Christmas Light Trails

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

Beautifully furnished Stone Cottage

Holiday Let

– sleeps up to 4 Situated near Sedbergh, in the Yorkshire Dales, and also within easy reach of the Lake District Children & pets welcome

Call 01942 216 058

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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. 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.

24 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.

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

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. 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

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

Halloween Party

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

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

Always Listening

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