Local Life - Wigan - March 2015

Wigan Edition

March 2015

Super, smashing, great

Jim Bowen

Win

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Local News Food & Drink Jack’s Tracks Health & Fitness What’s On Business View... www.locallife247.co.uk

Cover photo by Dave Green

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All the latest collections

...in with the

Y

new!

ou know when you want to improve a room at home and you just pop out for some little pot paints? And, when you’ve used them and made your décor choice you suddenly realise that, really, those curtains need to go. And, well, that carpet is so 90s and that lava lamp has actually gone out of fashion three times since you bought it from Woolies in 1986. And before you know it, the skip has arrived on the driveway and your weekend has taken a very dark turn.

“I think we need to give the magazine a bit of a design tweak”, I said to my colleagues in October. One thing led to another and here’s the end result - the new look Local Life.

John Charles

Irresistible

Michaela Louisa

Condici

Gina Bacconi

Cabotine

Ispirato

Personal Choice

Zeila

(Sizes 18-26)

Aubergine

We hope that you’re pleased with the result. It’s still undeniably Local Life, but we’ve freshened it up and introduced some new sections which will make it easier for you, the reader, to navigate. The old favourites are still here - the most obvious being our popular Jack’s Tracks column, as well as our Class From The Past and What’s On sections. But we’ve also introduced revamped sections, including for garden services and health and fitness.

Enjoy...

Chirs Pearce - Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

13-15 White Street, Pemberton, WN5 8JW Open: 9.30-4.30 Monday-Saturday Free parking | Closed Wednesday

Call - 01942 212 520 www. a u bergi nel adi e s wear. c o. uk

Next issue - April 2015

Advertising deadline - Friday 13 March Published - Wednesday 25 March Local Life Media

@locallifemedia

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In this issue Go

The spirits are

figure

with us

Disguise those bumps and wobbly areas

The pub haunted by a local Highwayman

18

68

Super, smashing,

Lemongrass & ginger

great

pork

Tea and biscuits with Jim Bowen

A great winter dish

51

77

Go nuts for

Jack’s Tracks

omega 3

Parbold

Are you getting the right vitamins and minerals

A hilly 5 mile winter walk

60

86

Regulars 26 Class from the past 42 Planning Matters 76 Puzzle Corner

Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB

90 What’s On 113 Useful Numbers 114 View from the lump

Sections 8 16 18 56 60 66

Property Local News Fashion & Beauty Children & Education Heath & Fitness Legal & Finance

Telephone: 01695 627 999 Sales: Chris Pearce, Nicola Gray sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: David Sudworth editorial@locallife247.co.uk Design: Peter Bretherton

design@locallife247.co.uk

Distribution: Sally Boon

sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

Accounts: Sam Garrahan accounts@locallife247.co.uk

72 77 86 96 99 102

Business View Food & Drink Events & Leisure Gardening Motoring Home Services

Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis.

This issue is delivered to over 13,000 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Ashton, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton.

The next issue is delivered to over 13,000 private homes and businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Aspull and Haigh You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life at Sainsburys or Tesco Extra in Wigan.

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

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Want to sell your house?

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aw Sh

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Fact: Because we advertise your home in all the right places.

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MP hails new-look Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue had a sneak preview of your new-look Local Life before it hit the presses.

Yvonne visited our offices on Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, to meet the team as they

Local Life were putting the finishing touches to this edition.

Since launching in 2008, Local Life has become a real success story. We now regularly produce a Wigan magazine in excess of 100 pages and now publish magazines in the St Helens, Chorley and West Lancashire areas. We’ve also taken on more staff, with Dylan Brookes, from Billinge, (pictured) being our latest recruit as an apprentice designer.

Yvonne said: “I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to Local Life. As someone who lives in Winstanley, it’s the only free publication I get regularly and is always a great read; packed with local news, events, information and advertising. It has been taken to a new level with its fantastic new look. It was also great to meet Dylan, who was telling me how much he is learning on the job. I wish the Local Life team continued success for the future.”

LET IT MOVE YOU

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St James bowlers wanted With the new bowling season due to start at the end of March, St James’ Bowling Club in Orrell is looking for new members. Both men and women are needed to join the St James’ Road club. For more information, call either Maureen on 01942 550677 or Brendan on 01695 625056/07983 567269.

Tai Chi for Health KEEP FIT WITH Lyn The Safe & Healthy Way

Up Holland High reunion Did you go to Up Holland High School between 1977 and 1982? Then you’re invited to register your interest in attending a reunion planned for later this year at a venue to be confirmed. It is being organised

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Latest fashions

Go

Figure!

by Katie Wright

E

ven if you’ve managed to stick to your New Year bodyhoning regime, it can take a while to shift those pesky pounds. And with spring fashion collections rapidly arriving in shops, the incentive to get fit fast is even greater.

In the meantime, there are a few cheeky cheats you can use to disguise those bumps and wobbly areas. From smoothing underwear to accent accessories, here’s the expert advice for figureflattering fashion, whatever your size.

Under control First up, shapewear; those slimming underpinnings that hide a multitude of sins. But where to start?

“The main thing to consider is the level of control you want, whether you want light control, medium or firm,” says Sarah Stott, lingerie buyer at JD Williams.

“Firm control is ideal for a few hours during an evening, but light to medium would be better when wearing shapewear for a full day, under work clothes, for example.”

Suzanne Robinson, senior buyer at Aussie plus-size brand Taking Shape, advises: “The area you want to smooth depends on what outer garments are being worn. Always buy to your correct size, as the garments are specially fitted to be true to size and will still smooth and control where needed.”

Shape up How do you choose from the plethora of styles some of which can be, frankly, a bit scary looking? First, decide which area you want to focus on, and go from there.

“Thigh-shapers are the best to smooth out thighs,” says Stott. “They look like a cycling short and extend to about midway between the hip and knee, pulling you in all the right places, without being uncomfortable.”

A body-shaper is ideal if your hips are on your hit list: “Ideally, you need something with a high waistline or full body element, to ensure hips are

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smoothed, rather than just pushed up and inevitably out, which defeats the object.”

Look out, too, for ‘wear your own bra’ shapewear, which gives full-body benefits but allows for differing sizes on your top and bottom halves.

For tummy tightening without the sit-ups, highwaisted briefs are best, whether you want to smooth the lower or upper part of the abdomen, Stott advises: “A high-waisted control brief ensures all areas are covered yet comfort is guaranteed, as it’s likely the waistband will sit at a woman’s slimmest point, avoiding any pain from digging in.”

the illusion of a smaller waist, and therefore a more slimming look overall,” Stott advises. “Skater style midi skirts are a great spring staple, that can be worn higher up on the waist to create a similar effect.”

Jewel Skater Dress, sizes 12-32, £49; Block Heel Sandal, £25 (www.jdwilliams.co.uk) Grazia PU Layer Top Dress (pictured), sizes 12-32, £55; Sole Diva Mesh Side Court E Fit Shoe, £30 (www.simplybe.co.uk) Ray Of Light Top, £49 (www.takingshape.co.uk)

Maidenform Sleek Stripes WYOB Bodysuit (pictured left), £30 (www.jdwilliams.co.uk) M&S Collection Ultimate Shaping Magic Waist & Thigh Cincher, £35 (www.marksandspencer.com) Bestform Beauty Perfect Waist Shaper High Rise Women’s Briefs, from £7.99 (www.amazon.co.uk)

Styling savvy A slim silhouette doesn’t rely on shaping undergarments alone. There are lots of ways to accentuate your best bits, and disguise the less favourable ones; you just need a bit of styling know-how.

“Tunics are always a great ‘go to’ style when you’re not feeling 100% confident, as these are flattering, loose styles,” says Robinson.

“The other way is to use layering. Try our Decorous Tees to cover arms, or layer tops to create extra length and cover the bottom.”

“Anything with an empire line, or that is shaped so that it goes in slightly at the waist, is guaranteed to create

Final flourishes Are there any no-no’s in terms of plus-size clothing that we should take heed of? Robinson doesn’t think so.

“This is always down to personal taste, but I don’t think anything should be out of bounds. Stripes always used to be a no-no, but we like to use stripes that are spliced to create a flattering look,” she says. “One thing to watch out for is larger floral prints. We tend to splice these with a solid colour for a more flattering look.”

Well-placed accessories can turn an average ensemble into a sartorial work of art, and give you the confidence to carry off a bold new look: Scarves and necklaces are great for drawing attention off key areas, and also creating an elongated silhouette.”

Wavelength Tunic, £39; Jeans, £49 (www.takingshape.co.uk) Blue Multi Chain Long Necklace (pictured), £12 (www.simplybe.co.uk) Accessorize Birds In Paradise Silk Square Scarf, £25 (www.accessorize.com)

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Lights, CAMRA,

action..!

All hail the ale - Wigan Beer Festival is back!

The 28th CAMRA Beer Festival comes to Robin Park Indoor Sports Centre on Thursday, March 5, offering around 80 real ales, both light and dark and ranging in strength from 3.6 per cent to 8.5 per cent.

Some of the beers will be Viking themed including Rudgates Battleaxe, Rudgates Viking, and George Wright Longboat.

There will be 30 real ciders and 20

perries, plus a foreign beer bar with beers from all over the world including the USA and Japan and the ever popular fruit beers - a total of 41 foreign draft beers.

There will also be music entertainment throughout the festival apart from on Friday afternoon which is a quiet drinking session. Times, dates and prices are as follows.: Thursday: 5.30pm–11pm, £2. Friday: 12pm–5.30pm, £1. Friday: 5.30pm–11pm, £3. Saturday: 11.30am– 10pm, £2. CAMRA members go free.

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Names plea for Orrell’s

Fallen

A campaign has been launched to collate a definitive roll of honour to be placed at Orrell’s new war memorial.

Cllr Stephen Murphy wants people to step forward with names of Orrell people who have died fighting for our country, whether its from the two world wars or from more recent conflicts.

Cllr Murphy hopes that once a definitive list is collated, a plaque can be erected either on the Moor Road war memorial or close to it - and he has pledged to use monies allocated to him as a ward councillor through the Brighter Borough scheme to make it a reality.

As reported in the last edition of Local Life, separate plans to restore a memorial erected in the grounds of Bispham Hall Scout estate, Crank Road, to celebrate the defeat of Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo, have also been unveiled. It has now been granted planning permission.

Cllr Stephen Murphy at Orrell War Memorial

Cllr Murphy told Local Life: “It has been talked about for a while locally but I suppose people are a bit apprehensive about taking on the task of compiling a list for fear of someone coming along at a later date complaining that their relative hasn’t been added.

That’s why I’m making a public appeal through Local Life for people to come forward. We will then publish the names, which will need to be checked to

ensure they are correct, even down to the spellings, before commissioning a plaque, which could be put on the side of the monument or laid flat, but that’s something which is to be discussed later. on.”

Road closure in Winstanley

Cricket scorer needed

Highfield Grange Avenue in Winstanley will be closed on Sunday, March 22 as part of work to replace a telecommunications mast. Wigan Council chiefs say that in order to carry out this work safely, the stretch will be closed from the Warrington Road roundabout to its junction with Darran Avenue.

Goose Green Cricket Club, on Paris Avenue, is looking for a volunteer scorer for the forthcoming season. The club, which play on the old Pony Dick Colliery Site, have this season moved into the Premier Division of the Southport League.

A diversion will be put in place.

Contact Cllr Murphy by calling 01942 222001 or 01942 203150. Email stephen.murphy@wigan.gov.uk

If anyone is interested please contact Dave 07768 112 563.

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Birchley Hall for

sale

Families have spoken of their fears after it emerged a Billinge care home has been put up for sale.

Sue Ryder’s Birchley Hall centre, on Birchley Road, is the national charity’s only provider of residential care services for the elderly.

But now families have been told that the building and service has been put on the market, with staff possibly transferring to the new provider if a deal can be secured.

One relative told Local Life: “It is a very worrying time and the care Sue Ryder gives is brilliant. The staff there are really dedicated and we are really worried that another company will come in and not have the same high standards because they will be motivated by profit.”

Mike Smeeton, director of health and social care at Sue Ryder, told Local Life: “We can confirm that, after much deliberation, we have decided to put Birchley Hall on the market. We are hopeful we will be able to secure a buyer for the building and the service together and

New conductor wanted Wigan Voices in Harmony is trying to recruit a new conductor. The group meets at Wigan Baptist Church, Scarisbrick Street, on Wednesdays from 7.45pm to 9.30pm. For more details, call Ken on 01277 400852.

Warriors’ Player Call Winstanley Warriors’ under 10s football team (Year 5) is looking for players. The club trains on pitch three at

will review after a period of three months.

“Birchley Hall is our only provider of residential care services for the elderly, and the care provided at Birchley Hall does not fit with our national health and social care strategy.

“We are committed to securing the right buyer, who will continue to deliver the same service provision and will offer residents access to the care and support that they need and deserve. “We will be working very closely to ensure there is minimal disruption to residents and staff during this time and remain committed to upholding the highest possible standards of care at Birchley Hall.”

the Soccerdome, Robin Park, on Tuesdays from 6pm7pm and plays in the Warrington Saturday League.

If you would like further details please contact the manager, Chris, on 07533 376799

Furniture needed Wigan & Leigh Hospice is appealing for donations of good quality furniture with a fire retardant label attached. Call 01942 525566 for a free collection.

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26

‘Believe in Her’ says Warriors coach Shaun Wane is backing a new Wigan Council campaign which celebrates the achievements of local women. Believe in Her will launch on International Women’s Day (Sunday, March 8) and will see some of the borough’s most inspirational women come together to celebrate their achievements while encouraging others to believe in themselves.

Shaun said: “The women in my life give me the strength and the encouragement to take our team to victory.”

The campaign has also received praise from former

Class from the

Shaun

Hollyoaks actress, Sarah Jayne Dunn: “We all have a responsibility to ensure that girls have realistic and inspirational role models to look up to.” Warriors coach Shaun Wane Cllr Joanne Platt said: “Our aim is to celebrate the successes of women, encourage others to aim high, and more importantly be themselves.”

To pledge support visit wigan.gov.uk/BelieveInHer or use #BelieveinHer on social media.

past

This month’s Class from the Past is from Holgate School, Orrell. It’s believed this photo was taken in 1959. Among those pictured are Keith Grundy, Derek Lyon, Barrie Cheetham, Stephen Houghton, John Southworth, John Shaw, Rodney Gaskell, Wayne Arnold, Jennifer Hill, Christine Boardman, Christine Webster, Helen Rylance, Joyce Cottam, Roxanne

Bickerstaffe, Barbara Wright, Janet Ashcroft, Judith Foster, Joan Barker, Susan Liptrot, Christine Alker, Kathleen Gaskell, Sandra Cheetham, Elizabeth Wright, Gillian Meadows, Enid Steele, Mary McHale, Rosalie Mather, Barbara Hickman, Jean Harrison, Susan Gee, Geraldine Wood. If you have a photo you’d be willing to share, please email editorial@locallife247.co.uk

27

Sara h Actr Jayne D ess unn,

Pledge your support now wigan.gov.uk/BelieveInHer

28

Volunteers hit the Local Marie Curie Fundraising Group volunteers are gearing up for this year’s Great Daffodil Appeal.

Thanks to the generosity of the people of Wigan, the group raised over £11,000 last year, representing a total of 550 hours of nursing care for people with a terminal illness in their own homes.

Throughout March, collection boxes will start appearing in shops and businesses across Wigan, Standish, Shevington and Billinge.

You will also spot street-shakers wearing large yellow

streets hats and tabards outside the DW Stadium for the Wigan v Leeds game on Saturday, March 7, at Robin Park’s Poundworld on Friday and Saturday. March 13 and 14, at ASDA on Saturday, March 28, and Sunday, March 29 and at Tesco on Thursday, April 9, and Friday, April 10.

Jane Conley, from the group, said: “Our local fundraising group are very grateful for the support provided by Lanky Cats who are based at the Unity Club in Standish and for the partnership with Yorkshire Building Society.” For more information, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk

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Competition

Win lawn

treatments!

G

reenThumb Wigan is ten years old this year, and to celebrate this anniversary, local owners Ian and Andrea Johnson (pictured) are giving ten lucky Local Life readers the chance to win 12 months worth of treatments and services to improve the look of their lawn!

GreenThumb is Europe’s leading provider of lawn care services and has been providing UK customers with healthier, greener lawns for over 28 years.

Using their unique NUTRAGREEN mix fertilizers and specialist herbicides, pesticides and other lawn enhancing products, they carry out in excess of 2 million treatments on UK lawns every year!

1st Prize - Complete Programme worth over £200 Four unique seasonal treatments, PLUS hollow-tine aeration, PLUS scarification treatment, PLUS the Oasis water conserver, PLUS SlowMow treatments. Prize also includes treatment of any unexpected pests or diseases in your lawns.

To enter; Simply complete the entry form below and return to; GreenThumb Wigan, Unit 3 Barrows Farm, Carr Mill Rd, Billinge, WN5 7TX or - e-mail the answer along with your name, address & telephone number to; wigan@greenthumb.co.uk or - call our office on; 01695 627578 Closing date for entries is Friday 20th March 2015

Question: Which fertilizer does GreenThumb use in its seasonal treatments?

Answer: .............................................................................................................

Name

.............................................................................................................

Address ............................................................................................................. .......................................................................................................................................

2nd Prize - Enhanced Programme worth over £150

8 x Runners-Up prizes - Spring Lawn Treatment Including an application of our unique NUTRAGREEN fertiliser, to give your lawn a much needed boost for the coming season.

Phone

#

Four unique seasonal treatments, PLUS hollow-tine aeration, PLUS scarification treatment.

.............................................. Post Code ....................................................... .............................................................................................................

MXJ-731-55233-Wigan-A5-Non-DD-09Feb15-TRY_US-10.pdf

1

12/02/2015

15:17

31

32

Lucky Phil’s a

winner

Up Holland resident Phil Lamb was the lucky winner of a recent raffle to win a luxury food hamper!

The raffle was organised by Pimbo Garden Centre, who sold 825 tickets at £1, and their efforts were kindly matched by Barclays Bank, making the total raised a fantastic £1,650. Staff at the garden centre presented the £1,650 cheque to Macmillan.

Here’s Phil collecting the hamper from staff member Hannah Porter.

Gary Mulvaney

Dog Trainer

Phil collects his prize from Hannah Porter

Train for Fun – Skills for Life • Puppy/Dog Training • 1-2-1 Instruction • Behavioural problems 07754 003 021 or 01257 252232 Email garymulvaney@btinternet.com

A well trained dog is a happy dog!

Jo Pay is a fully qualified Dog Trainer who offers:

Agility classes UK Rally Obedience classes Puppy classes One to one training Puppy socialisation parties Give Jo a call today on 01257 423726 or email her on jo@standishdogtrainer.co.uk

n When ca k to I go bac arm Dukes B Farm?

Boarding kennels for all breeds of dogs.

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33

SUPPORT WORKERS WANTED SALARY: £6.50 per hour

Want to promote your business to an estimated ¼ million readers?

North West Community Services are a domiciliary care provider, providing high quality services that are flexible and responsive to the needs of the people we support.

Chorley West Lancashire

We are now recruiting Support Workers who can demonstrate compassion and empathy in their approach to caring for disabled people, either through previous roles in social care or in other roles.

Wigan

You will be providing personal care and support to people with disabilities living in their own homes.

You will need to show us that you will treat the people we support with the dignity and the respect they have a right to expect.

St Helens

Applications packs can be obtained by calling 01942 709210 / 0151 524 3606 or download from our website: www.northwestcommunityservices.co.uk

Call 01695 627999

Due to the nature of our work all applicants will require an enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references.

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34

Take a break from cleaning

Homes on pub car park?

New homes could be built on an Up Holland pub’s car park. Stephen Partington, of the Victoria Hotel, Ormskirk Road, has submitted an application to build on the plot behind the pub, which is accessed via Mill Lane.

We make life easier for you and your family with a range of housekeeping services

Cleaning / Ironing / Laundry Collection Of Shopping, Prescriptions etc.

Support Services For The Elderly One-Off Cleans Our prices are only £9.75 per hour (minimum 2 hours a week) Our reliable, friendly and honest cleaners are fully insured to work in your home.

Domestic & Commercial enquiries welcomed Please call for more details or visit our website

01942 369 316 03330 124 642 Charged at Local Rate including mobiles!

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Cleaning Wigan since 2006

Homes could be built behind the Victoria pub As it is only an outline application, which seeks permission for the principle of development on the site to be established, no details on how many homes could eventually be built there have been released.

That would be the subject of a separate, more detailed application.

The plans are now open to public consultation, and the deadline for comments is March 3, with a decision due a few weeks later.

For more information visit www.westlancs.gov.uk the reference number is 2015/0113/OUT.

That’s cricket!

The new cricket season will be with us very shortly and Winstanley Park Cricket Club is extending a warm welcome to new players of any standard.

The club, on Hall Lane, has a thriving junior section (U9s, U11s, U13s and U15s teams) plus two senior teams play on Saturday in the Southport and District League and a Sunday XI in the West Lancs League. The club is also a nominated centre for the development of girls cricket.

For further information ring Tony Dillon, the chairman, on 07791 761715, Andy Ackers, club captain, on 07984 611002 or visit www.winstanleyparkcricketclub.co.uk

35

Brownies and Guides A Billinge group fears it may have to fold unless a new leader is found.

The 9th Wigan West Brownie Guide unit, located at Bispham Methodist Church on Crank Road, Billinge, is on the look out for help from adults. Previous experience in Guiding is desirable but not essential as training is provided. Meetings take place on a Monday between 6pm and 7.30pm where they play games, learn crafts and explore the outdoors during the summer months.

Girlguiding is a leading charity which aims to give

T FROM

AC U F TU N

girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities.

Helen Littlehales, from the unit, said: “We are looking for adults who are committed to undertake the necessary training to become a warranted leader as we will shortly be losing an adult which will leave the unit at risk of closing. If you think you may be interested, please contact Anne Butler via email at annebutler@yahoo.co.uk or me by phone on 01695 627184.�

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www.solidsheds.com

CJM Garage Doors Ltd, Unit 10, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB t: 01942 738347 w: www.cjmgaragedoors.co.uk

36

Get involved at Book-Cycle If you’d like to play a part in one of Wigan’s most successful community run projects, Book-Cycle would like to hear from you. The charity, which is based in the old Beech Hill library in Buckley Street West and at the old Orrell library in Orrell Road, helps to promote a love of reading, both in the local community and via their literary donations to partner organisations working in the third world. Book Cycle are looking for volunteers at both centres, to help serve customers, process books and make up book parcels to be shipped overseas. You’ll be physically active and be able to work as part of a team, and shifts are for as little as 3.5 hours.

Inductions take place on Sundays and Mondays between 1.30pm-3pm in Orrell and between the same times at Beech Hill on Wednesdays. For more information about Book Cycle, please call Beech Hill on 01942 747750, Orrell on 01942 665646 or visit the website www.book-cycle.org.

20mph zones completed Wigan’s final 20mph signs are now going up across Winstanley. The project from Wigan Council has finished three months ahead of schedule after it started in March 2013 with the aim of turning Wigan Borough’s residential areas into lower speed roads.

Throughout the entire project an estimated 1,800 poles have been erected with a total of 9,000 signs being placed across the area, while up to 5,000 metres of paint has also gone in to mark up the roads Wigan Council leader Lord Peter Smith said: “Wigan’s journey to a 20mph town with lower speed limits in our communities is almost at its destination. By realigning motorists’ views of what is an appropriate speed limit on residential roads we have been able to create a healthier environment across Wigan Borough.”

37

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38

Travel

Go Med for

Tunisia

by David Sudworth

N

estling at the most northern tip of the African continent, Tunisia offers an exciting gateway into a world of endless sunshine, beautiful beaches, fascinating culture and all-round family fun.

Booking a trip there with Billinge-based Marken Travel, in conjunction with Tunisian holiday specialists Just Sunshine, means you’ll get the best deals around. You’ll certainly get a lot of sun for your money - Tunisia has on average around 11 hours’ sunshine in summer, with temperatures regularly in the 20s and 30s. And there are plenty of wonderful beaches for you to relax on and enjoy as you banish the memories of the cold, miserable British winter.

Having been a French colony for many years, this exotic country is both reassuringly European in outlook yet maintains its proud Arabic roots, making it a place which has something for everybody. However, unlike many familiar places on the Mediterranean coast, Tunisia is a relative newcomer to the tourist trail, and standards of accommodation vary. For family holidays therefore, best plan your stay around one of the purpose-built resorts.

39

One such place is Hammamet Yasmine, a chic, modern resort just 20 minutes from the bustling Hammamet with enough to keep the whole family entertained.

The attractive centre comprises of an elegant marina and traditional souk-inspired medina, crammed with colourful shops, stalls and cafes. However, it’s the wide, sandy beach which is the real star of the show.

You can enjoy soaking up the rays there or trying some water sports. For a little something different, you can enjoy a fun-filled afternoon aboard one of the pirate-themed boats in the marina or visit North Africa’s first Theme Park - Carthage Land.

Keen golfers will also be delighted to know that there are two courses just a few miles away; Yasmine Golf with 27 holes and Citrus Golf which has 45 holes.

Marken Travel and Just Sunshine holidays can offer you a wide selection of 3, 4 and 5 star hotels to choose from in Hammamet Yasmine, with prices starting as low as £339 per person, including breakfast.

Explore the delights of Tunisia

Bargain box!

14 nts All Inclusive for family of 4 5 star El Mouradi Hammamet Fly from Manchester 2nd Aug

Only £2,992 *2 adults & 2 children (2-11 years)

Among them is the 5 star El Mouradi Hammamet, which is situated on the seafront facing a beach of fine, golden sand and offers a stunning range of facilities. With no fewer than five outdoor pools, two indoors pools and a good choice of entertainment, there’s no chance of getting bored here.

Join representatives from Marken Travel and Just Sunshine for an informal and informative evening about holidaying in Tunisia

6:30 PM, Tuesday, 17th March

Wine and nibbles served RSVP to confirm your attendance to Marken Travel on 01744 893291 or email: carla@markentravel.co.uk

Independent Travel Specialist

200 Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PE Telephone: 01744 893291 www.markentravel.co.uk

40

Another option is the 4 star Hotel El Mouradi El Menzah; an attractive, modern hotel with a large swimming pool and a central beachfront location. It’s perfect for families and couples alike, allowing guests to make the most of the resort’s many attractions.

Further down the coast is Port El Kantaoui. Its marina is a favourite hangout for the jet-set, and its whitewashed buildings form a stunning contrast to the clear, azure waters of the Mediterranean. Cobbled streets lead past chic boutiques to the lamp lit marina where you will find relaxed bars and swish restaurants.

The family can enjoy the Aqua Palace water park, horse & camel riding, quad biking and a wealth of water sports. Again, there is a fabulous range of hotels, starting from £299 per person, and each with plenty to keep the children occupied.

One of them, the three star El Mouradi Club Selima Hotel, enjoys an enviable position on the long stretch of sandy beach and is one of the best options around for a budget, all-inclusive holiday. Activities here range from kids’ clubs (5-12 years and 13-17 years), archery, tennis and water sports.

Much like Hammanet Yasmine, Port El-Kantaoui is located within a short journey to a bustling hub,

this one being the historic city of Sousse where you can grab a bargain in the lively souk. Don’t forget to haggle though – it’s part of the local tradition and ensures you get what you want for a great price!

Just Sunshine holidays to Tunisia are perfect for everyone. If you book before April 30, you only need a deposit of £50 per person and there are no hidden costs. The price given to you by Marken Travel is the price you pay.

All holidays to Tunisia with Just Sunshine include 20kg baggage allowance (5kgs for hand luggage), transfers, in-flight refreshments on all Tunisair scheduled flights and services of a local representative in Tunisia.

All this and don’t forget that booking through Marken Travel means peace of mind as the money you pay for your flights and package holiday will be fully protected under ABTA and ATOL rules.

So instead of going to the same old place this summer, why not broaden your horizons and try Tunisia with Marken Travel in conjunction with Just Sunshine? A whole new world of family fun, sun and great value awaits you!

Marken Travel, 200 Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PE. Call 01744 893291.

41

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42

Planning matters Billinge 9 Milton Grove: Hip to gable roof conversion and dormers to front and rear (ref: A/15/80347/ HH). A decision is due soon.

61 Crank Road: Plans to extend dwellinghouse two storey to side following removal of existing attached garage(ref: A/15/80358/HH). A decision is due soon.

Orrell 85 Gathurst Road: Single storey rear flat roof extension (ref: A/14/79857/PDE). A decision is due soon.

321 Orrell Road: Listed building consent to replace roof (ref: A/15/80310/LB). A decision is due soon.

Highfield 1 Culcross Avenue: To extend bungalow to side - garage with pitched roof over, following demolition of existing garage (ref: A/15/80393/ HH). The consultation deadline is March 5.

16 Merton Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse two storey and single storey to side (ref: A/15/80395/HH). The consultation deadline is March 2.

96 Orrell Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse single storey to front, part single storey part two storey to side and rear together with alterations (ref: A/15/80362/HH). A decision is due by March 23.

18 Shelley Drive: Plan to extend dwellinghouse by way of a first floor balcony and conservatory to rear together with garage conversion and alterations to existing vehicular access (ref: A/15/80372/HH). A decision is due by March 30.

Roby Mill 23 Ayrefield Road: Certificate of Lawfulness Use of agricultural land as domestic garden (ref: 2014/1395/LDC). A decision is due by March 31.

25 Ayrefield Road: Certificate of Lawfulness Use of agricultural land as domestic garden (ref: 2014/1343/LDC). A decision is due by March 19.

3 Ayrefield Road: Certificate of Lawfulness Use of agricultural land as domestic garden (ref: 2014/1342/LDC). A decision is due by March 4.

Katelyn, 21 Ayrefield Road: Certificate of Lawfulness - Use of agricultural land as domestic garden (ref: 2014/1314/LDC). A decision is due

by March 3.

15 Ayrefield Road: Certificate of Lawfulness Use of agricultural land as domestic garden (ref: 2014/1265/LDC). A decision is due by March 3.

Pemberton

Tontine

Bankes Playing Fields, Bankes Avenue: Plans to install six 15m high floodlighting columns. A decision is due soon.

6 Lawns Avenue: Single storey extension to rear of existing 2 storey house (ref: 2014/1264/ FUL). A decision is due by March 4.

163 Orrell Road: Single storey rear extension (ref: A/15/80256/PDE). A decision is due soon.

Up Holland

705 Ormskirk Road: Application to retain use of offices as gym/retail (ref: A/15/80287/CU). A decision is due soon.

Unit 3, Alpha Business Park, Leopold Street: Application to retain use of unit as a private members gym (ref: A/15/80289/CU). A decision is due by March 18.

1 Brooklands Road: Change of use from residential to mixed use of residential and day care centre (ref: 2015/0075/COU). The consultation deadline is March 6.

205 Ormskirk Road: Two storey rear extension with drop kerb to front (ref: 2014/1403/FUL). A decision is due by March 16.

4 Heathland: Two storey rear extension with gable extension to attic (ref: 2014/1378/FUL). A decision is due by March 27.

43

visit our new showrooms at 232 Woodhouse Lane Wigan’s premier central heating and stove showroom 6 live stove displays, solid fuel & link-up heating systems chimney lining and twinwall flue specialist we also offer the most competitive finance available for supply and installation of new ‘A’ rated boilers - call into the showroom for more details and terms. hei are established local installers.

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44

St Thomas The Martyr CE Primary School, Mill Lane: Construction of new tarmacadam footpaths around the nursery playground (ref: 2014/1285/FUL). A decision is due by March 5.

36 Sandstone Road: Plan to extend dwellinghouse, two storey and single storey to side and rear (ref: A/15/80367/HH). A decision is due by March 25.

Winstanley 1 Dalston Grove: Erection of bungalow (ref: A/15/80316/FULL). A decision is due by March 16.

3 Whittle Court: Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed single storey rear extension following demolition of conservatory (ref: A/15/80378/ LUCP). A decision is due by March 27.

12 Castlemere Close: Plans to extend dwellinghouse two storey to side and single storey to front (ref: A/15/80339/HH). A decision is due by March 24.

Goose Green Cricket Club, Paris Avenue: Application to site container incorporating toilets, showers and kitchen facilities (ref: A/15/80402/FULL). A decision is due by April 1.

36 Skyes Crescent: Plan to extend dwellinghouse single storey to rear (ref: A/15/80344/HH). A decision is due by March 25.

4 Byfleet Close: Plan to extend dewllinghouse - single storey to side following demolition of existing garage (ref: A/15/80408/HH). The consultation deadline is March 6.

For more information on the Billinge, Orrell, Highfield, Pemberton and Winstanley plans, visit www.wigan.gov.uk For the Roby Mill, Tontine and Up Holland applications, visit www.westlancs.gov.uk

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Traditional and contemporary lighting to suit all tastes Simply Unique Open 6 days a week

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Wedding Fayre Sunday 8th March 2015 12pm - 4pm Holiday Inn Haydock M6, Jct23 Lodge Lane, WA12 0JG 01942 868 330 events@hihaydockm6j23hotel.co.uk www.hihaydockm6j23hotel.co.uk

Free Admission Complimentary Parking Catwalk at 2pm

46

Something’s brewing...

Brushing up in Highfield

A group of friends who are members of the Orrell & Billinge Network hold regular coffee mornings at the

Norley Art Group have a few places to offer to anyone with or without experience of art. The group runs two sessions on Tuesdays from 10am until noon and from 12.30pm until 2.30pm in the old school hall at St Matthew’s, Billinge Road, Highfield.

Methodist Church in Church Drive - and invite you to join them. The mornings are every last Friday of the month, from 10am, and there’s a cake and bric-a-brac stall.

Brewing up for the community is nothing new to Joan Winstanley, Alison Butlin, Dorothy Walls, Kathleen Parkinson and Norma Goldthorp. In a separate venture, they recently held an afternoon tea in which they raised an impressive £500 for Wigan Breast Cancer Support Group.

They have visiting artists to teach in a variety of media, such as watercolour, acrylic, water-based oils and pastels.

The cost is £2 per session, including tea or coffee and biscuits.

For further information please ring either Lesley at 01942 236733 or Dorothy at 01942 247653.

Funds from the monthly coffee morning go towards the Orrell & Billinge Network. All welcome.

For a top quality deep clean carried out by experienced specialists Traditional service - state of the art results Shevington based family business 5 star rating with Wigan Trading Standards Good Trader Scheme plus Awarded the Certificate of Excellence in recognition of consistently high standards of feedback from customers in 2009/10/11 The most thorough clean, or it’s free!

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51

Super, Smashing,

great...

Bullseye legend Jim Bowen talks to David Sudworth about school, surviving the Working Men’s Clubs and the attractions of ‘80s teasmaids

“H

ere’s one for you David,” he says in his distinctive East Lancashire twang.

“Spell ‘gauge’.” I hesitate, trying desperately to buy some time. “Gauge?

Err... g-u-a...no, hang on... g-a-g-u...can I write it down?”

My host smiles, then ups the ante: “Now spell guard”. This is the stuff of nightmares. Here I am sat in front of a fella who, through my entire childhood, fired questions at folk on Sunday teatime telly for fun, and now he’s on my tail.

Thankfully, we’re not in some draughty studio in Birmingham with the cameras capturing my every cerebral contortion. In fact, Jim Bowen and I are sitting in his conservatory overlooking the splendid Lune Valley,. Jim’s Welsh-born wife of 55 years, Phyllis, is keeping us well stocked in tea and biscuits as he spends a good two hours recounting some uproarious behind-thescenes tales of Britain’s best-known darts gameshow, Bullseye.

It soon becomes clear why Jim is interested in my spelling abilities: “We had a guy on who won the main prize by spelling gauge. But after the show an audience member said that actually, the contestant had spelt ‘guard’ instead of ‘gauge’. So we ran the tape back and, as the audience member said, he’d spelt an entirely different word. The problem was that everyone had gone home and each show cost about £23,000 to make, so there’s no way we could burn it. So we had to go back to the tape, physically cut each letter out from the footage and Sellotape it back together in the right order. It went out and I don’t think anyone noticed.

“I don’t tell that story often, mainly when I’m in select company!”

At 77, Jim may be slightly older than he was back in the 1980s, and a stroke three years ago has left him a bit wobbly on his pins. But his mind is as razor sharp as it was when he hosted the ITV game show. And even though it’s two decades since Jim and Bully worked together, thanks to re-runs on Challenge TV, a whole new generation are now learning how “you can’t beat a bit of Bully”.

52

His hilarious faux-pas, from giving a skiing holiday to a wheelchair-bound contestant to asking what one player did for a job (they’d been unemployed two years) and Jim replying: “Smashing!”, and his mascot, Bully, have both secured a place in the nation’s hearts.

And yet the show very nearly didn’t get commissioned for a second series after the first two episodes were deemed so bad, they were never transmitted.

“I didn’t have a clue what I was doing - we had five cameras on set and in those first two series I always ended up looking at the wrong one. I must have looked like a demented shepherd. In the end they had to burn the first two shows..”

“I sat eight GCEs but failed nine”

“I was part of a team which oversaw the loading of hundreds of tons of explosives to navy vessels. We were expected to know exactly what went on board, and to know the details of the ages and strengths of the different categories. As the shells aged, their potency lessened so checking was vital. In turns out that during one loading operation, someone noticed that the age of the shells in one consignment varied by as much as 15 years, so we had to unload it very quickly. Had that not happened, the shells being used in Suez would not have performed as calculated by the Royal Artillery gunners, who relied totally on our figures. Had this rogue batch got through, it would have landed on our troops. Everything was done to keep the news of this awful blunder from our commanding officer, but sadly I was found out and sent as far away from the explosives as possible namely a gymnasium in Aldershot!”

Born as Peter Williams in Heswall, Wirral, in 1937, to an unmarried mother, Jim was adopted at nine months old to Accrington couple Joe, a brickworker, and Annie, a mill weaver, he was renamed James and took their surname, Whittaker. Home was 303 Dill Hall Lane, Clayton-le-Moors: “Dad had always said to get a ‘dressed up’ job like teaching or banking, and not to be like him without any qualifications.

“The problem was I sat eight GCE subjects and managed to fail nine of them - I was that bad. My only valid contribution to school life was getting on the cross country team. I got a job as a bin man but soon realised I couldn’t do that for the rest of my life so asked my old headmaster if I could re-take my exams.

He agreed so I took nine GCEs and passed 10 - what a turnaround!” laughs Jim. His belated success meant he could start teacher training, but first he had to complete his National Service. Much like his experience on Bullseye - still some 30 years in the future at this point - his posting to Shrewsbury was not without the odd mishap.

However, one particularly serious miscalculation on Jim’s part at the height of the Suez crisis could almost have ended up with a severe loss of British life.

Jim and Phyllis on their wedding day in 1959 Jim’s unexpected detour focused his mind on becoming a PE teacher and, in August 1957, he signed up for a training course at Chester College. He met Phyllis, a fellow trainee teacher from Oswestry., and they were married St Mary’s Parish Church in Oswestry in August 1959.

During his first year as a newly qualified teacher at Hyndburn Park, Jim started getting the entertainment bug and duly formed the Accrington Young Teachers

53

Dramatic Society: “I suppose even in those early days there was an innate desire to perform in an arena away from the classroom. I then went to watch Ken Dodd perform at the Opera House in Blackpool and he was brilliant. I went so many times I could recite the first 10 minutes of his act word for word.”

“I must have been bloody awful” By the end of it, Jim was hooked on comedy: “I just thought it looked easy. I remember one Sunday lunchtime I went with a teaching mate to watch a comedian called Bernard Perkins. It was in this working men’s club in Blackburn - they had the meat auction and everything - proper working class. Bernard wasn’t doing too well so I turned to my mate and said I could do better than him. Unfortunately for me, the club manager was standing next to me and promptly went on stage at the interval to tell everyone what I’d said and challenged me to come up and do a spot. I must have been bloody awful and that taught me a lot.”

Going onto The Comedians, filmed at Granada’s Quay Street Studios in Manchester, was a career-changing moment for Jim: “It was the 1970s version of winning the X-Factor. Don’t forget, back then you only had a few channels and The Comedians had viewing figures of 18 million on a Friday night. There were people who became stars almost overnight, like Bernard Manning and Charlie Williams. I went on about halfway through the show which was great because the audience was still fairly fresh and only half of the other comedians had had a chance to steal your gags.

By this time, Jim decided to pack in teaching and go into showbiz business full-time. He was soon offered the chance to present a newly-commissioned show: “It was pitched to me as a darts show with general knowledge. Now, I had no interest in darts before, and have to say have had no interest in it since, but I

Undeterred, Jim started on the road which would eventually land him a spot on TV’s prestigious 1970s show, The Comedians. However, before that he had to undergo the torture of the northern club circuit: “The working men’s clubs were unforgiving places, you’d know within five seconds whether you’d die on your backside or not. The stories are legendary. “ While doing a week’s stint at The Dolphin Bar in Cleveleys, Jim was spotted by Irish funnyman Frank Carson, who later approached Jim for his telephone number. The Comedians had just started on TV and Carson promised to pass his details on:. True to his word, he received a call a few weeks later by the show’s producer and was offered a spot.

By this time, Jim changed his surname to Bowen - a hybrid of the initial from his middle name (Brown which in itself was his mother’s maiden name) and Owen, which was Phyllis’ maiden name: “I just though Whittaker was too long for a surname. Besides, I thought it would be easier when signing autographs,”.

Jim hosted Bullseye for 15 years

gave it a go. I met Peter Harris, the producer who had previously worked on The Muppet Show, and it was the start of an enduring friendship.

“The truth is that at the beginning we only had a very basic idea for the show, the meat was put on the bones over a Chinese meal in Birmingham with us all there.

54

“The first series was actually at 7pm on a Monday, sandwiched between Crossroads at 6.30pm and Coronation Street at 7.30pm, so the powers-that-be reasoned that no-one would be bothered to get out of their chairs and change channels, but we were wrong. I dreaded the first transmission. When it did go out I was sitting at home with Phyllis. Afterwards, no-one said a word, except Phyllis who simply got up from her chair and said: ‘I’ll go put the kettle on...’

“To my complete amazement though, the TV company bought another 26 episodes and moved us from Monday evenings to Sunday teatime, known in the business as The God Spot.”

If Jim’s experiences at the beginning of Bullseye caused him to start praying, then the so-called God Spot provided some divine intervention as the show started to slowly grow.

“Teasmaids were sought after prizes” Nowadays, Bullseye is looked on fondly for its strange choice of prizes and the plethora of catchphrases.

Ditties such as “let’s have a look what you would have won” and “keep out of the black and in the red, nothing for this game for two in a bed” are now part of the nation’s lexicon, but Jim says they never set out to create them: “The only one which was deliberate was the ‘two in a bed’ saying, and that’s only because I couldn’t remember the rules for that part of the game, so we said we’d make a little poem to remind me.

“Showing the contestants what they would have won was purely a way of rounding off the show, because otherwise it would have come to an abrupt end. I

Jim with Local Life editor David Sudworth know the prizes were seen as naff but you have to remember that in the 1980s not everyone had loads of gadgets in their homes. So a teasmaid was quite sought after. Even the bigger prizes, like the people who lived in a flat and won a speed boat, they might seem useless but they could have sold the boat and got a few grand for it.”

These days, Jim is retired and spends time at his home in Melling, East Lancashire. He still does the odd ‘Audience With...’ style performance, usually in local village halls. He’s also got his two grandchildren, Robert, 9, and Daniel, 7, from his daughter Susan, who now lives in Richmond, Surrey. His son, Pete, lives in Tenerife.

As our interview draws to a close, Jim reflects on how his career has afforded him to do what he loves while delivering financial security: “I know full well that if I hadn’t been on Bullseye I wouldn’t be sat here talking to you now, here with this lovely view behind us.”

Before I leave, Jim signs a copy of his autobiography, Right Place, Right Time, and presents me with a Bullseye pin badge. After the spelling ordeal earlier on, and now some ‘prizes’, I wonder whether this is what it felt to be a contestant on Bullseye. I might not be going home with a speedboat, or even a teasmaid, but it’s definitely been a real pleasure. Or, as my host himself might even say; “Super, smashing, great...”

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Hunt is on for young Young musicians from Wigan and West Lancashire are being given the chance to shine.

Douglas Music, based at Parbold Village Hall, The Green, is sending out an invitation for bright young things to perform in its Young Musician Showcase on June 15. Young pianists will be particularly eager for the chance to play on Douglas Music’s 2000 Steinway D Grand, from the world famous Barbican Concert Hall, London.

This invitation builds on the success of the 2014 concert, when Douglas Music gave eight young musicians a showcase for their talents in a professional venue for a public audience.

Any young musician, pianist, instrumentalist, singer

talent

who would like to be involved in this project should have achieved at least ABRSM Grade 6 or equivalent.

Douglas Music Society is a registered charity, founded in 1973, and presents an annual season of Saturday evening concerts with established international stars, young artists and popular music to celebrate all kinds of music-making and musical tastes. It serves the communities of the Douglas Valley, but its audiences comes from across the North West region. The venue was refurbished during 2007-2012 and is now a 200seat performance venue.

To enter, send details of your name, age, address, contact phone number, and instrument to Douglas Music Parbold via youngmusician@ parbolddouglasmusic.org. For more information contact 01772 386682.

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58

Blowing Hot & Cold Stop blowing hot and cold - make 2015 the year when you convert your conservatory into real living space!

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60

Health & Fitness

Go Nuts For

Omega 3

By Nel Staveley

S

ome vitamin deficiencies are, for want of a better word, more ‘popular’ than others.

Take vitamin D; the celebrity of vitamin deficiencies, the one we all know about after a range of alarmist headlines about falling levels of outdoor activity and rising levels of rickets. But that doesn’t mean it, and similarly well-known deficiencies like low iron (anaemia), are the only ones we should know about.

“There’s a big trend showing some nutrient intakes are getting worse,” explains Keri Filtness, a nutritionist from Nature’s Best.

“There’s also a particularly marked rise in magnesium and omega-3 deficiencies - the new vitamin D, really”, Filtness notes.

So even if you’ve never heard of these possible nutritional shortfalls before, you soon will - just like I did, when I found myself talking to Filtness about the results of a vitamin-deficiency test I’d had done, at Harley Street’s Biolab.

It was a simple enough process, just like a normal blood test, and a couple of weeks later, your analysis is ready. To be honest, I expected the results to be equally as simple, and my reasoning went something like: I eat a generally healthy diet, but I am often tired and could add in bit more red meat, so I’m probably anaemic. It’s winter too, not much sun, so let’s throw in vitamin D too.

But actually, my iron levels were fine. So is my vitamin D. “It’s your omega-3 fatty acid levels that are very low,” says Filtness. “And your magnesium.”

So the good news is, I’m forward-thinking and embracing this brand new deficiency trend. But the bad news is, with low omega 3, I could potentially be putting myself

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Winter is a really busy time for your local NHS, people have falls, slips, pick up bugs and get all manner of illnesses.

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at increased risk of heart disease... “Omega 3 is crucial in keeping your heart health,” explains Filtness. “There needs to be a ratio with omega 6 - omega 3 needs to be at 4% to be cardio protected. Yours is 3%.”

And the low magnesium levels leave me vulnerable to depression, insomnia, nausea and muscle spasms.

So the only thing to do is look at it as a to-do list that needs to be ticked off.

Other minor deficiencies are relatively easy to fix with a better diet too - for low vitamin D, it’d be more dairy, mushrooms and eggs on the menu, while for low iron, more spinach and red meat, and for omega 6; nuts, seeds and ever more oily fish.

“You can get your omega 3 levels up by eating more oily fish. Without a doubt, that’s the best way, but many people aren’t meeting their quota of one to two portions a week.”

As for magnesium, I need to up my intake of green leafy veg and wholegrains, and for vitamin B2 it’s more wholegrain cereals, cottage cheese and yoghurts.

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But of course, it’s not just about ‘curing’ them once the deficiency is there - what about good old-fashioned prevention? Is there anything we can do to stop getting so low in the first place?

“People need to meet the target of at least five a day, if not seven. If it’s five, two should be fruit, and three veg. Plants contain endless vitamins and minerals, plus the crucial antioxidants,” she says.

And if in doubt, or if you’re experiencing ongoing symptoms that don’t seem to have any other explanation, you might want to consider getting a test done, or speaking with your GP or nurse as a starting point - advice is out there if you’re unsure.

A full blood test at Biolab (www.biolab.co.uk) checking fatty acid, B vitamins, magnesium, iron, vitamin D costs £227. Individual tests from £15.

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64

Take note over

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hearing loss

truggling to hear people talk over loud music in a pub is quite normal, but if you can’t understand what people are saying every time there’s background noise, it could be an early sign of hearing loss.

Around 10 million Britons are affected to some degree, yet it’s believed that four million of them have done nothing about it, despite the fact that it may be impacting on their work and social life.

Other factors can include illness, accidents, exposure to an exceptionally loud noise (such as an explosion) and repeated exposure to loud noise. Indeed, rock musician Pete Townshend of The Who has damaged hearing after years of playing loud music and wearing headphones, and TV presenter Anne Diamond blames her hearing loss on 25 years of wearing an earpiece on set. Other celebs with hearing loss include the actress

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Audiologist Sharmila Patel, of London’s St George’s Hospital, said: “If you wait until your hearing loss is so bad that you’re struggling all the time, it may take longer to adapt to a hearing aid or an implant. “They may not want a hearing aid because of the way it looks, or they feel they can still manage by using other strategies, like lip-reading. It really depends on how much it’s affecting them,” says Patel. “Elderly people are more accepting of hearing loss, because a hearing aid is more widely accepted as you get older. Younger people struggle a bit more, but they do want help.”

For more information, or for an online hearing checker, visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk, or call the Action on Hearing Loss information line on 0808 808 0123.

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“I suffered with back pain for years until I called Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic.”

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66

Financial planning

Radical changes to

pensions

by David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP)

F

lexible access to pensions from age 55

From April 2015 most pension investors aged at least 55, with a defined contribution pension scheme will have total freedom over how they take an income from their pension.

New restrictions on how much you can contribute to private pensions Pension contributions are subject to a £40k annual allowance and specific contribution rules. If, after April 2015, you make withdrawals from a defined contribution pension in addition to tax-free cash, contributions to defined contribution plans may be restricted to £10k.

55% pension ‘death tax’ to be abolished From April 2015 this tax charge will be abolished. The tax treatment of any pension you pass on, which you do not use to purchase an annuity, will depend on your age when you die.

Death after buying an annuity - tax cut When you buy an annuity, you can choose for the income to be paid to your spouse or partner after you die (a joint life annuity). You can also choose a guarantee period or value protection .If you buy a 10 year guarantee and die after 2 years, the annuity will be paid for another 8 years to your spouse, partner or beneficiaries. The Chancellor has announced it will become tax free if you die before age 75.

A joint life or dependant’s annuity will be able to be paid to anyone after you die, subject to any

restrictions. On their subsequent death any value protection or remaining guarantee period can be paid to anyone. Anybody with a joint life, value protected or guaranteed annuity who died on or after 3 December 2014 before turning 75. The first income payment to your partner, spouse or beneficiaries must be made after 5 April 2015, otherwise it will be taxable.

Transferring a defined benefit pension Most people with a final salary pension will be able to make unlimited withdrawals if they have to transfer to a defined contribution pension (e.g. a SIPP). But as you could lose very valuable benefits, you will have to receive appropriate independent advice first. It will no longer be possible to transfer from most public sector pension schemes.

Retirement ages to increase You can currently draw your pension at the age of 55, but this will increase to 57 from 2028. Thereafter it will increase with rises in the State Pension age, constantly remaining 10 years below the State Pension age.

If you’re affected by the new legislation and you want to review your retirement plan, please call Prosper for a free consultation.

67

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68

The spirits are

with us!

David Sudworth visits the haunted pub where, over 200 years ago, the law finally caught up Up Holland highwayman George Lyon

W

hen George Lyon sat down for a pint at the White Lion in Up Holland one October evening in 1814, he had no idea it would be his last.

The notorious local villain and self-styled highwayman had made the short trip from his home in Church Street to the hostelry. Not long after he ordered a drink, he was arrested.

On April 22 the following year, he was hanged at Lancaster Castle for the crime of burglary at Westwood Hall in Ince. He was aged just 56.

This year marks the 200th anniversary since his reign of terror was brought to an abrupt end. However, his legend lives on, nowhere more so than in the village he lived, plied his trade, socialised and was laid to rest.

There are plenty of stories about his banditry. But to trace the largely untold story of Lyon’s rise to fame, I headed to the pub where he was captured two centuries ago. Not only is the pub still there, heavily changed since the 1800s, but in the beer

Mike in one of the blocked-off tunnels

garden lies part of what are believed to have been Lyon’s old cottage.

Mike Donoghue, 58, and Julie Latham, 54, have run the pub for the past two years. Liverpool-born Mike left the UK in 1984 and spent 25 years in Canada. He came back in 2009 and met Julie, who grew up in Thames Drive, Orrell.

“I didn’t really know much about the pub before we took it on,” says armed forces veteran Mike. “I certainly didn’t know about George Lyon and its history. It’s believed there were three cottages in the back, and the cottage in the corner is where George Lyon lived.

69

“Underneath the pub, there’s a tunnel which is said to lead to Up Holland Parish church, and another which we think leads to an old nunnery in Hall Green. There’s also a blocked up priest hole, and we’re told that many years ago, a landlord was curious to see what was behind it, and when the bricks were removed there was a massive rush of air and he suffered a heart attack. Luckily, he survived but they bricked it up again fairly quickly. All of these now form part of our beer cellar.

“The pub is the original building although it underwent a big facelift in 1921. The reason was that it had been converted into a painter and decorator’s business premises, called Ramsbottom’s, in 1908, so they had to convert it back.”

It’s easy to see how Lyon and other local criminals would have used the pub’s underground rabbit warrens to execute their many crimes and hide evidence. Indeed, many years ago, a bag of gold coins and a pistol was recovered from behind the fireplace in the snug.

Born in 1761, Lyon was raised in a poor family and he earned money by offering to carry bags for travellers arriving at local inns which have since been demolished, including the Legs of Man, which stood at the junction of Church Street and School Lane, and the Bull’s Head, which was at the corner of Brooklands Road and School Lane. He was a hand-loom weaver, but a sharp decline in this industry is likely to have driven him to a life of crime.

Lyon would have been in good company. One diarist from the time, Ellen Wheeton, who lived on Church Street next to the White Lion, (now the pub car park), described it as a licentious and scandalous place: “Such numbers of unmarried women have children.

In two houses near together, there have been in each, a mother and daughter lying in, nearly at the same time; and one man (the notorious George Lyon) reputed to be father to all four!”

Relations of Lyons still live locally, including one in the White Lion itself. Julie’s son, Joe, 17, is a distant nephew to George Lyon on his father’s side.

Joe next to George Lyon’s grave

70

“It’s not something I tend to broadcast much, but it is fascinating.” says the former Newfold and Up Holland High pupil. “I’ve known about it since I was about eight years old and it’s probably something I’ll take more of an interest in when I’m older.”

Julie, an ex-Lamberhead Green and Up Holland Grammar school pupil, said: “It’s something he’s quietly proud of. In a way, it makes me feel safe because if the ghost of George Lyon is in the pub, then I like to think he’d keep us safe because of Joe.” One of Lyon’s biggest claims to fame was that he held up a mail coach at Tawd Bridge, near Spencers Lane, Digmoor. Legend has it he hatched the plan in the Legs of Man pub and used horses from the Bull’s Head as a getaway. Lyon got his comeuppance when he unwittingly sold his haul from the Westwood raid to John Macdonald, who was working undercover for the police. Macdonald paid Lyon with marked notes and Lyon, along with three accomplices were charged with burglary. They spent the night in a police cell at Scarisbrick Farm, now the site of Eskbank in Tanhouse, before being put on trial many months later at the Assize Court at Lancaster Castle.

“Ghostly goings on” In a letter to his wife just days before his hanging, Lyon wrote a letter in which he begged forgiveness. He also enclosed £30 so that she would ensure his body was brought back to Up Holland and not used for scientific research, as was commonplace at the time with the bodies of dead convicts.

He was brought back to Up Holland by Simon Washington, the landlord of the Old Dog Inn, on Alma Hill. Crowds flocked to see the coffin as it made a final journey through Orrell Post, Gathurst, Wrightington, Appley Bridge, Roby Mill and down Parliament Street.

Lyon was laid to rest in the best parlour of the Old Dog overnight before burial the following day, Sunday, April 23, 1815, in the grounds of the parish church, a mere stone’s throw away from the White Lion.

Mike, Julie and Joe outside the White Lion He was buried with his daughter, Nanny Lyon, and hers is the only name recorded on the tombstone.

However, the grave always appears to have flowers next to it; a small dash of red in an otherwise monochrome part of the graveyard. However, many believe the spirit of Lyon haunts the local area.

Indeed, Mike and Julie at the White Lion say they’ve noticed some ghostly goings-on at the pub,: “We’ve had occasions when we’ve left the pool table set out a certain way, with the cues on the table; gone to bed and in the morning the balls have been in a different place and the cues are back in the rack,” says Mike.

“We get plenty of people coming in here asking where the grave is, particularly in summer,” says Mike.

“In fact, only the other day we had a group of about 20 people who came in. We did them a roast and afterwards they asked if I could give a small talk.”

So, given that George Lyon’s life, and death, revolved around just a few square yards of turf in Church Street, could he be one of the White Lion’s ghost?

Mike smiles: “I don’t know for sure, but that there are spirits hanging around here and I don’t just mean those behind the bar!”

71

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72

Business view

Make the most of online

accounting

by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy

W

here there’s WiFi, there’s work! With the use of mobile devices, dongles and hotspots, working remotely and ‘on the go’ is now the norm. So why not take advantage of being able to access your books whilst on the go, too?

No matter how large or small your business, keeping a close eye on your accounts is vital in today’s economic climate. Cloud-based accountancy software is the perfect way of conveniently managing your business’ finances at the push of a button, wherever you may be.

• Low cost & Pay As You Go – There are no contracts involved, you just pay a small monthly fee to access the software.

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Why not give it a try, free of charge?

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73

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74

Wigan’s the

business!

The number of Wigan businesses and people in work grew last year.

Data released by the Office of National Statistics shows that there are 7,470 firms in the borough area, compared to 7,090 in 2013.

The lion’s share was made up by micro businesses, employing up to nine people, who account for 6,525 (87%) of the area’s employers. By contrast, firms employing 250 or more account for just 0.4%.

The number of jobs in the borough stands at 96,900 - up 1,200 since 2011 but down significantly from the 100,600 jobs in 2010.

The service sector is by far the biggest employer, with 77,300 people employed in it, followed by public admin, education and health (27,600). By contrast with Wigan’s past, just 100 people are now employed in agriculture and mining - the smallest recorded vocation group. Gross weekly pay in the borough stands at £481.90, down £10 on the previous year.

Dr John Ashcroft, Chief Economist at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, said: “The latest data points to a strong finish in the final quarter of 2014. In Greater Manchester, we expect strong

Dr John Ashcroft predicts growth of 2.9 per cent growth in the construction and services sectors with particularly strong growth in leisure and business services. Further afield, we forecast world growth of 2.9 per cent in 2015 increasing to 3.1 per cent in 2016.

UK Inflation will average 0.8 per cent.”

Rosebud funds available for West Lancashire firms Creative and digital businesses in West Lancashire are being urged to apply for funding to help grow their enterprises.

Lancashire County Council says its Rosebud Micro finance could help after the sector has identified as having high growth potential.

Funding of between £10,000 to £49,000 is available to support innovative plans.

Rosebud was formed to generate more higher value businesses for Lancashire’s future economy and create an increasing number of better paid jobs.

It will invest in any good business idea, particularly from the priority sectors of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, finance and professional creative and digital and energy and environment.

Cllr Niki Penney, chairman of Lancashire County Developments Ltd (LCDL) and member of the Creative Lancashire board, said: “Creative ideas are often untested, which can make it harder to get the funding you need to support your business. “Finance from Rosebud Micro could be the answer.” For details, email rosebud@lancashire.gov.uk

75

Trade units planned

Jodie to give ‘lean’ talk

Four new trade units could be opened in Marus Bridge soon. Plans have been submitted to build on

The chairman of Wigan St Patrick’s Rugby Club is giving a talk to business leaders in Wigan on Tuesday, March 3. Jodie Whittle will be talking about the science of improving your business, with some practical examples of how the ‘Lean’ principles of business can help you make positive changes. By day Jodie uses ‘Lean’ to assist the NHS but she’s also used business improvement science to marked effect at St Pat’s, where she has helped re-establish the club’s financial security after a turbulent time.

open land on Warrington Road next to SCA Packaging and Total Fitness by Derwent Construction.

The units will provide 2,347 square metres of floorspace and have 36 car parking spaces. An application has also been made for works to the existing gym building which will provide a ground floor retail unit. Documents submitted to Wigan Council state: “The land to the north of Total Fitness has been cleared pursuant to a 2007 consent for office development, but in current market conditions that will not be completed. It thus provides a vacant site with immediate frontage to Warrington Road and no contribution to local economic performance.

Its use for trade counter units is supported by soft marketing and provides a good opportunity for gainful occupation and delivery of jobs.”

A decision is due soon.

The talk takes place at St Pat’s, Harper Street, Wigan is the latest event run by Wigan Borough Business Club.

It welcomes all members of local businesses. Entry is £5. Email info@wiganbbc.org.uk for details.

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76

Puzzle

corner

Guess where?

Photo courtesy of Wigan World

F A B S C H I

L L I N G E A B

R U B L E U A I H N J E L O A A C E D Y J R G D C P D E F H N J U I O H I H G U Y U R E T C D E D O L L A R V T H D S Z

Sudoku

V W Q Z P F K U I O Q O S E P T F E C K V B R J K P F T D C C D D N A R N H A W G V E F E M E T Y I Y O G T M C F R D E A S G T G H R N F E V V L E D H C D F M N U T E S X C I V H

R O B C Z Y E N D E Q B N T Y I

J

I

L X W E L S R E K G U O

D I M E J

I N L E L C E V P I

Wordsearch Currency

Answers are on page 113 of this magazine

Dollar Yen Euro Franc Peso Krone

Ruble Lira Baht Sterling Rand Dime

Dirham Rupee Mark Schilling

77

Food & Drink

Counting the

calories

by Claire Spreadbury

W

e’re a few months in now, so how’s that dim and distant resolution of losing weight coming along? If the sweet treats have crept back into your daily routine, or Dry January has become awash with weekend wine, don’t despair.

In 2012, there was a point when everyone seemed to be talking about the 5:2 diet. More of an eating plan than a diet, it simply involves two ‘fasting’ days a week, when your calorie intake needs to be a maximum of 500 for women or 600 for men, and five blissfully normal definitely-not-on-a-diet days.

Three years on and the bookshelves are still groaning under the weight of new titles; Kate Harrison’s 5:2 Good Food Kitchen, for one. And that’s because it works.

“From the first day I did it, I realised it was the easiest approach to controlling my weight I’d ever tried,” notes Harrison. “I lost 31lbs, gained energy, confidence and a complete loss of guilt about food. And it inspired me to write four books.”

“On a weekly basis, you’re slashing at least 3,000

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78

calories from what you’d normally eat, which is equal to a pound of real weight loss - not water loss,” says diet and fitness expert Laura Williams (www. laurawilliamsonline.co.uk). “It’s a simple question of sums and creating deficits.”

Try it - you might like it. And if you do, and you find your scales are suddenly pointing at your goal weight, you can drop down to one fasting day a week to keep it all off.

I’m only on week two, but am happy to keep it up and losing 2.5lbs in seven days has certainly spurred me on. I would recommend avoiding ‘virtually caloriefree’ (and also completely tasteless) noodles, and discovering low-calorie foods you don’t dislike. A massive salad hits all the right notes, Marks & Spencer’s mini hot cross buns are a perfect 100-calorie fix and there’s an array of low-cal ready meals on the market that are a lot more tasty than you think - and make it easy to keep fasting, even when you’re too busy to cook.

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79

eggs Florentine Calories 189

Serves 1 Ingredients For the sauce: 1tsp Dijon mustard 2tbsp half-fat crème fraiche Fresh herb leaves, such as chives, parsley or dill, plus extra to garnish Salt and pepper Pinch of sugar (optional) For the layer: 50g fresh or defrosted frozen spinach Squeeze of lemon juice 1 very thin slice of sourdough bread weighing 15g 1 medium egg Splash of vinegar Salt and pepper As a variation, try Eggs Benedict. Substitute the spinach with 20g of ham. Calorie count is 193.

Another variation is Eggs Royale. Substitute the spinach with 20g smoked salmon. Calorie count is 220, or 298 with a second poached egg.

Method Make the sauce by heating the crème fraiche and mustard gently in a small saucepan for two minutes.

Use scissors to snip the herbs directly into the saucepan, reserving a few leaves for garnish. Season to taste. If it’s too sharp for you, add a pinch of sugar or sweetener. For the layer, microwave or pan cook the spinach with a little water and a squeeze of lemon juice until wilted. Season with pepper then drain through a sieve. When cool enough to handle, carefully squeeze out as much of the water as possible and set aside. Toast the sourdough bread lightly under the grill or in a toaster.

For the egg, bring a medium saucepan of water to the boil with a splash of vinegar. Break your egg onto a small plate. Create a whirlpool in the water with a fork or whisk and, with your other hand, slip the egg into the middle of the saucepan as gently as possible. Turn off the heat and set a timer for three minutes. After that time, check that the egg white has set before removing from the saucepan using a slotted spoon.

Place gently onto a plate lined with kitchen paper to absorb the excess cooking water.

Set the toast on a warm plate, lay the spinach on top, then add the egg and finally the sauce. Season, and garnish with the reserved herb leaves and serve immediately.

80

Taste test

Heap of

flavours

by David Sudworth

T

here’s no shortage of places to eat out in Parbold, but when the opportunity arises to dine with friends I find it difficult not to choose the Stocks Tavern.

Perched on the corner of Alder Lane and Mill Lane, the Stocks has, in recent years, been transformed into a top eating venue with a fantastic head chef, Michael Heap. I met my friends Peter and Sophie there recently for an evening meal. The first thing we noticed was how it seemed bustling without being full. There’s no getting away from the fact that the Stocks is on the smaller side, as are many buildings from 1810, but the tasteful decor, recently updated, makes it feel so much bigger. Ample car parking on each side of Mill Lane also makes it a big attraction.

On to the food, and because it had been a while since I’ve visited the Stocks, it was interesting to see what changes had been made to the menu. One striking aspect is the variety of dishes on offer. From traditional to continental, carnivorous to vegetarian, there really is something for everyone. People with special dietary requirements will also be pleased to know they also have vegan and gluten-free options.

For starters, I opted for the jerk marinated chicken wings with a Cajun five-bean salad, Peter fancied the goats’ cheese, red onion and leek tart while Sophie, who is a fan of Italian food, chose the oven baked ciabatta topped with blue cheese and spring onion rarebit.

Presentation-wise, these dishes deserve high marks even before we sank our pearly whites into them. I was pleased that the flavour of my chicken matched the elegance of its ‘kerb appeal’. I’m not usually a fan of wings; being usually a breast man, but these were succulent and the jerk marinade was extremely pleasant. The salad beneath had some fulsome flavours which, when accompanied with the chicken, made a good choice for a starter.

Peter’s tart came with a red pepper coulis and micro herbs, which gave it an air of culinary sophistication. Peter was especially pleased with how the red onion worked with, rather than dominated, the other ingredients to give an all-round satisfying flavour.

81

Sophie, being a dainty thing, doesn’t eat much normally but consumed her ciabatta with gusto. For her, the small flecks of spring onion provided yet more proof of how relatively simple ingredients, when put together, can provide something special.

For the main course, I simply had to try the beef bourguignon while Peter went hook, line and sinker for the fish special - a duo of fish and chips, breaded plaice goujons, beer battered haddock and chunky chips with minted crushed peas and tartar sauce. Sophie, who is veggie, chose the mixed vegetable jambalaya, and what a choice it was too. It’s not often I have food envy, but this dish looked superb. And I knew from our starters that if it looks good at the Stocks, it’s bound to taste good. Being an all-round good egg, Sophie allowed me to sample a few mouthfuls. The fusion of

head chef Michael knows his onions (and other foodstuffs come to that) and the bourguignon served to me on a table next to a roaring coal fire - was the epitome of a gastronomic winter warmer.

So far so good, but what of the desserts? I’ve had countless meals where the starters and mains have been fantastic, but the desserts have been an utter let down. Not these - my homemade cheesecake, Peter’s chocolate fudge cake and Sophie’s homemade apple and cinnamon crumble were absolutely splendid. They knocked the wall-to-wall mass-produced puddings served up by far too many places into a cocked hat.

Speaking to Michael after our meal, it became clear why our food was so good. Not only does he have immense pride in what he produces, he sources produce locally. The veg comes from Rufford, the meat from Greaves’ butchers in Up Holland and the fish is sourced via a Skelmersdale business.

Not only is the location, venue and food great, the Stocks holds a number of events, including a Lancashire Tapas Night (March 26). On the evening there’s a great deal of two courses for £14.95. Peter, Sophie and I were extremely pleased to renew our acquaintance with the Stocks; great company, great food and a great venue - no wonder it’s ranked so highly on TripAdvisor.

tastes is an authentic tribute to this Creole dish made which lends heavily from the Spanish favourite paella.

Peter is a man of few words, so it was a surprise when he started waxing lyrical about his haddock, which he says was cooked perfectly.

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As for myself, despite what some supposed know-it-alls say, bourguignon isn’t simply a Lancashire hotpot with half a bottle of plonk thrown in... although admittedly that does sound nice! To get a bourguignon just right, the sauce has to form an almost velvety coat around the mushrooms and the beef has to be cooked very slowly. And also, you have to watch the salt, because too much and it ruins the dish completely. Happily,

3FOR2 OFFER! Offer ends on Tuesday, March 31

The Stocks Tavern, 16 Alder Lane, Parbold, WN8 7NN Telephone 01257 462874 www.thestockstavern.co.uk

82

Lemongrass and

ginger pork Calories 356

Method Serves 1

Put the pork escalope in a dish with the lemongrass, ginger and shallot. Toss the meat to coat. If you have time,

Ingredients

place the dish in the fridge to allow the pork to marinate

100g pork escalope

one-calorie cooking spray and place over a medium heat.

1/2 lemongrass stalk, finely chopped

Add the pork and fry it for three to four minutes on one

2cm-piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely chopped 1/2 shallot, finely chopped 1-cal cooking spray

for up to an hour. Spray a cold, non-stick frying pan with

side. Turn over, adding more spray to the pan, if needed.

Continue to cook the pork on the other side, until golden and cooked through in the middle. Set aside to rest.

Bring a small pan of water to the boil. Add the noodles and cook for five minutes, or following the instruction on

25g rice noodles

the pack. Add the baby corn and sugar snap pea mixture,

50g mixture of baby corn and sugar snap peas

as well as the broccoli florets, then turn off the heat and

50g broccoli florets

allow to cook in the hot water for one to two minutes.

Zest and juice of half a lime

Drain the noodles and vegetables, toss well to mix, then

1/2tsp sesame oil

return them to the pan. Stir in the lime zest and juice, sesame oil, soy sauce and chilli, then spoon onto a plate.

1tsp soy sauce

Slice the pork and arrange on top, then drizzle round any

1/2 red chilli, sliced

of the rested juices.

83

Treat Mum To a special

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84

Eating out

guide High Moor Restaurant

Rigby’s Coffee Shop

The Wayfarer

Based in rural Wrightington, we boast an enviable reputation for superb food, outstanding wines and genuine hospitality. We offer quality ingredients, freshly-prepared food and excellent value for money.

01257 252364 High Moor Lane, WN6 9QA highmoorrestaurantwigan.co.uk

Enjoy a trip out to Pimbo Garden Centre and tuck into a wide selection of delicious home cooked, locally sourced, food served seven days a week at Rigby’s Coffee Shop.

01695 622601 Pimbo Garden Centre, 32 Pimbo Lane, Up Holland, WN8 9QQ pimbogardencentre.co.uk

If you fancy dining in a country pub, an a la carte restaurant or a stylish Italian, this award winning pub/ restaurant in picturesque Parbold is a perfect choice for you.

01257 464600 Alder Lane, Parbold WN8 7NL wayfarerparbold.co.uk

Advertise

Gallimore’s Fine Restaurant

here

Contemporary dining served in the heart of Wigan. At Gallimore’s you will find fine food, a great atmosphere and a wide-range of drinks to suit all tastes.

01942 492100 13 The Wiend, Wigan WN1 1PF gallimores.com

Fifteens @ The Fox This quirky and popular pub dates back to the 17th century and offers fabulous home cooked food using recipes developed by our chefs. The real ale selection is superb too.

01695 628178 Fifteens @ The Fox, Roby Mill, Up Holland WN8 0QF fifteensatthefox.com

£30 + VAT

Quattro’s A family run Italian restaurant situated on the Rainford By-pass at Bickerstaffe. Being just off the slip road of the M58 makes this an ideal location for meeting friends and business lunches.

01695 720800 54 Rainford Road, Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk L39 0HF quattros.co.uk

Call 01695 627999 The Tavern Bar & Thai Restaurant Delicious classical Thai cooking.

Thai ingredients are flown in weekly from Thailand, and dishes are freshly prepared and cooked to order using traditional methods.

01942 375413 37 Mesnes St, Wigan, WN1 1QP thaitavernhouse.com

85

The Star Inn

Delph Tavern

The award-winning Star Inn is renowned for scrumptious food and quaffable ales. Its success has been built on a great reputation for fresh cooked, fresh produce, at reasonable prices.

01257 253355 60 Bank Top, Roby Mill WN8 0QQ thestarinnrobymill.co.uk

Award-winning CAMRA freehouse with a fast growing reputation for excellent quality food at reasonable

Lily & Arthurs

Winstons

The perfect place to take your family and friends. Try a light lunch or sample some fabulous homemade cake and coffee. This popular café serves simple, authentic, locally-sourced food.

01942 665950 37 Mesnes Rd, Wigan, WN1 2DF lilyandarthurs.co.uk

Traditional British pies, tasty Goosnargh chicken, delicious steak, fresh fish, Chef’s Specials, Sunday carvery and so much more.

Winston’s – Award Winning Pizza.

01695 627692 190 Upholland Road, Billinge WN5 7DJ winstonspizza.com

prices. Traditional British classics served, plus some exotic surprises too. Food served Wed-Sun only.

01695 622239 Tontine, Orrell WN5 8UJ facebook.com/TheDelphTavern

The Boathouse At the Boathouse we offer an excellent seasonal menu, freshly prepared and sourced from local suppliers. Our team can cater for every occasion, from a relaxed evening meal to your next special event.

01257 252456 Mill Ln, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DA appleybridgeboathouse.com

Rigbye Arms Country Inn

Lovels Bistro

Friendly service, delicious food and real cask ales. We offer top quality pub food, and our Feather & Fin restaurant serves the finest quality fresh fish and local game.

01257 462354 2, Whittle Lane, Wrightington, WN6 9QB rigbyearms.com

Tasty food, happy times and great value - you’ll not be disappointed with the quality, taste and service.

We’re more than just a great wedding venue.

Holland Hall, Lafford Lane, Up Holland, WN8 0QZ 01695 624 426 hollandhallhotel.co.uk

Miller & Carter We know a thing or two about steak. Once you’ve tasted our handcut, 30-day aged British steaks you’ll appreciate that only Miller & Carter offers that unique steakhouse experience.

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The Stocks Tavern Warmest and friendliest of welcomes with award winning chef Mike Heap, who uses only the finest, freshest, local ingredients to ensure you leave completely satisfied.

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86

Jack’s Tracks

Parbold &

Hilldale

by Chris Pearce

W

ith the limited Winter daylight hours, it can be quite tricky to fit in an afternoon walk that ticks all the boxes.

We wanted a short, testing walk on a mix of scenic topography. Fortunately for us, we’re just a few minutes away from the walking capital of West Lancashire, Parbold, which promptly served up a good offering for this Jack’s Tracks.

We parked on the car park by the canal on Station Road in the village, across from one of Parbold’s most attractive landmarks – the old windmill. Resisting the temptation to pop into the local café for a coffee until later, we set off eastwards down the canal towpath in the direction of Wigan.

After taking a few scenic pictures, we rounded a sharp bend and 175 yards later we exited the canal at Alder Road bridge (Bridge 38). Turn left heading upwards towards Parbold Hill for 500 yards until you reach Lancaster Lane. Turn left into Lancaster Lane, pass the church and the convent on the left, and once you’ve passed the school, there’s a footpath on the right opposite Tan House Lane. Take the footpath and bear left as the footpath takes you up and across the meadows until you climb over a stile to reach Stoney Lane.

Turn right up Stoney Lane for 50 yards and look out for the public footpath sign on the left just before the first housing appears. Hop over the stile and follow the path, sticking to the right hand side of the field.

Eventually, the path will take you downhill where you’ll cross a stile into the next field.

Head in the same direction across the middle of the field. You’ll see a stone wall up ahead and you’ll soon be walking on the path parallel to the right hand side of the wall.

87

You’ll eventually exit the field onto the upper reaches of Hillside Avenue. Turn right and then bear left uphill for approximately 400 yards towards Hunters Hill Quarry. Once you’ve passed though the entrance to Hunter’s Hill by the big sign, look out for a public footpath sign on the left hand side after about 30 yards. Hop over the stile at this point and head downhill, staying on the left hand perimeter of the field.

Just head in the same direction downwards, until you’ve passed through three fields. These fields are a bit muddy, so choose your steps carefully. You’ll exit onto Chorley Road and at this point, you’ll need to turn left, heading back towards Parbold. Once you’ve passed the white pillars of number 54 Chorley Road, cross the road and take the footpath opposite. Take the path for 250 yards and you’ll exit onto Grimshaw Green Lane.

Turn left and follow this quiet lane to its conclusion with Robin Lane 475 yards later. Turn left at the junction and you’ll immediately spot a footpath across the road that runs down the back of a pair of semi-detached cottages. Cross the road at this point, well before the bend ahead and go down the path, cross the brook and through the metal gate.

88

Gre en

B5

24

Chorley Road

G r im sha w

6

Robin

Hilldale Hunters Hill

Lane

Th e

Co m

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B5246

Stoney Lane

use

nc

Ta

Parbold

e

Lan

La

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as r te La ne Parbold

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Station Road

l Can al

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La

Mil ne

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Mill House Gallery

Hill

89

Follow the direction of the telegraph poles right the way through the middle of the field, crossing a metal stile on the way, and once you’ve reached the other side of the field, turn left and follow the track until again you appear on Chorley Road. Turn right and head down Chorley Road for approximately 800 yards towards Parbold until you reach the junction with Tan House Lane.

Turn right down Tan House Lane, and then turn left and go past the shops on The Common. Cross the railway at the crossing and you’ll end up again in Station Road. The car park is on the right just before the canal bridge.

Summary At just 4 miles long, you should be able to complete the walk within 2½ hours at a leisurely pace. There are a couple of steep climbs to complete, and it’s very muddy in places. Nice views though, especially from Hunters Hill. A fairly dog friendly walk, though Jack struggled over a couple of stiles. There are lots of places in Parbold to eat and drink too.

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.

90

What’s

on

Spring Craft Fair Sunday, March 1 Take the opportunity to find some bespoke gifts for Mother’s Day and Easter at Pimbo Garden Centre, Pimbo Lane, Up Holland, between 9.30am-4pm.

Willpower Production Wednesday, March 4, to Saturday, March 7 Willpower Youth Theatre presents Everybody Wants To Be A Movie Star at St Michael’s Church Hall, Shaw Street, Wigan. 7.30pm starts but 2.30pm performances at weekends. Tickets £6 via 01942 745082.

Wigan Beer Festival Thursday, March 5, to Saturday, March 7 Wigan Beer Festival is back for a three-day event at Robin Park Indoor Sports Centre, Loire Drive. Over 60 real ales, ciders and foreign beers. Thursday (5.30pm11pm), Friday (noon-11pm) and Saturday from 11.30am-11pm. Visit www.wigancamra.org.uk

Jesus Christ Superstar Tuesday, March 10, to Saturday, March 14

Friday, March 6

Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera tells the story of the last seven days in the life of Jesus. Takes place at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool.

Performances at 7.30pm with 2.30pm performances on the Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. Tickets from £19.50 via 0844 856 1111.

With special Guests Iain Till and Stephanie Kearley at Wigan Parish Church, Crawford Street. Doors open 7pm. Tickets are £12.50 in advance from David on 01942 824291 or email dtcartlidge@gmail.com

Indoor Car Boot Sale

The Will Pound Band

Sunday, March 8

Rambling Trip Saturday, March 7 Wigan & District Ramblers Group coach visit to Ribchester. A coach will be picking up at 8.45am at Standish Co-Op car park at 8.45am, at Library Street, Wigan, at 9am and in Golborne at 9.15am. To book, ring Geoff Stanley on 01204 699231 or 07775 660642.

Bag a bargain or sell your unused goods new at The Old Courts, Crawford Street, Wigan. £1 entry.

Wigan RSPB Meeting Tuesday, March 10 Brian Anderson on Galapagos Wildlife. From 7.45 pm. at St Anne’s Parish Centre, Church Lane, Shevington.

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Morpheus Glass Open Day Saturday, March 14, & Sunday, March 15 A wide range of pieces on show and many items will have up to 70% off plus all orders placed on the weekend will receive 30% off the normal recommended retail price. All work is handmade by glass designer Stephanie Bowen at the studio and pieces can be made to order. From 10am-4pm both days at Unit 11, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB. Call 01695 624182 or visit the website www.morpheusglass.co.uk for more information.

Fresh Cream Saturday, March 14 Cream tribute act includes Malcolm Bruce (son of Jack Bruce) and Will Johns (nephew of Eric Clapton) at The Old Courts, Crawford Street, Wigan. Tickets £10 on the door.

Spring Fair Saturday, March 14 From 10am-1pm at Orrell Methodist Church, Church Drive. Hot pot lunches will be available plus all the usual stalls including fancy goods, chocolates, groceries and flowers.

RNCM Students’ Evening Saturday, March 14 Wigan Music Society presents an Evening with Students from the Royal Northern College of Music at Trinity United Reformed Church, Milton Grove, Wigan, starting at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at the door £8 for members, £10 for visitors of £1 for students.

Wigan Wine Festival Sunday, March 15 The event takes place at Haigh Hall from 4pm.

There will be two floors of reds, whites, rose and champagnes on offer. There will also be live music on both floors. Admission is £2 in advance via 01942 832895 or £2.50 on the door.

Disney On Ice Wednesday, March 18, to Sunday, March 22 Get ready to enter a world of enchantment featuring the most magical moments. You’ll be whisked away into the world of Frozen, Little Mermaid, Ariel, Rapunzel, Tangled and Beauty and the Beast.

The venue for this spectacular is the Liverpool Echo Area, Albert Dock. Varying performance times of 11am, 3pm and 7pm. Under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. Under twos go free if sat on parent’s lap.

Tickets start from £17.50. Visit www.echoarena.com

St Thomas the Martyr Fundraiser Wednesday, March 18 Tasty Treats Evening from 7pm in the Parish Rooms, Highgate Road, Up Holland. Evening includes a Silent Auction and entertainment by The Phoenix Singers, Skelmersdale Dramatic Group and Chocolate tasting.

Entry is £3. For more information contact Kath 01695 721038, Edith 01695 623686 or Anne 01942 515409.

Charity Soul Night Friday, March 20 All proceeds for this night from 7.30pm go to The Christie in Manchester. Donations on the door. Takes place at Stubshaw Cross Labour Club, Walter Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

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Spring Market Saturday, March 21 Tunley United Reformed Church, Mossy Lea Road, welcomes you to go along between 11am - 1.00pm to browse the various stalls. Light lunches served.

Vintage Fair Sunday, March 22 Held at Haigh Hall from 10am-4pm. It has a wide range of stalls selling vintage and retro clothing, accessories and home wear. Entry is £1 but under 12s go free.

South Pacific Tuesday, March 24 Wigan Musical Theatre Group presents this popular musical, which includes favourites such as Some Enchanted Evening, St Michael’s Parish Hall Shaw Street. Starting at 7.30pm. Tickets priced £8 and £7 concessionary on sale from 01942 706106.

Circus Of Horrors Sunday, March 22 The show that stormed into the finals of Britain’s Got Talent and the West End is back at Parr Hall, Palmyra Square South, Warrington. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets from £14-£26 via 01925 442345.

Fuchsias My Way Thursday, March 26 Wigan & Districts Fuchsia Society welcomes Dr Les Smith for a talk to the society on Fuchsias My Way.

Starts at 7.45pm at the United Reformed Church hall, Church Street, Orrell. For more information, contact Chris Bright on 0151 423 2979.

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Cabaret Night Friday, March 27 Fundraiser in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society at St James’ Club, St James’ Road, Orrell, Doors open 7pm.

Featuring comedian Trevor Wallace, vocalist Andie Dee, local duo Crawford & Brown, compere David Franks and hotpot supper. Tickets £10 from 01695 623902 or Frank Mernagh on 01744 309760.

Family Fun Day Saturday, March 28 Fundraiser for Wigan & Leigh Hospice taking place at Highfield Cricket Club, Billinge Road, from noon-4pm.

Tombola, stalls, facepainting and a bouncy castle.

Organised by Amy Cooper, Miss Junior Wigan 2015 beauty finalist.

Easter at Haigh Hall Easter Sunday & Monday Easter fun at Haigh Hall, School Lane. Sunday 11am to 5pm - live music . Easter Monday from 5pm-7pm - Last Night Of The Proms with Greater Manchester Police Band. Stalls £10 per spot for each day.

Easter Eggstravaganza Tuesday, April 7, and Thursday, April 9 Join Museum of Wigan Life staff to make your own springtime masterpiece. From 1pm-2.30pm. Cost £2.50. Booking essential - 01942 828128.

Quiz Night Saturday March 38 Held by Goose Green Cricket Club at St Matthew’s Parish Hall, Billinge Road, Highfield, from 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 per person including a hotpot supper.

Team sizes a maximum of six. For more information, call Phil on 01942 230029 or Helen on 01942 392306.

All proceeds to the club’s ground development fund.

Blue At The Apollo Friday, April 3 All rise - Blue are back! The boyband-turnedmanband will be at the O2 Apollo on Stockport Road, Manchester, as part of a 16-date UK tour.

Starts at 7pm and under 14s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets from £28.95 via www. o2apollomanchester.co.uk

Appley Bridge Meteorite Talk Saturday, April 4 Another chance to hear from author Russell Parry about his book charting the day a meteorite fell to earth in Appley Bridge. Talk starts at 10.30am at Shevington Library, Gathurst Lane.

Mrs Brown’s Boys Saturday, April 11 The award-winning Mrs Brown’s Boys returns to Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, with their brand new tour How Now Mrs Brown Cow, written by and starring Brendan O’Carroll. If you haven’t experienced Mrs Brown’s Boys live, this new tour is set to be one of the hottest tickets for 2015 and is not to be missed!

Doors open at 6pm and there’s a matinee at 12.30pm.

Tickets from £22.50 via www.manchester-arena.com

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Plight of the Humble Bee

Family Foraging

Tuesday, April 14

Saturday, April 18

An illustrated talk by Rick Hall at Wigan RSPB Local Group’s monthly meeting. Starts at 7.45 pm. Free to members. Non-members welcome £2. Takes place at St Anne’s Parish Centre, Church Lane, Shevington.

Always wanted to be able to spot naturally-growing edible foods? Join the local borough council rangers at Beacon Country Park, Beacon Lane, Dalton, from 2pm. Booking is necessary by calling 01695 622794.

Motown Experience Thursday, April 16 Featuring The Formations, this ultimate celebration of the sweet sound of Motown is back in Preston. Tickets £20 and the performance at the Charter Theatre, on Lancaster Road, Preston, starts at 7.30pm. Telephone 01772 804444.

Workshop for Beginners Friday, 17 April From 2.30pm-4.30pm at Standish Library, Cross Street.

They will look at Ancestry and other websites, along with resources available in Wigan Archives & Local Studies. Free entry - for further information telephone 01257 400 496.

Tennis Weekend Friday, April 17 & Sunday, April 19 Taking place at Winstanley Tennis Club, off Hall Lane.

Friday, 5pm-8pm, there’s a family night costing £5 where you can go down and have a go at playing. On the Sunday, from 1.30pm-4.30pm, there’s an open day with drinks and snacks available in the clubhouse.

Grand Vegas Tribute Night Saturday, April 18 A charity event to raise funds for Jack, the son of “Drummer” Lee Rigby who was murdered in London.

Tickets are £25 per person and takes place at The Banqueting Suite, Leigh Stadium, Leigh Sports Village, WN7 4GY, from 7pm.

Call Garry on 07944 444860 or the Sports Village 01942 487823.

The Hollies Saturday, April 18 The Hollies perform their classicss including The Air That I Breathe and He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother.

Takes place at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, Hope Street, and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets from £23.50 via www.liverpoolphil.com

Great War Exhibition Monday, April 20, - Saturday, April 25 Takes place at Haigh Hall, School Lane, there will be a replica trench scene and WW1 ward diorama illustrating the invaluable work of auxiliary hospitals such as Haigh Hall. This is a free event presented by the Friends of Haigh Country Park. Call 01942 254219 or email wendyb6@btinternet.com

Night of Dirty Dancing Tuesday, April 21 No film has captured the hearts of a generation like Dirty Dancing. Relive the passion, indulge in the romance and celebrate the greatest movie soundtrack of all time. Recast and re-scripted for 2015, it’s all down to Kellerman’s end of season show. Takes place at Bolton Octagon Theatre, Howell Croft South, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £17 via 01204 520661.

WANT A DJ FOR YOUR FUNCTION? Dance classics from all the decades Call Chris for details on 078834310941 Or email djchriswright.nwp@gmail.com

NWP AGENCY & EVENTS

20 years experience * Public liability insurance * PAT tested

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Cricket Club Beer Festival Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3 First ever Standish Cricket Club Beer festival with 15 guest ales hosted in a marquee on the Green Lane ground. Sunday is family fun day with a fairground, music, bouncy castles and slides, great fun, bring the kids. Entry £5 per adult for a weekend pass, children go free. Pay on the day or contact Ste Critchley 07702 710304 or email beerfestival@standishcc.co.uk for tickets.

Chuckles Of Oz Saturday, April 25 Family favourites The Chuckle Brothers star in the brand new The Chuckles of Oz. Based on the classic Wizard of Oz, this show sees Paul and Barry charged with looking after Dorothy as she walks the yellow brick road in her quest to meet the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. On at Southport Theatre, Promenade, from 2pm. Tickets are priced from £16.90 and available via www.atgtickets.com

Quadrophenia Night Saturday, April 25 Featuring a set from The Atlantics, who play all the hits from the film live with a big screen film show of the movie. DJ Drew Stansall, formerly of The Specials, will be spinning the Mod, Ska, 2 Tone and Soul tunes before and after the band. Takes place at The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St Helens. Doors open at 9pm. To check availability of seated tickets, call 01744 735 436.

Doors Alive

Charity Comedy Night Monday, May 11 Taking place at Newtown Working Men’s Club, Anson Street, to raise money for two nursing charities, RCN Benevolent Fund and the Florence Nightingale Foundation. Starts at 7.45pm. Tickets cost £7.50 via www.wegottickets.com/event/305661

Mark Knopfler Saturday, May 16 Grammy award winner Mark Knopfler returns to Manchester Arena to perform tracks from his ninth solo album Tracker live for the first time as well as all the favourites from his Dire Straits days.

Tickets from £45 via www.manchester-arena.com

John Barrowman Tuesday, May 19 John’s new album, You Raise Me Up is released this summer and his appearance at the Liverpool Philharmonic is part of his first full UK tour in four years. It starts at 7.30pm and tickets range from £25 to £75 for VIP entry via www.liverpoolphil.com

Saturday, April 25 The Doors tribute band with support from John the Baptist & the Second Coming and Deep Shade. Enjoy a twist on Jim Morrison’s best songs, such as Light My Life and the legendary Break On Through.

Tickets are £11 on the door at The Old Courts, Crawford Street, Wigan.

Quartet Wednesday, May 20 - Saturday, May 30 Wigan Little Theatre presents this production written

by Ronald Harwood and directed by Jim Stirrup.

Tickets are £8-£10 and available via 01942 242561.

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A change is as good Award Winner

as a rest

by Angie Barker

Y

ou know that feeling when you get so familiar with something that it starts to get boring? When you feel fed up with doing the same thing? No, I’m not talking about Hubby and me (he was getting worried then) I’m talking about the garden. It’s like when you decide to decorate your living room. A new sofa, a splash of paint can instantly revive a room and make it feel new and exciting – you want to show it off.

Well its the same with gardens. The number of people I meet in my travels who tell me that their garden has looked like that for twenty years - and no wonder they’ve stopped using it and just mow the grass to keep it in check but find it a real chore. If you and your garden have reached this stage, then I’ve got the answer. You need a project! A garden does not need a complete makeover to breathe new life into it but something which just revives your interest in it. Here are some suggestions: • Change the shape of your lawn – this is an instant transformation • Create a herb garden

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

• Take out say 15 of your existing plants (depending on the size of your garden) and buy new ones – with different colours and texture • Enhance your seating area with new paving, or buy rattan furniture which you can leave out all year round. Add stylish pots and plant Phormiums and Bamboo for a contemporary, lush look • Start a veggie plot – this can even be done in pots and grow bags • Create a haven for wildlife. Log piles and nest boxes and bird tables are so easy to place in the garden and children love being involved • Screen the ugly shed in the corner and the wheelie bins and erect some trellis with some pretty climbers to scramble over it • Create a focal point. Place a large urn or bird bath in gaps in planting or at the end of a path Find a project that interests you and suddenly your garden will have a new lease of life. As for Hubby and me, yes we’ve been together for a long time now but boring …. never!

Call Angie now for your free consultation!

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

Award Winner

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s und Gro enance t ng M a i nn d s c a p i g & L aardscapin ving H g & Pa in Fenc

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Want a beautiful garden without all the hard work?

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Tree and Landscape Management West Lancashire District Council approved contractor

Day: 07970 521 692 Eve: 01942 214 121 www.smntrees.co.uk

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Dalton Tree Services & Log Supplies • All tree and hedge work • Branches removed or chipped • Free and friendly advice Call Peter on 07973

Our aim is to deliver a creative, personal service adhering to our customers requirements and within budget.

Large projects or small makeovers are all carried out with the same commitment and dedication. We take great pride in completing all projects to the highest possible standards. w w w. p d h o m e a n d g a r d e n . c o . u k

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Landscapes Ltd

Garden Design & Construction from Concept to Completion Contemporary – Creative – Traditional

Local - Reliable - Professional

•

Award Winner

•

• Gates and railings • Repairs and restorations • Ironwork and welding • Traditional forge work over 20 years experience

Call Stewart Ashcroft on;

01695 622460 or 07894 217191 email:westdene41@btinternet.com

We offer high quality landscaping, garden design and ground maintenance services Quality work and reliability at competitive prices

01942 510 986 07710 405 214 www.ashlandscapingandmaintenance.co.uk Established 1994

Treat your mower to a service!

Prices start from just £30

! ee & ce Fr up ervi ck s pi off op dr

Give your garden a makeover!

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We also sell re-conditioned mowers!

Wigan Lawnmower Services

Call - 01744 895867 www.wiganlawnmowerservices.co.uk Outdoor Living by DMAC Extend your home into your garden with our beautiful and practical timber structures

Contact David today for a free consultation

Wimborne Road, Orrell

Lighting, heating & decking for your garden room provided if required.

We also do pergolas, gazebos, carports, pet enclosures etc.

01257 255614 / 07910 120 035 www.outdoorlivingbydmac.co.uk

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Test drive

Mitsubishi

T

PHEV

by Tim Barnes-Clay

he Mitsubishi PHEV may look like a normal Outlander, but hiding behind the mask is the most technologically advanced Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) on the car market.

‘PHEV’ stands for Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. It means the SUV can be fed by electricity from a domestic socket to power electric motors that are supported by a petrol engine.

Two electric motors drive the front and rear axle separately while batteries allow electricity-only driving at up to 75mph. Beyond that pace, or should the battery pack drain to less than 30 per cent of its charge, a 2.0-litre petrol engine kicks in to life. It acts as a generator to help the PHEV accomplish a total driving range of approximately 500 miles on a full tank.

The Outlander PHEV is also the most fuel efficient four-wheel drive. That’s astounding for a family-size car that tips the scales at a bulky 1810kg, and seats five.

As a global first, the Outlander PHEV also has no direct adversary. The closest is the Lexus RX450h, though it can’t be recharged via a powerpoint and cannot run on electricity alone.

Befitting its first-class status in the Outlander range, the PHEV is very well stacked with kit. It has 18 inch alloy wheels, dusk-sensing auto headlamps, touchscreen with satellite navigation and reversing camera, climate control, parking sensors and seven airbags.

The flagship GX4hs was driven for this review and the model comes with additional features such as adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. The latter squeals at you if it detects you’ve drifted across the road’s white dividing lines.

If you’re used to a standard car, it’s going to be a peculiar experience the first time you gently push the gearstick over to the right into ‘D’ and drive off in silence. Even sharp jabs of the throttle produce the same amount of hush, though that has its rewards – the audio unit has plenty of clarity in the quiet cabin.

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The Outlander PHEV isn’t rapid from a standing start, but tremendous pulling power makes up for it once you get going. Initial acceleration suffers simply because of the heavy jumble of battery and electric motors that the standard Outlander doesn’t possess.

When you need to recharge on the move, all you need to do is hit the ‘Charge’ switch behind the joystick, which fires up the four-cylinder engine to replenish the battery. A single charge via a powerpoint takes five hours, which could cost you next to nothing depending on the hours you choose to plug in to the grid.

Inside, it’s pretty much standard Outlander layout apart from the joystick-style gearstick and electric charging buttons. The tachometer has also been replaced by a power meter, which shows when you’re charging-up the battery, using the battery, or running the engine.

Behind the wheel, body control is good for an SUV of this weight as the Outlander PHEV profits from Mitsubishi’s Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC). This is a system that ensures maximum stability when cornering.

Indeed, for its green, yet powerful talents, Mitsubishi’s PHEV is an SUV that many British families will take to their hearts.

L

FastPass

Driving School • Friendly & Professional • DSA Approved Instructor • Lesson Diagrams on iPad • Based in Orrell

Call Fergal on: 01942 204036 or 07963 380298 www.fastpass-driving-school.co.uk

Billinge &

Rainford Service and MOT Centre

Interim service and MOT from £95 inc VAT Full service and MOT from £130 inc VAT MOT - £34.95 MOT Class 7 - £38.95 Free pick up and drop off service available



£5 off when you have a service and MOT at our garages

FAST FACTS Max speed: 106mph 0-62 mph: 11 secs Combined mpg: 148.7 Engine: 2.0 litre petrol plus two electric motors Max. power (bhp): 119 at 4500 rpm Max. torque (Ib/ft): 140 at 4500 rpm CO2: 44 g/km Price: £40,054 on the road

Offer valid on production of this voucher Any make or model welcome

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Rainford Service and MOT Centre

Part of SGN Autos Ltd 84 Rainford Road, Billinge, WN5 7PG and Sandwash Close, Rainford, WA11 8LY

Call - 01744 895 333 or 01744 886 720 Mobile - 07918 138 231

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Good as New I’ll get your car looking as good as new - or you’ll get your money back!

Professional quality paintwork repairs at a fraction of traditional body shop costs l Quick l Convenient

Paintwork repair specialist -we visit your home or work

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Specialists in; • Bumper scuffs No VAT charged • Vandal scratches • Alloy wheel repairs Any written quote beaten!

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For your free estimate call David Hughes on

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Experienced ex-Mercedes and Volkswagen Audi Group technicians will service your car at a fraction of main dealer costs!

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All repairs, exhausts, tyres, clutches, diagnostics, MOT work.

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Arley Cabinet Company Ltd • Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 •

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• Solid rigid built units • 18mm solid back, base & wall unit • Soft close doors & drawers • 2mm colour matched edging • Over 35 years experience

We measure we make we fit and have done for 60 years.

Visit our showroom or call us today for a FREE estimate

Arley Cabinet Co. Ltd 214a Gidlow Lane Wigan WN6 7BN Mon-Fri: 8am - 4.30pm Sat: 9am - 12pm

Call John today for a free estimate

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We can recommend a fitter

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Great Value Bathrooms!

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Fix my conservatory!

• Conservatory, window and door repairs • Misted double glazing replaced • Replacement conservatory roofs • Solid roof upgrades • Window and door installations • ALL work guaranteed

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Providing professional carpet & upholstery cleaning since 1993 Carpets Leather

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Advertise here Advertise your business in this section for £39 + VAT a month For more information please phone

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we make it our business to help yours

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Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning • traditional service, state of the art results •

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Get the wrinkles out of your life!

• Quality ironing service at reasonable rates • Pick up & drop off service to your home – 24 hour turnaround.

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PAINTING & DECORATING From interior to exterior - we do it all!

Ian Martland

Painter & Decorator Established 1990

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• High Quality • Superb Value • Outstanding Service Call today for your free quotation

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Award Winner

Need a new look for your home?

Skilled interior and exterior work undertaken at reasonable prices!

Chris Smith - Painter and Decorator

01942 518126 or 07545 065119 Orrell based business

Lady Decorator

Professional Interior Decorating Service Reduced rates for Pensioners Clean, tidy and conscientious Tel: 01942 366996 or 07962 422856

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Our Master Craftsman Derek and his friendly team will help you create your dream home.

All aspects of decorating - from simple painting or wallpapering to complex murals.

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Call 07831 505 672

email franklindecorators@gmail.com

www.wigandecorators.co.uk

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KEEP YOUR FAMILY OR BUSINESS SAFE WITH MAP SECURITY

All aspects of plastering undertaken Re-skims Dot & dab Rendering 2 coat work Unwanted artex

For a free quote, call Ian Ridley on

01942 218 160 or 07958 695 116

Alarm & CCTV specialist Security Lighting Telephone Extensions CALL NOW FOR A FREE HOME SECURITY ASSESSMENT Part P Certified

T: 01942 273396 | M: 07970 185302 www.mapsec.co.uk

ANDY HIDDEN Domestic Electrician

No Job Too Small!

• • • • • • •

Re-Wires Additional Sockets / Lights Home Safety Tests Fuse Board Upgrades Security Lighting Alarms CCTV

Good Trader Of The Year Winner in the Wigan Trading Standards Best of the Best Awards 2013/14.

Certificate of Excellence Winner in the 2012/13

Award Winner 2012/13/14

07946 844 904 08000 842 394 Email: andy@ahde.co.uk

All electrical work undertaken • Rewires & Upgrades • Interior & Exterior Lighting • Alarms & CCTV • Extra Sockets & Lights

07531 765 529 / 01695 628 150

• Rewire specialists • Extra sockets & lights fitted • Mains board upgrades

Free quotations

A.J.S.

BAILEYS ELECTRICAL

01942 215 769 07739 709 005

108

Paton Plumbing and Heating Ltd A friendly reliable service

Full central heating installations Complete bathroom renovations Boiler servicing and repairs Landlord’s gas safety certificates

Brand New Bathrooms

Tony Paton

Boiler Installations

T: 01942 568 184 M: 07825 323 711 E: patonplumbing850@gmail.com

C &D

Central Heating Repairs Servicing & Maintenance

Plumbing and Heating

Belvedere Barn Estate, Crank Road, Billinge

01744 893957

Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809 506515

Plumbing & Heating Specialist Complete Bathroom & Tiling service Free programmable room thermostats fitted with new Combi Boilers!

John Bailey - 01942 495785

or 07721 040620 & 07710 153238 Based in Kenyon Road, Wigan

542856

Heating & Bathroom Specialist Chris Heaton M.I.P.H.E.R.P 07973714222 01695625171

Central Heating Engineers & Installers • Boiler Servicing & Repairs • Full Central Heating Installations • Kitchen & Bathroom Plumbing 554021

Domestic & Commercial Work undertaken 30 years experience – Quality workmanship

07853 826 411 07853 071 961

www.beltinco.co.uk

T 01744 892 385

W rghheating.co.uk E info@rghheating.co.uk

H E AT I N G E N G I N E E R S

Breakdown, Service & Repair Central Heating Installation Gas Safety Inspections Boiler Replacement Power Flushing Based in Billinge, covering all of Wigan & St Helens

Design & Print Flyers, postcards, brochures and distribution service For more information call

l Geails N 5

Saving money is the clear benefit!

Soffits & Fascias

£20

Solar Thermal & Solar PV

1 w£

ally

rm

no

no

Wind Turbines Heat Pumps

Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect

LED Lighting

NG SERVICI

...and general Energy Savings

VAN CAR & motorcycles too es E ...and Lash Tan X y your FREE Spra H ils home survey eds A Sunb & GeTl Na Health Check ic Car U rton Acryl and Brethe Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double Glazed Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, Safety Glass, Toughened Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced

01695 627 999

FREE Dennis Goulding

and we’ll provide you with a detailed report showing the returns available from your

own solar panels Y S 84 of Croston (10% typical return) dio residents me!

R Stu T @ for all7PG me until you needCheck E e WN5Keep S Health Visit our showroom at , Billing 400 FREE Car on - 6PM Road S 4 619 your ford ay 10AM now Book Cricket : 0781

s Natalie

A5209

Shevington

Saturd hone : 84 Rain - 7PM, Open Telep 10AM y , Friday & Sunda ngineers esday Thursday TwinLakesMotorE ay, Wedn Closed ay, Tuesd Mond

Call

01772

REPAIR

603923

DING & WEL

Street Business Park

Slash your electricity and water heating bill

Protect your household from future energy price rises Reduce your household’s impact on the environment

Call us now

0843 224 9555 07595 420237 or

Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk

we make it our business to help yours

109

Woodburners

• Boiler Installation • Maintenance & Servicing • Central Heating Installation • System Upgrades • Power Flushing

& Multi-fuel Stoves!

An extensive range of stoves to suit your home.

Perfect for warmth and for hot water too!

A sustainable solution to energy price increases.

Traditional & contemporary stoves available.

ll y te Ca oda uo t eq us fre a

r fo

We install

Don’t pay more for new boilers!

We’ll beat any like-for-like quote by £100 – guaranteed!

View our range of stoves online at...

Pay 0% interest on your new boiler!

Prices start from just £25 per month Belvedere Barn Estate, Crank Road, Billinge

8 year guarantee on Worcester Bosch boilers!

01744 893957

Subject to a filter being fitted

Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809

506515

We accept all major credit cards

Your Local Installer

Established 1998

A Genuine Family Run Business With Friendly & Courteous Staff SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES

Accredited Installer & Ser vice Partner • Annual Boiler Servicing • Landlord & Home Owner Gas Safety Checks • Gas Fire & Cooker Installations • Under Floor Heating Specialists • Home Efficiency Control Upgrades

Telephone:

01942 504 429 TEL: MOB:

01942 207800 / 01942 221221 eco@premiergas.com www.premiergas.com

186237

Advertise here For more information please phone

Finance available

WE REPAIR EXTENDED ALL MAKES WARRANTY ON SELECTED BOILER OF BOILERS! INSTALLATIONS

88604

Tel: Email: Web:

Advertise your business in this section for £39 + VAT a month

10 YEARS

Registration No.

Address: 434 Ormskirk Rd, Wigan, WN5 9DF

01257 421 660 07931 766 684

www.fgwelch.co.uk

01695 627 999

we make it our business to help yours

PETER RODAN LTD • All Heating & Plumbing work • Full Heating Installations • Boiler Servicing & Repairs • Boiler Conversions • 20 year experience

Tel: Mob:

01257 472 385 07971 631 709

Standish based

221213

110

First Class Workmanship • All types of re-roofs • Strip & re-slate or re-tile • Built up felt/flat roofs, dormers etc.

• Insurance work undertaken • Roofline uPVC fascias, soffits & guttering

W.Newman ROOFING & REPAIRS

01695 627 212 MOBILE: 07774 943 706

52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS, UP HOLLAND Established Over 30 Years

Hobson’s ROOFC

EST 1990

RE

WIGAN’S AWARD-WINNING ROOFING FIRM Call us for a free, no obligation quote for;

• Roofing Repairs • New Roofs • Re-Roofs • Roof Windows 22 Barnsley Street, Wigan

07831 764 798

Wigan Good Trader of the Year

www.hobsonsroofcare.co.uk

2010 2013

• WILSON BROS • Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services

Advertise here Advertise your business in this section for £39 + VAT a month For more information please phone

01695 627 999

we make it our business to help yours

Call us now for a free estimate

01695 633173 Colin: 07958 302 166 Brian: 07760 160 988 www.wilson-bros.co.uk

111

3 Maggotts Nook Road, Rainford

112

Home Improvements

House Extensions New Kitchens & Bathrooms Garage Conversions Full Refurbishments

• Fitted Kitchens & Bedrooms • Garage & Loft Conversions • Floors, Doors & Windows For all your home improvement needs call David on...

01942 203 804 DS Joiner 07851 225 876

All our work is fully insured & guaranteed References available on request Call now for a free quotation

Number One for House Maintenance!

• UPVC WINDOWS, DOORS & ROOFLINE • BROKEN LOCKS & MISTED WINDOWS • GUTTERS AND UPVC CLEANING SERVICE

01942 216 735

|

07725 909 257

• FLAGGING, FENCING & POINTING • GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE

No job too small!

Call Mike Darbyshire on

01942 513 584 / 07917 352 181 Orrell based

K Stone Building Services

All types of building work undertaken 25 years experience

• Brickwork • Pointing • Garden Walls • Patios • Joinery • Flagging • Alterations • Plastering

01942 495412 / 07974 496676

Accident Witness Cameras Protect Your Licence!

Stop Insurance Scams

GPS Mapping HD Cameras in stock

For friendly advice, innovative products and first class installation

Visit Wigan’s in-car technology specialist today!

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

SEVEN STARS BRIDGE, WIGAN

01942 820174 WWW.KANDMACOUSTICS.CO.UK

113

Useful numbers Medical Pemberton PCT Clinic Concourse Walk-in Centre Bradshaw Street Surgery Church Street Surgery Hall Green Surgery Holmes House Avenue Surgery Hall Green Clinic Orrell Clinic Matthew Ryder Clinic Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic Wigan Infirmary Ormskirk Hospital NHS Direct

01942 775 820 01695 588 640 01942 222 336 01695 622 982 01695 622 268 01942 483 213 01695 622 781 01942 775 750 01695 624 042 01942 498 480 01942 244 000 01695 577 111 08 454 647

Dentists Moor Road Dentist Church Street Dentist Tower Hill Dentist Hall Green Dentist St Raphael’s Dentist Emergency Dental Repairs

01942 215 091 01695 625 565 01695 622 410 01695 622 066 01695 627 617 01695 623 334

Local Life Magazine

Puzzle

Police Greater Manchester Police Skelmersdale Police Station Up Holland Police Team

101 01695 566 134 0845 1253 545

Council and Councillors (Wigan) Wigan Council www.wigan.gov.uk Cllr Ready (Orrell & Billinge) 01942 487 675 Cllr Arrowsmith (Orrell & Billinge) 01942 486 859 Cllr Murphy (Orrell and Billinge) 01942 487 688 Cllr Kenny (Winstanley) 01942 487 677 Cllr Morgan (Winstanley) 01942 486 880 Council and Councillors (West Lancashire) West Lancashire Borough Council 01695 577 177 Cllr Moran (Up Holland) 01695 550 256 Cllr Owen (Up Holland) 07908 800 550 County Cllr Fillis (Up Holland) 07811 388 153 Cllr Baybutt (Roby Mill) 01257 255501 Cllr Evans (Roby Mill) 01695 624 683 Libraries Hope Community Library Lamberhead Green Library Up Holland Library

Advertising & Editorial 01257 498329

01942 777 545 01942 705 060 03001 236 703

Accounts & Distribution 01695 627 999

solutions

The photo on page 76 is of Billinge Road, Highfield.

114

A View From The Lump Local gossip, gripes and goings-on Net gains Loud mutterings prevail on the sparse terraces at the DW of late.

The Club Wot Dave Built was toasting FA Cup success in 2013, yet it seems like millenia ago to the hardy souls who turn up to each home game. These stoical folk now face the prospect of welcoming the world-renowned giants of... err...

Walsall and Fleetwood next season.

Yep, relegation to ‘League One’ (Division 3 in old money) is the only topic of conversation in town.

Such falls from grace are not uncommon; the lower leagues are littered with clubs who graced the top flight for donkey’s years.

It wasn’t many moons ago when Luton and Swindon were playing the likes of Man Utd and Everton, who themselves have both escaped relegation in the years since decimilisation.

Such august company would be cold comfort for Latics if the worst came to the worst. That said, if Mr Whelan’s boys did go down, there’d be no more ghastly 10 hour journeys to Norwich. Every cloud...

Turn the other cheek There comes a point in every gentleman’s life when even the biggest craze of the moment passes one by. Mrs Lump advises me that since the Rubik’s Cube, we’ve had phenomena such as shellsuits, Buzz Lightyear and something called happy slapping. However, there was absolutely no getting away from 50 Shades of Grey - it’s been everywhere; bus stops, TV and even in B&Q. What is most irritating though is how reporters, thinking they are clever, insert dreadful puns into their stories about 50 Shades in the hope of a cheap laugh. ‘It’s A

Bonkbuster!’ cried one downmarket rag. I would never lower myself to such populism. Journalists need to show some restraint. After all, this hysteria has merely been whipped up by marketing people hoping to lash themselves to the latest bandwagon. And the film itself?

Bound to be more watchable from behind a blindfold...

Train of thought Public transport has its detractors, but provided you can avoid sitting next to the weirdo with dubious personal hygiene and an obsession for early morning chatter, it can be an enlightening insight into changing social habits. Up until recently, commuters passed the time with their heads stuck in a newspaper. The businessman would have the Telegraph, the student would have Socialist Worker and I’d have The Beano stuffed behind my copy of Viz. Nowadays, these are eschewed for tablets and Kindles, although the freebie publications abound.

Even Mr Weirdo has got with the times, and now spends entire journeys listening to death metal on his iWalkmanGhettoblaster. It’s not all bliss though; his odour is as fragrant as ever.

115

Established 1999

We’ve got it covered!

Roofing Emergency Repairs General maintenance Full re-roofs Flat/pitched Roof Conversions Velux Windows Roofline Fascias & Soffits Cladding Gutters

10 YEAR

INSURANCE-BACKED GUARANTEE

NO CALL OUT FEES Call today for a free quote

01942 665 270 0774 876 7845 or 0770 221 8867 www.protecroofingnw.co.uk

The Old Coach House, George Street, Ashton in Makerfield, WN4 8QD