Wigan West Edition
Nov/Dec 2012
Local Bonfires Guide Inside
Hearty Lentil Soup Recipe
Jack’s Tracks visits Newton
Christmas Events Guide Inside
Win! A meal for t�o
in our Lancashire Day competition www.locallife247.co.uk
Fall Back Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road Orrell Nr. Wigan WN5 7XB T 01695 627 999 @
info@locallife247.co.uk
W www.locallife247.co.uk
Sales & Editorial: Chris Pearce Nicola Gray sales@locallife247.co.uk Design & Production: Peter Bretherton design@locallife247.co.uk Accounts & Distribution: Sally Boon accounts@locallife247.co.uk The December issue of Local Life will be published on Thursday 22nd November. The copy deadline is Thursday 8th November. Local Life is published every month. The magazine is 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. 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, including pictures, 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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You’d think that with the clocks going back this weekend that the UK would shut down for the dark winter months, leaving us here at Local Life very little to write about. Well, in fact, the very opposite is true because we’ve had so many emails detailing what you’re all up to in the next couple of months, we’ve struggled to fit everything in! Anyway, we just about managed it, but with this being the last issue of the year in this area, I felt it was time to pay tribute to all those people who work tirelessly to make a difference to other people’s lives. Not a week goes by without us hearing of the efforts and sacrifices that these talented and caring individuals make on behalf of others. There are more than a few illustrations in this very issue; so to those people - well done, you’re an inspiration to us all! Don’t forget, if Local Life is delivered to your home, you only receive 6 of the 12 issues we publish for the Wigan area. So if you want a monthly fix of Local Life, you can pick up the other 6 issues in the intervening months at Sainsburys, Tesco’s in Wigan, Windy Arbour Farm Shop or just pop into our offices at the Hewitt Business Park off Winstanley Road in Orrell during office hours. We’ll be back in January - have a great Christmas won’t you!
chrisp@locallife247.co.uk
In this issue 7 23 24 34 36 38 48 50 52 55 60 62 69 70 72 81 82
Free Zumba Class! 20% Harmony Blinds Offer! All Hail the Furry Dog Mother Poppy Appeal Picture Special Taste the Difference at Windy Arbour Free Sausages Offer! Malta Travel Feature Bonfire Special Puzzle Corner Jack Tracks to Newton-le-Willows Win a meal at the Dicconson Arms! What’s On Saving Money with Martin Lewis Angie’s Garden Diary Home Services Christmas Cake Recipe Green and Clean’s Useful Numbers
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Orrell Office 2 Sefton Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 8UP Telephone: 01695 632 123 Facsimile: 01695 625 741
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Cross Lane, Billinge
Harswell Close, Orrell
Orchid Close, Up Holland
Watermede, Orrell
£385,000
£265,000
£250,000
£222,000
Mill Lane, Up Holland
Storwood Close, Orrell
Alma Hill, Upholland
Lawns Avenue, Orrell
£195,000
£172,000 3 bed detached
3 bed terraced cottage
3 bed semi-detached
Linden Avenue, Orrell
Claremont Road, Billinge
Upholland Road, Billinge
Coleridge Road, Billinge
4 bed detached
4 bed detached
£138,950
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4 bed detached
5 bed detached
£170,000
4 bed detached
£155,000
3 bed semi-detached
3 bed semi-detached
£130,000
£125,000 2 bed mid terraced
2 bed semi-detached
Melford Drive, Billinge
Gantley Road, Billinge
Jubilee Avenue, Orrell
Station Avenue, Orrell
£120,000
£120,000
£118,000
£110,000
2 bed semi-detached
3 bed mid terraced
2 bed semi-detached
£124,000
2 bed mid-terraced
If you live in the Orrell, Billinge and Up Holland area and you want to sell your house FAST, there’s only one place to go…. Average Selling Time
26 34 34 39 47 WEEKS
WEEKS
WEEKS
WEEKS
WEEKS
BorronShaw Orrell
Alan Batt Wigan
Winnard & Brown Wigan
Reeds Rains Pemberton
MHL Wigan
*Average Selling Time relates to figures supplied from www.rightmove.co.uk. This is the average time the estate agents above take to sell a property in postcode sectors WN5-7, WN5-8 and WN8-0 from 12th August 2012 – 6th October 2012.
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Sandcross Gardens is a select development of contemporary homes in the village of Orrell. This is a development with a difference – offering the discerning buyer the highest standard of build and a truly distinctive family home.
rst served! fi , e m o c t s r fi – left Just one home Substantial six-bedroomed detached family home Bespoke build – design your own kitchen South-facing landscaped gardens Built in sound system Underfloor heating Solar panels ‘A’ Rated Energy Property
£349,950
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MacMillan Boost
Another year passes and another bumper cheque has been handed over to MacMillan Cancer Support by a trio of local women who host an annual fundraiser for the charity. Edith Berry, from Lodge Road in Orrell, Anne Hurst from Orrell and Kathleen Maguire from Moss Lane in Skelmersdale held their 5th annual fundraiser at St James Social Centre in September and raised a total of £5,330, making the total donated to MacMillan by the trio in the past five years to over £21,000! Grace Bennett the local Fundraising Manager for MacMillan told Local Life “Kath, Edith and Anne are an inspiration. At Macmillan we are so grateful to them for their fundraising efforts. They spend their free time raising money for Macmillan and gathering support for their event. It is not an easy task, and fundraising can be very hard, but year on year they take it upon themselves to do what they can to support Macmillan and the results are phenomenal. Since they started in 2008 they have raised a staggering £21,605 for Macmillan Cancer Support. I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supports the event and also to thank Kath, Edith and Anne for their tireless and selfless hard work. It is only thanks to people like them that we are able to fund the specialist cancer services that mean so much to people affected by cancer.’ Speaking for the three ladies, Kath added “We’d like to thank all the people who support us year after year with our event, and we’d also like to say thanks to those who provided the entertainment for the evening too, such as the Old Hall Community Brass Band and June from Hartley’s Garden Centre in Aughton. All the money we raise goes to support MacMillan in the local area, so local people do benefit from everyone’s generosity”.
Pictured above are (left to right Anne, Kath Grace and Edith) with this year’s cheque.
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Christmas Market Yes, it’s only eight weeks away and the date is nonnegotiable, so you’d better start looking at drawing up that Christmas present list! And to help you tick those presents off the list, we bring you news of a traditional Christmas Market in Shevington on Saturday 10th November. The event is being organised on Church Lane in Shevington by both the PTA at St Bernadette’s Primary School and St Anne’s Church. It’s a full day of activity which, as we go to press, is still in the late planning stages but what we can tell you is that there will be an ice rink and lots of other activities for the children, plus a tombola and raffle. There will be plenty of craft and gift stalls to pick up those aforementioned Christmas gifts, and food stalls too. Admission is free! Those who like a tipple or two will be able to sample some of Prospect’s beers, and mulled wine will also be served. St Anne’s will be cooking breakfasts and lunches and the fun runs on into the evening at St Bernadette’s. So put that date in your diary and do keep your eyes peeled for further details in the local press or around the village, because it is sure to be a fun day!
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Cook Off
Children and staff at St James’ Catholic Primary School in Orrell recently said farewell to Dawn Gill, their much loved school cook. Dawn, from Larchwood Drive in Whitley, has been working in Wigan’s school kitchens, on and off, for thirty years and is now set to buy a gym membership and also spend more time with her family. Dawn came to St James just two years ago on a temporary basis, whilst Beech Hill school was being rebuilt and liked it so much she stayed on. She said “I’ve loved every moment of my time at St James’, the children and staff have been fantastic and I’ll miss everyone”. Headmaster Gary Hayes, along with children Ellie, Emily, Jack and Joseph, presented Dawn with flowers, wine and gift vouchers to mark her time at the school. Gary told Local Life, “Dawn is a much loved member of the school community and we’re all going to miss her.”
Cracking Challenge If you’re into crafts and looking for a new challenge, then the Orrell Eggcrafters would like to hear from you. The group, who have now been in existence for over 25 years, are looking for new members and have an open day coming up where potential egg crafters can go along and try their hand at egg crafting, which is the art of decorating eggs. The Open Day is being held next Saturday (3rd November) from 10am to 3pm at the Church Hall behind Salem United Reformed Church on Church Street in Orrell. Expert tuition is supplied on the day to help everyone; for more details please contact Wendy Dickinson on 01942 216552 for further details.
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Winstanley Rd, Orrell, WN5 7XA
Give the giſt of beaut� this Christ�as! Join us on Tuesday 30th October at 6.45pm for an exclusive Clarins Christmas Party. Indulge yourself with some free beauty tips, pampering mini treats and a free gift.
Christmas Offer Spend £125 on the evening and receive a collection of Clarins treats worth £70 – presented in a luxury vanity case
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You will also have the chance to WIN a collection of Clarins must-haves worth £150!
Be the first to see the new Clarins Christmas stock! A £5 booking fee will be redeemable against any Clarins retail purchases.
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Competition Winners
The lucky winners of our competition to win family tickets to Martin Mere were as follows; Mrs Rene Pennington from Melford Drive in Billinge (pictured), Mrs Newton from Beaford Close in Pemberton, (pictured with grandson Callum), Karen Wolstenholme from Delphside Road in Orrell, Mrs O’Connor from Naburn Drive in Orrell, W Fielding from Greenford Close in Orrell, Catherine White from Foxdene Grove in Winstanley, Pauline Ackerley
from Ormskirk Road in Up Holland, Angela Clark from Crowther Drive in Winstanley, Julia Hodgkinson from Edward Drive in Ashton In Makerfield and Vicki Loftus from Harswell Close in Orrell. Well done to all the winners! In this month’s competition we’re giving away three meals for two at the Dicconson Arms, the award winning restaurant in Appley Bridge – turn to page 60/61 for details.
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01942 223273
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Holgate Events There is a Christmas Shopping Night being held at Holgate School in Orrell on Friday 16th November from 7pm - 9pm. Come along for a bit of retail therapy and a drink or two with your friends. Stalls include: Beauty, Hair, Bags, Jewellery, Phoenix Cards, Cakes for Occasions, Pampered Chef, Nails, Candles and many more. A bar and refreshments are available and entrance is £1.To book a stall contact Nichola on 07950 688169 A Christmas Fair is being held at the school on Sunday 9th December from 12pm - 2pm. You can meet Father Christmas and refreshments are available. There will also be a raffle, a tombola and games.
Victorian Fayre St Thomas the Martyr Church in Up Holland will host its annual Victorian Fayre this year on Saturday 1st December from 1pm – 4pm. This event is one of the highlights of the church’s year and is always a big attraction for local residents. The numerous stalls inside the church will sell the likes of cakes, toiletries, sweets, fancy goods, Christmas gifts, books and mystery parcels. There will be a raffle on the day and refreshments will be served too. Everyone is welcome to join in and celebrate the beginning of the festive season.
Bispham Dates Get ready for Bispham Methodist Church’s pre-Christmas and Christmas activities. Saturday 1st December is the date of the annual Christmas Fayre at the church. This runs from 11am-2pm and there will be many stalls; Father Christmas will be around in his grotto, and light lunches will be served. On Friday 7th December there will be a carol service in the Church car park at 7.00pm. Everyone is invited and
mince pies will be served afterwards. On Sunday 9th December at 10.30am there will be a Family Toy Service (all toys given go to Skelmersdale Ecumenical Centre). The Old Hall Community Band make an appearance on Sunday 16th December at the 6.00 pm Carol Service, and on Sunday 25th December everyone is welcome to the 10am Christmas Day Family Service with Rev. Daniel French. Bispham Methodist Church is located on the corner of Crank Road and Upholland Road in Billinge.
Family Funday Up Holland Library at Hall Green are running a Family Funday on Friday 2nd November from 10am until 12 noon. The day will be themed ‘Our Planet’ and there are lots of hands-on activities for the children to such as trying a bike-powered smoothie maker (and sampling the results!), planting seedlings, participating in arts and crafts and saying hello to rescue battery hens. The Library have also asked along the Billinge and Orrell Transition group to participate on the day, and to display some information about some of the projects that they are getting involved in, such as the Greenslate Farm development in Billinge.
Church Events Orrell Methodist Church are holding a Christmas Fayre on Saturday 17th November. Attractions include stalls, including a home-made stall, a craft stall and a fancy goods stall, and lunches will also be served. The Fayre runs from 10.30am -1.30pm. The Church will also stage a Brass Band Concert on Tuesday 4th December. Starting at 7.30pm, the tickets for the event are priced at £7 and include a hot pot supper and mince pies. Please call Dorothy Sharrock on 01695 623618 for your tickets.
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Interested? E-mail your CV to chrisp@locallife247.co.uk by 30th November 2012
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Lancashire’s FREE local magazine
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Dance for Matthew In the last issue of Local Life we mentioned a Barn Dance being organised by the friends and family of Matthew Valentine in aid of the Niemann Pick Disease Group UK. Three year old Billinger Matthew suffers from the condition, which impairs his motor skills, but is doing well and his friends and family organised the night as a thank you to the group for the help that they have received with Matthew. Matthew’s aunt, Helen Valentine, told Local Life “We were amazed by the response that we had from Local Life readers and the kindness and generosity of so many people. The event was sold out and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. In total, we raised £1,808 for the charity.”
Stuck for ideas for that perfect gift? Susan Dingle
Portraits
Help for Heroes
Up Holland Library are staging a Help for Heroes Charity Event at Up Holland Library on Saturday 17th November from 9.30am until 12 noon. The family can come along and enjoy arts and crafts, have your face painted, buy home-made cakes, listen to performances of poetry and brass music. You can also take the opportunity to research any military history in your family. All proceeds from the day go to the Help the Heroes charity.
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On Saturday 10 th & Sunday 11 th of November 2012 Need some inspiration for Christmas presents this year? Come along to our open weekend and choose from lots of lovely and unusual gift ideas with upto 70% off many items for this weekend! Christmas decorations, bowls, jewellery, wall panels, mirrors, coasters and sculptures will all be on show at great discount prices. So come along on Sat 10th & Sun 4th December open 10 - 4 both days. Unit 11, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB t/f 01695 624182 w www.morpheusglass.co.uk e info@morpheusglass.co.uk
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...please call the Spa to book Mulled wine and nibbles too!
Gift vouchers available for purchase
Don’t miss out - to book your appointment call Vitality now on 01257 472054 Vitality Spa The Wrightington Country Club, Moss Lane, Wrightington, WN6 9PB Tel: 01257 472054 www.vitalityspa.co.uk
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Open Day The Directions Carers Support Group, a group that provides support for local carers, is holding an Open Day at the Salem Church Hall in Orrell on Saturday 17th November between 11am-2pm. In addition to finding out more about the group and how it can help you and your family, you will also be able to peruse the stalls – the group will be setting up a bric a brac, cake, bottle and tombola stall – and have a cup of tea or coffee. Performing at the Open Day will be children from the choir at Crawford Village school. The Salem Church Hall is behind Salem Church, which is opposite the Co-Op on Church Street.
Get a mention
If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk
Taste for Tradition …and Hot Pot Too! Residents of Winstanley and Marus Bridge with a taste for both tradition and hot pot should enjoy the ‘Carols Round the Tree’ event being held at The Grange Community Centre in Marus Bridge on Monday 10th December from 6.30pm. Over 200 residents turned out last year for a great Christmas sing-song round the Grange’s Christmas tree, and this year the crowds are expected to increase. After the music Ian’s famous hot pot will be served, free of charge, inside the community centre. Everyone is welcome to join in, so don’t miss out on a great community event that will fill you with festive spirit!
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Edwardian Christmas Newfold School, based on St James Road in Orrell, are holding a very special festive celebration this year on Sunday 9th December between 11am-2pm. The school, which celebrates its centenary this year, will host an Edwardian Christmas Fair with many stallholders in costume. The fair will be visited by Father Christmas and there will be lots of stalls and attractions for all the family to enjoy. Santa will bring along his own gift shop, where children can buy Mum and Dad a Christmas present….assuming that they have been good enough this year to warrant one! Other attractions include a tombola, a teddy tombola and a traditional sweet stall. Hot pot will be served and there will be a Christmas raffle with fantastic prizes including an MP3 player, digital camera and chocolate hampers. The school would be very grateful for any support or sponsorship that local businesses can offer; if you are able to help then please contact the school office on 01942 207134.
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Telephone: 01942 621875 or 07753 387680
Zumba Fun
Zumba teacher Nikki Long (pictured), along with another instructor Becky King, recently hosted a ‘Zumbathon Charity Event’ at the Wigan Roller Rink in aid of the Meningitis Trust. Over 100 people attended and up to now the participants have raised just over £2,500, with sponsor money still being collected! The participants partied non-stop for 2¼ hours and held a raffle afterwards with some fantastic prizes. Nikki told Local Life “The event was amazing, everybody really enjoyed themselves and I have already been asked when the next one will be. I’d like to say a big thank you to the members of my Golborne and Marus Bridge classes for their support.” If you’d like a try out a FREE Zumba class with Nikki, then please clip out the coupon on page 7 of this magazine and take it along to her classes in Marus Bridge. If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk
Turn back the clock with CACI Ultra! A revolutionary non-surgical anti-aging system as seen on C4’s ’10 Years Younger’ You are invited to a Launch Evening of CACI Ultra at Venus Beauty 5pm-8pm Tues 27th November
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Murder Mystery It’s a dark, rainy night near Orrell’s Water Park. The moon is nowhere to be seen and the witching hour is near. The crowd shuffles up the cobbled pathway by the graveyard and all of a sudden an unearthly, bloodcurdling screech emanates from the nearby church! Yes, it’s a Murder Mystery at St Luke’s Church Hall on Lodge Road in Orrell, and it takes place on Friday 9th November, starting at 7.30pm. ‘The Cat Screamed at Midnight’ is the theme and tickets are available now by calling Margaret Heaton on 01695 622380 and Pam Banks on 01695 632909. The £6.50 ticket includes supper, but you’ll need to bring your own potions to drink! The same church is holding their annual Christmas Fair in the Church Hall on Saturday 24th November 2012 with the usual stalls + Father Christmas and hamper raffle. Lunches will be served from midday, and everyone is welcome.
EDWARDS Funeral Directors We care for your family at your time of need Holmwood, Dicconson Terrace, Wigan.
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Kumon’s maths and English study programmes work to unlock your child’s potential, building their confidence and independent study skills. To unlock your child’s potential, contact your local instructor for a FREE Assessment; Wigan Winstanley Study Centre Pauline Cooper 01942 203847
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www.locallife247.co.uk
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The Fur�� Dog
Whether your dog is big or small, a regular visit to see the Furry Dog Mother is a must. The Furry Dog Mother is a unique Dog Grooming Salon that is opening early November on Ormskirk Road in Up Holland at the old hardware shop just a few doors along from the Victoria. Owned and managed by Lyn, the Furry Dog Mother provides your dog with a grooming experience with a difference.
Most salons have a resident Dog Groomer who will have a menu of services which will include a wellbeing check, clipping, styling, nail clipping, ear cleaning and a number of other options. The Furry Dog Mother has all this and more as the Salon introduces what is believed to be Wigan’s first self-service, purpose built dog wash stations! No more ‘Eau de Wet Dog’ as Rover runs around from room to room after a bath shaking his scent throughout your clean home. The two DIY state-of-the-art dog wash stations allow dog owners to call in on spec, maybe after a long, muddy walk over the Beacon, to pop your dog into their own personal cubicle and once you’ve tethered them up, you can let loose with all the hot water, shampoo and conditioner (yes, dogs have conditioners too!) you need to get your dog spotless.
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Treat your dog to a Self Service Dog Wash (£9)and get a free voucher for next time! No appointment necessary – just call in! Valid until December 2012
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And that isn’t all! You’ll be provided with high velocity dryers and a supply of clean, fluffy towels to get your dog as dry as possible, and a selection of brushes and combs, and the finishing touch, a spray of doggy cologne, will leave your four-legged friend feeling like he/she belongs in the winners’ enclosure at Crufts! All this for just £9 per session! Owner Lyn explains exactly why she has opened The Furry Dog Mother, “As the owner of a high maintenance dog, I have had lots of good and bad experiences when trying to find the right dog groomer for me. These experiences have inspired me to become a professional dog groomer myself”. Lyn invested in excellent training at one of Scotland’s top training academies, ‘Scotgroom’ and was trained by one of the UK’s leading Dog Groomers, a highly regarded dog show judge and grooming competition official and judge. Lyn regularly returns to the academy to brush up on new techniques, learn about new products and keep her training up to date with any changes in legislation and care and welfare for dogs. She is also trained in Canine First Aid. Lyn adds “We provide a professional approach to dog grooming in a warm and friendly environment, and are fully insured and pride ourselves in excellent customer care. We want the best results for both you and your dog, so we will discuss your dog’s style/cut with you at the start of every visit and will groom your dog to your requirements and wishes”. At last, truly a one-stop shop for dogs of all kinds. Big, small, short haired, long haired, The Furry Dog Mother will look after them all! The Furry Dog Mother 22 Ormskirk Road Up Holland WN8 0AG Telephone: 07538 556 843 www.thefurrydogmotheruk.com Opening Times: Monday – Saturday 9:00am – 5:30pm
Mother
www.locallife247.co.uk
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Network Joy An Orrell coffee morning group (pictured) raised a hefty £222.77 for Macmillan Cancer Care at their September coffee morning. The coffee morning, which is run by members of the Orrell and Billinge Network, always takes place on the last Friday of the month (except December) at Orrell Methodist Church on Church Drive between 10am-12 noon. There you can sample some legendary home-made cakes, toast, coffee and tea, and browse the books and bric a brac. Apart from the September event, the proceeds of which are always donated to Macmillan, proceeds from the other monthly coffee mornings go towards paying for the annual Christmas party for Over-75’s, which is held every year at St Luke’s Church in Orrell.
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The Grange Community Centre in Marus Bridge is again staging a Family Fun Day on Saturday 15th December. The ice rink will be on site and, for a small charge, you’ll be able to show off your skills to the entire family! The Crafty Grangers will be on hand to help with all kinds of Christmas Crafts, such as making Christmas cards and wreaths. There’s a story time for the younger participants in the Hope Library, and there will also be a special visitor – can you guess who it might be?
Family Fun Day
Yes, it’s Father Christmas! Santa will be stationed in his grotto all day and handing presents out to all the good children. There is a small charge for visiting Santa, but you must book your child’s attendance in advance, so that Santa can get his elves to make the right number of presents for the children. To book your child’s slot, call 01942 777545 from December 1st. The day runs from 10am-4pm on Saturday 15th December – don’t miss it!
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Christmas Market Up Holland Methodist Church are holding their annual Christmas Market this year on Saturday 10th November, and everyone is invited! The event, which runs from 10am-1pm at the Methodist Church on Alma Hill, is a popular event on the village’s calendar, due to the wealth of goods for sale. Stalls will be selling goods including; gift sets, cakes and pies, bric a brac, groceries, toiletries, clothes, jewellery, books, household goods and furniture. There will also be a café selling hot and cold food throughout the event, so pop up for a bacon butty and a browse around! If you have any donations that you’d like to make to the Market, then please call 01695 632430, 01695 633467 or 01695 622414 before 7th November and your goods will be collected.
Suffering with painful feet? If you have any of these problems Julia can help! • Thick nails difficult to cut • Corns • Painful hard skin • In-growing toenails • Verrucae • Dry & Flaking Skin • Any other foot pain Don’t suffer with pain any longer!
Telephone: 01942 728811 and find out how Julia can help you.
Quality Chiropody treatment in Ashton-in-Makerfield from Julia Franklin (formerly of Garswood Street). Known for her gentle and careful treatment.
4, Warrington Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield WN4 9PL www.fabulousfeetpedicure.co.uk
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Luncheon Club The clocks are going back this weekend – so if you’re a pensioner who doesn’t normally go out after dark then your opportunities at getting together with friends will soon be curtailed by the lack of daylight hours. However, you might be interested in joining the St Aidan’s Pensioners Luncheon Club in Winstanley, who meet every Wednesday at St Aidan’s Social Centre in Holmes House Avenue from 10.30am-2.30pm. New members are always welcome and the group is nondenominational. Hot meals are provided and you can join in the fun with old and new friends. Transport can be provided too. For more information call 01942 211121 between 10am-2pm on Wednesdays, or just turn up.
Kingdom Kids If you have a child who loves crafts and is aged between 7-10 years old, then why not enrol them at Kingdom Kids, a new children’s fun club for that meets once a fortnight. Kingdom Kids meet at Goose Green Methodist Church on Sefton Road and they enjoy games, drawing, painting, crafts, baking and lots of other great activities. The next few sessions run on Thursdays - 25th October, 15th and 29th November, and on 13th December. Just turn up on the night, call 07000 473837 or email kingdomkids@ blueyonder.co.uk.
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Transform your home for Christmas! Large selection of carpets, laminates, vinyls & Karndean
Christmas Fayre St Teresa’s Christmas Fayre takes place this year on Sunday 25th November this year between 12.30-4pm. There’s a winter BBQ outside the school, and the other attractions will be Santa’s grotto, a tombola, a raffle with some great prizes, hoopla, archery, a beanbag game, a crack the safe game and a spin the wheel game. Other stalls will be selling goods such as books, bric a brac, cakes and cosmetics. At the same time in St Teresa’s Club next door to the school on College Road in Up Holland, there is a Craft/ goods fayre, and also a café selling refreshments. If you’d like a stall at the event then do email the school’s PTFA on ptfa@btinternet.com – the cost per stall is £10.
Ladies Lunch Would you like to join an informal ladies friendship group? The waiting list for the Wigan & District Women’s Lecture Luncheon Club is now open to new membership applications. The club has been in existence since 1931 when a small group of women started to meet on a monthly basis in each other’s homes and the group has been growing ever since. In 2011, they celebrated their 80th anniversary with a membership of 160 ladies and held a celebratory lunch attended by the Mayor of Wigan. They now meet at the DW Stadium on the first Thursday of each month, October to May and at each event, they enjoy a two course sit-down lunch followed by a guest speaker. Past speakers have included Sir Bernard Ingham, Lady Anne Foley, TV’s Green Goddess - Diana Moran, Antiques Roadshow Specialist- David Battie and The Calendar Girls. If you’d like to join the club or you’d like further details, please contact Pauline Dalton (Membership Secretary) on 01942 725395.
Rugs now available • Free underlay & fitting on all carpets • Open 7 days a week
(Established 1982)
Flame House, Pennyhurst Street, Wigan, WN3 4AS (opposite Savoy Timber)
Tel: 01942 243 634 30
Flower Power If you’ve always fancied having a go at Flower Arranging, but never fancied having to fork out for it, then the place to be next Tuesday (30th October) is the Sunshine House Community Centre in Scholes. The Wigan Flower Club are hosting two workshops at the venue, one at 10am and the other at 1.30pm, and all materials, flowers and containers will be provided free of charge. All you need to bring with you is a pair of scissors. The tutor for the day is Joan Robinson of the National Association of Flower Arrangers. Places are strictly limited, so booking is necessary. To book you place, please call the centre on 01942 748806 or email pt.arttoartwigan@gmail.com. This event is sponsored by Wigan Council.
Flying High The Golden Eagles, an Eagles tribute band are appearing at the Goose Green Sports and Social Club next Saturday (3rd November). You can enjoy hits such as Lyin’ Eyes, Hotel California, Desperado, Take it Easy, One of These Nights, Life in the Fast Lane and Best of my Love on the night, which starts at 7pm. Admission for non-members is £1 – members go free.
www.locallife247.co.uk
Festive Delights Parbold and District Flower Club are holding a Christmas Gala Evening on Tuesday 20th November at Parbold Village Hall on The Green in Parbold at 7pm with the fantastic Tony Brown titled ‘Festive Delights’. Tickets are just £8 including a glass of wine or a soft drink. Everyone is welcome but tickets usually sell quickly so do bag yours quickly. So if you’d like to book your ticket please call Sheila Mitchell 01257 464783.
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Ready, Steady, Cook You may remember the tragic story of Maisy Rose Bolus from Up Holland who died of a cancerous brain tumour at the age of 18 months.
The charity is holding a Ready, Steady Cook fundraising night (with the emphasis on ‘fun’) in conjunction with The Pampered Chef on Thursday 8th November from 7.30pm at St Teresa’s Social Club in College Road in Up Holland. Entrance is free and there are loads of raffle prizes to be won! So bring along a friend for a great night out and help the Maisy Rose Project hit the £50,000 mark! For more details visit www.themaisyroseproject.co.uk.
After she was diagnosed, Maisy Rose underwent four months of treatments including three major operations and two cycles of chemotherapy, but died in 2009. Her family and friends have been working hard to raise £50,000 for the Maisy Rose Project charity which supports research into brain tumours in children, and have currently raised a fabulous £48,125 in memory of Maisy Rose.
Greats Stove at t Greas Price !
Pemberton Celebrates Pemberton Community Association has announced that tickets for the Children’s Christmas Party will go on sale from Sunday 28th October, and will be available from Pemberton Lighting on Ormskirk Road. Tickets for the Party are priced at £5 (under 2’s go free) and includes entertainment from Dazzle the Clown, party games, a visit and a gift from Santa himself for every child. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
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For Those Who Serve
This weekend sees the launch of the Royal British Legion’s 91st Poppy Appeal and this appeal will continue until Remembrance Sunday on 11th November. The money that the Poppy Appeal raises goes to the Royal British Legion, who provide welfare, comradeship, representation and Remembrance for the Armed Forces community. Just four years ago, the Poppy Appeal collection in Wigan was in dire need of improvement – the total amount collected from the Borough for the duration of the Poppy Appeal was approximately £3,000. The Royal British Legion placed an appeal in one of the local papers for potential organisers to step forward and help restore the profile of the Poppy Appeal in Wigan. Two Winstanley residents – Gill Gibson and Dave Simm – stepped up to the plate, contacted the Legion and pledged their support to help turn things round in Wigan. Their mission; to get Wiganers to wear their poppies with pride. Dave stepped down through ill health of his own after twelve months, and Gill teamed up with Carol Watson, the MD of the Grange Community Centre. Carol persuaded her fellow trustees at The Grange to agree to become the HQ for Wigan’s Poppy Appeal and the coordination of the entire Wigan appeal is now carried out at The Grange – the only community-based Poppy Appeal in the UK. In 2010 the Wigan Poppy Appeal raised £39,000 and last year, the appeal raised £36,000 - a tremendous increase over just a few short years. The dynamic duo has been supported along the way by numerous organisations in the Wigan area, and recently Local Life were honoured to be present at an award ceremony that marked the efforts of those organisations for the 2011 Poppy Appeal. Two organisations were singled out for their efforts in 2011; Wigan and Leigh College, who were awarded the Sgt Steven Darbyshire Shield and St Matthew’s Brownies, who were awarded the Bill Wilkes Shield. Pictured are Ursula Hoyles and Tony Darbyshire from Wigan and Leigh College being presented with the Sgt Steven Darbyshire Shield by Superintendent Julian Snowball, and also pictured are Gill Gibson and Carol Watson receiving certificates from Superintendent Snowball. The Wigan Poppy Appeal stall on Wigan Market is now open – this stall carries a whole range of Poppy Appeal regalia and will be trading for the two weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday. You can order customised wreaths carrying regimental badges at the stall, but you must place your order by Saturday 3rd November.
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Club Change Parents of children at Marus Bridge Primary School will be interested to know that the organisers of the Grange Out Of School Club have announced a change in their operating hours. The hours of operation, which have been changed to fit in with working parents, now range from 7.30-9am (includes breakfast and refreshments) and 3.30-5pm (includes fruit snack and refreshments). The club runs from the Grange Community Complex in Marus Bridge each day and provides an environment where children can complete their homework, read, do craft activities, play board games and socialise with their friends. For more details, please call Paula on 07903 338 524.
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If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to
r u o y e r o t s Re m bathrorom r e o f s t to i glory! At a fraction of the price of a new bathroom Before
editorial@locallife247.co.uk
After • 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
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The year was 1840. Queen Victoria turned 21 and married Prince Albert, Haigh Hall had just been built, Benedictine nuns were resident in Orrell Mount, Winstanley consisted of just a few dozen houses and from his farm in Walthew Green, near Roby Mill, Mr Henry Turner supplied milk, eggs and bacon to the labourers constructing the Wigan to Southport railway line. In 1861, the farmer moved his family to Windy Arbour Farm near Billinge and the Turners have been farming there ever since. The Turner family are just one of dozens of long established farming families in this part of Lancashire and are an integral part of the area’s history. Shared experiences often means that the relationships between Lancashire’s farming families is a close one; farmers starve together when crops have failed, feast together when times are good, and nowadays they work together to promote each other’s fresh produce to the public via farm shops. Farm shops, selling fresh food direct to the public, have always been around but it’s only in the last decade or so that farm shops have begun to flourish. Their growth has been fuelled by discerning shoppers who have rediscovered their love for the taste of fresh fruit and vegetables. Many shoppers are turning away from some big supermarkets whose practices such as freeze-drying produce to ensure availability out of season and polishing produce in bleach for cosmetic purposes have, quite literally, leaves a nasty taste in the mouth.
Taste the Chris Kearton (Croston) – Main Crop Potatoes
John Midgely (Tarleton) – Fennel, Specialist Lettuce and Celeriac
The farm shop at Windy Arbour, first established in the early seventies, has experienced enormous growth over the past few years as shoppers from the local areas flock to enjoy fresh produce at prices that often knocks spots off supermarket prices. Early morning trips to Manchester markets to pick up the very best fruit on display is an essential part of the job at the Windy Arbour and fresh vegetables arrive daily from farms all over Lancashire. There’s much more to Windy Arbour than just fruit and veg though. The shop is proud to stock meats from longestablished family butcher K&J Green of Heskin, who provide a quality of meat and poultry second to none. Many famous Lancashire food producers are represented at Windy Arbour including Greenfields cheeses, Mrs Dowson’s Ice Cream, Hawkshead Relish, Wm Santus and Fiddlers Lancashire Crisps. There’s a range of speciality foods from award-winning producer Cottage Delight, including jams, marmalade, biscuits, cakes, olives, drinks and cooking sauces. As you can see from the advertisement on the next page, Windy Arbour are staging one of their regular Butcher’s Block events on Sunday 11th November. You can come along and pick up six sausages free when you buy a cut of meat from the butcher, K&J Green of Heskin! Don’t miss it!
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John Dobson(Tarleton) - Spring Cabbage and Onions
Difference!
Jimmy Rimmer Jnr (Tarleton) – Lettuce and Celery The photographs in this feature were taken by www.heathercapture.co.uk
Christmas at the farm shop is especially busy! In addition to an excellent range of Christmas trees (which are in stock from 1st December), Windy Arbour also supply the best turkeys, beef, chickens, lamb, bacon and sausages guaranteed to enrich the finest festive feast. Meat orders are now being taken – download your order form for www. windyarbour.co.uk or pick up a form from the shop. And any foodie worth their Sea Salt will want to come along to the Cottage Delight Tasting Event being held at Windy Arbour on Saturday December 1st. You’ll be able to taste a range of seasonal produce specially selected to complement Christmas fayre of all kinds. In the meantime though, Windy Arbour would like to pay tribute and say thank you to their carefully selected suppliers across Lancashire who provide the food that ends up on the plates of many households in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley and Up Holland. Pictured on these pages are just a small selection of our many suppliers. If you appreciate good food and you enjoy knowing that the food on your plate is almost as fresh as if you’d picked it from your garden, do come along and taste the difference at Windy Arbour Farm Shop – we’ll guarantee you a warm welcome. Windy Arbour Farm Shop Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX Telephone: 01744 892208 windyarbour
Clive Wareing (Tarleton) - Carrots, Kale and Specialist Varieties
www.locallife247.co.uk
@WindyArbourFS www.windy-arbour.co.uk
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Spruce up your Sills! Window Sills can be the bane of your life; all too often they can spoil the appearance of a beautifully kept home – grubby marks, discolouring and mould are all too common a problem. But given the time and attention not only can your window sills increase the kerb appeal of your home, they can also prevent water damage around the windows.
Before
After
If you’ve struggled with unsightly window sills you’ll know even the toughest amount of elbow grease won’t bring them back to their original state – harsh chemicals can damage the sill and conventional cleaners just won’t do the job. Don’t despair because we would like to introduce you to a local company that can restore your grubby sills to their former glory. Homesill UK now has a local franchise in your area and they have combined the very latest design manufacturing and technology to bring you a long lasting protection for your exterior window sills. Not only will your new window sills be stylish they will also make regular maintenance a thing of the past – once in place all that is required to keep your sills in pristine condition is a simple clean with a damp cloth. Homesill franchisee Jeff Harrison said, “The reason for staining and engrained dirt in your windowsills is because they are made of a softer material than the window. With our Homesill system we can remove lumps of unsightly weathered silicone and top your old sill with a new durable over sill, keeping your existing sill in place.”
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Call now Jeff on
0843 2894537 or 07526 312070 www.homesill.com
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The Homesill products offer an ideal hard-wearing surface for today’s modern home and you can have your choice of styles and colours, which enables you to choose contemporary or traditional sills to complement your exterior décor. Jeff can also help you with ideas and products for your interior sills as well. Jeff added, “Traditionally homes had sills of different colours that matched doors and garage doors. If you look around you will see that house builders are changing the image of their new builds to more traditional appearances – black and white is such a classic look. Although if you would like to keep your sills matched with your window frames we can achieve this for you too.” There is a wide range of products to choose from you can have virtually any colour sill with wood grained effects, wood finishes such as oak and for the more adventurous customers you can even plump for carbon fibre and metal checker plate sills with a finish of your choice. Prices start from as little as £39 per sill - this typically includes one metre sill with two end caps fully installed by experienced fitters. Transform the appearance of your home with the Homesill makeover and make those discoloured sills a thing of the past!
Another Plaice Customers of the Windy Arbour Farm Shop in Billinge will do a double-hake from next week, when Billinge’s ‘Fish Van’ - run by Pat Furnival from Furnival’s Fishmongers in Leigh - who trades twice a week from the Chapel End Labour Club in Billinge, parks up at the popular Billinge farm shop in addition to her usual times at the Labour Club. Pat will be at Windy Arbour, to begin with at least, from 12.15pm to 1.15pm on Tuesdays and 1.45pm to 2.45pm on Fridays. That is, if she can slip away from the tide of customers she will attract!
E E R ! s F e g a s u a S
Switch On The grand switch on for the Pemberton Christmas lights switch will take place on Sunday 2nd December. Stalls will be selling goods from 3pm, Santa arrives at 5pm and the lights are switched on at 5.15pm. Wish FM’S presenter Adam Alcock and surprise guests will be helping Santa turn on the lights. For ticket information, please contact Pemberton Lighting on 216033 or the Pemberton Community Association on 07925 867070
The closest you’ll get to the perfect garage door
It’s Back! Butchers Block Sunday returns to Windy Arbour Farm on Sunday 11th November! Butchers Block Sundays are run in conjunction with Lancashire Master Butchers; K&J Green of Heskin Windy Arbour Farm Shop Ashton Rd, Billinge, WN5 7XX (top of the 2 mile stretch) Telephone: 01744 892208 www.windy-arbour.co.uk windyarbour
@WindyArbourFS
Opening hours 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 8.30am-4.30pm Sat, 10am-4pm Sun
FREE Sausages! Free Pack of 6 delicious pork sausages when you buy at least one cut of meat on Butcher’s Block Sunday.
CJM Garage Doors Ltd, Unit 10, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB t: 01942 738347 w: www.cjmgaragedoors.co.uk
www.locallife247.co.uk
68 mm x D 115 mm Advert - SeceuroGlide (additional logos).indd19/07/2012 1 11:18
Offer limited to one pack of sausages per customer on production of this voucher – offer only available on 11/11/12
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Your Health Preventing Dementia (& Diabetes too!) A healthy body weight reduces pressure on our joints and the helps prevent/limit osteoarthritis, and recent research is beginning to show that a good diet plays a massive role in reducing our chances of developing dementia. As you may know, dementia is an umbrella term for a number of brain degenerative conditions that include Alzheimer’s. These conditions, as anyone with an afflicted relative appreciates, have a number of unpleasant symptoms which progressively affect the ability to think, recall memories, use language and judgement, and do everyday tasks. These conditions are set to increase in our ever-growing ageing population. Indeed, there are now already some 820,000 sufferers in the UK. Recent research has shown that in overweight individuals, not only are they more likely to develop diabetes (which you’ll probably already know), but dementia also. A recent study of 8534 Swedish twins also indicated that if we are moderately overweight in middle age, we are 71% more likely to develop dementia. If we eat a diet that contains lots of sugars and refined carbohydrates - cakes, biscuits, sweets, chocolate, and especially breads, then we give our body gets much more sugar than it needs. Your body then faithfully converts this excess sugar into love-handles, pot bellies and wide-load bottoms. However, it’s the unseen damage to the interior of your body that leads to diabetes and an increased risk of dementia. Basically, excess sugar from these foods causes problems with our bodies’ ability to make and use insulin. Insulin’s chief role is to process sugar in the body. Too much sugar means that insulin cannot due its job properly, which in turn leads to diabetes. Insulin also plays many roles within the brain, and research is now showing that in people who are overweight and/or eating sugary/high carbohydrate diets, the activity of insulin changes within the brain and can cause some of the degenerative changes seen in dementia. It’s not all bad news, though. We can each take an active role in reducing our chances of developing diabetes and dementia simply by improving the quality of what we put in our mouths. The human metabolism was never really designed for eating sweets, cakes, breads, biscuits - they simply contain more sugar than the body needs at more or less any given time. By simply swapping these foods for unprocessed vegetables and some fruit is a great way to prevent diabetes (or improve it if you already have it) and ward off the risk of developing dementia. Thanks for reading, Dr Mike Paull, Chiropractor.
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Christmas Fayre Goose Green Methodist Church in Sefton Road are holding a Christmas Fayre on November 10th from 11am until 2pm. Stalls will be selling a multitude of goods including cakes, gifts and books, and there will also be a tombola and a white elephant stall. Lunches will be served. For more details contact Evelyn Rylance on 01942 248927 or email j.rylance@sky.com.
Nearly New There’s a Nearly New sale happening at Haigh Hall this Sunday (28th October) between the hours of 10am-2pm. This is your chance to snap up a bargain or two, and cross a few items off your Christmas present list. The sale takes place in the Haigh Hall ballroom and admission is free!
Chapel Christmas The annual Christmas Fair at Chapel End Labour Club in Billinge takes place on Saturday 24th November between 1pm and 3pm. There will be various stalls on the day selling goods such as including dolls, bric-a-brac and cakes. There will also be a raffle and a tombola. Entry costs 25p for adults and children go free. For more details please contact Irene Bromilow on 01744 886164.
Join the Celtic Crew Billinge Celtic Under 14’s, part of the successful Billinge Juniors set up, are looking for a couple of enthusiastic new players to join their team. Training is on Thursdays from 6-7pm on the astro turf at St Peter’s High School and matches are played on a Sunday morning. Please call Chris Smith on 07825 216667 if you are interested in coming along.
Witches & Wizards Museum of Wigan Life will be hosting a Witches & Wizards craft session at the Museum this Monday (29th October). Your child can make witchy and wizardly hats, wands and take part in all kinds of other magical crafts! The sessions is suitable from children from 4-11 and runs from 1pm2.30pm. Please book places in advance by calling 01942 828128 – there is a charge of £2.50 per child. If you’re a member of a community group and you want to publicise your next event free in Local Life, then just email details along with a contact name and number to editorial@locallife247.co.uk
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01942 498480
www.wiganbackpain.com
Why do you have a digital x-ray department? We have our own digital x-ray department at the clinic so that we can take and show you your pictures within 24 hours. This helps us to show you the underlying causes of your problem, allowing us to start treatment quickly and get you out of pain.
Mike Paull Doctor of Chiropractic
Dr Matt Birch Doctor of Chiropractic
• Consultation & Examination £59 • Digital X-ray pictures (per area) £59 • Treatment sessions (each) £35
Chris Green Sports Injury Specialist
Jenny Richmond Sports Injury Therapist
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t Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic, our team of Chiropractors and therapists can help to relieve most types of muscle, joint and nerve pain.
Low back or neck pain? visit our clinic WIGAN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC
TReATMeNT FOR YOuR sPINe, MusCLes, jOINTs & NeRves 27 BRIDGeMAN TeRRACe. sWINLeY. WIGAN. LANCAsHIRe. WN1 1TD LBWFC1 051111
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There – I’ve said it! All those glossy colour Sunday supplements extolling the virtues of having a conservatory; extra family space to relax in the sunshine without actually braving the outside elements are just an overblown sales campaign to sell conservatories. Whilst they are high on our wish list when it comes to improving our homes; conservatories rarely live up to expectations. A conservatory is supposed to be a calm and tranquil space, one that lets us linger over the Sunday papers without having to put on an extra layer or jumping up to retrieve the lifestyle section from the rose bushes. In reality you probably have a love hate relationship with what can only be described as your glass box. They overheat in the summer and winter temperatures rival the North Pole during the winter months; all in all you start to feel like you haven’t benefited from the extra room you paid for. In fact, research shows that, in the British climate, a conservatory is unlikely to provide more than two hours of comfortable temperatures per day.
the problems associated with plastic ceilings. Freedom has already helped people save on their energy bills and given them a room that they can use 365 days of the year. The process does not alter the external appearance of your roof or remove any part of your conservatory causing a minimal amount of disruption to your home and because the work is internal there is no need for any planning permission. Paul says “Following our three-day installation you will no longer need to look at an ugly plastic roof, you will have a plastered and painted ceiling with a bespoke lighting and audio package of your choice. Before we plasterboard we lag the plastic roof with insulation that helps to deflect heat away and keeps heat in and the material we use meets all the current building regulations and fire certificates.” Paul is dedicated to designing new Conservatory concepts and is constantly looking at other ways of improving your Conservatory living. In a short space of time his team have now created a Plasma TV wall, which will carry your TV and give you extra floor space; cables can be hidden were possible
Well, before you seal those French doors shut for good we’d like to tell you about a local company who might just have the answer to all your conservatory woes. Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions promise to give you back the extra room you have always dreamt about. With their innovative ceiling modifications they can make your conservatory up to 90% warmer in the winter and up to 75% cooler in the summer! After suffering with the same problems in his own conservatory, the Billingebased owner of Freedom Conservatory Roof Conversions Paul Stubbs came up with a revolutionary idea to combat
We offer deferred payment plans and accept all major credit & debit cards
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Conservatory roof before “Conservatory overheats in summer and winter temperatures rival the North Pole!”
Conservatory roof after “...save on their energy bills and given them a room that they can use 365 days of the year”
and they can fit full surround sound cinema systems using ceiling speakers and mood lighting. Paul added, “We have also designed a Wood Burner that can be safely vented through either our roof conversion or existing polycarbonate; this will not only heat your conservatory but save you money on energy especially in the winter months. All the burners are DEFRA approved and fitted by approved tradesman.”
So if you would like to claim back the use of your conservatory and possibly save on your energy bills, call the team now on 08456 860542 for more details. Freedom did our porch and conservatory and we now have balanced heat throughout the down stairs 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
Call
08456 860542
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Well done Freedom for the best idea I have seen since double glazing! I now have a 7 metre lounge with Freedom doing a full makeover and that new ceiling looks amazing in the conservatory, especially with the new lighting system that was fitted. Thanks Mr Dale from Winstanley
or
07761 966 024 43
Money & Investments Lloyds Banking Pension and Investment Customers!! Some of you may recall that I wrote a piece in the February edition of Local Life about the Retail Distribution Review which was initiated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and its likely impact in terms of adviser numbers. Unfortunately the predictions I made in that article are now playing out. The latest bank that has stated their intention to restrict advice is the Lloyds Banking Group. Their recent announcement that it is to stop offering investment advice in its high street branches to customers who hold less than £100,000 in savings and investments is a very sad development for both the banking industry and local community. Barclays made a similar move last year, announcing it would stop giving financial advice to individual customers in its bank branches. Having spent nearly ten years working for the TSB (in the late eighties/early nineties) which is now part of the Lloyds Banking Group I know a lot of the branch advisers and customers that have been affected by this decision. Indeed we have already had enquiries from a number of Lloyd’s customers holding Scottish Widows investments and pension products as the Lloyds decision has effectively left a lot of customers without a gateway to advice. This could not have come at a worse time for customers with the tough economic climate and challenging investment markets. Due to our independence those clients that have recently joined us are now benefiting from the fact that we can advise them not only on their Scottish Widows and Halifax plans but on all investment and pension contracts they hold within the entire market place. The Retail Distribution Review or ‘RDR’ for short, which comes into effect at the beginning of 2013
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means that the banks’ costs are likely to rise at exactly the same time as they will have to be more explicit about how much their advice is costing customers. Whilst I have talked about this for some time now it would appear that the media are now waking up to this development. I have read articles in a number of Sunday papers during the last couple of weeks alerting readers to the changes and telling them to speak to their adviser about whether they intend to continue offering advice post 2012. The RDR is specifically designed to improve people’s understanding of, as well as increase their confidence in, financial advice. It aims to raise the level of professionalism among financial advisers so the minimum qualifications required are being increased and the way in which you pay for that advice is being altered to ensure complete transparency. In my opinion this is long overdue and will be a shot in the arm for the industry. As a business we changed the way we worked with our clients a number of years ago which now means that we are operating a model which the FSA is now prescribing. If you are affected by these developments or you are a Lloyds customer holding any of the following products please do not hesitate to get in touch. Scottish Widows Investment Bonds Pensions Unit Trusts or ISAs Halifax ISA Investor contracts Collective Investment Accounts Personal Investment Plans The cost of the initial consultation is met by ourselves and is without obligation. Please feel free to give one of our team a call on 01257 423800.
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Call Prosper today on 01257 423800 to arrange your no obligation initial consultation. Prosper Independent Financial Advisers Ltd. Prosper House, 99a High Street, Standish, WN6 0HD Telephone: 01257 423 800 www.prosper-ifa.co.uk
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Power Fest
Organisers of Power Fest are stoking up the boilers to ensure a full head of steam at this year’s annual event which takes place this weekend (Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th October) at Trencherfield Mill, near Wigan Pier. Part of the Manchester Science Festival 2012 the two days are dedicated to “power through the ages”. With the strength of 2,500 horses, Trencherfield Mill’s horizontal, twin tandem, triple expansion, steam condensing engine will once again form the centre piece for the weekend but there’s also a raft of other events taking place. Wigan and Southport model engineering societies will be in attendance showcasing a variety of exhibits manufactured by club members. Wigan woodcrafts and wood bodgers will be comparing old and new techniques in spindle and bowl turning. Having seen yesteryear’s technology there will also be a chance to glimpse into the future with talks from DOC Solar and Electrical, discussing climate change and renewable technologies. Canal cruises will be provided throughout the day by pleasure boat the Kittywake. Organiser Bill Rowley from Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s (WLCT) Heritage Service said: “You don’t have to be an engineering fan to attend this day – this is about how we harness and use power in all its many forms. Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by local folk group Chonkinfeckle and street theatre by ALRA students so there’s plenty happening for people of all ages and interests.” Refreshments will be available from the Red Pepper Bistro located in the Investment Centre, each day starts at 11am until 4pm and there is a small charge for some activities. Free parking facilities are provided at the Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan, WN3 5BA.
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CMA Accountancy Guide to Self-Assessment
Returns
CMA is not your typical accountancy firm. We provide the usual services such as annual accounts, payroll services, help with your VAT return and of course the dreaded selfassessment tax returns. We like to get to know our clients and their businesses so that we can offer the best advice available. It’s at this time of year that attention turns to completing self-assessment returns. The deadline for submitting your 2012 return to HMRC is 31 January 2013. Any tax that is due for payment must also be made by this date. So who needs to complete a tax return? The following are the main reasons for completing a return: 1 Anyone who is self-employed; that is they are not employed and pay income tax via PAYE. 2 If you are lucky enough to have savings income above £10,000. 3 If you receive rental income from a property. 4 Company directors must complete a return. 5 You have Capital Gains Tax to pay as you have sold an asset. 6 You have received income from overseas such as pensions that are liable to UK tax. 7 If you’re employed and want to claim for expenses or professional subscriptions. Note - if you want to claim for expenses and subscriptions that are only small (below £2,500), you can write to HMRC and make a claim. You can also go back to the previous 7 years and make a retrospective claim. You must be able to provide full details for these claims.
SPEC
IAL O FFER
If you Novem contact CM A be your ta r and ask u before 30 s to co x retur mplete n you discou w charge nt of 25% of ill receive a . To cla our sta ndard mentio im this dis count n the a just r ti cle you co ntact u when s.
Tax Tips of the Month • Working from home – What Expenses Can I Claim - If you spend a significant part of your working week working from home then it is likely you can make a claim for this cost. • If you run a business then employing a spouse or partner can be tax-efficient If you would like to find out more about any of the issues discussed in this article 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. Contact Details 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
If you would like some advice and help with completing your tax return then please contact us.
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Character and As the Autumn nights draw in and the temperature drops, our thoughts turn to warmer climes as we weigh up the possibilities of some winter sun to sustain us through the dark, cold British winter. For a popular winter sun destination with character and charm, it’s difficult to see past Malta, along with its sister islands of Gozo and Comino. It is Malta’s mix of climate, history and beaches combined with familiar shops and English spoken everywhere – even the street signs are written in English – that has made the island so popular with British holidaymakers.
The fortress city of Valletta is the heartbeat of Malta, characterised by history, architecture and fine art. The city is Europe’s smallest capital; there are just 6,500 residents within the city’s gates. With its narrow streets, pavement cafés and delicate Italianate architecture, Valletta feels very much like an Italian city – albeit with branches of M&S and other British high-street stalwarts. Valletta hasn’t always been the island’s capital. Mdina, known as the Silent City, had that honour up until 1570. The city dates back to Roman times and is
surrounded by a dry moat, which was never filled with water as no one ever worked out a way to get it there. Mdina’s network of narrow, pedestrianised streets is flanked by sandstone buildings, most of which are private homes owned by Malta’s gentry. Its lofty position on the island gives the air a different quality and, in the past, invalids who couldn’t afford to go to Switzerland would come to take the air in Mdina. Gozo is Malta’s tiny tranquil sister island. About 8 miles long and four miles wide, Gozo is the place to go if you enjoy unspoiled secluded bays, bracing walks and charming restaurants. Here, terraced fertile valleys give way to surf-bashed rocky headlands and sheltered creeks, and legend has that Gozo was once known as Ogygia, the enchanted isle where the nymph Calypso dazzled and delayed the home-going Odysseus for seven years.. This little island is relaxing and friendly, easy to reach and, out of high season, is not expensive.
Its location in the Mediterranean has meant that Malta has played a key part in European history, and its occupation by Greeks, Sicilians, Romans, Arabs and British, to name but a few, has left many cosmopolitan influences throughout the islands.
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Lying between the coastlines of Malta and Gozo is the tiny island of Comino, where the main attraction is the transparent cyan waters of the Blue Lagoon. Frequented by large numbers of tourists, and very popular with divers, snorkellers and swimmers, the Blue Lagoon is a picturesque bay with a white sandy base and rich marine life. The island is a popular location for filmmakers and appears in the movies Troy, The Count of Monte Cristo and Swept Away.
Charm So if you’re just itching to get away for a dose of winter sun, why not head off to Malta, the jewel of the Mediterranean, where there is lots to see and do. Marken Travel is one of a small selective band of travel agents dealing Mercury Direct, a Malta holiday specialist for over 30 years. On this page, Marken Travel have illustrated just a small range of their special offers for Malta, but please give them a call on 01744 893291 for further details or if you’d like them to deliver a brochure to you – or just call into the store at 200 Main Street in Billinge.
4* Seabank Resort & Spa 1 week All-Inclusive
from £399*p.p.
4* Hotel Fortina 2 weeks Half Board 3rd week FREE on B&B
from £549*p.p.
4* Qawra Palace Hotel 1 week Half Board
from £339*p.p.
*Prices are based on 2 adults sharing a twin room & a Manchester departure on certain dates in January 2013
Gozo Add-On 3 nights from just £79!
Independent travel specialist with vast range of choice. Call us now for friendly expert advice.
Marken Travel 200 Main Street, Billinge.
Telephone: 01744 893291 www.markentravel.co.uk
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Bonfires to remember! Saturday 3rd November
Sunday 4th November
Holts Arms, Billinge
Bonfire Supper – Haigh Hall
Bonfire on the meadow behind the pub as well as a fireworks display! On sale are toffee apples, Sparklers, Hotpot, chilli and hotdogs, and there’s an outside bar too. Admission – Free
Annual Bonfire & Firework Spectacular
Orrell Cricket Club invite you to enjoy their annual bonfire and firework spectacular. Gates open at 5.30, bonfire lit at 7pm, fireworks start at 7.45pm. Full Bar, and also hot and cold refreshments available. Orrell Cricket Club is on Winstanley Road opposite Hewitt’s Business Park (WN5 7XE). Admission - £3, child £1 (with accompanying adult)
Bonfire Night
Event held at the Don Orione Centre (Cardinal Heenan House) on School Lane in Roby Mill. Fireworks, face painting, tombola, raffle prizes, hot pot, cakes and other refreshments served. Starts at 6pm. Admission £1
Haigh Hall hosts one of Wigan’s best annual bonfires and firework events. This year, bring the family into the warmth of the Hall. Enjoy a hot supper before stepping outside and enjoying the evening’s celebrations. Supper served from 4.00pm. Reservations essential. £10 adults. £6 children. £28 family ticket (2 adults and 2 children).
Fireworks Spectacular Skelmersdale Cricket Club
Gates open at 5pm and the firework display begins at 7:30pm. There’s a bar, food stalls and a fun fair for all the family! Skelmersdale Cricket Club is on Blaguegate Lane, Skelmersdale, WN8 8TY. Admission - £3 on the gate
Monday 5th November
Highfield Bonfire & Fireworks
Event held at Highfield Cricket Club on Billinge Road, Highfield, WN3 6BL. Gates will open at 6pm, the bonfire is lit around 6.30pm and the fireworks display starts around 7pm. Full bar and hot refreshments will also be available. Admission - £3 for adults, £2 for children.
If organising your own bonfire or firework display do make sure you know the laws about bonfires and fireworks. Keep Children and pets safe and sound during the celebrations, and wear appropriate clothing. Learn the Fireworks Code ...all so you can have the best Bonfire Night possible - and the safest!
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Spark in the Park
Event held at Sherdley Park in St Helens. Opens at 5pm, children’s display start at 7pm, main display starts at 8pm – simply the biggest and best firework display in St Helens. Funfair operates from 5pm10pm. Thousands will wrap up warm and tuck into toffee apples to witness one of the biggest events of the 2012 events calendar. Admission - Free
Halloween Party
Saturday 27th October
The Holts Arms is the only place to celebrate Halloween – complete with our ghost this will be the scariest party around. Prizes for the best costume
FREE Bonfire
Saturday 3rd November
Join us for black peas, sparklers, toffee apples, outside bottle bar, hot dogs, chilli & hotpot. Fireworks start at 7pm
007 Casino Night Saturday 10th November
Join us for this James Bond themed casino night – 4 Casino tables with £2,000 of gambling money and DJ. Entry is by ticket only and the cost is £15 per person. Come in your best 007 fancy dress
Call in to take a look at our Christmas menu or keep an eye on our social pages for upcoming events Holts Arms aka The Foot
@pubdogharvey
Holts Arms the
Crank Road, Billinge, WN 5 7DT
01695 628006
www.holtsarms.co.uk
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Photo cred it: Wigan H eritage Serv http://wigan ices images.wlc t.org/
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The Bridgeman Centre offers physiotherapy, acupuncture, reflexology & specialist treatment of M.E. The Bridgeman Centre, 18 Bridgeman Terrace, Wigan. WN1 1TD T: 01942 321235 or visit www.bridgemanphysiotherapy.co.uk 52
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Legh Arms – The Hermit
Newton Park
Park up near the Legh Arms just off Mill Lane in Newton le Willows and turn left down the A49 (South). Pass under the arches of the railway bridge, and go past the Millstone Pub on your left. Just after you have passed Whitefield Avenue on the left, you’ll come to a crash barrier taking the A49 over the London to Scotland mainline. After walking ten yards past the start of the barrier, look for a weathered stone slab by the bridge wall on your left - this may be partially obscured by the overgrown hedges. This is the Bloody Stone, formerly known as the Hawkstone.
The Bloody Stone Two different tales abound over the history of the Bloody Stone, but both involve Sir William de Bradshaigh. In the first tale, Sir William returns to Wigan in 1323 after many years at the Crusades to find his wife, Mabel, married and living with a Welsh knight. Not surprisingly he takes grave offence and set off to confront the man and catches up with him in Newton and slays him on the Bloody Stone. Mabel, who is mortified by her betrayal, walks barefoot once a week from her home in Haigh to Mabs Cross in Wigan as a penance for her bigamous actions.
There’s certainly much to see in this 4.8 mile walk in Newton-le-Willows. Newton was mentioned in the Doomsday Book, and remained an agricultural village before the advent of the railways in 1830 (more about the railways later). Located right at the heart of the Lancashire Coalfield, Newton was the home of Parkside Colliery, the last deep shaft mine in Lancashire to close in 1993. In addition to being the home of Parkside Colliery, the fields between Newton and Winwick were the site of one of the last battles of the Second Civil War (1648-1649), and it’s around this battle site that our walk takes place. Keep your eyes peeled, because in addition to the historic sites, there is also an abundance of wildlife to see on the walk, particularly birds of prey.
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The second tale has it that Sir William de Bradshaigh himself died on the Stone back in August 1333, slayed by another man. The list of suspects was a long one – the courts at the time named 44 men, his wife Mabel named 33 suspects. de Radcliffe was a surname that that was shared by many men on both lists; and the favourite was John de Radcliffe of Ordsall, but it was William Mose of Westleigh who was tried and hanged in June 1334 for Sir William’s murder.
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Bloody Stone
Nearby Parliamentarian sympathisers assisted Cromwell’s efforts to drive out the Royalists from their strong position, probably using a track through Hermitage Green to outflank them. Open warfare and running battles ensued, and the Royalists last stand was said to have taken place on a green just north of Winwick Church. According to Cromwell, 1,000 Royalists were killed in the battle and were buried in a mass grave in the area, and up to 2,000 were captured. A few days later, the remaining stragglers, along with the Duke of Hamilton, surrounded at Uttoxeter and the war was over.
Road Winwick
According to the English Battlefield Trust, one of the last battles of the second Civil War took place in the vicinity of the border between Newton and Winwick in August 1648. Somewhere in the region of 4,000 of the Duke of Hamilton’s Royalist troops, mainly Highlanders, used the stream in the wooded valley north of Hermitage Green Lane to front their position and form a defensive line to halt the advancing troops of Oliver Cromwell (pictured).
A49
Battle of Winwick Pass
Battle of Winwick Pass
Hermita
ge
Once you go over the bridge, you will pass the entrance to the old Parkside Colliery on your left and Red Bank Farm Shop on your right. Opposite the sign that denotes the boundary between St Helens and Warrington there’s a path on the left. Have a wander down there – and look at the river bank - you are on the site of the Battle of Winwick Pass. Don’t follow the path any further down as you will end up getting lost (like we did!). Instead come back out onto the main road, and carry on down the A49 in the same direction for a further twenty yards and then turn left into Hermitage Green Lane. This quiet country lane takes you away from the hububb of the A49. The first stretch of the lane is dark and overgrown, but the lane soon opens up into some glorious countryside. After walking for just over ½ a mile, you’ll reach a T junction which is opposite the now-closed Hermit Pub. Folklore suggests that the pub was named after the elfin hermit who guarded St Oswald’s Well, which we are just about to pass. The Green next to The Hermit has the occasional Romany visitor as our picture shows.
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3
Huskinsson Memorial
Highfield Moss
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The Hermit – Barrow Lane Turn left at the junction onto Golborne Road and carry on through the S bend. Golborne Road changes into Parkside Road at this point. Get on your tip toes when you reach the gate on the left and you can just about see a random area overlooking the pond which is marked by wooden fence posts. This marks St Oswald’s Well, a holy well that is dedicated to St Oswald and whose walls are lined with medieval stonework. According to some, the well marks the site of the slaying of the first Christian English king in 642, but isn’t the only well in the UK that has this claim.
rickety stile. Stay up high on the left hand perimeter of the field and head towards the bottom left hand corner of the field. Hop across another wooden stile at the corner of the field and you will then head straight across the field in the same direction towards one of several gaps in the hedge.
Once you have reached that gap, head over a second field in the same direction until you reach the wooden fence that borders the motorway. Turn right when you reach the fence and head along the wooden fence perimeter towards the corner of the field. Before you reach the corner of the field you’ll pass two separate sets of stone steps; take the second set to climb up towards the M6 slip road. Cross over the slip road; walk across the M6 motorway bridge, then across the exit slip road, turning 1st left onto the A579 towards Leigh. Cross over after Kenyons Farm after the footpath on the left ends, and shortly afterwards the footpath on the right ends too, so do take extreme care at this point. You’re heading towards Barrow Lane which is denoted by a public footpath symbol opposite Oven Brick Farm.
The building in the distance just beyond the well is Woodhead Farm, the childhood home of Sarah Eleanor Pennington, who married Edward John Smith in January 1887. Mr Smith subsequently became the captain of the Titanic and went down with the ill-fated liner on its maiden voyage in 1912. Almost immediately you’ll spot a partially hidden public footpath symbol on the right hand side. Cross the road, clamber up the rise, and hop across the rather
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Barrow Lane – Legh Arms Turn left at the sign and carry on down this concrete track for ½ a mile, taking in the marvellous views of the Horwich Moors, until its conclusion. Turn right along Parkside Road for a further 350 yards and then turn right again at a public footpath sign and head down the dirt track towards Highfield Farm for a further 350 yards. The path forks at this point; bear left and follow the path that is clearly marked through a field towards the wooden area and the railway line. At the end of this path you can either cross the railway line, turn right to explore Highfield Moss or turn left. For the purposes of this walk we’re going to turn left and head alongside the fence next to the railway line. For the record though, Highfield Moss is an area of special scientific interest and attracts rare plants and nature. The Moss is bisected by the railway, and the site on this side of the railway is comparatively small. Apparently though, the peat land vegetation is the best remaining example of the raised mires
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which once covered large areas of south Lancashire. The other thing you should know about Highfield Moss is that it’s a twitcher’s paradise, so if you’re into birdwatching then take those binoculars with you. Anyhow, we’re not in Highfield Moss, we are heading along the path next to the railway line at this point and we’ve got 500 yards to go before we once again meet up with Parkside Road. Just 50 yards short of this road you’ll pass within yards of the Huskisson Memorial (see below), but the memorial is better viewed from the other side of the railway line. Once you reach Parkside Road turn right. Walk 350 yards and you’ll arrive at a T-Junction. Turn left onto Southworth Road, walk past Trebaron Garden Centre (or call in if you want to visit the café!), go under the M6 bridge and 750 yards later, you’ll pass Willow Park on the right and once again end up at the Legh Arms. 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
Huskinsson Memorial The Liverpool MP William Huskisson was run over by the Rocket locomotive at the opening of the Liverpool-Manchester railway line on 15th September 1830 and this Neo-Greco structure was erected in his honour in 1831 and renovated in 2001. He had the dubious honour of being the first man killed in a railway accident. The memorial stands close to what was Parkside station; this location was chosen for a station because it was equal distance between Liverpool and Manchester, and it was used for watering facilities for the steam trains of the time.
hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. Local Life would like to thank Peter Astles of The Parchments in Newton-le-Willows for his invaluable help in supplying the concept, and some of the pictures for this Jack’s Tracks. For more information about Newton Park visit the Newton Park Forum on Facebook. At the opening ceremony of the line, William Huskisson, who was travelling as a guest of the Duke of Wellington in his personal carriage, became involved in a heated political discussion with the Duke and Mr Huskisson decided to leave the carriage. He stepped down from the carriage and was hit by a train hauled by ‘The Rocket’, which was steaming along at 24mph. Mr Huskisson was taken to the parsonage at Eccles aboard another locomotive, driven by George Stephenson himself, but he died from his injuries shortly afterwards.
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Long Live Lanky
Lancastrians up and down the county are preparing to celebrate Lancashire Day on Tuesday November 27th. Every year this celebration unites young and old in an event that sees thousands of people swear their allegiance to The Queen, as the Duke of Lancaster. This landmark event commemorates the day in 1295 when Lancashire sent its first representatives to Parliament by King Edward I of England to attend what later became known as The Model Parliament. For many years the Lancashire Day proclamation has been read out by town criers throughout the county and many pubs, clubs, schools and organisations will be holding Lancashire Day events. So have a scout around your neighbourhood and see how you can add to the celebrations. Lancastrians across the county will be wearing their red roses and donning their flat caps with pride this Lancashire Day, make sure you’re one of them by getting back to your roots. Long live Lanky! For more details about how you can celebrate Lancashire Day – visit the website at www.forl.co.uk
Here at Local Life we get to know about some of the best places to eat in Lancashire and we thought it was high time we shared them with our readers! And what better way to celebrate Lancashire Day then with some fantastic and not to mention free local food! We have teamed up with The Dicconson Arms in Appley Bridge to give readers the chance to win a meal for two. We have three meals to give away and all you have to do is match our Lanky phrases with their standard English translation and send your entry to; Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB by the closing date of 30th November 2012, or e-mail your entry, plus your name, address and contact number to competition@locallife247.co.uk Name .............................................................................
a,
Ah’m afeart
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Geritt ett’n
............................... Post Code .....................................
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Binmonbin?
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a I’m afraid
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THE DICCONSON ARMS 206 Appley Lane North, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DY Tel: 01257 252733
Come and dine this Christmas at the Dicconson Arms – awarded Marston’s NW Food Pub of the Year and Wigan’s Restaurant of the Year 2011 Our 2012 Festive Menu is available in addition to our regular menus from 1st-23rd December Lunch 12pm-2.30pm (except Sundays) 2 Courses for £15.95 / 3 Courses for £18.95 Dinner 6pm-9.30pm (except Mondays & Sundays) 2 Courses for £18.95 / 3 Courses for £22.95
Starters Parsnip & Apple Soup with Parsnip Crisps and Crusty Bread Warm Smoked Duck and Blueberry Salad Terrine of Poached Salmon with Melba Toast and a Sweet Mustard & Dill Dressing Grilled Homemade Black Pudding on Crushed New Potatoes topped with a Soft Boiled Egg & Bacon Sauce Mushroom & Leek ‘Shepherd’s Pie’ with Toasted Soldiers
Family Get-together Romantic Meal Works Christmas Do Book your table now Call 01257 252733
Main Courses Butter Roast Turkey with Roast Potatoes, Sautéed Root Vegetables, Pig in a Blanket and Turkey Sauce Beef Bourguinon with Horseradish Mash & Roasted Root Vegetables Grilled Trout Fillet with Herb Mash and a Lemon & Tarragon Butter Roast Fillet of Cod with Spicy Sausage & Prawn Linguini and Herb Buerre Blanc Pan-Fried Pork Loin Steak with a Black Pudding Dauphinoise Potato, Buttered Cabbage and a Whole Grain Mustard Sauce Butternut Squash and Sweet Potato Risotto topped with Toasted Nuts
Desserts Christmas Pudding with Brandy Sauce Homemade Fruit Crumble with Guinness Ice Cream Lemon Posset with Florentine Biscuit Vanilla Cheesecake with Seasonal Mulled fruit Platter of 3 British Cheeses with Biscuits and Homemade Chutney
www.thedicconsonarms.co.uk
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Christ�as Events Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th November Crafts for Christmas
Thousands of top quality products under one roof at the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate. Indulge yourself, your family and your friends with stunning fashions and accessories, leather bags and belts, dazzling jewelry from sparkly fashion to graceful diamonds, lustrous velvets and satins in scarves, and luxurious soaps and skincare. Decorate your home and table with elegant candles, platters and bowls and tasty treats. Visit the Specialist Food area, which is brimming with scrumptious cakes, wines, cheeses and meats. Time: 9am – 4pm Cost: £6 - £9 Contact: 01428 682292 or visit www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: HG2 8QZ
Saturday 10th - Sunday 11th November Christmas Shopping Fair at Tatton Park
It’s an early chance to look for those special Christmas gifts for all the family and ideas for presents not usually found in High Street shops. Time: 10.30am to 5pm Cost: Free entry to the Fair. Normal parkland entry charge applies Contact: 01530 834056 or visit www.countrywide-events.co.uk or www.tattonpark.org.uk Sat Nav Ref: WA16 6QN
Monday 12th - Tuesday 13th November Arley Hall Christmas Shopping Spectacular
Browse and shop with some gorgeous individual producers and stall holders from Cheshire and beyond. We have over 50 stalls offering a feast of fabulous things for Christmas set within the beautiful house and grounds of Arley Hall near Northwich. There will be stands selling a handpicked selection of food and gifts providing ideas and inspiration for all your Christmas presents. Time: Mon - 6pm-9.30pm (Champagne reception), Tues - 10-3pm Cost: £5 - £12 Contact: 0161 928 0925 or visit www.arleyhallshoppingspectacular.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: CW9 6NA
Saturday 17th Nov to Sunday 23rd Dec Manchester Christmas Markets
Don your Santa hat, dust off the mulled wine glass, and get into the festive spirit – it’s time to head down to Manchester’s world famous Christmas Markets. No Mancunian winter is complete without a wander through the chalet-lined streets of the markets. This year the market will be celebrating its 13th year and will take over eight
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different spaces around the city, each with its own distinct character and atmosphere. The array of over 200 stalls is mind-boggling, with mouth-watering delicacies from all over Europe. The choice is getting bigger and bigger and includes gifts, crafts, jewellery, clothes, toys and an array of food and drink. The markets run until Sunday 23rd December. Contact: www.manchestermarkets.com
Sunday 18th November
A Christmas Vintage and Retro Craft Fair A vintage and retro craft fair will take place at the impressive Haigh Hall in Wigan. There will be live music, a pop up hair and make-up salon and mulled wine, along with a selection of lovely stalls. The venue is perfect to put you in the Christmas mood with open fires and decorations. Cost: £1 Time: 10am - 4pm Contact: 07787 316234 E-mail victoriaclaire@vibrantvintage.co.uk or visit www.vibrantvintage.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: WN2 1PE
Thursday 22nd Nov- Monday 24th Dec Chester Victorian Christmas Market
Chester’s Victorian Christmas Market offers a wide range of beautiful ceramics, jewellery, hats, gloves and scarves. Bestselling toys will feature and the festive food offer will include Christmas cakes and puddings, mince pies, cheeses, meats, sweets, fine wines as well as the winter warming treats of mulled wine and hot chestnuts. Move inside to Chester Market for the best local Christmas produce and more excellent gift ideas. Stalls and attractions will remain open to 24th December. Time: 10am – 6pm (Thurs 10am-8pm) Cost: Free Contact: www.christmasmarkets.com
Saturday 24th November The Great Liverpool Xmas Art Fair
The Royal Liver building hosts the Great Liverpool Xmas Art Fair. Come and view the work of some of the UK’s top contemporary craft and design artists. Some artists will be giving demonstrations and talks throughout the day - programme available on our website address. We will also have a local choir singing carols too. Time: 10am - 7pm Cost: £2 Adults (Children free with an adult) Contact: 07917 522706 or visit www.thegreatliverpoolartfair.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: L3 1HT
Guide Sunday 25th November Samlesbury Hall Christmas Fair
The annual Christmas fair is back again to kick start the festivities, with lots of ideas for Christmas gifts and sumptuous food for the festive season, and of course there will be mulled wine and mince pies! Time: 11am - 4pm Cost: £3 Adult, £1 Child Contact: www.samlesburyhall.co.uk Sat Nav Ref: PR5 0UP
Saturday 1st, 8th & 15th December Grassington Dickensian Festival
See the Christmas lights, the village square and the cobbled streets transformed into a traditional Victorian market, as shopkeepers, villagers and even some visitors dress in Victorian costume. Enjoy the musicians, dancers, street entertainers and exhibitions of traditional country crafts. There is no car parking in Grassington, so use the Park and Ride at Swinden Quarry on the B6265 Skipton to Grassington road. Cost: Free, but £8 a car for the Park and Ride Contact: www.grassington.uk.com Sat Nav Ref: BD23 6BE
Saturday 1st - Wednesday 19th December Delamere Forest - Santa’s Grotto
Visit Santa this Christmas in his magical grotto at Delamere Forest! Take a train ride around the forest on our musical land train. Stay for lunch at our Victorian themed food and drink street, and go home with your amazing Christmas tree for your house. Site is free entry and free parking, though charges for trees and Santa apply. Tree sales are open every day 9am-5pm & late nights Friday 7th & 14th, Santa’s grotto is open weekdays 3-5pm, Fridays until 8pm & weekends 9am5pm. Contact: www.forestry.gov.uk/delamere Sat Nav Ref: CW8 2JD
Saturday/Sunday 1st/2nd & Saturday/ Sunday 8th/9th December Victorian Christmas Weekends
Come to Speke Hall for a true Victorian Christmas experience. Admire the ground floor of the house decorated for Christmas with greenery and foliage from the Estate. Hear a selection of carols and festive music in the Great Hall, and then treat yourself to some delicious treats from the Restaurant. Event held on Saturday 1st, Sunday 2nd, Saturday 8th and Sunday 9th December.
Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th, 15th/16th and 22nd/23rd December Walton Winter Wonderland
A Victorian-style Christmas celebration set in a traditionally decorated cobbled courtyard at Walton Gardens near Warrington. Step back in time and enjoy Christmas as it used to be. There will be entertainers, live music, Christmas markets, Yule log making, festive fayre, nativity scene and of course, Santa in his enchanting grotto. If that wasn’t enough there’s a new queuing system that should half waiting times! Time: 10.30am - 4pm Cost: Free access - Grotto £5 per child with a gift from Santa Contact: 01925 601617 (option 2) or visit www.warrington.gov.uk/waltongardens Sat Nav Ref: WA4 6SN
Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th & 15th/16th Dec Southport Christmas Markets
Come and spend the day at Southport’s Christmas Markets picking up those last minute Christmas gifts from stalls on Chapel Street selling food, toys, jewellery to name but a few. Enjoy the Traditional Entertainment which will consist of choirs and bands. Time: 9am-5pm Saturday & 10am-4pm Sunday Cost: Free Access
Sunday 9th December Croston Village Christmas Fair
The traditional Lancashire village of Croston will hold their very successful annual Christmas Fair on Sunday 9th December from 1.00pm to 5.15pm. In addition to a Land Train to Santa’s Grotto there will be a street magician and a magic show, brass bands, singers, morris dancing, circus performers, a piper and much more. Children will love the donkeys and dogs while their parents can shop for last minute gifts at the many craft stalls. Food and drink will be provided by stallholders and local hostelries. The event will end with a torchlight procession. Parking available at Bishop Rawstorne School. Cost: Free access Contact:www.crostonfestivities.co.uk Sat Nav: PR26 9HH
Friday 14th December - Sunday 6th January Liverpool Christmas Family Festival
The Liverpool Christmas Family Festival is a magical Christmas festival taking place in The Waterfront Big Top at the Echo Arena. Enjoy a spectacular Christmas Pantomime of Sleeping Beauty and the Christmas experience. There will be a Santa’s Grotto, Christmas Market, a junior Fun House, Funfair Rides and much more. Please pre-book your place via the website or call the number below. Under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult over 18. Festival tickets are £5 and there is an additional charge for some attractions in the Family Festival. Contact: 0844 8000 400 or visit www.echoarena.com Sat Nav Ref: L3 4BB
Time: 1pm - 4pm Contact: 0151 427 7231 or visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/spekehall Sat Nav Ref: L24 1XD
...mer�� Christ�as!
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NOT SO
There’s a special John Cooper Works cockpit design, with sports seats, sports steering wheel, interior trim strips in Piano Black, an anthracite-coloured roof liner and dark speedometer and rev counter dials. You also get John Cooper Works door sills and if you want to delve into the options list, there are a whole host of ways to personalise your car. Other standard kit includes air conditioning, electric windows, rear parking sensors, roof rails, Bluetooth compatibility and a DAB digital radio with a USB input. Safety-wise, stability control and the usual braking and traction aids are standard, along with six airbags and a tyre pressure monitoring system. The 1.6-litre turbo unit fitted to this Countryman gets almost universal praise and it turns in some very decent
It isn’t the obvious choice for the John Cooper Works treatment but the result might just surprise you. Andy Enright takes a look at a rather rapid MINI Countryman. There is a certain logic in deciding that if you’re going to buy a big MINI, then it ought to have a correspondingly big punching engine. The MINI John Cooper Works Countryman packs a 218bhp haymaker, which skittles it to 60mph in just 6.7 seconds, helped by that all-wheel drive chassis. It’s quite a package. It’s not cheap at almost £30,000 but it is extremely talented all-rounder. If you can get your brain around a big, powerful and rather pricey MINI, there’s a lot to like here. There’s no getting away from the fact that this car is quick. It’ll smash through 60mph from a standing start in just 6.7 seconds. In addition to that, traction is also helped by the fitment of Dynamic Stability Control with Dynamic Traction Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control. In other words, you’ll not want for grip, wet or dry. Power is deployed through a six-speed manual gearbox, top speed is a reassuring 140mph and peak torque is rated at a chunky 280Nm. There’s also an overboost facility, kicking in when the engine is under particularly heavy demand, say when you’re overtaking, to boost this to 300Nm. When it’s parked next to a 1960s MINI, the Countryman appears a behemoth. Get inside and there’s a decent amount of space, the 350-litre boot offering more room than the Clubman estate. It’s still a long chalk short of what you’d get in something like a Volkswagen Golf or a Ford Focus, but that’s the inevitable price of making a style statement. The JCW version gets an aero body kit, the JCW logo on the radiator grille and tailgate, front foglamps fitted as standard and a contrast paint finish for the roof and exterior mirror caps. Lightweight 18-inch Twin Spoke light-alloy wheels are fitted as standard, with 19-inch rims available as an option. You can also specify the rear seat of the Countryman as either a three person bench or two separate chairs.
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MINI ADVENTURE
this sort of money are you going to get a 4WD sporting car this fast backed by BMW-style standards of engineering? I have a sneaking suspicion that this car might suit quite a large number of people very well, assuming that they could be persuaded to consider the thing in the first place. It’s fast, nicely built, looks good and won’t cost a fortune to run. If those don’t sound like the ingredients for a very promising car, then I’m not sure what does.
fuel economy figures too. For a 218bhp car, the combined fuel consumption of 38.2mpg isn’t at all bad. Go for the optional automatic model and that drops to 35.4mpg, but that’s still hardly catastrophic. Emissions are rated at 167g/km for the manual and 187g/km for the auto. Stick to the basic car and you shouldn’t be stung with heavy depreciation. I’m still a firm believer that MINIs should be small. That said, it would be churlish not to recognise the John Cooper Works Countryman as one heck of an achievement. Yes, it’s a fairly big car without a lot of room for your bags, but that aside it barely puts a foot wrong. Even those grumbling about the price need to look at it in the context of the amount of capability that buys you. Where else for
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Motoring L
FastPass
Driving School • Friendly & Professional • DSA Approved Instructor • Lesson Diagrams on iPad • Based in Orrell
Call Fergal on: 01942 204036 or 07963 380298 www.fastpass-driving-school.co.uk
L L ANDERTON S�ho�� � Mot���n� Xmas & Birthday gift vouchers now available Lessons from just £12.50 per hour Professional, friendly driving tuition “Call now, Drive tomorrow”
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Professional quality mobile paintwork repairs at a fraction of traditional body shop costs l Quick l Convenient
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we make it our business to help yours
aBumper scuffs aAlloy wheels aPaintwork scratches aMinor dents
2 SHINE
PROFESSIONAL VALETING
£5 off - Mini Valet
Includes full wash, thorough interior vacuum, door shuts and interior plastic cleaned and dressed, windows cleaned inside and out, tyres dressed, wax rinsed for protection, rain repellent for exterior windows, air freshener.
For your free estimate call Simon Pickles on
0800 028 7878 or 07584 684 856 www.chipsaway.co.uk REPAIRS FULLY GUARANTEED
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Usual price £20 – now £15 on production of this voucher
Full valet and other services available
Call: 07709 778 628
The Garages, Rear of Wigan Yamaha, Wilcock Street, Wigan WN3 4AR
Near Savoy Timber/Seven Stars Bridge - walking distance from Wigan town centre
bubbles 2 shine
valeting for over 17 years
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Take my word for it…
I’ll get your car looking as good as new – or your money back! I visit you at home or work when it suits you
Specialists in; • Bumper scuffs • Vandal scratches • Alloy wheel repairs • Minor dents No VAT added!
Give your business a good push! Advertising Advertising packages from just £35 per month (+VAT) Easy monthly payment scheme - interest free! Artwork included Leaflets Leaflet distribution from £25.00 per thousand (+VAT) No competing leaflets - guaranteed! Minimum distribution 4,000
For further details call Chris now on
01942 627999
we make it our business to help yours
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Saving Money with Martin Lewis
The average cost of running a new car is up to a hefty £6,000 a year, according to the AA. So it’s hardly surprising the cost of motoring is one of the single biggest issues affecting people’s finances today.
earlier, and using road positioning so you brake less and the car can slow down gradually.
Here are 6 quick tips to drive down the cost of motoring.
5. Book holiday car hire EARLY to get it for £10 a day
1. Is your photocard valid? Even though your licence may be valid, you risk a £1,000 fine if the photo is out of date. These need renewing every 10 years and 1.8m are out of date. To find out if yours is one of them, take a look at section 4b on your licence to see the renewal date. If it’s expired renew it ASAP, though it will cost £20 to do.
2. Don’t use a comparison site, use two If you are looking to compare car insurance, make sure you use more than one comparison site. Each comparison site looks at different firms, so visit Gocompare and MoneySupermarket, and then visit Aviva and Direct Line, and Admiral if you’ve more than one car in the home.
3. Avoid hideous young driver insurance costs. The average price for a 17-22 year old male is £3,200, but you can cut £1,000s with the right approach. Try adding a second named responsible driver to lower the risk average. Then do full comparisons on the comparison sites (see point 2). Then check specialist young driver policies that use black boxes to monitor your driving. You can pay per mile with Coverbox, pay how you drive with Co-op and pay less for driving during the day with iKube.
You can also find the cheapest forecourt with www. petrolprices.com and use the top credit cards offering cashback to get 3% back on all fuel spending. Combine these techniques and many regular drivers could save £500+ a year.
Use www.carrentals.co.uk and www.kayak.co.uk comparisons to find the best deals - £10 a day’s sometimes possible. When you pick-up, hire firms will try to flog “excess insurance”, but it’s possible to do it for less than half the cost via www.moneymaxim.co.uk
6. DON’T assume 3rd party insurance is cheapest Bizarrely, the lowest level of cover isn’t always cheapest. Sometimes, comprehensive wins, as choosing it means you’re considered a lower risk and the discount for this sometimes outweighs the discount for getting lesser cover. So if you were going for 3rd party, also get a comprehensive quote as well.
Get Martin’s FREE tips and money-off vouchers emailed directly to you each week by signing up to www.moneysavingexpert.com/tips
Martin Lewis
4. Cut petrol costs by 30%
Martin Lewis, Money Saving Expert, is an awardwinning 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.
The big trick to learn is how to drive as quickly, but with a technique that means you use less fuel. The key is accelerating less aggressively, moving into a higher gear
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!
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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.
Call her now for your free consultation! Award Winner
Still time to plant for spring colour I would like to address a misconception in this month’s diary, which is that come November there is nothing more that can be done in the garden until the following March. The truth is you can construct a beautiful garden during the winter months, get your plants in (just be careful not to plant when the ground is very wet or frosty) and be ready to enjoy your new garden in the spring. Come March, any reputable contractors will already be booked up for months ahead so now is the perfect time to start planning your garden transformation. And if you just need some new plants to enliven your winter borders, there are some wonderful shrubs that produce scented flowers in the colder months and here are three of my favourites. Sarcococca confusa (Christmas Box) is a small evergreen shrub, which produces sweetly scented white flowers during the winter months and grows well in shade. Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ is also evergreen, producing yellow scented flower spikes and can get to around 4 metres so you need room for this one. Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ has strongly scented pink flowers on leafless twigs all through the winter months. This shrub reaches 2 metres.
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Shrubs like these are invaluable in the garden at this time of year for wildlife too as well as helping to lift the human spirit. November is also the time for planting Tulips. They come in a stupendous range of colours, sizes and shapes, flowering from spring through to early summer. One of my favourites is ‘Queen of Night’ which is a single late tulip with deep purple petals and looks fabulous teamed with white tulips. Pure sophistication and elegance. (Oh, that’s nice - Hubby says just like me… hmmm he‘s after something). So as well as starting to think about your Christmas shopping list, please do give some thought to your garden at this time of year - next spring you’ll be so glad you did. 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
Award Winner
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www.bodtree.co.uk
COMPUTER PROBLEMS? Broadband broken, computer slow, printer packed up, virus/spyware or your keyboards gone kaput
Bodtree Systems fix all types of PC problems in the comfort of your own home
Call Catherine Now 07540 222787
L.J Telecom Services Ltd business and residential
• Business Telephone Systems • Voip & Structured Cabling • Residential Extns, • Faults & Gen Enq
Empowered by Innovation
Tel: 01942 441221 Askus@LJTelecomServices.co.uk
www.LJTelecomServices.com
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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 www.locallife247.co.uk
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Trust us with all your building needs Extensions - General Maintenance Barn Conversions - New Builds PVC Windows & Conservatories
Paul Darbyshire Construction Tel: 01744 895 792 Mob: 07790 654 608 E-mail: pauldarbyshireconstruction@live.co.uk
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First Class Workmanship DON’T LET BLOCKED GUTTERS DAMAGE YOUR HOME! We can unblock your gutters using our specialist cleaning equipment
• 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
Newman ROOFING & REPAIRS
Before
After
Even hard to reach gutters, i.e. above conservatories etc. For a free estimate, call us on;
Tel: 07534 217339 (7 days, 9am - 9pm)
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01257 255 758
MOBILE: 07774 943 837 17 BEECH TREE AVENUE APPLEY BRIDGE
01695 627 212
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52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS UP HOLLAND
Established Over 30 Years
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Lady Decorator
Professional Interior Decorating Service Reduced rates for Pensioners Clean, tidy and conscientious Tel: 01942 366996 or 07962 422856
Just Imagine
Decorating - Interior Design - Soft Furnishings
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If you need a new heating system or replacement boiler, call the installation specialists now for a free quote!
Our friendly family company has been serving the Lancashire area for over 25 years. For more details on our services please visit www.fgwelch.co.uk Our other services include; i Annual servicing i Landlord Gas safety checks i Home efficiency upgrades i System power flushing i All general plumbing
WE REPAIR ALL MAKES OF BOILERS!
Awarded winner of the Good trader scheme, for consistently high standards of customer feedback 2011
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01942 504 429 07931 766 684
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Let us fight your grime! We can help with all your household cleaning • Gutters • UPVC • Conservatories • Fascias • Dry Carpet Cleaning
Call now on: 01942 216672 or 07730 271667 www.dandjdomestics.com
D&J DOMESTICS Cleaning Specialists
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Fix my conservatory!
• Misted/broken panels replaced • Leaks solved and sealed • Roof panels replaced or upgraded • Insurance work welcomed Call Mark now for a free quote
01942 737381 (day) 07763 151720 (evening)
e-mail: conservatoryrepairs@googlemail.com
www.fixmyconservatory.com • • • •
Re-upholstery Repair Large range of materials to choose from Domestic & Commercial work undertaken
Master Upholsterer with over 30 years experience Unit 7, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB
01695 682029 / 07787 900353 email: ken@oldfieldupholstery.co.uk
Advertise for just £35 (+VAT) a month! For more information please phone
01695 627 999
we make it our business to help yours
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�n���r�
The photograph in Puzzle Corner is of Orrell Station
Advertise for just £35 (+VAT) a month! For more information please phone
01695 627 999
we make it our business to help yours
r u o y l o o C ry! o t a v r e s con We supply high quality roof vents to fit every conservatory roof
We can fit your new roof vent for just £295
Give us a call and reclaim your conservatory
08456 860542 or 07761 966024
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�i�� � ��� m�n��
tesy of Jule
s at Stone
Soup
Hearty Lentil and Preserved Lemon Soup Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 80 minutes Serves 6
Method Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onion then cover and cook, stirring occasionally until the onion is soft. Add the garlic, ginger and spices and cook for a couple of minutes. Then pop in the remaining ingredients except the yoghurt and coriander and bring to a simmer. Cook gently uncovered for about an hour, stirring occasionally and adding more water if it starts to look too dry and thick. It’s done when the carrot and potato are tender and the lentils have broken down. Taste and season but remember that there will be a lot of salt from the preserved lemon. If you prefer a smoother soup you could puree it a little with a stick blender but I think it’s better rustic-style. Serve hot with a dollop of yoghurt and a few sprigs of coriander.
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Image cour
A truly warm and tasty soup to serve at your bonfire night celebrations Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
3tbsp olive oil 3 onions 5 cloves garlic, 2tbsp grated ginger 1tbsp cumin seeds, ground 1tbsp fennel seeds 3 cloves 1 cinnamon stick 1tsp chilli flakes, or to taste 2 carrots, finely diced 3 sticks celery, finely diced 1 Desiree potato, scrubbed & finely diced 3 x 400g cans tomatoes 750ml water 300g red lentils 4 quarters preserved lemon, rind only, finely chopped
Natural yoghurt, to serve Coriander leaves, to serve
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Useful Numbers
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Medical Pemberton PCT Clinic Concourse Walk-in Centre Bradshaw Sreet Surgery Church Sreet Surgery Hall Green Surgery Holmes House Avenue Surgery Hall Green Clinic Orrell Clinic Matthew Ryder Clinic Wigan Family Chiropractic Clinic Wigan Infirmary Ormskirk Hospital NHS Direct
01942 775 820 01695 588 640 01942 222 336 01695 622 982 01695 622 268 01942 483 213 01695 622 781 01942 775 750 01695 624 042 01942 498 480 01942 244 000 01695 577 111 08 454 647
Dentists Moor Road Dentist Church Sreet Dentist Tower Hill Dentist Hall Green Dentist St Raphael’s Dentist Emergency Dental Repairs
01942 215 091 01695 625 565 01695 622 410 01695 622 066 01695 627 617 01695 623 334
Local Life magazine
01695 627 999
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Police, Councils and Councillors Greater Manchester Police 101 GMP Local Policing Team 0161 856 7188 Wigan Council 01942 244 991 Wigan Council (Out of Hours) 01942 404 040 Cllr Ready (Orrell & Billinge) 01942 487 675 Cllr Arrowsmith (Orrell & Billinge) 01942 486 859 Cllr Murphy (Orrell and Billinge) 01942 487 688 Cllr Kenny (Winstanley) 07879 890 066 Cllr Morgan (Winstanley) 01942 486 880 Cllr Winkworth (Winstanley) 01942 766 229 Skelmersdale Police Station Up Holland Police Team West Lancashire District Council Cllr Moran (Up Holland) Cllr Owen (Up Holland) Cllr Fillis (Up Holland) County Cllr Evans (Up Holland)
01695 566 134 0845 1253 545 01695 577 177 01695 550 256 07908 800 550 07811 388 153 01695 624 683
Other Useful Numbers Hope Community Library Lamberhead Green Library Up Holland Library
01942 777 545 01942 705 060 01695 622 368
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
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 514 788 0774 876 7845
or 01942 665 270 or 0770 221 8867 www.protecroofingnw.co.uk
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