Local Life - Wigan - June 2019 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife Wigan Edition

June 2019

Away From The Crowds Pages 33 - 36

Win Rick Astley Tickets Pages 70 - 71

Singing Ringing Tree Walk Page 73 - 76

Local News Motoring Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks Health Events2Go Home Services

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Local Life

A Pheasant Plucker Hope you had your teeth in properly if you read that headline aloud! Yes, once upon a time, I was that pheasant plucker, scraping a living plucking pheasants and gutting fish at a game butchers down south. It was just one of many short-term jobs in my youth whilst I ‘found my feet’. Kennel hand, pot washer, baker, glass snatcher, petrol pump attendant (yes, I’m that old!); you name it and I tried it out. At the time people told me that work experience like this was a positive thing as it would enable me to work out what I didn’t want to do with the rest of my life. It was a good point. Take, for example, the morning I spent on a building site, where I was tasked with barrowing rubble into a skip. After falling off the plank three times, I was obviously never ever going to be part of a tight rope act in a circus! In fact, I was about 40 years old before I decided what I wanted to do when I grew up, and I’m sure that resonates with many other Local Life readers. So why am I rattling on about this? Well, for all of you who have exams coming up; you’re obviously going to try your best, but you don’t have to let the results of these exams define your long-term future. Hopefully you’ll pass all your exams with flying colours. But if, when you get your results back, they aren’t as good as you need them to be, then it really isn’t the end of the world – though it will probably seem like it is at the time. Picking yourself up, dusting yourself down and finding another way forward is all part of building character. I wish you all the best. See you next time

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

Local Life

In this issue Worm Charming

Regulars 56 Puzzle Corner 66 Events2Go 73 Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks

77 Garden Diary 82 Test Drive

Sections 8 Away From The Crowds

37 Food 54 Legal & Finance 58 Business View 60 Health

66 Leisure 77 Gardening 82 Motoring 85 Home Services

Next issue - July 2018

Advertising deadline - Thursday, 6 June

33 No Milk Today

Published - Thursday, 20 June

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

Telephone: 01695 627 999 60 Win Rick Astley Concert Tickets

70 Jackâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Tracks: Singing Ringing Tree

73 locallifemagazine247

Publisher: Chris chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Sales: Nicola sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: Jess wigannews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Peter design@locallife247.co.uk Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk Accounts: Christina accounts@locallife247.co.uk Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to 13,025 private homes and businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Aspull and Haigh. The next issue is delivered to 13,299 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, 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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events2go

News & Features

Standish Rounders Rounders sessions are taking place at Standish Cricket Club every Wednesday. No matter your age or ability, these fun-filled sessions will help you get fitter while learning or improving your game. Everyone aged 14+ is welcome to attend – sessions cost £2 with the first one free. If you’d like to get involved, head to the Cricket Club on Green Lane at 6:30pm on a Wednesday, or call 01942 828420 for more information.

Wigan Ramblers Love getting out and about in the countryside for walks? The Wigan & District Ramblers is a group of enthusiastic walkers who go on two rambles a month – and you’re very welcome to join them. A coach ramble takes place on the first Saturday of the month to various locations, while a footpath ramble occurs on the third Saturday of each month.

Coach pickups take place at The Globe and School Lane in Standish at 8:45am, and on Library Street in Wigan at 9am, while local walks begin at 2pm at various locations. For further information, wigananddistrictramblers.org.uk

visit

www.

Wrightington Pensioners The Wrightington Pensioners Welfare Association invites you to its weekly meetings. Enjoy a friendly social evening with bingo, dominoes and whist games – and plenty of tea and biscuits. The Association also host monthly coach trips and regular social events if you’d like to get out and about more! Meetings take place every Tuesday at 7:30pm at the Pensioners Hall on Chisnall Avenue (WN6 9RR). For further details, call Frank on 01257 425585 or Brenda on 01257 421869.

Jazz Fest Get your trumpets at the ready for the return of the Wigan International Jazz Festival in July!

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Featuring headliners like the Louis Dowdeswell Big Band, the Jazz Planets, Salena Jones & Quintet and the Wigan Youth Jazz Orchestra, the four-day music extravaganza boasts intimate local and international jazz in the heart of Wigan. Along with fresh jazz picks, the bar will be open with food served, and free parking at the venue – this year it’s hosted at the Village on the Green on Woods Road, Aspull. The festival spans from Thursday, July 11 until Sunday, July 14 – events are individually priced, with tickets covering every event available for £125. A Big Band Workshop also takes place on Saturday, July 13 at 1pm over at Whelley Ex-Servicemen’s Club if you’d like to get involved in making your own music! For more information, visit wiganjazzclub.co.uk/WIJF.htm

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Chill & Chat Daffodils Dreams CIC have launched their new social group to help engage members of the community with their work. The charity helps provide opportunities and essentials for children in need around Wigan, or those going through difficult circumstances. New volunteers are always welcome – and their Chill & Chat sessions are a great way to learn more about

Featuring vibrant flowerbeds, three beautiful ponds and a Chinese bridge which was donated by the Whitworth Art Gallery, the gardens offer a tranquil spot to relax and take a breather. Visit the Dedicate a Daisy memorial garden to reflect and enjoy the wildlife, and get to know a bit more about what the hospice does in the local community. The gardens are open on Sunday, July 14 from 10am-4pm, with an entry fee of £3. Refreshments will be available to purchase on the day.

what Daffodils Dreams do. Everyone is welcome to go along for some free refreshments – including delicious Dilly Daffs cakes – listen to music, and play some games. The next sessions take place three Fridays per month – the next is on May 31, then June 7 from 9am-2:30pm at St. James Centre on Church Street, Poolstock.

Open Gardens Wigan and Leigh Hospice in Hindley is opening its gardens to the public in July.

ASDA Friends The ASDA Wigan Friendship Group meets every month for a cuppa and a chat. Looking to meet new people? The group could be just the ticket. Bring your knitting along, read a book or engage in a game of dominoes on the first Tuesday of the month at the café at ASDA in Newtown. Sessions run from 10am-12pm and are a great opportunity to meet new people in the area! For details, call 01942 243 522 extension 222.

Design & Production Manager Wanted Local Life is an established publisher producing four print magazines each month. Our small and friendly team works Monday-Friday at our offices in Orrell. This full-time position would suit an experienced graphic designer with strong organisational skills. Salary negotiable depending on experience To apply, simply send your CV and brief portfolio to; chrisp@locallife247.co.uk The closing date is 7th June 2019 although an appointment may be made before that date if a suitable candidate is found.

LocalLife

www.locallife247.co.uk

Worm Charming

Champions The legendary Worm Charming Championships return to Aspull this month. The Aspull event began in 2013, when Ruth Atherton, Jeanette Aspinall and Caroline Midgley were discussing ways of raising money for much-needed repairs to St. Elizabeth’s Church. After much wine and laughter, the idea for worm charming was hastily written down on the back of a napkin. If you don’t already know the rules, competitors are given a 3x3 metre plot, and must ‘charm’ as many worms as possible to the surface using vibrations only in 30 minutes. Any form of music may be used to draw the worms from the ground, or an ordinary garden fork can be stuck in the ground and vibrated to encourage them to poke their heads out, but no digging is allowed! The competitor who charms the most worms to the surface will be announced as the winner, and

the worms will be released back into the soil after the birds have gone to roost that evening. The ‘Big Jim’ trophy will also be awarded to the person who charms the fattest, juiciest worm of the day. Aspull’s weird and wonderful tradition always brings plenty of fun to the area. With plenty of food and drink, family games and stalls available to browse on the day, you won’t want to miss this year’s event! All proceeds go towards St. Elizabeth’s Church. This year’s Worm Charming Championship takes place on Saturday, June 8 from 12pm5pm, with the competition kicking off around 2pm, at St. Elizabeth’s Parish Hall on Bolton Road. For more information or to register for a plot, call Ruth on 07506 729292.

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Council Celebrations

opportunity to show off your skills or get back into cycling if you’ve taken a break.

Wigan Council is rewarding its employees after it was named Council of the Year in March’s Local Government Chronicle awards.

There’ll be experts on hand to provide free bike maintenance, cycling stalls, and balance bikes for the kids. A climbing wall will also be set up if you’re looking for a bit more of a thrill!

Town hall staff have been given an extra day’s holiday in celebration, with some support workers offered the alternative of an extra day’s pay if they are unable to take time off during term time. Wigan Council’s chief executive Alison McKenzieFolan said: ‘The LGC found that Wigan Council had pioneered a new operating model by working with its residents and had provided a blueprint for British local government and beyond to follow.’

Cycle Three Sisters A jam-packed afternoon of cycling takes place at the Three Sisters Circuit in Ashton-in-Makerfield this July. Take to the track on your bike – bring your own along or borrow one on the day! It’s a great

The event takes place on Wednesday, July 10 from 3pm-8pm at the Three Sisters Circuit (WN4 8DD). Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, call 01942 488480.

Sensory Coffee Morning A coffee morning runs every week for anyone with sight loss, hearing loss or both. If you’d like to meet new friends and have a good chinwag over a cuppa, plus get some information from various local groups and services, head along to Wigan Library on Friday, May 31 from 10am12pm. For more information and dates, text Tina on 07944 013873 or Debbie on 07981 339967.

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Reet

Good

The 2019 Reet Good Beer Festival takes place from Thursday, June 20 until Sunday, June 23 on Mesnes Field. After a record number of people attended the 2018 incarnation of the festival, Reet Good promises to be bigger and better than ever this year. Along with a huge selection of locally sourced ales and ciders, the festival offers a fully stocked gin bar

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Local Life require distributors for the following areas; Standish High Street/ Preston Road area Green Lane, Southlands Avenue area Sterndale/Sheldon Avenues Langham Road/Woodhurst Drive Estate Shevington Moor Broadacre, Whiteacre estate Shevington Gathurst Lane & Vicarage Lane area Crooke Village Interested? Please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

LocalLife

and prosecco for anyone fancying something a bit bubblier. Guests can also expect a huge entertainment calendar including an 80s night, a UB40 tribute act, a Soul & Motown party and brass from the Pemberton Old DW Band. A family fun afternoon takes place on the Sunday, with plenty of games, bouncy castles and magic for the little ones. Tickets range from £5-£12 including a commemorative glass and programme depending on the event you’re interested in. All proceeds raised from the Reet Good Beer Fest go to Wigan Youth Zone, which costs almost £2 million a year to continue running. WYZ helps young people develop real and achievable aspirations to fulfil their dreams - and it’s so much more than a youth club. Tickets can be booked online, on 01942 612061 or by emailing events@wiganyouthzone.org For more information and a full calendar, visit www. reetgoodbeerfest.co.uk

Satellite Rotary The next meeting of Wigan Rotary Club’s new satellite group takes place on Tuesday, May 28. If you have skills or experiences that you believe could benefit the club, which gets involved with community activities, the annual Santa sleigh, and fundraising for national and international causes, why not go along? The new group aims to slot seamlessly into busy lives to boost the impact of Wigan Rotary. The group’s official launch will take place at Wigan’s Community Day on Saturday, July 6, so get involved early to have your say in how the group goes forward! The meeting begins at 7pm at Forbes on the Lane, Wigan Lane.

Post Office Axed Wigan’s main Post Office is set to close this month. The branch, located in Wallgate, will close its doors for good on Wednesday, June 5 before reopening the next day in its new premises inside WHSmith, Standishgate.

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A series of brass band performances take place at Haigh Woodland Park this summer. The schedule kicks off with a performance from the Skelmersdale Prize Band plus children’s entertainment from the Rapide Brothers on Sunday, May 26. Sunday, June 30 sees the Pemberton DW Band head over to Haigh, while July and August welcome the Tyldesley Brass Band, Golborne Brass Band and Old Hall Brass Band. Each performance begins at 1pm, and visitors are welcome to bring a picnic and blanket to enjoy live Emusic in a beautiful setting.

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Pier Plans Revealed Plans for a revamped Wigan Pier have been unveiled. The once-great site will again be transformed into a leisure hub at the heart of Wigan, featuring canal-side walkways, an artisan food hall and plenty of events venues. There are also plans for a gin distillery and microbrewery on the former The Way We Were museum site, along with new townhouses and conference rooms. The space has been planned in such a way that it celebrates Wigan’s green spaces and promotes the

canal as a public haven. Subject to planning approval, the rejuvenation would be completed in 2020. A decision by Wigan Council is expected this summer.

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Woodland Theatre

Special Membership Offers

Haigh’s Walled Garden plays host to a variety of outdoor theatre shows this summer. The programme kicks off in July with showings of Alice Through the Looking Glass and Cinderella, before performances of The Little Mermaid, The Dragon Who Lost His Home, Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks & the Three Bears, and The Wizard of Oz hit the stage in August.

for 2019/2020

Presented by Pendle Productions, each show promises to be a delight for children and adults alike.

36-year olds and over who sign up for one year seven day full or seven-day restricted membership receive £100 off the subscription for the first year.

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Available if you sign up in May or June. Sign up for one-year family membership (seven day full or seven day restricted, age 36 +) and both partners will receive £100 off each annual subscription for the first year. Children under 18 are free. Available if you sign up in May or June. offer 3

Tickets cost £8, with family discounts available. To book, visit www.haightickets.co.uk

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Plays run every Tuesday beginning on July 23 and ending on August 27, with two performances taking place per day, one at 12pm and another at 2:30pm.

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A Good

Read

A primary school in Shevington has opened a community café to get people back into reading. Pupils at Shevington Vale Primary School wanted to promote reading to children and adults alike, and staff knew there was no better way to do that than through an enterprising exercise. Ideas for an outdoor reading space were dismissed due to frequent inclement weather, but a brand new Garden Room was just the ticket. ‘Our school has always done a lot of enterprising,’ said head teacher Mr. Houghton. ‘Our Year 6s annually open a restaurant for Fur Clemt, and last year cooked for one hundred people out in the community. In this vein, we decided to open a pupil-run reading café in our new Garden Room – we fitted it with electrics and furniture with a £1000 grant from the Shevington Community Association

and fundraising help from our PTA.’ The room features a dedicated reading space, a coffee machine donated by AO, and plenty of windows to let the sunlight in. Pupils applied for jobs at the café in their dozens – CVs were put together and application forms filled in for various positions, including librarians, baristas and runners. The staff then conducted interviews to see who would be best suited to each role, with around thirty of the sixty candidates offered jobs at the reading café. Shevington Vale’s café opens bright and early for parents at 8:30am, as well as during school breaks and lunch. Members of the wider community are invited to drop in and visit the new community library, which features books for both adults and children. ‘We’ve set up a “book of the week” scheme too, where pupils help recommend a title to café visitors,’ Mr. Houghton continued. ‘The children also wear name badges with their favourite book on, and help to promote these titles to visitors.’ The school now hopes to get local Wigan dementia walking groups involved, offering refreshments and a quiet space for reflection after the walks.

Anxiety Support A new group has launched in Wigan to help people with anxiety. The Wigan Anxiety Support Group is the brainchild of Luke, who has lived with anxiety since he was a child. ‘I’m 37 now – over the past year or two I’ve made a lot of progress and it’s always been a dream of mine to run a group when I felt ready to do so,’ he explained. Luke began volunteering for Self Help Services in Manchester, attending and facilitating weekly meetings for people struggling with mental health issues. From there, he began his own group in Wigan via MeetUp to give people the opportunity to sit and speak with people who are going through similar experiences. The best way to increase the group’s reach was to team up with mental health charity Rethink Mental

Illness, which directly supports around 60,000 people in England with mental health issues, and encouraged Luke to launch a Wigan group. Meetings take place every other Wednesday at 7pm, at St. Wilfrid’s Parish Hall in Standish. Along with providing a safe space for members to discuss their mental health, the group also hosts monthly speakers, and hope to organise various Walk n’ Talk events in warm weather. Attendees are free to say as much or as little as they’d like at meetings – there’s no pressure to share your story, and you’re very welcome to just sit and listen. For more information about the group, email WiganAnxietyGroup@Rethink.org or call 07784 886343.

the auction centre The leading Auctioneers and Valuers

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Summer Fair All Saints C of E Primary School in Appley Bridge welcome you to their summer fair, which takes place on Saturday, June 29. There’s plenty to keep the whole family occupied, with a Nerf gun challenge for the kids, entertainment from DJ Danny, raffles, stalls and much more! There will also be a dedicated gin and prosecco tent for the grown-ups, as well as delicious BBQ food. Entrance costs 50p per adult with children going free. The fair runs from 12pm-3pm at the school.

Living With Parkinson’s The Wigan, Leigh & District Living with Parkinson’s group offers information, friendship and support to people living with Parkinson’s and their families. Meetings take place at Standish Community Centre (WN6 0JY) on the second Tuesday of the month. If you’d like practical advice and a chat with people going through similar experiences, the group provides a warm and welcoming environment to meet new people. For more information, call Sandra on 01257 401259 or email wld.parkinsons@gmail.com

Jewels May is a wonderful independent jewellers. The shop has recently expanded so as to offer customers more on site specialist services, one-to-one consultation, specialist design and re-modelling advice and manufacturing. Their jewellery range is extensive from antique and vintage to modern and one-off bespoke luxury pieces, set with diamonds and precious stones. They also boast an impressive range of engagement and wedding rings as well as preowned luxury watches. Repairs & Alterations Rhodium Plating

Tell Us Your Story! Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve. Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about? Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition! Simply contact us on wigannews@locallife247. co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.

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22 Shevington Library.

Standish Probus The Standish Probus Club welcome new members to their meetings, held on the second Tuesday of every month. Meetings begin at 10am at St. Marie’s Church Hall on Almond Brook Road, Standish. Retired or semi-retired professionals are warmly invited to the monthly talks. June sees Boyd Harris present an interesting lecture ahead of the annual summer lunch in July at a local venue. Annual membership costs £12. For further information about the club, call 01257 424841.

Computer Course A beginners’ computer course starts this June at

If you’d like to learn basic computer skills, the course could be ideal for you. It runs every Wednesday from June 5th until June 26th, 9:15am-11:15am. For more information or to book your place, pop into the library.

Apprentice Reunion Ex-apprentices of the Pemberton Triangle Valve Apprentice School intake of 1969 are invited to attend a 50th anniversary reunion event. The event will take place on Saturday, July 20 at the Fishergate Pub on Orrell Road, Orrell, at 8pm. Expect fine beers and a bit of karaoke – for more information, contact John Javis on 01942 225571 or Ronnie Oldham on 01942 205431.

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Home Ownership

Plummets

for 24-35 year olds The proportion of 25 to 34-year olds who own their home in Wigan has nearly halved in the last 20 years. As you can see from this graph, there has been a 45.3% proportional drop in the number of 25 to 34-year olds owning their own home between 1999 and 2019.

German) model of homeownership, where people buy their first home in their 50’s instead of their 20’s, usually after inheriting their parents’ home. And all this has happened at a time when interest rates have hit historic lows.

So, if you were born in the late 1980’s or early 1990’s, the dream of owning a home in Wigan has reduced dramatically over the past 20 years as young adults’ wages and salaries are now much lower in relation to Wigan house prices. In 1999, the average mortgage rate paid by UK homeowners was 6.54% whilst today it’s more than halved to 2.64%. My message to Wigan’s first-time buyers is to go and get some mortgage advice! The cost of renting smaller starter homes in Wigan is between 20% and 25% more than the actual mortgage payments would be for the same property. The fact is that mortgage repayments take up a considerably smaller proportion of take home pay, on average, than they did before the Credit Crunch or in the late 1980’s.

The Institute of Fiscal Studies said recently the cost of the average British home was just over 2.5 times higher in 2015/6 than in 1995/6 after allowing for inflation; and yet the average household income (after tax) of 25 to 34-year olds grew by only 22% in ‘real-terms’ over those 20 years. We are turning into a more European (especially

Don’t assume you can’t get a mortgage, as 95% and 100% mortgages are available, you just need the right mortgage advisor to find the right deal for you. However, do consider fixing the rate for as long as you possibly can, though talk this through with your mortgage advisor. For more advice, email me on alan@alanbatt.co.uk, call on 01942 233999 or check out my blog at http:// wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk/

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

For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the Wigan property market, check out

Alan Batt

www.wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk

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Peaceful

Protest

Friends of Haigh Hall Open Access for All have organised a peaceful protest against the restricted access of the Hall by Contessa Hotels and Wigan Council. Following the creation of an ‘unsafe’ alternative footpath to the Hall, which the Friends feel is unsuitable for disabled visitors, attempts were made at Easter to move picnickers off the lawns in front of the hall to a newly built picnic area. This area was allegedly created without public consultation and is out of sight of Haigh Hall. A spokesperson for the Friends said: ‘The peaceful walk and picnic protest is a way for Wiganers to demonstrate their love of the Hall and the grounds, and their support for the maintenance of our unrestricted access. Over 8000 people signed the petition to dedicate the main drive as a public right

of way after experiencing being locked out by the hotel group and told to move off the lawns that we have enjoyed for generations. That petition is currently being scrutinised by Wigan Council officers prior to a full council debate.’ The protest will take place on Sunday, June 9 at 2pm, led by the One True Levellers Samba Band. If you’d like to show your support, meet on the lawns to enjoy an afternoon picnic and a walk around the Hall. Protesters are encouraged to wear yellow ribbons or clothing on the day to show their support for the cause. For more information and updates, visit the Friends of Haigh Hall Heritage and Open Access for All Information Page on Facebook.

Conquer the

Clutter

One of the keys to a beautiful home is seamless storage and organisation, ensuring that everything has a place, and that everyone knows how the home operates. Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than spending time and money styling up your home to find that on a practical level it doesn’t work because you haven’t thought through where your day to day ‘stuff’ should live. But fear not! Here are some tips to get your home functioning beautifully and with great style. Declutter - Imagine you are about to move house. (It’s good to get into this mindset because it helps you to be really ruthless). Tackle one part of a room at a time so you don’t get overwhelmed. Go through your belongings and think about whether you really, really need the ‘thing’. Creating three piles - keep, bin and charity - quickly filters your belongings and reduces to a manageable amount. Act on the declutter - It’s really easy, once you’ve gone through the above exercise, to leave the bin bags or boxes in a bit pile in the hallway and then not quite get round to moving them. Do this part immediately otherwise before you know it, those ruthless decisions you made earlier will be undone and you’ll find yourself pulling bits out of the bags as you slowly change your mind. Storage - Now comes the fun part. Assess what things you’re left with and take a look at their purpose. Do you actually need a kitchen drawer

full of screwdrivers and string, or are those things better off in the garage so that you can use your kitchen drawer for teatowels and herbs? Treat yourself to new storage solutions. Do a stocktake of what you have to store before you leave. Make sure you measure the dimensions of shelving or cupboards first and always buy more containers or baskets than you think you’re going to need. Even if you don’t fill them immediately it’ll save a trip back to the shop when you do need them (or worse, find that you can’t get matching items when you need them). Set up a family command centre - This doesn’t have to be as scary as it sounds. A console table in the hallway is perfect for this. You can store keys in small drawers, hang family planners on the wall to keep everyone on track and use the space underneath for slippers or shoes to ensure the hallway stays tidy. You can have a post tray here, and baskets to pop bits in like lunchboxes or sports kit to go in/out of the house.

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Myth

The of the Common Law Relationship Many people believe that living together with another person gives them the same legal rights as if they were married. However, contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a “Common Law Marriage” in England and Wales. In fact, this legal concept has not existed for centuries, and in the unfortunate situation where a relationship has broken down, the main question they will face is “What happens to the house?” Despite the increasing popularity of unmarried cohabitation, the decline in the numbers of couples choosing to marry and reforms which now allow same-sex couples to marry, there is still a regrettable lack of “joined up thinking” in terms of the law governing the circumstance of living together. Andrew Leah, Head of the Family Law Department at Alker Ball Healds, says:

fact find to establish what potential claims may arise from the breakdown of the relationship. In cases where a couple has shared occupation of a privately owned property the outcome can sometimes be surprising. We always check a property’s Title Deeds first to see if arrangements were made and registered with HM Land Registry that quantify the shares which each joint owner holds in the property. Even in cases where the property is legally owned in just one party’s name, if the circumstances are right it may be possible for the non-owner to make a financial claim against the property. It is essential that professional legal advice is obtained as soon as possible so that urgent steps can be taken where appropriate to prevent any disposal of the property by the legal owner which could frustrate such potential claims.”

“At Alker Ball Healds we are fortunate that we can provide a full legal service to all couples regardless of their legal status and sexual orientation. We look at each family unit individually and consider whether legal tools such as Deeds of Trust, Cohabitation Agreements, Pre-Nuptial Agreements and Separation Agreements or even Wills can be utilised to avoid disputes/litigation completely.

What should I do next?

For those unmarried clients whose relationships have unfortunately already hit problems, we go to great lengths to provide assistance, beginning with a detailed

Andrew Leah: aleah@abhlaw.co.uk

If you would like to know more about this complicated area of law which involves difficult legal concepts such as resulting and constructive trusts and estoppel, please call to speak with Andrew Leah or his colleague Rob Webster on 01942 246241 to arrange a free, no obligation, 30 minute appointment. Alternatively please e-mail them on:-

Robert Webster: rwebster@abhlaw.co.uk

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Away from the

Crowds

Fancy something a bit different this summer away from the crowds of traditional seaside resorts? A relaxing weekend away or a day out in one of the North West’s lesser-known resorts can be just the ticket. Rural hotspots like Arnside or Grange-overSands could be the ideal place to while away those long, warm summer days.

Arnside & Silverdale Nestled just north of Morecambe in Cumbria, Arnside is a quiet resort and former fishing port. With glorious views over Morecambe Bay, the village provides the perfect balance of seaside and country fields and is filled with quaint shops and tearooms, with cosy B&Bs tucked along the waterfront. Arnside Pier might not be long, but it’s certainly a tranquil place to watch the world go by with a 99; Pier Lane Gallery is also well worth a visit to enjoy art by local people.

of Arnside, also offers sites of historical acclaim – Arnside Tower dates back to the fifteenth century and originally stretched to five storeys high. The impressive ruin is Grade II* listed and can be viewed from the nearby public footpath. Nearby, the Pepperpot was built back in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, and a glorious walk winds through Eaves Wood and up King William’s Hill to reach the monument.

Grange-over-Sands One of the Lake District’s many natural beauty spots – and just a short trip over to Windermere – Grange-over-Sands offers plenty to do for any discerning tourist. Begin at Holker Hall & Gardens, an estate which spans 17,000 acres and provides a stunning backdrop for a picnic before you head inside to tour the Hall and its gardens, which were

A five minute drive away is Arnside Knott, a wildlife area of international importance run by the National Trust. Made up of limestone grassland and wet meadow, the land is excellent for bug spotting and birdwatching – it’s renowned for various species of butterfly and songbirds, with plenty of walking routes around the area. Silverdale, just south

Parkgate Salt Marsh

& Quayside

34 recently named some of the most inspiring in Britain.

Heysham Home to its very own nuclear power station, Heysham is a picturesque seaside town close to Morecambe in Lancashire. The settlement actually dates back to the Stone Age, and there are plenty of ancient sites to peruse around the village – you’ll find a Viking-era stone tucked away in St. Peter’s Church, and the base of an Anglo-Saxon cross in the churchyard. Most famous are the rock-cut stone graves dating back from around the tenth century, close to St. Patrick’s Chapel – a Grade I listed site. You can even arrange for a free tour of the power station – but make sure to book well in advance for security clearance reasons. If you aren’t lucky enough to book onto a tour, pop into the visitor centre to learn more about the production of nuclear energy and

ecoast.info/

Unsworth’s Yard packs a brewery, cheese shop and bakery into one courtyard. Experience a working local real ale brewery or sample various cheeses, or just enjoy a drink out in the sunshine. Plus, Cartmel’s just up the road if you’re keen on a day at the races!

Lytham Hall Photo credit www.v isitfyld

In the town centre, enjoy a relaxing walk along the Victorian promenade, with views across the expanse of saltmarsh – it might not be a sandy beach, but the calm atmosphere and extensive range of wildlife more than make up for it. It’s worth a visit to the Lakeland Miniature Village close by – depicting typical Cumbrian houses of the past, the display is a great place to take the kids.

the power station’s place in Heysham.

Lytham & St. Anne’s St. Anne’s Pier opened to the public back in 1885, and was where you’d catch a steamer boat across to Blackpool or Liverpool. The service stopped when the Ribble estuary channels were dredged, leaving the pier too high to offer a steamer service. The pier is still a sight to behold, despite enduring two major fires in 1974 and 1982, leaving half of the pier demolished for safety reasons – the ruins of it still stand on the beach today.

Heysham Villag

35 There’s plenty of entertainment on and around the pier – try your luck at the arcade games or treat yourself to fish and chips, or let the kids loose in the paddling pool! The summer months are really when

tranquil base for the nearby towns of Fleetwood and Cleveleys. Knott End itself offers gentle walks along a seafront footpath which overlooks the saltmarsh, with regular ferries operating to take

St. Anne’s comes alive, and the beautiful beach is a great place to begin.

tourists into the neighbouring town of Fleetwood, just across the River Wyre. Enjoy fish and chips along the seafront and don’t forget to check out the statue of Lancashire artist LS Lowry, a regular visitor to Knott End in the 1940s and 50s – the village is the basis for many of his paintings.

Just down the road in Lytham, Fairhaven Lake is home to a large group of wildfowl and is praised for its recreation activities – visit the RSPB Discovery Centre to learn more about the birds native to the area, or hire a canoe or rowing boat to enjoy the sunshine on the water.

There’s plenty to keep you occupied in the nearby towns, too, with three historical lighthouses over in Fleetwood - two of which are still operated today. The Wyre Light sits crumbling out to sea, but can still be spotted for an atmospheric photograph from the shore. Fleetwood’s renowned outlet shopping village is worth a visit if you’re looking to grab a bargain, while the Fleetwood Museum offers a slice of maritime and local history for the area.

Parkgate

Knott End Ferry

You can also sit back and relax on a motorboat cruise around the lake if you aren’t feeling up to rowing. Pay a visit to Lytham Lighthouse, which dates back to 1805 and opens regularly to the public, or head over to Lytham Hall for a tour of the building and refreshments in the pretty tearoom located in the grounds. The town centres of both Lytham and St. Anne’s offer plentiful shopping opportunities, with restaurants and bars for a bit of a breather.

Knott End The perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of Blackpool’s seafront but within driving distance of the attractions, Knott End-on-Sea provides a

Dubbed the only coastal resort in Cheshire, Parkgate lies on the Wirral and is the perfect spot to enjoy a laid-back minibreak. Dotted with eateries – from cosy teashops to famous ice cream parlours – the Parkgate Parade looks out over wetland flora and fauna, and provides a welcome break from the crowds of major resorts. It’s also a perfect spot for walkers and cyclists – the nearby Wirral Country Park spans beautiful swathes of greenery, picturesque railway stations and the stunning Thurstaston cliffs. It’s a fifteen minute drive – or a twenty five minute bike ride – from Parkgate over to Thurstaston, where you can witness the spectacular natural erosion of the cliffs and a beautiful beach. Located within Wirral Country Park, Hadlow Road Station is a perfectly preserved throwback to the 1950s. Though little of the original line remains, the station is kept up by volunteers, and you can learn more

Formby Well-known for its beautiful, National Trust maintained beach, Formby has a whole lot to offer for any tourist this summer. Visit the red squirrel reserve or scale the sand dunes before heading into Formby Village, which offers great places for dining out.

Parkgate

about the station’s history inside the old ticket office.

Beyond its shoreline, Formby also made its name in a local delicacy. Formby asparagus boomed in the 1920s and 30s, with over 200 acres under cultivation in the area. First-class passengers on the Titanic allegedly dined on Formby asparagus before the luxury liner sank on its maiden voyage. Nowadays the crop is grown on just 5 acres of land, but you can still travel along the 1 ½ mile Asparagus Trail to see huge wooden asparagus spears.

Parkgate also provides a great base for visiting more of the Wirral, including the marine lake at West Kirby, or for taking a day trip over to Hilbre Island to spot seals, whales and dolphins. Just be sure to check the tides before you make the walk across to

Photo credit Natio

nal Trust Images/

John Millar

the island, or else you could end up marooned!

Formby Sand Du

Walkers can also head out to the nearby Formby Point to witness the shipwreck of the Ionic Star: the mossy skeleton of a once-great cargo vessel lost on the Mersey Channel. She ran aground in 1939 and now rests against a backdrop of wind turbines. Just down the beach, find the Bradda – a steam-powered cargo coaster wrecked in 1936. The ship left only one survivor when it sank, though the crew sent up flares and lit paraffin-soaked rags to attract attention.

nes

Food & Drink

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Sally’s Specials by Marti of The Star Inn

The Star Inn

Rosemary Crusted Fillet of Lamb with Fondant Potato, Glazed Baby Vegetables and Shallot Cream

Serves 1

Method

Ingredients

Crust: Mix together the breadcrumbs, finely chopped rosemary, 25g of melted butter, some grated lemon rind, a sprinkle of cracked black pepper until moist and brought together. Then leave aside.

1x large jacket potato 1x 8oz canon of lamb fillet 50g butter ½ cup natural breadcrumbs 6x baby carrots 4x baby fennel 1x pint chicken stock 1x pint whipping or double cream

Fondant: Peel a large jacket potato, trim the potato with a large shape cutter to cut out your fondant. In a hot oiled pan, lightly brown and place in an oven proof dish. Add the chicken stock to your oven proof dish only covering up to half of the potato and top with a slice of butter and bake at 170 degrees for 20-25 minutes. The potato should be beautifully boiled at the bottom and crisply roasted on top, with a fluffy texture in the middle. Lamb: In a pan, heat a little olive oil until very hot, add in your lamb fillet, seal off until browned on all sides and season. Add a knob of butter and put in the oven for around 3-4 minutes on 180 degrees. Lift out the lamb and place the moist crust along the fillet, bake for another 3-4- minutes and lift out, rest, then carve. For well done lamb, cook for 6-7 minutes before adding the crumb.

Seasoning

Vegetables: In a pan of hot seasoned boiling water cook the vegetables until al dente, lift out and drain any excess water. Heat a little oil in a pan until very hot, add the vegetables, a knob of butter and drop of honey. Toss around with a little seasoning and serve with chopped herbs.

Grated lemon rind

Sauce: In a hot oiled pan, add finely chopped shallots and thyme, cook until the

4x banana shallots 2 sprigs of rosemary

Horseradish sauce Touch of honey

shallots are soft. Add a splash of white wine and reduce by half. Add ½ pint of whipping or double cream, a good splash of chicken stock and season. Reduce again by half and add ½ teaspoon of horseradish sauce, season again to taste. Add a small knob of butter and serve.

39 Sally’s at The Star Inn was launched in 2007 in homage to landlord and chef Marti’s mother Sally, who passed away in 1996. A great cook herself, it was Sally’s lifelong dream to have a restaurant in her name, and Marti wanted to honour that promise when he took the reins of The Star Inn at Roby Mill.

Salmon, Chilli & Coriander Fishcakes

This is a simple and very tasty dish to make. Traditionally fishcakes have quite a bland taste, but the spicy flavours here give the dish a hell of a kick, which contrasts exceptionally well with the crème fraiche and the tomato concasse. Try and use Scottish salmon though, only the best for a dish like this!

Ingredients

Serves 1 - 2

1x 6oz Scottish Salmon fillet

Method

3x large peeled potatoes 2x red chillies Handful of chopped coriander 1x clove of garlic ½ finely chopped onion Seasoning Pane Gear (seasoned flour, egg wash, fine breadcrumbs) ½ lemon Sprig of thyme

Poach the Salmon in salted water with lemon and thyme. Meanwhile chop and boil the potatoes until soft. Very finely chop the onion, garlic, chillies and coriander and place into a mixing bowl. Strain the potatoes and add them to the mixing bowl. Carefully lift out the salmon, discard the lemon and thyme and add the Salmon to the bowl. Season with salt and cracked black pepper, then mix until completely combined. Portion into thick circles and pane (we pane twice for extra crispness). Shallow fry until golden brown. Enjoy with some dressed leaves, a simple chive crème fraiche or a chunky tomato concasse.

Competition Winners Congratulations to the winners of our April competition to win a pair of tickets to see Jess Glynne live at Haydock Park! The competition winners were Megan Whittaker from Appley Bridge (pictured) and Sylvia Wright from Aspull. We hope you have an amazing night at the gig! Don’t forget to see pages 70-71 for your chance to win tickets to Rick Astley live at Haydock Park on Saturday, July 20. Did you know we also run social media competitions exclusively for fans of our Facebook page, Local Life Magazines? Make sure to give it a like to stay up to date!

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Pink Ribbon Walk A local care provider is walking a 27.2 mile route along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal in aid of breast cancer. Beginning in Liverpool, the team at PCS Personal Care Services will hike along the canal, past Bootle and Aintree, up to Maghull and Lydiate then past Halsall and through Burscough, before finishing up in Parbold. The team’s goal is to raise a whopping £100 per mile for Breast Cancer Care – a charity aiming to support everyone affected by breast cancer through helplines and smartphone apps, with qualified breast cancer nurses on hand to offer assistance and advice. Dressed as pink fairies, the PCS team will undertake the Pink Ribbon Walk along the canal, with an ultimate goal of £2,720.

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Shevington Fete The Shevington & District Community Fete takes place this month.

Bostock and Jamie Harrison, Wigan Rock Choir and Tom Jones tribute Ian Anthony.

On Saturday, June 22 from 11am-4pm, you can enjoy loads of live music, plus stalls to browse and delicious food to feast on across the village. Expect wood-fired pizza, a gin and prosecco bar, a beer stand and delicious artisan cakes! Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll be sports and childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s games taking place throughout the day, plus a visit from some farm animals, a magician, and the chance to learn some circus skills. A climbing wall and fairground rides will also be set up in Shevington for those seeking a bit more of a thrill!

The fete will stretch across Shevington Recreation Ground, St. Anneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Parish Rooms, the Youth Club and the Methodist Church. Sports will be taking place throughout the day on the Recreation Ground, with the fete officially opening at 11am in the music marquee.

Wigan Council and Shevington Parish Council will also be in attendance to provide information and advice about their services. This year, entertainers will be set up on a bigger main stage at the fete, with acts like the Phoenix Ukulele Band, vocalist Beth Anglesea, folk performers Tony

A free park and ride system courtesy of Pemberton Taxis is also available from Shevington High. Shevington in Bloom are also running a tombola stall at the fete in order to raise money for their awardwinning floral displays around the village. If you have any unwanted gifts, toiletries, bric-a-brac, bottles of wine etc. that could be used as prizes, please hand them in at Shevington Library. For more information, email shevingtonfete@ outlook.com

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Live Life Fest A huge, inclusive music festival comes to Standish this July. Focused around a Retro Carnival theme, the festival encourages visitors to don their blue suede shoes and sequinned hot pants for a fabulous day of music and entertainment. There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained on the day – from a ‘trashion show’ showcasing recycled garments to a comedy tent and cabaret performances, you definitely won’t be bored. Organiser Lynn James-Jenkinson said: ‘We’ve got some great local acts signed up - from guitar acts to

dancers, if you love music and entertainment, you’ll love the Live Life Festival.’ This year’s event also features physical theatre

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45 performances, live music on two stages, circus acts, vintage vehicles and festival hair & make-up stalls. Better yet, all proceeds from the event go to local charities My Life and My Life My Way, helping to support vulnerable people in the community and alleviate loneliness. CEO of My Life Caroline Tomlinson said: ‘We believe that everyone benefits from being part of a community, and what better way to get together than enjoying fabulous entertainment in the summer sun? The Live Life Festival is going to be a fantastic day out and everyone is welcome!’ The fully accessible event takes place on Saturday, July 6 from 11am-8pm at the Thompson House Equestrian Centre on Pepper Lane, Standish. Tickets cost just £5 and are available online at www. my-life.org.uk or by calling 01257 472900.

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Summer Nights Two huge outdoor cinema experiences head to Dunham Massey park this summer. Catch a special showing of Grease on Thursday, August 29 from 6:30pm with the beautiful grounds as a backdrop. Experience the friendships, romance and adventure of the hit musical like you’ve never seen it before, and have a good old singalong while you’re at it! On Saturday, August 31, Bohemian Rhapsody heads to the park at 6:30pm. You’ll follow Queen through their huge career all through to their heady performance at the 1985 Live Aid. Tickets for the films cost £15.50 per adult, £10.50 per child under 12, or free for under-5s. For more information, visit www.summernightsfilm.co.uk

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Food & Drink

Sinatra & Swing Wigan Rotary Club are proud to present their next fundraising event – a night of Frank Sinatra and

will be printed in full colour, with any ads purchased also projected on a 5 metre screen above the stage

swing music from Foden’s Band.

before the concert and during the interval. The event – which brings together a large number of people from all walks of life – is a great opportunity to promote your business.

Teaming up with the Rotary Club of Bolton le Moor, the huge event takes place in the Victoria Hall in Bolton. The mayors of both towns will be in attendance to show their support for the hard work Rotary does in the community, while the venue provides top-class acoustics and a huge audience capacity. National Brass Band Champions of Great Britain Foden’s Band, along with vocalist Matt Ford, will have you dancing the night away. Wigan Rotary Club is also offering sponsorship opportunities for local businesses to feature in the glossy A4 event programme. 400 of these brochures

A5 (half-page) ads cost £50, while an A4 (full page) ad costs £100. Interested? Email Josh at facilitiesmanager@boltonmethodistmission.org.uk or call 01204 522569. The event takes place on Saturday, June 8 at 7:30pm. Tickets cost £15 and are available from the Victoria Hall box office or on www.boltonmethodistmission. org.uk

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British Fuchsia Society Summer is finally here, and what better time to start gardening again? The Orrell branch of the British Fuchsia Society invites you to a series of dedicated events to help you get started. Meetings cover a range of topics, with interesting presentations and talks. June’s talk is a presentation and demo from Pinny’s Pots – see how these locally crafted terracotta plant-pots are made and meet the woman behind their conception! July sees a mini flower show take over the society ahead of the annual show on Saturday, August 10. You’ll also have the chance to enjoy refreshments and win great prizes in the group’s raffle, while sharing gardening tips with new friends! Meetings take place on the last Thursday of the month at Living Faith Church in Orrell (WN5 8TG).

Tennis Open Day Winstanley Tennis Club are hosting an open day this July.

Byron’s Carpet Cleaning Service Your local Carpet Cleaning Specialist Care for your carpets with our 8 step cleaning procedure. 1. Free pre-inspection & Fibre test 2. Pre-rake preparation of carpets 3. Pre vacuum 4. Pre-spay with preparation fluid 5. Spot & stain treatment 6. Powerful extraction & rinse 7. Reset carpet pile 8. Final inspection

New high power extractors For guaranteed quality & finish Phone: Byron or Tom on:

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Bring all the family along for an afternoon of free tennis, and take part in free coaching or a ‘cardio tennis’ session for anyone who’d like to burn a few more calories. Racquets and balls are provided, and refreshments will be available throughout. The event takes place on Sunday, July 21 from 1pm4pm at the club off Winstanley Road.

Wigan Bike Ride The Wigan Bike Ride returns on Sunday, June 30 to help raise money for local charity Joining Jack. Two rides - the 50 mile main rider and a 5 mile family ride - will take place on the day, and all keen cyclists are invited to come along. Entry costs £20 for the main ride or £11-£13.50 for the family ride bookable on www.wiganbikeride.co.uk 4 cycle training sessions will run weekly, beginning on Sunday, June 2 to help riders get road ready and improve their distance cycling. These cost £1 per session with proceeds to Joining Jack - for info, call 07789 516153.

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Step up in style

Safe and The summer holidays are just around the corner. We put a lot of effort into planning our perfect summer break, but we often don’t put quite as much effort into making sure that while we’re away relaxing our home is safe. The holiday season is bonanza time for burglars, but a little preparation can save a lot of distress. 60 percent of burglars gain entrance through rear or side windows and doors so make securing these a priority. Fences and hedges are the first line of defence against uninvited guests so should act as an effective barrier, rather than just being attractive borders. Police recommend ‘hostile plants’; plants that are spiky, prickly or very dense. Don’t let them grow too high though, your home should be visible from the street and to your neighbours. The idea is not to provide a hiding place for intruders! Protect the entrance to your property too. If a gate isn’t practical, consider covering pathways with gravel. Thieves don’t like to announce their presence and the sound of footsteps on gravel is often enough

Sound to put them off entering. Motion-activated lighting and well-lit paths and driveways are also a good deterrent. Keep valuables out of sight. If they can be seen, then someone might be tempted to try to steal them. Don’t close curtains in the daytime though, as this announces to the world that your house is empty. Invest in timer switches to turn lights and the radio on and off. Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries. Inform a couple of trusted neighbours that you will be away. Ask them to keep an eye on your property and offer to do the same for them while they are away. Little tasks like moving the post away from the door, and drawing your curtains in the evening will make it look as though someone is in. They could even park a car on your drive if you are taking yours away. Offer to do the same for them when they go on holiday. Join your Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, or if there isn’t a local scheme, set one up. Neighbourhood Watch has an excellent track record of deterring opportunistic thieves. A little vigilance and some common sense go a long way to protecting the things you love. Follow these simple steps and you will be able to relax on holiday knowing your home is as safe as it can be. By Sarah Davey

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Legal & Finance

Keep Calm &

Carry On 2018 was a challenging year for investors with most markets falling quite heavily. Brexit, US interest rate policy and US/China trade wars were key drivers behind the falls. That said, Q1 2019 evidenced a strong bounce back and consequently it would appear that volatility is back on the agenda. Triggers for market volatility can come in many different forms - policy uncertainty, earnings reports, geopolitical unrest. Though market swings can rattle even the most seasoned investors, it is just part and parcel of longer term stock market investing The best time to invest in recent years was 2009, just after the financial crisis, giving a return of 110% by the start of 2017. But investing before the crisis in 2006 was not bad either; the road may have been bumpier but investors still doubled their money.* A well-defined investment plan tailored to your goals can help you be ready for the ups and downs of the market, and to take advantage of opportunities as they arise. Market volatility should be a reminder to review your investments regularly to ensure that the overall risk in your portfolio fits your personality and goals. Keep perspective - Market downturns may be unnerving, but history shows that markets have been able to recover from declines and can still provide investors with positive long-term returns. In 2015 and 2016, this general pattern played out. U.S. stocks experienced sharp drops in August 2015, when China devalued its currency; in January 2016, as oil prices dropped; in June of 2016, after the “Brexit” vote; and in the run up to the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Still, during the 2-year period, the market was up close to 8% cumulatively. Be comfortable with your investments - If you are nervous when the market goes down, you may not

be in the right investments. Your time horizon, goals, and tolerance for risk are key factors in helping to ensure that you have an investing strategy that works for you. Do not try to time the market - Attempting to move in and out of the market can be costly. Studies from independent research firm Morningstar show that the decisions investors make about when to buy and sell funds cause those investors to perform worse than if they had simply bought and held the same funds. If you could avoid the bad days and invest during the good ones, it would be great - the problem is though, that it is impossible to consistently predict when those good and bad days will happen. The adage goes it’s ‘time in’ the market ‘not timing’ the market which creates wealth. We’re here to make it as comfortable as possible but the market’s gains are only there for those who can ride out a few bumps on the way. *FTSE UK Private Investor Balanced Index The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may get back less than you invested

David Barton APFS Cert CII (MP) Managing Director & Chartered Financial Planner

In these uncertain times, it’s vital to protect your family’s financial future.

Prosper Wealth Management are Wigan’s premier investment and pension specialists. Established in 2003, we now protect the interests of more than 500 local clients with total investments of over £155m. We were awarded the ‘gold standard’ Chartered Financial Planner status in 2012, and are still the only Wigan company with this prestigious accreditation. For trusted and independent investment and pension planning advice, call us today for a consultation.

Wealth Preservation Investment Planning Retirement Planning Long-term Care Solutions

The initial consultation is at our expense and is without obligation.

01257 423 800 Prosper Independent Financial Advisers Ltd. Prosper House, 99a High Street, Standish, WN6 0HD

www.prosper-ifa.co.uk

Puzzle Corner WORD SEARCH

All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 92 of this magazine.

SUDOKU

Weird-but-real words Find the hidden words in the word search grid

ABIBLIOPHOBIA COLLYWOBBLES PAUCILOQUENT ABSQUATULATE

COMEUPPANCE

QUIRE

BIBBLE

ERINACEOUS

RATOON

BLOVIATE

GARDYLOO

SIALOQUENT

BORBORYGM

GUBBINS

WABBIT

BROUHAHA

LOLLYGAG

XERTZ

BUMFUZZLE

NUDIUSTERTIAN

YARBOROUGH

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Good looking.

Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.

D R U S

P O O E

D D G G

E A O R

NUMBER BLOCK

1 5

8 3 1 9 2 4 10 2 2 11 8 9 10 11 12 The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right. The numbers in each column add up to the totals along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the totals to the right.

Platt & Fishwick would like to extend a warm welcome to Charlotte Ford, who has joined us as the newest member of our team.

of the Family Law Panel, the Family Law (Advanced) Panel and the Children Panel. Platt & Fishwick is a forward thinking and innovative firm of solicitors who have been in business since 1914 and are dedicated to providing quality legal services in the most cost effective way possible.

Charlotte hails from Poynton, Cheshire. She has a strong academic background, completing her Law Degree in two years and progressing to attain her Masters Degree in Law in 2016. Charlotte then relocated to Wigan to successfully complete her Training Contract before being admitted as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in August 2018.

We can also offer assistance in the following areas; Wills & Probate, Employment Law, Company & Commercial Law, Residential & Commercial Conveyancing, Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Landlord & Tenant matters. If you need any assistance at all, do not hesitate to give us a call.

Charlotte has a wide range of legal knowledge but she is now concentrating on specialising solely in Family Law. She has joined the Family team at Platt & Fishwick headed by Director, Sandra Finch, who is a member

47 King Street, Wigan, WN1 1DB – 01942 243281

Charlotte will be offering free 30 minute consultations until the end of June 2019 to all new clients when they make an appointment with her quoting ‘Local Life’

11 Preston Rd, Standish, WN6 0HR – 01257 402430

LocalLife

www.locallife247.co.uk

Business View

Happy New (Tax) Year by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy Over the past few months, we have detailed the changes that businesses face with Making Tax Digital, which went live on 1st April. If you are in business and still unsure on how this will impact you; please call us on 01257 255521 for an appointment when we can discuss this in more detail. Don’t miss out! For a limited period we are offering all new clients Xero or Quickbooks software free of charge for 6 MONTHS if they sign up for our services. Going forward, we take a look at individual tax planning and areas that you can look at to ensure that you take advantage of the various tax reliefs available. • Personal Allowances – From 06 April this increases to £12,500 and the higher rate band starts at £50,000. – Part of the allowance can be transferred to a spouse, saving up to £400 of income tax per year. • Income from jointly-owned assets – It is usually assumed that these are allocated equally for tax purposes. An election could be made to split the income to reduce income tax for higher rate partners. This may be relevant if you own a buy to let property. • Giving to Charity – Making a charitable donation under Gift Aid reduces income when it comes to restriction of personal allowances. It is therefore more beneficial for such gifts to be made by the higher rate spouse.

• Higher Income Child Benefit Charge – If you receive Child Benefit and have earnings in excess of £50,000 then you will suffer an additional tax charge. There are ways to reduce the impact of this if you take action within the tax year. If you are a company director and receive dividends then the timing of these can impact this charge. • Rent a Room – This provides up to £7,500 of tax relief if you let out a furnished room in your own home. This can be a great way of supplementing your income. Be careful though if you receive certain benefits as this income may affect these. These are just a few measures that tax payers can make to help reduce their tax. CMA provides full accountancy and tax services for businesses, individuals, sole trader and landlords – to book your FREE consultation, please call us on 01257 255521. Feel free to drop by the office on Skull House Lane in Appley Bridge and we can discuss these further over a coffee. Of course, there will be no charge for the initial meeting. Chris Alcock ACMA - CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR Tel: 01257 255521 Email info@cma-accountancy.com web www.cma-accountancy.com

59 SA

Do you need help and guidance with;

Benefit

lin

AE VAT

Company Accounts? Auto Enrolment? Self Assessment? Cloud-based Software? Payroll Services? Making Tax Digital?

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Health & Fitness

No Milk

Today

Cow’s milk is considered dietary staple by many. It’s rich in protein and important vitamins and minerals, including calcium, phosphorus and B vitamins. But some people can’t or don’t drink cow’s milk at all due to personal preferences, dietary restrictions, allergies or intolerances. Lactose intolerance is very common. Lactose is a sugar found in cow’s milk. People with lactose intolerance cannot digest this sugar so it stays in the digestive tract causing gas and irritation. So, what is available for those who prefer a nondairy alternative? Soy Milk – Made with either soybeans or soy protein isolate, and often contains thickeners and

vegetable oils. It typically has a mild and creamy flavour. It has a similar nutritional make-up to cow’s milk, and works best in cooking, in coffee and on cereal. Almond Milk (or other nut milks) – This is made with either whole almonds or almond butter and water (cashew, hazelnut and macadamia nut milks are also available). Nut milks have a light texture and a slightly sweet and nutty flavour. They contain fewer calories and fat than cow’s milk but are also significantly lower in protein and carbohydrates. They can be added to coffee and tea, used on cereal, mixed in smoothies and used as milk in desserts and baked goods.

61 Coconut Milk - Made from water and the white flesh of brown coconuts. It has a creamy texture and a sweet, subtle coconut flavour. It contains less fat than cow’s milk and significantly less protein and carbohydrates. It can be used on cereal and in smoothies and cooking. Oat Milk – Made from a mixture of oats and water. It is high in soluble fibre, which is good for gut health. It is naturally sweet with a mild flavour and can be used in cooking in the same way as cow’s milk. It is also good for use on cereal or in smoothies. Rice Milk - Made from milled white or brown rice and water this is the least likely milk substitute to trigger allergies, which makes it a safe option for those with allergies or intolerances to dairy, gluten, soy or nuts. It is mild in taste and naturally sweet and is nice to drink on its own as well as in smoothies, or in desserts or over cereal. It is not a good choice for children or the elderly because of its low protein content, and it has a high glycaemic index so is not good for diabetics either. There is no one milk substitute that is ideal for everyone. The taste, nutrition and cost of these alternatives can vary considerably, so it is worth taking a while to experiment and find those that work best for you. By Louise Addison

Free Breast Screening Wigan women aged 50-70 are invited to attend a free NHS breast screening. It’s recommended that screenings take place every three years – the earlier breast cancer is caught, the better the chances of beating it. Mammograms are a simple procedure during which an X-ray is taken of each breast by a female health practitioner. Screenings take place in the mobile unit on the Thomas Linacre Centre carpark, and can be booked on 01942 774713.

Music on the

Move

Research has shown what most of us instinctively knew - that listening to the right type and tempo of music while you run keeps you ‘in the zone’ for longer. So what factors are important when choosing headphones for running? Water resistance – If you run outside this is obviously important, but many of us forget that sweat is water and if you’re running, indoors or out you will sweat, and eventually this will kill your headphones. Fit – There are headphones which wrap tightly around your head, or over and around your ears. But the best types of running headphones are probably true wireless, or lightweight Bluetooth. They are ‘in-ear’ designs with tips that fit into the ear and additional, curved, tapered 'hooks' that sit under the crater of cartilage just above the earhole, known as the anti-helix. When you’re running little things like a cable rubbing the back of your neck can feel irritating. Also, although the battery life can be irritatingly short with true wireless headphones if you use them as your main set, it’s more than long enough for even the most enthusiastic runner. Wireless and ‘true wireless’ headphones are different. ‘True wireless’ headphones completely lack a cable or connector between the earpieces. Wireless headphones are still connected in some way, either over the head or round the back of the neck, even if they no longer need to be connected to a phone jack. Sound quality – This is possibly the least important

feature for sports use. Mostly runners want to feel the beat and be motivated by their pumped-up playlist, while blocking out external noise. Sports headphones are not about being able to pick out the subtle nuances in a Chopin piano concerto. They need to be reasonable sound quality and be able to cope with a bit of bass. Ambient Sound – Some headphones are designed to let in ambient sound with good reason: situational awareness is important if you run on your own and you want to be aware of traffic or of someone approaching you. This feature is less important if you prefer to run in a gym and want to block out the world. Running is such a great activity, and the right music will add to the experience, so pick up some headphones today and in the words of the classic from Spencer Davis Group which features on my own playlist - Keep on Running. By Tom Hancock

Beat Bladder Weakness As I carried two heavy bags of shopping into the house I sneezed, and my bladder emptied itself on to the hall floor. I was wearing a light skirt and no tights so there was nothing to stop it. Horrified I dropped the shopping, ran to the toilet, finished ‘going’, then cleaned myself and the floor. I thought maybe it was a one-off incident but over the next few weeks it happened more and more. Why was this happening? I was only 49, slim and a runner. I did my Kegel exercises regularly. Incontinence didn’t happen to people like me! Eventually I plucked up the courage to speak to my GP. It turns out that although Kegels are helpful they are not a cure-all. Some of us have hypertonic muscles – our pelvic floors are too tight, which can also cause leaking. In these cases Kegels may make the problem worse! The GP also informed me that while most people think of incontinence as a problem for the elderly she treats cases in teenagers, right through to octogenarians and beyond. As we age hormone changes mean we are more likely to leak, but there are many causes: pelvic floor trauma caused by childbirth or sex, interstitial cystitis, multiple sclerosis, chemotherapy, neurological disorders, fistula, and even certain medications. Somehow in my head I (completely unfairly) equated incontinence with people who don’t care about themselves. I couldn’t be incontinent because I was fit, wore make-up and had regular haircuts! In fact, high-impact sports can damage a pelvic floor. Runners, gymnasts, dancers and weightlifters may put more strain on their pelvic floor than it can handle and as a result can experience stress urinary incontinence. I had been avoiding drinking in social situations, and straining out as much urine as I could when I went to the loo to try to prevent leaks happening later. But my GP informed me that both these habits were probably doing more harm than

good. Straining when going to the loo can cause a prolapse…not good, and avoiding drinking means more concentrated urine which irritates the bladder lining resulting in a false urge to wee. My leakiness was a combination of hormone changes and my love of running. I was referred to a specialist physio and while I am not completely cured it’s now much less of an issue. Bladder leakage more common than you think in all age groups, and I want you to know that there is nothing to be ashamed of and you don’t have to suffer in silence. By Katie Tew

Reduce Workplace

Injury

Whether we work at a desk or in manual job, we can develop pain or injury relating to our work. Two of the most common are neck and lower back pain. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re regularly in a position which is not good for your body, it can start to wear down and cause injury. But you donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have to accept this as an inevitable consequence of work. Simple changes like obtaining a new chair, or setting up your work station correctly can have a positive impact. There are also exercises that we can do throughout the day which can help increase mobility and prevent injury. These exercises concentrate on ensuring a strong mobile thoracic spine, which promotes good posture while minimising the chance of injury. The thoracic spine is at the centre of our ability to move freely. If it becomes stiff then this impacts on our lower back, our neck and our shoulders and arms. Shoulder excellent.

rolls are Roll one

at a time forward and then backward, then both together. Spinal rotation is also good. Lift your arms in front of you to shoulder height, bent at the elbows fingertips almost touching, then twist gently to the right and the left several times, trying to turn a little further each time without straining. Try some pectoral stretches by placing your hands behind your head and lacing your fingers together. Draw both elbows back to open the shoulders and rib cage. Hold the position for fifteen seconds. These exercises can be done easily while sitting or standing at your desk so do them 3-4 times per day. This about optimising your work place. Flexible sit/stand desks are becoming more popular. A sit/ stand desk is one that allows the user to alternate between sitting and standing by being able to lower or raise the work surface. By being able to alternate sitting and standing, users can vary their body position more often which is better for spine health. By Louise Addison

Health & Fitness

Home Visits

Wax Removal & Hearing Tests • • • •

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Immediate weight loss Stress reduction, stop smoking and more... Philip Parr - Qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist with over 10 years experience.

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Foot problems? We can help!

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Over 60 walks FREE to download at locallife247.co.uk

Leisure

Upload your event for FREE at www.locallife247.co.uk/events Ukulele Concert

Ladies Fashion Show

Friday, May 24, 7pm

Thursday, May 30, 7:30pm

Wigan Ukulele Band perform a concert of fun songs. Tickets £7.50 including sausage and mash supper. Bring your own drinks.

Barbara’s of Standish and the Standish WI present a fantastic ladies’ fashion show, with light refreshments. Tickets £8 from Barbara’s of Standish or on 01257 425480.

St Wilfrid’s Parish Hall, Church St, Standish, WN6 0JT

Car Boot Sale Monday, May 27, 7am-1pm Grab a bargain at the car boot sale, and help raise much needed funds for Standish St. Wilfrid’s Youth Organisation along the way. Info on 07716 753164. Chadwick’s Fine Food Emporium, High Street, Standish, WN6 0HD

Fun Day Monday, May 27, 12pm-4pm Browse plenty of stalls from tombolas to bric-abrac and enjoy hot dogs, burgers and cakes. Car boot sale tables available for £10 – proceeds to the home. Plus a talent show for young people aged up to 17 – to book a place, call Mary on 07592 454979. Cardinal Heenan House, School Lane, Roby Mill, WN8 0QR

Fiddle Blanket Workshop Wednesday, May 29, 6:30pm-8:30pm Make a sensory blanket to donate to local care homes for Dementia Action Week. Bring along any fabric scraps, buttons or textured materials you have at home. Wigan STEAM, Marsden Street, Wigan, WN1 1QF

Nocturnal Nature Friday, May 31, 8:30pm-10:30pm Active Outdoors invite you to enjoy nature at night – look for the sights, sounds and signs of owls, bats and moths. Dogs welcome on non-extendable leads, meet on Three Sisters Road. Free event, places bookable on Eventbrite. Three Sisters Recreation Area, Three Sisters Road, Wigan, WN4 8DD

Charity Quiz Night Monday, June 3, doors at 7pm Raise money for World Animal Protection and test your knowledge at a fun quiz with fabulous prizes! There’ll be a buffet included and a licensed bar, as well as a raffle and cake sale. Tickets £4 in advance from Gilmore Vets or £5 on the door – call 01257 426110 for info. Standish Unity Club, Cross Street, Standish, WN6 0HQ

Worm Charming

Midsummers Ball

Saturday, June 8, 12pm

Saturday, June 8, 7pm-1am

Charm the most worms using music or vibrations from a shovel and win the coveted Aspull Worm Charming Championship! There’s also a prize for the fattest worm charmed, plus stalls, games and loads of food and drink. Call 07506 729292 to book your plot.

Help raise money for the Wigan MS Therapy Centre with a night of live entertainment and a delicious 3-course meal. Tickets £30 – to book, call 07702 025280 or 07759 735301.

St. Elizabeth’s Parish Hall, Bolton Road, Aspull, WN2 1QW

Rounders on the Rec Saturday, June 8, 2pm-4pm Have a fun game of rounders with family and friends! There’ll be refreshments available – contact the Friends of Standish Recreation Ground on 07749 293030 or 07976 686775 with your provisional team name to confirm your place. Standish Recreation Ground, Standish, WN6 0TH

The Marquee, DW Stadium, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UH

Sinatra and Swing Legends Saturday, June 8, 7:30pm Join the Rotary Clubs of Bolton le Moors and Wigan for a night of swing music from Foden’s Band and vocalist Matt Ford. Tickets £15 on 01204 522569 or from the Victoria Hall Box Office. The Victoria Hall, Knowsley Street, Bolton, BL1 2AS

Falklands Memorial Service Sunday, June 9, 12:30pm-1:30pm A service to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Falklands War in 1982. Wigan Parish Church, Bishopgate, Wigan, WN1 1NL

One-off Designer Samples from £300 or less all sizes To book your consultation contact Julie on:

01257 424 624

www.julesbridalboutique.co.uk

Musical Extravaganza

Lords of the Ring

Sunday, June 9, 4pm-7:30pm

Friday, June 14, 6pm-midnight

Enjoy a late afternoon of music from the Swingtime Big Band, vocalist Emma Holcroft and the Really Awful Orchestra in aid of the Christie Charity. Food available, minimum donation £10.

Enjoy 10 outstanding bouts of boxing starring Army and Navy boxers in the Annual Armed Forces HQ Boxing Show. There’ll also be displays from military drums and a pipe band and some special guests! Black-tie event, tickets £80 including drinks reception and 3-course dinner, plus a charity auction and raffle. Bookable on j.harker@wigan.gov.uk

Holland Hall Hotel, Lafford Lane, Up Holland, WN8 0QZ

Courts, Crimes & Constables Thursday, June 13, 12:30pm-1:30pm Marianne Howell presents a talk on the history of crime and punishment through the ages, including the Lancashire Police. Entrance £3 including refreshments. Museum of Wigan Life, Library St, Wigan, WN1 1NU

All Saints’ Church Appley Bridge All Saints Church is a modern parish church building in a quiet location in the village of Appley Bridge, close to Junction 27 of the M6. It comprises a main church room(up to 80 people in chairs), a smaller side room(Up to 12 people), and has a kitchen and unisex WC facility. Tables are available for both rooms, and chairs are moveable. All Saints is available at various times and days during the week for hire by small groups, choirs, clubs, societies, or for meetings / lectures / etc. HIRING RATES Room 1: £40-00 per evening, £90-00 per day Room 2: £20-00 per evening, £50-00 per day Payable in advance. email: contact@allsaintschurch.co.uk info leaflet at: www.allsaintschurch.co.uk/churchhire Find Us on Finch Lane (off Appley Lane North), and on Facebook Finch Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DT Please Note: Bookings are accepted at the discretion of the church

The EDGE, Riveredge, Wigan, WN3 5AB

Summer Fayre Saturday, June 15, 11am-2pm Help raise money for much-needed playground equipment while enjoying barbecue food, a bouncy castle, donkey rides, Morris dancers, and plenty of stalls. Marus Bridge Primary School, Kelvin Grove, Wigan, WN3 6SP

Joseph’s Goal Charity Ball Saturday, June 15, 7pm-1am Help fund research into NKH with a delicious 4-course dinner, entertainment and a disco! There’ll also be a raffle, an auction and a silent auction, plus complimentary drink on arrival. Tickets £50 or £450 for a table of 10. Dress code is black tie and sparkles. To book, call 07702 078286 or info@josephsgoal.org Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel, Chorley Road, Standish, WN1 2XN

Killer Confessions Thursday, June 20, 7:30pm Paul Harrison – one of the first British policemen to work with the FBI Behavioural Science Unit – talks about his career profiling, researching and interacting with American serial killers. Gain insight into the psyches of the world’s most infamous murderers. Tickets £20, bookable on 01942 770432. DW Stadium, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UZ

Reet Good Beer Fest

Annual Ceilidth

Thursday, June 20 – Sunday, June 23, various times

Monday, June 24, 7:30pm-10pm

Sample a huge selection of beers, ales and ciders – plus a massive selection of gins and mixers – all in aid of Wigan Youth Zone. Fabulous musical entertainment, including an 80s-themed Thursday, will accompany the beer. The Sunday is for all the family, with bouncy castles and family activities. Tickets from £5-£12. Visit www.reetgoodbeerfest.

Wigan Thistle Society presents its annual Ceilidth – enjoy a night of Scottish dancing, and bring a plate of food for the Jacob’s Join. Tickets £2 per adult or £1 per child, available from Paula on 01942 680008.

co.uk for info & times.

Dementia Voices

Mesnes Field, New Market Street, Wigan, WN1 1RU

Shevington Fete Saturday, June 22, 11am-4pm Browse loads of stalls, enjoy live music and plenty of food and drink! Free park and ride available. Venues including the Recreation Ground, St. Anne’s Parish Rooms, the Methodist Church and Youth Club are getting involved. For more info, email shevingtonfete@outlook.com Across Shevington

The BIG Family Festival Saturday, June 22, 12pm-4pm Enjoy an afternoon of activities, plenty of food and drink, a big top circus and appearances from Wish FM! Free entry. Jubilee Park, Wigan Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 9BH

All We Need is Love Saturday, June 22, 7:30pm Enjoy the launch of Embrace Wigan & Leigh’s new dating agency – All You Need is Love – supporting people with disabilities, plus Happy Smiles’ official project launch! There’ll be delicious food, live entertainment and a DJ. Tickets £5 for adults or free for children and support staff, bookable on 01942 233 323. DW Stadium, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UH

St. Teresa’s Catholic Church Hall, College Road, Up Holland, WN8 0PY

Thursday, June 27, 6:30pm-9:30pm A brand new theatre piece examining the lived experience of young onset dementia. Engaging with dementia support groups across Greater Manchester, the play explores the journeys of four people, with a music-making activity and discussion afterwards. Tickets £3 on 01942 834747. The Old Courts, Crawford Street, Wigan WN1 1NA

Armed Forces Day Saturday, June 29, 10:30am-4pm Celebrate Armed Forces Day with a WWI simulation dome, field hospital display, military vehicle exhibition and a climbing wall, along with musical entertainment throughout the day. A military parade also trails from Crompton Street to Wigan Parish Church. Wigan Town Centre

Family Fun Day Saturday, June 29, 11am-3pm Fun for all at the church family fun day – there’s games, welly throwing, classic cars, a barbecue, a bouncy castle, dog competitions and much more. Church Hall Field, Church Lane, Wrightington, WN6 9SN

Win tickets to

Rick Astley – Live in Concert

The Jockey Club Live and Haydock Park Racecourse have joined forces to present North West music fans with a summer of incredible open air concerts. Newton’s favourite son, the timeless Rick Astley, will be returning to Haydock Park on Saturday 20th July 2019 and we’ve got two pairs of tickets to give away in this super Local Life competition! The Jockey Club Live concerts at Haydock Park Racecourse have been a staple in the region’s social calendar and over the past few years hosting thousands of fans of live music, with performances from artists including Kylie, Olly Murs, The Jacksons and Culture Club. These events are renowned for combining a fun filled evening at the races with a spectacular evening concert in the informal and relaxed open-air setting of the hallowed turf. If you think you know Lancashire’s Rick Astley, think again. The much-loved multi-million selling 80s icon, brought up just a few furlongs away from Haydock Park, returned to capture the heart of a nation with his #1 platinum selling album “50” in 2016 and this year returned with his stellar album “Beautiful Life” in the Top 10. Back in 1987 his solo debut “Never Gonna Give You Up” was a global smash, Number 1 in 25 countries. Over the next 5 years Rick had 13 international hit singles. He became a viral sensation in the

noughties and most recently he has been back in the studio creating new, touchingly intimate ballads, upbeat dance beats, hookladen pop songs and soul stormers – packing in the cheeky lyrical references and the signature sing-along style that are instantly recognisable. To enter the competition to win a pair of tickets to Rick Astley -Live at Haydock Park Racecourse, simply visit our website, www. locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on ‘competitions’ and then answer the following question; Complete the Rick Astley song title – Never Gonna ……You Up Over the next few months on Facebook, we’ll also be giving away an additional pair of tickets for this Rick Astley concert, and also a pair of tickets for the Southport Flower Show – Make sure you visit Facebook and give ‘Local Life Magazines’ a ‘like’ to keep in touch. The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Sunday 30th June 2019 and the winners will be notified within five working days. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Only one entry per household. Local Life 247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter this competition.

Tickets are now on sale for this concert via thejockeyclublive.co.uk.

All Saints Summer Fair

Wine, Cheese & Jazz

Saturday, June 29, 12pm-3pm

Friday, July 5, 7:30pm-11:30pm

Fun for all the family, with a gin & prosecco tent, barbecue food, a super summer raffle, face painting, a Nerf gun challenge and much more! Entry fee 50p for adults, children go free.

Enjoy 5 glasses of a variety of wines, a cheese and nibble platter, and loads of funky jazz from the Dean Masser Jazz Duo! Tickets £30, available on 01942 834747 or at www.theoldcourts.com

All Saints C of E Primary School, Finch Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DT

The Old Courts, Crawford Street, Wigan, WN1 1NA

Psychic Night Saturday, June 29, 7pm-11pm Fundraise for the Norley Hall TRA with a fun psychic night – Chris Shearer presents a night of mediumship. 18+ only, under-18s must be accompanied by an adult aged 21+ and sign a waiver. Tickets £10 via PayPal on norleytra@gmail.com Norley Hall Cricket Club, City Road, Wigan, WN5 0BA

Charity Bike Ride Sunday, July 7, 7am-4pm Join hundreds of riders on a fun-filled 62 mile journey from Manchester to Blackpool. There’ll be free pies, pasties and sandwiches along the way, and two rest stops to catch your breath. Transport from Wigan to Manchester and back from Blackpool is provided – registration costs £25 including a t-shirt and medal with proceeds to Wigan & Leigh Hospice. Wigan & Leigh Hospice, Kildare Street, Hindley, WN2 3HZ

Picnic Brass Sunday, July 7, 1pm A fantastic afternoon of open air brass band performances – don’t forget to bring a picnic! Picnic Field, Haigh Woodland Park, School Lane, Haigh, WN2 1PE

Over 60 Lancashire

walks

FREE to download at locallife247.co.uk LocalLife

Burscough Wharf by Bike Sunday, July 21, 9:30am-1pm Enjoy an organised cycle ride from Robin Park along the beautiful Leeds and Liverpool Canal to Burscough Wharf and back. Free to attend. Robin Park Arena, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UL

Community Gala Saturday, July 27, 12pm-8pm A whole day of live music, delicious food and drink, stalls to browse, a barbecue and children’s crafts! Hindley Library & Community Centre, First Avenue, Hindley, WN2 3EB

Portrayed as one of the most iconic artworks in Lancashire, the Singing Ringing Tree, high on the moors above Burnley, is one of four local Panopticons and consists of a unique musical sculpture in the form of a wind-blown tree. The Tree, along with the attraction of reaching the summit of Thieveley Pike, makes for an enjoyable though challenging 5Â˝ mile hike with wonderful views. The starting point of the walk is the car park near the Singing Ringing Tree and the nearest postcode is BB11 3RT. Follow the single track from the car park to the clearly visible sculpture in the distance and once youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve done the ubiquitous selfies, head past the sculpture and over the stile. Before you reach the next dry-stone boundary, look to the left for the pathway winding through moorland and pick up the trail downhill. Clamber over the loose stone entrance to the next field and follow the left-hand perimeter of that rough field as much as you are able. Navigate your way round the left of the hollow and carry on downhill towards the steel bar gate next to the cottage. Go through the gate and follow the

Singing Ringing Tree

by Chris Pearce

extremely steep driveway to its conclusion with the main Bacup Road (A671) by Heyne Farm. Turn right, cross over and look out for the footpath sign on the left. Take the steps downhill and stay on the left-hand side of the brook for a few steps, and then cross the brook and follow the downhill path towards Dyneley Farm. Go down the stone steps to the track and turn right. Follow the path, meandering gently downhill and passing straight through Stone House Fold, still

74 heading towards the wind turbines in the distance until the next farm appears: Scout Farm. Walk along the path at the front of the farm and then when you reach the stone track, turn left towards a phone mast for 50 yards or so until the path forks just before the mast; take the lesser-used right fork along a dirt track. Pass through the wooden fence and carry on this path, which runs parallel to the railway track. You’ll eventually pass underneath the track and, when you have done so, turn right. Follow that track to a slanted T-junction; then turn right and take a tunnel under the railway once more. And so, it starts; the sheer hell of a climb from 650 ft to just over 1450 ft in one stretch. Follow the

winding stone path uphill and just before you get to Buckley’s Farm, take the public footpath on the right into Buckley Wood. Follow the well-defined path up the side of Buckley Wood until you reach the first plateau where a few paths converge. Carry straight on uphill (there’s a small Thieveley Pike sign on the fence) until you reach the track that signifies the second plateau. And there on Deerplay Moor the pathways peter out somewhat, so just head uphill in the same direction and you’ll eventually arrive at the white pillar (trig point 6438) at the top of Thieveley Pike. After giving yourself a big pat on the back for making it to the top, turn right along the fence boundary and then cross over a stile into the next field and carry

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.

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on in the same direction. Follow the path for almost a mile, navigating Black Clough gorge on the way, through a stone gateway and following the path on the right-hand perimeter of a field which eventually curves left and runs parallel to the A671. Once you get onto the road from the field, turn right, cross over and then walk ¼ of a mile and at the T-junction, turn left to Rawtenstall and then immediate right into Crown Point Road. Follow this road for 230 yards and then take a left turn into a short road by the Dunnockshaw Community Wood sign. Once you’ve walked about 25 yards of the short road, hop over the stile on the right and continue through the well-maintained woodlands for ¾ of a mile until you reach the car park from where you started the walk.

Gardening

Some shady Award Winner

characters by Angie Barker

I recently visited a client to talk about garden design and they said they had seen a landscaper who told them there was no point having a border down the left hand side of their garden because it was in shade and nothing would grow there. After re-adjusting my face from the look of horror, I explained to the client that there are lots and lots of lovely plants which would thrive there and make a lovely display to soften the boring fence that otherwise would be the focal point of their garden. To illustrate the point here is a photo I took a few weeks ago of the shady border in my garden. Far from accepting that nothing will grow there, by considering a few design tricks, you can make a shady border a point of interest in your garden. Most important are the plants. In this border I have Hostas (I find that Hosta ‘Halcyon’ is pretty slug resistant), Polygonatum multiflorum, Tiarella ‘Spring Symphony’, Geranium nodosum, Lamprocapnos spectabilis (used to be called Dicentra ), Cyrtomium fortunei, Bergenia ‘Overture’, Liriope muscari ‘Big Blue’, Ophiopogon planiscapus, Box, Aucuba japonica and Primula ‘Francesca’. I have a grand daughter named Francesca so I just had to have it!

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.

Another tip is to give your shady border some interest by placing a focal point. Here I have used a shiny cone which bounces light around but it could be a bird bath, sculpture or a large pot. Having a seat will give relief from any hot sun and enable you to enjoy your shade loving plants close up. I hope I have inspired you to consider any shady spots in your garden in a new light - Hubby says that is a terrible pun - but you get the picture! By the way, I’m now on the hunt for Campanula poscharskyana ‘Freya’ for the other little tike. One of the on line nurseries actually describes it as “small, but not as well behaved as it might first appear” perfect!

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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Motoring

Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DiG-T

The Nissan Qashqai has been around for 11 years, and it is still a hugely popular model, ranking as Britain’s fourth most popular new motor. Only Volkswagen’s Golf, Vauxhall’s Corsa and Ford’s Fiesta fly out of dealerships more quickly. Back in 2007, consumers fell in love with the oddly named Qashqai’s blend of room, SUV styling and affordability. Since then, the Japanese automaker has kept the Qashqai name rocking – and the present incarnation of the car has been rolling off production lines since 2013. Nissan has not been resting on its laurels, though. It has been fine-tuning the Qashqai recipe over the years – and the latest tweaks aim to make it easieron-the-pocket to run, and better than ever to drive. Fresh to the Qashqai is a new infotainment unit, but

by Tim Barnes-Clay

the major news comes under the hood. The previous 1.6-litre and 1.2-litre petrol turbos have been kicked to the kerb with a 1.3 becoming the new kid in town. The new petrol turbo powerplant comes with a couple of outputs – 140ps and 160ps - and is the engine currently housed in Mercedes-Benz’s A200. The unit is also more efficient with an exhaust particulate filter helping it make the grade in the latest emissions testing processes. As mentioned, Nissan claims the 1.3 petrol turbo is cheaper to run too, as service intervals have leapt to 18,000 miles. They used to be 12,500 miles, so this is a significant increase. The car is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch auto ‘box, as tested for this review. It’s worth noting, though,

83 that the automatic is only offered with the 160ps unit. Behind the wheel, this new Qashqai variant feels smooth and quick enough, but it won’t set your heart racing. Zero to 62mph arrives in 9.9 seconds, and the top speed is 124mph. While the steering is light and precise, it’s not the best handling motor in its class. The cabin is the same as ever, and the infotainment unit looks identical. However, the software is brand new, resulting in fast loading times, and the screen responds far more quickly when you touch it. It will now identify swiping and pinching motions, and the home page can be personalised with apps and shortcuts. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay come factory-fitted as standard on all bar the entry-level model. The infotainment system on the Qashqai Tekna+ 1.3 DiG-T DCT we drove is still not unflawed though. The display is too dim, and you can’t see much when the sun is on it because the seven-inch matt surface gives off a lot of glare. Mind you; it’s much better than the former system.

Nissan forecasts segment-leading residuals for the modern Qashqai, with many versions holding over 50 per cent of their value over three years. This means that finance deals are very reasonable right now. There are many reasons why the Qashqai’s popularity is so enduring. It is comfortable to drive and, with enough room for four or five adults, and a decent sized boot, it is a practical family car. The new infotainment system and petrol engines only strengthen the Qashqai’s name further, validating Nissan’s flexibility in the constantly-fluctuating automotive arena.

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