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

LocalLife Wigan Edition

October 2021

Christmas

Light Trails Pages 17-20

Hindley’s Bad Boy? Pages 70-71

Beecham’s Brush-Off Page 28-30 © Lightopia

Pendle Hill Walk (and a sculpture trail too!) Pages 73-76

Education Section Pages 36-43

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utumn is a favourite time of year for home improvements, and whether it’s a coat of paint or a major makeover, you can bet that the latest looks and colours will influence your choices. Pinning down personal preferences, with half an eye on the latest trends, can leave you overwhelmed with choices and, as a result, we often take the easy way out and settle for dated rooms and furnishings. Local Life is full of experienced Wigan-based home improvement experts who are happy to advise you on your home improvements. Whatever you’re looking to do, there’s a local expert here who can help. If you’re struggling with your vision for improving your home, talking it through with the experts can help and can often provide inspirational thoughts. If lockdown has taught us anything, it’s the value of face-to-face communication – some things are just too important to be left to online recommendations from random people. See you next time…

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

Keep in touch with the LocalLife Team!

LocalLife

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

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

Contents

17. Christmas Light Trails

24. Health Under pressure.

38. Education Schools and the pandemic.

44. Recipes Indonesian chicken & roast beef fillet.

54. Home A rug for every room.

28. Beecham’s Brush-Off

60. Fan the Flames

63. Look Back In Time Events of the last 125 years.

66. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size!

72. Finance Teaching kids to be savvy savers.

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

73. Jack’s Tracks to Pendle Hill

70. Hindley’s Bad Boy

78. Vauxhall Crossland

Next Issue - November

Advertising deadline - 11th October Published - 27th October

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Standish Show

Fright Night

Wigan Rotary Club are hosting ‘A Night at The Theatre’, a musical show starring Victor Michael and the Two Sopranos (Lisa Davis and Hayley Bowen), at the Standish Unity Club on Saturday 9th October.

There’s a Friday Night with a difference taking place at Haigh Woodland Park on Saturday 30th October.

Their show includes classics such as Nessun Dorma and Time to Say Goodbye, alongside songs from famous musicals such as Les Misérables and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat. One of the performing trio, Lisa Davis, won’t have far to travel on the night. Wiganer Lisa told Local Life that she is “delighted to be singing in her hometown for all her family and friends”. Lisa studied Opera at Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, before going on to perform in Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s ‘Hey Mr Producer’ amongst other shows. She’s spent much of singing career at sea, performing on cruise ships throughout the world. Tickets for the show are priced at £12 and can be booked via the Rotary Club’s website www.wiganrotary.co.uk

Wigan Council and Fylde Coast Runners have joined forces to launch a brand-new series of night runs, and this is the inaugural event. The event is suitable for all abilities of runner or fast walkers and is held on a mix of trails and pathways within Haigh Hall, starting and finishing in the shadow of the hall. Entry is £25.00 per person which includes a glow in the dark finishers medal, a commemorative fright night technical t-shirt and digital event photographs! The minimum age is 15 and over on the day of the event. The event is strictly limited to 500 participants and entries are only accepted via web in advance of the event. Registration opens at 4pm on the day and the event starts at 6.30pm. To sign up, visit www.fyldecoastrunners.com

Competition Winners The winners of the Local Life competition in our July and August issues have been confirmed as Megan Gallagher from Standish, Melvin Levick, also from Standish, Samantha Clinton from Highfield and Angela Fletcher from Billinge. The winners all received a pair of tickets for the recent Tom Jones concert at Haydock Park. Thank you to all those who entered.

Phoenix Rises Coping with the COVID restrictions has been particularly tough for single people. If you, or your friends/family are in this position, then there’s a local solution to loneliness. The long-established Phoenix Club has risen from the ashes and is now operating fully again. This national organisation was established for friendship and social nights, and the Wigan branch is based out of St Wilfrid’s Parish Hall on Church Street in Standish. In addition to the weekly sequence dancing, members of the club enjoy days out, theatre trips and holidays. The sequence dancing events run every Saturday, with the doors opening at 7.30, and you are advised to bring your own drinks. For more information about the Wigan Phoenix Club, call 01257 421335 or 07971 956532.

Having a Ball Fitness and fun don’t often go hand in hand but a ladies’ rounders team in Standish is putting a stop to that! The team is currently open to women of all abilities over 14. If you fancy having a go, then the team train once a week on Wednesdays between 6.15pm-7.30pm at Standish

Cricket Club on Green Lane. The ladies play in the Wigan and Leigh league, focusing on staying active, making friends and having fun. For more information, please message the coaches by searching @StandishRoundersClub on Facebook

Critters are Coming! Enjoy breakfast with a difference on 28th October at the Wild Mint Café at Golden Days on Back Lane in Appley Bridge. ‘Breakfast with the Critters’ will consist of a breakfast and drink, plus a chance to get up close and personal with bugs and beasts. The event is co-hosted by Curious Critters, and their handlers will be on hand to help. There are limited tickets available and pre-booking is essential. Call 01257 472533 to book.

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nEw opEnIng houRs Monday to Thursday 8:00-4:30, Friday 8:00-9:00pm Saturday 8:00-9:00pm, Sunday 10:00-5:00pm Have a lovely glass of wine and enjoy a sharing platter from our evening menu

Tuesday

shevington Shevington Methodist Church, 1 Gathurst Road, WN6 8HA 9am, 3.30pm, 5.00pm & 6.30pm

Wednesday

Billinge Bispham Methodist Church Hall, Crank Rd, WN5 7DT 8.30am & 10.00am For further details call Karen on 07789 227 871

Christmas launch event with Akoya FridAy 22nd & SAturdAy 23rd OctOber 2021

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Healthwatch Appeal

Stitch Group Forms

Are you worried about how to access your GP? How easy is it to get an appointment? Has your interaction with primary care changed because of the pandemic? If you want to share your views on the above questions, then Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh want to hear from you.

A new creative stitch group has recently formed and is looking for new members. The Douglas Valley Creative Stitchers will be meeting on the second Saturday of each month at Parbold Village Hall. The next meeting is on Saturday 9th October and the activity is making a brooch or pendant.

The purpose of Healthwatch Wigan and Leigh is to represent local people who use health and social care services, and to make sure that those running services put people at the heart of care. They seek to understand the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use local health and social care services. All the information you provide will be heard confidentially and recorded anonymously to contribute to a report published later in the year. Here’s how you can contribute to that report: Contact Lisa Armstrong on 01942 834666 or text ‘GP’ to this number 07939 061 872 and someone will call you back, or you can email Lisa at Lisa.Armstrong@ healthwatchwiganandleigh.co.uk or alternately you can complete a short survey online at www.surveymonkey. co.uk/r/HWWLGPAccess.

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Newcomers with all levels of skill are welcome and the session opens at 2pm for a 2.30pm start and a 4pm finish. For more details about the group, contact Sue Chisnall-Sumner on 01772 461714 or email suechisnall@ btinternet.com.

AB Playgroup Keeping the children entertained and finding it a struggle? All Saints Church on Finch Mill Lane hosts a playgroup every Thursday from 9.15-11am. The cost is just £1.50 a family and 50p extra for any additional kids, and you can expect a warm welcome along with tea, toast, biscuits and juice. Everyone is welcome. For more info, please search for Little Saints Playgroup on Facebook.

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Green Homes Grant The Greater Manchester Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery Scheme is still open for applications. The grant allows homeowners who earn less than £30,000 and whose home is energy inefficient to apply for grants of up to £10,000. The grant can be used for low carbon heating measures such as air source heat pumps as well as different types of insulation. The local authority scheme is delivered in partnership with E.ON. The scheme is also open to residential landlords to apply for grants of up to £5,000. To find out more about the scheme, visit www.eonenergy. com/greenhomesgrant

Jewels May is a wonderful independent jewellers. The shop has recently expanded so as to offer customers more on site specialist services, one-to-one consultation, specialist design and re-modelling advice and manufacturing. Their jewellery range is extensive from antique

Autumn Style Update

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Give it a Grow Local community group, Give it a Grow Wigan are looking for volunteers to help them tidy up the space for their new hub at Mesnes Park this Sunday, October 3. Members of the group have recently acquired some allotment space in the park but they need your help! The site has not been managed since before the Covid lockdown hit and it’s pretty overgrown to say the least.

group with the aim of bringing greater biodiversity and wildlife to the urban spaces in Wigan Borough. The new allotment area is an exciting opportunity for members to grow plants to distribute, produce their own compost, and possibly even host workshops in the future. To find out more about the project and what the group get up to, please go online at www.giveitagrowwigan. co.uk.

Christmas Fair

The volunteer clearing day starts at 11am, so if you would like to get your gardening gloves out and lend a hand, even if only half an hour, they’d really appreciate your help. Tasks for the day will include; weed pulling, moving pots, litter picking, restoring benches and strimming to clear paths.

The Woodlands Animal Sanctuary in Holmeswood will be hosting a Christmas Fair at Parbold Village Hall on Saturday, November 20.

Please take strong gardening gloves, water and food as necessary, and wear good sturdy footwear. If you have any tools like pruning shears, trowels, forks and are comfortable using them, you’re welcome to take those as well. The allotment can be accessed at the top of Mesnes Park, by the exit to the Pagefield site of Wigan & Leigh College.

At the event, there will be plenty of stalls to browse around, delicious festive treats and a Teddy Tombola.

Give it A Grow Wigan is a new non-profit community

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The fair will take place between 11am-3pm and will be a great way to help to raise funds for the cats, hedgehogs and ponies that will be living at the shelter this winter.

For more information about the fair or Woodlands Animal Sanctuary please go online at www. woodlandsanimalsanctuary.org.uk or call 01704 823293.

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Picture House Parbold’s Picture House, based at the Village Hall on The Green in Parbold, has released their listings for their forthcoming Sunday night movie programme. Screening on Sunday 10th October is Minari, a tender and sweeping story about a Korean-American family that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own American Dream. Screening on Sunday 24th October is The Father. The film features an ageing Anthony (Sir Anthony Hopkins) struggling with memory loss as he begins to experience the symptoms of dementia. Refusing help from his daughter Anne (Olivia Colman), Anthony increasingly begins to lose his grip on reality as he experiences hallucinations, battles traumatic memories and struggles to identify his loved ones. Screening on Sunday 7th November is 1917, a World War 1 drama directed and produced by Sam Mendes and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth and Richard Madden. The films all start at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm. Please note that the café is still closed at present.

The friend ly place in village the heart of Standish The Unity Club • large function room or cosy lounge room available for hire • games room with a full-size snooker table, pool table, darts & dominoes Cask Ale Club of the Year awarded by

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Pumpkin Fun Windmill Animal Farm in Burscough will be getting into the Halloween spirt with their pumpkin picking adventure from Saturday 9th to Sunday 31st October. Farmer Chris has planted more than 20,000 plants in the pumpkin field, and you could be taking one home for the family this Halloween. Tickets cost £15.95 for adults and £16.95 for children under 15, with under 1’s free. Each ticket includes a full day of fun on the farm and access to the pumpkin patch, where you get to pick your own pumpkin. Wheelbarrows will be provided and don’t forget your wellies!

retail shops throughout the UK and the Wigan shop is desperately short of volunteers. Can you spare any time, even just a couple of hours a week, to help at the Wigan shop, which is located at 39 Hallgate? If so, the Shop Manager Jean Ashby would love to hear from you. Please give Jean a call on 01744 894122.

Gym for Kids Gymnastic sessions are available for pre-school children at Robin Park Leisure Centre.

For more information or to book your tickets, please go online at www.windmillanimalfarm.co.uk

The sessions are a perfect introduction to gymnastics, teaching kids how to do forward rolls, handstands and splits, and then move onto using the vault, beams and trampolines in subsequent sessions.

Samaritans Shout Out

Your child will build strength, learn to develop their hand-eye co-ordination and, most importantly, have lots of fun along the way.

Charities such as the Samaritans have helped thousands of people through the difficulties of the past eighteen months, particularly those without family and friends.

These structured lessons are taught by friendly qualified coaches across a block of 8 weeks at a cost of £34.40.

The services that the Samaritans provide are funded by

For more information or to book your child’s place, please call 01942 828550 or email gymnastics@bewellwigan.org

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Christmas Light Trails

171

Christmas is all about traditions. From dressing a Christmas tree to putting out a mince pie or two for Santa, for most of us Christmas represents enjoying the same activities with the same people, year in, year out. Because it’s such a busy time, new Christmas activities that are quickly adapted as a mainstream activity by all the family rarely come along, but one notable exception is the Christmas light trail. There’s nothing more uplifting in the cold winter months than illuminations and that’s why we think Christmas light trails are one of the most magical festive experiences for the entire family at this time of year. Don’t delay in booking your tickets though, these festive light experiences will sell out fast.

Chester Zoo

www.chesterzoo.org/lanterns

Chester Zoo has revealed its plans for its wintertime celebration, The Lanterns, which runs from Friday 12 November - Thursday 23 December. Now in its tenth year, visitors to the event are given the unique opportunity to experience the zoo after hours on a set trail in the dark – taking them through spectacular illuminations and colourful lanterns, encountering enchanting, costumed characters along the way. Among the many new elements at this year’s festivities will be brand new illuminated characters, featuring orangutans, butterflies, caterpillars and wolves as well as

a 90th birthday light show, taking visitors on a journey through time as they explore the zoo’s history. Senior Admissions and Retail Manager at Chester Zoo, Gemma Bamford, said: “We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to our very special Christmas event, The Lanterns. It’s become a firm favourite and something of a family tradition for so many people now and this year will be more magnificent and magical than ever”. The Lanterns has been created by the zoo in partnership with multi award-winning outdoor arts producers, Wild Rumpus.

18 2

Lightopia

www.lightopiafestival.com

The award-winning Lightopia will return with its flagship event in Manchester, for the third year on the 18th November until the 3rd January, with a brandnew enchanting light and lantern festival; presenting a Christmas Fantasy at Heaton Park. The never-before-seen, illuminated trail will feature magical and multi-sensory interactive lights, lanterns and installations, illustrating a story of an imaginative and fantasy festive world. This immersive experience is the perfect Christmas adventure for family and friends, filled with wondrous light installations and mythical creatures. From the moment Lightopians step through the magical gates, the fantasy land journey begins… This year, the entry points to Lightopia will be via the Gate of Guardians, protecting the enchanted land that awaits.

Shimmering walkways, decorative lights and projections will guide the way, marking the familiar route direction for this new make-believe wonderland. A Christmas spectacular can be discovered at the Grade I-listed Heaton Hall. Marvel at the 9ft bauble-inspired Christmas tree and the immersive stand-alone giant bauble, which Lightopians can walk inside. A fairy tale awaits at this unique festive land, as the characters and lights tell the tale of good vs evil, with the festive heroes protecting Christmas. Thousands of immersive lights will illuminate the Christmas land with a collection of vibrant colours. Lightopia 2021 will also feature a fantastical Magic Circus display, a Time Travel zone, Fantasy Forest, Fantasy Universe and Lakeside Water Show!

193

Bolesworth www.bolesworth.com/christmas Bolesworth near Chester will be transformed into an illuminated winter wonderland this Christmas. The magical 1.2 mile trail, which runs for 30 nights in between 26th November to 24th December, promises a dazzling afterdark experience for all of the family. You’ll travel alongside the lakeside with the backdrop of the castle lit to spectacular effect, then you’ll follow the winding pathways through the woods where you may spot a reindeer or two, travelling over bridges and through the spectacular grounds. Pick up glistening gifts at the Christmas Market, wander round the food stands as you sip on mulled wine or hot chocolate, whilst soaking up the heart-warming atmosphere of the evening. Or get your skates on and head onto the Ice Rink with your friends and family. Set against the iconic backdrop of Bolesworth Castle, you can spin around to the soundtracks and afterwards head to the bar for a warming drink.

Those looking for a dash of class with plenty of champagne can visit Champagne Island, and you surely won’t be disappointed by this very special and unique experience. You’ll have a secret hideaway on a hidden island where you can sit and watch the world go by. And Bolesworth offer a very special experience where the children are able to meet the man himself, leave their Christmas present list and have their photo taken so you can take home a memento of these magical moments.

20 4

Delamere Forest

www.forestryengland.uk/christmas-at-delamere

A brand-new Christmas trail featuring enchanting illuminations and Christmas tunes, will illuminate Forestry England’s Delamere Forest in Cheshire, from 26 Nov – 31 Dec 2021. Wrap up warm and be transported into a winter wonderland where you will discover sparkling tunnels

of light, walk under giant baubles and beneath trees illuminated in Christmas colours. Spend time together and create everlasting memories as you wander between the specially chosen illuminations, all choreographed to a soundtrack of Christmas classics. Pause at the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden and don’t forget to glimpse Father Christmas along the way. Independent street food vendors bring a delicious twist to tasty treats on offer. Have yourself a holly, jolly Christmas and complete your walk under the stars with a spiced winter warmer or a hot chocolate shared with someone special. Christmas at Delamere Forest provides a special way to celebrate the festive season with an unmissable outdoor experience. The trail is designed for visitors of all ages to enjoy. Christmas at Delamere Forest is brought to you by Sony Music in partnership with Forestry England. The trail is created by Culture Creative.

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

Job Search If you’re looking for a change of career, then My Life in Standish might just have the opportunity you need. You can get paid for sharing your skills with the people they support. The charity is on the lookout for musicians, gardeners, woodworkers, artists, screen printers, warehouse operatives, hospitality workers, upcyclers and more, get in touch and tell them about your skill set. There are full and part time roles available, and contracts are available for staff, freelance and flexible roles. A good rate of pay is being offered along with full training and development opportunities. For more information, please call My Life on 01942 233422 or email hr@my-life.org.uk

Memory Walk BeWell Wigan will be hosting a memory walk on Sunday, October 10 to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society. Walk for a world without dementia and take the time to remember the loved ones who are no longer with us. You can join organisers on a 10-mile walk or a 1-mile accessible walk, both starting at the Haigh Woodland Park Visitors Centre. Registration will open at 10.15am and the walks will begin at 11am, both walks are signposted and walk leaders will be supporting people throughout. Donations can be made by going to www.justgiving. com/fundraising/MWOYO21-TracyMorris

Boogie Bingo Eyes down and get your dabbers ready for the ultimate bingo event on Saturday November 6. Boogie Bingo, organised by Lisa McAllister from the Professionals of Wigan networking group, will take place at the DW Stadium from 7pm till late in a bid to raise much needed funds for Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

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You can look forward to an exciting combination of fun, a live show, a raffle and a serious game of bingo! Tickets cost £25 per person, and this includes light bite refreshments on the night. For more information or to book your tickets go online to www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/20737

Back with a Bang The Old Courts is back with a bang this autumn, bringing Wiganers live music, comedy, films, theatre and poetry events to make up for the past 18 months of living with COVID. The 2020 film Supernova, starring Colin Firth and Stanley Tucci, will be screened on 10.30am on Wednesday 6th October. The pair play Sam and dementia-stricken Tusker, partners of twenty years who are travelling across England in their old campervan visiting friends, family and places from their past. Court and Spark – The Joni Mitchell Songbook will be performing at the Old Courts on Friday 8th October at 8pm. The act brings together five of the North West’s top musicians to celebrate the kaleidoscopic musical world of Joni Mitchell. Described by Classic Rock magazine as ‘The most authentic sounding Zep tribute in the UK’, the band Mothership comes to town on Saturday 9th October with their brand-new stage show celebrating the music of the greatest rock band in history. You can expect all the classics, but expect the unexpected, too!

You can come along and celebrate the 50th anniversary of the children’s’ classic film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory with a special screening at the Old Courts on Sunday 10th October at 10.30am. This is an adaption of the Roald Dahl book which tells the story of how a young boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate factory in the world, led by the world’s most unusual man. An award-winning musical comedian whose songs have been heard on BBC Radio 4 and The One Show, arrives at the Old Courts on Wednesday 27th October at 2.30pm. Jay Foreman presents ‘Disgusted Rhymes for Revolting Children’’, a devilishly cheeky hour of songs, poems and comedy for children of all ages in this family friendly show. And on Tuesday 2nd November at 8pm, the writer, poet and TV Producer Henry Normal performs The Escape Plan, an evening of pure escape with stories, jokes and poems. There’s something for everyone at The Old Courts. For more details and to buy tickets for these and other shows this autumn, visit the www.theoldcourts.com.

Under Pressure It’s responsible for 60% of strokes and half of all heart attacks, yet most people with high blood pressure have no idea they are at risk. That’s because high blood pressure typically has no symptoms. The British Heart Foundation estimates there are up to 4.8 million people living with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK. It’s sometimes referred to as a silent killer because most people don’t know they have it until they get their blood pressure measured by a healthcare professional. In good news, there’s now an easy way to get your blood pressure checked and that’s via your local chemist. Every NHS pharmacy in England will offer the free checks to people aged 40 and over as part of a new deal between pharmacies and the NHS. This will undoubtedly help to increase detection of undiagnosed hypertension in the community.

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a level that’s consistently at or above 140/90 and it’s something that affects one in three adults in the UK. In most cases, it’s not clear exactly what causes hypertension but there are factors that can increase your risk of getting it. These include:

• Being overweight • Eating too much salt and not eating enough fruit and vegetables

• Not doing enough exercise • Drinking too much alcohol or coffee • Smoking • Being a poor sleeper • Being aged 65 and over • Family history of high blood pressure or heart disease

• Ethnicity – being of black African or black Caribbean descent

• Living in a deprived area In around one in twenty cases, high blood pressure happens as a result of an underlying health condition or due to taking a certain medicine. Health conditions that can lead to high blood pressure include kidney disease, diabetes, a long-term kidney infection, obstructive sleep apnoea, lupus and those experiencing hormonal problems such as an underactive or overactive thyroid. Medicines that can impact on your blood pressure include the contraceptive pull, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen, some cough and cold remedies and certain antidepressants such as venlafaxine. Everyone with high blood pressure is advised to make healthy lifestyle choices. These include reducing your salt intake, eating a low-fat balanced diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables, being active, cutting down on alcohol, losing weight, drinking less caffeine and quitting smoking. Medication to control high blood pressure can also be prescribed in some instances. If you’re under 55, you’ll usually be offered an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin-2 receptor blocker (ARB). If you’re over 55 or are of African or Caribbean origin at any age, you’ll usually be offered a calcium channel blocker. Speaking about the new high street pharmacy blood

25 about five minutes to complete. Knowing your blood pressure levels will also mean you can discuss the risks with a healthcare professional, who will signpost you to the most effective source of treatment and onward management of your condition. Prevention is always better than cure, so it’s important that you know your numbers and check your blood pressure.” It’s also possible to have hypotension or low blood pressure. Having a blood pressure check can help to diagnose this too. A low blood pressure reading is one that’s less than 90/60. Symptoms that might indicate your blood pressure is too low include lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, generally feeling weak, confusion and fainting. pressure check scheme, the charity’s director of policy and influencing, John Maringay, added: “This breakthrough programme will also help with the devastating burden of backlog of care left by the Covid-19 pandemic, which could see the number of people waiting for heart care and diagnosis peak at around 550,385 in January 2024, according to our latest report. “Having your blood pressure checked by your local pharmacist is a simple and quick test that will only take

Our blood pressure can vary depending on what time it is, as it gradually increases throughout the day. What we’re doing and how we’re feeling can also affect it. There’s a number of possible causes of low blood pressure. For example, it can be low because you’re fit and healthy or you may have inherited hypotension from your parents. Some people will also find they naturally develop low blood pressure as they get older. In addition, being pregnant, having certain medical conditions such as diabetes and some medications can cause low blood pressure too.

Wellie Walk

Halloween Party

Join the team at Windy Arbour Farm in Billinge this October for the returning Hallowe’en ‘Wellie Walk’ event!

There will be some spooky goings on down at the Wigan Armed Forces HQ on Saturday, October 30!

Stroll the tracks of Windy Arbour, a farm dating back over 150 years, collecting puzzle answers, meeting special ‘guests’ and looking out for some spooky surprises! Plus you can choose two pumpkins to take home and carve.

A Halloween party will take place at the HQ on School Lane from 1pm-5pm. There will be a disco, games, food and crafts for all the family to enjoy. There will also be a prize for the best fancy dress.

This is a family event so there’s nothing too scary or dangerous, its perfect for everyone. Simply go to the website, choose an event day and pick a time slot, it couldn’t be easier! Refreshments will be available for purchase back at the farm. This is a ticket-only event and one ticket entitles you to bring one vehicle on site.

Tickets are £3.50 per person or a family ticket costs £15 and can be purchased from HQ reception. For more information please call 01942 821 293.

Tickets are now on sale and are priced at £25, including a premium goodie bag containing special treats, some local offers, a route map and more. The walk will take around an hour and is suitable for small children, however toddlers may need to be carried as the walk is not suitable for prams or bikes. Well behaved dogs on short leads are welcome. For more information or to make a booking please go online at www.windy-arbour.shop

Always Listening • Micro-Suction Wax Removal • FREE Hearing Tests • Claim your FREE trial of the latest digital hearing aids – technology that can’t be bought on the high street • Hearing Aids & Repairs Rest assured you are in safe hands in our family owned, state of the art clinic. Voted Wigan’s audiologist of the year 2019, 2020 and 2021 Call now to make an appointment

01942 215 391 Email - info@wiganhearing.co.uk 8-10 Gathurst Road, Orrell, WN5 8QH

Fostering in Wigan Do you have a spare bedroom, and time and commitment? Then why not consider fostering and change a child or young person’s life. Sunbeam Fostering urgently need more foster carers to help provide loving and safe environments for children and young people. If you are considering fostering or would like some more information, please contact the recruitment team on 02087 990 930 or visit www.sunbeamfostering.com

The Beecham’s

Brush-Off by Nicola Gray

Wigan’s connection to ‘Big Retail’ is well known throughout the town. Michael Marks of M&S fame is an ex-Wallgate resident and opened a Penny Bazaar in the Market Hall in 1891, before he launched M&S with business partner Thomas Spencer in 1894. Less well-documented is Wigan’s connection with ‘Big Pharma’ fifty years earlier. Thomas Beecham made his home in the town and, if his wife hadn’t miss-sold a remedy to a child, the town could have enjoyed the long-term benefits of being home to Beechams. This month we look at the Beecham

Men & women in the pill making section - courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline plc

dynasty and their beginnings in the town.

humble

The founder of Beechams, Thomas Beecham, was born in Oxfordshire on 3rd December 1820. It seems hard work was always in his blood, and when he had to leave school at the age of 8, he started work as a shepherd’s boy. As fate would have it this is where he first learned about herbal medicines, and he quickly became interested in curing sick animals and the occasional person. By his mid-teens he had established quite a reputation Bust of Thomas Beecham - courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline plc

29 as an herbalist, one who could treat all types of ailments. By 1840 he had already developed the formula for his own brand of laxative pills but was still working as a postman and gardener. In 1847 Thomas made his way North to Liverpool where he met and married Jane Evans, a Welsh woman who was eight years his senior. They did appear to have a lot in common and hit it off when Beecham discovered that Jane was the maid to a chemist. It was soon after he decided to set up in business selling his herbal remedies but at the time Liverpool was deemed too poor and the couple moved to Wigan. Towards the end of 1847 the newlyweds rented a room in a slum on Wallgate and sold their wares, gradually building up custom through family and friends, later moving onto local market stalls. Thomas regularly referred to himself as ‘Dr Beecham’ much to the displeasure of the qualified professionals in the town. The Beechams welcomed their first child, Thomas on 8th June 1848, followed by daughter Sarah two years later. The family was going up in the world and thanks to a great few years in business they moved to a house on Hallgate and again to a much bigger property on Standishgate. Beecham, ever the entrepreneur, wasn’t satisfied with the market stalls and he opened his first shop at 120 Wallgate in 1858, where they sold groceries, pills and medicines. The Beecham’s services were very popular in the town, in part down to the belief held by Thomas that his pills could cure any ailment. The couple continued to sell their homemade laxatives at local markets and in the shop, with an unrivalled sales patter that included a jar of intestinal worms as a visual aid. By 1858 the couple now had four children; two boys and two girls, life was running smoothly until the unthinkable happened and rumour has it that Jane, who was known to be illiterate, dispensed a mislabelled bottle containing opium to a customer. The contents of the bottle had the potential to be fatal for children and tragedy struck when a local boy was given a spoonful of the opium by his mother, believing it to be his regular medicine. As a result, the young boy died from convulsions, and the coroner returned a verdict of accidental death. Although the Beechams were cleared of any charges,

Advertisement for Beechams Lung Syrup - cour

tesy of GlaxoSmithKline plc

public feeling and tightening legislation throughout the country made it impossible for Thomas to continue trading in Wigan. The locals weren’t forgiving, and the couple had no choice but to sell up and move out of the town, it isn’t clear why but Thomas put the shop along with all its contents up for auction and in 1860 they set up home in St Helens - the rest, as they say is history. And history is exactly what Thomas made; he continued to produce his pills at home, and it is around this time the famous ‘guinea’ Beecham slogan was born, when a customer approached Thomas at his market stall to tell him that his pills had done her the world of good and were indeed ‘worth a guinea a box’. Thomas was a great believer in the power of advertising, and records show that by 1890 his new factory was making one million pills a day and spending upwards of £100,000 a year on advertising; a massive £12 million in today’s money; and at the turn of the century, he was the largest advertiser in the country. Going back, 1863 was a momentous year for the Beechams in more ways than one; Jane and Thomas separated, and their son Joseph had joined the family enterprise. Joseph was responsible for ramping up the advertising and was publishing full-page adverts in newspapers, plastering posters on billboards, popular songs were given out as sheet music and educational pamphlets were delivered to schoolchildren to help with times tables, to really drive home the Beecham name. In 1876, Thomas started to take a less active role in the business; after the death of Jane in 1872, he remarried in 1873 to Sarah Pemberton and got married again to Mary

30 Sewell in 1979. Thomas moved away to Buckinghamshire with Mary and left the business, but it wasn’t long before he moved back to the North and resumed his business duties. By 1894 Thomas had left his wife and had moved to Southport, within three years he had fully retired and in 1889 Thomas gave Joseph a half share in the business. He died at his home in Southport on 6th April 1907 at the age of 86 and is buried in St Helens Cemetery, Windle. Joseph continued to run the family business and he died in October 1916 having outlived his father Thomas by a mere 10 years. After Joseph’s death, the firm was managed by executors and in 1924 the firm was sold to entrepreneur Philip Hill. The Beechams products continued to expand both at home and overseas and under Philip’s leadership the business began to buy up other companies acquiring

products and brands such as Lucozade, Macleans and Brylcreem. Philip took the company forward by improving their research and development by building a laboratory in Surrey and the company was named Beecham Group Ltd. Notoriety was never far away where Beechams was concerned and they hit the headlines again in 1959 when their scientists discovered a new penicillin nucleus, allowing them to focus on pharmaceutical development and go on to sell antibiotics worldwide to treat a wide range of bacterial infections. In 1989 the Beecham Group and SmithKline Beckman merged to form SmithKline Beecham and in 2000 they merged again to form what we now know as GlaxoSmithKline. So embedded is the Beecham brand, that GSK still uses its name for their over-the-counter cold and flu products.

Key Beecham Dates: 1840 Thomas Beecham developed the formula for his herbal laxatives 1842 Thomas Beecham went into business with Beecham’s Pills. Thomas became a travelling salesman, offering his pills in different parts of the country. 1847 The Beechams moved to Wigan 1858 Beecham open his first chemist on Wallgate, Wigan. 1860 The Beechams were forced out of Wigan and moved to St Helens 1876 Beechams opened its first factory in St. Helens – the factory was the first to be opened solely to produce medicines. 1875 Beecham was exporting his remedies to Africa and Australia. 1907 Thomas Beecham died, and his sons Joseph and William took over the running of the business. 1924 The business was sold to Philip Hill

Westfield Street looking towards the Beecham’s Factory - courtesy of St Helens Archive Service

1926 Beecham’s Flu Powders were launched. 1944 The company was renamed Beecham Group Ltd. 1957 Company scientists discovered the penicillin nucleus 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA). 1959 Beecham Group Ltd signed an agreement with Bristol-Myers to market the medicines in the USA 1961 A 35-acre complex was at Worthing to produce 6-APA and there are 14,450 people now employed in the business. 1989 The Beecham Group plc and SmithKline Beckman merged to form SmithKline Beecham plc. 1998 Production of “Beecham’s Pills” ceased. 2001 SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo Wellcome merged to form GlaxoSmithKline. With thanks to St Helens Archive Service. The Archive Service collects, preserves and provides access to unique historic materials that relate to different aspects of life across the borough of St Helens. Find out more information here - www.sthelens.gov.uk/libraries/archive-service/

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It’s Coming Home Council bosses have approved plans for football hubs at two locations – William Foster playing fields in Ince and Laithwaite Park in Wigan - as part of a national initiative led by the Football Foundation. There will be five full-size floodlit third generation (3G) pitches across the two sites along with changing rooms and community facilities. Councillor Nazia Rehman, cabinet member for resources, finance and transformation, said: “Providing facilities like these will have a significant health and wellbeing impact in our communities and making sport available to all is an important part of the Deal 2030.”

Cabinet members voted in favour of the schemes at a meeting earlier this month, meaning the council and the Football Foundation will share the development costs. Works are expected to start next month with a provisional opening date of September 2022. Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “Funding from the Premier League, The FA and the Government, through Sport England, has played a vital role in making this project a reality”. The hubs will be managed on a charitable basis by a new national football trust, with council representation at a local level.

Stairways to Heaven As the saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. For many people, the staircase is the first thing your visitors see when they enter your home, but sadly, it’s one of the last home improvements lined up when people improve their homes. A staircase is a staircase, do I hear you say? Well, I can guarantee you that if you take a trip to a brandnew staircase showroom just opened minutes away from Robin Park, you’ll soon change your mind! Vale of Wigan have been operating in Wigan for almost twenty years from a workshop/showroom hidden away in Wood Street, near The Range, and now have just opened their new staircase showroom on Horton Street, off Woodhouse Drive near Beech Hill traffic lights. This family firm, run by the Wilson family – Shane, Janice and their son Chad – spent their time in lockdown productively, lining up a deal for the building, which used to be the home of Douglas Printers, and now it’s been totally transformed to

a staircase wonderland with a large selection of stylish staircases to suit modern and traditional homes. The company also used to manufacture wooden doors and windows, but nowadays most of Vale’s work involves travelling up and down the country’s motorways modernising tired old staircases and transforming them into stunning centre pieces. And whatever your fancy, be it exotic hardwood staircases, sleek chrome handrails or contemporary glass balustrades, you can depend on their team of highly trained carpenters and installers, along with a French Polisher, to transform your hallway into a statement of elegance. With most renovations taking place within two days, and with a ten-year guarantee for both new staircases and staircase renovations, you’ll be glad you chose Vale of Wigan for your next home improvement project. Call in today and take a step towards a better first impression for your home or download their brochure from www.moderniseyourstairs.com

What our customers say: “Vale of Wigan produced a stunning Oak staircase with glass balustrades... you could not pick a better company to work with.” David H, Frodsham “Your workmanship is second to none. Thank you for our stairs, they look divine.” Stella & John W, Leyland “You have made a fantastic job of the stairs, we are absolutely made up. It has completely transformed the staircase and the look of the hall.” Jane L, Ormskirk Vale of Wigan Ltd • Horton Street off Woodhouse Drive • Wigan • WN6 7TF 0800 7723890 www.moderniseyourstairs.com info@moderniseyourstairs.com Opening times: 9am-4pm Mon-Thurs, 9am-3pm Friday, 9am-2pm Saturday

Schools and the Pandemic The pandemic has been incredibly challenging for the education sector. There was no blueprint for schools to follow, no guide telling head teachers how to provide remote learning. Some schools were at a digital disadvantage, unable to deliver lessons to pupils remotely, either because the school did not have the resources, or because pupils did not have the right devices or reliable internet access. Those schools that were able to deliver remote learning successfully still faced challenges. Laura Castree, a secondary school teacher, told us, “A huge part of teaching is deciphering what your pupil needs and planning accordingly; this became incredibly difficult when

teaching remotely, and we had to overhaul resources, teaching styles and priorities practically overnight.” Many children fell behind with their schoolwork during the lockdowns. When pupils returned to school, teachers were then faced with classrooms of children all at different stages of their learning. Disadvantaged children fell even further behind their peers. Even more worrying was the effect of the pandemic on children’s mental health. When surveyed, most schools said that some of their pupils were suffering from Covidrelated anxiety. OFSTED found that some children had lost physical fitness, others showed signs of mental distress, and there was an increase in eating disorders and self-harm. It hasn’t just been pupils who have struggled with mental health. The pandemic came on the back of years of per-pupil spending cuts, increased class sizes and numerous curriculum changes, so thousands of teachers were already suffering from work-related stress. A 2019 survey by the teachers’ union NASUWT found that 70% of teachers felt their job had adversely affected their mental health. By September 2020, more than half of teachers said that their mental health had declined further. By April

39 2021, 43% of teachers were experiencing all four of the main symptoms of burnout. It’s hardly surprising that teachers struggled, considering the additional pressures they were under. Geoff Barton, General Secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, commented, “Our teachers have had to rapidly adapt to changing circumstances on many occasions. They have: rapidly become experts in delivering remote learning; run on-site provision for the children of key workers and vulnerable children during lockdowns; managed complex Covid safety measures; set up testing stations to enable pupils to return to classrooms; and, most recently, taken responsibility for assessing students following the cancellation of public exams.” It may take years before we understand the long-term effects of the pandemic on children. However, there is a sense of optimism in the education sector. Both pupils and teachers experienced a much more normal return to school this year. Extra-curricular clubs have restarted and children have more freedom to socialise again.

As Laura Castree explains, “It has been apparent that some pupils fared better than others during lockdowns, but it was wonderful to see them back in the classroom, and actually the majority returned with a new and positive attitude towards school and their teachers that endured throughout the year and made the catch-up process much easier.”

Could you be one of tomorrow’s outstanding teachers? Join us at our open evenings

Individuals who are passionate about working with young children.

Monday 1st November 2021 4-5:30pm Monday 22nd November 2021 4-5:30pm Monday 6th December 2021 4-5:30pm Monday 17th January 2022 4-5:30pm Monday 7th February 2022 4-5:30pm Monday 14th March 2022 4-5:30pm Monday 25th April 2022 4-5:30pm

Individuals who have the potential to be outstanding teachers

Please email enquiries@wcpsd.uk to register your interest.

Accredited Study days will be at Liverpool Hope University leading to a PGCE and QTS in primary teaching. For more information and updates please visit www.wcpsd.uk and www.saintpatricks.wigan.sch.uk To search the course please visit the ‘get into teaching’ website https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/ and search using the following provider and course codes. Provider code 2A4 Primary course code (Age 5-11) 2XT7 EYFS course code (Age 3-7) AP55

Limited number of places available in all year groups – Wigan & Lancashire families are welcome to apply.

Ofsted 2017: ‘This school continues to be good.’ ‘The curriculum provides a genuinely enriching experience for all pupils.’

For a tour of school during a normal school day, please call on

SIAMS 2017:

01257 252647

‘The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Appley Bridge All Saints as a Church of England school are outstanding.’

Email enquiries to: bursar@appleybridgeallsaints.lancs.sch.uk

Parent Quote: ‘A positive environment for children to learn. Led by approachable and experienced staff.’

Visit our website at: www.appleybridgeallsaints.lancs.sch.uk

Attainment in reading, writing and maths is consistently higher than the national average at both the expected and the higher standard.

Appley Bridge All Saints’ CE Primary School Finch Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DT Telephone: 01257 252 647

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Top Grades Education Top Grades Education, based on Cross Street in Standish, offers tuition for pupils in Y5 to GCSE. Our aim is to create confident learners who enjoy their studies while reaching their potential. The parents of our students tell us they see huge improvements in their children’s confidence after attending Top Grades classes. Our child-centred approach supports children to be more assured in their ability. We know confident learners achieve their top grades.

Learn from the best Our fantastic team of fully qualified, specialist teachers have many years of experience. We have worked with every type of learner and can effectively guide your child to develop their skills and confidence while enthusing them with their passion for their subject. We offer expert tuition in the core subjects of English, Maths, Science, and we also offer tuition in Spanish and French. English: A qualification in English opens doors to further study and supports children to access every other subject. We develop literacy skills; focusing on spelling, punctuation, grammar and expanding vocabulary. We will develop your child’s skills in reading, writing and spoken language

and prepare children for English Language and English Literature GCSE. We can even take the fear out of Shakespeare! Mathematics: Increasing confidence is the key to improvement in Maths. We often encounter children with a ‘fear of getting it wrong’, we provide a safe space to develop understanding and make the errors that unearth key misconceptions. Our assessment identifies the key topics that will support your child to improve, each child works on their individual areas for development. Science: In our science classes your child will gain confidence and deepen their understanding of scientific fundamentals; application of scientific methods and skills to help them progress and achieve their best grades. Lessons are now available across foundation and higher tier, double and triple award. Languages: Our French and Spanish classes are a truly immersive experience, learners will communicate in their chosen language and explore the key elements of reading, writing, speaking and listening. Your child’s confidence with bloom as they try new words and phrases in a fun, friendly environment. NEW Adult Spanish Conversation Classes: Would you like to learn to speak Spanish so that you can understand the locals and have a conversation on holiday? Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world. Imagine how many more people you could speak to with one of our adult Spanish conversation classes. Home-educated Children: We cater for home-educated children and can provide sessions in English, Maths and Languages during the day. We can cater for individuals or small groups and tailor the curriculum for each child. We offer a Book Club specifically for Home-educated children.

Testimonials: ‘My daughter started Maths tuition with Top Grades Education just after Easter and the results are already beginning to show. She has gained confidence in her Maths and has actually started to enjoy it thanks to Richard.’- Year 9 Parent ‘Richard is an excellent teacher but most of all motivates and inspires my son in maths. He really enjoys the sessions, and I can see his confidence grow with every lesson that he attends.’ – Year 10 Parent ‘Emma is an inspirational and fantastic teacher. Top Grades Education is the premier league of tutoring.’ – Year 10 Parent ‘I can’t thank you enough for all of your enthusiasm, your skills in bringing the subject alive and making the subject interesting. That’s a tall order indeed with a teenage boy, yet you do it effortlessly. It was the best decision I made to come to Top Grades.’ – Year 10 Parent

If you have a child that could benefit from our expertise, please get in touch and see how we can help. There are limited places available for this term, so book your child’s free assessment today!

Call emma on 07824 776 510 or email us at hello@topgradeseducation.co.uk 15 Cross Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 0HQ

hello@topgradeseducation.co.uk www.topgradeseducation.co.uk

topgradeseducation topgradeseducation

Indonesian Chicken with Buckwheat Noodles Serves 2 Prep time: 15 minutes Marinate: at least 1 hour Cook time: 18 minutes

Ingredients 1 lemongrass stalk, chopped Handful of coriander leaves 1 small onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 cm piece of root ginger, grated 1 tbsp coconut sugar or honey 1 tbsp tamari soy sauce 1 tbsp fish sauce ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp garam masala 400ml coconut milk Salt and pepper 4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs or 2 chicken breasts, cut into large chunks 1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil 1 red chilli, deseeded and diced 1 bunch of pak choi cut into strips 100g mangetout 4 shitake mushrooms, sliced 60g cooked buckwheat noodles or rice noodles Handful of bean sprouts 2 spring onions, chopped

A hearty meal in a bowl, lightly spiced and packed with nutrient-rich vegetables. This dish contains a wealth of anti-inflammatory ingredients, including ginger, garlic and turmeric together with immune-supporting shitake mushrooms and coconut. Buckwheat noodles, also called soba, are a nutritious staple in Asian dishes.

Method 1. Place the lemongrass, coriander, onion, garlic, ginger, coconut sugar (or honey), tamari soy sauce, fish sauce, turmeric, garam masala and coconut milk in a blender and process until smooth. Pour over the chicken. Season with a little salt and pepper. Marinate for at least one hour. 2. Heat the coconut or olive oil in a wok or frying pan. Drain the chicken, reserve the marinade and stir fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes. Add the chilli, pak choi, mangetout and mushrooms and cook for a further minute. Add the marinade and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the chicken is cooked. Toss in the noodles. Sprinkle over the bean sprouts and spring onions to serve.

Nutritional information per serving: 394kcal, fat 16.5g (of which saturates 7g), carbohydrate 29.2g (of which sugars 24.1g), protein 32.3g.

Roast Beef Fillet with Roasted Garlic, Tomato and Herb Sauce Serves 4 Prep time: 15 minutes Marinate: 2-3 hours or overnight Cook time: 65 minutes Succulent beef served with a delicious rich and tangy garlic and herb sauce makes a sensational feast. Any leftover meat can be served cold with salad the following day.

Ingredients 500g beef fillet (one piece) 1 tbsp oil, for searing

Method

Marinade 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tbsp oil 2 garlic cloves, crushed

1. Mix all the marinade ingredients together and rub all over the fillet. Leave to marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight.

Herb Sauce 1 bulb garlic 1 tbsp olive oil and a little for drizzling 1 shallot, diced 250g cherry tomatoes, halved 4 anchovy fillets 1 tsp caster sugar 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 25g sultanas 1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed 50g blanched almonds 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 100ml passata Sea salt and black pepper to taste Small bunch of parsley, chopped Small bunch basil, leaves picked, to garnish Bag of baby spinach leaves, to serve

2. Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas mark 4. 3. Slice off the top quarter of the garlic bulb. Put the bulb on a piece of foil, drizzle over a little oil and season. Wrap up in the foil and roast for 40 minutes. Cool slightly then squeeze out the garlic bulb into a food processor. 4. For the sauce, heat the oil and sauté the shallot, tomatoes, anchovy fillets with the caster sugar and vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes. Add to the food processor with the remaining sauce ingredients except the herbs and blend to form a thick sauce. Add a little water, if needed, to thin the sauce slightly. Place in a pan and add the parsley. 5. Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas mark 6. 6. Remove the beef from the marinade. Heat the oil in a heavy based frying pan and sear the beef on all sides. Place in an ovenproof roasting tin and roast for 20 minutes until cooked through. Allow to rest for 10 minutes before carving. 7. Heat the sauce and spoon over the beef to serve. Accompany with spinach and basil leaves.

Nutritional information per serving: 442kcal, fat 31g (of which saturates 6.4g), carbohydrate 9.6g (of which sugars 8.6g), protein 31.3g.

Best Home for your Money? In the UK, private renting is fast becoming the norm. The rental sector has more than doubled since the dawn of the new millennia, rising from 2.03 million to a massive 4.44 million privately rented households in the UK in 2020.

So, why is right now a great time to get into property?

And this trend is predicted to continue, with a further 1.8 million households becoming private renters by 2025. So with ‘Generation Rent’ on the rise, is it time you gave serious thought to becoming a landlord?

High Demand

Investing in property can be a great way to make the most of any money you have to invest. Granted, it’s best if you’re prepared to invest over a long period of time, but as you can see from the table below, owning a rental property can be a fantastic home for your money. The table illustrates the increase in value of a 2 bedroomed terraced house in the Wigan Borough area over a twentyyear period from 2001-2021. House Value – 2 Bed Terraced - Wigan £130,000 £127,080

£120,000

£96,334

£93,852

£80,000

£60,000 £50,000 £40,000 £36,394

July 2001

July 2006

July 2011

The average number of properties managed by each letting agency branch for this year was at 203 in May. The year before, it was 208. This seems like a small reduction per branch but that’s an average and multiplied across the whole of the UK, it has a significant impact.

Mark Hayward, the Chief Policy Adviser for Propertymark, said: “Yet again, we continue to see incredible demand from home seekers. There has been a record-breaking number of people registered per branch for the month of May. This demonstrates the continuation of a booming rental market”.

£81,890

£70,000

£30,000

Lower Supply

Where demand is high and supply is low, there’s only one direction that rental prices will go and that’s upwards.

£100,000 £90,000

According to Propertymark, a respected estate agent industry organisation, the latest stats from May 2021 showed that numbers of prospective tenants continue to increase. The average number of tenants per Letting Agent has jumped from 82 up to 97. In 2020, the highest average number in May was 70.

July 2016

https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/

July 2021

If you’ve accrued savings during the past year or so, or you want to move your money into property but are not sure where to begin, please give me a call for a free, no-obligation chat about how to take the first step in developing a property portfolio.

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

Alan Batt

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

www.alanbatt.co.uk

Give me 40 minutes of your time And I will give you 40 years of my experience

Artisan Market

Crowdfunder for Church

Apple Cast in Newburgh will be holding an artisan market this weekend, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October from 10am-4pm.

All Saints Church in Appley Bridge has launched a crowdfunding page to help repair the church car park.

As well as over 20 stalls selling a variety of hand-crafted products and gifts, you can also look forward to getting up close to the resident birds of prey. The bravest amongst the visitors will have a chance to handle the birds and purchase framed photographs of your experience. Making an appearance on both days will be Jasper, a Malaysian wood owl, Burdock, an African spotted eagle owl and Gizmo, an Indian scops owl. There is no need to book, just simply turn up on either day, but for more information please contact Apple Cast on 01257 463012.

The car park needs to be resurfaced, and there is a shortfall in funds available to carry out the work. The target is to raise £4,000 which will be matched by the Diocese of Blackburn. Whilst maintenance is primarily the responsibility of the church, the car park is made freely available to the local community, including the school. Any support towards the fund would be greatly appreciated, and if you would like to donate, please go online at www.justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/allsaints-cofe

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Standisher up for Award Alex Winstanley, a social entrepreneur from Artisan Close in Standish, has been shortlisted for the Entrepreneur for Good Award category in the Regional Finals of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Alex has been recognised for the positive impact that his not-for-profit social enterprise, Happy Smiles Training CIC, and his bestselling children’s books has had on communities. Founded in 2013, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of entrepreneurs and businesses in the UK. Previous winners include the founders of Grenade, Tangle Teezer, The LAD Bible, Clearscore & The Cambridge Satchel Company. Happy Smiles Training CIC was inspired by Alex’s experiences as a teacher and carer, where he grew tired of seeing disabled people he knew being undervalued and stigmatised. Alongside one of the young men he supported outside of his teaching role, Alex developed a team of Inclusion Champions, all disabled young adults, to deliver diversity and inclusion training to schools, community groups, businesses and more. On top of this, Alex has written a series of children’s books about a range of long-term health conditions, with his first book, ‘My Grandma Has Dementia’, recently winning

©Wigan Council

Alex said: “It is an unbelievable honour to have our work recognised on such a scale. It is a dream come true – for people to value the important work that we are doing in empowering people with a platform to use their experiences in order to create positive social change. Hopefully this recognition will help us to increase the impact that we can have!” Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, Francesca James, said: “We have seen some incredible finalists over the years, and this year is no exception. It really is one of the strongest shortlists we’ve ever had, and the fact that so many exceptional people have applied during such a tough year is a testament to the resolve and entrepreneurial talent that exists across the UK.” For more information about Happy Smiles Training CIC and Alex’s books, go to www.happysmilestraining. co.uk or through Facebook (@happysmilestrainingcic @ alexwinstanleyauthor)

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Hole in One for Houghwood Houghwood Golf in Crank has achieved the SafeGolf club accreditation from England Golf. The 18-hole course has just received the SafeGolf accreditation, demonstrating the club’s commitment to safeguarding children and young people, as well as adults in risk in the sport of golf. The Ladies Section at Houghwood led by Lady Captain, Dee Griffiths, and Charter Champion, Ali Starrett, have recently initiated a successful drive to introduce new lady members and girls to the game and the club. Tony Mather, Welfare Officer at Houghwood said, “Houghwood is a great club, it’s very friendly, welcoming

and forward-thinking. This award helps us to spread that message and to tell people that children are safe and secure here and that we understand about beginner golfers.” The SafeGolf partnership consists of members from the golfing bodies across Great Britain & Ireland and has been established to help golf respond to the issue of child protection in sport. Anyone with a concern about the welfare of a player, or the behaviour or practice of a coach, volunteer, organiser, parent or a player, can contact the lead safeguarding officer at their national governing body by going online at www.safegolf.org.

Transform your old flight into an elegant sight! With Transform Staircases

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A rug for every room It’s quick and easy to add softness underfoot while introducing a stylish element of colour and pattern. Add bohemian style to your living room, dining room or bedroom with this hand-tufted, unusual wool/cotton rug.

Handwoven by Berbers in the Atlas Mountains, this soft and luxurious rug is fully customisable to create your dream design. Lozenge rug, jet black on natural wool, £899, Cosy Coco.

Dutchbone round pix rug with tassels, £389, Cuckooland.

The Lowdown on Rugs

Spark a little one’s imagination with a softer take on the popular rainbow motif, complete with boho tassels. Earth Rainbow rug with tassels, £13, Sass & Belle.

Get cosy with a cream, textural rug that’s perfect for enjoying a fireside mug of hot chocolate while wrapped in a blanket.

• Rugs look beautiful on wooden, stone and tiled floors (always use an underlay to keep them safely in place) and add welcome softness. Texture is important, in terms of both material and weave – piled wool or flat-woven cotton (which is thinner but more easily put through the washing machine), or perhaps nubby jute or sisal, tougher on the toes, but durable and with a certain rugged charm. • Gone are the days of choosing between only rectangular or circular rugs. These days, anything goes, from oval to rainbow-shaped and even irregular outlines. Tufted rugs, too, play with different heights of pile to introduce an intriguing textural element. • Add extra interest with some boho tassels (very on trend) or a more restrained finishing edge. This works well with a neutral rug that picks up a contrast border colour from elsewhere in the room.

Teddy rug, £395, Loaf.

Tap into the trend for geometric statement rugs with this fashionable pure wool rug, available in three colours and two sizes. Hackney handwoven rug, wool/cotton blend, Yellow Diamond, £159, Cult Furniture.

• Don’t make the mistake of buying a rug that is too small for a room. In general, it is best to go as big as possible, so that all the furniture (or at least its front legs) can sit on the rug. • For global glamour, look no further than a rug. From Indian dhurries and Greek flokatis to Middle Eastern kilims and French Aubussons, they each provide wonderful style, colour, pattern and texture.

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Students Celebrate Students and staff at Wigan & Leigh College celebrated an outstanding 100% pass rate in A Levels this year with 51% achieving the coveted A*-A grade. Combined with an excellent 99% pass rate in vocational courses (BTECs) students secured the very best places at university, or the most competitive apprenticeship vacancies. During the second year of assessments being adapted because of COVID 19, students excelled with the opportunity to raise their grades in a variety of ways. Unlike last year, they were able to attend College in person to collect their results and celebrate their achievements with friends and teachers. A Level student Rebecca Duffy achieved an A* in Psychology, A in Sociology and A in Biology. The former Ladybridge High School pupil is off to The University of Manchester to study Cognitive Neuroscience and Psychology. Rebecca said, “I’m really excited, I wasn’t expecting to do so well, and I can’t wait to start university. The course has

been really good, all the tutors are super willing to talk to you about university opportunities and give advice.” There was more success for BTEC Level 3 Health & Social Care student Bethany Neafcy who achieved the highest grade of Distinction Star. The former Standish Community High School pupil is planning for a career as a radiographer and has accepted a place at University of Liverpool to study Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology. Bethany said, “I worked very hard, and our tutors were amazing. I couldn’t be happier with my results – I’m over the moon!” Principal, Anna Dawe, added, “The class of 2021 have studied their A levels and BTECs in the most difficult and testing of circumstances. They have been without doubt exceptional, showing great resilience, working hard and remaining focused on their career aspirations and next steps. We are immensely proud of them and their teachers.”

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Fan the Flames Even though 95% of UK homes are centrally-heated and a fire isn’t necessary, there is something mesmerising and cosy about a flickering flame. An open fire or a wood burner will give the best aesthetic, but both options come with a number of downsides: wood-burning is the single biggest source of smallparticle air pollution in the UK, you need to store wood and coal, there’s the mess and you will need to do a certain amount of maintenance e.g. chimney sweeping. Modern technology to the rescue then!

Traditional If you have a fireplace and chimney breast, the fire surround is going to be an important feature in your room. This should reflect the style of your house, with Victorian and Georgian styles best suited to homes from that period, and less fussy contemporary styles better in more recently built homes. There are many homes with chimneys in the UK so the corresponding large number of fireplace buyers means there’s a plethora of options. You can certainly gain inspiration from looking at choices on the internet, but for such a prominent feature in your living room, a visit to a fireplace retailer is a must.

Deco Fireplace: £1,395, ww

w.haddonstone.com

For the fire itself, both gas and electric options are available to replicate the real fire look and many are incredibly realistic, with some even making crackling sounds and emitting steam to replicate smoke.

Modern The beauty of modern electric fires is that you don’t have to have a chimney at all. They don’t create any emissions and therefore do not need to be vented like gas and wood fireplaces. These modern designs aren’t intended to pass for a real fire at all and many are sleek and minimalist. It’ll be very obvious that you haven’t been piling up logs and coal, but you will still have a similar ambience and they are very effective. Particularly in well-insulated modern homes, a real fire can overheat the room and it’s only the flame that you want. A further benefit has to be the safety aspect. If the flame is just an effect and isn’t emitting significant heat, there are no concerns about young children touching the fire or a spark setting the carpet alight.

Luxury Home Media Cabinet & Display: www.brayerdesign.co.uk

Look, No Walls One further idea is to move your fire away from the wall completely. With a bioethanol option you won’t need an electric connection, so you can have flames on your coffee table or in a corner of the garden, and even have more than one.

Media Walls

Mix 850 Bioethanol Fire

.co.uk Pit: £,1495, www.limelace

Media walls are very ‘on-trend’. This is where you have a television and speakers installed above an electric fire. One advantage of this design is that you will just have one focal point in the room. If you are very costconscious you can buy predesigned media walls, but if you have one built for your room you will then have complete freedom in the size of TV and style of fire you can install.

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Timber treatment Wood has always been a reliable, durable and functional choice for home furnishings, and recently it has had a bit of a design rejuvenation; forget dated and drab flatpack furniture, modern timber is all about showcasing its many other features, including style and versatility. Local business, Funky Timber, based in Wharton Street in St Helens, is a perfect example of how sleek, neat, timber finishes can add a warming earthy tone to your home. And with over 50 years of trade experience under their belts, you’re in safe hands! Funky Timber is a family run business, established in July 2019 by Daniel Slater and partner Lauren Wareing. Since then, the business has continued to grow and they now employ a team of dedicated staff, including joiners and fabricators, to offer customers the finest bespoke furniture, timber cladding and home accessories. Daniel told Local Life, “We offer our clients a wide range of products from internal and external timber cladding with various colour and design options, to bespoke Funky Timber branded furniture and a fabrication unit where all aspects of steelwork can be offered. Every piece of furniture is handcrafted in house meaning each single item is individual to that customer.” Mismatched cladding may sound like a questionable style for a feature wall, but as this portfolio shows, it’s certainly effective. The selection or new timber

or reclaimed timber creates an eye-catching update, brimming with coolness and character, it even caught the eye of designers from DIY SOS and the Funky Timber team were called in to help on a recent project. Daniel has over 18 years of carpentry experience, and he prides himself on being able to offer quality products to transform any room at competitive prices. Daniel added, “We source top quality materials with wood and steel, and every item is prepared in our warehouse. We also offer a full fitting service for all our products and all our work is carried out to the highest standards. We offer all aspects of joinery for home and commercial jobs including shop fitting. “We will provide a free quote on request, all you need to do is send over your measurements, address and what colours you are thinking of, and our team will send over your quote as soon as possible.” Alternatively, customers can come to our unit and go through their designs or bespoke requests. Funky Timber is a vibrant company serving all corners of the UK with their stunning designs; so, whether you’re looking to revamp your home, garden or business premises with a stunning wooden wall or bespoke furniture, you can rest assured that Funky Timber will offer that to you and much more! Pop into the showroom and see how the team can make your designs come to life.

Main Office - 01744 747 787 Lauren - 07800 580 532 sales@funkytimber.co.uk Funky Timber, Unit 17b, Wharton St, St Helens, WA9 5AA www.funkytimber.co.uk

10% off Quote: local10 Valid until 30th November 2021

Look Back in Time 125

YEARS

The Locomotives on Highways Act 1896 came into effect in the UK. It raised the speed limit for motor vehicles from 4mph to 14mph.

a plane flying between Portland, Oregon and

Seattle,

Washington,

USA.

After

extorting a $200,000 ransom he parachuted from the plane. He has never been located

or formally identified. Project Gutenberg was founded. The volunteer organisation digitises out-of-print books and makes them available to the public at little or no cost. The Montreux Casino in Switzerland was destroyed by fire when a fan set Frank Zappa. The band Deep Purple – who were there at the time – wrote ‘Smoke on the Water’ based on this incident.

the first time to commemorate military personnel who died in the war. In the UK

YEARS

they are sold by the Royal British Legion to raise funds for current and former members

The

first

Tamagotchi

handheld virtual pets were

released

Bandai in Japan and six months later in Europe.

of the British Armed Forces. Around 30 million

General Motors released the EV1 electric

are sold each year.

car. It was the first modern electric car

The first non-stop trans-Pacific flight took place. American aviator Clyde Pangborne and co-pilot Hugh Herndon, Jr. flew from Japan to Washington, USA in 41 hours.

YEARS

YEARS Winston

Churchill

became

British

prime minister for the second time.

Premium Bonds went on sale in the UK, with the first one being sold to the Lord Mayor of London. They were designed to encourage people to save and offered cash prizes instead

of interest. As of early 2021 there were around 107.75 billion bonds held, each worth £1.

from a major manufacturer. 1,117 cars were produced but production ceased in 1999 and the majority of them were taken back and crushed. This means the car is now one of the rarest in the world.

YEARS

A man using the alias Dan Cooper hijacked

off a flare gun during a concert by

Remembrance poppies were sold for

YEARS

Apple released the first iPod. A combination of long battery life (approximately ten hours), small form factor, excellent

design and good marketing meant that within three years Apple had 70% of the portable media market in the US, despite the iPod’s hefty initial price tag of $399.

YEARS Death of Steve Jobs (56 years old), co-founder of Apple Inc.

Bouncing Back

Local Life recently caught up with David Barton, Chief Executive Officer of Prosper Wealth Management in Standish to ask him about how the Covid pandemic affected his business. David, talk us through those first few weeks when Covid hit; “We secured new investment to grow the business in January 2020, and within a few weeks of that happening, we were forced to close the doors and rethink our working practices. “Despite the early challenges from a tech perspective of engaging with new and existing clients via Zoom etc, and setting our staff up to work from home, we did manage to operate reasonably efficiently, and everyone did a fantastic job of adapting to the challenges”. And how has it changed since restrictions have eased? “It’s been great welcoming staff and customers back through the doors, and I can honestly say that it’s been a real tonic hearing laughter and general office banter around the place. “There are customers who are still shielding and others who are understandably nervous about being out and about, so it’s handy that many people have now experienced communicating via Zoom etc, because we can offer video conferencing and a telephone service for those clients”.

“I was delighted when David agreed to join us - his skill set will be hugely beneficial to the team and will enable us to broaden our advisory capacity” How has the pandemic affected your plans to expand Prosper Wealth Management? “As you can imagine, talking with business owners has been difficult over the past 16 months or so, but despite that, we have recently completed the purchase of another North-West based wealth management business which will be integrated into the Prosper Wealth Management Group, bringing our total funds under management to just over £435 million. “We are currently talking to other IFA’s, and I would anticipate that our growth will accelerate towards our objectives of achieving £1 billion under management within the next three years as restrictions continue to lift”. And finally, what are your wishes for the coming 12 months? “My real hope is that everyone can start to live their lives again without the constant Covid shadow hanging over them. “The travel and hospitality sectors in particular have had a torrid time, and the sooner these sectors can start to function again properly, the sooner the smiles will appear on people’s faces and we can start to enjoy life again.”

Did Covid impact on your staffing levels? “We actually managed to take on two new administrative staff in February/March of 2020 at the height of the crisis, and although it was very difficult to bed them in, they adapted to their new roles well and are now valuable members of the team. “More recently, we have strengthened our advisory team within the last couple of weeks with the appointment of David Wilson (pictured with David Barton above) who had previously worked for Standard Life in a senior role for the last 20 years.

If you would like more information, please feel free to get in touch on 01257 423800.

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

1. Collection of facts (4) 2. Sacred word or syllable repeated in prayer (6) 3. Wither, especially due to loss of moisture (7) 4. Sediment that has settled at the bottom of

a liquid (5)

5. Crescent-shaped yellow fruit (6) 6. Raging and rapidly spreading conflagration (8) 11. Item used to dry dishes (3,5) 13. Meat chopper (7) 15. Metal ring for lining a small hole (6) 17. Carpenter’s tool (6) 18. Projection at the end of a piece of wood (5) 21. Shallow basket used when gardening (4)

across

7. Miscellaneous articles needed for a particular

14. Smooth surface (as of a cut gemstone) (5)

16. Piece of cloth sewn under a zip or a pocket (7)

operation or sport (13)

8. Pre-decimal coin worth one quarter of a penny (8)

19. Hemispherical roof (4)

9. Verdi opera with an Egyptian theme (4)

20. Grow thin and waste away physically (8)

10. Cooking utensil (7)

22. Diverse in character or content (13)

12. Point directly opposite the zenith (5)

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: 40 or more words Good: 38 words Fair: 30 words

O R

M U

E T

WORDSEARCH

Chess

SUDOKU

ATTACK

GAMBIT

ROOK

BISHOP

JUMP

STALEMATE

BLOCKED

KIBITZING

WIN

CAPTURE

KING

CASTLING

KNIGHT

CENTRE

LOSE

CHECKMATE

OPENING

ENDGAME

PAWN

FILE

PIECE

FISCHER

PROMOTION

FORK

QUEEN

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.

WAR M

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: cause a difficult situation to worsen

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

E U E L

R F A T

I D D O

F E H T

S E AS

All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 83 of this magazine

CMA Accountancy

The Benefits of Xero & Add-Ons We’re often asked by customers why we champion the popular accountancy software Xero so much. There are clear benefits to using Xero itself, but there are also a vast array of external 3rd party software and apps that can integrate effortlessly with Xero, ensuring that you have the tools to manage your entire businesses accounting and operations as efficiently as possible. Here is a selection of our favourite apps that our customers use, and we are always on the lookout for more on the Xero App Store! Bills and Expenses – Convert your receipts and invoices into Xero data seamlessly! • Dext Prepare: Scan, sort and publish paperwork directly into Xero, using the smart tools the software offers to analyse the tax, supplier details and payment timing. • Hubdoc: Reduce data entry by accurately capturing information from bills and receipts and publishing it to Xero making it easy to match transactions to your bank transactions. • AutoEntry: Automates data entry, analysis and document storage of all of your bills, receipts, sales invoices, bank and credit card statements. Invoicing and Jobs – Simplify managing your tasks, teams and invoicing! • ServiceM8: Ideal for trade contractors & service businesses. It streamlines the process from a client’s first call to scheduling, quoting, documenting and invoicing & payment, all whilst integrating with directly with Xero! • Tradify: The complete job management solution for tradesmen & contractors. Easy to learn, simple to use and accessible on site via a phone or desktop. Handles quoting, invoicing, job scheduling and tracking, timesheets & pushes all of this information to Xero automatically.

By Kieran Fitzgerald AATQB

Credit Control – Get paid on time without the headache! • Chaser: Automate invoice chasing, streamline your accounts receivable process and get paid faster, all whilst maintaining great customer relationships without losing the human-touch. • Fluidly: Fluidly gives you all things cash flow in one place and the tools to get cash in the bank. Build a forecast, estimate VAT, chase invoices, apply for a loan & more. Payments – Get paid quickly and easily, online! • GoCardless: End late payments. Automatically debit your customer’s bank account whenever your Xero invoices are due. Lower-cost alternative to card payments. • Stripe: Accept direct debit, credit card, and Apple Pay payments online and get paid up to twice as fast when using Stripe in Xero. Whenever you receive payments via Stripe, you’ll automatically see the transaction data flow into Xero and can reconcile each payment with one click. Moving your software package is a big step and that’s why we have an expert team of Xero advisors ready to help with converting your data from another product into Xero, and we can also advise you on the best apps to empower you to make the right decisions to take your business to the next level. Check out our website at www.cma-accountancy. com for more tips on Xero, and you might want to sign up to our weekly newsletters whilst you’re there! Give us a call now for a FREE consultation to discuss how we can help your company benefit from working with Xero.

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

69 SA d

ea d

Do you need help and guidance with;

Benefit s

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

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Hindley’s

Bad Boy? by Nicola Gray

This month, Local Life goes all the way back to the 1850’s to chronicle the colourful world of Hindley’s original romantic rogue, Richard Pennington. This story of wealth, love, adultery and his ultimate heartbreak created a backdrop worthy of an episode of Downton Abbey, and shocked both his family and the local community to the core.

Hindley Lodge, Market Street from inside grounds, 1900 - courtesy of Wigan & Leigh Archives

Richard Pennington was born into a wealthy Wigan family who made their fortune employing handloom weavers and later went on to build cotton mills. Richard grew up to work in the family business and eventually became the sole owner of both the Hindley Twist Company at Lowe Mill and Worthington Mill in Hindley. Richard’s road to the head of the family company was a bumpy ride to say the least and much of his early life was steeped in scandal. Richard had a promising future of his own to look forward to, when in 1853 he qualified as a magistrate for the county. However, in 1857 he was ordered by his family to find a suitable residence away from his hometown. Richard was advised to move away to set up home after he started a relationship with Elizabeth Cash, a young mill girl he had fallen in love with. The couple already had a child they moved to Rainford later in the same year, and their second child was born at School Brow in January 1858. To accommodate their growing family, Richard and Elizabeth bought a farmhouse known locally as Mount Pleasant in October 1859, and their third child was born shortly after. The

Muncaster Hall & Pennington Family - courtesy of St Helens Archives

story goes that Richard’s mother disapproved of the relationship and so the couple had to wait four years until her death before getting married in Liverpool in 1861. Throughout this time Richard continued the management of the family cotton mills in Hindley and during the next five years he bought several farms and houses in Rainford and entertained his wealthy friends with shooting parties on his land. In a bid to keep up appearances, Richard started to build a grand stone mansion house on the site of Mount Pleasant and used his neighbouring land to set out the gardens, lake and parkland surrounding it. The work on the hall was completed in 1866 and Muncaster Hall came into existence. Muncaster Hall lived up to the Victorian stereotype in its styling and architecture, including flowery wallpaper, carpets, wellmade furniture, a lake and extensive gardens. Although he now lived in Rainford, Richard always maintained his strong links with Hindley and throughout his lifetime, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the community and was generous with both his time and his money. He was instrumental in the creation of Hindley Local Board, serving as Chairman for 20 years. The town saw significant progress during his time in office, acquiring its own gas facilities, water supply, a library and public park. Richard was also Chairman of Hindley Board of

71 Worthington Mill - courtesy of Wigan & Leigh Archives

Quiz Health, Chairman of Rainford Local Board and Chairman of Hindley Conservative Club. Records also show that Richard was largely responsible for the building of Hindley Parish Church where he held the post of senior churchwarden. Richard and Elizabeth had seven more children throughout their marriage, but the couple separated in December 1874. Three years later, Richard discovered that Elizabeth had formed a new relationship with a former gamekeeper of the estate, and they were divorced in 1878. He subsequently moved back to Hindley and the 1881 census show him living at Hindley Lodge on Market Street. Richard died at the age of fifty-seven on the 10th of July 1887 leaving all his estate in trust for his children until they reached the age of twenty-one. However, in January 1895 the Hindley and Rainford properties were put up for auction and the whole of the Rainford estate including Muncaster Hall, the farms, cottages & houses totalling 315 acres were bought by the Earl of Derby for £37,000. In February of the same year, one month after the hall was acquired by the Earl of Derby, the furniture and other belongings at Muncaster Hall were auctioned off in a three-day sale which left the house empty and with no trace of the family who once occupied it. Richard’s empire may have been no more, but he left a rich legacy in the communities that he called home. His eulogy referred to ‘his affection for his native places and his lavish expenditure of time and money on behalf all good objects’.

With thanks to Wigan & Leigh Archives and St Helens Archive Service. The Archive Service collects, preserves and provides access to unique historic materials that relate to different aspects of life across the boroughs. Find out more information here – www.archives.wigan.gov.uk and www.sthelens.gov.uk/libraries/archive-service/

Magic 1. According to the lyrics of the 1989 hit single The Magic Number by De La Soul, what is the magic number? 2. In a TV series first broadcast in 1997, who worked as a creative consultant to a stage magician called Adam Klaus? 3. What sport do Orlando Magic play? 4. Who would often tap his magic wand to perform magic when he heard the catchphrase “izzy wizzy, let’s get busy”? 5. What was the title of the 2015 sequel to the 2012 film Magic Mike? 6. In the story of Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves, a cave full of treasure was sealed by magic. What two-word phrase allowed access to this cave? 7. In the Harry Potter novels, what magical object can change all metals to gold, and can also be used to make a potion called the elixir of life that makes anyone who drinks it immortal? 8. In the fairy tale Jack And The Beanstalk, what does Jack exchange to get the magic beans that cause the beanstalk to grow? 9. Who recorded the album 24K Magic, which won seven awards in total at the 2018 Grammy Awards? 10. On the TV show The Magic Roundabout, Zebedee would often close the show by saying what threeword phrase? Quiz solutions can be found on page 83 of this magazine

Money Matters TEACHING KIDS TO B E S AV V Y S AV E R S Most of us have made mistakes with money at some point. Help your children to avoid the same financial pitfalls by giving them the knowledge and skills to build on in the future.

Give them responsibility Part of appreciating the value of money is learning through mistakes. It’s tempting to step in and stop your child from spending their pocket money on things that you know they will quickly discard. Offer advice but let them make their own decisions on low-value items. They may well then think twice next time they want to buy a blind bag or an expensive T-shirt. When older children are ready, you could give them more responsibility for budgeting for the things they need by giving them an allowance for clothes, school dinners, travel expenses, toiletries, days out and so on, and helping them to work out a monthly budget. Again, they can earn more through chores if they want to save up for high-value items.

Teach them the value of money

Discuss money

Rather than buying your children sweets each week, give them pocket money, some of which they can use to buy sweets and some of which they can save for a bigger treat. It’s good for children to earn at least part of their pocket money by doing chores. They’ll learn that money doesn’t come for nothing and be less likely to waste it. To make life easier, you could use an app and debit card like RoosterMoney or Go Henry, which were created to help children get to grips with their finances and earn money through chores.

Don’t be afraid to talk about money with your children. You could share how much you’re setting aside each month for next year’s holiday for example, and talk about your own experiences with money. You can also help your child to see that, while it’s good to shop around for the best price, cheap doesn’t always mean best value. However, try not to make your child worried about family finances. It’s fine to talk about not being able to afford something or how you’re saving up for a big purchase, but you don’t want your child to lose sleep worrying that you won’t be able to pay the bills.

Help them to budget Encourage children to save up for something they really want rather than just waiting for Christmas or their birthday. You could start by explaining how much they’d need to save each week to achieve their goal. Younger children tend to need quicker results, so start with a small goal that can be achieved in a few weeks rather than months.

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Pendle Hill by Chris Pearce Distance: 3.9 miles Difficulty: Hard The Pendle area is well known for its connection to witchcraft and the supernatural, and the story of the Pendle witches is a prominent example how England viewed witchcraft back in the 17th century. However, Pendle Hill itself is the stage of a more uplifting story from the same period. The founder of the Quakers, George Fox, was so moved by his climb up Pendle Hill in 1652 that he created the religion, and, in his autobiography, he wrote, ‘From the top of this hill the Lord let me see in what places he had a great people to be gathered’. Though we can’t guarantee you’ll have an epiphany like George’s, the views from the top of Pendle Hill on a clear day will provide you with stunning views of the North West coastline. At a shade under 4 miles long, this Jack’s Tracks starts from the main car park (BB12 9JX) in the pretty village of Barley. Exit the car park via the path behind the café/toilets and within a few yards you’ll be on the main road through Barley. Turn right along this road and you’ll pass the village’s two pubs, Pendle Inn on the left and the Barley Mow on the right.

Look out for the Methodist church by a small bridge over the stream. You’ll need to turn left up the footpath that runs parallel to the stream. Follow the path for 300 yards and just past the oddly shaped tree (see picture), you’ll cross the stream again and arrive on a single-track road. Turn left and shortly after, you’ll reach a fork in the road, so take the right fork. Within seconds, you’ll see the entrance to the footpath on the right, so turn up this cobbled path. Follow this well-defined path for ¾ mile, uphill past Brown House Farm and Pendle House, and in clear view of the steep ascent awaiting you next. As you go through the gate to start to climb the hill, there is a curvier, longer (but less steep) route to the top on the left hand side, but we’ve gone for the steeper and shorter route taking you up the right hand side of the Big End, as Pendle Hill is known in these parts.

74 The bad news is it’s very steep indeed, but on the plus side, the climb is made easier by the fact that the many steps are robustly built and help a safer ascent. It’s certainly a challenge, but when you stop, turn and look at the views behind you, you’ll want to take a photo break or three! Once the sharp gradient subsides, you’ll be faced with a drystone wall. Turn left just before you get to the wall and, shortly afterwards, you take the left fork of a path away from the wall towards the trig point uphill in the distance. When you’ve posed for the obligatory selfie at the trig point, carry on walking in the same direction for 1/3 of a mile. You’ll reach the signpost indicating a dog-leg left turn to Barley (down the curvier route mentioned previously). Ignore this and go straight on. The path’s gradient gets steeper, but never overbearingly so as you descend for a further ½ a mile, enjoying great views of the Ogden reservoirs on the way down. You arrive at some wooden gates. Take a 90-degree left turn and then, almost immediately, take the right fork and

Barley Moor

follow that path downhill until you reach a small wooden gate. Go through the gate and follow the path downhill along the left-hand perimeter of the field. Carry on in the same direction down a track that joins up with a second track. At this point the path becomes less well-defined, but head straight on in the same direction, initially towards the field to the left-hand edge of the wooded area and then carrying on in that direction up Barley Hill and through a succession of fields for 1/3 of a mile. Once you get to the field just past the end of the Lower Ogden reservoir, look out for a wooden gate on the right hand side. Go through the gate and straight downhill, looking out for the footpath sign on the left. Follow the footpath through another gate and you’ll end up by the village hall. Turn left and then first right into the car park from where you started the walk.

Windy Harbour Farm Big End

Foot House Gate Farm

Beacon

Pendle Hill

Upper Black Moss Reservoir

Pendle House Stang Top Moor

Lower Black Moss Reservoir

Ba rle yL an e

Aitken Wood PENDLE SCULPTURE TRAIL

Barley Moor Pen dle Wa y

Barley Under Pendle Cottage

Barley Hill Barley Green

Buttock

Cross Lane

Lower Ogden Reservoir

Fell Wood

Upper Ogden Reservoir

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

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

Lowest 215m

400m

Highest 556m

200m 0.0km

Total ascent 346m 2.0km

4.0km

6.3km

76 4

Pendle Sculpture

l i a r T The other main attraction in the Barley area, on the opposite slopes to Pendle Hill, is the Pendle Sculpture Trail. Contained within Aitken Wood, this family tourist attraction brings together art, nature, and the history of the Pendle area. There are fifteen unique and intriguing sculptures located on the wooded trail along with ten plaques symbolising the ten witches of Pendle. The sculpture trail was inspired by Pendle’s infamous association with witchcraft, culminating in the trial of the Pendle Witches at Lancaster Castle in August 1612. Nineteen prisoners stood trial – nine from Pendle, eight from Samlesbury, one from Padiham and one from St Helens. The prisoners were not allowed to have defence counsel to plead for them, nor could they call any witnesses to speak on their behalf. All nine defendants from the Pendle area, along with Isobel Robey from St Helens, were sentenced to death and were subsequently hanged on the moors above the town. The Pendle Sculpture Trail is located in Aitken Wood, near the Black Moss Reservoirs. The nearest parking is about a mile away in the main car park in Barley – it’s a fairly easy walk to the wood, but the start of the trial is a short, fairly steep climb.

For more information about the Pendle Sculpture Trail in Barley, you can visit www.visitpendle.com and download a trail map.

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Vauxhall Crossland

Vauxhall has tweaked its popular crossover, but is it for the better? What is it?

What’s under the bonnet?

Crossovers are big business for just about all car manufacturers these days – not least Vauxhall, with its high-riding Crossland X, Mokka X and Grandland X models all proving hugely popular and even stealing sales from traditional bestsellers like the Astra and Insignia.

The engine choice remains the same as before, with an option of naturally-aspirated and turbocharged petrol engines, as well as a turbo diesel – quite a rarity these days in the small crossover class.

It’s the Crossland X that’s the most affordable Vauxhall model of this kind, taking a more practical stance than the similarly sized Mokka, which instead favours design. Yet despite the Crossland X’s impressive sales, it actually was one of the worst cars in its segment, with a poor driving experience and low-quality cabin letting the side down. Can Vauxhall improve it as part of this midlife facelift, though?

Our test car uses the Crossland’s most powerful engine – a turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine that produces 128bhp and 230Nm of torque. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. This allows for a 0-60mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 125mph. Though the diesel is the most efficient Crossland available, this model still offers decent efficiency – Vauxhall claim almost 50mpg, with CO2 emissions of 132g/km.

What’s new?

What’s it like to drive?

One of the first things to note here is that it’s now called the Crossland – the ‘X’ part of its name being dropped for simplicity, though there are various places where this letter still appears…

The previous Crossland X’s driving experience was really what let the side down before, and though changes here aren’t huge, they certainly improve things.

But most notable is the updated design, especially the front end, which gets Vauxhall’s new ‘Vizor’ design – as seen on the new Mokka – that wraps the badge and headlights behind one main panel. Changes to the steering and damping also aim to improve the way the Crossland drives.

It’s now a far more accomplished cruiser at higher speeds with a more comfortable ride and more refined driving manners, while around town – where these Crosslands are more likely to be found – good visibility and light steering will tick plenty of boxes for buyers. This turbocharged petrol engine is also a good match, and though it can sound quite coarse at times, it delivers a decent amount of shove that enables the Crossland to get up to speed quite quickly.

Facts at a glance Model: Vauxhall Crossland Power: 128bhp Base price: £19,355

Torque: 230Nm

Model as tested: Vauxhall Crossland SRi Nav 1.2 Turbo 130PS Manual

Max speed: 125mph

Price as tested: £24,040 Engine: Turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol

0-60mph: 9.5 seconds MPG: 48.7-49.5mpg Emissions: 130-132g/km

79 While the Crossland’s lifeless steering and rolypoly handling fall quite significantly short of the class best, these updates are certainly a step in the right direction, if not bringing the model in line with the segment rivals.

How does it look? Vauxhall is going bold for this new Crossland. The appealing Vizor helps to bring a far more modern design, but there are also new standardfit LED headlights and a new silver-effect front bumper that give a more rugged look. At the rear, Vauxhall have the new ‘Crossland’ name sprawled out across the boot, while a new glossblack panel around the badge and lights also gives the model a more stylish look. It’s certainly a successful facelift, to our eyes at least.

As for pricing, the Crossland starts from £19,355, or £21,705 for the SRi Nav. You’ll want to spend more to avoid the lethargic 83bhp engine, though, which knocks the price up further, our test car being available from £24,040.

What’s it like inside?

Verdict

Inside, Vauxhall has added extra flair with new redpainted dashboard trim, while our SRi-spec test car got some appealing red stitching and dual orange stripes for the seats. However, nothing else has really changed, with the same familiar layout and displays being used as before. That’s not all bad, with the same easy-to-use touchscreen with smartphone mirroring included, along with an ergonomic layout. But ultimately it continues to lag behind rivals when it comes to technology and quality.

This Crossland is better to look at and is improved behind the wheel, too. A relatively low starting price and plenty of cabin space add to the appeal – especially for families.

The Crossland is one of the more practical cars in this class. Adults can sit quite comfortably in the rear, while sliding rear seats let you adjust occupant and boot space as needed. The boot measures up to 520 litres with the seats slid fully forward.

What’s the spec like? Regardless of version, all Crosslands get a decent amount of equipment, with entry-level SE models still coming with a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels. Our mid-spec SRi Nav delivers the best blend of value and equipment, adding a larger eight-inch touchscreen with satellite navigation, rear parking sensors and dual-zone climate control, along with styling changes like larger alloys, a contrast-colour roof and tinted windows. There are notable omissions on the safety side of things, though, with even autonomous emergency braking being optional across the range – disappointing given it’s basically fitted to all new cars on sale now.

But despite these changes, it still doesn’t excel in any real area and remains a middleof-the -road choice. Given the huge range of rivals the We don’t judge, we just fix it. Crossland has in this popular sector, this Vauxhall just doesn’t quite deliver. While not a bad choice, there Quality, convenient and are far better cost-effective repairs with options out a lifetime guarantee. there – the Call Marc today 07932 806171 Ford Puma for a FREE estimate on repairs to and Skoda bumper scuffs, paint scratches, Kamiq being minor dents and alloy wheels. Find out more at chipsaway.co.uk two far more accomplished choices.

“Do they make shopping trolleys out of magnets?”

Pots of style by Angie Barker

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People often underestimate the impact that pots can have on your outside space. Whether your garden is big or small, or even a balcony, then pots can really enhance the look of it by introducing colour and style, in terms of the pots you choose and the planting. There are a few things to remember though with container gardening. First of all think big. Two or three large pots look so much better than a large collection of small ones – and they will need less watering. Then choose your style. If your garden is more of a cottage garden with lots of perennial planting in an informal style, then terracotta is the obvious choice. If however you have a contemporary, sleek garden perhaps with decking, then stainless steel or black ceramic would fit in perfectly. You also have to bear in mind that plants in containers rely on you for their water. Don’t be fooled into thinking that the rain will keep them watered. In summer especially you will need to water regularly to stop the plants drying out. Adding water retentive gel to your compost can really help preserve water content. Hubby’s favourite is an Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ we have growing in a pot by our conservatory door. Acers of all descriptions do well in pots because they are slow growing. Just site them somewhere protected from harsh

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.

winds in part shade and they should do well. If you have a sunny patio, Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ is one of the few Acers which can withstand full sun. It is especially lovely to have a pot or two by your front door to cheer you up when you come home – even more so in winter when there is little happening in garden borders. Sarcoccoca confusa is a small evergreen shrub which will thrive in a shady spot and has the most wonderful scent during late winter to welcome you home. I have even grown a Silver Birch tree in a pot! My plan is that by keeping it in a pot it will stay relatively small but enables me to site it close to the house where I can appreciate its lovely bark and fine foliage. When it comes to pots, all you need is your imagination.

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

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term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk setting. It is educationa in the forest lots of wonderful & being down outdoors well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

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Arley Cabinet Company Ltd • Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 • We Measure ~ We Make ~ We Fit Drop into our showroom or call us for a free estimate 214a Gidlow Lane, Wigan, WN6 7BN

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• Bathrooms • Wet Rooms • Wall & Floor Tiling Please call for a FREE Estimates

07703 448890 01942 208926 Quality Tiler required for these pages

Bathroom Installation, Full Bathrooms & En-Suites Plumbing Services Wall & Floor Tiling Ceiling Panelling

01942 397173 07803 057940 Douglas Drive, Orrell, Wigan www.ljplumbingandbathrooms.co.uk

Central Heating Systems Boilers & Gas Appliances General Plumbing Gas Safety Certificates Call Andy for a free quote on

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Call Nico for a free quote on

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Based in Kenyon Road, Wigan

• Domestic + Commercial Freephone:

573747

Finance available

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Telephone: 01257 421 660

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Plumbing Drainage

166 Gidlow Lane • Wigan • WN6 7EA

www.blueflameltd.co.uk 626792

craig@blueflameltd.co.uk Family run business with 20+ years experience. Check out our reviews:

Installation • Maintenance • Repairs

Jon Wright Electrical Ltd

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www.johnboughey-electrical.com Parbold/Wigan Areas

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Email: jonwrightelec@live.co.uk Certificate of excellence winner 2017, 2018 & 2019

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a Installation & Maintenance a Inspection & Testing a Nest Pro Installer a CCTV & Alarms

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J.Dillon

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Call: 01257 424918 or 07821 139826

www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk

93 Quality Removals required for these pages Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

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W.Hurst & Son Ltd ELECTRIC CONTRACTOR www.whurstandson.co.uk

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For a free quote & advice call Jeff

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BAILEYS

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All electrical work undertaken Free quotations

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Design & Print Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service.

rural Village NUrSErY

All staff paediatric & first aid QUALIFIED

y Little Acorns Nurser QUALITY CHILDCARE

Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

rated by oFStED as oUtStANDINg FUNDED PLACES Available for 2/3/4 year olds

LANgUAgE & SPortS LESSoNS for pre-schoolers

We cater for CHILDrEN 3 months - 4 years

YOU CAN TRUST! oPEN Mon-Fri 8AM-6PM

£37.50 per day

Large outdoor PLAY ArEA

NEWLY rEFUrBISHED in 2019

term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net place for your Little Acorns vibrant s. and a safe l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk setting. It is educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

All Saints’ Primary

Nursery Bridge | WN6 9DT Little Acorns Lane | Appley

School | Finch

01257 252647 sery.com

www.locallife247.co.uk orns-daynur

www.littleac

Aerial & Sky Services RX-12 Digital TV Aerials

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30+ years experience

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TT20778

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GDR Driveways ALL ASPECTS OF PAVING & turfing

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Handy Andy

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NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

All plastering work undertaken including:

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tradesbyandy@gmail.com

Call Westley Gillett for a FREE no obligation quote

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GPS Tracked Distribution

DESIGN & PRINT SERVICES also available

LocalLife

Des Pilling Plastering • Plastering • Skimming • Artexing

Coving & Cornice work also welcomed Orrell based – Established 1986

Call Des on 07787 513 235

www.lakelandplastering.co.uk www.despilling.org.uk

95 4 Extensions and House Refurbishment Works 4 New Build Houses 4 Groundworks, Drainage, External Paving and Landscaping 4 Internal Structural works to accommodate new bi-fold doors / open plan living etc 4 Full range of garden design and landscaping works including BBQ areas, garden offices, bars, games rooms etc 4 Full Range of Commercial Building including Interior Designs and Fit Outs Contact us for further details on 01257 447 427 or enquiries@helixgroup.uk Blackthorn House | Skull House Ln | Appley Bridge | Wigan | WN6 9DB www.helixgroup.uk

Building Services All types of building work undertaken

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25 years experience

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K Stone Stoves

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ALPINE LTD Roofing & Building Services

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96 Quality Removals required for these pages Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

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P P

Building services Joinery Specialists

Your Reliable, Friendly, Professional & Honest Building & Joinery Specialists

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Superior craftmanship at competitive rates • Home improvements • Loft conversions • Garage conversions & Extensions • Staircases • Windows & Doors For all aspects of renovations and maintenance -

no job too small!

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01257 422317 or 07852 202867 www.mtjoiner y.co.uk

Facebook Review, July 2018

Call us now for ALL your roofline requirements! Facias, soffits, cladding, dry verge and gutters We specialise in seamless aluminium gutters. Clean, stylish and guaranteed for 25 years!

Call: 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183 www.orrellroofline.co.uk

• WILSON •

BROS Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation

28 Years Experience Extensions & Refurbishments Kitchens & Bathrooms Conservatories & Orangeries Windows & Doors Roofs & Fascia Boards Decking & Balustrading

• Guttering and felting services

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

All aspects of building works No job too small Call Peter for a free quotation

Day: Eve:

07961 516 677 01942 745 428 Cambridge Road, Orrell

First Class Workmanship 4 All types of re-roofs 4 Strip & re-slate or re-tile 4 Built up felt/flat roofs, dormers etc. 4 Insurance work undertaken 4 Roofline uPVC fascias, soffits & guttering

W.Newman ROOFING & REPAIRS

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01695 627 212 MOBILE: 07774 943 706 52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS, UP HOLLAND Established Over 30 Years

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Call for free quote

M: 07894 687 384

NEIL SIMPSON BUILDER Can’t find a reliable local builder?...look no further

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Call Neil 07939 961190 (day) or 01942 230402 (eve)

11th October

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Wigan Edition

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Forgotten Buildings:

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Come and visit the largest showroom in the North West 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

Transform your conservatory into a home office

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Thermally-efficient conservatory roofs expertly fitted by accredited installers

Orangeries

Don’t just lock it, Rock it!

Conservatories

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 - October 2021

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Christmas Light Trails

Hindley’s Bad Boy 78. Vauxhall Crossland