Local Life - Wigan - December 2021 by Local Life 247 Ltd

LocalLife Wigan Edition

December 2021

The Season of Giving Pages 15-17

Christmas Markets Pages 40-41

Village Roots Page 34-36

Panto Special Pages 56-57

Christmas Books Page 32

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round this time last year I sat down to write the intro to the final Local Life of 2020, commenting that it was a year ‘that everyone was glad to see the back of’. A few days later, on December 8th, Margaret Keenan received the first COVID vaccine in the UK and an entire nation cheered. Although 2021 has itself been a challenging year, we now know that we have the vaccines to combat COVID-19. And yet the amazing achievements by the scientific community continue to be overshadowed by a world still coming to grips with the effects of the pandemic. Much of the current news coverage focuses on antivaxxers protesting freedom curbs, with not so many column inches devoted to those still waiting to be offered access to vaccines. Make of that what you will. Despite these constantly negative headlines, the world is slowly returning to normal, so lets be grateful for that and enjoy the festive period with family and friends. Happy Christmas to all our readers! Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

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locallifemagazine247 @locallifemedia Local Life 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

This month’s highlights 40. Six of the Best Christmas Markets

Contents 22. Health Fighting colds and flu.

32. Books Great reads make great presents!

46. Food A recipe for Festive Turkey Burgers.

52. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size!

15. Season of Giving

34. Village Roots

58. Greener Christmas Show Planet Earth a little love.

62. Motoring Hybrid SUVs - what’s available.

65. Gardening Up the garden path.

66. Home & Garden Services Find the best local traders for you.

59. Jack’s Tracks to Frodsham & Helsby

44. Setting the Scene

56. Panto - it’s Back!

Next Issue - January

Advertising deadline - 8th December Published - 13th January

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Museum Re-Opens

Fayre Returns

The Museum of Wigan Life re-opened last weekend after being shuttered throughout the pandemic. In addition to the permanent exhibitions featuring Roman Wigan, Egyptology and early local trade, there will be two temporary exhibitions for visitors.

Wigan and Leigh Hospice’s annual festive fayre is back for 2021. The fayre will be held in the grounds of the hospice on Kildare Street in Hindley, this Saturday 4th December.

gerrumonside! celebrates the passion of rugby league past, present & future. Learn how Wigan, Leigh and Tyldesley broke away from the Rugby Football Union in 1895 and formed the Northern Union. You can see original memorabilia never seen before, and more unusual items from the world of Rugby League including an original turnstile from Central Park. Rebels, Radicals, Reform: The Fight for Better is the second temporary exhibition and brings to life the many causes the people of Wigan Borough have campaigned and fought for over the past 600 years, from the Jacobites, Diggers and Peterloo, to the miners strike of the 1980’s. Entry to the museum, which is based on Library Street, is free of charge and the opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm.

In addition to the 30-ft tall Light for a Life tree, you’ll be able to see the 5000 Lights project featuring 60 Christmas trees in the hospice grounds. Each tree is available to sponsor, and either features a plaque dedicated to someone special or is sponsored by a local business. Admission is free and the fayre runs from 12noon to 6pm. For more information, please contact the fundraising team on 01942 525566 or email: fundraising@wlh.org.uk.

Libraries Back Standish and Shevington Libraries have now fully reopened – albeit with changed opening hours – after library staff were temporarily relocated to help with the pressures on Wigan Council during the pandemic. Both libraries now open from 10am to 2pm Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and from 1pm-5pm on Thursday and Friday.

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Speedy Santa Santa will be making a special appearance at Scotman’s Flash on Saturday, December 11, taking one of the powerboats out for a ride! You will be able to paddle out in rafted canoes to find where Santa is on the flash. When you return to shore, you can warm up around the campfire and you can bring your own hot chocolate and toast marshmallows. There will also be a chance to paint some festive pottery , which has been provided by Haigh Stables Gallery. The rafted canoes are suitable for families and can seat between 4 and 8 people, however there must be 2 adults to paddle the rafted canoes and katakanus, and four adults if booking the bellboats. This activity is suitable for ages 3 and upwards and tickets start at £13.52 and can be booked at www.eventbrite. co.uk. If you need any more information, please email outdooradventure@bewellwigan.org

Art School A brand-new Art School for children and adults has opened in Standish offering a schedule of regular classes, as well as Art parties and festive crafts.

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Mino Art school will be offering Saturday Art club for children aged 6+ at their studio on Oak Avenue in Standish from 9am. The hour-long sessions are fun, creative and a great way to pass a Saturday morning with watercolours, dyes, mixed media, textiles and acrylics. Delivered by a qualified, registered and experienced Art and Design teacher, the cost is £7.80 per child and all you need to bring is an old t-shirt or apron. For more information or to book your child’s place, please go to www.bookwhen.com/minoartschool

Choral Christmas Open your ears to the Christmassy sounds of the Wigan Choral Society at their festive concert, which takes place this Saturday (4th December) at St Michael’s Church in Swinley. The concert starts at 7.30pm and will feature Verdi, Faure, selections from ‘Elijah’ and ‘Messiah’, and carols too. Tickets are priced at £10 (£8 for concessions) and are available on the door.

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Rotary Santa on Way

Lonely this Christmas?

Wigan Rotary Club have announced that Santa will be out and about on the Club’s Santa Float in December visiting selected housing estates in Wigan. He will also be paying a few visits to the Tesco Extra in Wigan and appearing online via Zoom from Santa’s HQ in the North Pole.

Book Cycle’s Christmas Fayre takes place this year on Saturday 11th December from 12-4pm at their Beech Hill branch in Buckley Street West.

Full details of the routes that the Santa Float will cover are now on the club’s website (www.wiganrotary.co.uk) and their Facebook page but will mainly cover the larger housing estates in Standish, Shevington, Appley Bridge, Swinley and Whitley. Following last year’s successful launch of the Santa zoom sessions, you will again be able to Zoom with Santa this Christmas. Full details of the zoom sessions are now available on the Wigan Rotary Club’s website (www.wiganrotary.co.uk), and you’ll be able to book your slot there too. All the profit from these events will be used to provide support for local community and voluntary groups, and to aid organisations involved in humanitarian work overseas.

Santa will be on site at the fayre, meeting children in his grotto, and live music will be provided by John Paul Melling, who will be crooning his way through a repertoire of Elvis songs. Customers at the fayre can also browse through gift stalls, try Christmas treats and indulge in a glass or two of mulled wine.

Coffee Morning A Christmas Coffee Morning will take place at St Wilfrid’s Parish Hall on Church Street in Standish this Saturday (4th December) from 10am-2pm. You can enjoy a bacon barm for breakfast, pick up Christmas cards and presents, stock up on homemade cakes and pies and catch up with friends and neighbours. For those with plenty of time to spare, there’s a good selection of jigsaws and DVD’s on offer, and you can also try your luck at the tombola and raffle. Admission is free and all are welcome.

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Outdoor Therapy Hospice patients, along with family and friends, who have counselling, bereavement support and complementary therapy are all being offered sessions outdoors in the gardens of Wigan and Leigh Hospice at Kildare Street in Hindley. Wigan and Leigh Hospice’s wellbeing teams are offering the sessions as a response to Covid-19 and the advice to meet outdoors wherever possible, but also because of the unique benefits nature itself can offer in therapy sessions. Hospice Counsellor Lindsey Caplan said, “Someone I know told me she had started doing therapy outdoors as research has proven that connecting to nature can be very calming and therapeutic. Over the past 18 months or so all our sessions have been by telephone or video call and that will continue for now for most clients. However, some clients said they would prefer to do faceto-face sessions, so when I heard about outdoor therapy, I wanted to give it a try.” Lindsey continued, “Complementary therapy can be either done outdoors - such as a shoulder or a hand

massage - or in a complementary therapy room next to a window. From one of our rooms, you can see our pond, trees, reeds swaying gently in the breeze, and it means your whole body just slows down. “That connection to nature helps with mindfulness – which is to be fully aware of where we are and what we are doing. When we’re walking, we can focus on what we can hear, smell, touch and this helps to ground us and to focus on ourselves.” Ann Darcy, a client of Lindsey’s who is taking outdoor therapy sessions, said: “My experience of outdoor therapy was literally a breath of fresh air; a chink of light after all these dark, lonely, isolated grief filled days. To connect with nature with a caring, listening ear was just wonderful and I’m so grateful and I’m grateful to have another session.” For more information about Wigan and Leigh Hospice and how to access the Hospice’s services, please contact the team on 01942 525566 or visit their website at www. wlh.org.uk.

Free after Three The importance of supporting the local economy has been regularly emphasised during the pandemic, and to help residents in their efforts to support local traders, Wigan Council have announced an extension of their free parking scheme at most council car parking facilities over the festive season. Free parking at weekends is already in place, and now residents can also park free after 3pm during the week. The ‘Free after 3’ scheme will continue until Friday 7th January, whilst the free weekend parking continues until Sunday 27th March 2022. Please note that the car park near the Civic Centre and the one on Chapel Lane are not included in this offer.

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Season of Giving By Nicola Gray

Christmas has always been the season of giving. Amidst the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping though, it’s easy to overlook the fact that there are many people who don’t have the resources to ‘do’ Christmas. With food banks expecting their busiest Christmas to date, the festive season is a perfect time to donate to help those people who are struggling to provide a happy Christmas for their families. This month, Local Life spotlights the charitable efforts of two local organisations – The Brick and Skelmersdale Foodbank – to provide for those in need, and highlights a few initiatives they run that can help you give something back to others.

The Brick Works The Brick, 10 Arcade Street, Wigan, WN1 1LU 01942 236 953 enquiries@thebrick.org.uk www.thebrick.org.uk The Brick Project offers a huge range of services to people who are homeless, in poverty or facing debt crisis. This includes crisis intervention, asset coaching and Wigan’s largest Foodbank. As its name suggests, it provides a safe, solid building block for people in crisis to begin rebuilding their lives. The group also runs a charity shop and offers training to those who are unemployed. As well as running the foodbank they are running numerous initiatives to make it even easier to give back – look at just a few of them!

Wrap Up Wigan Campaign The Brick are inviting people to donate coats and warm clothing to ensure everyone stays warm this winter. All donations will be given to people in Wigan and Leigh who may struggle to keep warm during the winter months. As well as winter coats, they would appreciate donations of hats, scarves, socks, men’s and ladies winter shoes and toiletries. Donation Points: • Wigan Shop, 160 Gidlow Lane, Wigan WN6 7EA Monday to Friday 9.30 – 4.30pm, Saturday 10am-3pm • The Brick Works, 4 Hodson St, Wigan WN3 4EN Monday to Friday 9.30 – 4.30pm • Leigh Shop, 13 Railway Road, Leigh WN7 4AA Monday to Saturday 9.30 – 4.30pm

16 This Christmas is likely to be a very different kind of Christmas for everybody. And sadly, for many in Wigan and Leigh, instead of it being a special time to look forward to, it will be just another cause for anxiety and stress.

Wish For Wigan Make a difference this Christmas and donate a wish. Your donation will not just be giving someone a Christmas meal – for some, Christmas could be the new beginning they need, and your donation might be the first step to help change someone’s life. Donate by going online to www.justgiving.com/campaign/ WishforWigan2021 or text BRICK followed by your donation amount to 70480 stress.

Food Bank & Christmas Hamper Donations This Christmas families and individuals in the local community need help. You can donate Christmas food items, children’s toys and gifts for adults to the Brick’s hamper appeal. The last day for donations is Friday, December 10th. Donations can be dropped off at the following locations: • • • • • • • • • •

Asda Robin Park Sainsbury’s Marus Bridge Tesco Wigan Tesco Hindley Lidl Wigan Lidl Standish Co-op Shevington Co-op Upholland Standish Health Centre Go Outdoors Wigan – clothing & sleeping bags only

If you would like more information about how to donate or need help, access to winter clothing or food, please email enquiries@thebrick.org.uk or call 01942 236 953.

5K Santa Dash Join the Brick team for the festive 5K Santa Dash at Pennington Flash on Sunday, December 12th at 1pm. Walk, jog or run the 5K route dressed as Santa and raise money for The Brick. Its £5 to enter, which includes a mince pie and drink for everyone taking part. Any money raised goes directly to The Brick, so, bring your family, put your Santa outfits on

and help spread some festive cheer this Christmas. You can raise donations by giving sponsors the details for the Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/ Santa-Elf-Dash-forTheBrick or you can set up your own. For more information about these events please contact Jane Webb, by emailing jane.webb@thebrick.org.uk or call 01942 236 953.

Skelmersdale Foodbank The Ecumenical Centre, Northway, Skelmersdale, WN8 6LU 07989 052832 info@skelmersdale.foodbank.org.uk www.skelmersdale.foodbank.org.uk The Skelmersdale Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust Network and opened in 2013. Founded by local churches and community groups, volunteers work together towards stopping hunger in the local area. The project, like many others, relies on voluntary donations, goodwill and support to fund their vital work. Over 90% of the food distributed by foodbanks in The Trussell Trust network is donated by the public and are vital to providing everyone referred to them a balanced and nutritious three-day supply of food. Food items can be dropped off at Tesco Wigan Extra, Central Park Way or the Ecumenical Centre in Skelmersdale on a Monday or Thursday 9am-1pm. Items that are in short supply include: • Long life milk • Powdered mash / tinned potatoes • Tinned fruit • Tinned carrots • Small bags of sugar • Coffee • Rice pudding / custard • Sponge puddings • Toiletries Their distribution centres are currently operating a closeddoor collection service. You will need a valid voucher code, obtained from one of their referral agencies. When you contact a referral agency, they will take some basic details from you to complete the voucher. This will help them to identify the cause of your crisis and offer practical guidance. It also means they can prepare suitable emergency food for the right number of people. • West Lancashire Borough Council - 01695 577177 • West Lancashire Citizens Advice - 03442 451294

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2021 marked Wigan Little Theatre’s 75th anniversary at their Crompton Street home, and the COVID-19 recess forced the theatre to close its doors for most of the year, but theatregoers are set to return for the Dick Whittington pantomime, which runs until 18th December. A full programme has been announced for 2022, starting with the John Godber comedy, Teechers, which runs from 26th January to 5th February. This is followed by the Agatha Christie drama, Towards Zero, which runs from 9th March to 19th March. You can book tickets for Wigan Little Theatre at www. wiganlittletheatre.co.uk or you can call the Box Office on 01942 242561 between 7.00 pm and 9.00 pm Friday, Monday and Tuesday before and during each production.

Christmas Markets Nothing says Christmas spirit like getting wrapped up warm, enjoying a mulled wine and browsing a few festive stalls. Well, the Crown at Worthington have got you sorted; make your way down to the pub on Platt Lane for two days of Christmas markets. The markets will be running on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th December between 10am-3pm; there will be a range of stalls on both days so turn up and enjoy! For more information, please call The Crown on 01257 818015.

On the Trail The Appley Bridge running group is on the lookout for new members for their social Sunday get-togethers. The group meet every Sunday at 9.30am at the Gasket Coffee shop on Skull House Lane before tackling some of the local trails. So, if you’re looking for a good chat, a nice warm brew, a tasty Gasket treat and perhaps a little bit of running, then these are the people for you!

For full details please contact the Club Manager on: 01257 255235 or email: secretary@gathurstgolfclub.co.uk

All they ask is that you come prepared and make sure you bring your trail trainers! For more information or to register your interest, please go to Facebook and search @appleybridgerunningclub.

Fighting Colds and Flu:

Myths & Magic Cures Colds can make life miserable and flu can make us quite ill. But which cold and flu facts are true, and are there really any cures? If you have a high temperature, then it’s the flu – not a cold.

The flu vaccine doesn’t always prevent flu, so it’s not worth having.

MYTH. Colds can sometimes cause a high temperature, although it tends to be short-lived and mild (not above 38oC). However, if you’re suffering from sweats and chills, it’s probably flu.

TRUTH and MYTH. It’s true that you may still get the flu. Flu vaccines are produced in advance, so experts must try to predict the three or four flu strains that will be prevalent next winter. This means you may catch an unexpected or rarer flu strain you’re not protected from. However, the vaccine is still worth having, as it will protect you from most strains you’ll encounter. It’s particularly recommended if you’re vulnerable or have low immunity, e.g. if you’re a carer, over 65, pregnant or have an existing medical condition.

It’s pointless to avoid someone with a cold or flu. You’re bound to get it anyway. MYTH. Flu and colds are highly contagious, spread by both airborne and direct contact methods, but they’re avoidable. Avoid sufferers if you can, but if you can’t, you can still stay germ-free if you both practise good hygiene. This means: • Clean high-contact surfaces regularly (e.g. phones, door handles, touch screens). • Clean hands regularly and thoroughly, especially after touching the nose or mouth • Don’t share cutlery, cups or towels. • Ensure the contagious person has tissues close by to catch coughs and sneezes, and bin them immediately. They should use the ’vampire’ cough (into the inside of their elbow) if they’re caught tissue-less.

Getting very wet and/or cold can give you a cold or the flu. MYTH. Since both colds and the flu are caused by viruses, it’s pretty obvious that cold or wet conditions can’t give you either. But what cold and wet can do is put your body under stress, making it more vulnerable to germs it encounters.

The flu vaccine gives you flu MYTH. Inactive viruses are used in the vaccine. But you may have a temperature and ache for a short time afterwards.

If you’ve had a cold or flu for a while, you should ask the doctor for antibiotics MYTH. Your doctor may give in and prescribe them, although they know antibiotics won’t work; antibiotics don’t kill viruses. Patients sometimes take antibiotics for a week and declare smugly that they’re cured, when in reality, that extra week was all their body needed to finally fight off their virus. Antibiotics are only of use if you get a secondary bacterial infection.

Magic Cures Prevention is the best cure. Cold and flu viruses are highly contagious and most of us touch hundreds of communal surfaces every day, so practice good hygiene and keep your hands squeaky clean – research shows this can work. Research also shows that stress and poor sleep can make us more prone to colds, so take positive action to reduce your stress and ensure you’re getting enough good-quality sleep. Boosting your immune system may help you resist colds and flu or fight them off more quickly. There is evidence that taking zinc regularly can reduce the number of colds children get each year, and although there is less reliable research on adults, it’s reasonable to assume it can work for them too. Regular intake of probiotics and garlic may also have some preventative effect, but the research so far isn’t reliable enough to confirm it. Vitamin C and echinacea have now been researched extensively and the consensus is that they don’t provide cold or flu prevention – and any lessening or shortening of symptoms is mild to non-existent. However, Vitamin C may be of negligible benefit to people already under physical stress (e.g. marathon runners).

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Decongestants and antihistamines: apologies to your wallet, but when used separately, research indicates these medications have very little or no effect. However, when used together, particularly with painkillers too, there seems to be a slight improvement in symptoms. Ipratropium bromide (Rinatec) nasal spray does seem to help alleviate symptoms, particularly a runny nose. Over-the counter cough suppressants: the jury is out, as much of the research is poor quality. But it seems that any benefits are negligible. Vapour rubs do seem to help a little in alleviating night time cough and improving sleep, but a review of clinic studies showed that over a quarter of users reported burning or itching at the application area. NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, e.g. ibuprofen) can reduce fever and help with aches and pains. If you have a cold or flu, stay hydrated, alleviate the symptoms and take heart; researchers are working to modify naturally-occurring peptides with properties that can combat cold viruses. A cold cure may be on the (distant) horizon.

Christmas Literature QUIZ

1. In which fictional land is it always snowing, but never Christmas?

2. According to the famous nursery rhyme, when Little Jack Horner put his thumb into a Christmas pie, what did he pull out?

3. The

first ever Royal Christmas Message was delivered by King George V, but which famous author wrote it?

4. In a famous novel set around Christmas time, who

Having a Ball Over 50’s in Wigan can net a new experience and get fit with walking football sessions taking place every week. Age UK and Be Well Wigan have joined to offer the slowpaced version of the beautiful game which is aimed at helping over 50s to keep fit and healthy. Organiser Steven Edwards, of Age UK Wigan Borough, said: “Walking football is a great way to get out and meet new people, have fun and keep fit and healthy. It follows the traditional rules of football but without any contact and you walk instead of run. “We play on a smaller pitch with smaller goals that are similar to those on a five-a side pitch, and the ball stays below head height. It doesn’t matter what your ability is we are open to all men and women over the age of 50.” The sessions run at Howe Bridge Sports Centre, in Atherton, every Monday from 10.30am until 11.30am and every Tuesday from 11am until 12pm. If you would like to find out more or take part contact Steven Edwards at Age UK Wigan on 01942 615880 or email steven.edwards@ageukwiganborough.org.uk.

lived on Mount Crumpit with his pet dog Max?

5. Who wrote the 1997 novel The Hogfather, where

the Santa Claus-like title character would grant children’s wishes and bring them presents on December 32nd?

6. Who wrote and illustrated the 1984 children’s book Mr Christmas?

7. Although

originally published anonymously in 1823, Clement Clarke Moore is generally thought to have written the poem called A Visit From Saint Nicholas. Also used as an alternative title for this poem, what are its first five words?

8. Tom Fletcher and Dougie Poynter, who wrote the 2012 book The Dinosaur That Pooped Christmas, are best known as members of which pop band?

9. Which

famous author recalled his Christmas memories as a child in Swansea in the 1954 book A Child’s Christmas In Wales?

10. “God bless us, every one”, the final line of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, is said by which character?

Quiz solutions can be found on page 71 of this magazine

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Hotpots In Wigan

Christmas Market

The undisputed kings of musical comedy, The Lancashire Hotpots, are back to bring you another night of madcap music and laughs on their Big Night Out tour!

Up Holland Community Hub, the Village Club and The White Lion are hosting the Upholland Christmas market, which will take place on Church Street this Saturday, December 4 from 1pm-6.30pm. Entertainments include story time with Santa, a carol service, Santa’s grotto and a Christmas tree light switch on.

The lads will be raising the roof at The Monaco on Atherton Road, Hindley on Friday, December 10. Tickets are available from £16 per person, and you can expect to hear Hotpot classics including Chippy Tea, Has The Bin Mon Bin Mon as well as Egg, Sausage Chips & Beans! Brace yourself, it really is going to be a big night out! This is a standing event and suitable for ages 8+ but under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. For more information or to buy tickets please go online at https://bookedit. licklist.co.uk/popup/event/480135

There will be more than 30 stalls offering craft supplies, gifts, food and drink, so why not pop down and show your support. There will be parking available at the Village Club at a cost of £2 for the day. For more information please go to the Facebook page by searching @UphollandChristmasMarket.

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Books to Gift Books make great presents, especially when you can borrow them back in January… Big Panda and Tiny Dragon James Norbury Fans of The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, and other illustrated books will love this new offering by James Norbury. Each of the handdrawn illustrations is accompanied by a short conversation between a panda and a dragon, offering words of wisdom we can all learn from. A book to treasure and to dip into time and time again.

Freckles Cecilia Ahern Allegra has made a life for herself in Dublin, working as a traffic warden with a sideline as an artist’s model. She enjoys the routine and the rules, but she’s in Dublin for a reason and needs to pluck up the courage to see her mission through. A chance encounter with an angry driver makes Allegra re-evaluate her life and gives her a new purpose. A light-hearted, humorous tale with some darker undertones, Freckles is sure to appeal to a range of readers.

The Exiles Christina Baker Kline Buying for a fan of historical fiction? Exiles is a solid choice. Several characters’ lives become entwined when pregnant Evangeline is sentenced to hard labour in Australia in 1840. On the ship, she meets teenage Hazel. Meanwhile, Mathinna is faced with losing her family and indigenous community when the governor and his wife decide she needs ‘refining’. A rich, multi-layered story with some shocking plot twists, The Exiles is the perfect book for curling up with on Boxing Day.

All In Billy Jean King Former tennis pro Billy Jean King famously defeated Bobby Riggs in what would become known as the ‘Battle of the Sexes’. Since then, King has fought many more battles, from striving to be taken seriously as a female athlete to campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights. Her long-awaited autobiography also reveals the more personal challenges King has overcome, from an eating disorder to near-bankruptcy. A must for tennis fans and autobiography lovers.

Ottolenghi Test Kitchen: Shelf Love Yotam Ottolenghi and Noor Murad If you’re buying for someone who loves poring over recipe books, you can’t go wrong with Ottolenghi. For his latest book, Ottolenghi has partnered with head chef Noor Murad. The result is a book packed with recipes to help home cooks to impress with less stress. The recipes are also adaptable, so the reader can bring their own twist to a dish or use up leftovers. Just make sure the person you’re buying for promises to make you the Upside-Down Lemon, Maple and Vanilla Pudding…

The Replacement Melanie Golding A delicious thriller for a reader to sink their teeth into on a cold winter’s night, The Replacement centres on Ruby and her sister, Joanna. The book starts as Ruby claims a seemingly abandoned child as her own. Soon after, police detective Joanna is called to investigate the attempted murder of Ruby’s neighbour. Elements of folk lore and mythology are woven into the story, adding a unique twist to a familiar genre.

Village Roots By Nicola Gray History is who we are and why we are that way; it has been said that a people without the knowledge of their history, origin and culture is like a tree without roots. Proud Standisher and historian, Stan Aspinall has one hell of a set of roots, and they have been firmly planted in the village since the day he was born. Stan is considered an authority on all things Standish and his efforts haven’t gone unnoticed! He was recently awarded an outstanding contribution to local history award from The British Association for Local History, who honour just six people every year for their significant voluntary contributions. I recently sat down with Stan, off the back of his latest recognition, to dig a bit deeper and find out what makes him tick. Stan was born in the post-war baby boomer era of 1947 and came into the world in a house on Church Street. Stan adds, “I grew up in number 43, it was a comfortable place to live. I didn’t know until much later that I was living in a house where a double murder involving an axe had been committed. “The culprit was never brought to trial and I’m still wondering what happened to him. My bedroom was where one of the murders took place and so it’s perhaps best I didn’t know about all of that until much later.” Stan first went to nursery on Rectory Lane, and he still has photographs from his time there. He continues, “Next, I moved up to the infant’s school just further along Rectory Lane and then, around eight years old, I moved on to the boys’ school in Green Lane. It was a scholarship factory, and I wasn’t selected to be in the class preparing for the eleven plus.

“My mum came to the school to argue my case and got a positive result. I was moved into that special class and passed the exam. I opted to go to Chorley Grammar School and my life-long friends all went to the newly opened Shevington High School.” Stan attended Chorley Grammar School between 1958-65. “I did ‘A’ level history and was awarded an ‘A’ grade, but Geography was always my first interest, and I gained a 2.1 degree in Geography at Birmingham University.” Stan tells me that all he ever wanted to do was become a teacher, he continues, “It is hard to describe how proud I felt when I got my first teaching job, despite an annual salary of £440 per year. I was appointed as assistant teacher of Geography at Ashton in Makerfield Grammar School in September 1969.” Returning closer to home, he accepted the position as head of Humanities at Shevington High School and his foray into local history started when he developed an integrated course for year 7 pupils. Stan adds, “It included an exploration of our local history and pupils were asked to follow the ‘Trail of the Owls’; the ancient crest of the Standish family that is present in so many unexpected places around Standish, including on the old water tower at Prospect House, the Boar’s Head pub and St Wilfrid’s Church on the top of the church spire.” Stan was later appointed as Deputy Head at the newly opened Standish High School, he has many anecdotes from his time there but one that stands out in his memory centres around his then new boss. “I remember we were both new to our roles in 1978, Martin Butler was the new Head and I was the new deputy. “Martin was sometimes a bit forgetful; I once went into

35 Stan has written several books about Standish as well as regularly contributing articles on Standish Voice and local Facebook groups. Even though Stan left the village in 1984 for Broughton-in-Furness in Cumbria, his ties to the local community and obvious affection for the village haven’t abated over the years. Stan told me, “I left Standish many years ago and my memories are of a long time ago; I remember Green Lane when it really was green, and I fondly remember the old Rugby Union club before it became a housing estate.” He continues, “Some of my proudest moments are wrapped up in the village. During my time at Standish High, I was appointed chair of the Duke of Edinburgh Association in Wigan and getting more pupils through the

Stan with his first class at Ashton in Makerfield Grammar School

his office, and he was there with a crowbar trying to open the examination store cupboard. I asked was there a problem and he explained the exams were starting in 15 minutes, but he couldn’t find the key! We got it open enough to get the exam papers out.” Stan really started to take a vested interest in the local history of his home village and the opportunity for greater research came from his job as deputy. Stan added, “We were contracted to offer an evening class for adults in lieu of a half day off. I offered a local history class and in my research at the Wigan archives for that class, I discovered the Standish Papers! They were the genesis for two of my books.”

36 scheme than any other school in Wigan Metro was special. “During that time, I had two meetings with the Duke and both were very memorable to say the least. At Chester Racecourse, I was escorting him around and he went in the wrong direction, which meant he would miss scores of anxious youngsters eager to meet him. I had to stop him and redirect him, respectfully of course!” Stan took retirement in 2012 and has been enjoying Cumbrian life with wife Kath, his three children and three grandchildren. He added, “One of my great joys is to go walking in the Lake District, I do this most weeks. It’s also good to share local history with others and before Covid I was giving talks most months and that seems to be starting once again.” Stan has also taken his love of local history with him to Broughton-in-Furness and has also produced four books about the area. Some of his work has featured research covering topics such as the First World War, listed buildings and local scandals. Stan added, “My recent award from the National Association for Local History was special as well, the acknowledgement came for helping to make history come alive for the people of the Duddon Valley.

“I’d done research into the place where I now live, and people had given me photos and other information. But it was lockdown that really set things moving, from the first day of lockdown I began to post on our local website. Each day for the next 58 days I posted stories and photos of the past. People added comments and the stories I’d written became very detailed; one post attracted more than 200 replies. Stan decided to put all his hard work to good use and wrote everything up into a hard copy. He stood in the local square selling copies himself. He added, “I managed to sell 400 copies, raising £2,350 for local and national charities.” Stan’s enthusiasm for local history in both Standish and Broughton will help future generations to know about their roots and their history, but what is he planning next? Stan contemplates, “I’m content now to explore my own country, I’d love to explore the Outlander sites in Scotland, revisit the Culloden Moor heritage site and go back once more to Orkney and see what comes of it.“

Stan selling his latest book in Broughton in Furness

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Should you Buy in 2022? Inexpensive Wigan

What will the New Year bring for potential first-time buyers? Always a vital part of the housing market, that importance of firsttime buyers has increased now that the stamp duty holiday is over, which has removed the incentive of a tax saving for other types of buyers. So will 2022 be a good time to take your first dive into Wigan’s housing market pool or will you be sat on the side lines, fidgeting indecisively with your arm bands? Here’s five reasons why I think first-time buyers should consider taking the plunge in 2022. No Stamp Duty Most first-time buyers are still exempt from paying any stamp duty on their first purchase, due to the permanent stamp duty holiday that’s been in place since November 2017. This means that First Time Buyers can purchase property of up to £300,000 without paying any stamp duty. House Prices (and Sales) Increase Property prices are predicted to rise by 3.2% during 2022, and there is now no sign in the forecasts of prices falling. Despite rising inflation and likely interest rate rises in 2022, the latest forecasts from the Office for Budget Responsibility predict price growth will continue, albeit at a more sustainable level, through to 2026. More people are buying houses too. Sales volumes to date in 2021 are 16% above the 5-year average (Zoopla) and sales volumes may well eclipse 2007 by the year end. Sales in 2022/23 are estimated to be in the region of 1.3 million, 8% higher than the longer-term average (2015/16 to 2019/2020).

After Rochdale, Wigan is the second cheapest place to buy your first home in Greater Manchester. With good transport links with Manchester, Liverpool, Warrington and the wider area, an excellent range of state schools, and with easy access to open countryside, Wigan is increasingly becoming a desirable option for first time buyers. The Wigan housing market is up 10.2pc since 2020, and the average house price in the borough is currently £145,560. Better Mortgage Rates During the height of the pandemic, low deposit mortgages become more difficult to come by as lenders prioritised the security of a large deposit. Since the easing of restrictions though, rates that would have seemed laughable just months ago are now available. According to Which?, it’s possible to secure a 90% mortgage with a rate of less than 2%, or a 95% mortgage at below 3%.has seen low deposit mortgages return with a bang. Mortgage rates for First Time Buyers are tumbling, with lenders battling for business from borrowers with small deposits. More Incentives Eager to turn Generation Rent into Generation Buy, the government has a number of schemes that are suitable for first time buyers. The Help to Buy scheme offers an equity loan for those who want to buy a new build property, the First Homes scheme offers discounted homes for key workers, and the Shared Ownership scheme helps those who can’t afford to buy 100% of a home. You can find out more details on these schemes and others at www. ownyourhome.gov.uk

Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has worked within the Wigan property market for over 40 years.

Alan Batt

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

www.alanbatt.co.uk

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Wigan Office • 78 Market Street, Wigan WN1 1HX • 01942 233 999 www.alanbatt.co.uk

Six of the best

CHRISTMAS mARkETS It’s time to wrap up warm and head off to a Christmas Market to experience a festive array of sights, smells and sounds. Nothing gets us in a seasonal mood more than a visit to the Christmas Markets, partaking in a glass or two of Glühwein or mulled wine, whilst attempting to decimate your present list with a bit of Christmas shopping. Here’s our recommendations for your annual Christmas Market trip – all tried and tested destinations plus a surprise debut to the world of Christmas Markets from the entertainment centre of the North West - Blackpool!

manchester The original and biggest Christmas market in the country, Manchester Christmas Markets is the place to go. Arriving in the city in 1999, the market has grown every year since, now attracting more than nine million visitors each year to the heart of the buzzing city centre. Its 300 beautifully festooned stalls and chalets offer a dazzling array of hand-crafted Yuletide gifts along with a mouth-watering range of international food and drinks. Follow the market trail as it winds through the city centre, with stall holders tempting you with gifts, crafts, jewellery, toys and much more. And don’t forget the food! Manchester’s Christmas Markets are known for traditional bratwurst, but visitors can also try Hungarian goulash, Spanish paella or a good old-fashioned hog roast. The Manchester Christmas Markets run until Wednesday 22nd December.

T OF H

SIX

Details on these events were correct at the time of going to press – these events are subject to change or cancellation, should Covid restrictions come back into effect.

EST

YORK The hugely popular St Nicholas Fair returns to York this year. The charming alpine chalets will once again line the streets, with local businesses selling everything from handmade gifts to delicious treats. Soak up the atmosphere visiting the outlets along Parliament Street and in Sampson Square , many staffed by traders in Victorian costume Many of York’s restaurants, shops and attractions will be beautifully decorated and will provide a wonderful winter experience. Don’t miss out on a visit to Shambles with its cobbled streets for a full festive atmosphere.

CHESTER Chester’s Christmas Market, situated outside the handsome Town Hall in the heart of the city centre, has a range of over 70 stalls selling Christmas gifts, arts and crafts goodies, fudge, local spirits, and stocking fillers. Chester’s food and drink scene really comes alive at this magical time of the year and the market is no exception with a small selection of stands selling food ranging from hot dogs to hog roasts.

The York Christmas Market runs until Thursday 23rd December.

BLACKPOOL Making its debut this year is Blackpool! The brand-new Winter Gardens Wonderland will host a Bavarian style Christmas Market within and outside the magnificent Grade II Listed Winter Gardens, linking the town centre to the Festival Village.

The Chester Christmas Market runs until Wednesday 22nd December.

The Festival Village will feature an Ice Rink, a Magical Forest, Festive Light projections and more, whilst the world-famous Illuminations have extended their season and will stay switched on right through to the New Year.

SKIPTON

Blackpool Christmas Market runs from Thursday 9th December to Monday 3rd January.

For a small market town in North Yorkshire, Skipton punches well above its weight when it comes to their eight day Christmas Market.

BIRMINGHAM

The stalls will be packed full of hand-made gifts including Christmas decorations, wooden furniture for the home and beauty products like bath bombs and hand-made soap. There will also be plenty of food and drink products from local artisans including baked goods, Belgian chocolate, craft beer and chilli sauces. The market stalls can be found throughout the town centre and live entertainment helps to spread the Christmas cheer. At 4pm each day, the market closes and there is a procession up the high street to the church grounds where a traditional carol is sung to mark the end of a magical day at a Christmas market. The Skipton Christmas Market runs from Sunday 5th December to Sunday 12th December.

Birmingham’s popular Frankfurt Christmas Market returns to New Street and Victoria Square to bring some festive cheer back to the city centre, with stalls selling a tempting array of food and drink, traditional toys, ornaments and gifts. In nearby Centenary Square, the big wheel and ice rink will return and run until 9th January, between 10am and 10pm. To book tickets to these attractions visit www. iceskatebirmingham.co.uk. Don’t miss a chance to visit Chris Moose, Birmingham’s singing Christmas moose, at the Christmas market who has become a festive attraction in his own right and a Twitter sensation @thechrismoose. The Birmingham Christmas Market runs until Thursday 23rd December.

Santa at Applecast Santa will be calling in at AppleCast in Newburgh on the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st December. Children are invited to come along each day between 10.30am-2.30pm for a bit of festive fun. There is no booking necessary, children will be seen on a first come, first served basis. For more information, visit www.castnw.net.

required. The classes take place on Mondays at 6.30pm and Wednesdays at 6pm and 7.30pm, the cost is £8 for a drop-in class or £28 for a four-week block. For more information or to book your place, please contact Karen from Gemini Yoga on 07545 884958.

Players Wanted Appley Bridge Football Club is on the scout for boys and girls to join a new under 9’s team for the 2022 season.

Yoga Classes If you need a bit of zen in your life, then why not roll up your yoga mat and head out to Shevington Village Hall? Classes are suitable for all levels of fitness, including beginners, and no previous experience in yoga is

The club is an FA Charter standard development club and the focus for the children is on enjoyment and development. If you would like more information, call Neil on 07971 082051 or visit the Facebook page by searching @AppleyBridgefc.

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44 Glowing reds and golds with ornaments, gifts and baubles creates a dramatic table setting. Faux-fur stocking, £5; cable-knit throw, £15; fur-trim pillow, £10; stag ornament, £8; trio of frosted tree decorations, £8; all B&M: 0330 838 9000; bmstores.co.uk.

Style a festive table for delicious meals with family and friends Whether you eat turkey and all the trimmings at 2pm or prepare a nut roast in the evening, a lavish meal is often the centrepiece of Christmas Day – not to mention other get-togethers around the dining table before the day itself. What could be nicer than enjoying a festive meal with your family or closest friends – perhaps with seasonal music and scented candles in the background adding to those Christmassy vibes? Carefully setting and dressing the dining table for a Christmas meal can be as much a part of the ritual of Christmas Day as putting the turkey in the oven or opening gifts. To prevent it being a time-consuming chore it is best to plan ahead, consider how you will achieve the look you want and what key ingredients are required. First, decide on an overall theme. It could be something very simple and natural, in muted, neutral colours. Or a

Jazz up a simple wooden table with chunky crockery, golden goblets and baubles in bowls. Grey wooden micro star, £17.99; midwinter garland, £34.99; 50 warm white LED green micro fairy lights, £12.99; set of three antique gold glass baubles, £19.99; TruGlow® LED pillar candle trio, £26.99; Lights4fun: 01423 816 040; lights4fun.co.uk. Photograph: Oliver Perrott

more sparkly feel with white and silver, frosting and tinsel. A classic look is always a good option, employing red, gold and deep green, perhaps with a touch of tartan, while for a modern effect you might choose pretty pastels or even bolder neons. The key is to stick to the theme pretty tightly so it all looks unified rather than thrown together. If your dining table is not up to scratch, use a tablecloth to disguise scratches, stains and separate tables butted together – plain white cotton or unbleached linen are classics. Decorate with a lace, embroidered or scalloped trim, or opt for a festive all-over Christmas pattern.

45 Perhaps add a slim runner along the table, either of readymade fabric or with a narrow row of suitable decorations along the table – such as an evergreen garland with pine cones and berries, micro lights, tea lights in saucers, lanterns with candles, or floral displays. An alternative to a runner is a centrepiece, perhaps a classic wreath with candles, an arrangement of fresh flowers and foliage, or containers with Christmas bulbs. Other variations are a grouping of lanterns or pillar candles, a pile of small presents, a bowl of coloured-glass baubles or a Christmas ornament. If you can hang something above the table, ideas include a selection of greenery entwined around a slim metal frame, a scattering of metallic-paper origami stars, a mobile made from baubles on ribbons hung from a wooden bough, or a simple swirl of fairy lights. Similarly, wreaths, baubles, pine cones, even small wrapped gifts, can be tied to or hung from the backs of wooden chairs for a pretty look. Place mats and napkins are important elements and napkins can be folded or rolled and prettified with additions such as cinnamon sticks, candy canes, mini wrapped gifts, tiny baubles, small wooden stars, ribbons

Christmas-themed, red-and-white crockery for a warm and inviting table. Red and white Fair Isle 12-piece dinner set, £20; White Christmas Wreath 12-piece dinner set, £20; both George Home at Asda: 0800 952 0101; direct.asda.com.

or coloured twine. Finally, add crockery, cutlery and glassware. Use your best set arranged super-neatly: bowls on top of side plates on top of dinner plates; cutlery for all the courses; glasses for water, wine and fizz. The result? A gorgeous, welcoming Christmas table.

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Turkey Burgers

Ingredients Burgers 250g turkey breast mince ½ red onion, diced 2 garlic cloves, grated 1 egg, beaten 1 small apple peeled and grated 1 tsp smoked paprika Salt and pepper Olive oil (to cook) Brussels Sprouts Coleslaw 125g Brussels sprouts, trimmed ½ red onion 1 carrot, peeled 50g Greek yoghurt 30g mayonnaise 1 tsp Dijon mustard 1 tbsp lemon juice Salt and pepper ¼ tsp ground cumin Handful of chives, chopped Handful of parsley, chopped Rolls, lettuce and cranberry sauce, to serve

Fed up with the usual turkey recipes? Try these delicious turkey burgers topped with cranberry sauce and a Brussels sprout coleslaw. Serves 2

Method 1. Place the mince in a bowl with the remaining ingredients for the burger and mix well. Shape the mixture into two burgers about 3cm thick. Chill for 30 minutes. 2. Preheat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas mark 5. Place the burgers on a lined baking tray and brush the tops lightly with the olive oil. Bake in the oven for 20-25 mins, turning halfway through cooking, until cooked through. 3. To make the coleslaw, grate the Brussels sprouts, onion and carrot in a food processor. Place in a bowl. Mix together the yoghurt, mayonnaise, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper and cumin. Pour the yoghurt mixture over the vegetables and coat thoroughly. Stir in the herbs. 4. Serve the burgers in buns with lettuce, a spoonful of cranberry sauce and the coleslaw.

Nutrition per burger with coleslaw: 340kcal, fat 14g (of which saturates 2.9g), carbohydrates 15g (of which sugars 13g), protein 36g, fibre 3.8g

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Can You Afford to Retire? As a result of the pandemic, we have seen a significant increase in new clients who have now decided against ‘putting off’ their retirement any longer and would like to know if they can now afford to retire. Today, most people’s hopes and expectations for retirement are very different to those who were retiring in the past. Retirees now have much grander plans, such as travelling the world, spending more time on hobbies or spoiling the grandchildren. To enjoy all the things on their wish list, retirees need to have the income to afford them. For most people, the state pension isn’t enough to allow them to achieve their vision of a comfortable and active retirement. And, increasingly, income from other pensions is not enough either.

defined because you have/had a definite end date in which to save for. The latter challenge is much more difficult because people don’t know how long their retirement will last. There are several specific risks that need to be considered when deciding how to generate an income from retirement savings, as noted below. Risk One

Living longer than expected

Risk Two

Inflation: rising prices will eat into the value of savings

Risk Three Will the mix of investments be the right ones? Risk Four

Withdrawal risk: taking too much, too soon

Risk Five

Long Term Care funding

The Retirement Challenge

How can we help?

Pensions have been hitting the headline in recent years, but the focus has generally been encouraging people to save and build a fund for retirement. Not enough attention has been given to an equally pressing issue that many approaching (or in) retirement face - making their pension savings last all the way through retirement.

Planning for retirement when considering all the above risks can be a daunting task. The future can be very difficult to predict, and that’s why people use Independent Financial Advisers. Whilst we do not have a crystal ball, we do have many years of experience of helping clients approaching/in retirement achieve their retirement dreams.

This is more of a concern now than it has ever been in the past with interest rates being so low and standard annuities offering poor value. It is highly likely that the state pension and other individual pension arrangements that pay a guaranteed income for life are less likely to account for all of a retiree’s income needs in the future. In short, there is a good chance that individuals financial wellbeing in retirement could depend to a large extent on sources of income which are not guaranteed for life in the way that traditional pensions are.

If you are moving into retirement, please do not hesitate to give us a call on 01257 423800. The initial meeting will be at our expense and is without obligation.

What are the key risks to your income in retirement? Building up a pot of money for retirement and making sure that money lasts them for the rest of their life are two very different challenges. The former challenge is easily

David Barton APFS Cert CII (MP)

Chief Executive Officer

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

Puzzle Pages CROSSWORD

down

2. Arab country which achieved independence

from the UK in 1971 (5)

3. Fruit resembling a small peach (7) 4. Largest and most southerly island in the

Marianas (4)

5. One who runs away from service in the armed

forces (8)

6. In snooker, to pocket the cue ball after hitting

another (2-3)

7. Siren of German legend (7) 12. The food of the gods (8) 14. Popular chilled beverage (4,3) 16. Goat-like antelope (7) 18. Throbs dully (5) 20. Watery discharge from the eyes or nose (5)

21. Support for sails (4)

across

1. Shade of blue tinged with green (4)

15. Greek mathematician (the ‘Father of Geometry’) who

4. Japanese movie monster (8)

8. George Lucas film of 1977 (4,4)

17. Port city in northern France (2,5)

wrote The Elements (6)

9. Vegetable known as lady’s fingers (4)

19. Military chaplain (5)

10. Spencer ___, actor who appeared in many films

22. Corrode, as with acid (4)

with Katharine Hepburn (5)

23. Flavoured with herbs and spices (8)

11. Highly-prized edible subterranean fungus (7)

24. Rotating part of an engine (8)

13. Person who is tricked or swindled (6)

25. Oil reservoir in an engine (4)

Wordwheel Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns. Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

target Excellent: 35 or more words Good: 28 words Fair: 21 words

e A p i

t u

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WORDSEARCH

Family ANCESTOR

KIN

SISTERS

AUNT

MARRIAGE

SON

BOND

MUM

SPOUSE

CHILDREN

NEPHEW

TWINS

CLAN

NIECE

UNCLE

COUSINS

PARENTS

WIFE

DAD

PROGENY

DAUGHTER

SIBLING

FATHER GENEALOGY HALF BROTHER HUSBAND

SUDOKU

word LADDER Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.

BACK

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: discuss a matter without coming to the point. Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.

B A T A

O U T E

E H T B

B U S H

FIRE

All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 71 of this magazine

CMA Accountancy

MTD 4 ITSA No, this isn’t an inscription in a heart carved into a tree – it’s the latest project from HMRC and it could affect you. Read on for details… We’ve covered Making Tax Digital (MTD) extensively in our Local Life articles. It’s been a big success story for HMRC, and following that success, HMRC are working towards the next step on their plan, MTD for Income Tax & SelfAssessment (MTD for ITSA). So, what does MTD for ITSA actually involve? Individuals who are subject to income tax on the profits of their sole trader or property business will be required to keep their accounting records electronically (either using suitable software or on a spreadsheet) and file quarterly returns to HMRC with details of their income and expenditure together with any other information that HMRC specifies. In a statement issued on 23rd September 2021, the Government confirmed that MTD for ITSA will be introduced from April 2024 onwards and will affect individuals who fall within the criteria and have gross income from these sources over £10,000. MTD for ITSA is not optional if you fall within its scope – you cannot simply choose not to take part. Currently it is unclear when you will be able to apply for the scheme but keep your eyes out to avoid stress as the deadline approaches. In the meantime, get yourself set up on a cloud-based accounting software as soon as you can. This will help you avoid the admin overload when the launch date comes, iron out the kinks and get to know how the software works in plenty of time before the start of MTD for ITSA!

By Kieran Fitzgerald MAAT Before migrating your bookkeeping on to the cloud, it is best to get up to date with your records and SelfAssessment Returns, and there is no time like the present! The deadline for the Self-Assessment Return for the Year Ending 5th April 2021 is fast approaching. You need to ensure you have submitted your return online by 31st January 2022, or if you submit by paper, by the 31st October 2021. Remember, a Self-Assessment Return isn’t purely for the self-employed, you may have a full-time employment elsewhere with a side hustle to earn some extra income on the side, or some rental income from a 2nd property. If you earn more than £1,000 from these sources then you fall within the criteria to submit a return, so get in touch as soon as possible if this applies to you! You may have all of this in hand but allow us to take the burden from you and complete this on your behalf. We might be able to help you claim certain tax reliefs you have not previously considered and reduce your tax bill! Our expert team of accountants are ready to help with all aspects of MTD for ITSA, your Self-Assessment Return and migrating over to a cloud-based software. Check out our website at www.cma-accountancy.com for the latest and greatest tips, and you might want to sign up to our weekly newsletters whilst you’re there!

Kieran Fitzgerald – CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR 01257 255521 info@cma-accountancy.com www.cma-accountancy.com

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Panto

k! c a b It’s By Nicola Gray

Last year, COVID-19 played the part of biggest panto villain ever and the Christmas pantomime season was decimated last year as a result. Booooooooo! Well, its behind you (cue laughter) and Local Life have put together a guide to this year’s most exciting panto experiences in Wigan and beyond.

Wigan Little TheatrE

St Helens Theatre Royal

Dick Whittington

Goldilocks & the Three Bears

Wigan Little Theatre, Crompton Street, Wigan, WN1 3SL 01942 242561 www.wiganlittletheatre.co.uk The tale of Dick Whittington features singing, dancing, comedy sketches and, as usual, there will be a crazy dame to add to the fun. • Dates: Thursday December 2 to Saturday December 18 • Ticket Information: Standard tickets from £10 other tickets £12. Online bookings subject to a 7.8% fee per ticket.

The Old Courts

Cinderella The Old Courts, Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford Street, Wigan, WN1 1NA 0343 208 6015 www.theoldcourts.com Get ready to cheer Buttons, the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella and Prince Charming, but do remember to boo every time you see the Ugly Sisters up to their evil ways. • Dates: Thursday December 9 to Thursday December 23. • Ticket Information: Adult tickets - £17.50 and child tickets - £13.00

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, WA10 1LQ 01744 756000 www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com Goldilocks and the Three Bears come to town this Christmas with a mix of unbelievable circus tricks, madcap comedy capers and a smash-hit selection of chart hits to sing and dance along to. • Dates: Friday December 10 to Sunday January 9 • Ticket Information: Tickets from £16. Online bookings subject to a 50p fee per ticket.

Octagon Theatre

Peter Pan Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, Bolton, BL1 1SB 01204 520661 www.octagonbolton.co.uk This swashbuckling rendition of Peter Pan takes you to Neverland and join Peter, Wendy and the Lost Boys for an awfully big adventure. • Dates: Friday November 26 to Sunday January 9 • Ticket Information: Adult tickets from £15.00 and under 16s tickets from £15.00

57 Albert Halls Bolton

Manchester Opera House

Beauty & the Beast

Aladdin

Bolton Albert Halls Theatre, Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU 0343 208 0500 www.alberthalls-bolton.co.uk The Albert Halls spellbinding festive family pantomime this year is Beauty and the Beast, featuring spectacular scenery, glittering costumes, amazing special effects and plenty of audience participation! • Dates: Saturday November 27 to Friday December 31 • Ticket Information: Adult tickets - £20.00, senior citizen tickets - £16.00, under 16s tickets - £16.00

The Atkinson Southport

Cinderella The Atkinson, Lord Street, Southport, PR8 1DB 01704 533333 www.theatkinson.co.uk This spellbinding panto pits Cinderella against her wicked Stepmother and the jealous stepsisters; will Prince Charming and the Fairy Godmother come to the rescue? • Dates: Friday December 10 to Sunday January 2 • Ticket Information: Adult tickets from £18, concessions from £16 & family tickets from £59

Grand Theatre Blackpool

Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs 33 Church Street, Blackpool, Lancashire, FY1 1HT 01253 290190 www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk In true rags-to-riches style, Snow White manages, with the help of her madcap friend Muddles, to meet a handsome Prince and make her dreams come true. • Dates: Friday December 3 to Sunday January 2 • Ticket Information: Adult tickets from £20.50 and under 18s tickets from £18.50

3 Quay St, Manchester, M3 3HP 0161 828 1700 www.atgtickets.com Aladdin will feature a lamp-load of comedy, jaw-dropping special effects, sensational song and dance and plenty of boos and hisses the whole family will enjoy. • Dates: Saturday December 11 to Sunday January 2 • Ticket Information: Tickets available form £13.00 per person. Online bookings subject to a booking fee of £3.65 per ticket.

‘Less is more’ is a mantra that’s rarely heard around Christmas. This year, show Planet Earth a little love with these five eco-friendly Christmas tips.

Rent, reuse or recycle a tree Every December, up to eight million Christmas trees are bought in the UK alone, most of which are dumped at the end of the season. That’s a lot of waste! Plastic trees last for years but take enormous amounts of energy to manufacture. Buying pre-loved ones on eBay, Gumtree and Freecycle, however, is a great way to reuse what would otherwise be thrown away. If Christmas isn’t the same without that authentic pine tree scent, why not rent a tree from a local farm? After you’ve used it, it’ll be picked up and replanted, ready for next year.

Source locally grown food We’re all guilty of buying – and eating – a little more food than we need at Christmas, so it’s important to make sure it’s coming from a sustainable place. Instead of fighting over groceries in the supermarket aisle, source your Christmas lunch from local farm shops and choose an organic, free-range turkey. Food tastes a lot better when you know where it’s come from! Sadly, Christmas is also the most wasteful time of the year, so make sure you only buy things that you know will get eaten. If you get carried away, turn your leftovers into new meals, see how much you can fit in the freezer or donate to a local food bank.

When buying new, look out for the ‘Grown in Britain’ label or FSC ‘seal of approval’, and find drop-off points in your area where it can be recycled once Christmas is over.

Rethink your decorations

Buy second-hand

Fortunately, something as simple as switching your incandescent lights to LEDs can cut energy usage by up to 80%! You don’t have to give up your candle collection either; look out for soy or beeswax candles, which don’t contain harmful paraffin wax.

Gifts don’t have to be new to bring a smile to someone’s face. Suggest a second-hand present rule this year, where you only buy each other pre-loved gifts. These could be from a charity shop or websites such as eBay. If you’re feeling crafty, you could even whip up some gifts from home. Candles, jams and chutneys or knitted hats and scarves: get creative and see where your talents take you!

From Christmas lights to candles, who would have thought that decorations could be bad for the environment?

The chances are you have Christmas decorations rattling round in your attic, so don’t waste money – or materials – buying new ones. If you do, head to charity or vintage shops to find some pre-loved styles.

Wrap sustainably We use over 8,000 tonnes of wrapping paper over Christmas, much of which isn’t recyclable! It’s depressing, but don’t lose hope. Try wrapping presents with old wallpaper, posters or newspapers, and save the wrapping paper on your own gifts for next year. A great way to test if wrapping paper can be recycled is to scrunch it up in your hands and then let it go. If the paper stays crumpled it can be recycled, but if it unfolds by itself it probably contains non-recyclable elements.

by Chris Pearce Distance: 6¼ Difficulty: Medium Plus

Frodsham & Helsby

Occasionally when I collate a Jack’s Tracks walk, I get a suspicion that there’s room for improvement. The Sandstone Trail in spring 2020 was a case in point; the first half of the walk was a cracker, the back half just ok, so I popped over the Mersey again recently to scratch that itch. This wellsignposted 6¼ mile walk centres around two prehistoric hilltops enclosures; Helsby Hill and Woodhouse Hill. There are lots of climbs and some sheer cliffs on this walk, so I would recommend that you leave the kids at home and make sure you wear suitable footwear. Start the walk at the car park for Frodsham’s war memorial (WA6 6BG) and take the steep road downhill. Turn left at the Belle Monte Hotel and look for a footpath on your right which plunges you into the woods. After a few short steps, the path forks so take the left fork uphill. After a few minutes walking – follow the yellow ‘S’ sign and go up the sandstone steps and you’ll arrive at the war memorial, the first of many

impressive viewpoints on the walk. Carry on in the same direction past the war memorial and ease downhill for 200 yards – then take the lower path. The track continues, hugging the side of the hill in the shadow of sandstone cliffs until you ascend once more, briefly arriving at an open area at the top and then again sinking into the woods. You’ll soon arrive at a crossroad of paths by some wooden steps, turn right here following the NCW sign and you’ll arrive at multiple flights of steep steel steps, Take the steps carefully to the bottom of the sandstone valley and you arrive at a fingerpost – turn right to Carriage Drive. Continue on the path downhill until you reach a distinctive wall; turn left here and take the steps down the steep hill. When you arrive at the foot of the hill where all the ferns are, there’s two options; turn right at this point. Follow the path through the woods, close to its perimeter with farmland for just under ¾ mile until you reach an exit marked Tarvin Road. Take this exit and walk down to the road; turn left and then first right into the single-track Chestnut Lane.

60 At its conclusion Chestnut Lane narrows to a footpath: take the bridge across the stream and head in the same direction up the concrete steps. Follow this evernarrowing footpath until you arrive out in the open by a house called Tong Dean. Go through the gate opposite and follow the clearly defined footpath until you arrive in Helsby on Bates Lane. Turn right and then turn left at the crossroads on the Old Chester Road. Look out for a footpath sign for ‘Helsby Hill’ on your left about 50 yards up that road. Turn up the narrow footpath for a short steep climb to an opening with three paths and a fingerpost. Take the second path marked ‘Hill Top’ and take a gentle enough climb, passing a cliff top viewpoint on the way, until you reach the summit of Helsby Hill, which is marked by a trig point. The views from the top of this hillfort are pretty impressive, 360-degree views of the Mersey Estuary and Liverpool, the mountains of North Wales and also the Shropshire Hills to the south. Exit the summit via the path directly opposite the path you took to arrive at the

summit and follow that path downhill for approximately 150 yards. Take a left turn at a fingerpost (partly hidden on the left) towards ‘Harmers Lake’. 350 yards later, you’ll have passed the lake on the left and arrived at the single-track lane. Turn right downhill and once you’ve passed a secondary and the primary entrance to Harmers Wood on the left, there’s a signpost on the left to Tarvin Road. Follow this path for 400 yards to Tarvin Road and then turn left for 200 yards. Look for a signpost on your right (Alvaney/Burrows Lane), which is partly hidden behind a tree and take that path. Once you’ve crossed a bridge, turn left along the field’s perimeter in the direction of Woodhouse Hill. Once you reach Burrows Lane turn left and, at the T-junction, turn right and 350 yards later, take the left fork down a footpath/bridle path. Follow this long gentle incline for just under ¾ mile, ignoring the turn offs to Snidey Moor on the right and to Woodhouse Hill on the left. Once you reach the T-junction with bench on the right and the fingerpost on the left, turn left and then bear right at the next fork taking the path round the edge of the woodlands. Look for the path encased by a low sandstone wall on your left and follow this path to the top of Woodhouse Hill before sharply dropping down steps to a bench and an info board ‘Ice and Sea’. Turn right and follow the path gradually downhill, parallel to the golf course. Just past the tee for the 10th hole, take care when climbing down some steep sandstone steps. At the base, turn left, walk over the wooden bridge and you arrive at the fingerpost from earlier. Tackle the flights of steel stairs once again and retrace your steps for 100

61 yards or so until you see a turn to the right which takes you through undergrowth and onto the golf course. You need to look hard to see a slight dip running diagonally across the fairway heading to the left of the masts in the distance. As you cross the fairways, you’ll see a very apparent footpath in the distance that runs firstly through undergrowth and then runs onto a dirt track heading up to Simons Lane.

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

Elevation Highest 141m

50m

Total ascent 425m

0.0km

5.0km

10km

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Netherton

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

Lowest 23m

100m

Turn left when you reach Simons Lane and follow the Elevation road round a right-hand bend that runs downhill past the Forest Hills hotel back to the starting point.

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Hybrid SUVs: what’s available? If you fancy a hybrid with more space there are plenty of options The SUV lends itself perfectly to a hybrid powertrain. With more space, it means there’s a little more wiggle room for the batteries and, as a result, it allows for a better boot. Needless to say, many manufacturers have clocked onto this, which is why there are so many hybrid SUV offerings available today. With such a congested market it can be tricky to find out which is right for you. Fortunately, we’ve picked out some of the best options available today.

BMW X5 xDrive45e BMW’s X5 has been a core part of the SUV segment for decades, but more recently it has been added to with the introduction of a plug-in hybrid variant – badged X5 xDrive45e. Where this car majors, though, is electric range; at up to 54 miles, it far exceeds the vast majority of other hybrids and allows for decent-length journeys to be completed on battery power alone. Plus, you still get the premium cabin and sharp looks that you’d associate with the standard X5.

DS 7 Crossback E-Tense As it’s part of the wider PSA Group, DS can take advantage of all manner of hybrid powertrains. It’s why the 3008 and the DS 7 Crossback E-Tense appear so similar – they’re essentially the same underneath. However, that efficient hybrid setup is contained within a slightly more dramatic, eye-catching exterior with the DS, while the interior is flamboyant too.

Kia Sorento PHEV Kia’s plug-in hybrid version of its latest Sorento SUV uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine linked to an electric motor and batteries, and Kia claims you’ll get around 35 miles of electric-only driving. As well as a striking exterior design, the Sorento boasts a well-made cabin that is fitted with a healthy level of standard equipment.

Mercedes-Benz GLE350de

Volkswagen Touareg R

In a break from the norm, the GLE350de arrives as a dieselpowered hybrid. Mercedes has a few in its line-up, but across the wider segment, a hybrid paired with a diesel engine isn’t a regular occurrence. Mercedes claims you’ll get up to 256.8 mpg combined, too, which will certainly help with the fuel bills.

A hybrid setup can be used for performance, as demonstrated by the new Volkswagen Touareg R. It takes the title of Volkswagen’s most powerful production car to date, thanks to its V6 petrol engine and electric motor combination producing 456bhp and 700Nm of torque.

Plus, when you’ve run out of electricity – which should still give you a decent 54 miles between charges – you’re left with a smooth and refined 2.0-litre diesel engine.

But it remains a practical and well-sized option, while a claimed fuel economy figure of 94.2mpg should make it a little cheaper to run than a conventional Touareg, too.

Peugeot 3008 Hybrid

Audi Q5 TFSI e

Peugeot’s range of electrified vehicles is expanding at an everquickening rate and the 3008 plug-in hybrid is one of its latest. It uses a 1.6-litre petrol engine hooked up to two electric motors for a combined power output of 296bhp. Four-wheel-drive means it’s got plenty of traction, too.

Audi’s Q5 has proved to be a popular choice in the SUV segment thanks to its premium interior and good level of standard equipment. A plug-in hybrid version has recently been added to its list of powertrains, mirroring other cars in Audi’s line-up.

Peugeot claims an electric-only range of up to 36 miles. On top of this, you get loads of standard equipment and one of the sharpest exterior designs around.

You should get 26 miles of electric-only range in the Q5 too, allowing for plenty of driving without having to trouble the petrol engine.

Call Chris on 01942 215 111 or 07969 357 751 www.cosmeticar.co.uk

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Up the

garden path by Angie Barker

Award Winner

I realise at this time of year most of us will not be thinking about our gardens, but rather racking our brains to come up with some original gift ideas. (Hubby take note!) However this time of year really is a great time to think about the structure in our gardens and how we can improve it so that we get better use and more enjoyment from our outside space next year. When I sit down to design a garden I think about how to create a sense of journey through the space, no matter how big or small it is. This will draw you out into the garden to explore it and will make it more interesting and the right path is a key design consideration. The first decision is to consider whether you go for straight or curved, or a combination of the two. Curved paths bring a sense of calm to a space and slow you down so that you tend to take more time looking at the garden as you walk around it and suits cottage garden schemes. Straight paths bring a sense of the contemporary to a space and create strong clean lines in a design. They can also be successfully used in formal gardens. Practical issues also need consideration. A curved path to a children’s play area or a shed may not be practical as in these situations you would want to take the quickest route. The second consideration is what material to build your path out of. They can be attractive additions to

Angie is a qualified awardwinning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.

a garden scheme and whether you decide on natural paving, porcelain tiles, smooth concrete, setts or brick, the detail can be important so consider it as much as the overall plan of the garden. Bound resin is also a good choice where there are mobility issues. Gravel and slate chippings are cost effective options but in most cases will need an edging to stop the aggregate spilling over on to borders or lawn. Getting back to gift ideas, Hubby here are some hints - not very subtle ones - a bottle of fizz (preferably Champagne and the pink variety) a good gardening book, new pjs and I’ll be a happy lady. Enjoy the forthcoming festivities everyone and here’s to a new gardening year filled with possibilities.

Call Angie now for your free consultation! Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk

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LocalLife

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Manufacturers and installers since 2004

28544

Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads)

Local Life - Wigan - December 2021

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Panto - it’s Back