K3 Business Technology. Bosses say the deal enables K3 Hosting to extend its existing portfolio of services to include on-premise design, implementation and support of IT systems. As part of the agreement, K3 Hosting has inherited the entire workforce from Willow Starcom, together with its stable of 240 customers, which come from a variety of different industries, giving K3 Hosting a customer base of over 300. The businesses will be merged and rebranded together in Willow

Starcom’s existing offices in Wigan along with K3 Hosting’s existing Edinburgh operation Neil Farnworth, managing director at K3, said: “This acquisition means that we will now be able to expand our services using Willow Starcom’s specialist team.“

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At Aspray our friendly and approachable team means that you can relax in the knowledge that you will receive a professional and efficient service for any commercial or residential property insurance claim. Our experience of dealing with loss adjusters, insurers and tradespeople ensures a successful outcome and no-hassle approach to reinstating your property, giving you complete peace of mind.

Our experience means that we know how to see a claim through from start to finish, keeping you updated throughout the entire process. More importantly we listen to your needs and respond efficiently and without any cost to you for our service*. *Please note any excess stated in your policy will still apply. Aspray is paid direct by your insurance company.

Five simple steps to access expert help • Call Aspray 24/7 and our experienced claim handlers will book you an appointment with a dedicated local project manager to handle your claim with care • Our project manager will arrange an appointment to assess the property damage • A detailed schedule of works and damage report will be prepared for your insurers and the project manager will meet with the appointed loss adjuster to negotiate and agree repairs or reinstatement • All repairs are carried out by vetted contractors, overseen by our experienced project manager • Aspray invoices your insurer direct when all works have been completed and you are satisfied with the work, leaving you with only the insurance excess to pay

Franchisee David Grimshaw joined the Aspray network in April 2014. Married with two children and a granddaughter David heads up Aspray Wigan and Bolton. David has applied his 35 years’ experience in the property and building industry into launching his Aspray franchise, and with the help of Aspray’s Head Office team David now run’s an extremely successful business. Having completed his first year, David says: “I am so proud to be part of the Aspray team, it’s been hard work and long hours, but the gratitude received from customers, having helped them through some very difficult circumstances, has made it all worthwhile. I am really looking forward to the coming year “. “I would like to thank you very much for the superb job you and your company provided. From the first call to Aspray to the completion of the repairs, you have acted in a thoroughly professional manner and certainly took all of the hassle off ourselves. We are delighted with the result and would like to thank you and your tradesmen again.” Mr N Smith, Didsbury “When my offices suffered flood damage, Aspray took control of the claim and ensured my staff were back at work sooner than if I had tried to take care of it myself” Mrs Edgerton

Food & Drink

Blanc

canvas by Jeananne Craig

n a recent trip to France to visit his 92-year-old mother, Raymond Blanc was woken by a noise in the garden. “It was 6am, I opened the shutters and who did I see? Maman Blanc,” the chef recalls. “That little woman had already hoed about 10 square metres of earth, and she was going fast. I said, ‘Maman, can you stop? You’ll break your back!’” The father-of-two, who grew up in Besancon, eastern France, adds: “My sons call her Mother Teresa on speed. She’s still working 10 times faster than me.” Blanc’s father was also a keen gardener, and while his school friends were playing football, he and his four siblings would be digging soil and harvesting food for his mother to cook, bottle or pickle to store for the cold winter months. “It gave me an understanding of seasonality, of heritage,” says the 65-year-old. “For me, it was the strongest part of my philosophy, and it still is today.” Blanc’s culinary big break came when, after moving to England in 1972 to work as a waiter, the eatery’s chef fell ill, and he ended up being required to take over in the kitchen. By 1984, the two-Michelin starred chef had opened hotel and restaurant Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire. “The first thing I did at Le Manoir was create an immense garden. Before I even considered the foundations or the roof, I did the garden.” His passion for gardens hasn’t abated, and he can currently be seen on the BBC Two series Kew On A Plate. “This programme doesn’t try to educate, it wants to share knowledge,” says the food star, who has an expansive understanding of fresh produce, and its nutritional value. “I wish we could tell the whole world about the importance of eating well, and fresh food. The fresher your food is, the more nutrients it has.” Want to get fresh in the kitchen? Here are three Kew On A Plate recipes to try at home. Kew On A Plate With Raymond Blanc: Recipes, Horticulture And Heritage is published in hardback by Headline Books, priced £25. Available now.

New potato and chorizo

tortilla

Serves 4 - 6 Ingredients 400g Jersey Royal potatoes, quartered

Method Preheat the oven to 170C/Gas 3.5. In a medium sautĂŠ pan with a lid, over a medium heat, sweat the potatoes, onion and garlic in the oil with

1 onion, diced

the bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, Espelette pepper

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

or smoked paprika and salt for 13-15 minutes. Stir

3tbsp olive oil 2 bay leaves 1 thyme sprig

regularly to avoid any colouring. Add the chorizo and continue to sweat for five minutes with the lid on so the flavours mingle. Finally, add the parsley and spinach and stir them into the vegetables

1 rosemary sprig

for 30 seconds, then remove from the heat, add the

Pinch of Espelette pepper or smoked paprika

eggs and stir everything together until evenly mixed.

Pinch of sea salt

Pour the egg mixture into a 20cm non-stick ovenproof

120g chorizo, cut into small dice

frying pan and place in the oven for 15 minutes. Once

15g flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped 80g spinach, chopped 8 eggs, whisked

cooked, remove from the oven and leave to rest for five minutes before turning out on to a board or a large serving dish. Using a serrated knife, cut the omelette into four to six wedge-shaped slices and serve warm.

Carrot

cake Method Preheat the oven to 170C/Gas 3.5. Line two 26 x 9 x 8cm terrine moulds, or 900g loaf tins, with baking parchment, leaving an overhang of paper.

Prepare the cake batter. In a food mixer on a medium

Makes 2 loaves Ingredients For the carrot cake: 300g light brown sugar

speed, whisk together the sugar, eggs, marzipan and vanilla puree or extract for about four minutes, until smooth and light. Continue mixing and pour in the sunflower oil in a steady stream. Mix together the flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, salt and spices and sift. Fold into the wet mixture until fully incorporated. Lastly, fold in the

3 medium eggs

sultanas and carrot, then pour the mixture into your

100g marzipan

lined terrine moulds or tins.

1tsp vanilla puree or good-quality vanilla extract

Bake the carrot cakes in the oven for 45 minutes. To

300ml sunflower oil 300g plain flour, sifted

check if the cakes are cooked, insert a sharp paring knife into each and touch it to your lips; it should feel hot. For greater accuracy, insert a probe into the centre

1tsp bicarbonate of soda

of the cake - it should read 76-82C. At this temperature,

1tsp baking powder

all the ingredients will be cooked through.

1/2tsp sea salt

Remove the cakes from the oven, take them out

1tsp ground cinnamon

of the moulds and leave to cool on a cooling rack.

1tsp ground ginger

It is important to turn them out of their moulds immediately so that they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t steam inside the

100g sultanas

moulds. Of course, the cake can be eaten just as it is,

300g carrots, grated

but for more of a celebration, ice it.

For the icing and topping (optional):

To make the icing, briskly beat the cream cheese,

75g cream cheese

butter and icing sugar together in a large mixing bowl.

25g unsalted butter, softened 75g icing sugar 30g pecan nuts/walnuts, toasted, to decorate

Once the cakes are completely cool, use a palette knife to spread the icing on top of each loaf and finish by scattering over a few whole toasted pecan nuts or walnuts.

THE BOATHOUSE EVENING MENU THE BOATHOUSE NIBBlES £2.95 £3.95 £3.25 £5.50

(V) CARAWAY & FENNEL SEED CRACKLING (V) MARINATED GOATS CHEESE - bEETROOT puREE (V) VEG CRISpS & NuTS SELECTION QuEENIE SCALLOpS – CHORIzO, CORIANDER & CHILLI

£4.95 £3.25 £3.75 £4.95

½ SOFT SHELL CRAb – CHILLI SALAD bLACK puDDING FRITTERS – CHILLI jAM GARLIC FLAT bREAD (ADD CHEESE OR TOMATO 75p) DIppY DuCK EGG – SERVED WITH SOLDIERS

lET’S GET STArTEd... (V) SOup OF THE DAY - CRuSTY bREAD & buTTER £4.95 £5.95 SCOTCH EGG – pICCALILLI puLLED HAM – TOASTED MuFFIN, pOACHED EGG & pEppERCORN SAuCE £6.50 £6.25 SMOKED SALMON - RYE bREAD, LEMON & DILL GEL GREEN LIppED MuSSELS – CHOICE OF THAI (GREEN CHILLI) STARTER £8.50 / MAIN £16.95 OR FRENCH (WHITE WINE) (V) WHIppED GOATS CHEESE – pEAR & MALT VINEGAR £5.50 puREE & AppLE SALAD

£6.75

DuCK SpRING ROLLS – CHILLI SAuCE & SALAD LEAF KING SCALLOpS – bLACK puDDING puREE, CARAMELISED CAuLIFLOWER & WILTED SpINACH

(V) QuINOA, buCKWHEAT, ASpARAGuS & TOMATO SALAD HOMEMADE bLACK puDDING - AppLE puREE CARAMELISED CAuLIFLOWER & CONFIT YOLK

(V) GARLIC WOODLAND MuSHROOMS - TOASTED bRIOCHE FRIED

EGG & bASIL pESTO

£8.95 £5.25 £5.95 £5.50

FrOM THE GrIll... Served with hand cut chipS, parSnip puree, confit tomatoeS, muShroomS & peppercorn Sauce* £17.95 £12.95

8Oz RIb EYE* pIRI pIRI CHICKEN

MAIN cOUrSES

PASTA & SAlAdS

STICKY bbQ pORK bELLY - CORN ON THE COb, SWEET pOTATO

& buTTERNuT SQuASH SALAD

pAN FRIED CHICKEN bREAST - SuN-bLuSHED TOMATOES &

GOATS’ CHEESE pESTO pOTATOES & TOMATO RELISH

HONEY GLAzED DuCK - DAupHINOISE pOTATO, buTTERNuT

SQuASH puREE & bLACKbERRY juS

ROASTED LAMb RuMp - TRuFFLE CREAMED pOTATO, bRAISED GEM LETTuCE, pEA & bAbY CARROT FRICASSEE, MINT DRESSING pAN FRIED SEAbASS – SWEET pOTATO FRIES & THAI SALAD (V) WILD MuSHROOM RISOTTO – pARMESAN & TRuFFLE OIL

(ADD CHICKEN £4)

£15.95 £22.50

10Oz RuMp * 8Oz FILLET*

pAN FRIED SALMON SALAD– bROAD bEANS, ASpARAGuS,

£13.95

RADISH & SuN-bLuSHED TOMATOES

£12.95

OVEN bAKED HAKE – buTTERED NEW pOTATOES & GARDEN SALAD CHILLI bEEF SALAD – RED CHILLI, RED ONION, GEM LETTuCE,

£16.95 £15.95 £16.95 £11.95

SESAME SEED, CORIANDER & LIME

CLASSIC CHICKEN CAESAR SALAD (V) GLAzED buTTERNuT SQuASH GNOCCHI - RED ONION,

pARMESAN, SpINACH & puMpKIN SEED

SpECIALITY pASTA OF THE DAY – pLEASE ASK

FOR TODAYS SpECIAL

THE USUAl SUSPEcTS...

bOATHOuSE bEER bATTERED FISH- HAND- CuT CHIpS, MARROWFAT pEAS, & TARTAR SAuCE GOuRMET CHICKEN buRGER / CHEESE buRGER– MADE WITH 28-DAY AGED RuMp STEAK – bOTH SERVED WITH HAND-CuT CHIpS,

HOMEMADE SLAW, RELISH, ONION RING, MELTING LANCASHIRE CHEESE ALL SERVED ON A bRIOCHE buN (ADD bACON OR CHEESE 75p)

SAuSAGE & MASH – SEASONAL VEGETAbLES & GRAVY CHICKEN, HAM & MuSHROOM pIE - HAND-CuT CHIpS, SEASONAL VEG & GRAVY bREADED SCAMpI – HAND CuT CHIpS, MARROWFAT pEAS & TARTAR SAuCE

01257 252456 Mill Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DA

www.appleybridgeboathouse.com SERVED Tues - Sat 5.30pm to 9.00pm

£13.50 £11.50 £14.95 £12.95 £10.95

£ Market Price

STANDARD £9.50 LARGE £11.95

£11.95 £10.95 £10.95 STANDARD £9.95 LARGE £11.95

All prices are inclusive of VAT. All items are subject to availability. Management reserve the right to withdraw or limit any offers at short notice. All fish may contain bones. (v) These dishes are suitable for vegetarians. Whilst we take every care to preserve the integrity of our vegetarian products, we must advise these products are handled in a multifunctional kitchen environment. All our products may contain seeds, traces of nuts or nut derivatives. please speak to your server if you suffer from any allergies

Open 12pm-late Tuesday-Saturday and 12pm-9pm Sunday

French onion

soup Method Preheat the oven to 170C/Gas 3.5. For the soup, put the flour into a small baking tin and toast in the oven for 30 minutes. Toasting the flour cooks the starch and develops a nutty flavour, which will add another layer of flavour to your soup. On a high heat, in a large, nonstick saucepan, melt the butter without letting it brown. Add the onions and soften for five minutes,

Serves 4 Ingredients For the soup: 2tbsp plain flour 60g unsalted butter 1kg Rose de Roscoff onions or white onions, cut into 3mm slices

stirring

frequently.

Season with the salt and pepper. Continue cooking the onions for 20-30 minutes to achieve an even, rich brown colour. Stir every two to three minutes and make sure you scrape any caramelised bits of onion from the base of the pan to prevent burning and achieve an even colour. Once the onions are the desired colour, stir in the toasted flour and mix thoroughly to absorb all the juices. Gradually stir in the white wine, and one-third of the cold water and whisk to prevent lumps forming.

2tsp sea salt

Bring to the boil, add the remaining water and simmer

2 pinches freshly ground black pepper

for five minutes. Taste and correct the seasoning,

200ml dry white wine, boiled for 30 seconds 1.5L cold water (or brown chicken stock, if you prefer a richer soup) 1tsp caster sugar (optional) For the croutons:

adding the sugar if required. To make the croutons, heat your grill on a high setting. Arrange the baguette slices on a baking tray and toast on one side for three to four minutes, until lightly golden. To serve, divide the soup between serving bowls, top

12 x 1cm-slices of baguette

with croutons, toasted side up, and sprinkle over the

150g Comte cheese (ideally two-year-old), grated

grated Comte.

Eating out

guide

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. High Moor Lane, Wrightington, Wigan, WN6 9QA 01257 252364 highmoorrestaurantwigan.co.uk

The Paddock

The Star Inn

Informal dining in Wrightington. Locally sourced, freshly made food served daily. Theme nights with live entertainment. In house butcher and fruit & veg shop. 01257 426514 Derby House, Mossy Lea Rd, Wrightington, WN6 9RE thepaddockrestaurant.co.uk

The award-winning Star Inn is renowned for scrumptious food and quaffable ales. Its success has been built on a great reputation for fresh cooked, fresh produce, at reasonable prices. 01257 253355 60, Bank Top, Roby Mill, WN8 0QQ thestarinnrobymill.co.uk

The Cherry Tree

Lovels Bistro

Creating classic dishes with a modern influence using only fresh local produce, the Cherry Tree aim to delight guests with an experience that brings them back time and time again. 01257 481 234 A6, Chorley Rd, Blackrod, BL6 5LA cherrytreeblackrod.com

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

Advertise

here £48 + VAT

Call 01695 627999

Winstons Traditional Goosnargh

Fifteens @ The Fox

British pies, tasty chicken, delicious

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.

steak, fresh fish, Chef’s Specials, Sunday carvery and so much more. Winston’s – Award Winning Pizza. 01695 627692 190, Upholland Road, Billinge, WN5 7DJ winstonspizza.com

rigby’s Coffee Shop Advertise

here £30 + VAT

Call 01695 627999

01695 628178 Roby Mill, Up Holland, WN8 0QF fifteensatthefox.com

Rigby’s Coffee Shop

The Corner House

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

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

The Stocks Tavern Warmest and friendliest of welcomes with award winning chef Mike Heap, who uses only the finest, freshest, local ingredients to ensure you leave completely satisfied. 01257 462874 16, Alder Lane, Parbold, WN8 7NN thestockstavern.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 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

Events & Leisure

What’s

Mega Charity Fun Day Saturday, May 23 Held at The Silver Tally, Shevington Moor, from noon in aid of the Geoff Carr Memorial/Three Wishes Appeal. For a stall contact Alison on 01257 472733.

Family Fun Day Saturday, May 23 Held by Heart of Wigan campaign in Wigan Town Centre. Activities will include zumba, aerobics, cycling, football, facepainting and free health checks.

Piano Recital Saturday, May 23 Recital by John Walton at St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Street, Standish. Starts at 10am. Free admission retiring collection for the church’s rewiring project. Visit www.stwilfrids-standish.org.uk for more information.

Music Festival Fundraiser Sunday, May 24 In aid of the Save Ashfield Park campaign and Wigan & Leigh Hospice. Starting at 1pm at the Black Bull, Market Street, Standish. There will be live music on the outside stage in the beer garden from 1pm onwards. All welcome.

Flower Arranging Thursday, May 28 Develop your artistic interest at a fun flower arranging session at Standish Library, Cross Street, from 1pm-2.30pm. Cost is £7. Places are limited call into the library to book your place.

Chorley & District Carnival Friday, June 5-Sunday, June 7 Astley Park is once again the venue for the annual event. Friday night is half price Fun Fair night. Saturday is carnival day with parade through the town, from 11.30am. Admission is £4 for adults, £3 for children at the gate, or with a carnival programme bought in advance for £3 which allows one adult and one child in on any one day. For more information visit www.chorleycarnival.org

Fuchsia Cultivation Talk Thursday, May 28 Wigan & Districts Fuchsia Society welcomes Phil Wrench and Keith Lawrence. Starts at 7.45pm at the United Reformed Church Hall, Church Street, Orrell. Refreshments provided. Contact 0151 423 2979.

Acoustic Roots Friday, May 29 Gentle Men performed by Roy Bailey and Robb Johnson’s a song suite composed by Robb, and is a family history of the 1st World War and its consequences. Doors 7pm, concert 7.30pm at Wigan Parish Church, Crawford Street, Wigan.

Tickets are £14 in advance and are available from David on 01942 824291 or dtcartlidge@gmail.com Also from Symphony Music, Market Street, Wigan,or https://www.wegottickets.com/event/316077

Southport Country Fair Friday, May 29-Sunday, May 31 Held at Leisure Lakes, The Gravel, Mere Brow, there’s a range of family attractions from ferret racing, duck herding, fairground rides and Motorcross displays on the Sunday. Entry is adults £4 and children free on the Friday, or £6 and £2 respectively on the Saturday/Sunday. Book online at www.gardenfestivals.com

U3A 10th Birthday

Mid-Summer Ball Marquee on the lawn

Friday 19th June 2015 at 7:45pm Entertainment throughout the evening followed by a disco till late

Saturday, May 30 10 year anniversary celebrations for Up Holland & District U3A at St Teresa’s Church in College Road, Up Holland, Events will be taking place from 11am and the church will be festooned with blue and yellow bunting. Attractions include displays, performances and presentations from the U3A’s interest Goups. Local organisations also present will include the fire service, Beacon Park Rangers, Pemberton Brass Band, AgeUK and many more. Entrance is free and hot and cold refreshments will be available.

Four Course Dinner Sun blushed tomato & buffalo mozzerlla tart, rocket salad & balsamic dressing. Breast of chicken, roasted new potatoes and summer vegetables with a tarragon cream. Raspberry Eton mess. Coffee & Mints.

Carriages 1am

Open Gardens Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, May 31 From noon until 5pm, three Roby Mill gardens are opening under the auspices of the National Garden Scheme to raise monies for charities. The gardens are Appledene, on Bank Brow and around the corner,

CRAFT & VINTAGE BOUTIQUE

Free Entry

10am-4pm

Tickets £34.95 Call today to book - Limited places available

01257 426514

Live Music !

Sunday 24th May, Chalon Court Hotel, St.Helens WA10 1NG Craft & Vintage Fairs filled with exquisite vintage and unique crafted items. riajewelsevents@yahoo.co.uk

Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington, Wigan, Lancashire WN6 9RE

in Lees Lane, Douglas Bank Farm and Halliwell Farm will also be open. Admission for all three gardens is £5, while children go free. Plant sales at Appledene and Halliwell Farm, with afternoon tea and home made cakes at Appledene. More details at https:// robymillgardens.shutterfly.com

Rick Astley and guests Saturday, May 30 The 1980s star is back at the Guild Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston, to perform favourites such as Never Gonna Give You up. Tickets from £29 via 01772 804444.

Organ Recital Saturday, May 30 Organ by John Walton at St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Street, Standish. Starts at 10am. Free admission retiring collection for the church’s rewiring project. Visit www.stwilfrids-standish.org.uk for more information.

The Pit in Pictures

Elvis Costello Monday, June 15 Elvis Costello returns to Liverpool Philharmonic with Detour, a solo concert. Costello’s solo shows have

Tuesday, June 2

been some of the most adventurous of his illustrious

A talk by Alan Davies looking at photographic records of coalmining in Lancashire. Takes place from noon-1.15pm at the Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street. Entry is £2.50 including tea/coffee. Booking essential please call on 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk

career. This past year has seen him hit the stage of the

Holly Johnson Thursday, June 4 See the former Frankie Goes To Hollywood frontman in this homecoming concert at Liverpool Philharmonic, Hope Street. Tickets priced from £21.50 and available via www.liverpoolphil.com

John Bowdler In Concert Saturday, June 6 Trinity Methodist Church, Fleet Street, Pemberton hosts the resident organist at Blackpool Tower. The concert starts at 7pm. Tickets are £7.50 including cream scone refreshments. Telephone Anne on 01942 223589.

legendary Paris venue, l‘Olympia and the Bela Bartok National Concert Hall in Budapest. Tickets from £37.50 via www.liverpoolphil.com

More Than Words Summer Fair Saturday, June 6 Free event in aid of this Community Interest Company from 11am-4pm - stalls include bric-abrac, toys, vintage clothes, raffle, games, music, performances, refreshments and much more. Takes place at Unit 2, The Pier Centre, Pottery Terrace, off Pottery Road, Wigan. For enquiries or to book your own stall, please call 01942 735426.

Conga in Mesnes Park Saturday, June 6 Between 2pm - 4pm, Embrace Wigan & Leigh will attempt to break the record for The Longest Conga

Line in The World. Everyone is invited to go along and take part, for two minutes or two hours. All donations welcome to help Embrace’s Duke of Edinburgh Scheme. Takes place at Mesnes Park, Mesnes Park Terrace.

Indian cooking workshop Saturday, June 6 Join Food Positive Ltd, at 19 Upper Dicconson St, Wigan, for a morning of Indian inspired cooking from 9.30pm. This is a hands on workshop... you will make a curry a side dish and accompaniments for two to take away and enjoy. All ingredients provided. Tickets £35 and car parking available at the rear. Visit www.eventbrite.com to book.

Concert for Voice, Recorder, Piano & Organ Saturday, June 6 Performed by Katherine Massey, Jean Stone, Angela Pennington and John Walton at St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Street, Standish. Starts at 10am. Free admission - retiring collection for the church’s rewiring project. Visit www.stwilfrids-standish.org. uk for more information.

Taylor Swift Wenesday, June 24 Seven-time Grammy winner Taylor Swift will bring The 1989 World Tour to Manchester on Wednesday 24 June – her first live show in the city since her sold-out date at the Arena on the Speak Now tour in 2011. Doors 6pm Under 14s with an adult in seated only. Call 0844 847 8000 to book tickets.

Micro Car Event Sunday, June 7 Held at the North West Museum of Road Transport, Hall Street, St Helens, from noon to 4pm. Micro cars of all shapes & sizes, makes and differing ages will be on display in the museum. Family ticket £10 (2 adults,2 children) Under 5s go free. Adults £3.50, children £2.50, concessions £3. Light refreshments available - free heritage bus rides given on a classic double decker bus.

Walking Day Sunday, June 7 Churches Together In Orrell extend a warm invitation to a special walking day starting at 2pm from St Luke’s, Lodge Road. Following the walk there will be refreshments served with games for the children and an exhibition of memorabilia relating to the Christian faith in Orrell.

Promote your event

here! Reach an estimated 75,000 readers in Wigan Ad prices start from £39 + VAT Call 01695 627 999 for details

Summer Fair Wednesday, June 10 Starts at 2pm and hosted by Appley Bridge Pensioners & Social Club in the village hall in Appley Lane North, Entry is 50p. Contact Mrs Clare Melling on 01257 255108.

World War I Walk Wednesday, June 10 Taking place at Ince Cemetery from 2pm-3.30pm, the walk will look at the stories behind the memorials to the Fallen. Admission is £3. To book please phone 01942 828128 or email wiganmuseum@wigan.gov.uk

Dememtia Friendly Wednesday, June 10 Over lunch, which is provided, give your views and vote on how to make the area more dementiafriendly in this event organised by Wigan Council. It’s held from noon-1pm or 1pm-3pm at the Britannia Hotel, Almond Brook Road, Standish. To book a place, call Lorraine or Barbara on 01942 404252/828801.

Community Showcase

Wigan International Jazz Festival Thursday, July 9, to Sunday, July 12 Celebrating its 30th year, a 10-day programme packed with top artists. Most concerts take place at Robin Park Sports Centre, Loire Drive. On the Saturdays there will be free music in Wigan town centre from 11am and on the Sundays there will be jazz in Mesnes Park, off Mesnes Road, from noon. Full gig guide available at www.wiganjazz.net - call 01942 828 271 for tickets or book online.

Thursday, June 11 Wigan & Leigh Carers’ Centre holds an event at Wigan Youth Zone, Parson’s Walk, from 10am-2pm. Go along to find out what local organisations and activities are available in your area. Call 01942 705959 for more information.

Great Wall of China Talk Thursday, June 11 The ladies of Standish Women’s Institute welcome Pat Ashcroft for this presentation on one of the seven wonders of the world. Starts at 7pm at Ashfield House Hotel, off Wigan Road. New members and visitors welcome - call 01257 401047 for more information.

St Wilfrid’s Tour Saturday, June 13 Take a tour of St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Street, Standish. Starts at 10am. Free admission - retiring collection for the church’s rewiring project. Visit www.stwilfrids-standish.org.uk for more information.

Ticket To Slide Sunday, June 14 Have a splashing good time and raising money for Wigan & Leigh Hospice. The 110 metre slide has undergone a revamp and will be available on Standishgate, Wigan town centre, during the day. Get two rides for £10.

Wigan Race For Life

Formula Fun Family Cycling

Sunday, June 14

Monday, June 15

5k race at Haigh Hall starting at 11am. Adult entry (16+ women-only) is £14.99. Child entry (6-15 girls and boys under 13) is £10. Under 6 entry (boys and girls) - free and no registration needed. Registration essential via http://raceforlife.cancerresearchuk. org/index.html

A fun and exciting opportunity for families to cycle around the Three Sisters race track, Ashton-inMakerfield. Free event from 3pm but donations to the Mayor’s charity welcome. No need to book - just turn up on the day.

Classic Car Show Sunday, June 14 The 32nd Classic Car and Motorcycle Show at Hoghton Tower, Hoghton, from 10am- 4pm. Admission: adults £7, children £3 (7-14), under 7s free. Free parking. House and gardens open for tours. Admission for house tours: adults £8, children and concessions £6, under 5s go free.

Orrell Book Cycle Summer Fair Sunday, June 14 Held from noon to 4pm at the Orrell Road building. Attractions include music, bouncy castle, facepainting, tombola, raffle, craft stalls and barbecue.

Blooming Great Tea Party Friday, June 19 Hosted by Standish Marie Curie Fundraising Group at Standish Methodist Church starting at 10am. There will be tea, cakes and crafts. Admission is free.

Wedding Open Evening Friday, June 19 Join Holland Hall’s wedding advisors from 5pm9pm for a tour of the Up Holland, venue, including its function suites and bedrooms. Call 01695 624426 or visit www.hollandhallhotel.co.uk

Afternoon Tea Saturday, June 20 From 2pm-4pm at Tontine Methodist Church, opposite the Delph Tavern pub, Tontine. Various stalls on offer - all welcome.

Midsummer Piano Festival Saturday, June 20-Sunday, June 21 A celebration of music-making by some of the world’s finest musicians and pianists at Parbold Village Hall, The Green. Adult weekend pass is £30.50. For a full list of performances, visit www. parbolddouglasmusic.org

Annual Fair Black Grape Sunday, July 12 After 20 years, ex-Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder brings you Black Grape’s 2015 comeback tour, and it’s coming to Parr Hall in Warrington. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets from £22. Box Office & General Enquiries: 01925 442345.

Saturday, June 20 St. Matthews Church, Highfield, are holding their annual Summer Fair from 1pm-3pm in the vicarage garden (weather permitting). If wet it will be held in the Parish Rooms , opposite the church car park). There will be all the usual stalls including handmade cards, a flower stall, groceries and cake stall. Refreshments will be available.

Armed Forces in the Park Sunday, June 21 From 1pm-7pm at Leyland Park, off Park Road, Hindley. This annual Friends of Leyland Park event celebrates our Armed Forces. Free admission. Visit www.friendsofleylandpark.org.uk or for further information contact Darren Rogers on 01942 828530 or Andy Allen 01942 489370.

Ladies’ Charity Fashion Show Friday, June 26 In aid of the Storehouse Project from 7.30pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Club, Trent Road, Billinge. There will be a fashion show with all the latest high street fashions from top brands and an opportunity to buy clothes on the night at 50% or more discount. Tickets are £5 and to buy or for more information, call Julie/Rachel on 07816 623612.

Charity Dancing & Cabaret Friday, June 26 Event at St James’ Club, St James’ Road, Orrell, in aid of the Neuro Muscular Centre in Cheshire. Entertainment from Irish comedian Dusty Young and DJs. Doors open at 7pm, starts at 8pm. Tickets are £7 and available either at the club on 01695

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School Fair Saturday, June 27 St Teresa’s School, College Road, Up Holland, holds its summer fair from 12.30pm. Traditional games such as welly throwing, archery, tombola. First prize in the raffle will be a £100 Marks and Spencer summer hamper along with a day raffle which has numerous prizes to suit all ages.

Gift and Craft fair Sunday, June 28 Held at The Beeches, School Lane, Standish with all proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Care. Free admission. To book a table, please contact Christine on 07834 226684 or email handcrafts82@gmail.com

Information Sessions Thursday, July 2 & Sunday, July 5 Summer recruitment drive at Wigan Samaritans, 73, Dicconson Street, Wigan, at 7pm on the Thursday and 1pm on the Sunday.

An Evening With Jon Brindley and Chonkinfeckle Friday, July 10 Takes place at the Unity Club, Cross Street, Standish, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 each and available from Symphony Music, 56 Market Street, or online for £5.50 at www.ticketsource.co.uk/chonkinfeckle

Parbold Village Festival Saturday, July 11 This family event takes place on Alder Lane Playing Fields from 1pm-5pm. Entry is adults £2, children go free.

Bird Watching Wednesday, July 15 Join Wigan RSPB Group for an opportunity to visit bird sites with an experienced member. No experience required. Venue will be decided a few

days before the event in the light of the latest bird reports - meeting point in Standish - please telephone Tom Morton 01942 832383 for details. Meeting time is 9.15 am and booking is essential.

Cherry Gardens Walk Saturday, July 18 Wigan & District Ramblers meet at 2pm at the Cherry Gardens Hotel, Wigan Lane, for this local footpath walk which will be around four miles long. For more information, call Frank Atherton on 01942 831566 before 9pm or visit www.wigananddistrictramblers. org.uk

Shevington Fete Saturday, August 1 From 10am on the Recreational Field, Gathurst Lane. In the pipeline this year are a celebrity guest, brass band, gardening club show, children’s rides, football and rugby games, craft fair, food and drink.

Puzzle

solutions

West Lancs Green Fayre Saturday, July 25, and Sunday, July 26 Held from 11am until 5pm each day at Beacon Country Park, Beacon Lane, Up Holland.

John Power Acoustic Show Thursday July 23 The former Cast and La’s singer comes to The Old Courts, Crawford Street, Wigan. Acoustic show consisting of John’s solo rootsy set followed by all the hits from Cast. Buy your ticket £8 in advance or £10 on the door. Visit www.theoldcourts.com

The photograph on page 56 is of Broad O’th Lane, Shevington

Jack’s Tracks

Limbrick by Chris Pearce

henever we go walking in Chorley and District, it always surprises me how quickly the hubbub of the town is quickly left behind and this walk is no exception. Although it’s only 6½ miles, it packs a lot of scenic views in, with the majesty of Angelzarke quickly followed by the chocolate box scenes of White Coppice, and, on the home stretch, some glorious views of the North West coastline from the Nab. Park in the vicinity of the Black Horse pub in Limbrick and head down Back Lane. Go under the motorway bridge and head uphill. Just before the left hand bend, take the signposted footpath on the right and head downhill through the wooden area. Cross the step stile and take the defined path across the meadow. Cross the next stile and carry on in the same direction, keeping to the left hand side of the meadow. Look out carefully on the left for a waymark post and, beyond that, a small flight of steps and take a 90 degree left turn off the footpath at the waymark post and climb the steps. Follow the path up through a wooded area, cross the stile into a field and follow the indistinct path diagonally through the field towards a stile-cum-plank bridge. Follow the path on the right hand side of the field to another stile-cum-plank bridge. Cross this and bear left to a step stile with a decking platform. Cross this and head right towards a gate and stile; once you’ve crossed this stile, you emerge in Back Lane once more. Turn left along the lane but leave it within 100 yards for a track on the right which is signposted Heath Folds Farm. Just before the entrance to the farm there’s an enclosed path on the left. Follow this path, which evolves into a track (Heapy Fold Lane) and offers glorious views of Anglezarke to the right and over Chorley and beyond on the right. After approximately ½ mile and just before the track starts climbing, you’ll reach a gate

serving tasty bacon and sausage butties and other food. After a welcome rest, exit the cricket ground via the path that runs past the pavilion. Follow that track for 1/3 mile through this picturesque village of White Coppice, keeping to the right. Once you’ve crossed Wrath Brook via the bridge, look out for a wooden sign post on the left hand side of the road near wooden benches. Cross the brook, hop over the stile and follow that path, which was a bit muddy in parts at the time of our walk.

that’s set back on the right hand side of the track. Head over the stile by the gate in the direction of the reservoir and cross another stile before dropping quickly down though a wooded area on the banks of Anglezarke. Follow the path through the woods for almost ½ mile, taking in the magnificently tranquil views of this stretch of water, until you exit at Anglezarke’s northern tip. Turn right and follow the road around perimeter of the reservoir. Walk past Heapey Waterman’s Cottage and then cross the Goit, a fast moving waterway, and then take the public footpath by a wooden gate on the left directly afterwards. This opens up to a picturesque track, popular with walkers and cyclists alike, and skirts round the western edge of the Stronstrey Bank and eventually Black Coppice. Follow this track for approximately ¾ mile, and directly after the aqueduct on the right, take a left turn which leads to what is probably the most picturesque cricket ground in the whole of Lancashire, White Coppice. Seating is plentiful and, on weekends and Bank Holiday, the café is open

After approximately 175 yards, you’ll reach another reservoir. Walk along the banks of the reservoir for 50 yards, but when the path forks shortly afterwards, take the left hand fork away from the banks of the reservoir. Cross a stile shortly afterwards and carry on in the same direction on the path that runs diagonally across a field. Cross the sile onto Higher House Lane and then turn right for 150 yards. When you reach a sharp left

hand turn, take a 90 degree right turn (do not take the public footpath that’s directly opposite). This track takes you to Higher Healy and the Nab. Follow the track around the right hand side of Higher Healy and start the climb uphill to the Nab, drinking in the fantastic views to of the entire north west coastline. Once you enter the Nab take the lower right hand fork and follow this broad track right through the Nab for approximately ¼ mile. Nearing the end of the wood, you’ll encounter a flight of steps to the right; just ignore these and head on straight over the step stile straight ahead. It can be muddy in parts, but there is some latitude to navigate round the worst parts. Once you exit the Nab, you’ll cross two stiles in quick succession and, once again, on the right you’ll enjoy some fabulous views of Chorley and beyond from this high vantage point. Head towards White House Farm in the distance via a path and then a track. On the right, just before you reach the farm, you’ll spot a gate leading to a single track road. Hop over the stile next to it and head downhill on the road. This road is (or becomes) Crosse Hall Lane and you’ll follow this for ¾ mile,

over the M61 and through the pretty enclave of Crosse Hall until you reach the bridge over the canal. Cross the bridge and then turn left down the canal tow path. Follow the canal to the next bridge (75a), and then exit the canal via the steel gates just before the bridge. Turn left onto Cowling Road and go over the canal bridge, and then head uphill towards the Spinners at Cowling pub. Turn left at the public footpath that runs directly down the left hand side of the pub. Once you get past the pub, the path has been blocked off by barbed wire, but don’t let this deter you, just negotiate your way round this and follow the rather indistinct path downhill alongside the right hand perimeter of the field. Just before you reach a junction at the bottom right hand corner of that field; you’ll need to take a right turn and jump over the stile into the next field. Follow that path in the same direction for ¼ mile past the Gillett Playing Fields and you’ll emerge near a row of cottages on Back Lane. Turn right and then 75 yards later, take a left turn and the Black Horse is up the hill on the left hand side.

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Limbrick Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

Win a pair of tickets to see

Kaiser Chiefs I

t’s hard to believe their first number one, Ruby, was eight years ago.

doubt that kind of surrounded you guys when Nick left?

But for Leeds band Kaiser Chiefs, it’s their longevity which has cemented their success. Their debut album, Employment, reached top spot in the UK charts. Its edgy guitar sounds and fluid rhythms made for a fantastic body of work, which included I Predict a Riot, released as a single in 2004/2005, and Modern Way.

Simon Rix (bassist): Yes. I think we lost our way a little bit and definitely felt the tour and everything, like, we went to South America with Foo Fighters, was great. We used to always do Arena tours and then we stopped, and then we did one again and it was like ‘yes, we’re back’.

2007 saw the release of their Yours Truly, Angry Mob with the catchy single Ruby, which became the 10th biggest selling single of that year. They are playing Haydock Park on Friday, August 7, but things have changed a bit since those heady days. The departure of founder member and drummer Nick Hodgson caused them to re-evaluate. They are now back with a new member, Vijay Mistry, and their latest album, called Education, Education, Education & War, went to number one last year. Q: With a number one album and the Arena tour you’ve just finished, does it seem like the band is in a better place after all the

Q: You’ve done some race course shows before. Do they differ much from your normal kind of tours you do or like the festival performances? Simon: They are different, but that’s not to say it’s bad, just different. Everyone’s quite dressed up and they’re all on a big night out and it’s all very good. But there’s no support band, it’s just sort of, we’re kind of the main event I guess, which is nice. Ricky Wilson (lead vocals): It’s kinda like a wedding, because you’ve got guys with their ties around their

heads going mental. I really enjoy it, it’s a different vibe to anything else we’ve done but we’re coming back to do more so we must enjoy it. Q: do you catch any of the racing while you are there? Ricky: It’s hilarious - I’m watching this lot all day betting and I don’t bet because I know it would be a problem if I started, Q: are you normally into your horse racing then?

Q: you’re coming to play at Haydock in the summer, have you got any good memories or stories from when you have played in the past in the North West? Ricky: Oh, some of my favourite gigs of all time have been in the North West. One in particular, the second night at Manchester MEN was the best gig, I don’t know why, I still say it but it was my favourite gig ever. I came off and it was like ‘that was a moment’. It’s funny, over the Pennines you expect there to be a rivalry because we’re from Leeds. People there don’t show their emotions as much to us as they do on the other side of the Pennines because we go down and like, invade and we have a good time. Local Life has six pairs of tickets to give away. To win a pair to see the Kaiser Chiefs at Haydock Park on Friday, August 7, simply complete the crossword on the right and return your entry to: Kaiser Chiefs Competition Local Life 247 Ltd Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB Or email you answers along with your name, full address and contact number to crossword@ locallife247.co.uk Your entry MUST be with us by Tuesday, June 30.

Simon: No not at all. Not every single one but most of them just go and put a couple things on, see what’s going on, try and win some money because that’s part of the fun. One of our crew guys, it’s his favourite gig of the year because he loves it. He stayed out doing all sorts of things all day, not setting anything up just betting.

Across 4. Chief’s debut album 5. 2007 number one hit

Down 1. 2. 3. 5.

Venue of Kaiser Chiefs 7th August concert, _ Park Chief’s new band member, Vijay _ Yorkshire city, home of Kaiser Chiefs 2004/05 number one hit, I Predict a _

Name

................................................................................................

Address

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......................................................................................................................... .................................. Post Code ............................................................ Phone

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..................................................................................................... Crossword Competition Rules

1. Only one entry per household 2. Entrants must be over 16 years of age 3. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date. 4. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed or damaged in the post. 5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition. Local Life 247 Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act and abides by the guidelines of the act. We will never sell or pass your data to any third party company. However, we will contact you occasionally to check our magazine distribution in your area.

Give it some kerb

appeal! by Angie Barker

Award Winner

ront gardens are usually small spaces with awkward aspects and can be a challenge in terms of making the most of them. A front garden however is an opportunity to show your property off to its best and be a welcoming site, for visitors and for people coming home at the end of a long day. It can be tricky to get it right but the following ideas may be helpful.

so keep your front garden simple, that way it will only need a tidy up every now and then.

Plant a cheerful climber near your front door in a container. Few climbers do well in pots however there are some compact varieties of Clematis which do. Clematis ‘Cezanne’ (blue flowers) and ’Chantilly’ (pale pink flowers) are two.

Large pots are a great way of brightening up the front garden – used to frame a front door is a classic statement. Use large ones and half fill with gravel – the plants will get good drainage and the pots are less likely to go walkies!

Height is important in a front garden. Try and incorporate at least one half standard (Lollipop tree). Laurus nobilis (Bay) is popular although be aware it does not tolerate cold, shade or wind. Viburnum tinus ‘Eve Price’ is a much tougher option plus you get the added bonus of scented flowers in winter.

Evergreen structure is important too, so that

Consider the amount of maintenance your design and planting will need. If you’re like me I prefer to do my pottering in the privacy of my back garden

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.

Scent is important in a front garden and is really welcoming. For a shady spot try Sarcococca confusa. A smallish evergreen shrub, which produces the most wonderfully scented white flowers in winter and if your front garden is sunny, well you can’t beat Lavender.

the garden looks good in all seasons. Buxus sempervirens (Box) is brilliant for this and tolerates shade well. If you are looking for ideas, don’t forget I open my garden on Sunday 28th June, 11am to 4pm as part of the NGS for charity. £3.50 admission, children are free. You can see how I tackle my front garden – and you can meet the much maligned hubby! (Bless him). I hope to see you there.

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

Ford

Mondeo by Tim Barnes-Clay

he fifth generation Mondeo is now available with Ford’s range of economical EcoBoost engines and, for the first time in the UK, a hybrid petrol-electric option.

Introduced in 1992 to replace the Ford Sierra, the Mondeo went on to become a piece of popular culture in 1996 when Tony Blair used the phrase ‘Mondeo Man’ in his Labour Party Conference address. What a shame there’s so much badge snobbery around these days though. The reaction I got from premium-badge car lovers when I mentioned I was attending the Ford Mondeo press launch wasn’t exactly upbeat. This just goes to show how marketing and image affects people’s preconceptions. Don’t get me wrong; Ford is no stranger to spin either, but I’ve got to tell you this latest Mondeo is the real deal. At launch, I tested the Mondeo Titanium Estate 2.0 Duratorq TDCI. With 148bhp and 258 lb.ft of max torque, the Ford is able to dig deep at low revs, resulting in proper pulling power.

Certainly, it’s easy to be blinded by the kudos of a premium badge but the Mondeo is brilliant whether in estate, five door hatch or four door hybrid semblances. It’s handsome, interior space is excellent, the ride is smooth and the handling is spot on. The diesel estate, in particular, excels in every single area. It’s fantastic to drive, it has a refined engine and the boot is the perfect shape for carrying a range of everyday items, from a familysized weekly shop to a stack of suitcases. It’s good value and will be less costly to run than many of its competitors. The car is crammed with entertainment tech and safety gadgetry too. In fact it’s the most advanced Ford ever introduced in Europe, and has been awarded the maximum five-star safety rating by independent crash test authority Euro NCAP. The Mondeo is the first car from the Blue Oval brand worldwide to offer Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection. This is designed to detect people in the road ahead – or that could cross the vehicle’s path – and automatically applies the brakes if you don’t respond to warnings at the wheel. Also introduced for the first time in Europe is Ford’s ground-breaking Inflatable Rear Seatbelt technology. In the event of an accident, the seatbelts expand to

disperse crash forces across a body area five times greater than that achieved by a conventional belt. This offers valuable extra protection to very young or old passengers with weaker chest areas. On the entertainment front, Ford’s SYNC 2 connectivity system boasts an eight-inch colour touch-screen to operate phone, entertainment, climate and navigation systems using voice commands. For example, simply pushing the voice control button and saying “I’m hungry” will display a list of local restaurants, and the MICHELIN guide

can help you choose where to eat. SYNC 2 will then connect you by phone to the restaurant to book a table and guide you there. Groovy, or what?

Car Paintwork Repairs

So, this Ford Mondeo with its ‘common-as-muck badge’ is as good, if not better, than many of the eulogized German ‘premium’ cars. Go on – hop in one and try one out. You may be surprised and have an epiphany. The all-new Ford Mondeo is now on sale from £20,795.

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• Rewires & Upgrades • Interior & Exterior Lighting • Alarms & CCTV • Extra Sockets & Lights

07531 765 529 / 01695 628 150

Shevington E l ect ri cal S erv ic e s NAPIT part ‘P’ registered JIB Approved Technician 30 Years Experience

Local. Honest & Reliable Domestic Industrial & Commercial

Covering all North West Areas.

Call: 0800 6446100 or 07904 127663 www.shevington-electrical-services.co.uk

ANDY HIDDEN Domestic Electrician

No Job Too Small!

• • • • • • •

Re-Wires Additional Sockets / Lights Home Safety Tests Fuse Board Upgrades Security Lighting Alarms CCTV

Good Trader Of The Year Winner in the Wigan Trading Standards Best of the Best Awards 2013/14.

• Rewire specialists • Extra sockets & lights fitted • Mains board upgrades

Free quotations

A.J.S.

BAILEYS ELECTRICAL

01942 215 769 07739 709 005

• All aspects of electrical work welcomed

Certificate of Excellence Winner in the 2012/13

Award Winner 2012/13/14

All electrical work undertaken

• From new sockets to full re-wire - no job too small

07946 844 904 08000 842 394 Email: andy@ahde.co.uk

• CCTV/Alarms/SecuritynLighting a speciality Suite 1A Kirkless Ind. Est. Cale Lane Wigan

24 hour Call Out Service

Need a new look for your home?

Skilled interior and exterior work undertaken at reasonable prices! Chris Smith - Painter and Decorator

01942 518126 or 07545 065119 Orrell based business

H AT E D E C O R AT I N G ? We don’t - we enjoy it so much that we make a living out of it! We are a husband and wife team, CRB cleared with references available. Awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Wigan Council Trading Standards

• City & Guilds Qualified • Plastering services available • Competitive Rates • Fully Insured • Standish based

Call Alice or Neil on 01942 740232 or 07810 753062

Advertise

here

Advertise your business in this section from £39 + VAT a month

Ian Martland

Painter & Decorator Established 1990

For more information please phone

• All aspects of Decorating • Interior & Exterior • Free Estimates

01695 627 999

01695 632 477 | 07748 195 809

Lady Decorator

Create your Dream Home today…

Just Imagine

Our Master Craftsman Derek and his friendly team will help you create your dream home. All aspects of decorating - from simple painting or wallpapering to complex murals. 50 years wallpapering expertise. 100% satisfaction guaranteed.

Professional Interior Decorating Service Reduced rates for Pensioners Clean, tidy and conscientious Tel: 01942 366996 or 07962 422856

Decorating - Interior Design - Soft Furnishings

Call Derek today for a free consultation & quote

Call 07831 505 672

email franklindecorators@gmail.com

www.wigandecorators.co.uk

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APPLEY BRIDGE HEATING & PLUMBING

• Central Heating Installations • Boiler Installations • Maintenance & Servicing • Power Flushing

186237

Your one stop shop for central heating 434 Ormskirk Rd, Wigan, WN5 9DF

01942 221221

info@premiergas.com / www.premiergas.com

Paton Plumbing and Heating Ltd A friendly reliable service

Full central heating installations Complete bathroom renovations Boiler servicing and repairs Landlord’s gas safety certificates Tony Paton

542856

• BOILER replacement • SERVICE and repair • FULL system installations • BATHROOM replacements • SHOWERS • TILING and ELECTRICS

Landlord Gas Safety Certificates Call Dave now for a free quote... Telephone

T: 01942 568 184 M: 07825 323 711 E: patonplumbing850@gmail.com

201323

07814 639 430

T 01744 892 385 H E AT I N G E N G I N E E R S

W rghheating.co.uk E info@rghheating.co.uk

Breakdown, Service & Repair Central Heating Installation Gas Safety Inspections Boiler Replacement Power Flushing Based in Billinge, covering all of Wigan & St Helens

PETER RODAN LTD • All Heating & Plumbing work • Full Heating Installations • Boiler Servicing & Repairs • Boiler Conversions • 20 year experience

Tel: Mob:

01257 472 385 07971 631 709

Standish based

221213

Central Heating Engineers & Installers • Boiler Servicing & Repairs • Full Central Heating Installations • Kitchen & Bathroom Plumbing 554021

Domestic & Commercial Work undertaken 30 years experience – Quality workmanship

www.beltinco.co.uk

07853 826 411 07853 071 961

Want to promote your business to an estimated ¼ million readers? West Lancashire

Chorley Wigan

St Helens

Call 01695 627999 The little magazine with a big reach

locallife247.co.uk

101

C &D

Plumbing and Heating

Heating & Bathroom Specialist Chris Heaton M.I.P.H.E.R.P 07973714222 01695625171

Plumbing & Heating Specialist Complete Bathroom & Tiling service Free programmable room thermostats fitted with new Combi Boilers!

John Bailey - 01942 495785

or 07721 040620 & 07710 153238 Based in Kenyon Road, Wigan

SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES

Accredited Installer & Ser vice Partner • Annual Boiler Servicing • Landlord & Home Owner Gas Safety Checks • Gas Fire & Cooker Installations • Under Floor Heating Specialists • Home Efficiency Control Upgrades

10 YEARS

EXTENDED

Handy Home We’ll fix a leaky tap or install a new kitchen or bathroom or anything in between! Call Tony on

A Genuine Family Run Business With Friendly & Courteous Staff

WARRANTY ON SELECTED BOILER INSTALLATIONS

• Fully insured • All mess tidied away • No job too small

01257 464548 or 07794 232168

Finance available

WE REPAIR ALL MAKES OF BOILERS!

Telephone:

01942 504 429 Registration No.

88604

TEL: MOB:

01257 421 660 07931 766 684

www.fgwelch.co.uk

Great Value Bathrooms!

Full Bathrooms & En-Suites Showers, Trays & Cubicles Relocation of Bathroom Suites 25 years bathroom experience Call Chris now for a free quotation

C L Bathrooms

01942 749085 or 07801 295483 www.clbathrooms.co.uk

brand New bathrooms boiler + Central Heating Installs, servicing + Repairs Extended warranties available 24 Hour Call-out Domestic + Commercial

Freephone 0300 3030121 Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809 21 Naburn Dr Orrell wN5 8sb

Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk

www.orrellheating.co.uk

506515

102

3 Maggotts Nook Road, Rainford

103

Advertise

here

Advertise your business in this section from £39 + VAT a month For more information please phone

01695 627 999

• WILSON BROS • Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate

01695 633173 Colin: 07958 302 166 Brian: 07760 160 988 www.wilson-bros.co.uk

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

W.Newman ROOFING & REPAIRS

01695 627 212 MOBILE: 07774 943 706

52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS, UP HOLLAND Established Over 30 Years

Hobson’s ROOFC

EST 1990

WIGAN’S AWARD-WINNING ROOFING FIRM Call us for a free, no obligation quote for;

• Roofing Repairs • New Roofs • Re-Roofs • Roof Windows Apollo House, Healey Street, Wigan, WN1 2HN

07831 764 798

www.hobsonsroofcare.co.uk

Wigan Good Trader of the Year

2010 2013

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in matching styles

Is your garage door broken ? Call us today for a free estimate to Repair or Replace it

www.expertcomputers.co.uk CJM Garage Doors Ltd, Unit 10, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB t: 01942 738347 w: www.cjmgaragedoors.co.uk

‘Excellence in Customer Service’ – Winner

Design & Print l Geails N 5

Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service

Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories, Soffits & Fascias I Composite Doors I Bi-Fold Doors

ally

£20

w no

Saving money is the clear beneﬁt!

Solar Thermal & Solar PV

£1

Wind Turbines Heat Pumps

Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and

embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working

...and general NG SERVICI

Don’t forget, we also offer all of theseEnergy services daily... Savings

Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double Glazed Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, Safety Glass, Toughened Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced

FREE Dennis Goulding

A49

s Natalie

Mossy Lea Road

01695 627999

LED Lighting

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

VAN CAR & motorcycles too es E ...and Lash Tan Book X y your FREE Spra H ils home survey eds A k Sunb & GeTl Na Health ChecTelephone: 01257 427 000 ic Car U rton Acryl Y n and Brethe S Crosto B5250

For more information call

Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington, WN6 9RS (Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)

and we’ll provide you with a detailed report showing the returns available from- 12:00 yournoon Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am own solar panels www.dglwindows.co.uk

J27 dio residents me! return) T R Stu @ for all7PG me until you needCheck E e WN5Keep S HealthVisit our showroom at , Billing 400 FREE Car on - 6PM Unit 4a, Road S 4 619 your ford ay 10AM now Book Cricket : 0781 A5209

Shevington

Saturd hone : 84 Rain - 7PM, Open Telep 10AM y

Call

, Friday & Sunda ngineers esday Thursday TwinLakesMotorE ay, Wedn Closed

ay, Tuesd

Mond

(10% typical

Standish

01772

REPAIR

603923

Street Business Park off Miry Lane, Wigan.

DING 7TP & WEL WN6

Slash your electricity and water heating bill

Protect your household from future energy price rises Reduce your household’s impact on the environment

Call us now

0843 224 9555 07595 420237 or

Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk

we make it our business to help yours

Advertise

here

Advertise your business in this section from £39 + VAT a month For more information please phone

01695 627 999

105

Useful Numbers sponsored by The co-operative funeralcare Councils and Councillors (Wigan) Wigan Council Wigan Council (out of hours) Cllr Conway (Aspull & Haigh) Cllr Hilton (Aspull & Haigh)

01942 244 991 01942 404 040 01942 486 853 01942 736 215

Cllr Ready (Aspull & Haigh) Cllr Collins (Shevington) Cllr Crosby (Shevington) Cllr Edwardson (Shevington) Cllr Debbie Fairhurst (Standish) Cllr Gareth Fairhurst (Standish) Cllr George Fairhurst (Standish) Cllr Davies (Wigan Central) Cllr Hunt (Wigan Central) Cllr McLoughlin (Wigan Central)

01942 736 218 01942 487 684 01942 486 860 01942 487 674 01257 423 212 01942 487 671 01257 407 078 01942 486 864 07766 478 296 01942 487 686

Councils and Councillors (West Lancs) West Lancs Council 01695 577 177 Lancashire County Council 0300 123 6701 Cllr Baybutt (Wrigh’ton & Ap.Bridge) 01257 255 501 Cllr Evans (Wrigh’ton & Ap.Bridge) 01257 433067 Cty Cllr Fillis (Wrigh’ton & Ap.Bridge) 07876 844275 Funeral Directors The co-operative funeralcare Local Life Magazine

Libraries Aspull Library Standish Library Shevington Library Medical

01942 831 303 01257 400 496 01257 252 618

Beech Hill Medical Practice Boston House Concourse Walk-in Centre Linacre Centre Ormskirk Hospital Aspull Surgery Shevington Clinic Shevington Surgery Standish Clinic Standish Medical Practice Wigan Infirmary Emergency Dental Repairs

01942 821 899 01942 482 000 01695 554 260 01942 244 000 01695 577 111 01942 831 263 01942 483 100 01942 483 777 01942 481 380 01257 421 909 01942 244 000 01695 623 334

Police Greater Manchester Police Wigan Policing Team Lancashire Police West Lancs Local Team

01618 725 050 01618 567 124 01695 566 134 01257 462 239

01257 425 447

Advertising & Editorial 01257 498329

Accounts & Distribution 01695 627 999

106

A View From The Lump Local gossip, gripes and goings-on Fairhursts strike again! With the dust having now settled over the Big Vote, it seems appropriate to reflect on what the ballot box has bestowed. Firstly, as expected there were no massive changes locally; the town continues to send a fistful of Labour MPs down to Westminster, and at Library Street, the Red Flag flutters with an increased majority. So all in all, a night of success for Wigan’s status quo. That said, there was a small fly in the ointment for Lord Smith’s men. See, with the local elections taking place on the same day, there was an assumption - understandably - that Labour would sweep the board, on the basis that a bigger turnout favours them in what is

a pretty solid Labour town. And while that was the case in some parts of Wigan, in Standish with Langtree Ward, the Independent incumbent ol’ Georgie Fairhurst, was returned with a thumping 1,999 votes. Impressive work on a day which traditionally sees many Indies crushed underfoot. Suggestions that an emergency COBRA meeting was convened, with the sole agenda item being ‘Just What Do We Have To Do To Get Rid of The Fairhursts?’ have been vigorously denied, but it’s no secret that town hall bigwigs see them as a righteous pain in the derriere. Maybe that’s part of their appeal though. See, many Standish folk feel sore about the amount of housebuilding in the village, a programme which has been sanctioned by the town hall. Maybe it’s Standish’s way of getting its own back...

Hot gossip Back in the days when vinyl records weren’t some niche market and bands had proper names, a nice young man called Errol Brown, lead singer of Hot Chocolate, had a hit with

You Sexy Thing. Brown’s career was revived somewhat thanks to ‘90s feelgood flick The Full Monty, so it was with sadness to learn of his passing recently. However, rumours abound that the Jamaican-born star actually lived in God’s Country for a time. According to some, he resided in Goose Green. However, others have poured cold water on the claims, saying it was merely a lookalike. I’m personally openminded about the possibility of us having played host to a ‘70s disco star at some point, even if it was just for a few years. Far-fetched? Well, I believe in miracles...

Upper crust Are we solely a rugby town again following Latics’ fall from grace? Maybe for a short while, but there is another sport which will take Wigan by storm later this year. Yes, the World Pie Eating Championships are set to return; a celebration of the town’s culinary prowess and its indifference to the finger-wagging Healthy Eating Gestapo. Much nutrition can be found in a hot meat and prater just ask the scavenging pigeons outside The Moon Under The Water pub.

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10 YEAR

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The Old Coach House, George Street, Ashton in Makerfield, WN4 8QD