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Courier The WIGAN

Investment team recognised for 1,000 new jobs success email: info@courier-online.net

t: 077252 55813

A TEAM dedicated to attracting new business to Wigan Borough has been recognised for their success in bringing 1,000 new jobs to the borough.

Wigan Council’s Business Investment Team was short-listed for Public Sector Team of the Year in the Insider North West Property Awards.

The team was short-listed for helping to bring two major new developments to Wigan Borough which will result in 1,000 new jobs over the coming years.

The team successfully worked with Poundland to bring its new logistics centre to the borough at South Lancs Industrial Estate which will result in 800 new jobs.

The centre will be Poundland’s central distribution hub for the North West and is due to be operational later this year. team also The worked in partnership wet-wipe with manufacturer NicePak International to develop their new factory at Westwood Park which is nearing completion and will be the biggest single building ever built in Wigan.

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This will secure 150 jobs and create at least 100 new jobs.

The Business Investment Team is dedicated solely to working with from businesses across the country and internationally to sell Wigan as a place to invest.

It handles thousands of enquiries a year and is committed to guiding new businesses of all sizes through the process of setting up in the borough.

This can include help with finding the right property and location, to assistance with funding and recruitment.

Councillor David Molyneux, Wigan Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by our Inward Investment Team to have been short-listed for these awards.

“By securing the Poundland deal and helping Nice-Pak expand in the borough the team have played a crucial role in boosting the local economy and delivering high value jobs for our residents.

“This is an excellent example of why Wigan Council is business-friendly and 100 per cent committed to working with businesses to help them succeed in the borough.”

As part of its Deal for the Future the

council aims to create 10,000 new jobs, 12,000 new apprentices and build 10,000 new homes in the next decade.

C o u n c i l l o r Molyneux said Wigan Borough was ideally placed to attract new businesses.

“I cannot think of a better location for business in the North West than Wigan Borough.

“We are ideally located between Liverpool and Manchester and have a huge range of motorway networks on our doorstep as well as the west coast mainline.

“We also offer a high value low cost alternative to the major cities of Liverpool and Manchester and we have land available for development.”

The awards, hosted

by Insider Media, took place at Manchester Central on Thursday (May 12th).

The overall winner of the award was Blackburn with Darwen Council.

For more information on doing business, including details of new development sites, in Wigan Borough visit: www.wiganwor ks.com Our picture shows Olivia Hilton, Steve Burns and Karen Guest from Wigan Councils Business Investment Team

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Issue no 272

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Cancer centre opens

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THE NEW Cancer Care Centre at the Wigan Infirmary site has been officially opened.

An award-winning endeavour by our Trust, the building has been operational for patients for just over a year and celebrated its first birthday in January. The building was made possible by a solid partnership between WWL, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust and MacMillan Cancer Support.

It opened to patients in January 2015.

The purpose of the centre was to provide the people of Wigan a place where they could undergo chemotherapy treatment closer to home, rather than having to travel to Manchester. It cost £5 million to build, and the groundbreaking development project was carried out by Barnes Construction.

A special opening event was held on April 22nd and was attended by Wigan Mayor Cllr Sue Loudon, former Mayor Cllr Phyllis Cullen, the Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP (Wigan) and the Rt Hon Yvonne Fovargue MP (Makerfield). Also invited were a number of staff, volunteers and donors who had helped to make the centre a possibility. The opening was performed by Dr Andrew Wardman MBE, who has worked at WWL since 1988.

The Trust also unveiled its brand new Sensory Garden, designed to give chemotherapy patients a place to relax whilst they undergo their treatment. Cllr Cullen was invited to open the garden, as her role as a donor to the centre has been crucially important in ensuring the ambitious project has been completed successfully. Another donor who was present at the event was the wonderful 8-year-old Macey Dandy, along with her mother, Julie. Macey had raised the incredible sum of £7,000, through a variety of fundraising activities.

Trust Chair Robert Armstrong welcomed everybody to the centre: “It is my privilege and honour to welcome each and every one of you to our Cancer Care Centre.” He also thanked the staff who work at the centre for their tireless work: “I have to thank the staff of this centre, who take people who are feeling at their worst in their lives and provide them with compassionate care.”

Dr Wardman said, “It is not very often that you get to open a building and this one is very dear to my heart.

Before this building opened, the great majority of chemotherapy patients in Wigan went to the Christie in Manchester, which is a 60 mile round trip.” He then described the physical and emotional effect chemotherapy can have on patients, which shows how important the work at the Centre is. After his speech, he unveiled a plaque to open the Centre, to rapturous applause.

Trust Deputy Chief Executive Mr Robert Forster announced that staff at the Centre had been awarded the Christie NHS Foundation Trust’s Environment Award.

Jackie Bird, Chief Nurse at the Christie, presented Leonora Anson, WWL Lead Chemotherapy Nurse, with the award, stating, “Our hope with this centre was that wherever patients had their chemotherapy, they would have the same standard of care… We hope that you wear the Christie Quality Mark with pride, like they do

at the Christie.”

A number of other presentations were made, such as the opening of the Complimentary Therapy Room by CANtreat Trustee, Chris Eyres. CANtreat was formed in 2005 by a cancer survivor who wished to fund projects that improve the environment in cancer treatment clinics across the North West of England. Mr Eyres described it as a, “No brainer,” to fund the Complimentary Therapy Room as it was a perfect example of a positive environment in an NHS hospital.

A presentation was also made by Macmillan to showcase the outstanding work they do at the Centre, Anne Marie Kelly, Macmillan Information Manager, giving a speech.

WWL Fundraising Officer, Elizabeth Titley, also spoke to demonstrate the outstanding charitable efforts that have gone into the Centre.

Finally, Cllr Cullen was invited to open the Sensory garden, something she was thrilled to do. She said, ““This garden is absolutely beautiful. It is a place where you can gather your thoughts, not just for the patients, but also for their families.

Whoever thought of this garden, it is a wonderful idea.”

Our picture shows Staff, volunteers, fundraisers and special guests gather for a photo in front of the Centre.

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La Mama

Grow Your Own this summer in Wigan

www.standishmedia.co.uk 077252 55813

WIGANERS of all ages will be growing their own fruit and vegetables throughout Wigan Borough this spring and summer.

Wigan and Leigh Homes (WALH) is hosting the Grow Your Own project in schools and communities throughout May. Staff will be out and about in communities and primary schools showing people how to create their own fruit and vegetable patch.

The annual ‘Grow Your Own’project aims to get more than 30 schools and 1,000 people taking part in the free sessions and distributing over 2,500 plants.

This year the WALH team has also joined up with the Royal Horticultural Society to host a 10 week training project for people who are new to running allotments.

Fifteen people who have taken over new allotments at Mesnes Park and the Garden Warriors group at Central Park are learning new skills to help make their allotments a success.

Janice Barton, chief executive of Wigan and Leigh Homes, said: “Growing your own fruit and vegetables is really easy and very satisfying. It can help bring the food bill down and provides important skills.”

Volunteers who want to get involved in the project are being encouraged to get in touch. Tenants who are interested in volunteering or booking a visit to their community can contact Wigan and Leigh Homes on 01942 486557, freephone 0800 389 7652 or email enquiries@walh.co.uk All attendees will be given a selection of potatoes seeds, onion sets, vegetable plug plants as well as a variety of seeds to get them started.

Our picture shows allotment holders from Mesnes Park and Central Park learning new skills from the RHS and allotment experts. For further information contact Simon Haworth on 01942 828052.

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Standish projects are awarded Deal funding www.standishmedia.co.uk 077252 55813

SEVEN Standish projects have been awarded Wigan Council funding to make them an even greater success.

The Standish Community Fund was set up at the request of local people after £4,000 Brighter Borough money was previously frozen. The £4,000 is just a portion of the total Brighter Borough funding for the ward of £16,413.

Each councillor on Wigan Council receives the same allocation of £5471 each to spend on community projects in their wards.

Seven local projects, including a scheme to improve computer literacy and commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, successfully bid for the funding.

Friends of Standish Library will receive £550 to fund computer literacy sessions for people of all ages, and a further £755 for Christmas celebrations.

Christine Crossan, Chair of the group, said: "We are delighted that our bid for funds was successful.

The money will enable us to provide a useful service to the people of Standish.”

Donna Hall, Chief Executive of Wigan Council, said: “It was great to meet these brilliant community groups working so hard with volunteers in Standish! We wanted to make sure that this funding, which was earmarked for Standish, was put into projects that would benefit the people it was originally intended for.

“There is some fantastic work

going on in the area and I’d like to thank all those groups who bid for the funding, which will support a number of groups and volunteers in making a real difference in the community.”

The council worked with an independent panel of people from the community to choose which bids would receive money from the Standish Community Fund, which was launched at the recent Deal in Action ‘have your say’ event earlier in the year.

Here is a full list of the projects that will benefit: Langtree Friendship Group £617.13 to support the group’s activities. The group which provides a friendly place to be for widows, divorcees and people living alone over the age of 55, helping to stimulate friendships and prevent isolation.

St Wilfrid’s Pleasant Hour £500 to fund a Christmas function for people in their 80s and 90s.

Standish in Bloom £976.50 for an Incredible Edible food trail, bringing the community together to grow its own food in public spaces. The group will install planters for herbs and vegetables throughout Standish.

Friends of Standish Library £550 to fund computer literacy sessions for people of all ages. £755 for Christmas celebrations at the library.

Standish Voice £150 to install a variety of bird, bat and bee nest boxes around Standish for the benefit of wildlife and the wider community.

Standish Royal British Legion £450 for an event to mark the 100 year anniversary of The Battle of the Somme.

Our picture shows members of various groups with Council Chief Executive Donna Hall.

North West Community Services Rated ‘GOOD’ by the Care Quality Commission

NORTH WEST Community Services (NWCS) is celebrating after it received a rating of ‘good’ following an inspection by the health and social care regulator.

The Wigan service provides care and support to 92 people living in their own homes and was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in February 2016.

The inspection focused on whether the care and support services provided were safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led.

The inspectors from the CQC published their report in April awarding a rating of ‘good’ across all five categories.

The inspection team spoke to both people who receive support from NWCS and staff, including managers and support workers. With comments back from people receiving support such as “I feel safe here”, “The staff support me with everything” and “The staff are friendly and caring”.

One of the staff members told the inspector “I feel really well supported. I think the training is very effective and is related to the job role. As a support worker, I was supported to undertake training to support career progression to prepare me to become a team leader”.

Beverley Parkin, Director of Services said “We are delighted with the result of the inspection which is great news for our customers, their families and our partners.

NWCS is an organisation that prides itself

on being a quality provider and is committed to staff training and development. Our aim is to continue providing the very best quality services to the people we support and to work towards an ‘outstanding’ rating. I would like to thank all our staff as we could not have achieved this result without their hard work and dedication”.

NWCS has been developing local services across Wigan and Lancashire for over 10 years and continues to work in partnership with both Wigan Council and Lancashire County Council.

This is a special year for us as we are celebrating our 30th Anniversary and are marking the occasion by holding an Open Day for anyone who wants to see our facilities, meet our staff team, find out more about our services, working for us and our current vacancies. Everyone is

welcome to come along to our Open Day on the 1st June at our Standish Office between 10:30am and 3:30pm.

We are also recruiting support workers across Wigan and Lancashire to join our staff team to meet the increasing demand for our services. If you are considering a career change or want real job satisfaction and would like to make a real difference to someone life this could be the career for you. We recruit people from a verity of backgrounds, with different skills and interests and match them to the people they will be supporting. Would you like to find out more? Then book a place on one of our recruitment workshops being held on our Open Day or call in on the day.

For further information on our current vacancies visit our website www.northwestcommunityservices.co.uk or Tel 01257 448618

Standish Starlight onesie walk success!

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THE Standish Starlight Stroll has added another event the GCME to portfolio for 2016.

This event hit a huge success from the word GO, when Darren Carr, committee member for GCME came up with the idea, and 10 days later it was a reality.

The evening started as planned at the Charnley Arms, with some 45 adults walking and 12 children (accompanied by adults). It was an extremely colourful evening as everyone turned out in their “onesie’s” decorated with colourful fairly lights, onesies took on a range of themes but prints or animal dinosaurs seemed to be the main look on the “catwalk” for 2016.

The set –off from the Charnley was a hugely emotional but special occasion It saw friends, family and former

Courier

colleagues of Vicky Foster stood beside daughter Hayley Croft, who was walking in memory of her mum (Vicky) having lost her personal fight with cancer earlier this year.

The stroll itself had been dedicated to Vicky by the GCME Committee. The mood lightened as the support vehicles, driven by Elliot Chadwick, Phil Marrow, and Darren Carr set off to support the children who set off first.

Running alongside the event was GCME Standish Panthers which fundraiser, allowed the entrants to submit their entry fee to GCME, but raise money for their own charitable cause.

This proved a huge success for the local Standish team, raising money for their new kits.

Christopher Clarke and brother Thomas Clarke both Standish Panthers came up with the idea from their involvement in the stroll, and subsequently led the

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way, raising a total in excess of £300 for their cause.

The main stroll hit full fundraising potential as the LADIES only event, used their powers of in the persuasion Standish hostelries to get further donations while on route, all monies going to the two charities we are supporting this year; these being Three Wishes Cancer care and Derian House Childrens hospice.

As the stroll made its way to the Standish border (The Boarshead) many of the passing motorists showed their support, even pulling over to donate money there and then. As you can imagine the sight of two zebras, a giraffe, a caterpillar, and a cow; to name but a few, isn’t something you see in the village every Friday night.

On return to the Charnley Arms the walkers were treated to a hotpot supper and an 80’s themed disco. the night During

Students’ Liverpool photgraphic Exhibition

PHOTOGRAPHY students from St John Rigby College have had their work selected to be displayed in the L i v e r p o o l Metropolitan Cathedral, along side other talented young photographers from schools and colleges within the Archdiocese of Liverpool.

Six students entered the ‘Spirituality in our Schools’ themed photography competition.

The brief for entrants was to produce photographs which portrayed spirituality in relation to the environment at St John Rigby College.

To accompany the images, the students provided an explanation of their work.

Year 13 student Sophie Kenyon describes the inspiration behind her image, “St John Rigby College is a united community, in which spirituality is central. In this image each hand represents one feature of the Holy Trinity, watching over every individual within our College community. The relationships here combine to create a deeply divine environment that enables all students to become mature, wholesome, independent and successful individuals.”

Samantha Roberts, Year 12 Photography student, says “This image symbolizes how I imagine myself without the spiritual experiences and support I receive at College. There would be a hole; a space in my

consciousness that would leave me incomplete.”

All staff are extremely impressed with the unique, creative pieces of art work that our students have produced and would like to congratulate all who entered on their efforts.

Our pictures show the work from Sophie Kenyon and Samantha Roberts.

volunteers from Wigan Hospital ran a raffle and tombola contributing to the £4,000 raised from the nights activities.

The whole event was captured perfectly by Fearn “Kim Photography” who donated her time on the evening.

After the success of the evening and how much people enjoyed the another atmosphere, stroll is planned for later this year on the first Friday in November.

GCME are now planning the next round of events during June and August, with additional events now in November and December, If you would like to get involved please call Alison on 07979737778 or alternatively visit

www.standishmedia.co.uk 077252 55813

Our pictures courtesy of “Kim Fearn Photography” show Hayley (centre, purple onesie) in the group picture with the ladies ready to walk.

Below left more of the ladies on the night and bottom right one of the children who walked, Bethany Carr.

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The courses are tailored for adults and are suitable for all abilities, and include Learn to Ride and Road Rider Ready group sessions for those new or returning to cycling as well as 1-to-1 training with an expert instructor for more experienced cyclists keen to build their road cycling skills.

Fashion, Shoes & Bags

68 High Street Standish WN6 0HF 5 mins from J27 of M6

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WIGANERS are being encouraged to take up free cycling training by Transport for Greater Manchester and Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, which carries out leisure services for Wigan Council.

SUMMER STOCK NOW IN

Telephone 01257 425480

Wiganers urged to take to two wheels

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www.barbarasofstandish.co.uk

Fashion Show Success WHAT a fantastic evening once more at the local Church Hall on Tuesday 3 May. Around 90 ladies enjoyed two fabulous fashion shows revealing all the gorgeous Summer fashions on sale at Barbaras.

The evening was very colourful showcasing from smart casual clothes to unusual occasion wear outfits.

There was also a display of many of the Summer Sandals and Handbags now available in store.

As usual the Ladies Committee and Rector at St Wilfred's worked extremely hard to provide a fabulous interval buffet with the most mouthwatering cakes ever!!!

A fabulous evening for everyone involved and to top it all raised over £550 towards the Church funds.

We are all looking forward to the next one. Well done the ladies of St Wilfred's and the Barbara's team.

Southport Country Fair The Leisure Lakes, Mere Brow, Southport Friday/Saturday/Sunday Half term

3rd to 5th June 2016

Main Arena Attractions on all 3 Days On The Edge Stunt Motorcycle Display Team (Sat/Sun)

The Fantastic H & M Dog Display Team (Sun) Gun Dogs, Ferret Racing, Falconry, Creature House

FABULOUS SPECIAL OFFER Friday - All adults only £3.00 and KIDS GO FREE! ALSO Keep Friday’s Ticket and you can revisit Saturday or Sunday for only £3.00 per adult and £1.00 per child (Normally £6.00 per adult and £2.00 per child)

Tel: 01704 212734 or visit website for full details

www.garden-festivals.com

Many of the sessions are held in small groups at convenient locations in Wigan at flexible times.

Maintenance sessions are also available for people who want to keep their bikes in tip-top condition or dust down and brush up their old cycles.

More than 9,000 training sessions have been held so far across Greater Manchester, helping to encourage more people to jump on their bikes more of the time.

Aileen McLoughlin, (pictured) a university lecturer, was inspired by TfGM cycling instructors when she rode a bike for the first time in 40 years for charity to help disabled and disadvantaged children.

Aileen, who teaches midwifery at the University of Manchester, signed up to the 60-mile Manchester to Blackpool

charity bike ride and then realised she had neither a bicycle nor the skills to complete the journey.

Her first mission was to buy her new blue Marin hybrid bike and she then found out about TfGM’s cycling skills sessions through the university.

Aileen said she was nervous before attending the first lesson: “I had to concentrate very hard to stay in control on the bike. The instructors were very helpful.”

She started with TfGM’s Learn to Ride sessions and then progressed through to Road Rider Ready and individual lessons, before venturing out on her own to Haigh Woodland Park, in Wigan.

She said: “The instructors give a lot of help and support. They’re so patient.

I haven’t met one who doesn’t appear to love what they do.”

Pete Burt, Managing Director at Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles, said: “We want to encourage people to be active and healthy, which is a key part of Wigan Council’s Deal for its residents, and cycling is a great way to improve your fitness and general wellbeing.

“We’re delighted to have teamed up with TfGM to offer these sessions and I’d encourage people to get involved.”

Training is just part of TfGM’s wider Cycle City programme which includes new and improved cycleways, cycle hubs and parking, an educational programme with schools, and working with local businesses.

Royal Regiment Fusiliers Band concert

THE Royal Regiment Fusiliers (Lancashire) Band will be in concert to commemorate the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme at St. Wilfrids Church on Saturday July 3rd 2016 at 7.30 p.m.

Tickets are £2.00 and can be purchased at the Parish Hall

between 10.00 am and 12 Noon or you can call David Williams on 01257 401274 or contact Edith Wilde, Doris Walker or Beryl Pennington, Methodist Chapel.

The concert will be a wonderful show and worth every penny.

Many local people will have relatives who were involved so come along and support them.

Fun at the Southport Fair!

ON The Edge of your seat thrills at the Southport Country Fair !

The jaw-dropping On The Edge Motorcycle Stunt Show will have the crowds . . . well . . . on the edge of their seats at this year’s Southport Country Fair at the Leisure Lakes, The Gravel, Mere Brow, Friday - Sunday, June 3 5.

Topping-the-bill and giving four performances on both the Saturday and Sunday, On The Edge are the only stunt team in the country to perform an amazing 360o back-flip that really does have to be seen to be believed.

Jack Challoner from Halifax leads the team. A two-times World Champion, three-times European Champion and four-times British Champion, Jack has been competing on motorbikes since he was just six years old. And having won just about everything there is to win, has discovered a new-found talent for entertaining.

Jack is more than ably assisted by second rider Martin Crosswaite from Keighley: World Des Nations Chapion, European Champion and five-times British Champion. The team also bring their own commentator / MC who regularly finds himself getting caught up in the action, much too close for comfort.

“We’ve not performed at Southport before,” said Jack, “But it’s always nice to be able to put on a show for ‘northern’ fans and I’m sure we’ll get a real rousing Lancashire welcome.”

The packed programme includes hawks, owls and other raptors from S &

R Birds of Prey, ferret-racing, air-rifle shooting and donkey rides on all three days. While on featured on Sunday only will be the Yorkshire Alpacas will be appearing on Sunday only and the canine-capers of the H&M Dog Display Team, plus there will also be a Donkey Show – and members of the public are invited to bring and enter their own donkeys.

Other entertainment includes a ‘Creature House’ filled with ferrets, packed with pigeons, rammed with reptiles and all sorts of ‘insane’ insects.

The show is extremely dog-friendly so feel free to bring along the family’s best friend. There are Open Fun Dog Shows on Friday and Sunday featuring a total of nine different classes. The Mere Brow Gun Dogs will running Gun Dog demonstrations and Scurries on all three days; and the Siberian Huskies of the Saints Sled Dog Rescue Team from the Wirral will be on show on Saturday and Sunday.

10th Southport Country Fair - 10.00 17.30, Saturday and Sunday, June 4 - 5, The Leisure Lakes, the Gravel, Mere Brow, PR4 6JX. Friday tickets just £3.00 for adults; Saturday and Sunday tickets: £6.00 for adults - or just £5.00 if booked in advance via the Ticket Hotline on 01704 212734 – OAPs £5.00. Children (over three years) are FREE all day Friday and up to 12 noon on Saturday and £2.00 thereafter.

The Buzz Pod visits SJR

FORMER St John Rigby College student Ryan Williams paid us a visit to showcase his exciting new project, The Buzz Pod; a pop-up, portable recording studio which gives people with support needs the chance to host their own professional radio podcasts.

Ryan and his team were working with students from Hawkley Brook College, part of the Hope School, who spend every Wednesday at St John Rigby College and who thoroughly enjoyed their day as radio DJs! Ryan said, “I was very proud to be back at St John Rigby College to share the project I have created with the next generation of SJR Music students. After a fantastic session with the Hope School group, I delivered a talk to the Music department, explaining how the project enables people with support needs to experience the latest audio technology in an accessible setting.”

Ryan works with SK Independent Living Services and founded the lottery funded project, which has proved to be a great success. He added, “It was inspiring to see such interest from young people, who even offered to volunteer their time to help us at future events.”

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New Bus Station set to open in 2018

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WIGAN is all set to get a state-of-theart new bus station by the end of 2018.

Plans submitted by Transport for Greater Manchester for the project have been approved by Wigan Council.

The new station will include a single, covered concourse building, modern waiting areas, cycle parking and improved access to and from the town centre.

The planning application followed a public consultation exercise held from November to December last year, during which time almost 200 people gave their views on TfGM’s proposals.

The new facility will be built on the same site as the existing bus station, and will provide an attractive and welcoming gateway to the town.

TfGM will now continue to work with appointed consultants Mott MacDonald, Austin-Smith:Lord and IBI Group to develop the design, before appointing a contractor to undertake construction of the station.

Construction is planned to start in 2017 with an anticipated 18 month construction period.

Peter Boulton, Head of Programme Management Services at TfGM, said: “We’re delighted that the planning application has been approved for such an important facility.

“The new bus station will provide a much better waiting environment, improved facilities for passengers and a much more modern gateway to the town for both residents and visitors.”

Karl Battersby, Wigan Council’s Director for Economy, said: “A new bus station in Wigan is a key part in delivering an improved transport system for the borough that is fit for the decades ahead.

“It will support the economic growth of the

town and enable people to get to and from their places of work as well as Wigan’s great shops, markets, restaurants and bars in a modern, safe and welcoming environment.

“We are pleased we have been able to play our part by approving planning permission quickly so this important project is delivered as soon as possible for the people of the borough.”

Delivered by TfGM, funding for the Wigan

Bus Station development is being supported by central government through the Greater Manchester Local Growth Deal Programme.

For more information on the proposed new bus station for Wigan, visit the dedicated webpage on the TfGM website: .

Alternatively, email any queries to .

Our pictures show an interior and exterior 3D impression on how the new bus station should look.

9

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Students scoop silver award 10

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Mayor sponsors future guide dog

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The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Floristry students beat seven other colleges from across the country to second place with their carnival themed display.

GREEN-fingered students from Wigan & Leigh College triumphed at the annual Harrogate Flower Show.

The colourful Rio de Janerio inspired competition entry was made up from an arrangement of Strelitzia, Orchids and Mango Calla Lilies which were then carefully arranged by over 20 talented students.

Vicky Madden, Head of Floristry and Horticulture at Wigan & Leigh College said, “The College is once again delighted to have taken part in the annual flower show and overwhelmed in scooping silver. We have participated in the event for the past six years with students year on year enjoying the show and competition. The competition provided our students with an insight into the calibre and standard of industry professionals.”

Anna Dawe, Principal of Wigan & Leigh College added, “It’s wonderful to see our students performing so well when pitching their skills against the industry standard. Once again they have shown just how strong their skills are and this will equip them well for a successful future in their chosen career. We are very proud of their success.”

The event which is organised by the North of England Horticulture Society attracts over 50,000 visitors each year and 1,000 exhibitors each year.

To find out more information on Floristry courses at Wigan & Leigh College visit www.wigan-leigh.ac.uk Our picture shows The creative Rio de Janerio inspired floristry display and the students carnival inspired display.

COOK REQUIRED For Childrens Day Nursery Standish Lower Ground Mon - Friday 8am - 4pm Food Hygiene qualification and experience essential

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IN ONE of her final acts as Mayor of Wigan Borough, Councillor Susan Loudon has named another puppy, Milo, who is currently being trained, also known by Guide Dogs charity as ‘puppy walked’.

Milo, a cross between Labrador and Golden Retriever, was born on 28th February 2016 and will now take the first step to becoming a guide dog.

which is how the name Milo was decided on for the pup.

Engagement Officer, Emma Allen-Taylor of Guide Dogs, said: “We are delighted that the Mayor has supported our charity so well during her term of office. It is through her relationship with the local community that has led to us receiving generous donations, which have and will continue to help so many people living with sight loss.

“I would like to personally thank the Mayor for her energy and unrelenting support, which has already funded four named puppies. We extend our best wishes to her for the future.”

Throughout Cllr Loudon’s time in office since May 2015, over £30,000 has been raised for the charity.

Our pictures show top Milo and bottom Milos birth certificate.

Earlier this year, Wigan Council conducted an internal staff survey and for every survey that was completed, the organisation donated £1 to the charity.

As a result, £3,124 was raised by the council and Agilisys, the council’s partner in digital strategy, topped up this amount by £1,876, meaning that overall; £5,000 was donated to Guide Dogs – the Mayors chosen charity.

Outgoing Mayor of Wigan Borough, Susan Loudon said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Mayor and supporting Guide Dogs, a charity extremely close to my heart. It’s great to know that council employees feel strongly enough to donate this money to the charity because it means more dogs can be sponsored and trained.”

A group of council staff were invited to present the Mayor with the staff survey cheque when it was decided that the money would be used to sponsor another puppy.

The same group of employees also voted on their preferred name from a small selection,

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Telephone: 01257 401030

Open Day Friday 20th May 2016 Play Along pre-school is registered to take 24 children per session, age 3/4yrs old.

Parents can access 15 free hours of government funding starting the term after the child’s third birthday, (additional sessions can be bought) We offer both full and part time places during term-time.

Morning sessions: 9.00am – 12.00pm, afternoon sessions: 12.00 – 3.00pm, or full days: 9.00am – 3.00pm.

We are an inclusive setting based in the heart of Millbrook Primary School where we offer quality childcare and education delivered by experienced and fully qualified staff.

Children also have access to a large secure outdoor learning area providing a safe environment where we support children to learn through both physical and exploratory play.

Come and see our’ Outstanding Setting’ and meet our dedicated staff at our Open Day Friday 20th May 2016, 9.00am – 3.00pm, we look forward to meeting you and your child/children.

We have full and part time places available for September 2016, for any further information please contact us on 01257 401030.

11

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Farmers Market and jumble success for Hospice

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HUNDREDS of people gathered to enjoy the hot spring sunshine at Wigan and Leigh Hospice on Sunday (8 May) for its first ever Farmers Market and Summer Jumble Sale, raising almost £3,500 for the charity.

Over 40 local producers selling meat, veg, sweets, honey, plants, flowers, cakes, gifts, jams and preserves went along to sell their produce and support the Hospice.

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The Hospice’s retail team also held a Summer Jumble Sale, with summer clothes and shoes as well as bags, toys, jewellery and bric-a-brac on sale.

Stone baked pizzas, ice creams, cakes, hot dogs, pancakes and waffles ensured the crowds were well fed and Wigan Ukulele Club provided the entertainment.

Christine Edwardson, Community Fundraiser for Wigan and Leigh Hospice, said: “Our Farmers Market and Summer Jumble Sale were a huge success and we were delighted with the turnout on the day, which was no doubt helped along by the wonderful weather last weekend.

“We would really like to thank all the local producers and stall holders who came for supporting the event and our wonderful team of volunteers for giving up their day to help.

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The feedback has been really positive so we will certainly look to organise another Farmers Market in the future.

Several of the stalls have already signed up for our annual Garden Party on 6th August too.”

Kate Gaynor, Retail Manager, said: “The Jumble Sale was fantastic and we had a really great turnout for some fabulous summer bargains. As always, our volunteers were wonderful, selling clothes and serving refreshments. Keep an eye out on our website for future Jumble Sales dates.”

Our pictures show volunteers and children enjoying the event in the sun.

13

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Private car sales take a step back

TEL: 077252 55813 to advertise in the motors section

A grow-your-own food trail around Standish will be the first in a series of initiatives to promote the cultivation of food-producing plants in communal areas around the village that local residents can pick and eat.Incredible Edible Standish will be the latest branch of more than 100 similar groups across the UK that have sprung up after Leigh-born campaigner Pam Warhurst led the creation of the movement - which has been adopted around the world - in Todmorden, West Yorkshire, in 2008.

Thistle Society Ceilidh event

THE Thistle Society, Wigan (the Local Scottish Country Dance Group) is holding its annual Ceilidh on Monday June 27th at 7.30pm at St. Teresa’s Church Hall, College Road, Upholland, Wigan WN8 OBY.

There will be a Scottish Country Display, dancing for everyone, (no need for a partner), singing, instrument playing, reciting, bar facilities, and enjoy chatter.

Everyone is welcome – just come along and bring along lots of friends with you, and have a really good time. Admission is £2 for adults and £1 for children. It’s a “Jacob’s Join” which means you just bring some refreshments for the table. For more information just ring 01942 861539, or 01942 247403 or just come along on the night.

Latest figures show 189,505 were registered in the month - the most in April since 2003. Year to date figures show 2016 is on course to beat 2015's record year, too.

And despite the problems VW faces with its diesel emission scandal, the Volkswagen Golf was the second best seller in April with the Ford Fiesta some way out in front. However, Volkswagen did experience a 9.7 per cent drop across its range.

The rest of the top 10 was made up by familiar models like the Ford Focus in third and the British-built Nissan Qashqai in fourth.

Vauxhall was represented with its Astra and Corsa in fifth and seventh respectively.

One surprise entry in ninth spot was the Kia Sportage helping Kia's sales rise by 11.7 per cent in April.

Premium carmakers yet again recorded a superb month, with German brands like Mercedes and BMW seeing growth for April.

Equally impressive was Jaguar Land Rover, which saw year-to-date registrations go up by over 80 per cent for Jaguar, and 17 per cent for Land Rover.

Elsewhere, Honda, Renault, Ssangyong, Subaru and Suzuki performed admirably.

With further concerns over emissions across the industry, it's perhaps little surprise to see petrol sales rising by 3.4 per cent compared to a 0.6 per cent fall for diesels.

Alternatively fuelled vehicles which include hydrogen and EVs

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Standish In Bloom chair Tony Jones is leading Incredible Edible Standish and was recently successful in securing a grant of £1,000 from Wigan Council’s Standish Community Fund.

Tony said: “Incredible Edible Standish aims to bring together the community, young people and businesses to create cohesion in Standish through growing our own food in public spaces.

“We aim to install planters throughout Standish within which we will plant a variety of herbs and vegetables.

“Each planter will have information on the side that explains what vegetable or herb has been planted, how to maintain it, and when the food is ready to eat.

“It is very much a grassroots scheme that aims not only to provide free, fresh food to local people, but also to educate people about the benefits of that fresh food.

“We have carried out an audit of Standish and have identified sites for new, wooden raised beds, approximately 6ft by 2ft which we will also plant up in due course.

“We will work with key local partners, such as Standish Voice and the My Life CIC, based at Thompson House Equestrian Centre, off Pepper Lane, which supports people of all ages with and without disabilities to potentially

sell some of the produce grown or use some of the space available in their polytunnels. We also hope to work with Kiwi Nurseries, schools and local businesses in terms of potential sponsorship into the future.”

Standish Voice vice chair Paul Ogden said: “It is great that Tony is spearheading this wonderful initiative, which we believe will bring the people of Standish together behind a growing movement to promote sustainable communities.

“Standish Voice hopes to include some of the ideas surrounding Incredible Edible into the Neighbourhood Plan we are producing.

“Incredible Edible can be a focus for volunteering, provide the community with free, fresh food and helping to educate children in food production, green issues and being part of a cohesive community.”

The Standish Community Centre is the first to receive one of the edible planters and it is displayed at the front of the Centre along with two floral planters which were donated by the Standish in Bloom team.

Community Centre Chairman said: "As Chairman of Standish Community Centre we are all very appreciative of our new planters and proud to be the first of Tony’s sites in Standish. We have a number of green fingered committee members who I am sure will take good care of them.

I believe That Tony’s initiative is going to enhance the look of the village and be also of practical benefit.

With all of Standish volunteer groups working together as they are it can only be onward and upward for Standish.

From all users and committee members at the community centre a very heartfelt WELL DONE Tony."

Our picture shows Tony Jones, 'Shelby' the dog, Lehla Wood, Margaret Foster and Kath Jones If you want to volunteer to help coordinate or work on Incredible Edible Standish, email Tony Jones at anthonyjones52@sky.com or phone him on 07941371906.

jumped by a quarter and now occupy a 3.4 per cent market share.

Fleet and business registrations enjoyed a second consecutive strong and helped the April figures show an increase - up 6.1 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “After such a strong March, April’s steadier performance was to be anticipated, and is in line with our expectations for the year. Consumer confidence remains high as buyers continue to capitalise on attractive finance deals, although this could be affected by political and economic uncertainty in the coming months.”

AR AG

E

STANDISH will be a growing village in more ways than one after the launch of the first Incredible Edible community in the borough.

PRIVATE CAR sales fell by 2.5 per cent in April, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), but a bouyant fleet market helped the new car total registrations rise by two per cent.

PR

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Another great treat from Poundbakery

POUNDBAKERY in Wigan has unveiled a brand new Balanced Choice Range, with 10 sandwiches, pittas & thins under 299 calories all for just £1 each…and just in time to get that beach body for the summer - who said healthy can’t be tasty and great value?

Once again the Wigan Courier office was treated to another tasty lunch. We were brought a selection of

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the new range to try and they were all delicious and filling.

We would recommend you try one of the new range.

However, the new range encompasses just that and what’s more, it’s all just £1.

There are now wraps, pitta pockets and sandwich thins all included in the range.

Not to mention a new and improved salad bowl for those participating in the “no carbs before marbs” challenge. So you can lose pounds and save money at Poundbakery.

A selection of products from the new balanced choice range include: Chicken Tikka Pitta Pocket, Tandoori Chicken Pitta Pocket, Peri Peri Pitta Pocket, Philadelphia Thin, Ham Salad Thin, Chicken Salad Thin, New and Improved Salad Bowl, Tuna Mayo Wrap, Houmous & Peppers Wrap and Tuna Mayo Sandwich.

As well as the balanced choice range, Poundbakery have also introduced a range of Multigrain Meaty Subs, which will certainly fill you up at lunch and still only £1 each. To view the full range of lunchtime treats, visit Our pictures show the tasty Tandoori Chicken Pitta and the Ham Salad Thin.

www.standishmedia.co.uk 077252 55813

Students present play at festival WINSTANLEY College students recently performed Bryony Lavery’s play ‘It Snows’ as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.

National Theatre Connections is a nationwide celebration of new plays for young people.

Connections is produced by the National Theatre and supported by a number of individuals, trusts and foundations.

Connections plays are commissioned for and about young people from some of the best contemporary playwrights, for performance by schools and youth theatres all over the UK and Ireland, making Connections one of the world’s largest celebrations of youth theatre.

For their 21st Anniversary, Connections is working with 500 youth theatres and schools to stage 12 fantastic plays.

Having performed back in March at the College to great reviews and a fabulous report from the festival director, the cast travelled to The Brewery Arts Centre Kendal to perform in the regional festival.

Whilst in Kendal, the production was shared with other Youth Companies from across the North West and the cast enjoyed the experience of working in a professional venue both on stage and as theatre technicians.

Our pictures show Winstanley College students performing It Snows as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.

Oxygen Freejumping launches feet first into Wigan

WIGAN is leaping into action as Oxygen Freejumping, the UK’s leading chain of trampoline parks, opens the doors to its brand new Wigan site this Friday, 20th May. Oxygen, which is supported by the founder

of freerunning and James Bond star, Sebastien Foucan, provides 33,000 sq ft of trampolines and freerunning heaven at its latest site, located at Soccerdome, Stadium Way.

To help celebrate the launch of the town’s first trampoline park, Oxygen held a demo event to showcase what it’s all about on Saturday 14th May at Wigan Market Place. Sebastien, along with the fleet footed crew from Northern Parkour, performed their best skills and tricks to passers by. They were joined by local gymnasts bouncing through the crowds at Market Place on a giant tumble mat, giving spectators their first taste of what’s on offer at Oxygen’s new trampoline park.

David Stalker, CEO at Oxygen Freejumping, said: “We are so excited to be launching our new Oxygen Freejumping park in Wigan. The city is renowned for its sporting prowess and we’re looking to create some freejumping stars – we suspect Wigan will have some. We hope to inspire a new generation of jumpers to get fit with a smile on their face!

We’ve had a huge interest in the park already – and for those that haven’t seen what we have to offer yet - just remember all you need to get started is a pair of our striking yellow jump socks and a burst of energy!”

With current recommendations that children should exercise for at least one hour a day, and adults for 30 minutes, freejumping is definitely a fun way to raise the heart rate - 33% more calories are burnt than the equivalent time spent running and there is no jarring of the load bearing joints or spine.

At Oxygen, 150 interconnected trampolines and super-dynamic instructors mean freejumpers will end up working harder than they have before without even noticing – and, most importantly, with a smile on their face!

Oxygen describes freejumping as flying ‘til you fall and believes it’s the best way to keep both feet off the ground. Sounds pretty special, but really there’s only one way to find out exactly what freejumping is all about and that’s to jump over to visit Oxygen and start bouncing!

Oxygen Freejumping Wigan is now offering

Freejumping fun for all ages, Little O’s sessions for under 5s and Kids www.oxygenfreejumping.co.uk/activities/parties /"arties, which guarantee playground respect!

Throughout the summer more activities will become available at the park including fitness classes, dodgeball tournaments, school of trampolining, Foucan Freerunning Academy, DJ nights and much more. Wigan will be jumping this summer!

About Oxygen Freejumping

Oxygen Freejumping was founded in late 2014

by Fred Turok, founder of LA Fitness and David Stalker, former CEO of ukactive and Managing Director Harpers Fitness Clubs. Oxygen Freejumping is set to be the first national chain of trampoline parks across the United Kingdom.

Oxygen is currently operating two sites: West Acton and Southampton and over summer 2016 will open in Wigan, Blackburn, Manchester, Trafford, Derby, North Shields and Leeds.

Oxygen parks are typically between 20,000 and 40,000 square feet featuring interconnected trampolines stretching literally from the floor to the ceiling providing a unique wall to wall jumping experience that can be enjoyed by anyone no matter age, size, fitness level or experience.

Oxygen aims to take trampolining to a whole new level with its parks, making freejumping open to everyone from families to competitive sportspeople. Put simply, Oxygen’s brand definition has been broken down into the following: Oxygen Freejumping (verb)

1 – To leap high into the air and express oneself through dynamic movement 2 – To experience a unique feeling of temporary flight 3 – To have a ridiculously good time

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Courier SPORT Mixed emotions at the DW It’s reigning Champions Leigh 3rds 7 Aspull 1sts 51 Raging Bull Div 3North Saturday April 30th 2016 THE ASPULL resurgence was crowned with the League title as the Emus roared into a last day pole position with a comprehensive defeat of Leigh in the title deciding game.

This was Aspull’s hour and the team rose to a man to put in a scintillating display of running rugby that has marked their entire season.

With Vale of Lune 3rds thrashing Clitheroe 1sts the way was open for Aspull to clinch a second promotion on the bounce which they took with both hands.

Now the focus shifts to next season, and the news that the Emus will be re-entering the senior league system rather than playing in the intermediate leagues division two

north.

There were some predictably wild celebrations at Leigh on Saturday ( picture above) and players, coaches, officials and supporters marked the end of a second significant season for the Woodshaw Park club.

The title is a fitting tribute to all the hard work that has gone on off the pitch as well as on it over the last three seasons, and with a second team now firmly established in the intermediate leagues, the future is looking decidedly rosy for rugby union in Aspull. Congratulations!!

ORRELL ST JAMES is celebrating a remarkable first season as a dual code club with the rugby union side winning the Raging Bull division 5North title in its first campaign.

The feat was achieved without

chucking out a pass on Saturday April 30th, as Preston Grasshoppers 6th team conceded the fixture to give OSJ the points and the league title.

The success is a tribute to players and coaches at the club, particularly Director of Rugby and Coach Shaun McHugh, whose determination and vision to take the previously successful amateur rugby league club into the uncharted territory of the 15 man game has clearly paid off.

A mixture of young and mature players under the leadership of skipper Andy Lewis and manager Paul Cattle have achieved more than perhaps they would all have believed at the start of this season.

Planning now begins at Bankes Avenue to make a splash next season in Division 4North. Congratulations!!

Winstanley students compete in National Championships

S E V E N T E E N Winstanley College students represented the North West at the Association of Colleges N a t i o n a l Championships in Newcastle last month.

Three different teams represented the College in cross country, volleyball and women’s football.

The action-packed weekend saw a number of successes for the College’s talented sports men and women. In the cross country, 16 year old Jack Crook came in second place with female competitors Charlotte Mawdsley and Rachel

Sidebotham also putting in an excellent effort.

The women’s football was also of a very high standard with many low scoring games. The team was made up of students Cara Bickett, Abigail Conway, Annabel Coombes, Louise Johnson, Emma Lysons, Kira Saycell, Ella Schickoff and Emily Wallbank. The team drew with the overall winners and showed incredible skill.

Other results included the women’s volleyball team, who, after finishing 3rd in a tough pool, went on to come 6th overall. The girls that participated were; Katie Philbin, Heidi Winrow, Kira Hambleton,

Anya Donelan, Amy Ball and Aliyah Quansah.

An exhausting, but fantastic weekend was had by all, Shelley Evans, Sports Enrichment Officer at the College, who also acted as North West staff female captain said: “The students were a credit to the College and the North West Squad at the championships, performing to exceptional standards in every game.

Their achievement and conduct is something to be proud of.”

Our picture shows the female cross country runners who represented Winstanley College in the Association of Colleges National Championships.

THERE WERE mixed emotions at the DW Stadium last Friday. A decent-sized crowd of 15,000 plus (the first respectable home figure the DW since at Warrington visited on April 1, in my opinion) piled in to watch a highly anticipated clash between Wigan and Hull FC, and to celebrate the glories of three Cherry and White heroes from the past.

Colin Clarke, Martin Offiah and Frano Botica were all inducted into the Wigan Hall of Fame, a rollcall of honour at Wigan Warriors which really is reserved for the elite of the elite. No one has been added to this list since 2010, and so it now reads: Clarke, Offiah and Botica, plus Eric Ashton, Dean Bell, Billy Boston, Shaun Edwards, Joe Egan, Andy Farrell, Ken Gee, Andy Gregory, Ellery Hanley, Brian McTigue and Jim Sullivan.

It really is a case of reading these names and weeping, which was the other side of the coin last Friday. Because on a night when we should have been celebrating all things Wigan RL, we watched the Warriors Class of 2016 tumble to a comprehensive 16-30 defeat.

There is no doubt that Wigan’s efforts this year have been disrupted by injuries. We are now half way through, and still there are key players missing.

Michael McIlorum is unlikely to return until August at the earliest, while

those newly back in harness – the likes of Sam Tomkins and George Williams – are inevitably going to be ringrusty. Sam himself had nothing to be ashamed of last Friday, crowning his return with a great individual try, but on the whole it is increasingly difficult to believe that Wigan are not lacking in some departments this season.

The thing I’ve found most frustrating this last couple of weeks (Wigan lost 40-10 away at Warrington in the league fixture before Hull) is that while for most of this year they’ve been putting it together to a degree, scrabbling across the line and claiming hard-fought victories over lower-placed teams like Castleford, Huddersfield and St Helens, when they’ve come up against the genuinely good sides, they’ve lost.

This doesn’t augur well long-term for 2016, but it’s not good in the short term either, especially during a period when home attendances are strangely lacklustre.

At the time of my last column, the Warriors were third in the league and the direction was upward. A month later, they are fifth and the direction feels distinctly as if it’s downward – and this despite Wigan now having brought a number of absentees back to full fitness.

Wigan club mourns veteran Gordon Unsworth

GORDON Unsworth, remembered as one of the serving active longest members of Wigan Rugby Union Club, has passed away.

Gordon was a regular supporter in his later years right up until last season when failing health left him unable to make the trek up to Douglas Valley.

He joined the Club in the early 1950s when he left Wigan Grammar School and became a 1st XV regular at full back, being remembered particularly for his prodigious left boot.

Once he retired from playing, he took up the whistle both at the Club and within the Manchester Society. Here the skills he acquired as a teacher proved invaluable as he attempted to acquaint the combatants with the finer points of the laws of the game.

Gordon served the Club as Honorary Secretary for nine years and was subsequently made an Honorary Member in recognition of his commitment.

He was also Club President during the 2007-2008 season, a role which he was eminently suited for, being well known and respected amongst the Lancashire rugby fraternity.

Gordon was also a member of the Wigan club's "Thursday Gang," a disparate collection of veteran players and members, where he specialised in painting, decorating and brewing up. In preparation for the club's Centenary Season in 2013-14, he completed his magnum opus, a History of Wigan RUFC, and also worked on other parts of the Centenary Brochure .

A club spokesman said: "Our thoughts are with Kath and Gordon's family at this difficult time. He will be sadly missed by the club."

Gordon's funeral was held at St Catherine's Church, Scholes, on Wednesday 11th May. A reception followed at Douglas Valley.

Fifth in the table, you might argue, is not too unrespectable. Especially when, in truth, Wigan are joint-second with Saints on 18 points, whereas the three clubs above them, Warrington, Catalan and Hull only sit on 20. But then look at the points difference. Wigan are on an embarrassing -39, having only scored 264 points all season. Only one other Super League team in 2016 has a worse points-scoring record, and that is Leeds Rhinos, who currently occupy the bottom rung in the competition.

You don’t need to be a defeatist to conclude that this can’t go on.

But where are the weaknesses in the current Wigan team that need to be put right?

Whether it’s down to injury, illness, lack of form, or lack of ability in general, the Wigan pack has been very below par this season.

They were completely dominated by both Warrington and Hull. The front row is where most things seem to be going wrong. And yet, with the exception of notable natural-born warrior John Batemen, Wigan from 8 to 13 are missing tackles, giving away silly penalties (daft penalties were an absolute killer against Hull!), losing the collision and generally being bullied by the opposition.

But it isn’t just the forwards.

Okay, the pack must lay the platform from which a team can launch attacks, but when a team isn’t scoring tries you also have to wonder about its creativity. So far in 2016, Wigan’s halfbacks and pivots have disappointed.

The team doesn’t look anything like incisive enough with ball in hand.

Too often they besiege the enemy line and abjectly fail to score. Of course, the return of Sam Tomkins may go some way towards fixing this – he’ll be an extra thinker on the field, and another attacker to chime into the threequarters, so it may be too early to ring the alarm bells there.

Anyway, Wigan are now going ‘on the road’, as I like to think of it. As always at this time of year, with pitch repairs scheduled, a clutch of away fixtures is looming; the Warriors won’t be back in action at home until they play Castleford in the Challenge Cup Quarter-Final on June 25. It’s not much fun for the fans, but from a team perspective it’s not quite as onerous as it may initially seem. The away list reads thus: Leeds (at Newcastle for the Magic Weekend); Castleford; Salford; Hull KR; Widnes.

Even in current misfiring form, Wigan ought to get some change out of all that.

Though it could – I say ‘could’, not necessarily ‘will’ – be a make-or-break period of the season. If they emerge at the other end in the lower half of the table, it will be very hard to bounce back sufficiently to put themselves into contention for silverware.

Though I’m sure this will be concentrating minds to a considerable degree. In addition, things could always be worse.

The inexplicable Leeds disaster goes on, the ‘Triple Crown winners’ of 2015 continuing to bamboozle their supporters with horrendous defeats (12-52 against Castleford and 2820 against fellow cellardwellers Huddersfield in the last two fixtures alone).

But of course Leeds are bound to rally at some point. The question this weekend, as the Magic fixture approaches, is will their desire for that outmatch Wigan’s desire to get back on the horse after the loss to Hull?

We’ll know by this time next week.

Membership deals at Douglas Valley Golf

E: info@courier-online.net

Courier

16

DOUGLAS VALLEY GOLF CLUB Full 12 month Membership

£139.00

Junior from

£40.00

VISIT OUR WEBISTE

www.douglasvalleygolfclub.co.uk

You can also follow us on Facebook or Twitter

A6 Blackrod By-Pass, Blackrod, Bolton, Lancashire, BL6 5HX TELEPHONE: 01257 474844

HERE AT Douglas Valley Golf once you buy a membership with us then you can

enjoy all the advantages of the membership.

This includes no joining fee, no green fees and no waiting

time as you can book tee times up to 7 days in advance.

You can also play in all Club competitions and

obtain an official handicap to maintain.

Also included are fantastic members discounts at the San Marco Restaurant.

As well as our r e a s o n a b l e membership we offer Summer Green fees as follows: Non members are welcome.

Midweek: adults £8.00 (9 holes), £10.00 (18 holes), member guest £6.50 (9), £8.00 (18), juniors (under 16) £6.50 (9), £8.00 (18), senior citizens (60+) £6.50 (9), £8.00 (18).

Weekends and Bank Holidays: adults £9.00 (9), £12.00 (18), member guest £7.50 (9), £10.00 (18) junior (under 16) £7.50 (9), £10.00 (18), senior citizen (60+) £7.50 (9), £10.00 (18).

Prices are correct at time of printing.

White Crow The

Worthington

Come and join us for our

Library hosts ‘Beehive Power’ event

ON 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.

A fun quiz and Free supper with loads of prizes

Starts 9.00 p.m.

FREE ENTRY Proceeds to Derian House and Church Lads and Girls Brigade

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 Standish.Library@wigan.gov.uk.

Deal Day comes to Wigan

TWO of the borough’s town centres will be overtaken with stalls and activities as ‘The Deal Day’comes to Wigan and Leigh.

Wigan Council is opening their doors to the public on Friday 20th May in Wigan town centre and Friday 27th May in Leigh town centre to inform residents about the hundreds of services they provide and how these services can be used to benefit themselves and the community.

Both events will have over 40 stalls hosted by different services armed with displays, banners and a wealth of information to maintain the council’s relationship with residents and to promote the borough as a great place to work, live, invest and visit.

Awareness stalls will also have a presence at the event, such as a drink driving simulator and other interactive activities including a netball

competition and a climbing wall will be available for residents and families to use.

Donna Hall, chief executive of Wigan Council said: “The Deal Days are two extremely exciting and beneficial events that will cater for everybody.

From information stalls to climbing walls, The Deal Days will be packed with activities.

“We work together as one team, one council and the only way we can continue to do so is by letting our residents in. We want to bring our services to you and demonstrate that we all want the same outcome – to maintain and promote Wigan as a fantastic borough and to remind you about what you can do to help benefit your community.”

From the chance to win a free wedding at Mesnes Park Lodge or Leigh Town Hall to a free meal at either Gallimore’s or The Robin Hood, there are many giveaways on offer to celebrate The Deal coming to Wigan

and Leigh.

The events will also remind residents about the values of The Deal and will promote the council’s plan for the next five years. ‘The Deal Days’ will bring council services to the public and will highlight how residents can do their bit to make the community a better place.

The days will promote Wigan Council as an open organisation, committed to working together with residents to make the borough the best it can be.

The events will also serve as a way to welcome newly elected and any reelected councillors into the fold.

Current Mayor, Councillor Susan Loudon will be at the Wigan event and Mayor Elect, Councillor Ron Conway will be at the Leigh event.

The Wigan event will sit on Market Place and Standishgate and the Leigh event will take place in Civic Square, outside Leigh Town Hall. Both events will begin at 11am and will end at 3pm.

Relax and enjoy Wigan’s History and Tradition in our friendly, local, family run pub, an Old Coaching Inn set in the lovely Wigan countryside which has been serving the community for over 300 years.

BANK HOLIDAY WEEKEND MAY 28TH, 29TH, 30TH Time to take the whole family out for a much deserved treat! Bring them along to our family gastropub and we guarantee a warm welcome. We are open thoughout the holiday weekend from 12 noon serving our delicious homecooked food.

MEGA FUN QUIZ! EVERY THURSDAY

www.standishmedia.co.uk 077252 55813

WATCH OUT FOR OUR NEW SUMMER SPECIALS STARTING FRIDAY MAY 20TH

NEW SUMMER SPECIALS BOARD We offer real ale’s from many different brewery’s for our regularly changing guest beers including Wily Fox, Prospect, Elland, Copper Dragon, Marstons and Coachouse

COMING SOON NEW BURGER MENU After taking on board our customers comments we will be starting our NEW SUB SELECTION A choice of fillings will be offered in addition to our normal menu - WATCH THIS SPACE! We now serve fresh cool single glasses of Prosecco and Rose Wines

Keep in touch with us and our special summer offers on facebook

Chorley Road, Worthington WN1 2XL | 01257 474344 | www.thewhitecrow.co.uk