Kings Quality Foods Cash & Carry Easter offers See page 11
Courier The WIGAN
Concert for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital email: info@courier-online.net
HAIR BY Vision Welcomes customers old and new to our newly refurbished salon
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OPENING TIMES Tuesday 9am-8pm Wednesday 9am-6pm Thursday 9.30am-8pm Friday 9am-7pm Saturday 9am-5pm
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STEVEN Gee, Year 13 Music student at St John Rigby College hosted a concert in the department in aid of Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.
The event was close to Steven’s heart, to honour the memory of his friend Jemma-Louise Roberts who sadly passed away in 2014, at 13 years of age.
The dress code for the day was ‘wear something bright’, which students and staff observed to celebrate Jemma-Louise’s memory. Jemma-Louise’s parents attended the concert, which included beautiful musical performances from students who had known JemmaLouise and performed in the same band. Dance students also donned technicolour t-shirts for an uplifting routine. It was an extremely emotional event but a fitting tribute to the life of Jemma-Louise and a fantastic opportunity to raise funds for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital All of the staff at St John Rigby College are proud of Steven and the performers across the department who maintained their composure to put on a beautiful show for their friend. You can donate to Jemma-Louise’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/remember/107758/JemmaLouise-Roberts Our picture shows Steven Gee with fellow students at the concert.
We will transfer: Your LP collection to CD Your special videos to DVD Your old Cine films to DVD Standish Video & DVD 26a High Street, Standish 01257 426937 / 07774 775877
The Good News Paper
March 22nd 2016
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Double win for women of Wigan women
TWO women in Wigan were crowned winners at the Power Northern Women awards on Thursday March 3rd.
Chief executive of Wigan Council, Donna Hall and Grace Dyke from Yellow Jigsaw, a PR and communications social enterprise, were both recognised at the annual awards ceremony for their role in helping to promote gender equality and diversity from the North of England. Donna, who beat off tough competition from five other inspirational leaders, won the transformational leader category on the back of the Believe in Her
campaign, which celebrates its first birthday next week on International Women’s Day. The campaign was created to encourage and inspire women from across Wigan Borough to pursue their ambitions and has been backed by influential women across the borough including Team GB athlete, Jenny Meadows. Donna said: “Some people think we already have equality but women earn, on average, 40 percent less than men over a lifetime. We will never achieve our full potential as a place if half the population are held back from reaching their goals. “#BelieveinHer promotes the view that women are
equal to, not better than, men and deserve the same opportunities.” Grace Dyke, director of Greater Manchester PR and communications agency Yellow Jigsaw, walked away with the One to Watch category, for her successful women in business campaign #imnotjohn that reached half a million people. Grace, 27, from Springfield, Wigan said: “I am delighted the #imnotjohn campaign has given such been recognition, and I will be taking further steps to help secure gender equality. The Northern Power Women movement has illustrated the vast amount of talent
and passion in the north – and it is great that Wigan is flying the flag for Greater Manchester.” The leader of Wigan Council, Lord Peter Smith, congratulated both on their wins. He said: “Since becoming the chief executive, Donna Hall has made a massive impression both inside and outside the borough. She’s helped transform the way the council operates through The Deal – helping us to save over £100 million. She’s also helped put Wigan Borough on the map through the Believe campaign. Wherever she goes she inspires people. intelligence, Her motivation, enthusiasm, passion and humility are
what make her a fantastic leader and inspirational woman. I am delighted that others have recognised her talent as demonstrated by this win. I'd like to congratulate both Donna and Grace on their win.”
Also announced on the evening were the first Top 50 Power and Future List, illustrating the vast amount of established and emerging talent across the north. Our picture shows Grace and Donna.
Round robin and retirement at bowling club
ST. MARIES Bowling Club held an open day earlier in March when members of the club got together for a round robin game of bowls. At the event the treasurer Monica Read who has just retired was presented with a bouquet of flowers from the committee and members of the club. Our picture shows committee and members at the event with Monica.
Friends of Standish library events
ON Thursday 14th April at 2 p.m. Betty Hayhurst will be giving a talk on antiques.
She has over 35 years of experience in the field and specialises in silver, porcelain, pottery and glass. Bring along your family heirlooms for an expert opinion! This costs only £3. Thursday 19th May at 7 p.m. there will be a talk about bee-keeping and honey and bee products entitled “Beehive Power”. This event also costs only £3. All events are supported by the Friends of Standish Library who provide free refreshments and a friendly welcome. To book a place for one of the events contact Standish library on 01257 400496 or email .
Change is as good as a rest
FIVE years ago Jane Ratcliffe from Standish was working as a manager at a dental practice when she decided she wanted a change.
A new fashion boutique became Janes dream and so ‘The Changing Room’ was opened on the High Street in Standish. Now Jane is celebrating five years in business with the boutique and it is growing from strength the strength. Jane along with her mum Teresa who works with Jane has made the boutique
very successful and has a great range of stock for all seasons. They stock sizes from 8 to 22, and a range of Italian clothing along with bags, accessories and jewellery. ‘The Changing Room’ celebrated the anniversary on Saturday March 12th when they invited customers old and new to join them in a champagne and cupcake celebration. There was also a beautiful hamper raffled off to mark the occasion. You can catch up on all the news and new stock on facebook or just pop in and you will get a friendly welcome.
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MP urges businesses to follow in Kings footsteps Courier
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Lisa Nandy urges local businesses to follow Kings Quality Foods and sign up to the Voluntary National Living Wage.
Voluntary National Living Wage. Over the last 18 months Kings has gone through rapid growth and transition. Our belief is that we couldn’t have done this without the dedication and hard work of our staff and they deserve a pay packet which reflects that. Times are tough and to be able to give our workforce a wage that they can live off, one which goes above the basic need, is something which is extremely important to us.”
KINGS has been well known in Wigan for over 100 years. Since the company’s humble beginnings on a stall in Wigan market, to today’s new one million state of the art factory, Kings Quality Foods in Wigan, an
accredited Voluntary Living Wage employer, met with Lisa Nandy MP to tell her exactly why they signed up last year.
Managing Director John Hamer said: “Here at Kings we are more than happy to support Lisa’s campaign to urge local businesses in Wigan to sign up to the
Over 60’s group
Lisa Nandy MP said: “Kings Quality Foods is a great family business that prides itself on paying staff the living wage and treating them well at work. It's so important for Wigan to have businesses like this who put money back into the pockets of working people and help to boost our local economy. Businesses like Kings Quality Foods who pay the living wage find it easier to keep good staff and boost productivity. I hope more local businesses and public services will follow their example and become an accredited living wage employer." From left to right: Nicole Spencer, High Risk Operative, Lisa Nandy MP, Stewart Dutton, Production Manager.
THE Over 60's group meet at the Standish Community Centre every Monday afternoon at 1.30 p.m. until 3.30 p.m. and Thursday evening at 6.30 p.m. until 8.30 p.m.
This is a chance for people to get together for a chat and a cuppa along with the occasional game of bingo. The group also organise days out and social events along with parties to mark special occasions. New members needed. All welcome.
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Standish search for Somme Casualties
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A Story of Easter in Song
THE wonderful story of Easter will be told in song and words when the Bethel Choir performs their Cantata “Resurrection Morn” on Good Friday.
Beautiful melodies and moving words, make up this easy-listening musical event, which will take place at Bethel Independent Methodist Church,
Victoria St, Newtown, Wigan, commencing at 7.00 pm on Good Friday, 25th March. Everyone is assured of a warm welcome and a tremendous night to remember. There is no charge for this event, so why not come along, meet new friends and join in some Christian fellowship afterwards with coffee, tea and biscuits? For further details ring Brian on 01942 605805
Join a warm and friendly group near you today..... SHEVINGTON - MORNING GROUP
Tuesdays at 9.30 a.m. Shevington Methodist Church, Gathurst Lane, Shevington also other groups here on Tuesdays at 3.30, 5.00 and 7.00 p.m.
STANDISH Standish High School, International Language Centre Groups on Wednesdays at 5.30 and 7.00 p.m.
Contact Barbara on 01695 731343
A RETIRED Vicar living in Standish has been researching into the War Memorials and graves in the village in an effort to trace those who fell on the Somme in the battles between July and November 1916.
The Revd. David Long, who regularly takes Services at St Wilfrid’s, has been carrying out the research in preparation for his own pilgrimage to be on the Somme at dawn on the Centenary of the first day of the Battle - July 1st. He intends to lay a wreath on one of the men’s graves – as he did on the 90th anniversary, when he was Vicar of St Mary’s Church, Lower Ince. But first he had to find who had died in the Battle – and where they were buried. Using the internet, he investigated 152 names. The names are to be found on various memorials in Standish – the Cenotaph by the Globe, the Memorial at St Marie’s Roman Catholic Church, and the various Memorials in the Peace Gate at St Wilfrid’s Church. There are also some graves in the churchyard where men are commemorated – some of which are not inscribed on any of the local memorials. So far he has found that 30 of the men remembered in Standish were killed on the Somme in that time – that two fell on the first day, July 1st, and that another was brought back to hospital near Southampton with severe wounds, but died days later, and
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his body was brought by rail to Wigan for burial by his family in St Wilfrid’s churchyard. A further five Somme casualties are remembered on their families’ gravestones at St Wilfrid’s. HELP NEEDED The last few names on the list are proving difficult to trace – and the Revd. Long is asking for our readers’ help. The list of the 17 casualties he has been unable to locate with certainty is given below. If you have any information about any of these men, contact the Revd. Long – by phone on 01257 400720, or by email at david@scars.org.uk. Also, if you have any material - photographs, war medals, the ‘Death Penny’ the families of all casualties received after the war, or letters or postcards home – relating to any of the men, the Revd. Long would like you to contact him so that he can photograph or copy them. Eventually a booklet will be printed of all his research, and such material would greatly enhance the publication. A file of his research so far is available for all to see at St Wilfrid’s Parish Office (open Monday-Friday, 10-12), and at Standish Library (open from 10 am except Wednesday). Call in and take a look. List of untraced: Asbrey, Charles F, on Peace Gate Memorial, Bennett, A, on Taylor Pit Memorial in Peace Gate, Corns, Frederick, on Victoria Pit Memorial in Peace Gate, Fisher, John, on Peace Gate Memorial, Green, Peter, on Peace Gate Memorial, Hart, William on Peace
Gate Memorial, and Standish Cenotaph, Heyes, Austin G, on St Marie’s Memorial and Standish Cenotaph, Hill, Thomas on Peace Gate Memorial, Hitchin, Henry, on Taylor Pit Memorial in Peace Gate, Knowles, John, on Taylor Pit Memorial in Peace Gate, Lewis, Joseph, on Peace Gate Memorial, and Standish Cenotaph, Mather, Charles, on Peace Gate Memorial, and
Standish Cenotaph, Parker, Ernest, on Standish Cenotaph, Porter, Ernest, L, on Peace Gate Memorial, Regan, Michael, on Victoria Pit Memorial in Peace Gate, Smith, James, on Peace Gate Memorial, and Standish Cenotaph, Wilding, Edmund, on Peace Gate Memorial, and Standish Cenotaph. Our picture shows the Rev’d David Long laying a wreath at the Thiepval Memorial.
Imagine a complete kitchen start to finish IMAGINE Kitchens are a thriving kitchen business based in Shevington, Wigan. Business owner Billy Davies and his team provide their customer with high quality, bespoke services from designing to installing the finest kitchens in the area. Imagine Kitchens are now Wigan Council award winners in the Good Traders Scheme. The scheme is run by Wigan Council to recognise the best traders in the borough. Billy and his team of qualified fitters have just received a ‘Certificate of Excellence’
which is in recognition of consistently high standards of customer feedback in 2014. At Imagine Kitchens they have built up a great reputation in assisting families and homes with a friendly, reliable and very honest service to give them that new kitchen that they are looking for to complete their home. Their service is a start to finish professional and personally overseen procedure were everything needed to refurbish your kitchen is done by our fully qualified tradesmen.
This includes • Fully Fitting Service • Electrics • Plumbing • Plastering • Tiling • Painting If all the above is not required they also offer a supply only service. As customers of Imagine know, the company caters for all tastes incorporating modern and contemporary to traditional and practical but far more importantly they always focus on the quality of the product and installation. There is a wealth of exquisite stock to view and all kitchens are made to order and built by cabinet makers, no mass production here! The kitchen of your dreams is available under one roof, all it takes is a no fuss 30 minute home survey with none of the pressure of the hard sell tactics. Imagine Kitchens are open 6 days a week for customers convenience to take a peak and to obtain some styles and ideas. For further information on their services visit the website www.imaginekitchenswigan.com Book a FREE design appointment call Billy on 01257 403003 or 07835 639753.
Don’t just take our word for it. Imagine Kitchens, Wigan really do go that extra mile for all of our customers. Here are just some of our satisfied customer comments.
To Billy and team Thanking you for a great design & excellently fitted. Rod & Denise Parkinson Just wanted to say a big thank you. There was always great attention to detail and all work was to the Highest standard. Billy thank you for your guidance & support and for my amazing kitchen. Linda Bird Thank you so much for our lovely kitchen. All the workforce were so professional and helpful. STANDARD OF WORK 1ST CLASS. Wouldn’t hesitate in recommending you to anyone. Jill & John Maguire For customer care, that is second to none. Much appreciated. Jim & Karen Shovelton.
Boston family dedicate daisies to Angela 7
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THE FAMILY of Wigan Rugby legend, Billy Boston, have launched this year’s Dedicate A Daisy initiative for Wigan and Leigh Hospice in memory of Billy’s daughter, and much loved sister and mother, Angela Dainty, who passed away in February.
The Hospice’s Dedicate A Daisy initiative goes directly to support its Counting on Care Appeal, which aims to raise £60,000 to modernise the 14-bed Inpatient Unit and make it dementia-friendly. Angela’s siblings, Lisa, Christine, Karen and Stephen; her children, Zoe, Ross and Sean; and parents, Billy and Joan, felt that Dedicate A Daisy was a wonderful way to pay tribute to Angela, who loved white flowers. Angela was cared for on the Inpatient Unit for a week before she died, a week which her family feel was a very close and special time for them. Lisa Parr, Angela’s sister, said: “At first we really struggled to get Angela to agree to go in to the Hospice as she wanted to die at home. However, once she was there she felt so comfortable and happy that she wanted to stay. The nurses were able to ease her pain straight away so that we could all enjoy some very special time together as a family without having to see Angela suffering. “Many people associate hospices with older people but it’s really not true. Wigan and Leigh
Hospice is such a loving place where we had the freedom to be with her and support her. We really had some laughs too, especially when we wheeled her bed out in to the gardens so she could be outside. The hospice will do anything they can for you.” Angela’s mum and dad, Billy and Joan Boston, felt that dedicating a daisy to Angela was a lovely and very fitting tribute. They said: “She was so happy at the hospice and it was a very special place for all of us to be together during her last week so we felt that to Dedicate A Daisy at the Hospice would be a lovely idea.” “In return for a donation to the appeal, the name of a treasured friend or relative will be
carved onto a wooden daisy and planted in the Hospice gardens until September or can be taken home straight away as a lasting tribute.” You can Dedicate A Daisy by filling in the form on one of our leaflets which are available in the Hospice, in Hospice shops and in supporting businesses across the Borough. You can also email the Hospice team on fundraising@wlh.org.uk, telephone 01942 525566 or download a form from www.wlh.org.uk. Pictured (l-r): Lisa Parr, Christine Davies, Billy Boston, Joan Boston and Zoe Dainty ‘Dedicate A Daisy’ to their much-loved sister, daughter and mother, Angela Dainty
Victoria Pit footpaths For new ideas in Kitchen & Design to be repaired
LOCAL Activist Debbie Parkinson has been contacted by residents near the old Victoria Colliery land reclamation site about the state of the footpaths.
“I got in touch with the Council’s Planning Dept., who are the site holders for the Council, and arranged a visit to see what could be done,” said Debbie. “Donkey Park, as it is sometimes known, is very wet due to the lie of the land. rainwater run-off has caused erosion of the footpaths, made worse by bikers and horses on the soft ground. The Council Inspector has agreed that work to clear overgrown vegetation and repair the footpaths will take place once the weather allows. This is good news for those walkers and horse riders who legitimately use the area.” “In the longer term, I want to work with Standish Voice and local residents to improve the recreational aspect of this site. It is not capable of being built on due to its former use and ground conditions, and I would like to explore the possibility of it being linked to
Ashfield Park to extend the recreational potential of the area.” “This was an idea being pushed as far back as 2008 by then Standish Cllr. John O’Neill, and we now have the opportunity to allow the wildlife to prosper and safeguard important geological features of the area.” Debbie has been working with Standish resident and Wigan Central Cllr. George Davies, a keen supporter of the scheme. “Extending Ashfield Park to link in with the Victoria Pit reclamation site could enable us to gain ‘Green Flag’ status, and provide a great opportunity for local schools to have an environmental education opportunity on our door step.” The Reclamation Site is the former Victoria Colliery. It was used as a spoil heap, and has many large mounds of buried rubbish, preventing it ever being developed viably for housing or industry. It was reclaimed in 1984 and designated for ‘agricultural and recreational use’. Although close to the former Ashfield Estate, it was never part of it, and is separated from it by housing. Our picture shows Charlotte Metters, Councillor George Davies and Debbie Parkinson.
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RNCM visit SJR music department Courier
Courier EDUCATION
ST JOHN Rigby College’s music department were delighted to welcome representatives from the Royal Northern College of Music, an institution which many of our musicians aspire to attend.
Nina Valvi, a former RNCM student who now works within the College’s marketing department, led a workshop in which students were asked to write down their future ‘dream’ careers. She said “It’s lovely to see such a diverse set of musical aspirations, from performance to sound engineering and
even copyright law. We encourage young musicians to pursue their dreams and with RNCM this is made all the more possible.” The group were then treated to a performance from Melia Duo, a unique saxophone and percussion duo made up of Hannah Fry and Alex Smith, current students of the RNCM. They went on to deliver a Q&A session to give our students an idea of what life at the College would be like, particularly the realisation that being an RNCM student is a full time job! We would once again like to thank the RNCM for an inspirational afternoon and for giving our students a better understanding of the reality of study with a conservatoire. We look forward to seeing the dream careers mentioned on the day become a reality!
Book day at Fledglings
CHILDREN from the Fledglings Nursery which is on Green Lane in Standish celebrated World Book day on Thursday March 3rd.
The children were very excited about planning their costumes which they have been planning over the past weeks. The topic was about space after we found a crater in the outside area from a planet advising that all their books had been burned and we have been writing our own stories to send to them.!! The children decided they would contact Tim Peake to take the book to them in space and it has evolved from that. The children all dressed up as characters from familiar books. They also had the added fun of being invited into the school library for a story with the librarian about the ‘Dinosaur who pooped a planet’ as all the children have been very excited about our astronaut in space. She had special added props so the story read was quite funny and exciting too for them. Our pictures show the children and staff dressed up for the day.
Aspull Church Primary
ASPULL Church Primary School enjoyed a super World Book Day on Thursday March 3rd, when all children and staff were invited to bring into school their favourite bedtime story book and could wear their pyjamas. Each child was also asked to write a poem based around a theme of their choice.
Lots of wonderful and engaging World Book Day activities took place throughout the day. At the end of the day the class teacher took time in reading some of the winning poems. Councillor Chris Ready was kind enough to visit the school and is seen in the picture with some of the junior children.
St. Marie's Pre-School ...providing the best possible start to school life
OPEN MORNING
Saturday April 16th 2016 9.30 a.m. - 11.30 a.m.
• Outstanding in all areas - Ofsted July 2015 • For full or part time flexible Pre-school education • Opening Hours: 7.30 a.m. - 6.00 p.m. • Nursery Education Grant Funding - 15 Hours Free “The quality of teaching across the Pre-school and the before & after school club is outstanding. Staff work exceptionally well as a team to provide high quality learning experiences for all children both inside and outside. As a result, children are highly motivated and develop great enthusiasm for play and learning.”
St. Marie's Catholic Primary School, Avondale Street, Standish For a Prospectus & Application Form Visit Pre-school or call 07840 421800
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Council’s Digital Deal gets thumbs up with LGC award
WIGAN COUNCIL has been nationally recognised for leading the digital way.
At the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Awards in London, Wigan Council were crowned winners of the Digital Council of the Year category beating off tough competition from places such as Glasgow and Nottinghamshire. As part of The Deal, residents and local businesses have been encouraged to embrace technology. Working with public and private sector partners such as Agilisys, Wigan STEAM, Leigh Hackspace and the NHS, the council has delivered a range of activities to get residents and businesses fully equipped for the digital age. Councillor Terry Halliwell, lead member for services transformation at Wigan Council said: “We’re absolutely elated that all our hard work here in Wigan has been acknowledged. Winning this award proves that Wigan is leading the way yet again and we will continue to inspire our residents and businesses to improve their digital knowledge for their own benefit and for the local economy. Getting online has an estimated average benefit of £1,064 per year for new users and is one reason why the council has put a strong emphasis on digital skills as part of The Deal, asking residents to access services online. Online tools like the Report It app and MyAccount, enabled by the Agilisys Digital platform, have
revolutionised the way residents can contact the council, including paying bills and reporting environmental problems, so that they can enjoy a seamless online experience and with already more than 40,000 registered users of MyAccount, these tools will keep growing. This has also seen people take free ‘get online’ courses and tablet training at venues across the borough, which has helped the council boost the availability of internet access in public spaces. The council also aims to reach as many businesses as possible through these courses to help them build efficient websites, as research suggests that businesses in Greater Manchester without a digital presence are missing out on UK online sales, which were worth £164billion in 2014. With this success comes even greater opportunity for Wigan Council as it sets its sights on becoming a digital stronghold within the North West, and we look forward to continuing with them on that journey. Well done again to everyone involved.” For more information about how to get online, or to find out where your local courses take place, head to: . Our picture shows Deputy Chief Executive of Wigan Council, Alison Mckenzie-Folan and Leader of Wigan Council, Lord Peter Smith, hold the award and are joined on stage with colleagues from the council and Wigan and Leigh Homes.
New look new stock at Barbaras of Standish
SPRING & SUMMER STOCK NOW IN Fashion, Shoes & Bags 68 High Street Standish WN6 0HF Telephone 01257 425480
5 mins from J27 of M6 www.barbarasofstandish.co.uk
IN June this year Barbaras will have been on the High Street in Standish for 40 years and to celebrate the occasion they revamped at the dress shop. The change also included amalgamating the shoe shop into the main store to give a fabulous one stop shopping experience.
So ladies now is the time to visit the shop as the Spring/Summer stock has arrived. There is a bright and beautiful selection of Spring Summer fashion wear along with a vast selection of sandals and shoes in every colour imaginable. All the occasion wear shoes have their own matching handbags, whilst the casual shoes and handbags perfectly
compliment the colours of the Summer stock. Whatever the occasion there will be something for everyone at Barbaras of Standish. Denise is always on the lookout for new fresh styles for the fashion, shoes and handbags whether it be for weddings, cruises, parties or other special occasions. So if you looking for an
outfit with a bit of that something special, take a trip to Barbaras of Standish, you will definitely find what you are looking for. St. Wilfrid's Social Committee are presenting a fashion show by Barbaras of Standish on Tuesday May 3rd 2016 in St. Wilfrid's Parish Hall. Tickets are £7.50 and this includes Wine and light refreshment.
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Crazy Gang volunteer at Haigh
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OUR PICTURES show Council workers volunteering their help to get the Crazy Golf at Haigh Woodlands Park up and running so that it can be opened to the public at Easter.
Rotary Community Day returns to Wigan
TO all Local Charities and Good groups will be entertaining all day. All that is asked of you is that you pay Causes
It’s back for another year, bigger and better in 2016! It’s a FREE opportunity to Raise your Profile, Recruit new Members and Volunteers, Raise Funds, Promote your Cause, Provide and Advice, Sell Information Merchandise to the thousands of local people who will be there to enjoy all the fun and activity on the day. The venue is WIGAN TOWN CENTRE: the date is SATURDAY 9th JULY 2016 between 8am & 4 pm. You will be allocated a 9 foot frontage along Standishgate. Here you can erect a table, gazebo or mobile display unit and distribute your literature, sell your merchandise, hold a Tombola or other game of chance. The Rotary Club of Wigan, who is sponsoring the event, has obtained the necessary licences, all you have to do it turn up and join in!! To attract the Public there will be a stage outside the Moon under Water on which jazz groups and local community
a £10 Deposit which is Returnable if you observe a few simple rules. If you enter Standishgate by motor vehicle, you must take you vehicle away before 10 am when the barriers go up. You will not be able to return with a vehicle before 4 pm. You must not do anything illegal or which offends, create a noise that spoils it for others, sell food, use gas cylinders or similar apparatus or leave rubbish behind. To book your stall, please print the booking form below and send it with your cheque for £10 made payable to the Rotary Club of Wigan and send it to the address at the top of the reply slip. We look forward to a fun-filled day which will benefit all the Good Causes in the borough. Please publicise the Wigan Community Day on your website and in your newsletters – spread the word. So “come on down” and make it another successful event. Book early to avoid disappointment.
To: THE ROTARY CLUB OF WIGAN, 18 SPENCER ROAD WEST, WIGAN WN6 7HP I would like to book a stall at the WIGAN COMMUNITY DAY on Saturday 9th July 2015 on behalf of (insert name of Charity or Group)...................................................................... Type of stall Proposed.............................................................. I enclose a cheque for £10 made payable to the Rotary Club of Wigan, which I understand will be refunded as long as we abide by the rules laid out. Name: ....................................................................................... Address....................................................................................................... .......................................................................................... Telephone Number:.................................................................... Email :......................................................................................... If you have any queries please email mervyn.reeves@blueyonder.co.uk or telephone Mervyn on 01942 242950.
Jennifer Ellison in Standish
S T A N D I S H SALON Hair by Vision on Chorley Road had a very special client booked in on Friday March 11th.
Celebrity Jennifer Ellison visited the salon to have her Great Lengths hair extensions added. The salon, owned by Nicky George, has been awarded 'Gold Salon' status by Great Lengths in 2014, 2015 and 2016. They can now claim to be the leading salon in the North West when it comes to hair extensions. For more information
They all did a fantastic job and the FOHCP thank them very much. There will also be new obsticles on the crazy golf this year. A big thank you to Daniel, Joyce, Helen, Jill, Amanda, Paul, Lucy, and Emily, From Wigan MBC The Crazy Golf at Haigh hopefully will be re-opening of Friday 25th March. Opening times 11am to 4pm weather and volunteers permitting. Our pictures shows the volunteers hard at work.
Large Cash and Carry
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 6am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-2pm Saturday EASTER OPENING: Mon-Thur 6am-5pm. Closed Good Friday Saturday 6am-2pm. Closed Easter Sunday and Easter Monday
Make this Easter special with a Kings’ Sunday Roast. Choose from our succulent Topside of Beef, our boneless Pork Joint or our cooked to perfection Turkey Saddles.
SPECIAL OFFERS IN STORE Good Friday Fish Supper 4 Fish Fillets, Frozen Chips & Mushy Peas ALL FOR THE BARGAIN PRICE OF £2.79
SELECTION OF COOKED MEATS 6 Lamb Shanks £19.39 OR 4 Lamb Shanks £12.13 DON’T FORGET YOUR SUNDAY BREAKFAST Choose from our wide range of Sausages, Danish Bacon and Free Range locally farmed eggs
about Great Lengths and Our picture shows appointments, give the Jennifer before and salon a call on 01257 after she had her 424353. extensions.
Wishing you all a Happy Easter From all the staff at Kings Princess St, Wigan WN3 4HX. Telephone: 01942 322398 www.kingsqualityfoods.co.uk | FREE CAR PARKING
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Defibrillator for St Marie’s
BRIGHTER Borough side of St. Maries Church were funding brought another it will be safely floodlit when defibrillator to Standish needed. The defibrillator which came last month.
Our picture by Michelle Hafez taken at St. Maries Church, Standish shows (l-r) Jim Sumner (club member), Ken Derbyshire (club Chairman), Councillors from Brighter Borough Funding George Fairhurst, Gareth Fairhurst This time is was for the St. will be an asset to the community and Debbie Fairhurst with Dave Maries Bowling Club who and the Bowling Club would like to Woods (club Secretary) and Walter decided to have it placed at the thank him for his contribution. Melling (club Treasurer).
FIRST CLASS FREE Monday evening classes: Zumba Burst. 6 - 7pm STANDISH COMMUNITY CENTRE
Thursday evening classes; Aerobics: 6.15-7.15pm PiYo Live: 7.15-8.15pm ST MARIES PARISH HALL, STANDISH
Contact: 07762 300621
Lets get fit with 1U Fitness www.1ufitness.co.uk
ANNETTE would like to welcome you to 1U Fitness. 1U Fitness was established in December 2015 by Annette Brown after working in the fitness industry for over ten years. Annettes goal from day one has always been to bring professional, accessible and most of all an enjoyable variety of classes to people of all levels of fitness. The feedback Annette has received from members leads her to believe she is achieving those goals. Some of the benefits of joining the classes are increased energy levels, improved heart health, strengthening your immune system, improve flexibility, increase your mental alertness, improve skintone and reduce stress and tension. Coming soon Sunday mornings Interval Fitness and Pilates.
PRICES ARE Zumba, Aerobics, Fitness Pilates - all £4.00 per class Interval Training and PIYO Live - £4.50 per class You can have Unlimited Membership for £35.00 per month. This will give you unlimited access to all classes each week. It includes weigh and exercise, PIYO-Live, Kettle Bells, HIIT Training, Fitness Pilates, Aerobics and Zumba. Please note certain classes run intermitently. Come to as many classes as you want. Or you can have the Beat Membership for £28.00 per month. This gives you a smaller monthly saving, for those of you who do two Zumba or Aerobic classes per week. Membership is limited to two classes per week, so at the end of the month, you will save £4.00 Visit our website for more information.
New role for Rector
CANON ANDREW Holliday, Rector of Standish St Wilfrid, has been appointed as the new ‘Warden of Readers’ for The Church of England in Lancashire.
He will remain as Rector while carrying out his new duties. The Warden of Readers is an important Diocesan appointment and involves working with a team of volunteers to support Reader ministry. Readers are not ordained but exercise a vital ministry in the Church. They are licensed to preach, teach and lead worship and they also work in a huge variety of other roles, including pastoral work. For more information about Readers click here and here. Andrew will take on the Warden role in a voluntary capacity, at the same time as modelling greater use of local Readers to support his own parish while he fulfils his new responsibilities. The Bishop of Burnley, the Rt Rev. Philip North, welcomed the appointment and said: "Andrew has enormous gifts and enthusiasm to bring to this area of work, and will be able to work with some very enthusiastic Readers involved in various aspects, including in-service training for Readers. “Part of our new Diocesan Vision 2026: Healthy Churches Transforming Communities looks to develop lay ministry to be as effective as possible and Andrew and his team will play a vital role in making this happen.”
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THEY came from all over Wigan, groups of friends, workmates, volunteers and bighearted members of the public determined to make a difference.
More than 120 people hit the pavement as part of The Brick charity’s annual Street Sleep event and between them they raised many thousands of pounds to support people in need. Armed with sleeping bags and enough cardboard to make a temporary shelter, the volunteers converged on Market Place right in the heart of Wigan Town Centre. Spirits were high on an unseasonably warm and dry March night as droves of ‘rough-sleepers’ bedded down for the night. Their purpose was to support the great work of The Brick by helping to raise awareness about the issues facing homeless people and people in crisis. John Parker, who is Chair of the Board of Trustees for The Brick, picked a prime shop doorway spot for his night out on the streets. And he was overwhelmed by the response to the charity’s call for help. “It’s an absolutely amazing turnout,” said John. “The people of Wigan Borough have really done us proud tonight. They have given up their home comforts in a show of solidarity for homeless people. We think this is a really important event because it gives people an idea of exactly how difficult it can be to live on the streets.”
Donations
“Of course, we can all go home after the challenge but for those who are in a less fortunate position, often through no fault of their own, sleeping rough is a grim reality.” John added: “The Brick relies on fundraising and donations to continue its work, so events like this are a real lifeline for us. Judging by the amount of people here tonight it looks like we will have topped last year’s figure,
which is a fantastic result.” The Brick works with homeless people and people and families in crisis across Wigan Borough. Each week the charity sees nearly 200 people who need help with issues such as financial hardship, fuel poverty, and homelessness domestic violence. It speaks to more than twice this number over the phone. It delivers 150 food parcels, serves 50 hot lunches and provides training opportunities for more than 30 people. Organisations represented included Wigan Clinical Commissioning Group, The 5 Borough’s NHS Trust, Hitchens Foods, The Dicconson Group Practice and Costa Coffee from the Grand Arcade. For Kim Owen and Rebecca Crossley from Joy Global Mining, Street Sleep marked the climax of a busy week.
Support
“We are an international company and all our branches have been asked to pick a local charity to support this week,” said Benefit Employee Manager Kim Owen. “We are all aware of the great work that The Brick does in the community so it was
just the perfect choice for us. Earlier in the week we dropped a car full of tins of food for the food bank and now we are delighted to be here.” Fiona Tootill, from Wigan Age UK was there to show support for fellow charity workers. “We are involved in a lot of the same areas as The Brick and we work together,” said Fiona. “It’s a marvellous organisation and we’re all working for the same goal - to help improve the quality of people’s lives.” The biggest show of support for Street Sleep came from Wigan Council. The authority set up a Just Giving webpage before the event and teams from Public Health, Children’s Services, Libraries, the Youth Service and Adult Social Care came along on the night. Wigan Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Chris Ready, said: “We have supported The Brick since it first opened and we’re delighted to see that it has come so far and has done so well. We work well together and refer a lot of people who come to us for help to The Brick. I’m really proud that so many members of staff have given up their time to
support the charity. For us it’s a great example of The Deal in action.” The Brick’s Chief Executive Kathleen Pitt added: “Street Sleep has really captured the public’s imagination and each year it goes from strength-tostrength. “The number of people taking part has doubled compared to last year, which is great news and a real testament to the caring nature of our community in Wigan Borough. Homelessness, financial hardship and family crisis are things that could happen to anyone, so it’s really important that we continue to help as many people as we can. “Funds raised tonight will go directly to support the charity and help with things like keeping the shelves of the food bank stocked. We’d like to thank all the wonderful people who have made this year’s event such a success. We can honestly say that because you volunteered to sleep on the street, someone else won’t have to.” Our picture above shows Wigan Council’s Public Health Team: Emma Caruthers, Charlie Bracher, Jo Crooks, Becki Addey and Natalie King.
EASTER FUN at Bowland Wild Boar Park
• Lots of animals to see and feed • Childrens indoor straw barn area and outdoor play area, tractor and barrel rides • View Wild Boar, Longhorn Cows & Deer, Llamas, Meerkats, Wallabies & Eagle Owls in the scenic Ribble Valley. • Ideal for young families, grandparents and grandchildren. • Have a snack in our cafe and browse round our souvenir shop. • Wild Boar meat on sale.
Lamb Feeding 11.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m. & 4.30 p.m. Chick Stroking, Meerkat and Racoon feeding 4.00,p.m. Skunk Feeding 11.45 a.m.
Adults £7.50 Child £7.00 OAP’s & Under 2’s FREE
Chipping, Preston Tel: 01995 61554
Email: wildboar6@yahoo.co.uk Website: www.wildboarpark.co.uk
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Courier SPORT
Rugby’s Brother and Sister Act!
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A FORMER Standish High School student from Shevington has celebrated his third cap for the Rugby Union England Under 18 by playing a big part in a 39-15 thrashing of Scotland on Sunday March 6th.
Scrum Half Rory Brand was the first recipient of the Jimmy Higham Scholarship in 2014, which gave him a two year scholarship at the leading rugby school Wellington College in Berkshire. Former Aspull RFC player and coach and schoolteacher Jimmy passed away in 2011 at the Rory and Holly Brand pictured at the end of Roryʼs untimely age of 27 after a appearence for England against Scotland (below right) battle with cancer. Jimmy taught at Wellington College, and the bursary fund was set up in 2013 to pay for a student from the North West to attend Wellington College. Rory also plays scrum half for London Irish U18s, and they won the Premiership Rugby Academy title on 15/2/16. Wellington College are the news for the Brand family as sister Holly, who plays current holders of the Dail rugby league for Wigan St Judes Girls U16s and also for Mail Schools Rugby Trophy Eccles Rugby Union U18s Girls team, is set to follow as well as the 2015 Rosslyn her nrother after winning a scholarship at Wellington, Park National Schools 7s. where she starts in September this year. Holly wearing Rory has played a central role Holly, who attends Standish High School, has Lancashireʼs in all of these successes. represented Lancashire Rugby Union at Under 15 level. And there is more good colours
Paralympian drops in..
PARALYMPIC silver medallist cyclist Rik Waddon recently visited the staff and students at Abraham Guest Academy.
The visit was part of the Academy’s ‘Sky Sports Living for Sport Project’, an initiative delivered in partnership with the Youth Sport Anselmians 26 Wigan 15 South Lancs & Cheshire Div1 March 19th 2016 DESPITE putting in a gutsy, 80 minute performance Wigan were denied a deserved bonus point as Anselmians touched down late on. Under pressure from the start, and for much of the first half, Wigan defended resolutely and repeatedly held Anselmians close to the line. The latter were not to be denied and opened their account with two penalties from veteran ex-Ireland full back Simon Mason. Andy Whittle pulled back 3 for Wigan before Danny Mason gave them an unlikely lead as he showed great pace and power in running to the posts from deep inside his own half. Whittle added the conversion. Anselmians then edged in front with a converted try just before the break. Their lead extended to 19-10 with a penalty and a drop goal after the restart before Wigan opened up and took charge of the game. As the ball flashed across the pitch the Makinson twins were prominent and it was no surprise when Sammy gathered his own chip through to score. Wigan were now chasing the victory and were unlucky to be brought back twice for marginal forward passes. However, their adventure finally proved their undoing as Anselmians profited from a mistake and fashioned a second try which was converted.
Trust, which uses sports and sporting skills to boost confidence, change behaviours, increase attainment and improve life skills. Students shared their sporting ambitions and achievements with Rik, and in turn Rik shared his experiences with the group and used his story of triumph over adversity to motivate the students to be the best they can be!
Rugby Union Roundup
Orrell 38 Burnley 13 North Lancashire League March 19th 2016 ORRELL were on the attack from the start and quick hands by the backs, saw scrum half John Presho, race over the line to score. Burnley replied scored with a try from a scrum close to the line. to level at 5-5 Then Burnley took the lead on 20 mins when they converted a penalty. After a penalty kick took Orrell deep into the Burnley half, the visitors were awarded another penalty, which Scott Robinson kicked to level the score to 8 points each. Just before half time Burnley were awarded another penalty which the converted to make 8-11 at the break. Early in the second half Orrell levelled the score at 11 points each with a Scott Robinson penalty. Then good work by the Orrell forwards,and good movement in the backs saw winger Tom Halsal touch down in the corner, the try was converted by Scott to make it 18 – 11. Orrell extended their lead with another Scott penalty. With Burnley reduced to 14 player after a yellow card, Orrell took advantage and good running saw full
Sky Sports Living for Sport is designed to empower students and throughout the visit Rik used the British Athletes ‘Six Keys to Success’ to help students achieve their own life goals, covering; People Skills, Planning for Success, Mental Toughness, Breaking Barriers, Sports and Life Knowledge and Hunger to Achieve. Rik stated: “I’m honoured to be part of Sky Sports Living for Sport and to have the chance to get involved with the local community, and meeting pupils in schools such as Abraham Guest is truly inspiring. I hope that by sharing the positive experiences that sport has played in my life, I can motivate young people to improve their own lives too.” Jennifer Leitch, PE Teacher at Abraham Guest Academy, said: “Our students were excited about meeting Rik, his visit gave our young people a real life example of how commitment and dedication in sport can change someone’s life. We were proud to welcome such an inspiring sport star to our school.”
back Matt Stott, score Orrell's 3rd try, which Scott converted for 28-11. Orrell's bonus point try came from a ruck just inside the Burnley half, lock Josh Grant dryving forward several metres before slipping the ball to John Presho, who wrong footed the defence and ran 30 metres to touch down between the posts for his second try. Scott converted to extend Orrells lead to 35 – 11. Burnley scored a 2nd try which was converted, making it Orrell 35 Burnley 18. Scott Robinson kicked another penalty to extend Orrell's lead to 38 – 18. Next game is home on April 2 at St. John Rigby College, KO 2.30 against Bury. Orrells 2nds play Fleetwood 3rds on Easter Saturday KO 2.30. Aspull 19 Clitheroe 7 Raging Bull League 3North March 19th 2016 ASPULL climbed to the top of the table with a convincing win against fellow promotion challengers Clitheroe. Other Results Orrell St James lost 22-15 away to Preston Grasshoppers 6ths in Raging Bull Div 5North. Orrell 2nds won 21-12 away to Blackpool 1sts. Aspull 2nds went down 36-14 away at Fylde 5ths Wigan’s 2nds were thrashed 69-11 at home by Kirkby Lonsdale 2nds in Raging Bull div 2North, their 7th defeat on the bounce.
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WIGAN FANS are roughly divided into two camps at the moment.
Firstly, there are those calling for perspective after the recent home defeat to Widnes, arguing that it was the first league home loss for the Cherry and Whites since June 2014, which is surely no bad thing, and that to have won five out of the opening six when so far down in numbers is actually an exceptional achievement. Secondly, there are those who regard it as a disaster, pointing out that with Widnes running so hot (primarily due to a halfback partnership comprising two former Wigan players) it wasn’t just the first major test of the team in 2016, but also a perfect opportunity to claim a confidence-boosting victory (and thus the ideal springboard) from which the Warriors could launch into the themselves traditionally difficult Easter programme, and that due to these factors – or maybe because of them – Wigan flunked it, thereby proving that, despite flattering to deceive at the start of the year, they are still far from the finished article. My own viewpoint lies roughly equidistant between these polarised positions. I found it very frustrating to end our unbeaten run at home so cheaply – as Shaun Wane himself described it – but I’m not too despondent. First of all, unbeaten runs can become a monkey on your back. It’s only ever a matter of time before they end, and that soon becomes the whole of the
Fans divided after ‘cheap’ Widnes loss
story, which is a major distraction. Plus, we can’t pretend that the absence of the two Tomkins brothers, George Williams and Mike McIlorum – key players and a huge chunk of Wigan’s annual expenditure – was not going to have a detrimental effect at some point. To be sitting third in the table under these circumstances is a pretty remarkable thing. And I certainly don’t attach any blame to Wigan for the fact that Joe Mellor and Kevin Brown – two exCherry and Whites – did so much damage last weekend. Neither of those players looked like world-beaters when they left the club. Besides, they’ve been gone five years and ten years respectively. Bemoaning their absence is about as constructive as complaining that it gets cold in winter. All that said, I’m also disappointed – mainly because it appears to be a case of same old / same old.
Michael is British Champion
AN ABRAHAM Guest Academy student, Michael Ellison, has become the British weighlifting champion iin the 77kg category at the Cybex British Age Group Weightlifting Championships. Michael, a year 10 student at Abraham Guest, started training a year ago and after rapidly progressing he entered his first novice competition in September 2015, closely followed by the Northern Schools Championships in November where he qualified for the British School Age Championships. Michael’s dedication and determination earned him the title of champion after seeing off the other competitors with his impressive lifts, achieving a snatch of 62kg and an impressive clean and jerk of 85kg PE teacher and weightlifting coach Mr Halsall said: “To make this level of progress in a year, from beginner to British champion, is unheard of in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting. Not only is Michaelthe first schoolboy champion from Wigan, but he has the potential and ability to reach the highest level and maybe even the Olympic games in 2024 when he will be approaching his physical peak.” Michael said: “I was totally shocked and surprised when my last clean and jerk was the winning lift. I am so proud and happy and it still hasn’t sunk in yet that I am the British champion” The championships were held at the Phoenix Theatre in Castleford.
The evidence of 2016 so far is that Wigan have tightened their defence. Despite our forwards giving away excessive poundage to many of their opponents, they’ve been working clearly hellishly hard on the tackling bags to produce this degree of sturdiness. But the other problem, Wigan’s lacklustre attack, persists. Crushing your opponents defensively is one thing, but you then have to take advantage of this by scoring lots of tries of your own. Failure to do so, in effect leaving the opposition with a sniff of hope even late in the second half, is at some point going to prove fatal – as we saw against Widnes. A team like the Chemics, currently bubbling with enthusiasm, were never going to throw in the towel unless they were far, far behind, and for them only to be lagging behind by six points on 59 minutes was a disaster waiting to happen. As such, it was Wigan who slackened off late in the second half rather than the visitors – and the rest is history. But as I say, the real gist of my concern is that this is turning into an old story. Despite getting to last year’s Grand Final, increasingly towards the end of 2015 Wigan’s attack looked blunter and blunter. This season appears to be no different. Six games in, to only have 116 ‘points for’ on the register – compared to 201 for Warrington and 161 for St Helens, who sit either side of Wigan – is nowhere near good enough for a team with top-of-the-table ambitions. It will help of course when George Williams, the club’s most free-ranging halfback, returns to action. Williams will add the uncertainty factor
and maybe the cutting edge that Wigan seem to lack at present. But I still feel this is something the Cherry and White back division as a whole needs to work on hard. There is never any question about their effort, but on the offensive they occasionally demonstrate an alarming lack of vision. Where this leaves us as the Easter weekend approaches is anyone’s guess. St Helens have not exactly been setting the world on fire either. They currently sit fourth in the table, and on current form I think they look vulnerable. That said, in the frenetic derby atmosphere, all that can be dismissed. Wigan will have much to do, but they will be under big pressure in training this week to put right the errors that cost them against Widnes. They will also, with luck, be having their noses rubbed in the two away defeats to Saints in June and September last season, both games in which Wigan were partially the agents of their own downfall, but in the second one in particular, when the Warriors launched one inept attack after another late in the match, none of which bore fruit. Such is the furore that surrounds the Good Friday clash that thoughts are rarely spared for the Easter Monday square-up. Both teams are usually walking wounded on that day, for which reason it’s quite often a lottery. Having said that, Shaun Wane’s Easter record is better than most – he masterminded double-headed victories in 2012, 2013 and 2014. And this year Wigan play Hull KR, which should at least even things up, Rovers’ annual Good Friday battle with Hull FC being one of the few fixtures in the RL calendar, if not the only one, that compares in terms of intensity with Wigan v Saints. It is still a very demanding and exciting weekend of match action, though. The players will certainly be motivated, but the fans ought to be too. How long this nearanachronistic double-bill of games will continue for is a subject of constant discussion – for which reason, if none other, the Wigan fans need to turn up in droves (something they haven’t been doing thus far in 2016). You hear that, guys and girls? The team needs you. So get out there and shout.
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