Local Life - Wigan West - Jul/Aug 2013 by Local Life 247 Ltd

Wigan West Edition

Jul/Aug 2013

Taste Test in Orrell Up Holland through the ages

Darwen Tower © Chris Pearce

Jack’s Tracks visits Darwen

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Raising the Bar

In this issue

Back in the days when my kids were at primary school I, along with a small band of other committed helpers, used to help out each year at the Summer Fair. It was always a great day and lots of people would attend, but the format and the attractions were dated.

24 28 38 48 52 56 62 64 68 69 72 74 75 87

Part of my role was to venture into the Priest’s dark and dusty garage to retrieve age-old attractions such as the Beat the Goalie and the Pick a Lolly stands, and to search for leftover prizes from last year’s fair. It was an adventure in itself. The garage was never used from one year to the next, so you never knew what state of rot the attractions were going to be in or whether you’d find the remains of an old parishioner who’d nipped out for a fag during the Eucharist. Fast forward a few years and today’s typical school fair is something else. Reading through the pages of this magazine before we went to print, I was astounded at some of the attractions on offer! Anyone for sumo wrestling, assault courses, zorbing, roller rinks? Even if you’re not brave enough to give these attractions a go, you’ll have a right laugh watching those who are! There are a lot of talented people out there who work selflessly for months planning the big day, but no matter how hard they work, their efforts are in vain if people don’t turn up. So if you do have a few hours to spare in the next few weekends, do take a trip out and show your support! We’re back in the Wigan West area in late August – have a lovely summer!

Up Holland Picture Feature Salmon & Watercress Tart Travel to Indochina Taste Test at Robin Hood Win tickets to Southport Flower Show Jack’s Tracks visits Darwen Tower What’s on in the North West Test Drive - Peugeot 2008 Puzzle Corner Garden Services Pet Services Martin Lewis Home Services Useful Numbers

Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB T 01695 627 999

info@locallife247.co.uk W www.locallife247.co.uk

Sales & Editorial: Chris Pearce, Nicola Gray Design & Production: Peter Bretherton Accounts & Distribution: Sally Boon

sales@locallife247.co.uk design@locallife247.co.uk accounts@locallife247.co.uk

Local Life is published every month. The magazine will be distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis. The Wigan West edition is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland, Highfield, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and parts of Pemberton. The Wigan North edition is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Parbold, Newburgh, Wrightington and Hilldale. You can also pick up a free copy of Local Life at Sainsburys or Tesco Extra in Wigan. Local Life is also published in the West Lancashire and St Helens areas.

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Next issue - August

Advertising deadline - Thursday 27 June Published - Thursday 11 July Local Life Media

@locallifemedia

www.locallife247.co.uk

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.

When you receive the new edition of Local Life - remember to recycle the old one.

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High Society

Choir Call

Orrell Musical & Dramatic Society are about to perform the bright and breezy musical High Society from Wednesday 24th to Saturday 27th July at St Michael’s Parish Hall, Shaw St, Wigan, WN1 2BQ.

St. John the Divine Church in Pemberton is looking for anyone who is interested in joining the Church Choir. The church is looking for Sopranos, Tenors and Bass singers, and also for anyone who can sing Alto (male or female). They would also like to hear from boys and girls from the age of 7 upwards. You do not need to be a trained singer and you will have help with reading the music.

Adapted from the 1956 film High Society fizzes with a selection of Cole Porter songs including ‘True Love’, ‘Who Wants To Be a Millionaire’ and ‘Well, Did You Evah?’ The story follows wealthy socialite Tracy Lord as she plans a lavish summer wedding to George Kitteridge. However, when ex-husband, Dexter Haven and then charming reporter Mike Connor arrive on the scene the audience is left guessing which groom the bride will choose. Tickets are available from Carol on 01695 622713 and they cost £7.50 each. Concessionary tickets are available for £6.50 on Wednesday and Thursday evening.

The Choir sing at the 10 am Sunday Eucharist every week and are required to sing at special services throughout the Church’s Calendar. The Choir also sing at baptisms on the first Sunday of the month at 11.15am. If you’re interested, then do come along to choir practice which starts at 7.30pm every Thursday at the church, which is based on Church Street in Pemberton or call Anne or David on 01942 621701.

Day Trippers A group of locals enjoyed a great day out recently when they crossed the Pennines and visited Skipton, where they browsed round Skipton Market and the shops. After a pleasant lunch, they returned home via the renowned factory shopping outlet, Boundary Mill in Colne. The trip was organised by members of the Orrell and Billinge Network, who partly subsidised the trip. The Network holds a Coffee Morning on the last Friday

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of each month at the Orrell Methodist Church on Church Drive in Orrell between the hours of 10am-12 noon. On sale at every coffee morning are a range of delicious home-made cakes, a selection of books and assorted bric-a-brac. Admission is free and everyone is welcome. Money raised at the coffee morning goes to Network funds and helps to pay for projects and events in the Orrell and Billinge area. The next coffee morning is this Friday (28th June), so do pop along for a chat and a coffee!

Pipsqueaks Fun!

Deaf Support

If you’re looking for somewhere to entertain your kids or grandkids over the summer, you no longer have that far to go! Pipsqueaks Play Café, which is based at Abbey Lakes in Orrell next to FX Leisure, has a safe and clean play area with separate toddler frame and baby soft play. There are lots of daily activities going on at Pipsqueaks, including messy play, craft, character appearances, singing and story time, but it is open seven days a week and you can drop in at any time!

If your child suffers hearing loss and you’re looking for support and guidance, then the Wigan & Leigh Deaf Children’s Society are there to help. They can offer you events and workshops for parents, support for newly diagnosed families and host fun activities for children of all ages and their siblings. For more details, call Katie on 07872 664995 or Jodie on 07817 531430.

Every Tuesday is Grandparents Day, so bring along your grandchild/ren and you can enjoy a free tea or filter coffee in the café, which also serves a full menu of freshly cooked food for you and the kids! For more details about Pipsqueaks, visit www.pipsqueaksplaycafe. co.uk

Quality Day Care at Reasonable Prices

Rugby History If you’re in town on Saturday 6th July, do pop into the Museum of Wigan on Library Street and enjoy a play about the events of 1895, when rugby officials took the decision to found the Northern Union, which marked the birth of the 13-a-side game. Local children will perform the play, which starts at 1.30pm, and admission is free. The play will be followed by a free workshop of family related activities and original rugby league memorabilia will also be on display.

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Grand Open Day Winstanley Tennis Club is hosting an Open Day next Sunday (30th June) at their premises in Hall Lane, off Winstanley Road in Orrell. The event runs from 1.30pm to 4.30pm and everyone who is interested in tennis is welcome to come along and join in. There’s no charge and you don’t need any equipment or special clothing, just come along as you are and bring along the family too for a great afternoon out! Special membership packages will be available on the Open Day, and you can enjoy free tennis and free refreshments too! There’s no need to book, just turn up on the day. The club now has a brand new clubhouse (which is shortly to be licensed), which will soon be available to rent for functions, and event nights are planned too. Members can choose from six courts, including a floodlit court, and the club has numerous teams who

play competitively, though social tennis players are made welcome too. If you’re looking for something that the kids can do over the long summer holidays, then a junior membership for the club is surely worth thinking about. The cost for those under 11 years old is just £11, and for those aged 11-18 it’s a cut price £35. To find out more about the cost of memberships and for details about coaching sessions for juniors, visit the website www.winstanleytennisclub. co.uk or just turn up at the Open Day next Sunday.

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Daniel has raised an amazing £4,765 for Diabetes UK. Whilst thanking the people who supported him, Daniel said “Running the London Marathon was a great buzz; it is something I had always dreamed of. I have fulfilled that goal and helped a great cause that supported my Dad. The atmosphere was amazing and something I will never forget, and I won’t forget the blisters either!” Pictured is Daniel after the marathon, with his son Oliver. If anyone would like to donate the site is www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Atkinson1

Marathon Effort In our January issue we featured the efforts of Orrell man Daniel Atkinson to raise money for Diabetes in memory of his father Jim. Setting an initial target of £1,850, Daniel and his family held a fundraiser at St James Social Club in March and also ran in the London Marathon the following month, attracting support of friends, family and the wider community. To date,

Coffee Morning Don’t miss the Coffee Morning being held next Saturday (29th June) at the Tontine Methodist Church opposite the Delph Tavern on Tontine in Orrell. This popular event runs from 10am to noon and there are many stalls to browse and refreshments are served too.

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Daddy’s Duck Race

ducks for the corporate race can be purchased by local businesses for only £25.

Over 200 people, including eleven local businesses, have pledged their support for a charity duck race organised by a four year old from Wigan. Plastic ducks for ‘Daddy’s Duck Race’ are being snapped up at a rapid rate with more than 200 sold in just two weeks. Little Corey Coggins, from Standish, is thrilled at the response to the event, which is in memory of his dad Ric Coggins.

The races will take place between 12pm and 4pm, there will also be plenty of family fun on offer with fairground style events, charity stalls, a range of refreshments, music and much more. There will be 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th place prizes for each race.

Corey said: “Thank you for buying ducks for this race for my daddy. I hope we will sell lots and lots more. I would like lots of people to come to watch the races and enjoy the fun.”

Carrie said: “From the day he was diagnosed Ric wanted to raise awareness of the disease in order to prevent others going through what he had to. By fulfilling

The event, which is taking place next Sunday (30th June), will be held along the Leeds Liverpool Canal at the Wigan Investment Centre, to generate funds for the hospice, where little Corey Coggins receives support and guidance. The charity event will also aim to raise awareness of Bowel Cancer, the illness that claimed the life of Corey’s dad, Ric Coggins, when Corey was just two years old. The toddler suggested the fundraising idea to his mum, Carrie Coggins, whilst watching a duck race on one of his favourite TV shows, Mr Tumble. Ric, a local PR executive, was diagnosed at 32 and lost his fight just ten months later. Corey is appealing to individuals and businesses to purchase a duck to take part in one of two races throughout the event. The ducks cost just £2 each for the family races, whilst

Corey's fantastic idea of a duck race, we hope to raise as much awareness of bowel cancer as possible and honour Ric by carrying out one of his last wishes and keeping his memory alive. All funds raised from the event will be donated to Wigan and Leigh Hospice. Wigan and Leigh Hospice provides specialist care, for those who are living with a life-limiting illness, to over 1000 people every year. It is a registered charity in its Pearl Anniversary year, which has to raise over £4,500 daily from charitable sources. The ducks are now on sale and are available to purchase online at www.daddysduckrace.co.uk To keep up to date with the event and find out more about what will be happening on the day please follow @ DaddysDuckRace on Twitter or like www.facebook. com/riccogginscharityball on Facebook.

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Wigan 4 Good Wigan 4 Good is a new charity initiative managed by Wigan and Leigh Council for Voluntary Service. It encourages local people to support local good causes through the giving of time, skills, money and resources. This could include someone volunteering at a local homeless shelter, a painter and decorator sprucing up a community room, an accountant offering financial advice to a local charity, or a marketing company helping a local good cause to raise awareness of its positive impact. Wigan 4Good knows there are already lots of fantastic examples of local people supporting each other across the Wigan borough and they are keen to hear about your success stories. They would like to hear from community groups, local charities, community interest companies, and social enterprises. Perhaps, you need some business or marketing advice, help recruiting

volunteers or trustees, or some spare furniture for your activity room. Alternatively, perhaps you’d like to offer your talents to help others. If you’re a local business who’d like to support a local good cause, the group would really like to hear from you too, and can put you in touch with those who need your skills. You can visit the group’s website at www.wigan4good.org. Alternatively, email: info@ wigan4good.org or call 01942 514234.

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Organ Concert

Up for the Cup

The noted organist John Bowdler, who is the resident organist at the Blackpool Tower, is giving a concert at Trinity Methodist Church to raise much-needed funds for the church. The concert will take place at the church, which is on Fleet Street in Pemberton, next Saturday (29th June). The concert starts at 7pm and tickets are priced at £6; just call 01942 223589 for your tickets.

St Teresa’s RC School has a very special visitor coming along to their Summer Fair next Saturday (29th June). Here’s a few clues – it’s 102 years old, silver, has two handles, a lid and it’s currently bedecked with the colours of Wigan Athletic! Yes, the FA Cup (possibly with a couple of players) is coming to Up Holland and you can have your picture taken with it!

Capturing your precious memories

The fair runs from 12.30-3pm at the school in College Road, and the FA Cup is just one of the attractions! In what is traditionally a top day out for all the family, the Summer Fair also welcomes a roller rink, a bouncy castle, a large slide, lots of stalls, games, raffles and a café serving refreshments, including candy floss and BBQ food! Depending on how active you feel, you can Beat the Goalie, Throw the Welly, Pick a Lolly, try the Archery or even don a wrestling suit and try your hand at sumo wrestling!

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Ceilidh For a night out with a difference, come along to the Ceilidh being held this Monday (24th June) at St Teresa’s Church Hall in College Road in Up Holland. The event is being held by members of the Thistle Society, which is a local Scottish Country Dancing Group. You can look forward to music and singing, displays of Highland and Scottish dancing and you’ll also be able to shake a leg on the dance floor as well! Bring a bowl of food for the table and join with others for supper. There is a bar at the venue. The cost is £2 for adults and £1 for children and payment can be made on the door.

Holgate Summer Fair Orrell Holgate Summer Fair is back next weekend and organisers promise it’s going to be better than ever before! Join the crowds next Sunday (30th June) from 12pm until 3pm for a fun-filled, action-packed family outing. There will be stalls galore including: children’s face painting, new and used items, cakes, ice-cream, chocolate/teddy tombola, fun rides and much more! You can take part in ‘hook-a-duck’ to win a mystery prize, buy a ticket to win an amazing raffle prize, have lunch with us from the BBQ or a drink from the bar! Everyone is welcome at the Orrell Holgate Primary School on Moor Road in Orrell, so come along!

Walking Day St Aiden’s Church in Billinge will be holding their annual walking day next Sunday (June 30th). The Walk of Witness will start on St Aidan’s School field in Billinge at 1.45pm with a view to starting the walk at 2pm. A short service will be held on St Mary’s Church field at the end of the walk. Everyone is welcome so if you can make it, please show your support.

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Summer Fair Fun for all the family is promised at Newfold School when the Friends of Newfold hold their annual Summer Fair this Sunday (June 23rd). There’s all the traditional favourites on offer such as tombolas, craft stall, lucky dips, a coconut shy, the hook a duck stall, face painting and tattoos. There will be a 2nd hand uniform stall, a rock shop and a fossil hunt. In addition though, there are a range of activities that are guaranteed to wear out the most active of kids; an assault course, a bungee run, a bouncy castle, the crossbar challenge and zorbs – the most fun you can have without taking your clothes off! DJ Danny will provide the entertainment, and there will also be a wide range of refreshments including a cake stall, a barbecue and a bar. The event runs from 11am-2pm this Sunday, – don’t miss it!

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Up Holland

Through the Ages These photographs have been reproduced courtesy of the Lancashire County Council’s Lancashire Lantern Collection, which is housed online at www.lantern.lancashire.gov.uk

Sylvia Mills and Harriet Rollins walking up Stairey Brow in 1934. Stairey Brow are the steps above the Up Holland sign on the bend near St Thomas the Martyr church. Sylvia’s grandfather was John Mills, the village’s first lamplighter.

The infamous Ghost House on Church Street, which was located next door to the White Lion and is now demolished. Depending on who you listen to, the ghost was either George Lyon, who is buried opposite, a previous tenant searching for his hoard of money or a couple of local schoolboys staging a poltergeist prank which attracted thousands of visitors from far and wide.

The slums on Alma Hill in Up Holland were demolished in the 1930’s. They were used to house itinerant workers, basically workers who moved from town to town to find work. Photo C1930. This building on Grove Road was originally the Lyric Cinema. This was built in 1939 and closed in the 1950’s. The building then housed Up Holland Parish Hall before becoming home for assorted manufacturers. M&D Cleaning Services are the current occupant. Picture 1986.

The Legs of Man Inn (now demolished) in Church Street taken from the bottom of Stairey Brow in 1910. This Inn was apparently where highwayman George Lyon plotted with his accomplices to hold up a stage coach in Lathom. Up Holland Conservative Club can be seen on the left in the distance.

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This Parliament Street store with awnings on the left was Baxters, a well known department store, and was built in 1912. The Baxter family ran the store until the 1950’s and it is fondly remembered as the first local shop that sold those new-fangled tellys. The store later became Dingle Belles and has now been replaced with new housing. Built in the 17th century, the Old Court House on School Lane was believed to have housed the manorial court, which was the court under the jurisdiction of the Earls of Derby. The ‘Eagle and Child’ Derby family crest can be seen on the rear of the building, which is still standing today. Photo C1920

Local residents pose proudly with a pony and trap on a bunting-festooned School Lane in Up Holland. The occasion was George V’s Silver Jubilee in 1935.

Village Festival Parbold’s Village Festival takes place this year on Saturday 13th July at the playing fields off Alder Lane between 1-5pm. Prizes are up for grabs in the following sections; Flowers, Fruit and Vegetables, Domestic (Food), Handicrafts, Art and Photography. There are also 24 different classes for children’s efforts too. If you’re interested in entering an exhibit, please pick up a Festival Schedule from the DIY Centre on The Common or from Parbold Library.

Charity Extravaganza Orrell’s Macmillan Extravaganza is almost here, and tickets are now on sale! The annual event, which is run by locals Kathleen Maguire, Edith Berry and Anne Hurst, has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the charity over the past few years. This year’s event takes place at St James’s Social Club on St James Road in Orrell on Friday 27th September, starting at 7.00pm.

Summer Fayre The folks on the Parent Teacher Association at Marus Bridge Primary School are holding their annual Summer Fayre at the school in Kelvin Grove this Saturday (22nd June) from 11am to 2pm, and what an event it’s going to be! In addition to the usual stalls, there will be fairground rides, a bouncy slide and donkey rides too. In attendance on the day will be a fire engine and the police. There will be a BBQ for those feeling a bit peckish and lots of fabulous prizes to be won in the raffle and the tombola. The Fayre runs from 11am-2pm, so do come along and bring the family too! Admission is just 30p per person.

Entertainment will include music by Old Hall Community Brass Band, a dancing display by the Chris Woolfenden School of Dance, Wigan Musical Theatre Group will be playing songs from the shows, and there will also be the usual stalls; a home-grown vegetable and fruit stall, a cake stall, a fancy goods stall, a homemade card stall and more. There will also be a big raffle, which will be drawn on the night. If anyone has any contributions for any of the above it will be gratefully received. To buy your tickets for the night, please call Kathleen on 01695 721038, Edith on 01695 623686, Anne on 01942 515409 or pick up the tickets from the club. Demand is sure to be high as this popular event is a sell-out every year, so please reserve your tickets early.

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Star Attraction! Shevington and District Community Fete will take place on Saturday 3rd August and will be opened by actress Sue Johnston. Sue is famous for her roles in Brookside, The Royle Family, Lapland, Being Eileen, and many other productions. Currently, of course, she is appearing as Gloria, the mother of landlady Stella, in Coronation Street. Planning of Fete 2013 is still a work in progress, so we can’t bring you the finer details of the day, but we can tell you that The fete will run from 11am to 4pm on the Recreation Ground off Highfield Avenue and in certain buildings adjacent to the Recreation Ground. For further updates follow @ShevingtonFete on Twitter or search Facebook for the Shevington-and-District-Community-Association site.

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Recipe of the month

Salmon and Watercress Tart

Preparation time 30-60 minutes Cooking time 25 minutes Serves 4-6

Salmon and peppery watercress make a great combination for a tasty quiche

Method You can make the pastry in a food processor according to the manufacturer’s instructions or if you prefer, rub the butter into the flour in a bowl with your fingertips. Add the egg yolk and just enough water to bring the dough to a firm ball. Roll the pastry out large enough to line a loosebottomed 24cm wide, 3.5cm deep tart tin. Lightly butter the tin, and then dust it with a small amount of flour, knock out the surplus then lower in the circle of pastry making sure you push it right into the edges. Be careful not to make holes or tear it. Trim the excess pastry and place in the fridge to chill for 20 minutes. Set the oven at 200C/Gas 6. Put a baking sheet in the oven to warm. Line the pastry case with kitchen foil and baking beans or a saucer and slide onto the hot baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes, then remove from the oven and carefully lift the beans or saucer and foil out. Return the pastry case to the oven for five minutes or so, until the surface is dry to the touch. Remove from the oven and set aside. Turn the oven temperature down to 180C/350F/Gas 4.

few seconds, then remove from the heat, cool under cold running water and squeeze dry. Tuck the watercress into the tart case in between the salmon pieces. Gently whisk the eggs and cream, pour into the case and bake for 25 minutes, or until set. Serve warm.

Ingredients • For the pastry case • 200g plain flour, plus extra for dusting • 100g butter, cut into small pieces, plus extra for greasing • 1 egg yolk

For the filling, place the salmon in a baking dish, brush with oil or butter, season lightly with salt and pepper and bake for 15 minutes, or until the flakes break apart easily. Remove from the oven. Leave to cool a little, then break into large pieces. Place the pieces of fish in the tart case.

• A little water

Wash the watercress leaves, removing and discarding the thickest of the stems. Put the wet watercress into a saucepan, cover tightly with a lid and place over a high heat. Cook for a couple of minutes, or until the leaves wilt a little. They should keep their colour. Turn the watercress over once with tongs, let it steam a further

• A little butter or groundnut oil

For speed, or if you don’t like making pastry, use a pack of the ready-made variety.

For the filling • 400g salmon fillet • Salt and black pepper • 2 large handfuls watercress • 4 eggs • 400ml double cream

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Little Berries If you’re looking for somewhere to take the little ones to have some fun, socialise and make new friends, try out the Little Berries club in Billinge. Places are available for all children up to school age, who are accompanied by their parents, grandparents, carers or child-minders. The group offers wonderful facilities which range from soft play, role play, table based activities such as play dough, art, drawing and jigsaws. Tea coffee and biscuits are available for the adults, whilst children will receive a healthy snack of juice, fresh fruit and yogurt. This is a fantastic opportunity for mums and children to meet new friends or to socialise with existing ones in a safe and friendly environment – all for just £1 per week. The group meets at St Aidan’s School Hall in Billinge every Wednesday from 9am-10.30am – for more information please contact Helen on 01744 678042.

Brass Band Concert On Sunday 7th July, at 2pm, Pemberton Old Wigan DW Band is holding a concert at The Rose Club, Atherton Road in Hindley. The concert will comprise of performances from all three Pemberton Old Wigan DW bands. The Youth band, conducted by John DonDuncan, will start off events followed by the ‘B’ Band, conducted by Peter Ashley. The concert will conclude with a performance from the Senior Band, who currently play in the National Championship section. If you would like to come along to the event, tickets will cost £8 for adults, £6 over 60’s and £3 for children under 16. Visit the website at www.pembertonoldwigan.co.uk for details.

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The mystery play developed into a series of plays dealing with all the major events in the Christian calendar, from the Creation to the Day of Judgment. By the end of the 15th century, the practice of acting these plays in cycles on festival days was established in several parts of Europe. During the middle ages, Mystery Plays took place as a way of celebrating stories from the Old and New Testament for the feast of Corpus Christi (end of June).

Hawkley Football Club is running free football coaching every Wednesday for the next four weeks at Hawkley Hall High School on Carr Lane in Hawkley Hall. The sessions will be run by qualified FA coaches on the school’s all-weather pitch, and are limited to children who are currently in Year 1 or 2. Children will have the chance of joining new Hawkley FC teams playing in organised leagues from September. Places are limited, so to book your child’s place, please call 07704 306 694 as soon as possible.

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Don’t miss the Parbold Mystery Plays, the series of outdoor theatre productions being staged this week at the Our Lady and All Saints Church in Parbold. The Plays will run on Monday 24th, Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th June, starting with Supper, which will be served at 6pm in the church grounds, and followed at 7pm by the Plys, which will be performed inside the church.

Because of limited seating arrangements, entrance is by ticket only but supper and tickets for the Plays are free of charge and are available from Parbold Post office, Our Lady and All Saints Church (or School ) or by calling 01257 462504.

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Too Good to be True? Just imagine that someone stopped you in the street and offered to replace the old banger you’ve been driving around in with a new Mercedes. After checking you weren’t expected to swallow drugfilled condoms and drive the car through the nearest customs point, you’d snatch their hand off wouldn’t you? After all, it sounds too good to be true. But there are exceptions to every rule and, boy oh boy, there is a new Government scheme called ECO which drives a boiler-sized hole through that theory! Not only can those who qualify get a brand spanking new Worcester Bosch boiler with a seven year guarantee, but they can also get loft insulation, solid wall insulation and other improvements free too!

So what’s this ECO scheme all about? The ECO scheme is part of the Green Deal initiative and it’s all to do with reducing carbon emissions from the UK’s housing stock. The Government has to reduce the UK’s total carbon emissions and are working with the big energy companies to make homes more energy efficient. ECO helps low income households living in areas of higher fuel poverty to become more energy efficient and lower their heating bills. And even if you don't qualify for a 100% boiler grant, ECO can provide a loan, as an alternative, enabling you to carry out energy efficient home improvements at no upfront cost.

Let’s look at the benefits of ECO; • • • • •

Free energy saving measures for those who qualify Warmer home Cheaper fuel bills Peace of mind Increase in house value

And let’s look at the negatives • •

You have to get the boiler serviced every year (which you should do anyway) Erm…that’s it.

Check the list below to see if you qualify for free energy saving measures; Are you receiving state pension credit? Are you receiving income related benefits, with a child and a household income of less than £15,860? Are you receiving disability benefits, with a household income of less than £15,860? You must live in your own home or be a private tenant (Not Housing Association), or you must be the Landlord of someone who meets the qualifying criteria. If you have ticked any of the above boxes, you are eligible for free energy saving measures, though your boiler must be 8+years old (or G rated) to qualify for a free replacement boiler. Other energy saving measures available to you include cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and boiler repairs. If you’re not eligible yourself, then have a think about your friends and family – could they benefit from ECO? You’d be doing them a massive favour by alerting them to the scheme as soon as possible. If you remember, the Government has got a track record with this kind of stuff. Extremely generous ‘feed-in’ tariffs were on for those householders who installed solar panels, until the take up rate went through the stratosphere and they cut the tariff for new applicants to the scheme because it was costing the country too much. So you need to act now to take advantage of this offer; One of the best known local companies involved in the ECO scheme is Shevington-based F.G. Welch Ltd. Established in 1985, FG Welch Ltd has brought warmth to thousands of Wigan homes and has a reputation

that’s second to none in the local area. A couple of years ago, the company had the accolade of being awarded the top prize in the Wigan Good Trader Scheme, based on consistently high standards of feedback from their customers. Though there are other accredited installers, FG Welch will be using the finest boilers from Worcester Bosch for ECO customers. Worcester Bosch Group boilers were recently voted the best Gas boiler brand by readers of Which magazine, and their boilers will be covered by a 7 year guarantee.

Here’s what to do; 1. Call FG Welch on 01257 421 660. 2. A Certified Advisor will visit and check your home and details 3. Once your eligibility is verified, FG Welch will be in touch to arrange a fitting date. There are no charges involved in the process. Let me repeat, there are no charges involved. Not for the improvements, or for fitting, or for the Advisor. Does this offer still sound too good to be true? Yes it does, doesn’t it? Nevertheless, it is true, but you need to take action now before the goalposts move again. The best time to replace your boiler is obviously in the warmer summer months, so please call FG Welch as soon as possible on 01257 421 660.

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Summer time means more accidents

– How to protect yourself. As the weather changes for the better the number of accidents on the roads also increases. The glare of the sun in drivers’ eyes, distracted by the sunshine, concentration and attention to the road tends to wane, and as a result there are more accidents on the roads. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in such an accident, this unfortunately tends to lead to a period of stress and worry when you may not have your vehicle and you may even end up losing time and money with absence from work due to injury. All because of an accident that was not your fault.

all accidents must be reported. A failure to do this may ultimately result in them not assisting you or even accepting the version of events as presented by the other motorist. Finally, if you are injured visit your GP or the hospital. Whiplash and neck injuries can be very painful and a trip to the doctor may result in a quick referral to physiotherapy or exercises which will ultimately result in a speedier recovery.

We have all heard stories of people leaving the scene of the accident without giving their details or it later being discovered that they were not insured at all, making the whole incident even more stressful than necessary and ultimately resulting in the innocent party being out of pocket. This need not always be the case, there are some simple guidelines that you can follow to prepare for the worst should it happen while you are driving. The last thing that anybody wants is to lose their no claims discount on top of the stress of dealing with an accident. It is essential that the person at fault for the accident is correctly identiﬁed, if they are not, there will be no person to pursue for any losses you may suffer and you will ultimately end up footing the bill. To prevent this, always keep a pen and paper in your car. Write down the full name, telephone number, address and registration number of the ‘at-fault’ driver and car. It is also useful to note a brief description of the person driving the ‘at-fault’ vehicle.

At Craig and Co we specialise in personal injury claims of all types. We guarantee that your claim will only be dealt with by an experienced member of staff who will listen to your concerns and deal with your claim as quickly and efﬁciently as possible. We act on a “no win no fee” basis. If you have been involved in an accident call us on 01942 211670 to discuss any potential claim with our local, experienced team.

Although the person responsible for the accident may initially accept responsibility for the accident, this often changes when they realise that this accident will affect their own no claims bonus. It is therefore important that you obtain evidence of the circumstances and damage to all vehicles and names of any witnesses to the accident. If anyone gives you their details as a witness, take as much information from them as possible. Look around you too. Is there a shop or garden nearby in which someone may have witnessed your accident? If you have any concerns about either of the above, then telephone the police and report the accident immediately. Do not worry, you are not wasting police time in doing this. The next step is to report the accident to your insurance company, it is a clause in every insurance policy that

Call - 01942 211670 19 Queens Court, Wardley Street, Wigan WN5 8BF

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Open Day Book-Cycle, the charity organisation that has moved into the old Orrell Library, throw open their doors to the community when they hold an Open Day next Saturday (29th June). As Local Life went to press, work is still on-going to make the site operational, including decorating, constructing new bookshelves and tidying up the grounds. The Open Day will start at 12 noon on the 29th June and locals will be able to see the work of the charity and talk to volunteers about future plans for the site. This day of celebration to mark the opening of Book-Cycle in Orrell is still in the planning stages but will include a bouncy castle for kids, a BBQ, stalls selling home-made produce and crafts, performers and more!

but if you are interested in helping, even for a few hours each week, then please do pop along to the Open Day or call Book-Cycle on 01942 747750 between 11.30am6pm. Donations of books (particularly children’s books) and computers will be gratefully received.

Since our feature in the May issue of Local Life, Book Cycle have been contacted by lots of willing volunteers

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Parbold’s Vil lage Festiva l takes plac this year on e Saturday 13 th July at th playing fie e lds off Alde r Lane betw 1-5pm. Prize ee n s are up fo r grabs in th following e sections; Flo wers, Fruit and Vegeta bles, Dom estic (Food Handicraft ), s, Art and Photograph There are als y. o 24 differe nt classes for childre n’s efforts too. If you’r interested e in entering an exhibit, please pick up a Festiva l Schedule from the DI Y Centre on The Comm or from Pa on rbold Libra ry.

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Medieval Fayre For a summer fayre with a difference, do come along to the Medieval Fayre being held in the grounds and church of St Thomas the Martyr in Up Holland on Saturday July 6th from 1.00-4.00pm. Step back in time to the Medieval Era where there will be wandering minstrels, a local produce market and a wide variety of other interesting stalls.

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There will be a host of attractions for children including a balloon race, court jester and archery, and the Fayre includes a barbecue and refreshing drinks. Enjoy the stunning sounds of the Tapestry of Music and a host of other entertainments all free of charge for what is always a great afternoon out.

Shopping Night Don’t miss the Ladies Shopping Night this Wednesday (26th June) at the Church Hall at The Vale Methodist Church on Skull House Lane in Appley Bridge. The evening starts at 7.30pm, and you’ll be able to browse lots of stalls containing beauty, books, gifts, jewellery, cakes, sweets, personalised children’s gifts, bags and greetings cards. Entrance is just £1 and there will also be refreshments on sale and homemade cakes for you to take home for supper! For more details, email j-lightfoot1@sky.com.

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Travel

Small World We live in a small world, and whilst a trip to Europe might once have seemed the furthermost extent for ambitious travellers, nowadays Asia, Africa, Australia and the Americas are all within reach and budget for the aspiring tourist. But however much we want to drink in all the global sights and absorb the different cultures, there are still many parts where we fear to tread without help. Often, we end up on a behemoth of a cruise ship being herded around a sanitised version of the world, without really getting the travel experience we signed up for. This month we go off the beaten track and take a look at a luxury river cruise in Vietnam and Cambodia with

Travel Indochina, a company that specialises in small group and independent travel. Travel Indochina, which is a member of ABTA and ATOL, organises holidays where you can enjoy the flexibility of independent travel without the worry of wondering what’s round the corner whilst on holiday. The starting point of this 12 day/11 night River Cruise to Vietnam and Cambodia is in Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), where you will relish the extraordinary energy of Vietnam’s capital. Staying at the central 5 star Caravelle Hotel for 2 nights, you’ll enjoy a walking tour of Saigon’s famous landmarks before heading off to the Cu Chi Tunnels. This remarkable tunnel network stretches for 155 miles over 3 levels and was established as a base to fight guerrilla wars against the French and later, the Americans. You’ll leave Saigon the following morning, and by the end of the day, you’ll be cruising down the majestic Mekong River, enjoying the sunset on the balcony of the RV Jayavarman or the RV Jahan, your luxury home for the next seven nights. Both ships are boutique cruise vessels, incorporating the features of a luxury boutique hotel in the form of a river cruise. The features (and prices) for each of the ships vary, but the levels of comfort on each ship is unsurpassed. The simple, yet busy life on the Mekong offers tourists a chance to soak up the images of river life and say

hello to the sun-hardened fishermen on their makeshift boats. An early morning sampan ride amongst the famous floating markets at Cai Be is one of the early highlights of the cruise. You’ll also visit Binh Thanh Island and see villagers making water hyacinths into floor mats and baskets. After visiting the colourful markets of Chau Doc and the numerous floating villages nearby, you’ll enter Cambodia and, whilst waiting for the border formalities to be completed, you can relax in the pool or even

improve your culinary skills by attending the on-board cookery classes! The ship will reach Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, later that evening where you’ll moor for the night. Once known as the Paris of the East, Phnom Penh retains much of its old world charm and elegance, and in the morning you’ll embark on a tour of Indochina’s most fascinating cities. You’ll see the dazzling white and gold edifice of the Royal Palace and the Silver Pagoda is another highlight. After lunch, you’ll visit the Killing Fields Museum which tells the gruesome story of what happened from 1975 to 1978 when Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge ruled Cambodia. Early the following morning, you’ll depart Phnom Penh and make an early stop to witness silk weaving at the village of Chong Koh, before stopping off at the rustic Angkor Ban village, where you’ll feel as if you’ve been

transported back 100 years. During the trip, you’ll also visit the pre-Angkorian temple of Wat Hanchey, which was built in the 8th Century. Other highlights of the trip include travelling in inflatable boats to a nearby beach, where you can enjoy an unforgettable swim in the Mekong, and an adventurous motorboat excursion to the wetlands. You’ll witness a blessing ceremony by orange-clad local monks and visit Kampong Chhnang, known as Cambodia’s Water World, where everything is on stilts.

After 7 nights on the Mekong, you’ll wave farewell to the crew and take a short coach transfer to Raffles Grand Hotel in Angkor, where you will stay for 2 nights. Whilst there, you can visit the temples of Angkor, including Angkor Wat, the world’s largest sacred building and jungle covered Ta Prohm, once the home of 2,740 monks. With a maximum of up to 56 like-minded travellers on board, this River Cruise to Vietnam and Cambodia is a holiday you’ll remember for the rest of your life. For more details about this holiday and other Travel Indochina holidays in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Burma, China, Tibet, India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan or Japan, do come along to the Travel Indochina evening at Marken Travel in Billinge on Tuesday 2nd July at 6.30pm.

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Your Health - by Dr Mike Paull Chiropractor

Laughter As you will be aware, I always take the health of both readers of this column and my patients very seriously. That said, I believe in finding light hearted, even, fun ways to improve one’s health. With this in mind, I’d like you to have a look at how good laughter is for your general health and well being.

The prevention of ill health can also be achieved with the use of laughter, with many studies showing that it (even in a laboratory setting would you believe!) boosts immunity via the activity of certain chemicals in your body which fight disease such as infection.

I think that we all are intuitively aware of how good laughter is for us. We are all familiar (I hope) with how good we feel after hearing an amusing tale or watching our favourite stand-up comic. I believe that it’s a very basic human need to laugh and smile and I certainly encourage this with my patients (though how funny they would say I am is another matter entirely).

Your prescription might include watching or visiting a comedy show, doing a childish activity with your kids (they know how to laugh), or watching some comedy. Go with whatever tickles you!

So how do we best receive our dose(s) of laughter? I think most of us instinctively know that any joke is much funnier when shared with someone else, and so I would say try to make sure that someone else is quite literally infected with your laughter!

Keep laughing and keep healthy, Dr Mike Paull, Chiropractor

As a treatment for physical pain, laughter is second to none. Groucho Marx is famously reputed to have said “A clown is like an aspirin except that it works twice as fast.” It is well known that laughter releases endorphins, which are the body’s own rather powerful yet natural painkillers. These endorphins exert pain relieving effects on the parts of our brain which perceive pain. Even in serious ill health such as cancer, laughter still has a role to play alongside conventional medicine. It may surprise you to learn that there are many charities whose professional clowns regularly visit hospitals to entertain children in cancer wards. Laughter is a profound tonic and restorative for our psychological and emotional well-being. It’s easy to appreciate that whilst you are laughing, it is difficult to be afflicted by the more negative emotions such as anxiety, worry, stress and sadness. Laughter is a natural way to relieve stress and tension. It is not for nothing that we laugh at those situations in life which can be difficult to face.

Winstanley Rd, Orrell, WN5 7XA

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Ashton Showroom: 367, Bryn Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 8BS

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With our system these is no need to remove the roof – but we can achieve stunning external results with our top of the range slating options Freedom did our porch and conservatory and we now have balanced heat throughout the downstairs and I am saving £15.00 per week alone on Gas. The ﬁtting team were brilliant and had it all done in 3 days. Our best room in the house is now our conservatory, which before Freedom came along, was unused - Mrs Gillbanks from Poolstock

Wigan Showroom: JGB Investment Park, Stephens Way, Goose Green, Wigan, WN3 6PG

Call 08456 860 542 | 07761 966 024 www.locallife247.co.uk

Money & Investments - by David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP)

Early Pension Release - Be on your guard! Pension release is when you agree to transfer your pension savings to an arrangement that will allow you to access your funds before you reach the age of 55. In rare cases, such as terminal illness, it’s possible to access pension funds before the age of 55. There are a number of companies(most of which are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) that are now cold calling individuals with promises of immediate tax free cash . Whilst this may sound tempting it is fraught with potential issues. For most people, promises of early cash are false and are likely to result in serious tax consequences. Transferring your pension early can result in tax charges and penalties of more than half the value of your pension savings, and those being targeted are usually not told about these potential tax implications. You need to understand the risks of releasing or ‘cashing in’ your pension before 55, when it’s fraud, how you might be targeted with illegal pension transfer or pension loan offers and who to contact if you suspect it. Some pension transfer schemes that offer to release

your pension before the age 55 can be illegal if you are misled about the consequences of entering into one of these arrangements. This could be because you’re not informed of the tax consequences, fees involved or how the remainder of your pension savings are invested. An increasing number of companies are targeting individuals claiming that they can help them release their pension cash early. You may be targeted through websites, mass texting or through cold calls offering pension loans or opportunities to cash in your pension. You should be very wary about giving out information in response to a text or cold call. You should always make sure that you know who you’re dealing with. You should always take appropriate financial advice before using pension release websites and be aware of the potential for charges being imposed by HMRC. Converting your pension into cash before the age of 55 might sound very attractive if you urgently need money. However, if something sounds too good to be true, it often is. The risks of cashing in your pension early include: •

You may be poorer in retirement. You can only use your pension fund once. If you release your pension, there will be much less (or no) income from it when you retire.

Brought to you by David Barton of Prosper Independent Financial Advisers who is a Chartered Financial Planner specialising in investment and pensions advice to the over 50s. David K Barton APFS Cert CII(MP)

Telephone: 01257 423 800

Call Prosper today on 01257 423 800 to arrange your no obligation initial consultation. www.prosper-ifa.co.uk

•

You may be hit by unexpectedly high fees. As part of the release transaction, you will probably have to pay the organisers a ‘commission’ or ‘arrangement fee’ and these can typically range from 10–30%.

•

You may be misled as to the consequences of the transfer. You may not be informed or misled as to the huge tax consequences of making such a transfer.

•

You may be hit with significant charges by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). If you release your pension, you need to tell HMRC and will have to pay tax. If you fail to tell HMRC and HMRC contacts you first, you may be charged penalties and interest in addition to the tax.

It is important to also watch out for the alternative names given for forms of pension release, including pension loans, pension transfers and pension liberation.

pension as a tax free lump sum. Unlocking your pension will almost certainly mean you will have less income in retirement and, as a result, unlocking is only suitable for a very limited number of people and circumstances.

Pension release should not, however, be confused with ‘Pension Unlocking’. With pension unlocking, a person aged 55 or over can release up to 25% of their total

In the event of any early pension release approach, I would seriously recommend that you consider taking advice from an experienced financial adviser.

Choosing a financial partner maybe the most important decision you’ll ever make. • Investment and Pension Reviews • Portfolio Management • Annuity Advice • Inheritance Tax/Estate Planning Advice • Trustee Investment Guidance

Prosper IFA are the FIRST firm of financial advisers in Wigan to be awarded the prestigious Chartered Financial Planners Status.

Prosper Independent Financial Advisers Ltd. Prosper House, 99a High Street, Standish, WN6 0HD

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Volunteers Required The WRVS at Wigan Infirmary is in desperate need of volunteers (male or female) to man the shop at this busy hospital. If you can spare 4 hours a week between the hours of 7.30am-8pm on weekdays or between 12.30pm-4.30pm at weekends and you enjoy meeting people and making a difference, then the WRVS would love to hear from you. All travel expenses will be paid. If you can help, please call the WRVS on 01942 822453.

Family Day

Distributors Required

The Independent Living Family Day will take place at Pennington Flash in Leigh next Saturday (29th June). The day will highlight the resources available for disabled people living in Wigan Borough. Although the organisers will be addressing some very serious issues, they promise that the day will be a fun way to obtain lots of advice - a fun-filled informative day for all families in the local community and a great day out.

Local Life launches a new magazine into the Chorley area next month and we’re looking for people to help with the initial distribution of the magazine in the Coppull, Adlington, Euxton and Eccleston areas over the weekend of 19th-21st July. We can offer excellent rates of pay, a generous mileage allowance and you’ll be supplied with delivery bags and distribution maps.

Entertainment includes singers, wrestlers, children’s fairground, school choirs, birds of prey and lots more. There will be refreshments and a beer tent available, and Wish FM will be presenting on the day. The event is free of charge and runs from 11am-4pm.

Call Andrea on: 07827 774471 Email: areid@bookkeepingsolutions.org.uk

Distributors must be over 13 and will be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. This may suit enterprising families who are looking to earn extra money for their summer holidays. Please e-mail your name, address and landline number to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk as soon as possible for details.

Accountancy - by Chris Alcock ACMA

Guide to Choosing an Accountant If you are looking to appoint an accountant or change accountants, here are some basic tips on helping you choose:

Tips for choosing an accountant 1) Choose an accountant before you start your business. A good accountant will provide valuable business advice to help on the right road to success. 2) Make sure your accountant is fully qualified, these qualifications will be displayed on any promotional material or the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s website, otherwise make sure you ask. 3) Big is not always better â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Look for a good match. It is essential that your accountant works with small business clients. Would you prefer to work with one person on a day to day basis? 4) How much does the accountant charge? Most modern firms offer a fixed annual or monthly fee to complete all business tax requirements. This helps you avoid any nasty surprise bills! 5) When you first meet a prospective accountant. It is important to develop a good relationship and know that your finances are being handled by someone you trust. A flexible accountant will come out and see you at your office at a time to suit you. 6) What other services does the accountant provide - can they take care of all your bookkeeping, payroll and tax

affairs which leaves you free to grow your business? 7) Make sure they have experience in your sector. A good example is do they have experience of on-line trading and e-commerce. 8) Ask to speak to existing clients before signing up. A decent accountancy firm should be happy to arrange. Do they provide testimonials from satisfied clients? 9) Make sure your accountant keeps in touch with your business - not just at year end! It may be too late to take any necessary action after the event! 10) If at some stage you decide to sell your business, you will need a good accountant more than ever to minimise any tax liabilities payable on the sale. A good accountant will help you grow your business and add considerable value. CMA offers a free initial consultation, either at our office or yours, at a time to suit you. If you would like to see how we can help please get in touch.

Tax Tips of the Month If you are a VAT registered business, consider switching to the flat rate VAT scheme. This can help you simplify the bookkeeping process and reduce the amount of VAT that you have to pay To see how we can help you please get in touch:

CMA is a proactive accountancy firm based in Appley Bridge. We provide the usual services such as accounts and payroll services. We can also help you with your bookkeeping if you hate doing this!!

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Chris Alcock ACMA CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR Tel: 01257 255521 Email info@handsonaccounting.co.uk www.handsonaccounting.co.uk

Taste Test

Robin Hits Target In the true style of its namesake, the Robin Hood has always come up trumps in the face of adversity. Despite being to interior décor what Johnny Vegas is to men’s fashion, despite being a touch dark, dingy and decrepit in places, the Robin has always been one of the most popular pubs in Orrell. Why is that? Quite simply, when you have a reputation for a friendly traditional pub serving great food and a good selection of real ales, your customers will forgive you for a lot. Imagine then, the shock when it closed for refurbishment in May for four whole weeks! Workmen arrived, countdown clocks started and anxious regulars nervously watched as their favourite pub was ripped apart and then put together again. Thankfully, the refurb is a sympathetic one. It doesn’t look like an Italian wine bar or a French café, it just looks like a better, fresher, brighter version of the Robin Hood. For those of you who haven’t been to the Robin Hood, the intimate dining area, with just 30 covers, is like a private dining room and it’s in there that we start our night out. I opt for the chicken liver and brandy pate to start with. Smooth as the proverbial baby’s bottom, this tasty pate was served with a tub of cheeky sweet onion chutney, hot toast and a crunchy mixed salad too. The perfect starter; not too heavy, but full of taste and texture.

Exceptionally tasty as the pate was (and it was very tasty), if I could crack the time space continuum I would go instead for the Creamy Garlic Mushrooms. There’s not much gets my wife excited – though Lord knows I try – but she was taken to the brink of ecstasy by this dish. As a rule, we each eat half the dish and then do swapsies, but she just didn’t want to let this one go, even though she isn’t generally a fan of Stilton. Finally, I wrestled the plate off her to try it, and it’s true – it was outstanding. A sizeable plate filled with big chunky mushrooms, and the creamy garlic stilton sauce was just the undoubted star of the show. As I devour the remains, I wonder to myself if licking your dinner plate is an option when you’re 48 years old. Maybe not, I conclude. Everything about the 10oz Gammon Steak dish was big - this was a proper hefty dish, more suitable for Desperate Dan than a flabby office worker. The juicy mushroom was up for the biggest vegetable of the year award and the burly beef tomato wasn’t far off it in size either. Lovely freshly home-cooked chips accompanied the tender gammon, as did some delectable onion rings. If there was anything I could criticise, I’d say the egg was ever-so slightly overcooked; soft, but not runny soft! A shame, but not enough of a deterrent to detract from my enjoyment of this tasty dish. Since the days that Nottingham had a Sherriff (or thereabouts!) the Robin Hood has served Cock and

Bull – a selection of steak and chicken strips cooked together with herbs, white wine and cream, and it’s an old favourite of the Robin’s regulars. This dish provides a real benchmark for the new team to beat, and the new Robin Hood passes with flying colours! There’s nothing to dislike about this meal - succulent chicken and tender beef strips in a sauce to fall out over. Some say, it’s the best Cock and Bull served this side of Sherwood Forest and my missus sits firmly in that camp. It was a meal good enough to grace any table, and it was served with rice, those lovely home cooked chips, and an ample selection of vegetables. After a long belt-loosening break, we tackled the desserts. Again, not a great number of dishes to choose from but all were traditional favourites. We opted for the lemon meringue pie and the apple pie with ice cream. Again, the portion sizes were on the generous side and the quality of the desserts was first class.

The new Robin Hood doesn’t pretend to be anything that it’s not. It’s a friendly community pub which is packed with character (and a few characters too!) that serves excellent food at extremely reasonable prices and also has a good selection of real ale. Whether it’s a

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Robin Hood Where: Sandy Lane, Orrell, WN5 7AZ Details: 01942 511 859 www.robinhoodorrell.co.uk Open for Food Wed - Fri 12:00 - 2.30pm & 5:00 - 8.30pm Saturday 12:00 - 8.30pm Sunday 12:00 - 7:00pm

10% off your food bill at the Robin Hood Offer available Weds & Thurs only

For food of this quality, The Robin is just great value for money! Of the fourteen main courses on the menu, twelve ranged from £6.95 to £8.95. The Light Bites menu – sandwiches, hot baguettes and jacket potatoes – suiting those with a smaller appetite, start from just £3.95 and everything on the Kids Menu is all under four quid a pop.

special night out, a lunchtime soiree meal with friends or a pit stop during a Water Park walk, the Robin hits the target every time!

Expiry date 31st August 2013 This voucher cannot be used in consultation with any other offers

Robin Hood 49

Now Serving Lunch Dionne invites you to enjoy Winston’s new lunch menu, made with fresh local produce and cooked to perfection by our new award-winning chef Great selection of timeless British dishes, plus our award-winning pizza

Entertainment on Friday & Saturdays - 9pm till late

Don’t miss our Carvery Every Sunday! Winston’s | 190 Upholland Road, Billinge, WN5 7DJ | 01695 627692

Lucky Winner! Back in our March issue of Local Life we ran a competition with the UK’s leading Lawn Care provider, GreenThumb. The winner of the competition was Mrs Woods from Hawkley Hall who won a year’s worth of free lawn treatments up to the value of £100, and the winner is pictured with Ian and Andrea Johnson who run the GreenThumb franchise in the Wigan area. The five runners up, who each won a free Spring lawn treatment were Ms Childerhouse from Highfield, Mr Worthington from Winstanley, Ms Cliffe from Billinge, Ms Barnes from Billinge and Mrs Fillingham from Orrell.

The place to be for authentic Thai food!

THE TAVERN Bar & Thai Restaurant 2 course special lunch £6.95 2 course all days fixed price £10.95

not available Friday & Saturday after 6:30pm

À la Carte menu also available Food served all day at Tavern bar ground floor

Restaurant Opening Hours Monday 5 - 11pm Tueday - Sunday Lunch 12 - 3 pm Dinner 5 - 11pm www.thaitavernhouse.com

Tel 01942 375 413

37 Mesnes Street, Wigan, WN1 1QP

THE TAVERN Bar & Thai Restaurant

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20%

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your food bill when you select from the a la carte menu. Not available on Saturday after 7pm Only one voucher per booking Voucher does not include drinks. Valid until 31st July 2013

Competition

Win tickets to The UK's largest independent flower show, Southport Flower Show, returns this summer for its 84th year from 15-18 August 2013. Attracting around 70,000 visitors, the four day event will feature the very best in garden design, gourmet foods and entertainment and we have got FIVE pairs of tickets to give away to our readers!

Carol Vorderman will be launching this year’s show and there will be a host of celebrities in attendance during the event from celebrity chefs like Simon Rimmer to gardening experts such as Channel 4’s Landscape Man, Mathew Wilson. The theme for 2013 will be 'Pride', with proud gardeners, growers and designers, showcasing their talents.

To win a pair of tickets, just complete the crossword on the opposite page and return it by 20th July 2013 to Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8 – Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB. Or simply email your answers, along with your name, address, postcode and contact number to crossword@ locallife247.co.uk. The closing date is 20th July and details of the winners will be published in the Sept/Oct issue of Local Life.

The Inspirational show gardens this year will offer unique features, exquisite furniture and plants leaving visitors buzzing with ideas on how to transform their own garden, whatever its size. There is also a dedicated allotment section for those who want their gardens to be productive as well as pretty.

Visitors will be surrounded by over a million blooms, more than 350 exhibitors and approximately 18 show gardens. The show also boasts the North West Food and Book Festival as well as live music and entertainment.

There is a stunning Grand Floral Marquee which will be packed with spectacular displays from some of the country’s top independent growers, competing to be the best in show. The show can also be enjoyed whatever the weather, thanks to the variety of covered marquees, and Victoria Park's purpose built drainage system and level surfaces. The show also has the largest amateur growers’ marquee in the country with classes in excess of 370 which are open to anyone willing to put their growing skills to the test. Amateur gardeners can showcase their skills alongside the most talented professional grand floral growers and be in with a chance of winning part of a £50,000 prize fund. Over the past few years, the Southport Flower Show has expanded and now includes a wide programme of food, books and entertainment, with the inclusion of the North West Food Festival, North West Book Festival, and a significant feature on Edible Gardens with a special Honey and Bees section.

# The North West Food Festival will feature over 64 gourmet producers offering the opportunity to sample and buy produce in the food marquee and a full working kitchen where celebrity chefs will be demonstrating their skills and signature dishes. For tickets and all the latest information on the show, visit www.southportflowershow.co.uk. Tickets bought in advance cost just £16* which is £5 off the gate price on the day and children under 16 go free. *Booking fee applies

Across 2. Number of gourmet food producers, sixty _ 3. Venue for show, _ Park 5. Opening show, Carol _ 6. Theme of this year’s show Down 1. Show runs from 15th - 18th _ 4. Southport’s celebrity chef, Simon Name .............................................................................................................................. Address ........................................................................................................................... .............................................................................. Post Code ........................................ Phone ............................................................................................................................. Email .............................................................................................................................. Crossword Competition Rules 1. Only one entry per household 2. Entrants must be over 16 years of age 3. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date. 4. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed or damaged in the post. 5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition. Local Life 247 Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act and abides by the guidelines of the act. We will never sell or pass your data to any third party company. However, we would like to contact you occasionally by email with news of great local offers and also to check our magazine distribution in your area. If this is acceptable to you, please tick this box.

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Dragons Dig Deep Nine local groups went away with a cash donation from the recent Dragon’s Den event hosted by Wigan Rotary Club. Over a dozen organisations applied and the three dragons, Rotary President Venk Mani, former Westfield Children’s Centre manager Aukje Clegg OBE, and chartered accountant Peter Cheetham invited nine groups to pitch for a share of £4000.

He continued ‘However this event would not be possible without the generous donations of the Wigan residents, mainly from last December when we accompanied Santa and his sleigh around the area. We hope this event publicises that we are using their donations wisely and for the benefit of the local community and that everyone’s a winner.’ The successful groups, who each walked away with a grant of between £411 and £500 were Beanstalk, Kids & Sibs, Wigan & Leigh Deaf Children’s Society, Pemberton Pens, St Bernadette’s Pre-School, Standish WI, Marsh Green Art Group and Orrell Methodists Mother & Toddler Group. For more details about the work of Wigan Rotary, visit the website www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk.

Learn Bridge Do you enjoy keeping fit? Well, why not keep your mind active as well and learn to play bridge? Wigan Bridge Club are looking for new members and all abilities are very welcome. We play on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday evenings and also on Monday, Friday and the first and third Wednesday afternoons of the month. Lessons for beginners and improvers will be starting on Monday September 16th at 7-15pm. Wigan Bridge Club is situated at 38 Bridgeman Terrace opposite Mesnes Park in Wigan. For more information contact Joan on 01257 464267 or look up Wigan Bridge Club on the internet.

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Wigan Rotary President Venk Mani said,’ it was a tremendous evening and Wigan Rotary Club was delighted to be able to help the wonderful work undertaken by the organizations present. In these hard economic times it is surprising the difference a few hundred pounds can make. It was also humbling to see how many people are prepared to give up their time to help others.’

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Why move, when you can improve? We offer you a complete solution to your building needs!

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Extensions Conservatories Garage conversions Full refurbishments Kitchen and Bathrooms Plans drawn and submitted Windows and doors Full plumbing and electrical services available

d & guaranteed All work fully insure References available ificates provided Gas & electrical cert

Wirral Drive, Winstanley Call - 01942 216735 or 07725 909 257

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Jack’s Tracks

Darwen The sun was shining and it was a Bank Holiday weekend, so we loaded up the dogs in the car and set off on a 30 minute drive to the West Pennine Moors. Today, we were about to tackle a walk which includes an historical landmark that celebrates the public’s right to roam those moors – the Darwen Tower – which overlooks the Lancashire town of Darwen. The good news is, at just over 3½ miles long it’s probably the shortest Jack’s Tracks we have ever published, but the bad news is that most of the walking seemed to be of a somewhat vertical nature! However, once you get to the top of Darwen Tower, you are amply rewarded with amazing views stretching, on a clear day, as far as the Isle of Man! Darwen Hill stands at a height of 1225 feet and the paths leading up to it are extremely steep in parts. If you do have mobility problems, this isn’t a walk for you.

To get to the starting point take the M6 North, and then head east on the M65 to junction 3. Take the third exit on the roundabout, heading south to Bolton. Follow that road for 4 miles and then take a left turn into Tockholes Road. The Royal Arms pub (BB3 0PA) is 1½ miles down that road on the right hand side.

Royal Arms – Fine Peters Farm Park up near the Royal Arms pub, either in the public car park near the bus-turning area or in the car park adjacent to the Royal Arms private car park. Cross over to the other side of the road, heading for the bridleway sign and negotiate your way through the wooden barriers. Ten yards further on, turn right at the wooden sign for the woods and water trail and head downhill. The path bears to the left, and you’ll go down some steps and then head downhill for approximately 350

yards. As you reach the end of the path where the wooden fences are, you’ll see Upper Ruddlesworth Reservoir through the trees in front of you. Turn right at the wooden fence and go immediately down a small dip and as you are heading back up the hill, take the small path that forks off to the right. The path bears uphill through the woods, generally winds to the right, and you’ll eventually reach a wooden gate, beyond which is the main road. Go through the gate and turn left and head towards a farmhouse in the distance. Once you’ve passed the farmhouse (Fine Peter’s Farm), which dates back to 1757, turn right where the bridleway sign is and head up the path at the side of the farmhouse. Fine Peters Farm – Water House At this point you’ll clearly see Darwen Tower, sometimes known as Jubilee Tower, in the distance on the right. The path takes you uphill and then you’ll drop in the direction of Earnsdale Reservoir down below. You’ll come to a junction at the bottom of the path; go straight on down the cobbled pathway. A few yards later you’ll emerge out of the wooden area. In front of you is the entrance to Sunnyhurst Wood, but you’re going to turn right at this point in the direction of the reservoir. Walk along the straight path with the reservoir on the right hand side. Once you reach the other side of the reservoir, the path turns into a dirt track and bears round the left and then the right and uphill. Once you

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along the way to rest and enjoy the fantastic views of Darwen. Follow the main track which starts to wind right in the direction of the Tower until, just before the Tower you’ll reach a crossways of paths – take a deep breath and go straight on and up towards the Tower. Upon your arrival at the crest of the hill, you can actually (if you have enough energy that is!) go up the stairway to top of the tower. Once you’ve finished taking in the majestic views and have got your breath back, head away from the Tower down the path located on the left hand side of the white pillar. 50 yards further on you’ll arrive at another path; turn left at this point and follow this path for 475 yards. Ignore the downhill dogleg path on your right hand side at this point and carry straight on for a further 200 yards. Once you’ve passed a bench and the path swings to the left, take the second opening in the fence on the right hand side. Head across the middle of the field and when you reach the other side the path bears to the right and you go down quite a steep stony path. Go over the wooden stile, and take a direct left turn and head down the stone steps. Higher

reach the cattle grid when the path bends to the left again, you’ll see a wooden gate; go through the gate and head up the very steep hill. Jump over the stile at the top of the hill onto a wide track. Turn left and go downhill until you reach a house on your left called Water House. Opposite Water House there is a concrete path that forks away from the track – head up this concrete path. Water House – Royal Arms

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Go through the gate where’s there’s a Darwen Moor sign and head up hill. Within a few yards you’ll reach a fork in the path; take the left hand fork. Here’s where the going starts to get really hard and you’ll follow this upward path for 1/3 of a mile, but there are plenty of benches

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.

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The concrete path has steel barriers running alongside the left hand side of it. Once you’ve reached the second gap in that barrier – just by the wooden telegraph pole – turn left, leaving the concrete path. As you walk on the left hand perimeter of that field the pathway forks; go down either path and you’ll end up at the same destination – a disused quarry. Turn right and head up toward the metal bar gate.

When you reach the path at the bottom of the steps turn left here and follow the path as it swings back to the right and into the a wooden area. You’ll soon reach a pair of wooden gates - go through the one on the right hand side. Follow this path for almost ½ a mile until you reach a wooden gate on the left hand side of a row of terraced cottages. Go through the gate and you’ll be back at your starting point near the Royal Arms.

Darwen Tower Darwen Tower is a Grade II listed structure which was built in 1897/98 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee, but to the people of Darwen it symbolises something more fundamental – the right to access to Darwen Moor. Back in the 1870’s, the Lord of the Manor, a Reverend called Duckworth who lived in Somerset, instructed his gamekeepers to block the ancient rights of way onto the Moor. Coal supplier William Ashton took exception to this move, he had to supply farmers who lived on the Moor, and when Duckworth’s gamekeepers blocked his way, he unblocked it. After a few bloody skirmishes, the issue went to court and by 1896 the townspeople had regained the right to use the moorland footpaths. Ashton had died a couple of years earlier, but his three sons led a celebratory

procession up on to the moors to the spot where the Tower now stands. The victory coincided with the town’s desire to celebrate Queen Victoria’s diamond jubilee. An anonymous letter to the local paper suggested a landmark be built on the Moor to commemorate the Jubilee and also to celebrate the freeing of the Moors. The townspeople rallied behind the idea and the tower was opened in September 1898 by the Reverend William Duckworth himself.

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Restorations & repairs • New Commissions welcomed Stained glass craft workshops – ask for details

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What’s On in the North West Morpheus Glass Open Studio

Speke Hall Vintage Festival

At the open studio sale weekend there will be 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 RRP. All their work is handmade by glass designer Stephanie Bowen at the studio and pieces can be made to order to suit any space including splashbacks.

Travel back in time at Speke Hall near Liverpool this summer! Back by popular demand, this is your chance to see beautiful veteran, vintage and classic vehicles on display, chat with their owners, and visit the amazing Vintage Market for timeless bargains. You can chill out to the retro sound of live performers and enjoy delicious food cooked on site at the Festival. When: Cost: Details: Where:

Sat 20th July & Sun 21st July (11am-5pm) Free www.nationaltrust.org.uk.speke-hall L24 1XD

Aintree Hot Air Balloon Festival

When: Sat 6th & Sun 7th Jul (10am-4pm) Cost: Free Details: 01695 624182 www.morpheusglass.co.uk Where: WN5 7XB

The event will feature a fantastic array of Hot Air Balloons of various shapes and sizes. There is a giant funfair, helicopter rides, licensed bar, and the event would also feature a special Glow Night on the Saturday, where the balloons light up to a choreographed musical display. There’s also a full program of family orientated entertainment, including mini circus performances, with clowns, jugglers and magic.

Cheshire Steam Fair Held at Daresbury, near Warrington, the Cheshire Steam Fair is one of the largest events of its kind. Attractions include: 40 Steam Engines, 300 Classic Cars, 150 Vintage Commercials, 150 Classic Motorcycles and 50 Tractors. There are bouncy castles, Quad Bike rides, birds of prey, a miniature railway, fairground organs, arena attractions, trade stands, a Craft & Fine Food marquee, fairground rides and lots more. When: Sat 13th July & Sun 14th July (10am-5pm) Cost: Adult £8, Over 65 £7, Under 16 £4, Family £20 Details: 01751 200839 www.outdoorshows.co.uk Where: WA4 4AG

Green Fayre at Beacon Park The Green Fayre at Beacon Park near Up Holland is West Lancashire’s premier countryside event, celebrating the great outdoors and countryside life. Don’t miss demonstrations in a variety of woodland crafts including, chainsaw carving, willow weaving, basket making and hooping. The show arena will also include sheepdog trials, Viking battles and birds of prey displays. A music marquee houses a variety of folk and traditional music performers. When: Cost: Details: Where:

Sat 20th July & Sun 21st July (11am-5pm) Free 01695 622794 WN8 7RU

Sat 20th Jul & Sun 21st Jul (Sat 12noon-10pm – Sun 12noon-6pm) Cost: £3 (children under 1.2 meters free) Details: 0161 6220555 Where: L9 5AS When:

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park The North’s greatest garden party has lots of fresh ideas for visitors. Check out the Great British Allotment area, or if ornamental plants are more your thing, head to the Floral Marquee to find a huge choice from some of the UK’s top nurseries. Don’t miss some fascinating show garden designs. Ladies Day returns by popular demand on Friday 26th July. When: Cost: Details: Where:

Thur 25th July – Sun 28th July £23.50 www.rhs.org.uk WA16 6QN

Knowsley Flower Show The Knowsley Flower Show celebrates their 15th year! The Floral Marquee will be a blaze of colour and scent, and this year they have classes suitable for anyone, every age and capability including some special classes for children and young people themed around their crystal anniversary. Also new for 2013 is a Food for Thought area sponsored by Love Food Hate Waste with lots of advice on healthier eating and free recipe giveaways and lots of tips on how not to waste food.

Photo © G Lee

Blackpool Air Show Blackpool Air Display is a magnificent seaside air display for all the family. Every year sees bigger and better displays as crowds gather along Blackpool’s Golden Mile. From the Spitfire to the ultra-modern Typhoon there is something for everyone and the Blackpool Air Show. The main action takes place between Promenade Point and South Pier. When: Cost: Details: Where:

Mon 12th August Free www.visitblackpool.com FY1 5BD

Southport Flower Show Located in Victoria Park, the Southport Flower Show features stunning show gardens, the finest flower and vegetable displays, specialist foods and books, celebrity guests and much more. Every day there is something new happening, from talks and lectures to cookery presentations in the kitchen. The main arena entertainment brings you jousting medieval knights and free flying birds of prey, dog displays and the fun of what happens when sheepdogs meet Indian Runner ducks. Don’t miss it!

When: Sun 4th Aug (11am-5pm) Cost: Free Details: 0151-443 5749 www.knowsleyflowershow.com Where: L16 3NA

Family Fun Raceday Haydock Park’s fabulous family fun race day returns in the summer holidays and this year’s theme is ‘Under The Sea’. Join them for an action-packed family day out not just with fantastic racing, but with FREE children’s activities ranging from face-painting to bouncy castles, craft workshops to funfair rides ... but best of all it’s FREE for children 17 and under, accompanied by a paying adult. When: Thur 8th Aug (gates open at 12.10pm) Cost: £32.40 Details: 01942 402624 www.haydock-park.co.uk Where: WA12 0HQ

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When: Thur 15th Aug – Sun 18th Aug Cost: £16-£21 Details: 01704 547147 www.southportflowershow.co.uk Where: PR8 2BZ

Southport Town & Country Fair This popular event moves to a new home at the Leisure Lakes in Mere Brow. Attractions include the 360 bicycle stunt team, horse carriage driving, a shopping mall, craft marquee, sheepdog displays, duck herding, children’s entertainment and a bouncy castle. Also for the children there will be a bee, worm and reptile house, donkey rides and you can even enter your own dog into the daily shows at 1pm. Sat 24th - Mon 26th August (10am-5pm) Adult £5, Senior £4.50, Child £1 Family Ticket £12 (2 Adults, 3 Children) Details: 01704 212734 www.garden-festivals.com Where: PR4 6JX When: Cost:

Test Drive - by Andy Enright

Party Like It’s 2008 Peugeot's 2008 wades into the compact Crossover melee. Every once in a while, a sector of the British car market resembles a feeding frenzy. One manufacturer corners the market with a novel product and then in wade the competition, eager to grab a slice of this glory. Right now, we're witnessing just this pattern repeating with compact crossover market. Nissan may well claim credit for its development, with their Qashqai and Juke models, but it seems almost everybody wants in. So what are the chances of Peugeot's entry to this now crowded marketplace? Despite its beefy looks, the 2008 is front-wheel drive only, but some off-road ability is delivered on pokier 1.6-litre petrol and diesel variants via a clever 'Grip Control' traction system. Grip Control automatically improves the vehicle's traction on difficult surfaces such as snow, mud, dirt tracks and wet grass, working with the vehicle's Electronic Stability Programme to maintain the best possible traction from both front wheels. It has five selectable operating modes, not unlike a Land Rover 'Terrain Response' system. Base versions get a choice of either an 82bhp 1.2 VTi petrol or a 70bhp 1.4-litre HDi diesel. Moving up the range, there's a 120bhp 1.6-litre VTi petrol unit and either 92 or 115bhp versions of the 1.6-litre e-HDi diesel, an engine with Stop & Start and, in lower-powered form, offering the option of an EGC auto gearbox. The 2008 features a higher driving position than the

208 and it's longer too. At 4.16m, it's fully 20cm longer than its supermini cousin and there's a good deal more road presence to it as well with its pronounced wheel arches. With 17-inch alloy wheels and Mud & Snow tyres, it looks quite purposeful but the ground clearance is decidedly modest so it doesn't seem as if it's trying to project an image it can't live up to. The front face adopts the latest Peugeot family face which is a heck of an improvement on their last one, it has to be said. LED daytime running lights and an intricately sculpted headlight pod give the 2008 a distinctive frontal signature and there's some really slick detailing, such as the way the metal door bases cut into the black sill mouldings or the way in which the tail lights frame the 2008's subtle shoulder line. It's not the most overtly styled car in its class, but it's quietly handsome in a way that's old-school Peugeot. Pricing sits in the £13,000 to £20,000 bracket and the 2008 Crossover range consists of four trim levels: Access+, Active, Allure & Feline. All variants get LED daytime running lights, colour-coded door mirrors and handles, power windows and mirrors, cruise control, driver's seat height adjustment, a decent quality CD stereo with a 3.5mm Jack for an external audio device and steering wheel-mounted controls, air conditioning that also cools the glovebox, six airbags and ESP stability control.

Overall, with four badge levels, six engine choices, six alloy wheel designs, seven trim environments, eight colours and 18 options to choose from, Peugeot hopes that the 2008 range has things fully covered. The engines that have been announced for the 2008 are some of the most economical units that Peugeot make, so running one of these vehicles shouldn't break the bank. The 92bhp 1.6-litre e-HDI with the EGC gearbox manages to eke better than 74 miles from a gallon of derv while emitting just 98g/km of CO2. The 1.4-litre HDi diesel model without the e-HDi eco tweaks manages 70.6mpg and 104g/km of CO2. The petrol variants don't do too badly either. The 1.2-litre VTi manages 57.6mpg on the combined cycle and 114g/km of CO2, whilst the 1.6-litre VTi mixes 120bhp performance with a 47.9mpg figure and 135g/ km of CO2. True, there are some seriously talented rivals in the Crossover segment right now, so the 2008 has quite a task on if it's to make its mark, a job you might not think would be helped by this car's relative visual subtlety. But maybe there's a significant group of potential buyers who'll want just that from this kind of car. If you're one of them, then we're guessing that you might like this design very much indeed.

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Motoring Services

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Wordsearch Sudoku

Puzzle Corner

Guess where? Photo courtesy of Wigan Heritage Services http://wiganimages.wlct.org/ Answers are on page 80 of this magazine Ants Barbecue Beach Bees Boating Bugs Campfire Camping Caravan Cycling Daytrip Drought Festivals Fetes Funfair

Holiday Hosepipe ban Ice cream Lawnmower Picnic Rain Salad Seaside Sprinkler Sunshine Swimming Tent

Garden Diary - by Angie Barker

Right plant, right place When visiting peoples’ gardens I often hear the words “nothing will grow there because it is too shady”. People assume that a shady spot in their garden is doomed to be boring and unable to support plant life when in fact nothing could be further from the truth. A shady spot in your garden is an opportunity to grow a wonderful range of plants. The first thing you need to assess is whether your shade is dry shade or moist shade as this will determine which plants you can grow successfully. For example ferns such as Polystichum munitum (Sword fern) and the Lenten Rose (Helleborus orientalis) thrive in moist shade. Some hardy Geraniums such as Geranium nodosum, Dicentra formosa (Bleeding Heart) and Lily of the Valley (Convallaria majalis) do well in dry shade. Plants which produce white flowers are brilliant in shade because they shine out. Examples include Geranium phaeum ‘Album’, Polygonatum odorata (Soloman’s Seal), Pulmonaria ‘Sissinghurst White’ and Bergenia ‘Bressingham White’ (Elephants Ears). If foliage is your thing – and you have the space - then Hosta ‘Sum and Substance’ and Fatsia japonica would be ideal. 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.

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Award Winner

…and the Chelsea Flower Show For those of you who are regular readers, I thought I would report back on this year’s visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in May. As usual it was wonderful, the show gardens were impeccable, the planting sublime and hubby, well hubby was very patient whilst I trawled the stands looking for my little piece of Chelsea to take home with me as I do every year. He was remembering with trepidation the year I bought a 6 foot high metal sunflower and the fun we had getting it into a taxi and then onto the train! He was therefore pleasantly surprised when I purchased a sweet little white bird to sit above the flowers in our tiny little patch of garden which I wistfully call the white border. Yes it was a wonderful day and it also coincided with our silver wedding anniversary and so a glass of champagne in front of the bandstand was duly called for. Bliss. Call her now for your free consultation! Author: Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk

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Broken Mower? Treat your mower to a service! * We’ll sharpen & balance your mower blades * We’ll change your mower’s oil, air filter & spark plugs * We’ll check your mower’s motor & cables * We’ll even clean your mower too!

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Love Your Pets - by Dr Shams Mir BVSc&AH,MVSc,DrMedVet,MRCVS

Why Regular Worming of Dogs is so Important Our pet dogs can harbour a range of internal parasites. Besides their adverse effects on the health of the dog, some of them can have serious implications on human health. Therefore, controlling these infections is of vital importance. Many puppies are born with the roundworm Toxocara canis infection, transmitted to the pups through placenta and milk. The larvae travel through the blood stream to the lungs, via liver in case of oral infection, are coughed up and swallowed, they then settle in the intestines and start laying eggs by the time the puppy is merely three weeks old. Worms can interfere with the nutrient absorption turning a puppy thin and pot-bellied; larger numbers can lead to obstruction of the intestine and death. Dogs are infected through eating hatching eggs, eating prey or uncooked meat containing worm larvae. Some puppies have been shown to pass as many as up to 2 million worm eggs in faeces in a day and some dogs have been shown to pass worm eggs in spite of worming treatment every three months. The worm eggs can survive for more than a year in the environment. The hookworm Uncinaria stenocephala, is another type of intestinal worm, is common in dogs that have access to grass runs. The infection is contracted by ingesting larvae hatched from the hookworm eggs in the environment. A less common species Ancylostoma caninum is known to cause infection with the larvae

directly entering through the skin. The even less common whipworm Trichuris vulpis lives in the large intestine with the head buried in the intestinal wall. Unless the worm infestation is heavy, adult dogs may only show subtler effects like poor hair coat. The heart-and-lungworm Angiostrongylys vasorum, and the lungworm Crenosoma vulpis infections are contracted by dogs from eating infected slugs and snails. In case of A. vasorum adult worms live within arteries of lungs causing a variety of problems including blood clotting disorders presenting as bleeding from the nose or mouth or sudden onset neurological signs due to bleeding within the brain. Occasionally, larvae reaching the eyeball can lead to serious eye diseases. In case of C. vulpis adult worms live in bigger airways, with heavy infection causing persistent cough, exercise intolerance and breathing difficulties. The greyhounds are known to be particularly susceptible to this infection. It is obvious from the above that to safeguard the health of our pet dogs, regular treatment against these worms is extremely important. But it is even more important that to safeguard the human health in general and the family health in particular, as there is some evidence that we are more likely to contract parasitic infections from our own pets. Whereas the regularity of this treatment is very important, it is even more important to use medicines that can assure high level of efficacy against the widest range of above mentioned parasites. Though cheaper, over- the- counter medicines are too basic to provide the required efficacy and offer the required assurance. If you need further information on the right approach to worming your pet dog, please do not hesitate to contact me on 01257 463 142. Dr Shams Mir BVSc&AH,MVSc,DrMedVet,MRCVS Veterinary Surgeon Sunrise Veterinary Surgery 6 The Common Parbold WN8 7DA Tel: 01257 463 142 www.sunrisevets.co.uk

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

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Money Saving - by Martin Lewis

Energy The increased demand for fuel during a harsh Spring has pumped up wholesale gas and electricity prices. Some pundits predict another energy price hike round towards the end of year, hoicking prices by 10% - a high burden that would leave many choosing between heating and eating. So even if the sun’s shining, there’s never been a more important time to sort your energy bills. Here are my need-to-knows: 1. Ensure no price hikes for TWO winters and save. EDF has launched a new tariff that can provide welcome respite for many. Do a comparison and it may not come top, so many will miss it. Yet it’s certainly one to consider. The EDF Blue Feb 2015 fix (my.edfenergy.com/gaselectricity/blue-plus-price-promise) will save someone with typical bills on a standard dual fuel tariff £200 a year. Crucially, it lets you lock in the rate, guaranteeing no price hikes for 22 months. 2. Join my free Cheap Energy Club Switching tariff to save is crucial. The problem is that most deals only last a year or two, then you’re bumped back onto costly standard tariffs. To fight back, I’ve set up www.moneysavingexpert.com/cheapenergyclub. It

compares to check you’re on the cheapest tariff. Then each month it does a background comparison to see if you’re still on the cheapest tariff and will alert you when you need to move again. 3. Direct debit is 5%-10% cheaper If possible, pay by fixed MONTHLY direct debit for a discount. Though always do regular meter readings for accuracy as your bill is estimated. As energy usage is seasonal, you will find yourself in credit in summer and debit in winter. If you find you’re too heavily in credit, you can get a chunk of the amount you’ve overpaid back before arranging for a lower direct debit. 4. Mythbusting—is it cheaper to leave the heating on low all day? This is a common urban myth, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Yet you save energy, and therefore money by only having the heating on when it’s required. Using a timer is best, as your thermostat is designed to turn your heating system on and off to keep your home at the temperature you set it. 5. Green Deal– is it worth it? The Green Deal’s designed to let you pay for energy– efficient home improvements such as under floor heating, double glazing, efficient boilers, loft and solid wall insulation from the ‘savings’ you make on energy bills. It can be a boon for many, though you may need to pay for an inspection first. If you’re going to do it, do it as soon as possible, as millions of pounds of cashback is available to first adopters.

Each month, Martin will be writing a feature for Local Life - advising our readers how to save thousands of pounds every year! Don’t miss it! Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, is an award-winning campaigning TV & radio presenter, newspaper columnist and a best-selling author. An ultra-specialised journalist, focusing on cutting bills without cutting back, he runs and founded the UK’s biggest money site, www.moneysavingexpert.com with 13 million monthly users.

Get Martin’s FREE tips and money-off vouchers emailed directly to you each week by signing up to www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips

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• WILSON BROS • Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair

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

• Fascia & soffit installation

Newman

• Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate

01695 633173

ROOFING & REPAIRS

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

01695 627 212

MOBILE: 07774 943 837 17 BEECH TREE AVENUE APPLEY BRIDGE

MOBILE: 07774 943 706

52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS UP HOLLAND

Established Over 30 Years

JOHN GREENHALGH JOINER

Extensions | Conversions Renovations | New Builds Considered Phone: 01257

426966 846211 E-mail: johngreenhalghjoiner@gmail.com

Mobile: 07801

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

l Geails N £15 ally

£20

No job too small!

Solar Thermal & Solar PV Wind Turbines Heat Pumps

Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved

FREE

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

www.locallife247.co.uk

• GUTTERS AND UPVC CLEANING SERVICE

• GENERAL GARDEN MAINTENANCE

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

...and general NG SERVICI Energy Savings too & VANGlazed cycles CAR Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double es motor Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, E Safety ...and Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced Glass, Toughened Lash Tan X y your FREE Spra H ils Goulding home survey eds A you with a and we’ll provide k Sunb & GeTl Na DennisHealt h Chec detailed report showing the ic Car U from your returns available rton Brethe Acryl own solar panels Y n and S return) Crosto dio 84nts of you need me! (10% typical R Stu for all reside T @ until me 7PG E e WN5Keep Check S Health Visit our showroom at , Billing 400 FREE Car on - 6PM Road S 4 619 your ford ay 10AM now Book Cricket : 0781

Natalie

• BROKEN LOCKS & MISTED WINDOWS

• FLAGGING, FENCING & POINTING

LED Lighting

01695 627 999

• UPVC WINDOWS, DOORS & ROOFLINE

Saving money is the clear beneﬁt!

Soffits & Fascias

Number One for House Maintenance!

Call Mike Darbyshire on

01942 513 584 / 07917 352 181 Orrell based

Great Value Bathrooms!

Puzzle Corner - Solutions

Full Bathrooms & En-Suites Showers, Trays & Cubicles Relocation of Bathroom Suites 25 years bathroom experience Call Chris now for a free quotation

C L Bathrooms

01942 749085 or 07801 295483 www.clbathrooms.co.uk

ARLEY FITTED KITCHENS & BEDROOMS • Manufacturers & Fitters of built-in Bedroom & Kitchen Furniture • Bathroom Units • Replacement Tops & Doors Visit or ring showroom to arrange for FREE estimates

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

www.arleycabinets.co.uk tel: 01942 246190

Fix my conservatory!

• Misted/broken panels replaced • Leaks solved and sealed • Conservatory roof replacements • Warm roof upgrades Call Mark now for a free quote

01942 737381 (office) 07763 151720 (direct)

e-mail: conservatoryrepairs@gmail.com

www.fixmyconservatory.com 80

The picture is of Orrell Road - taken from the old Library towards The Mount

For Roofing & Roofline we’ve got it covered! Roofing Emergency repairs General maintenance Full re-roofs Strip and re-slate Flat/pitched roof conversions Installation of Velux windows Roofline Fascias Soffits Cladding Gutters including Seamless Aluminium Gutters Supply only service available

Domestic & commercial work undertaken Flat roof problem? Don’t felt it, GRP it! This new ﬂat roof treatment will last 30+ years!

Protec Roofing is a long established roofing company that serves domestic and commercial customers throughout the North West. Whatever your roofing requirements are, from emergency roofing repairs to new roofs to roofline, Protec Roofing are there to help you. We promise our customers; • No emergency call out fees • Emergency repairs done asap • Free consultation & estimates • Day and evening appointments • Free advice from experienced roofers • A 10 year insurance-backed guarantee If you’re thinking of improving the appearance of your property by installing new roofline, please give us a call. We can supply and fit a huge range of quality products including our revolutionary new aluminium seamless gutters. Because when it comes to roofs, we’ve got it all covered!

CALL TODAY TO GET A FREE QUOTE

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

www.locallife247.co.uk

Restore your bathroyo! m to its former glor At a fraction of the price of a new bathroom After

Before

• Grubby Grout Returned to Ice White • No More Scrubbing at Mouldy Silicone • Tiles Polished to Perfection • Screens Returned to Crystal Clear • Give Your Bathroom the “Wow” Factor with a Mini-Makeover • Experts in Baths or Shower Cubicle Restoration

Useful Numbers

Call Now for Information & Your Quick Pack Quote

www.TotalBathroomRestoration.co.uk