Local Life - Wigan - July 2020 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife Wigan Edition

July 2020

Big Wigan Crossword Pages 40-41

Jacks Tracks: Dalton Pages 44-46

locallife247.co.uk

Baking Special

Pages 14-15

Welcome to

Doorstep Delivery Service Thank you for your friendship and custom. We are a local family business that has been serving the community for sixty years. We can offer a wide range of milk and goods with a friendly personal service, fresh to your doorstep.

WE OFFER • Local fresh milk direct to your doorstep • Local and regional products available daily • Online ordering available up to 9pm daily • Easy payment option with direct debit, credit card payment or your friendly milkman collection • Special offers and promotions throughout the year • Supporters of Wigan & Leigh Hospice Plus MUCH, MUCH MORE Again we thank you for your support of our local family business Yours faithfully

KAYS DAIRY

Please register online

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Local Life

he ink was barely dry on all those optimistic

via Royal Mail on a strict 100g weight limit – which

New Decade’s resolutions when along

is equivalent to 68 pages. Many of the regular

came the virus which completely changed

editorial features have been suspended because

the world that we live in. Everyone has been

of this, as our priority right now must be to use the

affected by this to some degree, and our sincerest

available space to try and help local people get

condolences go to those who have lost loved ones.

their businesses back on track.

There are so many who have put themselves in

We know that many of you use our trades sections

harm’s way to tackle this virus and we are forever in your debt.

at the back of this magazine to source good quality local tradespeople and we have been working with

If there is a sliver of a silver lining amongst all

them to ensure that you are safe when they visit

this, it is the way that local communities have

your home. Where you see the logo illustrated on

pulled together in all sorts of ways to help each

an advertisement, you know that the tradesperson

other survive. As a community magazine, it is only

concerned has confirmed to us that

right that we highlight the efforts made by those

they are following safe distancing

individuals and groups who have gone above and

guidelines and will wear PPE when

beyond to help others. We would like to do this in

appropriate to do so.

our September magazine, but we want your help!

Going forward, we are going to spend the next few

Tell us which individuals or voluntary groups

weeks working on the re-launch of the new look

brought a little light into your life and made a

Local Life magazine. As from September, our new

difference in your neighbourhood and together we

look magazine will be different: a different feel and

will highlight their good work. Just email details to

a different size awaits you! Stay safe this summer

editorial@locallife247.co.uk or post a message on

and see you in September.

our Facebook page Local Life Magazines. You will notice that this copy of Local life is slimmer than normal and this is because the July and August issues of our magazine are being delivered

Keep in touch with the LocalLife Team!

LocalLife

Telephone: 01695 627 999 info@locallife247.co.uk

locallifemagazine247 @locallifemedia

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

Want to promote your business in

LocalLife?

Local Life 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB 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.

Next issue - August 2020

Advertising deadline - 25th June Published - w/c 20th July

01695 627 999 www.locallife247.co.uk

Local Life

News & Features

5 Reasons to

Shop Local It’s no secret that the vast majority of local business owners are anxious how the next few months will unfold. Buying patterns for customers have changed enormously during the lockdown and those business owners who were forced to close will be worried that regular customers won’t return. Will those businesses who successfully adapted their working practices to keep trading during lockdown manage to keep hold of their new customers? Here are 5 reasons why shopping local matters, now more than ever. Helping the Community When you support a local business, you are supporting those friends, family, and neighbours who need to use that business. The availability of local shops is especially important for the elderly, the vulnerable, young people and those without access to private transport. The more local businesses there are, the more money that local councils make in rates, the more they can spend on supporting local infrastructure and public services. Helping the Local Economy When residents shop at local businesses, profits from their transactions tend to stay within the local economy, helping to improve their community as a result. Likewise, local small

businesses buy locally as well, pumping more of the profits from their economic activity back into the community than their global counterparts, sparking economic development. Better for the Environment Shopping local means less mileage and fuel costs for you, which helps reduce CO2 emissions. In addition to this, local shops often stock locally sourced goods, which have a low carbon footprint. Job Creators Small businesses are job creators, and most of those jobs are local jobs. Rather than having to commute to Manchester or Liverpool, employees work closer to home. When a town or village has a vibrant commercial centre, it also creates ample opportunities for these workers to shop at other local small businesses. Community Involvement Small business owners mostly live in the local area and are often help local clubs and organisations, sponsoring sponsor local sports teams, donating to local charities and participating in community charity events. We know it’s tempting to nip to Robin Park or to Gemini, or to buy online. But, by choosing to spend locally with independent shops and by using local tradesman, you can do your bit to help protect jobs and keep money flowing around Wigan’s economy.

Streets Ahead Congratulations to Pemberton Road in Winstanley, the overwhelming winner of the Britain’s Friendliest Street award. 5,000 of the 16,000 votes cast named Pemberton Road as the outright winner, leaving the other nine nominees trailing behind. The competition was run by a not-for-profit group called In Good Company which was looking to find places in Britain showing examples of great community spirit during the coronavirus lockdown. When the COVID-19 started neighbours in Pemberton Road were quick to start their own Whatsapp group to help people who needed support with shopping, they held mass birthday celebrations and ran quizzes and bingo nights.

Neighbours on Pemberton Road coordinated decorations for VE Day and even made their own music video, based around the Madness hit, Our House. To watch this, go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFp7xN3QeHg

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£2k Boost for NHS Residents could be forgiven for thinking they were hallucinating during the lockdown period, when two dinosaurs roamed the streets of Winstanley. Kris Clarke and Ian Yates toured Winstanley in their dinosaur costumes for up to two hours a day, collecting for NHS Charities Together and even made a guest appearance at the shopping precinct for the final Clap for Carers night. Generous local residents donated approximately £1,500 to the NHS Charities Together fund. This was added to the £500 already raised by Kris in an earlier fundraising effort to establish a fossil trail in Blundell’s Wood. Kris publishes the Winstanley Walks page on Facebook, which carries details of walks, history and various other Winstanley-related activities.

Life in Lockdown Residents are being asked to record their experience of life in lockdown to share with future generations.

There are lots of ways residents can contribute to the project, either by keeping a diary, creating a scrapbook, taking photographs or videos, writing songs, poems, drawing, collecting leaflets and more. Contributions can be submitted by email to archives@wigan.gov.uk or delivered in person once it is safe to do so. Pieces chosen for the collection will be stored in the archives and shared in future exhibitions.

Win an i-Pad! Wigan Council are giving residents the chance to win one of five i-Pads by filling in a survey on their website. The survey looks at the impact that Covid-19 had on Wigan residents, how the threat of the virus has changed patterns of behaviour and how residents feel about dealing with the virus going forward. Responses to the survey will help the council produce a re-shaped Deal 2030 strategy. The survey will run throughout June and July. You can complete the survey at this address: www. wigan.gov.uk/covidsurvey

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Pitch for Housing?

R De el li ia ve bl Ri e es

Land adjoining Nugent House school in Carr Mill Road, Billinge has been listed for sale on Zoopla for £4 million. The land has been used in the past for football and rugby by both the school and by local sports teams, and is sold subject to obtaining planning permission.

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The land is marketed as being close to Carr Mill Dam and with good transport links to the East Lancs and to Garswood railway station. This site has not been listed for housing in the latest St Helens Local Plan.

J25 Public Inquiry Plans to develop a 1.4 million sq. ft distribution hub near M6 junction 25 have been put on ice after the Ministry of Housing, Communities and local Government ‘called in’ the planning application. Wigan Council backed plans for the distribution hub in January this year saying that it would help create 1,600 jobs, but many local residents, including Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue, opposed the loss of 135 acres of countryside.

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Yvonne Fovargue MP said: “This decision will be welcomed by campaigners who have fought a decade long battle alongside myself and local ward councillors to protect this greenbelt site from destruction. I have consistently opposed any development of this site and it is now important that we redouble our efforts to stop ‘Big Shed’ development on this site. There will be a Public Inquiry held to determine the future of the site.

OSJ Funding Boost The RL World Cup 2021 has awarded Orrell St James £140,000 as part of InspirationALL legacy initiative. The grant will be used for a new high-quality clubhouse, brand new changing facilities and two new playing pitches that will accommodate the club’s expanding teams and players at the club’s home base at Bankes Avenue in Orrell. Construction is already underway.

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Staycation Treats Staying at home doesn’t mean you can’t splash out on some new skincare goodies… Bring a touch of the exotic to your staycation, with Elemis Frangipani Monoi Body Oil (£40). It absorbs almost instantly, and leaves skin feeling softer and moisturised, without any greasy residue. And the exotic floral fragrance lasts for ages. For the best results, use it on slightly damp skin straight after a bath or shower. I also use love the fact that it’s multipurpose. People swear by it for treating split ends, brittle nails and rhino heels. The only downside is that it tends to solidify at room temperature, so during the cooler months you have to melt it by warming the bottle in hot water. A bit of a faff, but worth it, see www.elemis. com.

alternative, I highly recommend Ogato’s Face Eraze cleansing pads. For £19.99, you get three makeup remover pads and two cloths, plus a headband and wash bag. The best bit? They’re designed to remove make-up without cleanser. All you need is warm water. And they really do work, even on waterproof mascara. Rinse them clean after use and then just bung them in the washing machine now and then, and they should last you for years. Find them at www. amazon.co.uk.

There’s no denying that disposable face wipes are handy. But they’re also terrible for the environment. If you’re looking for a more sustainable

Bali Body’s Face Tan Water (£25.95) and have to say that I’m impressed. It’s a face treatment and selftan in one, with ingredients such as rosewater and hydrating jojoba oil. It’s easy to apply and results in a natural, even-looking tan. If you want a lighter tan, just mix a few drops in with your moisturiser. I also tried the Gradual Tan (£21.95) on my body. Great colour, but less ‘gradual’ than I was expecting, so

I have pretty sensitive skin, so tend to steer clear of facial fake tans. However, I decided to risk trying

if you try it make sure you’re rather more careful around knees, elbows and ankles than I was… See uk.balibodyco.com. Dr Carl Thornfeldt developed severe eczema as a child. The experience led to a thirtyfive year career in dermatology, and the launch of skincare brand Epionce (www.epionce. co.uk). One of the brand’s newest products is the Renewal Calming Cream. At £61 it’s pricey, but has been proven to calm eczema flare-ups and reduce itching. You don’t need to go on holiday to take advantage of travel skincare collections. They usually offer great value for money. The Sanctuary Spa Ultimate Travel Selection is hard to beat. There’s a 250ml body wash, 75ml bubble bath, 50ml body butter and a salt scrub sachet. Plus, you get a new bag to keep it all in. Not bad for £17, see www.very.co.uk.

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Tell Us Your Story! In our next issue we are going to highlight the stories of those voluntary groups in your community who did (and are still doing) so much to help us during these

H U G E S AV I N G S

difficult times. Are you a member of those groups or a recipient of some of this help? We’ll help you say thank you. Please email us editorial@locallife247.co.uk along with your contact number and we’ll be in touch.

38 Church Road Rainford WA11 8HD 01744 881 588 www.ellamora.co.uk

38 Church Road/ellamora38 Rainford WA11 8HD Tel: 01744 881 588

Books for

Bedtime

Clean sheets, a mug of hot chocolate, a new book… Bliss.

The Foundling

The Water Dancer

Stacey Halls

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Bess leaves her newborn daughter at the Foundling Hospital. It’s 1754 and as a single woman living on the poverty line, she has no means of supporting a child. Six years later, Bess returns to claim her daughter, only to be told she’s already been claimed. So begins a tale of two mothers and the lengths they’ll go to for their child. Gripping historical fiction at its best.

The Wives

Hiram is born into slavery. He finds himself an agent of the underground. While the people he works with are focused on ending slavery, they have little interest in helping him to rescue the people he loves who are still trapped. They want him to move on, but as Hiram comes to realise, it’s crucial that he doesn’t forget the past. The Water Dancer isn’t an easy read, but it stays with you.

Tarryn Fisher

Coming up for Air

Thursday loves her husband, Seth. But she’s pretty sure his other wives love him too. She’s agreed to be one of three, never meeting the others, but always aware of their presence in her husband’s life. Then one day Thursday has the opportunity to meet the third wife, and sees her bruises. Is Seth hiding more than she realised? An enjoyable read with plenty of twists and turns, The Wives will keep you on your toes until the end.

Sarah Leipciger

Body Positive Power Megan Jayne Crabbe The strapline for this book is ‘How to stop dieting, make peace with your body and live’, which is exactly what it sets out to do. Megan recounts her own struggles with eating disorders and experiences with weight-loss clubs, while delving into diet culture and the Western world’s obsession with the ‘perfect body’. If you’re fed up of the endless dieting cycle and ready to try something different, this book could be just what you’re looking for.

Three very different stories, one common thread. First we meet a young woman, driven to end her life on the banks of the River Seine in 1899. Years later, Pieter, a toymaker by trade, is called on to create the prototype for a resuscitation doll. And then there’s Anouk, who wages a daily battle against cystic fibrosis in present day Toronto, while finding a sense of freedom in open-air swimming. Vividly real characters and an engaging plot.

Can You Hear Me? Jake Jones If you enjoyed Adam Kay’s This is Going to Hurt, then this memoir needs to be next on your reading list. Jones reveals some of the cases he’s dealt with as a paramedic, interspersing the stories with his own life events. Humorous and sobering, Can You Hear Me? will give you a newfound appreciation for the people on the front line of medicine.

ADVERTISEMENT Impressions Uniforms in Standish & Golborne, has been a local pioneer in providing school uniform

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Layaway Service & Savings Club

We have layaway service and a savings club available to all customers. You can use the layaway service and order your uniform now, so that’s one less thing to worry about. If you prefer you can also buy vouchers online if you want to save for your child’s uniform gradually. Appointments

Fully Supported to Buy Online

The aim of the online service is to take the stress out of one of the most stressful times of the year for parents of school aged children. The revamped website is your one-stop-shop of size guides, ‘how to measure’ guides and garment specifications, specifically designed to help you order the correct size. There are also videos on how to order online and measure your child and if you’re really struggling, we can even send you a tape measure to do it! Unique Delivery Service

You can also take advantage of our ‘Take Two’ service. Where you can order and pay for uniform in the size you think you need but also have another size delivered at the same time – your child can try on in the comfort of your own home, returning any unwanted sizes. To make things even smoother, there is no need to pay for the additional sizes, returns or alternative deliveries! Deliveries are carried out at pre-arranged times to make sure there is someone in to try on. It couldn’t be simpler!

Appointments are now available to book for customers who have children who are starting school this year. You can come into the shop to try on uniforms, we have set up the shop to adhere to social distancing rules and all staff have their own PPE. Shop Early

We would urge those starting high school this year to shop early as we won’t be able to meet the usual increased demand in August with the new measures in place. So, if you have children starting at Golborne High, Lowton High, St Edmund Arrowsmith, Byrchall, Deanery, St John Fisher, St Peters, Shevington, Standish High or any of the local primary schools please contact us ASAP.

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SPORTS KITS

PERSONALISATION

Peaches & Cream Flan

READY

in 1 hour

plus cooling & setting

Serves 8 A light sponge base topped with a vanilla filling, peaches and tangy jelly an easy-to-make summer dessert the whole family will love.

Ingredients

Method

FOR THE SPONGE BASE

1 Preheat the oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas mark 5. Grease a 23cm round sandwich tin and line with baking paper.

75g caster sugar 3 large eggs 75g plain flour FOR THE TOPPING 135g pack pineapple or lemon jelly 200g full-fat soft cheese 1 tsp vanilla extract 25g caster sugar 150ml double cream, softly whipped 2 x 411g cans peach halves, drained TIP: You can use any canned or fresh fruit you like in place of the peaches. Strawberries, apricots, plums or raspberries will all work well.

2 To make the sponge base, place the sugar and eggs in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Using an electric handheld mixer, whisk for 3-4 mins until the mixture is pale and thick â&#x20AC;&#x201C; it should leave a trail on the surface when the whisk is lifted. Remove the bowl from the heat. Sift over the flour and fold in with a metal spoon. 3 Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 12-14 mins until risen, golden and springy to the touch. Cool in the tin for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Grease a 23cm round springform cake tin and line the base and sides with baking paper. Gently press the sponge into the base of the tin. 4 To make the topping, make up the jelly following the pack instructions and leave in a cool place until cold and beginning to thicken and set. 5 Beat the soft cheese in a bowl with the vanilla extract and sugar until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream and spread evenly over the sponge base. Arrange the peach halves over the creamy layer then gently pour over the jelly. Chill for 3-4 hrs until set. To serve, remove from the tin and slice.

READY

Makes 18 slices

in 1 hr 10 min plus cooling & setting

Iced Mocha Traybake Coffee and chocolate are the perfect combination in this simple all-in-one tray bake recipe.

Ingredients

Method

225g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra for greasing

1 Preheat the oven to 180C/160 fan/gas mark 4. Grease a 30cm x 23cm tray bake tin and line the base with baking paper.

225g light muscovado sugar

2 Place the butter, sugar, vanilla extract, black coffee and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Sift over the flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. Using a handheld electric mixer, beat for 2-3 minutes until smooth and creamy.

1 tsp vanilla extract 3 tbsp strong black coffee 4 medium eggs 225g self-raising flour 50g cocoa powder 1 tsp baking powder FOR THE ICING 100g dark chocolate, broken into pieces

3 Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and gently level the surface. Bake for 35-40 minutes until risen and springy to the touch. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. 4 To make the icing, place the chocolate, butter and 4tbsp water in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. When the chocolate has melted, remove from the heat and stir until smooth. Sift over the icing sugar and beat to make a smooth icing. Spread over the top of the cake in a thin even layer. Leave in a cool place until just set. Cut into slices to serve.

25g unsalted butter 150g icing sugar

TIP: For a quicker icing, warm 4 tbsp chocolate and hazelnut spread and drizzle over the top of the cooled cake.

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Get Moving for Mental Health During the lockdown, with so little choice of things to do, it may well be that a walk round the block became part of your daily routine. That should have reminded you of the physical and mental benefits of fresh air and moving around.

But as lockdown eases, if you find you have reverted to form and even the very word ‘exercise’ makes you want to retreat to the sofa to binge watch Netflix, we hear you! It really doesn’t have to be a chore though. Any type of exercise is useful, as long as it suits you and you do enough of it. It should be something you enjoy or it will be hard to find the motivation to do it regularly. As the saying goes: necessity is the mother of invention and the last couple of months have been amazing for introducing exercise that doesn’t involve being in a gym. From martial arts in the garden, online yoga and cycling to just that brisk walk round the block.

Exercise in nature According to a study by the University of Exeter, spending two hours a week in nature is good for both your mental and physical wellbeing. This could mean your local park, a field or even doing an outdoor circuits session in your garden.

Virtual exercise classes Joe Wicks runs weekday PE classes at 9am on his YouTube channel and you don’t need to have children to take part. If the family classes are too energetic, try some of his other workouts, such as the ones aimed at seniors. Don’t fancy PE? You’ll find dance, martial arts and more online. The dance troupe Diversity teaches regular classes on www.20dv.co.uk. And you can take part in Oti Mabuse’s free dance classes on her YouTube channel whenever you want.

Exercise to boost your mood

Exercising with a health condition

Aerobic exercises, where your heart rate is elevated, have been shown to help depression. They reduce your levels of cortisol (AKA the ‘stress hormone’). You could try jogging (using the Couch to 5K app to keep yourself motivated), a virtual exercise class or just dancing in your kitchen.

If you’re worried that exercise might make an existing health condition worse, do speak to your GP.

Exercise to ease anxiety Yoga and pilates can have a direct impact on your nervous system, helping to calm it down and ease anxiety. Some studies have shown that yoga can also be beneficial for tackling depression, alleviating stress and even reducing pain and blood pressure.

Finally the NHS offers more than 20 instructor-led workouts at www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitnessstudio, starting from just 10 minutes long. There’s even a 30 minute workout using your sofa!

Keep motivated Make a note of how you feel before and after your workout. Try rating your anxiety and mood out of 10 and see whether the workout has had a positive effect.

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Richard Clayton Orrell Councillor Richard Clayton, hailed as “a true champion of the local community”, died recently. Richard was born and bred in Orrell, and he represented the Orrell Ward on Wigan Council from 2004-2012 and from 2018 until his death. He left his wife Marjorie and family. Richard was known best as a scramble champion racer in the late 60’s-early 70’s national motocross scene, whilst working in the family butchers on Church Street during the off-season.

Fellow Orrell councillor Michael Winstanley paid this tribute; “Richard was never happier than when helping people with their problems. He was a true champion of the local community having been born and bred in Orrell. Richard was a larger than life character and always had a really good sense of humour no matter how tough things got. “Not only have I lost a ward colleague, I have also lost a friend and we will all miss him tremendously”.

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Room to

Play

Putting together a child’s play space is a great opportunity for imaginative design. Children need their own space so it is beneficial to create a dedicated space in which they can work, play and relax.

with maps, flags, cork tiles, pegboard, sheet music, artificial grass, a hand-painted mural or a series of LEGO base boards.

Where to begin

Furniture and fun

Is the room just going to be a playroom, or will it double as another room, for example a child’s bedroom? Consider available space and its

Leave space for whizzing around but perhaps add a swing, slide, tunnel, indoor activity frame or climbing wall. Floor cushions and beanbags are better (and cheaper) than quickly outgrown miniature sofas and chairs. Built-in bench seating along one wall, with storage beneath, is a perfect dual-purpose solution.

shape, who will use the room, your budget and your child’s likes and dislikes. Sketching a floor plan helps, or involve an architect or interior designer.

A quiet corner for reading and a special spot for craft activities or homework are essentials, while a den or hideout of some kind is a great idea – even if it’s simply a blanket slung over the back of two chairs. Include a dressing-up corner with fancy dress outfits on hangers and a low-level mirror to provide colour, interest and fun.

Design basics Flexibility is key. Keep the basics plain and simple – neutral walls, floor and major items of furniture, with less expensive and easily changed items (such as blinds, cushions or storage boxes) themed to whatever colour or character will stimulate your child’s imagination. On the floor The ideal playroom floor is non-slip, easy to clean, hard-wearing and not too hard underfoot. Wooden or laminate boards plus a soft rug (on an anti-slip mat) is ideal, while vinyl, linoleum, cork or rubber are good choices. A play rug with a design such as hopscotch or a racetrack adds fun. Soft carpet will break falls but can stain, so use a texture or pattern and have a stain-resistant treatment applied. Off the wall Add interest to plain walls with your child’s artwork in bright frames, removable stickers or good-looking storage. Blackboard paint or colour-in wallpaper allow for individual expression, or cover a wall

Storage To encourage tidiness, storage should be plentiful and easy to access. Incorporate it into tucked-away spaces such as chimney alcoves or below a window. Low shelving plus a variety of boxes or baskets is ideal. Avoid toy chests that could trap tiny fingers, and suit the size of containers to the size of their contents. Peg rails, hooks and hanging fabric organisers are all useful space savers.

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Billinge Rainbow An innovative appeal to raise money for Derian House Children’s Hospice has now topped the £3,500 mark. The giant rainbow was constructed by farmer Gemma Crompton and her family to raise money for Derian House. The rainbow became an iconic image of the early days of the COVID-19 crisis and visitors flocked to Swiftgate Farm on Winstanley Road to take pictures and donate money to the appeal. The charity looks after more than 400 children and young people with life-limiting conditions, and donations at the charity have been badly affected by the coronavirus outbreak, with fundraising events due to bring in £250,000 cancelled and charity shops forced to close. Gemma said: “Derian House doesn’t just provide care for the child, but also for their parents, siblings

and grandparents. We decided to try to raise some funds to help keep them doing the amazing work that they are known and loved for.” Sarah Proctor, Community Fundraiser at Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “It’s absolutely mind-blowing in its sheer scale and we’re so grateful to Gemma and her family for putting in such a top effort to raise money for our children.”

Tell Us Your Story! In our next issue we are going to highlight the stories of those voluntary groups in your community who did (and are still doing) so much to help us during these difficult times. Are you a member of those groups or a recipient of some of this help? We’ll help you say thank you. Please email us editorial@locallife247.co.uk along with your contact number and we’ll be in touch.

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Bikes Wanted A call for donations of used and unwanted bikes has gone out across the borough in a bid to provide key

workers without a bike needing to travel to work. We are grateful for all donations, but better quality

workers with bikes.

bikes means we can put them to good use faster”.

Inspiring healthy lifestyles, Gearing Up, Wigan Warriors Community Foundation, Wigan Athletic Community Trust and Wigan Council are teaming up to keep Wigan moving on two wheels with a ‘Re-cycle to work scheme’.

As well as the bike, key workers will receive a helmet, bike lock, and multi-tool, along with advice and guidance of cycling and bike maintenance.

Unwanted and unused bikes can be donated and they will be refurbished and offered out to NHS staff and other key workers for a low cost. Simon Dale who is running the project with Gearing Up said: “We’ve already handed out a huge number of bikes. There are so many hugely important key

Donated bikes can be delivered to Central Park, on Montrose Avenue (WN5 9XL), between 9am – 3pm, Monday to Friday and also to the Gearing Up workshop, which is based at The Brick, 4 Hodson Street, WN3 4EN, between the hours of 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. Collection is also possible on weekdays if booked via email wellbeing@ihlmail.org or via a phone call to 01942 488481.

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Slender forms provide a peaceful atmosphere, while the flush-fitting shower tray gives a wet-room style experience. Superplan Plus shower surface in Alpine White, Kaldewei. Duravit’s Viu and XViu series combine the durability of ceramics with the elegance and precision of aluminium for a striking post-industrial elegance, and the mirror integrates LED lighting, operated via a sensor control. The knurled control and sleek column body of this basin mixer tap have an industrial/modern aesthetic. In rose gold it has a highly luxurious look. Swadling Engineer 8920 mixer, Matki.

Bathroom Style

for 2020

We examine some of this year’s hottest trends for bathrooms Plants love the humid atmosphere of a bathroom – why not make yours a botanical sanctuary? Range of pots, vases, baskets and other accessories, all Dobbies.

Inspired by Mediterranean cliff landscapes, these large-format, stone-effect tiles offer a light texture and a rustic feel. The tonal variances create an earthy, natural ambiance. Mediterraneo Grey tiles, from £49.95 per square metre, Original Style.

Retro-style coloured bathroom fittings are all the rage, especially when combined with co-ordinating wallpaper or tiles. Here, a 19th century paper has been translated into modern colourways.

If a huge slab of marble is beyond the budget, why not try a made-to-measure wallpaper mural and create a similarly eye-catching statement? ‘White Marble’ mural, from £29 per square metre, Wallsauce.com.

Tropic Sunset Pink botanical wallpaper, £85 per roll, Woodchip and Magnolia

Sleek and slender black lines make this a monochrome bathroom to remember. DS402 reeded glass wet room panel, from £880, Aqata.

Update your bathroom with these key looks and new technology • BACK TO BLACK Touches of smart black are very ‘in’ right now. Look out for black brassware, towel rails, painted woodwork and accessories such as plant pots or storage baskets. If you are doing a whole-roomrevamp, you might even consider a black-framed shower panel or metal ‘Crittall’ window.

• BOTANICAL BEAUTY You can hardly have missed the trend to include plants in every corner of the home. And that’s right – it’s time to add them to your bathroom, too. Most plants will thrive on the humidity; just be careful of light levels.

• PURE AND NATURAL Keep things on the simple side with colour schemes that focus on whites, creams and ivories, plus the natural textures of wood, ceramic, sisal and rattan. This natural minimalism, building on the trend for mindfulness and meditation, will create a calm room that is perfect for de-stressing.

• COLOURFUL SANITARYWARE

This set of two woven cord fabric storage baskets adds pattern and texture to any room. Salvador Baskets, £30, Habitat.

There may be a micro-trend for avocado bathrooms (not for the faint-hearted), but there is certainly an overall trend for sanitaryware in other colours, ranging from pink to blue to lemon yellow. It’s quirky, fun and definitely eye-catching.

• SMART TECHNOLOGY High tech solutions aren’t only for the rest of the house; the bathroom is getting smarter, too. Pre-programme the temperature of your shower or bath, demist your mirror and play music through a Bluetooth speaker – it’s all at your fingertips.

• LARGE-FORMAT TILES Oversized tiles are really striking and, thanks to minimal grout lines, make your space appear larger (less grout to clean, too – bonus!). It’s time to go big.

• MARBLE AND METAL Classic, timeless marble (or marble look-alikes) continues to be a big trend in bathrooms. Combine it with gold or brass taps and shower fittings for a sumptuous and upmarket style that emulates that of a five-star hotel.

This set of two woven cord fabric storage baskets adds pattern and texture to any room. Salvador Baskets, £30, Habitat.

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The

Last Resort

If you’re a landlord and you’re wondering about the current mood of the lettings market, then the results of a recent Google analysis will be of interest to you. A list of the most common property questions private renters typed into Google has been compiled by a firm called Boiler Plan. Here are the five most common questions private renters asked Google. 1. Can landlords increase my rent? 2. Can my landlord evict me? 3. What are my responsibilities as a tenant? 4. Can letting agents charge fees? 5. Can a landlord keep my deposit? What can landlords and letting agents learn from these questions? Put simply, tenants are feeling anxious. Some renters are still on furlough but wondering what will happen when the scheme draws to a close. Others have lost their jobs and surviving on savings, the kindness of others or the Bank of Mum and Dad. Many industry experts predict there will be an increase in tenants falling into rent arrears and evictions in the coming months. If as a landlord, you find yourself in a tricky situation with a tenant, the first thing to remember is that you must obey the law. There are clear rules about what you can and can’t do, and significant fines if you mess up.

The fact private renters are googling the questions above, shows that they are doing their research. So, don’t cut corners. It’s the wrong thing to do, and, it’s likely you won’t get away with it. Evictions can be costly and time-consuming at the best of times, but there is, of course, another spanner in the works. Due to Covid-19, there is currently a ban on all evictions. This is due to be lifted, but when the court system does get up and running again, expect a hefty backlog of cases causing further delays. Remember, evictions should always be a last resort. If you are a landlord from Wigan and have any concerns, then please talk to us. We have over 35 years of experience of dealing with these sensitive matters, and we can represent you and find another way of resolving any dispute. Thank you for reading and if you have any questions you would like me to answer please email me at alan@alanbatt.co.uk or visit our brand-new website and use the AskAlan section

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.

Alan Batt

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

www.wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk

Wigan

Property News

As I write this piece, it has been just a couple of weeks since we were given the green light to reopen the property market along with the rest of England, and the first signs are remarkable. Wednesday 27 May saw more than six million people visit the Rightmove website, its busiest day ever.

However the total Wigan housing sold in May 2019 was 320 properties, so you can see we still have a long way to go before we reach 2019 activity figures and we won’t fully appreciate the effects the virus has had on the local property market until we have some more data to analyse .

New instructions in May 2020 were 179 properties (compared with 432 new properties in May 2019), but what was remarkable is that the markets were only opened on the last week of the month, and we were still in full lockdown for the first 3 weeks of May. The sold figures so far this year from Wigan agents are buoyant including these properties, some of which have been sold from our Premier Collection: £2,500,000 Parbold ~ £1,100,000 Newburgh £550,000 ~ Gathurst Lane, Shevington £500,000 Trevore Drive, Standish ~ £485,000 Orrell Road ~ £360,000 Parkbrook Lane, Shevington £360,000 Herons Wharf, Appley Bridge~ £350,000 Hall Lane, Aspull ~ £300,000 Lincoln Drive, Aspull

Text Luke! Get a FREE online valuation for your home now. Text your address to Luke on 07823 357009

Choose your Agent Wisely Here is just one of many reports that illustrate the importance choosing your estate agent wisely. I went to a traditional bay fronted house on Chorley Road in Standish, which was vacant and in need of a full refurbishment. My advice to the owner was to invite offers over £140,000. Another local agent, who shall remain nameless, had advised him to price the house at £155,000. Long story short, swayed by an optimistic valuation and cheap fees, he took their advice and priced the house at £155,000. Then after a while dropped the price to £150k. and then to £145,000, and finally took my advice and invited offers over £140,000. We kept in touch with him over the months and he called one day, saying that the other estate agents had been in touch with an offer of £135,000 and asked whether I thought he should take it. I told him that if we could not achieve more than £135k we wouldn’t charge him a single penny. We sold it in less than 2 weeks for £147,500, £12,500 more than he was about to accept with the other agent. This is not a one-off, on average we achieve approximately 5% more than this agent. With the average house price in Wigan of £154,817 that equates to £7,740, which is certainly not chump change these days.

The moral of this story: Don’t be swayed by estate agents offering optimistic valuations and cheap fees you could easily end up out of pocket to the tune of thousands of pounds.

Puzzle Pages

Sponsored by

CROSSWORD

DOWN

1. ___ del Sol, popular Spanish resort region (5) 2. Field suitable for grazing by livestock (3) 3. South American river fish with very

sharp teeth (7)

4. Relationship lasting for a single evening (3-5,5) 5. Beautiful young woman (5) 6. Science of matter (9) 7. Industrial stoppages (7) 11. Promise of reimbursement in the case of loss (9) 13. Woman skilled in aiding the delivery

of babies (7)

14. Enduring strength and energy (7) 16. Bedtime beverage (5) 18. Claude ___, French painter (1840â&#x20AC;&#x201C;1926) (5) 21. Extreme anger (3)

ACROSS

1. West Indian song (7)

10. From the Orient (5)

19. Electrically charged particle (3)

5. Informal term for US dollars (5)

12. Chipping tool (3,4)

20. Alliance (9)

8. Shaft in a building in which a

13. US state, capital Boston (13)

22. Agent that assists

15. Commands with authority (7)

9. Fruiting spike of a cereal

17. Bottomless gulf or

23. Local language variant (7)

series of steps is built (9) plant (3)

pit (poetic) (5)

colonic irrigation (5)

WORDSEARCH THEME: Explorers Find the hidden words in the word search grid

SUDOKU

Amundsen

Dias

Hudson

Banks

Drake

Magellan

Bering

Ericson

Mallory

Cabot

Fernandes

Polo

Cabral

Fiennes

Raleigh

Columbus

Gilbert

Vespucci

Cook

Hawkins

Cortes

Hillary

NUMBER BLOCK 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.

18 2 9 15 1 4 13 6 3 20 7

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Everything is in disorder!

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

E T M B

L E A L

P S H E

M O C S

12 15 20 19 11 All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 51 of this magazine

Business View

Navigate Your Way Through the

Next 12 Months by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy It has been an extremely difficult few months for all of us and particularly for those that run a small business. However, there is no better time to take stock and think seriously about your business and how to move forward in the next 12 months. Firstly though, let’s recap on the key support tools that are still available to business. • Job Retention Scheme – This scheme will run through to October. Changes have been made to make the scheme more flexible to allow part time claims and employers will have to contribute to the claims. • SEISS – The self-employed grant scheme has been extended and self-employed businesses can make a 2nd claim in August. • Time To Pay – Tax deferral schemes are available for VAT, Corporation Tax and Self Assessment tax payments. These have been very useful to manage cashflow but these payments will still be due in the next year. • Government back loan schemes – Businesses can still access both the CBIL’s and Bounce Back Loan schemes to provide a loan with preferential rates and payment holidays. • Business Rates Holiday – Business rates holidays and cash grants are available from the local authorities. These schemes have had tremendous impact on businesses and in many cases have allowed them to retain staff, and to buy time to assess and manage the obvious impact that the lockdown has brought.

There is no question that business stability, in the short and medium term, will be affected by this. The steady stream of reliable revenue from regular customers that you depend upon may be affected, and there is no doubt that the global lockdown has hit supply chains which could impact on your ability to trade effectively and profitably. Helping your business survive these turbulent times and emerge as a stronger and more resilient business must be your key objective: here’s three tips to help you do that: • Build a Business Continuity Plan – Developing a plan will aid decision making, ensure you access the right support and grants and maximise opportunities to preserve your cashflow and profitability. • Prepare a 3-month cashflow – With all the uncertainly around, a short term cashflow is vital. This will ensure that you manage expenditure by prioritising essential expenses, focus on outstanding amounts owed by customers, remembering to be considerate though. If you are a business that has accessed a Bounce Back Loan, don’t waste this on unnecessary expenses, and use it wisely to build your business back up. • Collate a 12-month Profit Forecast – Once you have stabilised cashflow, you should prepare a profit forecast for the next year. This should be based on where you want the business to get to in 12 months’ time. This will help you focus on the amount of business that is required to get you back to where you would like to be.

39 At this crucial juncture for business, we feel it vital for business owners to consult with their accountants, to discuss problems before they get out of control and identify and implement actions to overcome these. Agreeing these actions is vital to keeping your business moving forward and by regularly reviewing performance with your accountant, you can get knowledgeable and independent input on how you and your business are performing. If you’ve not yet met with your accountant since the lockdown started and you’re uncertain of the value that they can add to your business anyway, then we are happy to arrange an free initial consultation with you to discuss your future business needs. We can meet in our office or over a Zoom call to discuss your requirements. CMA Accountancy have a range of solutions to assist businesses of all sizes, starting with our Essentials package for start-ups and sole traders, the Growth package to help you take control of your accounts and the Premier package designed to help you drive your business forward. If you decide that we can help you

overcome the challenges ahead, you can choose from one of these packages or design a bespoke support package that meets your immediate needs. And finally, we couldn’t finish this article without mentioning the benefits of cloud accounting and in particular Xero. This has proved invaluable over the past few months as we have been able to offer hands on support, using up to information, to help clients tracked their cashflow, apply for loans and discuss payments plans with HMRC. If you have any questions regarding Xero, Making Tax Digital, Apps or switching to an online accounting system please do get in touch.

Chris Alcock ACMA - CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR Tel: 01257 255521 Email info@handsonaccounting.co.uk web www.handsonaccounting.co.uk

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The Big Wigan 1

Crossword

3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

15 16 17 18 19 20

23 24

27 28

37 38 EclipseCrossword.com

How well do you really know

Wigan?

Forty crossword entries, all about people and places connected with Wigan.

DOWN

ACROSS

1. Latics old training ground, 11,4

2. Ancient Wigan Street, 3, 5

3. Diminutive Cabinet Minister, 3,9

5. Reservoir, 11

4. Latics predecessors, 5, 7

6. South African winger, 5, 4

5. FIrst name of Lady Mabel’s hubby, 7

9. Street where Uncle Joe’s are produced, 7

7. Actor, Shameless, Scott & Bailey 3,4

10. First name, owner of Pemps, 7

8. Grade 2 Hall and Farmhouse, 8

11. Beech Hill’s TV Presenter 3,6

9. British Bulldog, 5,3,5

13. Tourist attraction, 3,3,2,4

12. Macabre-sounding Lane in

16. MP, daughter of Dipak and Louise, 4,5

17. Scout estate in Billinge, 7, 4

Appley Bridge, 5,5

14. Grade 1 Listed Church, 2,8

19. Dad to Sean, Grandad to Owen, 6

15. Sports shop, Market St, 1,1,9

20. Sport of original Wigan Warriors, 8

18. Led Latics into the Football League, 3,7

24. Arcade in town centre, 6

21. His hand is preserved in Ashton, 6,10

25. Scorer in FA Cup Final 2013, 3,6

22. Former owner of The Mount in Orrell, 7,5

28. Shevington’s Explosive Works, 8

23. One of the flashes, 8

33. RL’s Man of Steel 1980, 6,9

26. Joel, Sam and Logan, 7

34. Station closed in 1964, 5,7

27. Kajagoogoo singer, 6

35. Martinez,Diaz & Seba, 5,6

29. Numerically-named cinema, 4, 4

36. Took Latics into the Premier League, 4,6

30. NUM Leader 1971-1982, 3,7

37. Upholland’s highwayman, 6,4

31. Investor in Orrell RU, early 2000’s, 4,6

38. Family associated with Winstanley Hall, 6

32. Fruit associated with McGinty, 9

Please turn to page 51 for the solutions

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

Legal & Finance

Investing & Retirement Planning in a

COVID-19 World

The last few months have been extremely challenging for everyone as we adjust our lives to the new norm within a COVID-19 world. Businesses being forced to close their doors and the deserted streets during the height of the crisis felt like something from a disaster movie. The media coverage of this pandemic was not designed to scare us, but you’d be forgiven for thinking that this was the case. As the economic wheels start to turn again and markets begin to adjust to the new world there’s probably never been a more important time in recent years to review your plans to ensure that everything is on track.

Diversification If diversification isn’t a term already familiar to you, it refers to investing in different types of asset and in different sectors and regions around the world. These may each behave in different ways as economic conditions change, so there’s a good chance that if some of your investments are going down, others are likely to be performing better. It helps to balance out your risks overall. The personal service we provide is not just based on facts and logic either. There’s an emotional side to investing which may mean you are sometimes tempted to make short-term irrational decisions that may not be in your best interests over the longer term. At such times, you may value an objective professional opinion.

There are typical events in every economic downturn. Firstly, markets suddenly drop, which can be frightening because there is a reason they drop. The market towards the end of February quickly To illustrate, Barclays mapped out the typical cycle realised that a global pandemic was beginning of investor emotions as markets go up and down. which started the selloff but it then accelerated Barclays Understanding the cycle of investor The cycle of investor emotions emotions 26th November 2016 due to human emotion or fear. Denial Exuberance Excitement This happened Reluctance Fear Optimism from the back end Desperation Reluctance of Feb to the end Depression Indifference Panic of March. The second event is the bounce. At the time of writing this article (4th June 2020) we have seen the main UK index climb broadly 27% from its March low but we are still broadly 20% adrift of the highs of early 2020. Whilst clearly nobody has a crystal ball the first step is to review your personal financial plan, which incorporates your time horizon, income needs, other assets and personal emotional risk tolerance.

Apathy

Capitulation

Despondency

As markets rise, greed and overconfidence can make us take more risk or pay higher prices than we logically should. As they fall, fear of losing money can make us panic, driving us to sell when prices are low, crystallising our losses and meaning we are out of the markets when they start to rise again.

43 Downturn is followed by recovery And rise again they inevitably do, because economies and the markets influenced by them are cyclical. They move through expansion, peak, recession and trough and then back round again on an ongoing basis. It’s more a question of how long a recovery will take to come after a downturn, and what that recovery will look like, than whether recovery will come at all. The US National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found there were 33 cycles between December 1854 and the summer of 2009 . That period included events like the great depression, two world wars and the bursting of the dot com bubble in 2001. After the financial crash of 2008 we saw over a decade of recovery and expansion before the Coronavirus pandemic moved the cycle to recession once again. Understanding the cyclical nature of markets can help you to screen out the short-term noise when a downturn comes. It’s also the reason why some

investors with long time horizons may see recession and downturn as a buying opportunity rather than something to fear. Our service For those who prefer to visit our offices in Standish, please be assured that we follow strict Government guidelines on social distancing. We also continue to offer a telephone and video-based service if you would prefer to deal with us remotely.

David Barton APFS Cert CII (MP) Chief Executive Officer

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

FREE 24-Page Guide! For a limited time only we are offering a FREE ‘It’s your future’ financial planning guide

Visit the Contact Us page on our website www.prosper-ifa.co.uk or better still just give us a call on

01257 423800

Prosper Wealth Management. Prosper House, 99a High Street, Standish, WN6 0HD

www.prosper-ifa.co.uk

Leisure

Dalton Circular

by Chris Pearce Distance: 7¼ miles Difficulty: Moderate

If it’s social distancing you want then this 7¼ mile Jack’s Tracks takes you to the quieter side of the Douglas Valley, away from the walking hotspots of Parbold and Fairy Glen, to the leafy lanes of Dalton and Roby Mill. The walk starts at Gathurst, near the railway station (WN6 8HZ), but parking can be tight, so you could start this walk at Lafford Lane or at Appley Bridge. Go under the low railway bridge to the Orrell side and you will see two gates on the right; take the right-hand gate and follow the path towards the motorway bridge. Go right under the bridge and follow the path when it bears a sharp left

For those with the OS Maps app on your desktop, mobile or tablet, this walk is named: JT-Dalton-Circular

45 and crosses a green metal bridge. Bear left and follow Dean Brook into Dean Wood, staying on the right-hand side of the brook for ½ mile until you reach the two bridges – one wood and one metal/ concrete. Stay to the right at this point and you will climb out of the wood via some steep slate steps. Once you are out of the woods turn left around the field and you will reach a wide dirt track called Whitley Road. Turn left and follow this track 1/3 mile to the junction with Lafford Lane. Turn right up the hill, go past Jollies ‘ith Dean and take the footpath Lee d

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Shevington Vale

Appley Bridge

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Lees Lane

Halliwell Farm

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Gathurst Golf Club

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Bank Top

Chisnall’s Farm

Farley Lane

Gathurst Roby Mill

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Orrell House Farm

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Jollies Dean Farm

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Dean Wood

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Porters Wood Golf Club

Rickath Farm

46 2 listed Stone Hall. Walk past the Hall and bear left. Follow this path as it curves into Stone Hall Lane, which runs downhill parallel to Dingle Brook for almost a mile. Once you cross The Dingle using the stepping stones, carry on in the same direction until you reach Lees Lane, and then turn left.

on the left-hand side. Follow the path up to Stoney Brow, turn left and cross the road. Go past the lodge and entrance gates to St Joseph’s and then take the next right. Follow this single-track road uphill, and around 100 yards past the stone mews houses, take a right turn where the steel bar gate is, follow this path as it curves round to another steel bar gate. Go through the gate and follow this path for almost ¾ mile. Stay on the path, going in the same direction, as it narrows. Go through a small glade, then bear left and head towards the bungalow – the exit to Farley Lane is on the right-hand side. Once on Farley Lane, you turn left and head uphill into Dalton. Once you arrive at a dog-leg bend take a right turn down a wide track towards the Grade

Follow Lees Lane past the scenic fishing lake on the right until you reach a footpath sign by Meadowbank Barn. Turn right and the footpath follows a stream for ¼ mile; once the path opens to fields on both sides, take the path that runs diagonally across the field on the right-hand side. This path exits out on the busy Appley Lane; turn left, cross the bridge over the Douglas and then cross over and take the canal towpath on the right before the canal bridge. Please take utmost care crossing the road at this point. Follow the canal for 1.8 miles and exit near the Blue Elephant at Gathurst. Turn right and the starting point of Gathurst Station is 100 yards away on the left. 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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Award Winner

There is no getting away from the fact that we have all been through a really tough time over the last few months. One of the things that has kept me going, and indeed from what I am hearing, keeping a lot of people going, is being able to get out into the garden and connect with the natural world. Many studies have proved the health benefits of gardening. As well as being good for your physical health, it also makes you feel good. It is fantastic all round exercise and it brings a real sense of well being. Research has shown that it relieves mental illnesses such as depression. I have even heard of doctors ‘prescribing’ it to their patients. You appreciate the workings of nature, wildlife and the seasons in a way that you just wouldn’t notice if you were sat inside. And that makes you feel good. And what better way to encourage your children away from computer games by showing them how much enjoyment can be had from being outside in the garden and growing plants and food. Physically gardening activity can lower blood pressure through aerobic activity. It involves muscular activity which keeps you strong. We all know that being outside in the fresh air is good for body and soul. As I often say to hubby, if you want to decline into old age, then stay sat on your back side! 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.

I read recently that the numbers of people watching TV programmes such as Gardener’sWorld has rocketed during the lock down period and that demand for on line sales of plants and seeds has outstripped supply. The generous weather we’ve had has enabled people, who perhaps previously did not have the time, or inclination to spend time in their gardens, has changed their outlook. Even if you don’t have a garden, immense pride comes from growing plants in a container on a balcony. If anything good can come out of the horrible times we’ve had, I like to think it is this. That increasing numbers of adults and children are realising the pleasure and joy that gardening can bring, and I hope that continues well after we are back to our normal daily lives.

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