LocalLife Wigan Edition
September 2017
Billinge mum’s
battle
Jack’s Tracks visits Golborne & Haydock Park Test Drive - Volkswagen Passat GTE Local News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Garden Diary Event2Go Home Services locallife247.co.uk
NEW
Main Street, Billinge
NEW
£525,000
This substantial four-bedroomed home, which boasts 2967 sq ft, is fitted throughout with high spec fixtures & fittings, and has a large, and private rear garden.
NEW
Bracken Close, Standish
£350,000
This stunning detached three bedroomed property with beautiful gardens has traditional features combined with modern style to make a magnificent family home.
NEW
£340,000
This four bedroomed detached home is newly built by the reputable Countryside Properties and combines traditional features with a contemporary open-plan.
NEW
Southlands Ave, Standish
Walthew Green, Roby Mill
Lafford Lane, Upholland
£340,000
This individually designed four bedroomed detached family home offers extensive living space, well presented and is in a semi-rural area with stunning views.
NEW
£300,000
This stunning four bed detached bungalow is located on a large plot in a highly desirable area of Standish, and has a beautifully landscaped garden.
Almond Pastures, Standish
£275,000
This lovely modern four bedroom detached family home consists of 1286 sq ft and is located on a small development with fabulous motorway links.
a name you can trust
NEW
Wigan Road, Standish
NEW
£205,000
This spectacular three bed modern duplex apartment with great views is set within a gated courtyard and has high specifications of fittings, fixtures & flooring.
NEW
Bentham Place, Standish
£200,000
This spacious detached three bed bungalow offers 756 sq ft of well presented modern accommodation with a beautifully maintained garden.
NEW
£190,000
Offering a high level of presentation throughout is this superb four bedroom semi-detached house with a fabulous garden on a small development.
NEW
Chetwode Avenue, Ashton
Cadogan Drive, Winstanley
Broadacre, Standish
£190,000
Benefitting from nice views to the rear is this beautifully presented three bed semi-detached family home with a modern fitted kitchen and a garden room extension.
NEW
£190,000
This spacious three bed family home, situated in a small cul-de-sac, offers beautifully presented living accommodation and well-maintained gardens.
Wigan Road, Shevington
£180,000
This three bedroom detached home, close to shops, has a lovely rear garden and has been recently refurbished to an extremely high standard. No upward chain.
www.alanbatt.co.uk
2 NEW
Main Street, Billinge OIRO ÂŁ375,000
This beautifully presented 4 bedroomed stone cottage has been immaculately and tastefully refurbished, but retains many original features and enjoys open views beyond an attractive large rear garden. Viewing really is essential to truly appreciate this stylish family home.
www.alanbatt.co.uk
3
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4
Old dog, new
tricks...
L
ike many local families we’ve been holding our breath this summer waiting to see if the DD (darling daughter), gets the grades she needs to kick start her career as a Chemical Engineer – no, I’ve no idea what they do either. With the DS starting his teaching career in Birmingham in September, the house will be empty. It’s almost like going into semi-retirement, but still having to clock in each day. It isn’t even that the kids wanted to spend loads of time with us in the last couple of years; we just needed to be on hand to feed them, drive them, clean up after them and, obviously, hand over money. With the DW (Darling Wife, do keep up..) suggesting that we start ‘doing yoga’ together – no, that isn’t a euphemism, I already checked – I’m fast reaching the conclusion that I need to develop a few more interests of my own, and I need to do this quickly before I get embroiled in a life of DIY and gardening. So far I’ve got the following list together; practice gurning in the mirror, learn how to morris dance, try bog snorkelling, collect (and categorise) my different coloured navel fluff, take up duct tape art, build a model from my copious ear wax, practice throat singing and learn how to balance rocks. The DW - she’s not impressed… Please email any further suggestions to chrisp@ locallife247.co.uk. Do enjoy what’s left of the summer, see you next time.
Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk
5
In this issue Diet &
dental damage 46 Louise’s
battle
Regulars 34 Puzzle Corner 36 Class from the past 73 Jack’s Tracks
77 Garden Diary 81 Test Drive 98 The Lump
Sections 6 Property 46 Health 50 Travel 54 Legal & Finance 56 Business View
60 Events2Go 68 Food & Drink 76 Pets 77 Gardening 84 Home Services
Next issue - October 2017
Advertising deadline - Wednesday, 13 September
42 Guilt free
food
Published - Thursday, 28 September
LocalLife Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB
Telephone: 01695 627 999 68 Jack’s Tracks visits
Golborne & Haydock Park 48 Test Drive
Volkswagen Passat GTE 81 locallifemagazine247
Publisher: Chris chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Sales: Chris, Sally sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: David wigannews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Peter, Dylan design@locallife247.co.uk Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk Accounts: Sam accounts@locallife247.co.uk Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis. This issue is delivered to 13,034 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton. The next issue is delivered to 13,039 private homes and businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Aspull and Haigh. You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life at Sainsburys or Tesco Extra in Wigan. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.
@locallifemedia
events2go
NEW
NEW
6
A fabulous & much improved four bed detached family home.
NEW
HEATHLAND, Up HoLLaNd £259,995
Substantial detached home set across three floors and providing an impressive 1641 SQ.FT.
NEW
HARTLEY GREEN GARDENS, BILLINGE £340,000
Stunningly presented detached family home providing a generous 1074 SQFT of living space
NEW
ELm DRivE, BILLINGE £229,995
Attractive modern detached home with private rear garden
NEW
HAvENwooD RoAD, WHItLEy £279,950
DELpHSiDE CLoSE, orrELL £220,000
SwiNLEY RoAD, SWINLEy £210,000
A smart contemporary four bed semi-detached house with storage and additional sitting room.
Impressively sized semi-detached home providing a generous 1319 SQFT of living space.
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Wigan town centre showroom
01942 205555
NEW
NEW
7
Exceptional, fully renovated Victorian terrace available with no onward chain.
NEW
AvonDAle RoAD, Swinley £169,950
Beautifully maintained semi-detached home in a highly prized location.
NEW
Rivington DRive, Up Holland £189,995
BARngill gRove, MarUS Bridge £130,000
Impressive family home providing almost 1200 SQFT and boasting a substantial rear garden
Immaculately presented semi-detached home with south facing garden.
TO LET
NEW
SAnDfoRD RoAD, orrell £159,995
Sefton RoAD, orrell £116,950
MeADow view, orrell £850pcm
Beautiful cottage-style end terrace providing a generous 873 SQFT of living space.
Fantastic four bed property located in a popular area close to amenities, schools & motorway links
8
Care village idea shelved The former Abraham Guest site is to be sold off after plans for a care village fell through. Councillors, meeting in secret, have decided to put the derelict site on the open market. The plot currently has planning permission for a mixture of 2, 3 and 4 storeys with accommodation for 101 extra care apartments with associated communal facilities as well as 30 bungalows. Helena Partnerships received the permission in September 2015, having unveiled the previous year with much fanfare. It was claimed that the homes would be ready by 2016 - a pledge which failed to
materialise. Penny McGinty, Wigan Council’s assistant director for corporate contracts and assets, has now confirmed to told Local Life that the original plans have evaporated completely . She said: “Due to a change in government legislation the previous developers decided not to proceed with the extra care development. “The council is therefore going to put the site out to the market. “Whoever buys the site will have to take their plans through our planning procedures, and residents will be able to have their say about any proposals.”
Shevington High School
Come and see Shevington High School on one of our Headteachers tours in September. Please call in or see our website or social media for dates
www.shevingtonhigh.org.uk facebook.com/shevingtonhigh
9
Tracks Lane, Billinge A traditional 3 bedroomed semi-detached home with some period features and a mature rear garden, located in the popular area of Billinge and near Orrell Water Park.
OIRO £199,000
Sandy Lane, Orrell
Well-presented 2 bedroom mid terraced house with off road parking at rear. Ideal for 1st time buyer.
OIRO £135,000
Greenslate Rd, Billinge A traditional and well-presented 3 bedroomed semi-detached home, with a converted loft and mature rear garden, and located in a popular area near Orrell Water Park.
OIRO £144,999
St James Road, Orrell
Mersey Road, Orrell 3 bedroom semi-detached dormer bungalow with a detached garage and low maintenance gardens, located on a popular estate near the motorway network.
OIRO £138,000
Sefton Road, Orrell
2 bedroom spacious endterraced home, centrally located with a SE-facing rear
Beautifully appointed and newly refurbished three bed midterraced home in the heart of
yard. Ideal for 1st time buyer.
Orrell. Ideal for 1st time buyer.
ORIO £124,950
Offers Over
£120,000
2 Sefton Road, Orrell
01695 632123
www.facebook.com/borronshaworrell www.twitter.com/borronshaw www.borronshaw.co.uk
10
Toddling about
Longer opening
St Paul’s Church Toddler Group, on the corner of Clapgate Lane and Warrington Road, is welcoming new recruits. It meets on Mondays, 9am-11am, and Thursdays, 1pm-3pm, in the church hall. The cost is £1 for the first child, and 50p for any siblings.
Opening hours have been extended at Wigan Library. It is now open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturday, closing as usual on Sundays. Community libraries, the Museum of Wigan Life and Wigan and Leigh Archives will open 9am to 2pm Monday to Wednesday, 12pm to 5pm on Thursday and Friday, and 9am to 2pm on Saturdays, where local conditions permit.
That’s cricket Goose Green Cricket Club is looking for weekend players to boost their membership. The club, which formed in 1984, plays at Paris Avenue, Winstanley. For more information on joining the squad, email Phil Morgan on phil_morgan93@hotmail.co.uk
Library bosses say changes come as part of wider developments to transform and enhance customer service delivery, alongside recent changes to Wigan Library and the move of Life Centre services from Leigh Town Hall to Leigh Library in recent months.
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12
Race on to find new sites Councillors are to be asked whether some of Wigan’s open spaces could be used for housing. Town hall officers grappling with a revised Greater Manchester Spatial Framework (GMSF) strategy have flagged up the option in a report. The framework - which includes proposals to build on land at The Bell, Orrell, and at Junction 25 of the M6 in Winstanley/Bryn - is being rewritten following widespread protests.
The blueprint had been consulted on before Andy Burnham was elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, and covers 10 councils right across the region. But upon assuming office in May, he called for a radical overhaul. This could mean that the redrawn draft plan may not go out for public consultation until July 2018 meaning that work in compiling alternative sites is still in its infancy. In the report, Karl Battersby, director for the economy and environment, floats the idea of using some open space, and also say that some sites currently used for employment may also be considered. “An assessment of our existing open spaces has shown that most of those that do have genuine potential for housing, without detriment to the provision of open space in the locality, are already identified in our existing supply of potential housing land. “There are a small number of other opportunities, but given the contentious nature of developing open spaces, we intend to consult local members before any such sites are added to the supply.
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“An assessment of our employment areas has also shown that most of those that do have genuine potential for housing, without detriment to the provision of employment land and buildings, are already identified in our housing land supply. “However, given the condition of many sites and the long term trends for the loss of such premises, it is reasonable to assume that many will come forward for housing over the next 20 years. However, at the present time it would be inappropriate to identify these sites in case it disadvantages businesses that would otherwise continue to operate there successfully. Instead, this potential capacity needs to be considered as part of a windfall allowance.”
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Online donations welcome
Get onboard!
Wiganers can now make online donations towards a permanent memorial to the town’s mining past.
St Jude’s Walking Club, based in Poolstock, is looking for new members. Walks take place on the first Sunday of each month and there’s a coach at 9am to the walking destination. After the walk, there is a pre-booked evening meal before heading back to Wigan for approximately 9pm. For more information, call any of the following: Dave Foster (01942 234797), Stan Clarke (01942 237311), Frank Hunt (01942 494502) or Mike Fairhurst (01942 243803).
A Just Giving Page has been launched by a Wigan Heritage and Mining Monument (WHAMM) member. Around £40,000 has already been pledged by a variety of individuals/organisations, including the Earl of Crawford and the Heinz branch of Unite the Union. However, they are still £60,000 short of their target for the memorial, which is due to be sited on College Avenue, between the town hall and the Life offices building. Donate to the Wigan Heritage and Mining Monument, visit https://www.justgiving.com/ wigan-heritage
Shop volunteers Debra charity shop on Winstanley Shopping Precinct is welcoming volunteers. Call 01942 211278 or call in anytime 9am-5pm.
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Church marks 90 years A week of celebrations are taking place to mark the 90th anniversary of an Orrell church. Sunday, September 24, marks the day when, exactly nine decades ago, St Luke’s Church was consecrated. A series of events have now been planned to mark the occasion. Concerts will be held on Monday September 18, at 7.30 pm with The Occasional Singers; Tuesday September 19 at 2.30 pm with Holgate Primary School; Wednesday, September 20 at 2pm with Newfold Primary School and Thursday, September
21, at 7.30 pm with Winstanley College. There is no charge and no tickets are required for any of the concerts. There will be art displays by local schools and college, members of St Luke’s and flower arrangements. Entry is free and refreshments will be available on: Tuesday, September 19 - 10am-1pm; Wednesday, September 20 - 11am-1pm; Friday September 22 - 10am-4pm and Saturday, September 23 - 10am4pm. On Sunday. September 24, there will be Holy Communion at 8am. At 10.30am, there will be a Celebration Service with Holy Communion and a faith lunch. At 6.30 pm, there’s a service of Evensong.
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15
Art at new bus station Wigan Bus Station will reopen with new public art as one of its main features. The facility is now closed for 18 months to enable a new station to be built. Musson+Retallick, a collaboration between artists Neil Musson and Jono Retallick, have now been commissioned to create public art for the new station. Previous projects by the duo include commissions for airports, hospitals, schools, hotels and events such as the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Neil Musson said: “It’s great to have been chosen to create and install a piece of art at Wigan Bus Station. We’re passionate about weaving art into public spaces to capture the imagination of local people and enhance a sense of belonging.”
While construction is taking place temporary bus stops are sited at Market Hall layby on New Market Street, Hallgate, Richmond Street, Downing Street, King Street, Library Street and Parsons Walk.
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Students shine on the international stage Winstanley College politics students recently took part in a Model United Nations conference in Warrington. After being allocated the countries of Iran, South Korea and the United States, the 12 delegates spent the days before the conference conducting research into their ‘new’ country before independently drafting a U.N. resolution. Four students collected five awards for their efforts on the day. Lauren Dawes was the star of the
show, gaining two awards for Most Innovative Resolution and Most Persuasive Speaking. Bethany Thompson won an award for the Most Effective Lobbyist. Edward Westby and Rebecca Leech were also recognised for Persuasive Speaking awards. Two Winstanley students, Maia Grall and Lucy Hodgson, also presented their resolutions at the General Assembly, facing questioning from all of the students in attendance.
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18
Defibs could be a lifesaver Lifesaving equipment installed locally.
has
been
The Orrell & Billinge Community Network secured a Brighter Borough Funding from Cllr Michael Winstanley to have three defibrilators installed. One is at the Borron Shaw office on Moor Road, while the others are outside The Stag at Orrell Post and at The Hare & Hounds pub in Billinge. A training course will be held at BookCycle in September for anyone wanting to learn how to use the equipment. Marjorie Price, chairman of the Orrell & Billinge Community Network, said: “We are delighted to have secured these important pieces of kit. Hopefully, they won’t be needed but if they are, then they could help save someone’s life.”
are fitted. Alternatively, email mgprice.16@hotmail. co.uk If the course is over-subscribed, another will be held on a separate date.
The course being held to explain how to use the defibrillators and demonstrating CPR and general First Aid will be held at at BookCycle, Orrell, on Monday, September 18. Pre-registration is mandatory - anyone wishing to attend should add their names to the lists which will be displayed at BookCycle or the places where the defibrillators
Rob’s debut A Winstanley man has just penned his debut novel. The Blood Waltz by Rob Kenyon tells the story of British soldier Bradley Clyde, who has accidentally time travelled back to Northern France in 1940, just as the Dunkirk evacuation is happening. In an attempt to survive, he tries his best to disguise himself as a German Officer, but falls in love with a high ranking Gestapo investigator’s wife. The Blood Waltz is now available to download via www.amazon.co.uk
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19
20
Get ready for art
attack
Wigan Arts Festival is back! The nine-day extravaganza will feature music, art, dance, spoken word and workshops - with a number of events held at The Old Courts on Crawford Street. There will also be a chance to see images captured by photographer Dylan Harris during his trip to the the notoriously secretive state of North Korea. Among the award-winning theatre shows is Ross and Rachel, which tells the mind-bending, heartbreaking story of what happens when a couple that was always meant to be together, gets together. Kid Carpet and Vic Llewellyn take you on a musical, magical, moving and comic journey through the minds of some of our planet’s most eccentric and creative individuals in The Castle Builder (pictured). It tells the true story of an inmate in a Norwegian psychiatric institute who over 5 years built a castle on a remote headland. Immersive experience Almost Always Muddy invites children to take part in a ‘den making’ workshop followed by improvised storytelling about a young
girl looking for courage. And on the music front, multi-award winning Kaz Hawkins - Northern Ireland’s very own blues and soul darling - will be taking centre stage. The festival, which is on from Friday, September 22-Sunday, October 1, is part of the Collaborative Touring Network (CTN) – a partnership between Battersea Arts Centre and eight different producing teams across the UK. For more details, see pages 64 and 65. Information is also online at www.wiganarts.com/
Go-ahead for demolition Planners have given the go-ahead to demolish a former community hub. Bungalows will be built on the Highfield Grange Centre site on Anthorn Road. Council bosses say it’s almost 10 years since the
building has been used, and has in that time suffered spates of vandalism. A report into the application said: “Considering that the former Highfield Community Centre has not been in use for a number of years and has become a target for vandalism and anti-social behaviour in recent months, this would not be considered a ‘valuable facility or service’ and local consultation has demonstrated that the community would welcome an alternative use for the site. “Neighbouring properties have been consulted on the proposals and no objections have been received.”
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22
Breakfast is back Saturday Breakfast, the pop up breakfast fund raiser, is back from Saturday, September 2, at a new location – the Straw Bale café at Greenslate Farm in Billinge. These fund raisers run every Saturday from September 2 to the end of November and then from February to June, and have so far raised over £7,000 to fund community projects in Orrell and Billinge. Quality produce is supplied from H. Greaves butchers in Up Holland and from Windy Arbour Farm Shop in Billinge, and breakfast is cooked and served every week entirely by volunteers. Doors open at 9am and last orders are taken at 11.30am. If you’d like to join the Saturday Breakfast volunteers,
then pop along to the café at Greenslate Farm on Tracks Lane this Tuesday, August 29, at 6.30pm for an informal get together for volunteers. For more information, contact Jenny small_hours@hotmail. co.uk. If you’d like to apply for funding from Saturday Breakfast for a community group, project or event, then you’ll be interested to hear that there is £3,000 funding available now, but the closing date for bids is next Thursday (August 31). Bids are restricted to the Orrell and Billinge area and priority will be given to bids relating to community events, environment, youth and education. For a bid form, call into Local Life offices on Hewitt Business Park on Winstanley Road, or email Michael Winstanley mwinstanleym@ aol.com.
Cafe opens at Greenslate Farm Billinge’s latest eating house, the Straw Bale Café, opened its doors recently at Greenslate Farm on Tracks Lane in the village. The café is located in the brand new eco building, which was funded to the tune of a £400,000 grant from Public Health England. The building has been constructed to traditional standards using straw bales as insulation, hence the name, and rendered using traditional lime plaster.
Opening hours at the café are currently 11am-4pm Wednesday-Saturday, and the menu consists of brunches, lunches, cakes, coffee and other drinks. The building also hosts the Straw Bale farm shop, which will be selling a range of fresh organic produce, much of it produced on the farm. Pictured above are staff and volunteers at the Straw Bale café.
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Property
Should OAP’s be forced to
downsize?
by Alan Batt
T
his question was posed to me on social media recently, after a blog piece the fact many retirees feel trapped in their homes. After working hard for many years to buy their family home, the children have subsequently flown the nest and mum and dad are left to rattle round in a big house. So, should we force OAP Wigan homeowners to downsize? In the original blog piece, I suggested that we, as a society, should encourage, through building, tax breaks and social acceptance, that it’s a good thing to downsize. But should the Government actually force OAP’s to downsize? One of the biggest reasons OAP’s move home is poor health. Looking at the statistics for Wigan, of the 12,916 homeowners who are 65 years and older, a sizeable 47% described themselves in ‘good’ or ‘very good’ health, 37% of home-owning OAPs described themselves as in ‘fair health’ and 15% said they were in ‘bad’ or ‘very bad’ health.
Alan Batt Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has worked within the Wigan property market for over 30 years.
So, almost 2,000 of Wigan home owning OAP’s are in poor health, but if you look at the figures for the whole of Wigan Borough, there are only 80 specialist retirement houses that you could buy. Many older homeowners tell me that they wouldn’t feel comfortable with the idea of renting a retirement property after enjoying the security of owning their own home for most of their adult lives. My intuition tells me that most Wigan downsizers of this age could certainly afford to move, but are staying put in bigger family homes because they can’t find a suitable smaller property. There just aren’t enough bungalows for the healthy downsizers and there aren’t enough specialist retirement properties for downsizers in poor health. The Government’s Housing White Paper, published a few months ago, could have solved so many problems with the UK housing market, including the issue of homing our ageing population. Instead, it ended up feeling annoyingly ambiguous. Forcing our older generation to move with such measures as a punitive taxation (say a tax on wasted
25
26 bedrooms for people who are retired) would be the wrong thing to do. Instead of the stick – maybe the Government could use the carrot tactics and offered tax breaks for downsizers. Who knows – but something has to happen? The simple fact is we are living longer as a population and constantly growing with increased birth rates and immigration. So, what I would say to all the homeowners and property owning
public of Wigan is ... more houses and apartments need to be built in the Wigan area, especially more specialist retirement properties and bungalows. The Government had a golden opportunity with the White Paper – and were sadly found lacking. And a tip to my Wigan property investor readers whilst this issue gets sorted in the coming decades; Consider refurbishing older bungalows – people will pay handsomely for them!
Let the train take the
strain
It might surprise you that it isn’t always the poshest villages around Wigan or the swankiest Wigan streets where properties sell and let the quickest. Quite often, it’s the ones that have the best rail links. Rail is becoming increasingly important as the costs associated with car travel continue to rise and roads are becoming more and more congested. This has resulted in a huge surge in rail travel. Overall usage of the stations at Wigan has increased over the last 20 years. In 1997, a total of 1,478,028 people went through the barriers or connected with another train at the station in that 12-month period. However, in 2016, this figure had risen to 2,956,822 people using the stations (that’s a 19% increase). The juxtaposition of the property and the train station has an important effect on the value and saleability of a Wigan property. I estimate that property values in Wigan would be much lower, by at least 3% to 4%, if it wasn’t for the proximity of the railway stations and the people they serve in the town. It is also significant for tenants - so if you are a Wigan buy to let investor looking for a property - the distance to and from the railway station can be extremely significant.
For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the Wigan property market, check out www.wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk
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Planning Matters Orrell
Highfield
12 Farm Meadow Road : Plan to extend dwellinghouse, single storey to rear (ref:
2 Kinlet Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse single storey to front (ref: A/17/84414/HH).
A/17/84231/HH).
Pemberton
1 Farm Meadow Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse single storey to side (ref: A/17/84316/HH).
Vacant land west of 73 Smethurst Lane : Plan to erect 2 semi detached dwellings together with associated access and parking (ref: A/17/84357/ FULL).
70 St James Road : Proposal to construct vehicular access (dropped kerb) (ref: A/17/84375/HH). 18 Delphside Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse two storey to side and single storey to rear (ref: A/17/84406/HH). 168 Bell Lane: Erection of a new end terraced dwellinghouse on land to be severed from 168 Bell Lane, together with single storey rear extension to existing dwellinghouse (ref:A/17/84253/FULL).
Winstanley 66 Ravenswood Avenue: Plan to extend dwellinghouse two storey to side and rear, porch to front and pitched roofs over existing front dormer windows (ref: A/17/84354/HH). For more information on these applications, visit www.wigan.gov.uk
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Property Lettings & Management
TO LE T
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A grand day out The residents of Orrell’s Grosvenor House had a grand day out to Southport recently. The visit was organised by Marjorie Price, chairman of the Orrell &
Billinge Community Network, and the cost of the mini bus was courtesy of Orrell Cllr David Arrowsmith’s Brighter Borough Funding.
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Library talks continue TalKs are continuing on the future of Up Holland Library. Lancashire County Council has deferred making a decision on how the library facility will function going forward. It said there are “a range of factors that need to be addressed”. Recently, councillors gave the official goahead to reopen Parbold Library as a full council-run service. However, the situation at Up Holland Library is less clear cut, as Local Life understands there has been some interest from a third party community group in taking over the running of the building as part of a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) process. If officers are happy with the terms and conditions, a report will go to councillors recommending that
the process continues. If, however, as with the case at Parbold, the community group decides to pull out, the council will then need to step in and run the service. In a recent update to councillors on the county-wide process, officers said: “There are 17 live proposals for CAT relating to library buildings, 12 of which have been accepted in principle. Of these, 9 propose to operate an Independent Community Library (ICL). However, three of the community groups have subsequently indicated that they would prefer the County Council to operate a library service rather than progress an asset transfer. “There are a further five proposals for CAT which have not as yet been approved, three of which include proposed ICLs. “
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Why not study
music & media? F
or students just finishing their GCSEs or wanting a change of career pathway, The Music Projects is a specialist college for Music, Media and Games. With very high achievement rates, the best music facilities around and staff working within the creative industries, this could be your opportunity to kick-start a new and exciting career. You will work with established bands, gain experience of live events and come out with a great CV as well as qualifications for university or employment. Career pathways are more diverse than ever before. The creative industry is growing rapidly and so too are the careers in the industry, with skills gaps growing year after year. One of the more diverse pathways for 16-18 year olds is the Access to Music option, provided locally by The Music Projects as an alternative to going to one of the local general education colleges. At their centres in Pemberton, Hindley and Skelmersdale, The Music Projects offers a dedicated music and media learning experience. The Music Projects is a specialist college for anyone wanting a career in the creative industry. Delivering excellence in 7 courses, Music Performance, Composition, Technology, Business, Creative & Digital Media, Live Events/Event Management and Games Design & Development; with outstanding success rates and destination outcomes. Achieve a level 3 on one of these courses and it’s worth 3 ‘A’ levels and will carry full UCAS points for students to progress to university. The experienced staff at The Music Projects are passionate about music and media and so are their students, who thrive in a friendly and creative
environment with similarly like-minded people. The courses are based on the achievement of course work rather than exams, which means that students can achieve through the completion of practical real-life projects, rather than tests of knowledge and memory. Bursaries are available too – students can earn up to £99 per week to support study costs. Ed Sheeran himself attended an Access for Music course after dropping out of mainstream college, and this allowed him to explore his creativity and develop his skills as a musician and performer. Ed is now is a patron for Access to Music and other students include Rita Ora, The Saturdays, Tom Flynn, Dan Van, Let’s Eat Grandma and Laura Welsh. If your 16+ is passionate about making a career in music, design and/or game development, call The Music Projects 01942 212 607 for more details and a tour of their facilities. The Music Projects, 830 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan WN5 8EX www.music-projects.com
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A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION
succeed and move on up!
The Music Projects, in conjunction with Access to Music, offers a genuine alternative to college for creative and talented 16+ year olds who are interested in music, creative and digital media, and game development.
These full time courses are 100% funded, monitored by Ofsted, and are delivered by music professionals at centres at Pemberton, Hindley & Skelmersdale. Level 3 diplomas are equivalent to 3 ‘A’ levels, with UCAS points, and prepare students for university or for employment.
100% FUNdEd
No cost to students 16+
Courses that we offer: Music Technology (levels 1/2/3) Recording production & live sound engineering Music Performance (levels 1/2/3) Playing & performing Music Business (levels 1/2/3) Organising events, running a record label & more
EArN wHILE YoU LEArN! Bursaries for up to £99 per week
OfsTED “Good”
Learners benefit from teachers’ excellent vocational experience & knowledge of the music industry
Music Composition (levels 1/2/3) Composing music & writing lyrics Creative & Digital Media (levels 2/3) Work-related course of projects & assignments Games Development & Design (levels 2/3) Fast paced practical work-based course
For more details and a tour of our facilities contact us at; The Music Projects, 830 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan WN5 8EX
Tel: 01942 212 607 www.music-projects.com
Music_projects
Themusicprojects
musicprojects
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Puzzle Corner
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CLASSROOM PUPIL TEACHER
DESK LESSON COMPUTER
BOOK WRITE EXAM
5 9 4
4 3
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WORD SEARCH S
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SUDOKU WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Last chance Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.
F E A T
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The local bird club in Amesberry had a meeting and each member brought their favourite bird. Match each member to their pet, determine who has which species and the town and month in which it was acquired. CLUES 1. The owner of the Canary bought it during the summer. 2. Chris does not own a Finch. 3. The Parrot was purchased in November. 4. Julie bought her pet from Chichester.
All the puzzle solutions are on page 87 of this magazine
LOGIC PROBLEMS
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36
Class from the past
This month’s Class from the Past is from Up Holland Secondary. It’s believed this photo was taken in the 1970s. Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to share, contact us today by emailing wigannews@locallife247.co.uk
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Find your voice Haydock Male Voice Choir is holding an information evening and free concert for prospective new members. The choir was founded in 1923 by a small group of miners who were enthusiastic about music but knew very little about it. They met in a local pub and rehearsed once a week. Nowadays, the choir has members from right across the area. If you are interested in joining the choir, you are invited to go along to Haydock Conservative Club, Bellerophon Way, on Tuesday September 5, from 7.30pm-9.30pm. Organisers say the bar will also be open and wives/partners will also be very welcome. For more information, visit haydockmvc.com
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New bin regime An overhaul of bin collections in Wigan borough starts on Monday, September 25. From that date, black, brown and blue bins will only be collected every three weeks. Green waste will be collected fortnightly. The changes are part of a bid to save Wigan Council £2m a year. New calendars are now being sent to every household in the borough to explain the new collections. A council spokesman said: “As the rounds change, residents could see different refuse crews working in their area and they may have a change in collection day. There could also be changes to the time of day when bins are emptied.”
Bosses added that, since 2012, they have seen an increase in the amount the borough recycles but they need to do more. “Our recycling rate is 43 per cent. If we are not recycling 50 per cent of our waste by 2020, we will face significant fines. “People told us they wanted a more frequent blue bin collection and could manage with a less frequent brown bin collection. “If we don’t make these changes we’d have to find this £2m from somewhere and we want to protect frontline services for our children and our vulnerable residents. The council was the third worst hit local authority and will have lost £160m in government grants by 2020. Evidence from other areas in Greater Manchester shows that three weekly collections have managed to increase recycling rates.”
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Egg-citing times
Tell Us Your Story! Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve. Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about? Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition! Simply email us at wigannews@locallife247.co.uk
Orrell Eggcrafters have a new home - at Greenslate Farm on Tracks Lane. Their next meeting will be on Saturday, October 7, from 10am-3.30pm. New members are welcome to join the workshops which are held three times each year. Expert tutors will demonstrate throughout day, providing all the materials to complete your egg. For more information, contact on Wendy 01942 216552 or Sue on 01942 518233.
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Louise’s
battle
David Sudworth talks to the Billinge mum who lived with “the AIDS of our time” for 34 years without knowing it...
A
s the mum of a five-year-old, Louise Devine could be forgiven for feeling exhausted. But her fatigue isn’t due to normal, day-to-day family duties - it’s from a condition being described as “the AIDS of our time.”
The 40-year-old from Billinge has Lyme Disease. She was diagnosed earlier this year, but thinks she may have been carrying it for the past 34 years. “I may have got it from a horse fly bite when I was six. My mum took me to A&E as it was at the top of my leg, but the doctors thought it was just a bad reaction.”
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Little is known about Lyme Disease in the UK, and stories of misdiagnosis are common. The condition has gained more prominence in recent years due to celebrities such as Alec Baldwin, Ben Stiller and Kelly Osbourne opening up about their battles. In Osbourne’s case, she contracted it in a reindeer
“I am house-bound most days” sanctuary in the backyard of the the Osbourne family home 13 years ago. Lyme disease is caused by a spirochete – a corkscrew-shaped bacteria called Borrelia. Infected ticks have been found all over the UK in woodland, open countryside and even urban parks and gardens. Suffers can be left with illness throughout their lives - lethergy and fatigue being the main culprits. Indeed, Louise hasn’t been able to work since the beginning of the year when she ‘crashed’ due to tiredness. “I’m unlikely to go back to my job, one I’ve had for 20 years, which makes me really sad. Some days I am bed-bound, and most days I am usually housebound.
“Even small things like reading, or sitting talking to someone can make you tired.” However, as it is not a notifiable disease in the UK, the true number of new cases per year is unknown. There are around 1,000 serologically confirmed cases in the UK each year. But Public Health England state that the true number could be around 3,000 per year. One of the issues is that NHS tests for Lyme disease are not sensitive enough. GPs often don’t consider it for a possible diagnosis, usually opting for conditions such as ME - which is what happened to Louise.
44 “I was diagnosed with ME/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2016, but before that I was told I had fibromyalgia. I had a test for Lyme disease in the UK but it came back negative. My health continued to deteriorate so this year, I had tests done in Germany and they confirmed I had Lyme disease. “If it had been treated early, it could have been cured with antibiotics. However, because it was left untreated, it became chronic Lyme disease. “Looking back, I had a lot of problems as a child with nausea, so was tested for cystic fibrosis, food allergies and so on. “My friends laugh because they always tell me that when they called round for me as a teenager, I would more often than not be in bed asleep.” The impact of living with unchecked Lyme disease for 34 years has impacted heavily on Louise’s quality of life. “I have no hobbies because I haven’t got the energy, and what energy I do have, I want to save it for Alexa, my five year old.
“I’m always checking my daughter for ticks” “I’m always checking her for ticks - even after her school sports day. I’m paranoid about it, especially as there is so much open space around her as well.”
Be aware... Early symptoms include: Bull’s-eye rash, known as erythema migrans. This is diagnostic of Lyme disease but it isn’t always present. Fatigue, muscle pain, joint pain, headaches, fever and chills, neck stiffness, nausea and digestive issues
But she desperately wants to raise awareness about the disease so that other people get treated before it is too late.
Late symptoms of Lyme disease: Pain and swelling in the joints (inflammatory arthritis), problems affecting the nervous system, memory issues, word finding difficulties and ‘brain fog’, headaches and migraines, heart problems, disturbed sleep – either too little or too much fatigue and post exertional malaise, vision and hearing problems, vertigo and dizziness, anxiety and depression
“Many patients feel frustrated and let down by the NHS due to the lack of care they receive. That means they have to turn to private care and undergo testing by foreign laboratories whose results are not accepted by the NHS. That has to change.”
Most common other diagnoses for people with Lyme disease: ME, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and post viral fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, MS, dementia, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, other autoimmune diseases, migraine and Labyrinthitis.
Louise says that because the NHS didn’t diagnose her as having Lyme disease, she is now having to fork out around £40 a month for a range of medications, which have led to some small improvements.
More information at lymediseaseuk.com
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46
Health & Fitness
Diet &
dental damage
By Abi Jackson
N
ow, we’re not going to make any crazy statements - like, ‘Fruit’s just as bad as sweets!’, or, ‘Juicing wrecks your teeth!’ - because that would be overdramatic and misleading. But it is true that dentists have noticed how certain ‘healthy eating’ or weight-loss and detox trends are taking a toll on the nation’s dental health. It’s even affecting children, with a recent report published by the Royal College of Surgeons stating record numbers of under-fives are having rotten teeth removed with fruity snacks among the culprits.
47 So what are the health trends, ‘harmless’ habits and diets causing damage, and what can you do to avoid it? Hot water and lemon Starting the day with a hot water and fresh lemon a traditional detox method - is seeing a popularity resurgence right now, with fans boasting flatter stomachs and glowing complexions as a result. But Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at SuperfoodUK. com, warns: “Watch out for the advice on drinking warm lemon juice in the mornings. Lemon juice can cause problems with the enamel on teeth. It is great to have warm water with lemon - but,” she suggests, “drink it through a straw to help prevent tooth damage.”
Munching ice Zero calories for a satisfying crunch - but munching ice cubes isn’t as harmless as it seems. “Some people add ice to their drinks to increase their hydration levels. This is great and anything which increases water intake is good, but don’t crunch or bite on the ice. This is a common habit, but can leave your teeth vulnerable to damage,” says Wilkinson. “Let the ice melt and sip your drink to help increase your hydration levels.” Sirtfood stains One of the more recent celeb-backed trends, the Sirtfood Diet focuses on ingredients rich in ‘sirtuin activators’, said to keep cells healthy when under stress and aid in metabolic function - and coffee and
48 consumption, is key.” Wilkinson adds: “If you do have a fruit juice, drink it through a straw to help prevent this damage. Even better - swap to a vegetable smoothie.” This often applies to sports drinks, too. Bad gums Consuming too much natural sugar can also be a factor in poor gum health. “Diets which promote a high sugar intake can cause insulin levels to peak and then plummet which, over time, alters the structure of collagen in the body and in the long-
red wine are on the menu. “Drinks such as coffee and red wine are some of the worst culprits for teeth staining,” notes Dr Sameer Patel, clinical director at specialist dental and orthodontic practice, elleven. “This staining’s amplified when consumed on a regular basis, as tannin compounds build up and cause teeth to turn yellowish. To avoid the problem, rinse the mouth with water after consumption, to wash away tannins.” Green tea Packed full of health-boosting antioxidants, calorie and fat-free, it’s little wonder green tea has become so popular. But, while not as bad as coffee, it can cause staining. “Make sure you don’t swish the tea around your mouth - just drink it straight down,” advises Wilkinson. Fruit smoothies and juices It’s nonsense to demonise fruit - a vital source of nutrients and fibre - but the surge in popularity of juicing and smoothies, in regimes promising speedy weight-loss and detoxing, has impacted the nation’s dental health, leading to a rise in enamel erosion, sensitivity and decay. “Natural sugars can erode tooth enamel and lead to decay,” says Dr Patel. “Fruit’s natural sugar, fructose, is a common cause of cavities as the bacteria in the mouth feed on it, so using a straw and keeping your mouth refreshed with regular glasses of water after
term can affect your gums, as it’s collagen fibres that hold your teeth in place,” says Dr Patel. “To limit damage, drink juices through a straw and try to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth [after eating/drinking]. It’s also important to ensure you’re brushing teeth up to the gum line, to remove trapped food and bacteria.” Bad breath Drastically cutting calories, as well as following a high-protein/low-carb diet, can both cause bad breath - due to chemicals, called keytones, being released when you force your body into the fatburning state of ketosis (remember when Atkins first got popular and everyone was talking about this?). Good oral hygiene helps keep bad breath at bay, but if it’s down to your diet, Dr Patel advises: “Ketosis is brought on entirely by your diet and, unfortunately, no amount of flossing and brushing will combat the smell, so think twice before cutting out carbs completely and stick to healthy ones, such as wholemeal pasta and wholemeal bread to keep bad breath at bay.” Nutritional shortfalls It’s not just a case of what you do eat, but what you don’t eat - and falling into the trap of constant dieting, calorie-cutting and eliminating food groups can lead to nutritional deficiencies, including vitamins, iron and calcium, which are allimportant for maintaining healthy teeth and gums. A balanced diet, and two litres of water a day, is the best bet, along with good quality supplements if your diet is lacking. If you do want to lose weight, slow and steady wins the race.
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50
Travel
Full steam
G
ahead
o anywhere in the Isle of Man and you’ll inevitably hear the local saying “Traa Dy Liooar” (pronounced ‘tray de lee-urr).
As the Manx for ‘time enough’, it embodies the spirit of a place where things tend to happen at a more leisurely pace - perfect for a holiday destination. Just a few hours by boat from Heysham, near Lancaster, the Isle of Man isn’t part of the United Kingdom, but is a Crown dependency. Many liken it to Britain in the 1950s. People leave their doors open while at the shops, horse drawn trams can be
seen on the seafront at the island’s capital, Douglas. And there are plenty of heritage railway lines to enchant visitors over and over again. One of the island’s best known attraction is the Laxey Wheel, or the Lady Isabella as she is known locally. Built in 1854 to pump water from Laxey’s lead and zinc mines, you can still climb up to the top via a steep, spiral staircase.
51 Snaefell Mountain provides a stunning backdrop to the village, and its mountain electric railway is a great way of reaching the top. On a clear day, you can see England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales from its 2,036ft high summit. Over on the west side of the island is Peel, an old fashioned fishing port whose quaint, narrow streets lead to its deep harbour. On the way, you can call at Tynwald Hill. Tynwald claims to be the oldest parliament in the world, at over 1,000 years old. An exhibition in St John’s Church nearby charts the hostory of this fascinating political entity. Once in Peel - home to the famous Manx kippers - you can visit Peel Castle. Located on St Patrick’s Isle, it dates back to the 11th Century. It’s also worth paying a visit to the House of Manannan museum, which explores Man’s Celtic, viking and maritime heritage. To enjoy a full journey on the Manx Electrical Railway, Ramsey is a great place to start. The railway
is recognised as the longest, narrow-gauge vintage railway in the British Isles, taking you on a 17 mile journey across gorse-topped hills and along the stunning coastline to Douglas using the oldest working tramcars in the world. If steam is your thing, the Douglas to Port Erin line is an attraction not to be missed, It’s the island’s oldest Victorian railway system, travelling through small
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Tour Details Fully escorted by a UK Tour Manager from start to finish Standard rail travel Return ferry from Heysham to Douglas 5 nights at 4* Claremont Hotel in Douglas - Breakfast & evening meals included A journey on the Douglas Promenade by horse drawn tram Excursions on Snaefell Mountain Railway, Manx Electric Railway, Isle of Man Steam Railway Coach excursions to Peel and Castletown For details on this and other rail tours in the UK and Europe, call Marken Travel for a free brochure. *Departures between 11th April and 4th October 2018
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Taking you wherever you need to go…
towns and villages along the way. The southern part of the island is also home to The Calf of Man and The Sound. Here, you can spend a beautiful evening watching the sun set - although it can get a bit windy at times so a good coat is recommended! Also in the south is Castletown, the island’s ancient capital. Castle Rushen, a magnificently preserved medieval fortress, dominates the town and is very much worth a visit - as is the Nautical Museum and the old House of Keys.
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Billinge-based Marken Travel has teamed up with Great Rail Journeys UK to offer a great experience to those who want to discover the charms of this small, rugged island. Six days costs from £645 and includes five nights at the Four-Star Claremont Hotel in Douglas. Having almost a week will certainly ensure you have “Traa Dy Liooar” to tour a slice of Manx life.
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54
Financial Planning
Perfect Changes at
H
Prosper
aving spotted a planning application on the council’s planning portal for Prosper, one of our oldest clients, I took the opportunity to grab a few words with owner David Barton, who launched the business back in 2003. It’s been another record year for Prosper, so why the changes? In recent years we have changed into a business that deals pretty much exclusively in wealth management; investment and pension management advice. In a typical month we place new investments to the tune of £1m to £1.5m for local clients, and therefore we wanted a name that was more aligned to what we are all about. Consequently, we have agreed with the FCA that our trading name will change from Prosper Independent Financial Advisers Ltd to Prosper Wealth Management within the next few weeks which inevitably will mean a change to our logo and signage. Will you still be offering Independent Financial Advice? Absolutely, yes. We were the first company in Wigan to attain Chartered status, the gold standard for independent financial advisors, and being able to offer the best independent financial advice remains really important to us. We specialise in wealth management for those aged 50+, so we have now included ‘Wealth Management’ in our new name. It’ll be easier for people looking for independent advice on, say, their mortgage, to realise that we are not really the firm for them.
Is the business still expanding? It’s been a fantastic few years for us and the outlook remains incredibly encouraging. Funds under our advice have now surpassed the £130m mark and our goal is to achieve £200m within the next five years. We are recruiting more staff and we have now outgrown the premises. We didn’t want to move away from Standish High Street, so we are extending the offices. We currently have plans in with the Council and hope to be in a position to press on with the build within the next few weeks.
So it’s business as usual then? Yes, we’re changing the name, updating the logo, taking on new staff and extending the building, but apart from that, nothing’s changed! It’s great that our continued investment into technology, people and premises has paid off with continued growth, and our clients can be assured that we will be continue to focus on giving them the financial outcome they both desire and deserve. Now where’s my hard hat?
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Looking forward to retirement? Enjoy a bright future with Prosper - the local firm with a national reputation for excellent financial management and outstanding service. Why should you choose Prosper? We already look after over £130 million on behalf of 500 local clients We were the first independent financial adviser in Wigan to be awarded Chartered Financial Planner Status back in 2012 and remain the only firm to achieve this accreditation
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56
Market forces Wigan’s markets could be in private sector hands by next spring. Soft market testing is now underway to see if any company with relevant experience could take over the running of Wigan, Leigh and Ashton’s markets. Council bosses have stressed that, if this were not happen, ownership of the actual market buildings would remain with the local authority. A former tender process could start this year and a final decision would be made by the end of January. Any new arrangements would be in place by April. The news has set many traders fearing about potential rent rises. A council spokesman said: “Any operator will need to ensure that the markets are viable. It will be up to the new operator to decide on rental levels, but these can only be in line with a figure that is affordable, or there is a chance that market traders will go elsewhere. We anticipate that any operator would understand the need to grow
affordable. “We want the markets to grow and improve. This might mean taking advantage of the experience of a private sector operator, or improving our offer through a change in the way we manage the markets directly.
the business for each market, whilst keeping rents
“Nationally, markets are changing their offer to include a wider range of foods, with an emphasis on quality and less on the traditional market offer. We would aim to keep the best of the existing offer, and add new experiences for customers.”
Awards date
Farm’s homes bid
This year’s Wigan Business Awards has been confirmed for Friday, November 17. Now entering their 11th year, the annual awards, held at the DW Stadium, celebrate business excellence across the borough. There are nine award categories including Business of the Year (turnover over £5m); Family
A family-run farm in Tontine is bidding to diversify by converting old workshops and a vacant barn into four homes. Paperwork supporting the application at Lawns Farm, on Lawns Avenue, said: “In the past, Lawns Farm was utilised for poultry and cattle farming plus the growing of crops such as peas and
Business of the Year; Small or Medium Enterprise of the Year, The We’re Backing Wigan Award; Exporter of the Year, The Employer Supporting Apprentices Award; The Something to Shout About Award; Start-up Enterprise of the Year and The Young Entrepreneur of the Year.
potatoes. Although crops are still grown, livestock has reduced from 400 head to just 40 head at the farm. Even though the sale of the farm would prove the most cost-effective alternative, the family wish to keep Lawns Farm running, but need an investment such as rentals or the sale of a small number of buildings to do so.”
To book a place at the event, email events@ gmchamber.co.uk
Some locals have written to West Lancs Council, objecting to the proposal. A decision is due soon.
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Holly BAHons Langtree
Jobless total flatlines
Graphic Designer & P hotographer
The number of people claiming out of work benefits in Wigan has flatlined year-on-year. According to figures released by the Office for National Statistics, the percentage of people in June claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance was 2.6% - the same figure as June 2016. It’s now almost three years since the jobless figure moved from the mid-two percentage range.
- Graphic Design - Illustrat ion - Branding - P hotography - Social Media - Print - Invitations - Greeting Cards - Logos - Creative Thinking
Rates help for business Nurseries, restaurants, pubs and shops are among some of the businesses set to benefit from Wigan Council’s new business rates relief scheme. Wigan’s Discretionary Revaluation Relief scheme, which has been designed to support businesses worst affected by a government revaluation, will favour the borough’s smaller, local businesses. The borough has a total of 9,385 rateable properties. 4,012 (45%) of those have seen an increase.
Free, no obligation discussion for all your bookkeeping needs Contact Petra on Telephone Mobile
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Business View
Making Tax Digital
- an Update T
by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy
hanks to pressure from businesses and accountants, HMRC have seen sense and delayed the compulsory switch over to digital tax records. The plan to implement this scheme by April 2018 has proved too ambitious and the deadline has been switched to 2020. So what are the new deadlines? Businesses over the VAT threshold: You will need to keep digital records, for VAT only, from 2019. All Businesses (regardless of turnover) From 2020, the exact date to be confirmed, businesses will be required to keep digital records for all their tax records, VAT and company, including filing their accounts online. It is also increasingly likely that these records will need to be filed quarterly by 2020. Most of the companies who CMA deal with have already prepared for this by making the switch to online accounting, and these companies are now enjoying the benefits such as; • More efficient systems: reduced administration time and cost • Increased accuracy: fewer mistakes and errors • Smarter business tools resulting in accurate reports, real time data and higher tax savings • Better security by keeping all your data on password protected software • Improved accountancy services • Peace of mind that they are ready for the 2020 MTD deadline.
If you have not yet considered switching to online accounting systems or complying with the Making Tax Digital, please do get in touch with CMA on the number below. CMA has many practical solutions on preparing your company for the challenges ahead, and we have hands on experience with a wide range types of local and regional businesses of varying degrees of size. CMA offers a free consultation for anyone that would like to speak to us about these changes. 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.
Contact Details: 01257 255521 info@cma-accountancy.com www.cma-accountancy.com 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DR
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Upload your event for FREE at www.locallife247.co.uk/events Follow us on Facebook
events2go
Botany Bay Canal Fest
The 39 Steps
Sunday, Aug 27 – Monday, Aug 28, 10am – 5.30pm
Saturday, September 9, from 2.30pm
Two fantastic days of festivities and entertainment on land and on water including all your favourites from last year. FREE entry and FREE parking!
Alfred Hitchcock’s classic spy thriller, The 39 Steps, brilliantly recreated for the stage as the smash hit comedy suitable for all the family. Tickets £12.
Botany Bay, Canal Mill, Botany Brow, Lancashire PR6 9AF. Contact: botanybay.co.uk
The Citadel Waterloo Street, St Helens, WA10 1PX. More details - 01744 735 436.
Joining Jack 10K Run
Leigh Canal Festival
Sunday, September 3, from 10am-12pm
Saturday, September 9-Sunday Sept 10
Live steel music performance by Pantonic All Stars Steel Orchestra, performances will continue throughout the 10k run.
A festival hosted by NB Hekla pop-up gallery which will include lots of family activities.
Robin Park Arena, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UH. More details - 0161 483 7628
Male Voice Choir Tuesday, September 5, from 7.30pm-9.30pm Haydock Male Voice Choir is holding an information evening and free concert for prospective new members. Organisers say the bar will also be open and wives/partners will also be very welcome. Haydock Conservative Club, Bellerophon Way, Haydock. Visit www.haydockmvc.com
Sweet Cool Rocking Thursday, September 11, evening onwards Enjoy four live bands for rock night, raffle prizes to also be won. £1 admission. The Standish Unity Club Live Lounge ,Cross Street, Standish, WN6 0HQ. More details - 01257 424007
Twist Lane, Leigh, Lancashire, WN7 4DB
7th Wigan Diggers’ Festival Saturday, September 9, from 11am-9.30pm Music and entertainment across two stages, film showings, educational talks, exhibitions, puppet shows, the ever popular ‘Occupie Wigan’ beer tent, and over 50 food, book, campaign and other stalls. Gerrard Winstanley Gardens, The Wiend, Wigan WN1 1PF
Orrell Live 2017 Saturday, September 9, from noon This year’s line-up includes Olivia Garcia, Haze, Mercury & May, Brother Beyond, the Uk’s Number One Drifters Tribute 2016, S Club Party and Golborne Brass Band. Tickets (£10 for aged 17 and under, or £25 for over 18s) via www.orrell-live.co.uk Orrell Cricket Club, Winstanley Road, Orrell
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FREE modern easy read Bible
Wigan Baby Rave
(New European Version)
Sunday September 10 Little Ravers are returning to Pemberton Masonic Hall for another mega baby rave! These are unique music and dance parties aimed at under eights and their parent/family. Includes classic dance tunes, bubble machines, dance routines, lighting, instruments and soft play. Pre-booking is essential via www.littleravers.co.uk Pemberton Masonic Hall, Pemberton, Wigan WN5 8JP
Chapel
Street,
Craft and Farmers Market Sunday, September 10, from 9am Find over 40 stalls packed into barns and a courtyard. Discover dozens of award winning, local produce stalls and get your fix of your favourite cheese, pie, jam or cake. Cotton Town Hot Cub will be back with a bang with music and fun. Parking and entry are free Inglenook Farm, Moss Nook Lane, Rainford, St Helens, WA11 8AE
Garden Open Day Sunday, September 10, from 10am-4pm Enjoy the large attractive gardens surround the Hospice creating a place of tranquillity, that is also a haven for wildlife. Wigan & Leigh Hospice, Kildare Street, Hindley, Wigan, WN2 3HZ. More details - 01942 525566
Forties Afternoon Sunday, September 10, 11am-5pm Take a step back in time and enjoy live music from the forties. This event also features a vintage display of wedding attire, accessories and artefacts in the beautifully refurbished ballroom of Haigh Hall Hotel. Haigh Woodland Park, School Lane, Haigh , Wigan, WN1 2PE. More details - 01942 254219
Discover for yourself the real God, - without the religion or hassle. Available now. You’re under no obligation and won’t get pestered! Contact wiganchristadelphians.wordpress.com/bible-study/ or post to 66 Dicconson Street, Wigan, WN1 2AT
Southport Air Show Friday, September 15 – Sunday, September 17 Combining a spectacular air display with a host of ground activities, the Southport Air show is a funfilled experience that the whole family can enjoy. Southport Beach, Southport, PR8 2PP. Contact: visitsouthport.com/airshow
Northern Soul All-Nighter Sarurday, September 16, from 10pm-6am Sentenced To Soul & Wigan Roller Rink presents The Empire All-Nighter 2. Organisers say it’ll be the biggest all-nighter in Wigan since the Casino with 1,000 capacity. It’ll feature a huge, sprung dance floor and merchandise/record stalls. Tickets are £12 via www.ticketsource.co.uk Wigan Roller Rink, Unit 2, Swan Meadow Industrial Estate, Swan Meadow Rd, Wigan, WN3 5BD.
5k Colour Run Sunday, September 17, from noon Get drenched in powder paint while raising money at the Wigan and Leigh 5K Colour Run. Everyone taking part will be given a bag of powder paint which is thrown up in the air at the start. Pennington Flash, Leigh. To book your tickets visit www.wiganwarriors.com/colourrun or call the community team on 01942 762880.
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St Luke’s Celebrations Monday, September 18-Sunday, September 24 A series of events are planned to mark 90 years since the consecration of St Luke’s Church. Events include free concerts with The Occasional Singers on the Monday (7.30pm), Holgate Primary on the Tuesday (2.30pm), Newfold Primary on the Wednesday (2pm) and Winstanley College on the Thursday (7.30pm). The church will be open with displays on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. On the Sunday, the 90th anniversary, there will be Holy Communion at 8am, and a Celebration Service with Holy Communion followed by a faith lunch at 10.30am. St Luke’s Church, Lodge Road, Orrell, Wigan.
Beer Festival
Looking to CeLebrate a
Special Occasion? Large Venue For Hire reCentLy re furbished St JameS SociaL centre
Friday, September 24, from 2pm The Brighouse & Rastrick Band will perform alongside Pemberton Old Wigan Band. Tickets can be bought on the door. Wigan Youth Zone, Parsons Walk, WN1 1RU.
Artisan Food and Craft Fair Sunday, September 24, from 11am-3pm Some of the most talented food, craft and gift businesses in the North West (and a little further) offering a selection of goods that aren’t available on the high street. Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford St Helens, WA11 8HE
Charity Fashion Show Monday, September 25, 2pm (2.30pm start)
• holds 50 to 180 People • sprung dance floor • ample free Parking • Quality Cask ales available ideal for Wedding receptions, Christenings, birthday Parties, funerals, baby showers
A fun packed afternoon of fashion and Beauty. All proceeds will go to Willowbrook Hospice and Multiple Sclerosis. Tickets £10 available from Ella Mora Rainford, Beauty by Helen French in Eccleston and Willowbrook Hospice.
for more information and detaiLs
Houghwood Golf Club, Billinge Hill, Crank Road, Billinge, WA11 8R. Call Marion on 01744 885322
st James soCiaL Centre st James road, orreLL, Wn5 7aa
caLL Joe on 07877 480 572 or 01695 623 902
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Macmillan Fundraiser
Leigh Film Festival
Friday, September 29, from 3pm
Saturday, September 30-Friday, October 13
This annual event includes cake, vegetables and fancy good sales, followed by the main beauty and fashion show at 7pm. Tickets for the show are £6 and are available by contacting Kath McGuire on 01695 721038.
Screenings at various locations including Moana (2016, cert PG), at The Pelican Centre, Tyldesley on September 30; This Sporting Life (1963, cert 12) at Leigh Sports Village on October 3 and Jesus of Montreal (1989, cert 18) at Leigh Parish Church on Friday, October 13.
St James Social Club, St James Road, Orrell, WN5 7AA
Full details and costs at leighfilmfestival.com
Musical Fireworks
Wigan Model Railway
Friday, September 29, to Sunday, October 1, from 6pm
Saturday, September 30-Friday, October 1
Set in Victoria Park, the British Musical Fireworks Championship are firework displays like no other. Over three nights prepare for breath-taking displays, an array of light and a mixture of music which will have you dancing away. Victoria Park. Rotten Row, Southport, PR8 2BZ www.visitsouthport.com
Rif Raf Saturday, September 30, from 9pm A four piece rock covers band from the North-West with over a decade of gigging experience covering the likes of AC/DC, Black Sabbath and Rainbow as well as more obscure bands. Free entry. Brown Cow, The Green, Eccleston, Chorley, PR7 5TP
Chorley Live 2017 Friday, 6 Oct & Saturday, 7 Oct, from 7pm-11pm Truly amazing performers across 30 venues. Wristbands will be on sale at all venues priced at £5. Chorley Town Centre. More details - it http:// chorleylive.com/
The group’s 50th exhibition incorporates the North West Festival of Diesel & Electric Layouts. Opening times are Saturday, 10am-5.30pm, and Sunday, 10am to 4.30pm. Tickets are £10 on the door or £8 online via www.wiganfrm.org.uk Robin Park Arena & Sports Centre, Loire Drive, Wigan, WN5 0UH
Arts exhibition Saturday, October 7-Tuesday, October 10 Standish Art Group are taking part in the Standish Festival of Arts and Music and will be holding an exhibition of art work 5pm on the Saturday until 9.30pm on the Tuesday. St Wilfrid’s Church, Church Street, Standish. Contact Julie Prescott on 07805480656 or prescott27670@gmail.com
These Smiths Friday, October 20, from 7.30pm A trip down memory lane with classics including This Charming Man, The Boy With The Thorn In His Side, There Is A Light That Never Goes Out. Support on the night comes from Wallgate Circus. The Old Courts, Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford Street, Wigan, WN1 1NA. Tickets via www.theoldcourts.com
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Food & Drink
Guilt-free
food!
By Ella Walker
Y
ou will find a brachiosaurus moseying through an asparagus forest, a tiger surveying a field of Szechuan peppers, and a duck bobbing about with a load of cherry tomatoes in Thomasina Miers’ new recipe collection, Home Cook. And they all look so happy. “You can tell I was pregnant when I was making it, can’t you?!” the Cheltenham-born chef and restaurateur yelps with a laugh. “Oh my God, we had so much fun! At its core though, Home Cook is a reflection of “how we eat at home”, says Miers, 41, and how having three small children and a restaurant empire affects that. “The food I cook now is very different to the food I cooked 20 years ago, when I had all the time in the world,” she explains. “I’m a working mother, who comes home late sometimes and just has to get food out on the table, but equally, I want to feed my family good food.” The collection of 300-odd recipes, she says, is also a “guilt-free joyous approach to food”, in reaction to “all this neurosis about eating and what not to eat” that currently abounds. “Healthy eating has become such a loaded, almost toxic subject,” says Miers. “I grew up as a teenager full of hang-ups about food and always dieting, and it’s such a bad way to live your life. Over the years, I’ve developed I never say no to anything. “The moment I say to myself, ‘I won’t do that’, that’s the first thing I want to do.” You have to work out what works for you, rather than letting trends and aspirational Instagram posts dictate your diet”, she explains. “Everybody’s bodies are different; we all react to different ingredients in different ways, so it’s nonsense to say one diet can be suitable for thousands of people, it
69 doesn’t work that way. It’s about adapting your own likes and dislikes and eating the way that’s right for you, and having fun with it. “Basically, if you’re cooking a bit from scratch at home, which you can do affordably and easily, then you’re going to be eating healthily, and if you eat a few doughnuts along the way, it doesn’t really matter.”
Chinese & Japanese Cuisine Eat in, or Takeaway!
Inspired by - and just as busy as - Thomasina Miers? Try one of these recipes from Home Cook tonight...
Monday - Thursday
Home Cook by Thomasina Miers, photography by Tara Fisher, published by Faber & Faber - £25 (hardback)
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Cornbread with Goat’s Cheese & Honey Butter Serves 4 Ingredients For the cornbread: 100ml whole milk 240ml buttermilk 3 eggs 165g sweetcorn kernels (defrosted or fresh of a cob) 100g plain flour 180g fine polenta 30g soft brown sugar 1tsp fine salt 1tbsp baking powder 80g butter 3 spring onions, halved and finely sliced For the goat’s cheese: 250g soft goat’s cheese 75ml whole milk 25ml olive oil Salt and pepper For the chipotle honey butter: 125g butter 35g chipotle in adobo, chopped (available from www.souschef.co.uk, Amazon and Waitrose) 50g honey Generous squeeze of lime juice Salt To serve: Butter and 4 eggs (to fry) Handful of rocket dressed with oil and lime juice
Method To make the cornbread, preheat the oven to 180C/ Gas mark 4 and butter a 900g loaf tin. Blend together the milk, buttermilk, eggs and 100g of sweetcorn. Put the flour, polenta, sugar, salt and baking powder into a large bowl and whisk well to combine. Melt the butter in a pan and add to the dry ingredients, along with the egg mixture, spring onions and remaining sweetcorn. Mix briefly to bring everything together. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for 45 minutes, or until an inserted skewer comes out clean. Allow to cool in the tin for 30 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. While the cornbread is baking, blitz the goat’s cheese, milk and olive oil with a blender, seasoning with salt and pepper. It should be light and fluffy. For the chipotle honey butter, melt the butter in a pan, add the chipotle and honey and whisk together. Season with the lime juice and salt to taste. Cut the bread into slices the thickness of two £1 coins and fry in a little butter to warm through. Fry the eggs in a hot frying pan until crisp. Serve the bread with one to two heaped tablespoons of the goats’ cheese, a handful of dressed rocket, a fried egg and drizzle of the honey butter.
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HOLLAND HALL HOTEL
THE PERFECT WEDDING DAY Holland Hall Hotel is set in private grounds of the Historic Village of Upholland. The Original Manor House dates back to 1654 offering original features such as open fireplace and original beams. The Contemporary Garden & Terrace Wedding Suites offer a modern setting leading onto a private garden patio. The Suites are also licensed for Wedding Ceremonies including the Garden Pergoda.
Please contact Holland Hall Wedding Co-ordinator Karen Caddock to arrange an appointment to discuss your Perfect Day
SPECIAL OFFER 2018 Perfect Wedding Day Package ÂŁ5495 available on Saturdays for dates remaining in 2018, call Karen, Wedding Co-ordinator at Holland Hall for further details info@hollandhallhotel.co.uk | Tel: 01695 624 426 | www.hollandhallhotel.co.uk
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Unbelievably Dark & Delicious Chocolate Cake
Makes 1 large cake Ingredients For the cake: 380g butter, plus extra for the tins 380g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped 380g caster sugar 2 small pinches ground cinnamon Several large pinches of salt 200g plain flour 6 eggs, beaten For the topping: 4 Mars bars 100ml whole milk 3 tbsp golden syrup 90g dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids), chopped 500ml double cream 3 Flakes, chopped into 2cm lengths 2 packets of Rolos 1 large packet of Peanut M&Ms (optional) Edible glitter
Method Preheat the oven to 190C/Gas Mark 5 and butter and line the base of two 20cm non-stick cake tins. Melt the butter in a medium pan over a low heat; once melted, stir in the chocolate, being careful not to burn it. When the mixture becomes smooth velvet, add the sugar, cinnamon and salt. Stir until the sugar has dissolved, then slowly sift in the flour, stirring to combine. Beat the eggs into the chocolate mixture a little at a time until fully incorporated. Pour into the prepared tins and bake for 30-40 minutes until the outside is dark and delicious looking and a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tins for 15 minutes before removing to a cooling rack. Meanwhile chop up the Mars Bars and melt with the milk, syrup, dark chocolate and 50ml of the double cream. Whip the rest of the cream until it just holds its shape. Sandwich the cooked cakes together with the whipped cream and pour over the Mars Bar sauce. Scatter the various chocolates and the glitter on top. Serve.
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sponsored by
Golborne &
Haydock Park D
istance is all relative. For Americans or Australians, 50 miles is the sort of distance they’d travel just to do the weekly shop. For Brits, it’s a day out. It’s mostly to do with the fact that our roads are a) gridlocked and b) never take you as the crow flies. This walk hammers home that point with aplomb. A simple half mile by foot on this stroll would take three miles by car - the phrase ‘quicker to walk’ was made for this. We park up at the far end of Ashton Heath, once home to a ‘hermit’ who died some 98 years ago. It’s now a popular dog walking spot and, once upon a time, a favourite meeting point for my classmates who wanted to while away Friday nights by swigging cider and singing Nirvana songs.
by David Sudworth
We take the path which goes behind the Blenheim Road estate and crosses Millingford Brook. It’s an area which has an abundance of blackberry bushes, and it’s now the right time of year to go a-pickin’. Once over the brook, take the footpath which forks to the right and along the outside of the farmer’s field. To your left there is a copse in the distance, keep on the right hand side of it as you veer towards it. It’s a good time of year to go as the farm workers are out spreading muck on the fields. It’s good to show kids the type of environment from which their bags of Monster Munch emanate. We came out at Golborne Road, and immediately took a left. Cross over the road and take the next
74 public footpath on the right on the perimeter of Jameson’s Farm. The path carries on for a while until it veers right, down towards the Harrow Inn pub. At the Harrow, you double back on yourself and head up Edge Green Road, and back towards Golborne Road. In truth, this part of the journey could be missed out, but a pub stop is always a welcome sight on any walk. At the junction of Edge Green Road/Golborne Road, turn left and then take the first right onto Edge Green Lane. Here, you have to stay on the left hand side of the road as there’s no footpath. Head down the dip and under the disused railway bridge. For a quicker way back, you can follow the abandoned rail track route back to Ashton Heath, but I would always advise caution, especially as one of the bridges further down has a steep drop in part of it. On no account should kiddies or pets be allowed to roam freely on that part of the stretch.
Back on the original route, we are heading down Helen Street, when we stumble upon the curiouslynamed Hell Nook. There’s various theories about its origin; one includes the story about a local nurse who performed pagan rituals at her home in the nook.
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7
Edge Green Common
Ashton Heath
Edge Green Lane
Ed g
eG
Town Green
ed Railway
Dismantl
Hel
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treet Helen S
Haydock Park Racecourse
ok
Harvey Lane
76 Having safely negotiated this part of the walk without any bad spells being cast upon us, we turn right into Harvey Lane. At this point, you can see the grounds of Haydock Park Racecourse. The park itself is steeped in history. It can be traced back to the Leghs, a prominent Lancashire family, whose interests in horse racing go back to the 18th Century and held meetings on a stretch known as Golborne Heath. The arrival of industry in the area appears to have given a boost to the organisers and even 100 years ago the pattern of the present Haydock Park meeting started to take shape. You follow the perimeter of the park for around half a mile until you get back to Ashton Heath. This 3.7 mile walk took us just over an hour and a half - perfect for the coming months when daylight gets more scarce. There’s also some interesting local history on the way. And don’t forget the hedgerows which are bursting with free food. What are you waiting for?
When can we go back to Dukes Barn Farm?
Boarding kennels and cattery. Heated accommodation. Recommended by vets & clients for over 38 years. Local authority licensed & approved. Open 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday Closed to customer visits on Sunday
DUKES BARN FARM Animal care at its best
Brook Lane, Pemberton, WN5 8JQ
Call - 01942 217752
Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear while walking. While 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.
Gary Mulvaney
Dog Trainer Train for Fun – Skills for Life • Puppy/Dog Training • 1-2-1 Instruction • Behavioural problems 07754 003 021 or 01257 252232
www.garymulvaney.co.uk
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The joy of
pottering
Award Winner
by Angie Barker
G
ardening is such a rewarding pastime. It can be physically challenging but it doesn’t have to be. And there is no greater pleasure in life than pottering. Running a busy garden design business means I usually have a list of things that need doing in the garden within a limited “window of opportunity” as they say. Therefore when I do get the chance to potter (one definition of which is “move or go in a casual, unhurried way”) it is all the more pleasurable. I can’t say that I’ve achieved a lot - that list of things that need doing doesn’t have any ticks against it – but I do feel like I have recharged my batteries. And we all need that from time to time. The down side to pottering is that five minutes can easily turn into half an hour and half an hour into an hour. Hubby often has to come looking for me as I’ve lost track of time. (Hubby does not do pottering).
For example, whenever you see the word “vigorous” or “invasive” on a plant description label – beware. These are plants that love to multiply. I’m not talking about self seeders here like Foxgloves and hardy Geraniums. These I can deal with. No, vigorous plants are those which seem to want to take over an entire border by sending out underground rhizomes. Plants like Lysimachia, Alstroemeria and Anemones are prime examples – don’t be fooled by their beauty and plant with caution! But to get back to pottering... None of us want to be a slave to our gardens as gardening can then become a chore rather than a pleasure. However even those clients who ask me for a low maintenance scheme, will admit they enjoy pottering. So get your design and planting plan right, and you can potter away until your heart’s content...
There is no better way to learn about gardening than to actually do it. Experience is always the best teacher and one of the things I have learnt, is that some plants should come with a warning. To be enticed by the beauty of a flower, does not mean that you should grow it in your garden.
Angie is a qualified award-winning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.
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
Award Winner
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•
•
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Qualified Tree Surgeon NCA RFS NPTC All types of Tree and Hedge Work Fully Insured Felling, Reducing, Pruning, Shaping
SMN
Tree and Landscape Management West Lancashire District Council approved contractor
Day: 07970 521 692 Eve: 01942 214 121 www.smntrees.co.uk
NO JOB TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL Call us today for a free, no obligation, quote;
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NO JOB • All tree work • Hedge cutting TOO SMALL • Stump grinding Billinge based
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Call Lloyd today for a free estimate
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Semmens Landscapes
Garden Design • Landscaping • Maintenance Professional & reliable service For a free quote, call Andy on
Our aim is to deliver a creative, personal service adhering to our customers requirements and within budget. Large projects or small makeovers are all carried out with the same commitment and dedication. We take great pride in completing all projects to the highest possible standards. w w w. p d h o m e a n d g a r d e n . c o . u k
07946 751308
01942 206503
Give your garden a makeover! We offer high quality landscaping, garden design and ground maintenance services
M: 07814 133 690 T: 01942 588 628
New Leaf
Garden Service Award-winning, local family run business offers:
Garden Landscaping (lawn laying, planting, fencing)
Garden Maintenance
(weeding, mowing, trimming, hedges)
Regular visits from £15
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81
Test Drive
Volkswagen
Passat GTE by Tim Barnes-Clay
T
he GTE badge was first ushered in with the VW Golf and it eventually made its way to the more conservative Passat. Bolting a plug-in petrol-electric propulsion unit to a model that is best known for its diesel pulling power was perhaps a brave move for Volkswagen. But it seems to have paid off with the Passat. Like the Golf, the VW Passat GTE’s looks are characterised by C-shaped LED lights accommodated in its bumper, and the blue bar that stretches across the headlights and grille. It’s a restrained fine-tuning of the Passat’s tailoring, although, given the intense hue of blue, the use of which even expands to the car’s brake callipers, the GTE model is simple enough to distinguish from
diesel Passats. The battery capacity and output have been given a bit of a boost, but the petrol-electric set-up is fundamentally the same as in the VW Golf GTE’s. The 156PS 1.4 TSI petrol unit and 115PS electric motor combine to make 218PS, giving a 0-62mph sprint of 7.4 seconds. Top speed is 140mph, but unless you’re on a German autobahn, you’re unlikely to risk finding out what that feels like. Step into the cabin and the Passat GTE houses a few understated touches, such as blue piping, blue stitching, aluminium trim and GTE emblems. Other than that, the switchgear and seats are the same as in any other Passat. And, as with all Passat saloons, space is generous.
82
Even with the car’s lithium ion drive battery beneath the rear seats, the VW has good room and a boot that is big enough for a family’s needs.
restarts effortlessly when it needs to, while the car’s cruise control allows it to store its own impetus and cruise economically.
The Volkswagen’s electric charging time is easy to cope with. Plugging the car’s seven-pin charge cable into a 16A wall socket, I got the 9.9kWh battery from a quarter charged to 100 per cent in under two hours. The GTE runs well on electriconly juice, with a possible range of 31 miles on zero emissions.
The Passat GTE’s handling is as good as its performance. You can thrust the saloon through bends and its tyres will dig into the tarmac strongly. There’s very little body roll, and the steering, while not delivering that much feedback, is precise.
In Hybrid form the VW saloon responds admirably, even when the petrol engine has closed, which it’ll do at moderate motorway speeds. The power unit
Fast Facts • 0-62 mph: 7.4 secs • Combined mpg: 156.9 • Engine: 1395cc petrol + electric • Max. power (PS): 218 • CO2: 40 g/km • Price: £37,025
Here’s the important bit, though. VW claims the Passat GTE will do 156.9mpg on the combined cycle. But, as with all cars, this model’s economy will depend on what your driving is like. On a 60-mile run, beginning with a fully charged battery and driving on a mix of roads, I achieved 80.1mpg. Volkswagen’s Passat GTE is, without doubt, a talented car and an attractive vehicle in a wider sense than a conventional high-performing, fully loaded volume-marque. By blending large car pragmatism with a sophisticated plug-in hybrid system, VW has produced one of the greatest reasons yet to think about swapping from a standard oil-burning business saloon to an electrically powered one.
83
Our Readers, Your Customers Promote your motoring business to 75,000 potential customers with this size advertisement from just £39 + VAT (Includes free artwork service).
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84
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Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect every step of the way and on that you have my word! Stuart Goulding
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Is your garage door broken ? Call us today for a free estimate to Repair or Replace it
All GARAGE DOORS REPAIRED : Springs, Cables, Locks, Rollers etc. Doors of all ages repaired
01744 894939 07891 330214 NO FIX, NO CHARGE! www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk Strawberry Cottage, Pimbo Road, Upholland WN8 9QL
CJM Garage Doors Ltd, Unit 10, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB t: 01942 738347 w: www.cjmgaragedoors.co.uk
86
r 24-Hout Call Ou Service
Wireless Alarm System
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Security Installation & Maintenance • Smart phone controlled security systems • Wired and wireless security systems • CCTV and burglar alarms
Domestic and commercial work welcomed ~ Call us today for friendly advice and a free quote Suite 1A Kirkless Ind. Est Cale Lane Wigan
01942 836 937 or 07557 914 788
All electrical work undertaken Competitive rates Proficient and professional service Emergency call outs 24/7 Call: 01942 553 248 Dan: 07850 273 783 Ste: 07701 036 872
J.Dillon
Electrical Services Ltd
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01942 215 769 07739 709 005
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J&P
Need a new look for your home?
LTD
Skilled interior and exterior work undertaken at reasonable prices!
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01942 518126
Professional Painting and Decorating
or 07545 065119
• Domestic & Commercial Work • Interior & Exterior work welcomed • Old/listed buildings a speciality
Orrell based business
SG
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PAINTING & DECORATING
Home Service available
Interior painting & decorating Specialise in standard wall coverings, extra wide vinyl, lincrusta & coving Free estimates. References available upon request
Choose from 1000s of paint & paper samples in the comfort of our own home
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01257 426 234
graham@topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk www.topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk
Puzzle Solutions S
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185 church lane, lowton, wa3 2rZ
Arley Cabinet Company Ltd • Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 •
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We measure we make we fit and have done for 60 years. Visit our showroom or call us today for a FREE estimate
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www.arleycabinets.com tel: 01942 246190
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Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • traditional service, state of the art results •
Wigan Good Trader Of The Year 2015
5 star rating with Wigan Trading Standards Good Trader Scheme
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Call - 01257 251221
Mobile - 07908 770808
www.manorhousecleaning.co.uk
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Our Readers, Your Customers! Promote your business to 75,000 potential customers with this size advertisement from just
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es Lash Tan y Spra ds ails e Sunb & Gel N lic Acry
Book Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington, WN6FREE 9RS your NG home survey RVICI000 SE Telephone: 01257 andN VA we’ll provide 427 toowith a cles you CAR & ddetailed report showing the motorcy
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Unit 4a, Cricket Street Business Park
off Miryston Lane, Cro dents of Wigan.
e WN for all resi , Billing 400 - 6PM Road 14 619 10AM inford : 078 rday Keep , Satu 84 Ra ephone Open: - 7PM Tel 10AM
day,
Mon
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(10% typical return)
ck lth Che Visit our showroom at
T io Hea d Car84 Y @ Stu 5 7PG Shevington
Slash your electricity and water heating bill Protect your household from future energy price rises ReduceE your household’s impact on the environment
0843 A224 9555 U ton 07595S 420237 me!
ther and Bre
need WN6 7TP until you
Tue
TwinLakes
MotorEngi
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01772
REPAIR
or
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Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk Website: www.docsolarelectrica l.co.uk
me ck lth Che Car Hea r FREE Book you Call now on
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Orrell Laundry 11 Sefton Road, Orrell, WN5 8UP 01695 623 796 • Bedding & duvets • Domestic washes • Commercial washing • Ironing services • Dry cleaning • Team sports kits welcomed & drop off!
w
cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect
Mossy Lea Road
Call Clint for a free no obligation quote.
Wind Turbines
Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved
forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that
no
A49
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07886 422 688
91
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Wigan’s premier domestic cleaning service
TILE & GROUT CLEANING All hArd floors Kitchens - Entrance halls - living rooms Bathrooms - showers
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STONE FLOOR CLEANING Cleaning in the Wigan area for 10+ years
We only use reliable, vetted staff • £10.75 per hour - minimum 2 hrs • Same cleaner each visit • All domestic duties provided
Call or email Joanne 01942 203442 joanne@acleanbreak.co.uk / www.acleanbreak.co.uk/wigan
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92 Specialists in boiler installations, repair & maintenance All work fully warranted
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Book a boiler health check for £65
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186237
Your one stop shop for central heating 434 Ormskirk Rd, Wigan, WN5 9DF
01942 221221
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Great Value Bathrooms!
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Email ops@hotmail.co.uk
01744 892437
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93
C &D
Boiler & Central Heating Experts
Plumbing and Heating
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01257 424 166
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www.haighenergy.co.uk Unit S7, Standish Court , Bradley Lane Trading Estate, Standish, WN6 0XQ
Freephone 0300 3030121
A Genuine Family Run Business With Friendly & Courteous Staff
Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809 21 Naburn Dr Orrell wN5 8sb
Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk
www.orrellheating.co.uk
506515
SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES
Accredited Installer & Ser vice Partner
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94 Extensions - from design to completion Orangeries & Conservatories Garage & Loft Conversions Driveways & Paving Garden Buildings Conservatory roof replacements
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0800 085 3987 07917 735 686
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es Lash Tan y Spra ds ails e Sunb & Gel N lic Acry T Mossy Lea Road
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LED Lighting
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Dennis Goulding
JJ Driveways
Wind Turbines
Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect every step of the way and on that you have my word! Stuart Goulding
B5250
glyn@downtoearthgroundworks.uk
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Natalies
Book Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington, WN6FREE 9RS your NG home survey RVICI000 SE Telephone: 01257 andN VA we’ll provide 427 toowith a cles you CAR & ddetailed report showing the motorcy (Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)
Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 noon
...an returns available from your www.dglwindows.co.uk
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Standish
Visit our showroom at Unit 4a, Cricket Street Business Park and off Miryston Lane, ts of Cro Wigan. residen WN6 7TP
5 7PG e WN for all , Billing 400 - 6PM Road 14 619 10AM inford : 078 rday Keep , Satu 84 Ra ephone Open: - 7PM Tel 10AM
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Protect your household from future energy price rises ReduceE your household’s impact on the environment
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Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk Website: www.docsolarelectrica l.co.uk
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603923
ING & WELD
Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service. For more information call 01695 627 999
LocalLife
GDR Driveways Flagging • Block paving Concreting • Fencing Call Gareth for a FREE qoutation
01942 217 113 | 07715 177 754
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K Stone Building Services
All types of building work undertaken 25 years experience
• Brickwork • Pointing • Garden Walls • Patios • Joinery • Flagging • Alterations • Plastering
01942 495412 / 07974 496676
Don’t Move – Improve!
House Extensions New Kitchens & Bathrooms Garage Conversions Full Refurbishments All our work is fully insured & guaranteed References available on request Call now for a free quotation
I’m Stuart Collier, a local builder with over 25 years experience in house renovation. I can design and create extra living space in your home.
Call me for advice and a free quotation
01942 561 848 | 07725 909 257 www.freshbuildconstruction.co.uk
Number One for House Maintenance!
01257 251 534 07973 143 289 www.sjcollier.co.uk
Ashurst Building & Roofing Services All types of building and roofing work undertaken including;
NE: 01942 Extensions 832747 & Conservatories e: 07747 725999 New roofs & Roof repairs Family run business with 25 years of experience
Call David today for a free quotation TELEPHONE: 01942 832747 Mobile: 07747 725999
• UPVC WINDOWS, DOORS & ROOFLINE SUPPLIED AND FITTED MISTED UNITS REPLACED • GUTTERS AND UPVC CLEANING AND REPAIR SERVICE • FLAGGING, FENCING AND POINTING • GARDENS CLEARED
No job too small! Call Mike Darbyshire on
01942 513 584 / 07917 352 181 Orrell based
Brickwork & Property Maintenance
M M
Ma rc Mulligan
• Brickwork, Extensions, Re-pointing • Garden Walls, Decorative Walls • Platform Steps, Paths & patios Disabled Adaptations & Access
01942 248 537 • Wall to Floor Rails, Floor to Floor 07749 806 566 Rails & Path Rails Fully Qualified - 28 Years Experience
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ALL ASPECTS OF
ROOFING DOMESTIC & COMMERCIAL
FOR A FREE QUOTATION CALL
07753 686 244 • WILSON BROS • Est. 1985
B.A. Berry Building & Roofing Specialists •All building work undertaken. • From a broken tile to a full re roof. • Flat roofs renewed and repaired. • Extensions, Alterations, Structural repairs including Lintels. Your local fully qualified tradesman with
30 years experience
Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate
01695 633173 Colin: 07958 302 166 Brian: 07760 160 988 www.wilson-bros.co.uk
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01695 622 704 / 07968 652 320 www.baberry.co.uk
Want to promote your company in Local Life? Call Sally: 01695 627 999 locallife247.co.uk
LocalLife
Home Improvements • • • •
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M H Roofing
Established over 15 years Friendly advice and competitive rates No job too small
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W.Newman
All aspects of roofing & roofline New roofs Repairs Fascias, soffits & gutters
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52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS, UP HOLLAND Established Over 30 Years
Rubber Cover Roofing Specialist Guaranteed 50 years
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Tel: Mob: 01942 864 624 / 07868 713520
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A View From The Lump Local gossip, gripes and goings-on I’ll drink to that The ongoing gentrification of Billinge has took a bit of a hit recently. Portland Wine Warehouse’s bid to install ‘try before you buy’ machines have fallen foul of misery guts licensing officers. It’s not as if it doesn’t happen elsewhere. Only down the road, at Costco in Haydock for example, customers are offered free thimbles of fortified grape juice. It’s part of the reason I go so often. And the only time Mrs Lump is allowed behind the wheel of the Ford Anglia.
Cob a load of this Speaking of travel, I had the misfortune recently to spend a week down south on my holidays. Luckily, I had my angina pills with me as even the price of even a cuppa beyond Stoke gave me serious palpitations. They talk about the north-south divide, but I reckon I’ve found the real frontier - bakeries in budget supermarkets. Yes, local stores down south are kitted out with massive ovens which ensure rows of willow weave baskets are routinely stocked up with fresh baguettes, crusty cobs, pastries and the like. Back home, I asked the
checkout girl at my local cheapo store when we’d be getting one, and she seemed slightly mystified. Then again, having moaned to every customer in front of me in the queue about just how long she had until she clocked off, I suspect her mind wasn’t on the fineries of modern retail demographics.
Rubbish responses It seems the compost (and other organic matter come to that) is hitting the fan over Wigan Council’s decision to mess around with people’s bin collections. “How many voted on the survey for three weekly bin collections?” one local has asked councillors. A pithy question, and one which provides an illuminating answer. Apparently, WIgan Council received 4,602 responses to a recent questionnaire, with 594 of these agreeing with the change. My maths isn’t great, but I’m sure that’s somewhere around the 13% mark. Or, to put it another way, 87% refused to support the idea, which they went ahead with anyway. And councillors wonder why people think everything’s a done deal...
Night-mayor scenario The winners of this month’s Biggest Hairshirt Competition goes to West Lancashire Borough Council. The authority, led by Up Holland councillor Ian Moran, is proposing to ditch the Mayoral car as part of its austerity drive. Now, I know that such moves may be popular with the puritans who usually write letters to local newspapers, but it’s actually a very silly move. Yes, it does potentially save £31,000 a year but what price a slice of civic pride? The office of Mayor actually carries a great deal of distinction with it - particularly among children. They’re in awe when the Mayor turns up at their school. The effect would be dampened somewhat if the borough’s first citizen rocked up in the family saloon. Some may say the Mayoralty is an arcane concept and has no place in the modern world. Those very same people usually drag the Royal Family into the argument as well. All I’ll say is that, seeing how some of the world’s elected head of states conduct themselves (the USA’s being one of them), I’m quite content to have an ageing, benign figureheads there to reign over me.
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Our priCes are FalliNg, Just like the autumN leaves..
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showroom sales Quality installations of windows, doors, fascias, soffits and gutters First for quality • First for service • First for reliability No contractors • No salesmen Just a smile and a honest price from a family run business
® Rockdoor Approved Installer Reg No 02767596
SISTER COMPANY OF FOXWELLS BUILDERS Established 16 years
Call us for a Free Quote Office Number: 01942 871 777 Victoria Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, Leigh, WN7 5SE warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk • info@warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk