LivingINBL April 2017

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147A CHORLEY NEW RD. HORWICH. BOLTON BL6 5QE 

TELEPHONE 01204 669966 EMAIL: EDITOR@LIVINGINBL.COM WWW.LIVINGINBL.COM 

WE’RE CELEBRATING 

OUR BIRTHDAY 

with some great 

competitions inside 

HORWICH MUSIC 

FESTIVAL 

full list of all the 

performances 

£10 OFF CURLEY’S 

EVENING MENU 

when you order 

three amazing courses 

HORWICH IN 

BLOOM 

details of how to 

enter your garden 

Honorary Freeman of Horwich for Kevan 

The Town Mayor of Horwich 

Councillor Jim Bullock presented a 

very special Honorary Freeman of 

Horwich award to Kevan Helsby 

MBE, at a recent meeting of the 

Town Council. 

The Honorary Freeman Award is 

the highest honour that a Town or 

Parish Council can award and is 

reserved for those individuals who 

have given exceptional and 

continuous service to the 

community over a period of many 

years, in either a voluntary or civic 

capacity and Kevan's award is in 

recognition of his longstanding, 

eminent and devoted service to 

the community of Horwich. 

Born in Farnworth, Kevan first 

worked as a school's careers 

adviser, he moved to Horwich in 

1981 and his long involvement 

with local government began in 

1983 when he was elected to 

Horwich Town Council and Bolton 

Council. 

He was especially concerned with 

the issue of unemployment 

following the closure of Horwich 

Loco Works and was one of the 

driving forces in the development 

of Middlebrook Retail Park, 

Horwich Community Centre and 

the Heritage Centre. 

Kevan became the Town Mayor of 

Horwich in 1987 and 2004 and 

was also Mayor of Bolton in 2001. 

His dedication to Horwich was also 

recognised with an MBE in the 

Millennium Honours List. 

As a Labour Councillor, he served 

on Bolton Council until 2003 and 

continued to serve on Horwich 

Town Council until 2015, having 

been persuaded to come out of 

retirement in 2011 and he served 

as Leader of the Council until 

2014. 

At the presentation for the 

Freeman of Horwich an extremely 

pleased an honoured Kevan 

Helsby said, “I thank all of my 

colleagues on the Council who I 

have worked with over the years 

from all parties and independent 

members too. Without them I 

would not be here today as to 

serve on the Council you need to 

work with others and I was 

privileged to work with all of you. 

Really there are too many people 

to name individually, but I would 

also like to thank the staff of the 

Council and the Town Clerks past 

and present. 

I would also like to thank the 

people and community of Horwich 

whom I had the great privileged to 

serve especially those who voted 

for me! 

I first became a member of 

Horwich Town Council in 1983 and 

have attended many meetings 

here in this Chamber since then, 

some more memorable than 

others. 

Horwich is a great place to live. 

We have many things to be proud 

of just look at the Horwich Town 

Guide and the Town Council 

website. Horwich people over the 

years have gained and 

demonstrated many skills in 

different occupations. I am sure 

that this will continue though the 

skills may be different in the future, 

as technology advances and the 

structures of the economy change. 

It is probably more important than 

ever for the Town Council to 

promote Horwich and have a say 

in future planning. The council will 

face new challenges and I wish 

them every success for the future 

Over the years I have spent a fair 

amount of time on council matters. 

It has been an important part of my 

life that I have been fortunate to 

experience. Looking around the 

Council Chamber I see the 

locomotive nameplate, the 

photograph of the 1008 and of 

course yourselves keeping the 

best of our tradition whilst being a 

Town Council as modern as the 

hour. This Certificate and title of 

Honorary Freeman of Horwich are 

wonderful. I thank you all. 

Gold medalist backs local hockey 

Hockey is a brilliant game, its fast, furious and a 

great way to stay fit and healthy… plus there's a GB 

women's team that's quite good too, remember the 

nail biting match at Rio, an inspiration to many 

youngsters to get involved and learn to play the 

game like a champion. 

Leaning to play starts at grass roots local clubs and 

Horwich Hockey Club, formed 3 years ago, is 

attracting new members; they have both a men's 

and women's teams and will be bringing in additional 

teams and a junior team. The Horwich women's 

team was introduced 2 years ago after successfully 

backing an England Hockey Back2Hockey 

Campaign to get more women and girls into playing 

the game. With an impressive list of titles in such a 

short time its no surprise that Horwich Hockey Club 

are proud of their achievements and of their home 

turf. But the Club has a problem! 

Horwich Hockey Club are in danger of losing their 

pitch due to the re-development of Horwich Leisure 

Centre, as the all-weather astro-turf pitch is 

earmarked to be replaced with a brand new 3G 

pitch, members of the Club want to stress that they 

are all for the redevelopment along with the new 

leisure centre complex. But the new pitch is not 

suitable for Hockey. There are no other facilities 

within Horwich that would cater for hockey, yet there 

are currently 6 x 3G pitches at the Bolton Wanderers 

Academy and 6 x 3G pitches at Bolton Arena, all 

based within Horwich and a new full size 3G is soon 

to complete at Westhoughton High School. 

The Club have decided to ask for help and set up a 

‘Save Horwich Hockey Club's Pitch' campaign. The 

members set up an on-line petition and asked Bolton 

West MP Chris Green to help and he joined them in 

a training session. If the plan to remove the astro turf 

pitch goes ahead the Club would have to relocate to 

Chorley, a 30 minute drive from Horwich, because 

hockey can't be played on 3G pitches. This needed 

to be investigated and who better to answer the 

question about Hockey pitches than Womens’ GB 

Hockey Olympic Gold Medal winner Nicola White. 

Nicola explains: “Hockey has seen a fantastic rise in 

participation figures since London 2012 due to our 

home Olympic legacy, which has been boosted even 

more post Rio 2016 after winning the gold medal. 

It is a fast paced exciting team sport, played by all 

ages, genders, races and religions and the Hockey 

family is very close knit. The figures show double the 

number of girls now playing Hockey and women in 

sport is hugely on the agenda at the moment. 

Hockey is played on varying 2G astroturf's all over 

the country, some water based, some sand based, 

some sand dressed, but they all have something in 

common... no tiny rubber pellets on the surface, also 

known as 3G or rubbercrumb! This type of pitch is 

not appropriate for our sport and it seems many new 

facilities these days are replacing old and worn 

astroturf's with this surface where sports like football, 

rugby, NFL and others can still compete, but Hockey 

cannot. 

Facilities are vital in the continued development of 

any sport in terms of quality and location. The more 

accessible and local they are, the greater chance of 

getting new people involved and for those already 

members of the hockey club, it is their weekly routine 

and enjoyment after work or weekends close to 

home with friends and family. Equally maintaining a 

quality facility also helps the standard of play but 

really the most important thing is the participation 

and being active. We all know it costs money to 

upkeep facilities and at some point they will need 

replacing, however I question the decision of 

choosing 3G pitches in some instances. 

Horwich is a small hockey club and it is fighting to 

save its atstroturf where men, women and a growing 

junior section play. I can understand their frustration 

and worry for their club. It will impact upon their 

community where they are focusing on building a 

junior section and have already given women and 

girls the exposure to a new sport that they have not 

tried before and now love. I don't disagree with the 

use of 3G pitches in some facilities, however I feel 

the surfaces available in boroughs has to be looked 

at closer to ensure there is enough multi-purpose 

and multi sport opportunity encouraging the 

community to have the choice of participation and 

continuing to grow all sports. If hockey surfaces 

continue to be lost at this rate then we as a sport will 

struggle with providing accessibility. We are gaining 

more numbers to the sport and therefore clubs are 

getting larger and the need for facilities will become 

even more important. We want as many people to 

enjoy hockey without having to travel miles and miles 

to get to a pitch! I hope Horwich win the battle to 

keep their pitch suitable for muti-purpose, if not they 

will be forced to move and it isn't even certain they 

will have a place to play the sport they love.” 

Living in BL have discovered that plans for a new 

astro-turf pitch at Bolton School have been put 

forward… Could this be a winning result for Horwich 

Hockey Club?

I am writing this column on Good Friday, the start of a long bank 

holiday weekend, if I was not sure of the date a glance out of the 

window at grey skies and damp streets would remind me. 

However, this is a time of year of transition, the trees are coming 

into leaf, the spring flowers are blooming nicely in the planters 

the council have funded around the town and your new mayor 

elect Cllr. Steve Rock is, no doubt, planning his acceptance 

speech for in a month or so. Where does the time go? 

As always, this month has been full of a wide variety of events. 

Our first was the installation of a new civic plaque at the Crown 

Hotel. This building, although much modified, has stood since 

coach and horses were the main route to neighbouring towns 

and it's imposing position means it is the first building of note 

when entering the town from the north. The council hopes to 

produce a guide to the towns plaques (now numbering fifteen) so 

that tourists and locals alike can be reminded of the towns 

historic heritage. 

Three more events followed that week. Starting with an invitation 

to visit Bolton University to listen to Andy Burnham being 

interviewed about his life. This was more a personal story than a 

party political one but it does serve as a reminder of the 

upcoming Gt. Manchester Mayoral elections which, regardless of 

political viewpoint, will influence the local area for the 

foreseeable future. 

The following day the Mayoress and I attended the opening of 

the New Cooperative Funeral Parlour. Whilst not something most 

of us would like to think about it, it is a useful addition to what is 

a thriving townscape and I wish them well although I hope not to 

have to use their facilities anytime soon. Later that week we 

attended the Holy Trinity's fund raiser for their work in Namibia. 

This was a line dance evening, and I discovered that the Rev. 

Stephen Fletcher and I had something significant in common. 

We neither of us have any talent for line dancing. Still it was a 

fun evening and raised hundreds of pounds for what is a very 

worthy cause. 

The following week I had the great honour to present The 

Honorary Freeman award to Kevan Helsby M.B.E. in recognition 

of his services to the town. This is only the second time this 

award has been made and I hope Mr. Helsby is as proud of 

receiving it at the as the town should be of having him as a 

resident. 

Later in the month I had two opportunities to witness local talent 

at Bolton's Victoria Hall. This beautiful old building first hosted 

'Music Centre Presents' which showcased young talented 

performers from the area and a day or two later the inaugural 

Bolton Choirs Festival. Although very different both events 

provided great entertainment and I am sure were enjoyed by 

both performers and audience alike. I look forward to visiting 

them again many times in forthcoming years. 

Splitting the two events we had the privilege of attending the 

installation of the new Chancellor of Bolton University. The 

Honourable George Windsor. This event, which also included the 

presentation of Doctorates, is another milestone of what is a 

successful institution and great asset to the area. 

Just one more month to go, one more column to write I will miss 

it when it is over but I am looking forward to some time off and 

the chance to take a holiday. 

147a Chorley New Road. Horwich BL6 5QE 

TELEPHONE 01204 669966 

email: editor@livinginbl.com 

see all our back issues at www.livinginbl.com 

TM 

Plans for Horwich town 

centre eyesore 

Plans have been put forward to Bolton Council for a three storey 

apartment block to be built on the site of the former Central Club on 

Harrison Street, off Winter Hey Lane in Horwich. 

If plans go ahead the old Social Club will be demolished to make 

way for a new building containing 11 apartments, the plans also 

outline prevision for residents parking. 

The Central Club site has been left untouched for years it is 

overgrown the building is in a bad state of repair, and these 

proposals would certainly improve the area remove the eyesore. 

Horwich 

by-election candidates 

Following the recent resignation of Liberal Democrat Councillor 

Glen C Atkinson a by-election has been called to fill the vacant 

Church Ward seat on Horwich Town Council. 

The by-election will take place on 

Thursday 4th May 2017 

There are five candidates for the seat. 

Susan Mary Baines - Conservative and Unionist Party 

Rod Riesco – Green Party 

Richard Silvester – Labour and Co-operative Party 

Gordon Stone – Liberal Democrats 

Ben Watkinson – Horwich First Independent 

The Rivington Pike Race challenge 

The famous ‘Rivington Pike Race' is one of 

the great traditions in Horwich and every year 

becomes ever more popular attracting 

hundreds runners from across the country. 

The race which is sponsored by Horwich 

Rotary Club takes place on Easter Saturday 

and is in fact the oldest fell race in Britain 

dating back to the early 1880's. 

The challenge of the ‘Pike Race' is to run to 

the top of the famous landmark, a 700ft 

ascent, and back down again, covering over 

5km. The race has over the years attracted 

A section of Hill Lane in 

Blackrod is to be resurfaced; 

the northern end between its 

junctions with Blackhorse 

Street and Ainse Road will be 

closed later this month for 

approximately ten days to allow 

for the work to take place. A 

diversion will be in operation via 

Church Street, Ridgway and 

Vicarage Road West during this 

time. 

Horwich and Blackrod ward 

Councillor Stephen Pickup 

commented, “This section of 

Hill Lane is in a very poor state 

of repair and I have received 

numerous complaints from 

residents; I am delighted that 

this work is now being 

prioritised. While there will be 

some inconvenience while the 

road closure is in place, I am 

some of the finest athletes including 

Marathon runners, Olympic track runners and 

expert Fell runners giving the race a ‘must do' 

reputation on the sports calendar. 

The race starts at Lever Park Ave with the 

runners heading up towards Rivington and 

Blackrod School, veering right, before they 

get to the school, and start the gruelling climb 

towards the Pike. The runners travel up 'Old 

Will's Lane' and on to the concrete road to 

reach the Pikes summit. With the Tower in full 

view the runners head up the steep bank 

Resurfacing section 

of Hill Lane, Blackrod 

sure that residents will bear 

with us during this time and we 

will all reap the rewards once 

Hill Lane reopens.” 

Councillor Ann Cunliffe stated, 

“I am extremely pleased this 

section of Hill Lane is being 

resurfaced as road patching 

had originally been 

programmed. I am pleased 

that with the continuous 

concerns raised by ward 

councillors, the works have now 

been upgraded and this section 

is now being resurfaced. 

Hopefully, weather permitting; 

the resurfacing works will be 

completed ahead of schedule. 

Residents have waited patiently 

for this work to be completed 

and I am sure it will be worth 

the inconvenience of the road 

closure.” 

Fake cigarettes seized 

Thousands of cigarettes, believed to be fake or illegal, were 

discovered in a Bolton shop basement, in a hidden storage area 

operated by an electronic bolt. Sniffer dogs helped to uncover the 

haul in the operation carried out by Bolton Council Trading 

Standards officers and Greater Manchester Police. 

They visited four premises in Bolton and a total of 9,700 cigarettes 

and 850 grams of illegal tobacco were recovered from two of the 

shops. If sold legitimately the cigarettes would be valued at £4365. 

The premises were targeted as part of an intelligence-led operation 

to tackle illicit tobacco sales. 

An investigation is now underway and Bolton Council will now be 

working with the Police to prepare a case for prosecution. 

Bolton Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Cllr Derek 

Burrows, said, “Buying or trading in illegal tobacco is a serious 

issue. One of these shopkeepers had gone to great lengths to hide 

the illegal stock but thanks to our experience, joint working with the 

police and highly trained sniffer dogs, it was uncovered. 

The sale of illegal tobacco is a major concern and as it is 

unregulated, the product can be even more dangerous and can get 

into the hands of young people much more easily. 

I would encourage residents to stop and think about where cheap 

tobacco comes from and report any illegal sales.” 

For more information or to report illegal sales contact the Trading 

Standards team on trading.standards@bolton.gov.uk. 

crossing the cobbles of Georges Lane 

through the gate reaching the top of the Pike, 

they catch their breath, and start the decent 

down along the same course, some athletes 

have actually completed the decent in around 

6 minutes. This year's race for the converted 

title of 'Rivington Pike Fell Race Champion' 

was won by local runner Carl Farrell in 

17mins 07sec who also defended his title 

from 2016. The top four runners were 1st 

Carl Farrell 17.07 – 2nd Chris Richards 17.27 

– 3rd Carl Bell 18.11 – 4th Ian Conroy 18.15 

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PAGE 2 

c 

LIVINGINBL

Dementia Awareness Week 

a look at local progress 

It was back in February last year when local businesses took the 

first steps in making Horwich the first Dementia friendly town in the 

Bolton Borough, and to mark Dementia Awareness Week on 14th to 

20th May, we have taken a look at what progress has been made in 

achieving this result. 

Bolton Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) including Bolton Council 

Public Health launched 'Horwich Friendly Communities' in February 

2016 to enable Horwich businesses to work towards becoming 

Dementia Friendly, the event held at Macron Stadium was opened 

by Cllr Asif Ibrahim Cabinet member for Adult Services. After 

listening to a heart felt and informative presentation, 40 Horwich 

businesses including Living in BL pledged their support to become 

Dementia aware. Dementia is not a single illness but a group of 

symptoms caused by damage to the brain these include loss of 

memory, mood changes and confusion. In Bolton the number of 

people aged 65 and over with Dementia is expected to grow from 

3093 in 2015 to 4203 in 2025. 

Since the initial event in Horwich, 75 businesses have signed up to 

date and 55 have completed a minimum of 3 actions to become a 

Dementia friend, this includes training in awareness or making 

physical environmental changes inside their premises to gain 

recognition for working towards becoming a Dementia friendly 

business. In recognition of the work and dedication of the local 

businesses involved a Dementia Friendly Communities Business 

Celebration event will be held later this year to provide all Horwich 

and Blackrod business, who have completed their actions and 

gained official recognition, with a Certificate of Appreciation. 

An information guide funded by Horwich and Blackrod Councillors 

Cunliffe, Pickup and Bury will also be produced for local business. 

This will include information and a list of businesses that have 

become Dementia Friendly in Horwich and Blackrod. 

There are many other local organisations involved with Dementia 

Action Alliance (DAA) to bring groups and businesses together to 

help improve the lives of people living with Dementia these include 

businesses, shops, bus companies, taxi firms, police forces, fire 

and rescue services, local authorities, tourist destinations, charities, 

care providers and health trusts. 

Even the brand new Horwich Leisure Centre is being built as a 

Dementia friendly centre and the first in the country where all 

employees will be dementia awareness trained. 

Horwich and Blackrod Cllr. Ann Cunliffe stated, “Horwich has a 

great community spirit and a lot of shops know their customers well, 

75 businesses have now signed up to a Dementia pledge. I would 

like to personally thank Horwich businesses for championing the 

improvement of the lives of people with Dementia” 

For more information about dementia explore these websites: 

www.bolton.gov.uk/dementia or www.dementiafriends.org.uk 

To join Bolton Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) 

www.dementiaaction.org.uk 

Award winning Atherton 

scientist meets MP 

Bolton West MP Chris Green 

met local scientist Lauren 

McNeill at a parliamentary 

competition, who then went on 

to win the top award. 

Lauren McNeill from Atherton, a 

PhD researcher and 

postgraduate teaching assistant 

at Manchester Metropolitan 

University, was shortlisted from 

hundreds of applicants as part 

of STEM for Britain, a poster 

competition in the House of 

Commons involving over 200 

early stage or early career 

researchers organised by the 

Parliamentary & Scientific 

Committee. Miss McNeill 

appeared in Parliament with her 

poster on research about 

origami chips which was judged 

by professional and academic 

experts against dozens of other 

scientists' research in the only 

national competition of its kind. 

Miss McNeill won the Gold 

Award for biological and 

biomedical sciences, and then 

went on to take the Westminster 

Medal for overall winner of the 

event. 

MP Chris Green said, “These 

early career engineers, 

mathematicians and scientists 

are the architects of our future 

and STEM for Britain is a great 

opportunity to meet them and 

learn about their work. 

I enjoyed meeting Lauren and 

found her work fascinating and 

that she went on to win the 

entire competition is very well 

deserved. Congratulations to 

Lauren, and I wish her every 

success in the future.” 

Stephen Metcalfe MP, Chair of 

the Parliamentary & Scientific 

Committee and Science & 

Technology Committee said, 

“Today's event is a two-way 

process designed to strengthen 

the dialogue between 

Parliament and the science and 

engineering community. Many 

colleagues in the House of 

Commons will meet researchers 

who live and work in their 

constituencies and will forge 

links and cultivate their contact 

in the future. 

I hope they will be invited to visit 

laboratories or companies to 

see research at first hand. I also 

hope that researchers can 

increase their awareness of how 

Parliament deals with science 

and STEM issues and learn 

about the political process. 

Perhaps in future years some 

will return as Members of 

Parliament themselves. Both 

Parliament and Government 

benefit from having scientific 

expertise within their ranks.” 

New 3g pitch for Westhoughton 

Spring into Bolton’s parks 

With spring finally here it’s time to get out and 

about with the best that our local parks have to 

offer. The council wants to remind residents 

about the borough’s fantastic parks and the wide 

range of free activities they offer for all ages, 

from visiting the play area at Moss Bank Park, to 

feeding maize to the ducks at Moses Gate, or 

taking a leisurely stroll around the Victorian 

splendour of Queens Park. 

Queens Park, a five minute walk from Bolton 

Town Centre, was opened in 1886 during the 

reign of Queen Victoria and has now been 

restored and enhanced, working sympathetically 

with its original Victorian design, as part of a 

£5.3m project funded by Bolton Council and the 

Heritage Lottery Fund. The lakes were dredged, 

walls and the fountain re-instated, drainage and 

footpaths improved and a new café and play 

area were installed. In addition the council 

refurbished the tennis court and multi-use games 

area and installed a popular outdoor gym. 

The park was recently awarded the prestigious 

Green Flag award following its restoration and 

redevelopment. Activities which take part at the 

park include a weekly junior parkrun, and 

walking group. 

Moss Bank Park is one of Bolton’s most popular 

parks with its wide open spaces for picnics, 

games and play. It has a redeveloped play area 

with a sand pit, which is very popular with 

children in the summer months, when the mini 

railway and children’s rides will also be available 

(end of May to September, charges apply). The 

LIVINGINBL c 

tennis courts are free to use with taster sessions 

available. The new café, opened in 2015, serves 

tea, coffee, ice cream and cakes. 

Residents looking for a longer walk can visit the 

750 acre Moses Gate Country Park, which 

includes a play area, lakes with ducks and 

geese, lodges for bird watching and 

refreshments from an ice cream van in the 

summer months. 

For the more active, Leverhulme Park has a 

wide range of facilities including a running track, 

sports pitches and extensive open spaces and 

trails through the Local Nature Reserve along 

the River Croal. It hosts the weekly free 5k 

Parkrun every Saturday at 9am from the athletics 

track. 

There are 27 parks around the borough with a 

wide range of attractions. A number of smaller 

parks around the borough feature activities – the 

ABC Park off Nottingham Drive, and Willows 

Park have activities for four to 12 year olds every 

Wednesday at 3.45pm. 

Councillor Anne Marie Watters, Cabinet Member 

for Neighbourhood and Community Services 

said: “We are incredibly lucky in this Borough to 

have so many fantastic parks and open spaces, 

and now that spring is on the way, we want to 

encourage all residents to get out and enjoy all 

of the wonderful parks that are on their doorstep. 

Whether you’re looking to get fit, amuse children, 

or simply have a quiet, peaceful walk in the 

sunshine to recharge your mind, our beautiful 

parks really do have something for everyone.” 

Joanna’s prize is just what 

the doctor ordered! 

The winner of the Computer Doctor free prize draw to win a PC worth an amazing £229.00 was Joanna 

Sweet. The draw was part of the brilliant fifth birthday celebrations held last month at the Computer 

Doctor shop on Winter Hey Lane in Horwich. Look out for more exciting deals and demos coming soon. 

PAGE 3

Miss Saigon comes 

to Bolton School 

The recent Joint Senior Production of Miss Saigon was a sell-out 

success. Set against the backdrop of the Vietnam War, the audience 

was instantly transported from the Arts Centre at Bolton School, to 

the gritty and sleazy atmosphere of the Dreamland Club during the 

opening number The Heat is On in Saigon. 

The tragic story, based on Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly, centres 

around the whirlwind romance between Chris, a disillusioned 

American soldier and Kim, a desperate and naïve orphan, forced to 

work at the Club. 

Matthew Kay took the lead role of Chris, while Caroline Blair and 

Molly McLaughlin gave alternate performances, sharing the lead role 

of Kim. The standard of their performance was exceptional and highly 

convincing: the roles were maturely and sensitively portrayed without 

being over-sentimental. Adam Whitmore ably supported with strong 

vocals in his role as John, Chris' fellow comrade, while George 

Morgan exuded charm, adding some comic relief in his role as The 

Engineer, the seedy and corrupt club owner who longs to live The 

American Dream. 

Jean-Paul Asumu countered with a menacing performance as Thuy, 

to whom Kim was formerly betrothed. Other stand-out performances 

came from Ellen Bate, in her role as Chris' American wife, who 

balanced dignified restraint and impassioned despair, as well as Sian 

Rowlands, who played Gigi, the showgirl whose brash exterior 

dissolves to reveal her true vulnerability. 

The often sequin-clad supporting Ensemble assumed a range of 

demanding roles and impressed with their slick choreography, 

gymnastic ability and vocal cohesion. Indeed, both the cast and band 

dealt admirably with Boublil and Schönberg's highly complex musical 

score and dialogue. The committed performances by all lent a 

professional edge to the production and after months of collaboration 

and long hours of rehearsal, Miss Saigon emerged a triumph. 

Double bill of crime happening in Bolton 

If you like a gripping tale of crime and intrigue Sunday Times 

bestselling debut writer Daniel Cole and the UK's number one 

Kindle author Rachel Abbot will be meeting fans at Bolton Central 

Library at the end of the month. 

Crime story fans can meet the authors Daniel Cole and Rachel 

Abbot at a free event on, Wednesday April 26th starting at 1pm to 

2.30pm. Cole will be talking about his first book in the William 

Fawkes series, 'Ragdoll', and Abbott will be giving an insight into 

her latest book 'The Sixth Window'. The authors will also be in 

conversation with The Daily Telegraph's crime writer Jake Kerridge. 

There will also be an opportunity to buy signed copies of the books 

and light refreshments will be available. The event is free but places 

must be booked in advance - book your free place on Eventbrite at 

ow.ly/bWTl309VZw2 or call 01204 332211 

Open Doors at new Leisure Centre 

Visitors were able to get upclose 

and personal with the 

new Horwich Leisure Centre 

recently, as developers 

Willmott Dixon hosted a 

special Open Doors project as 

part of a national event to give 

young people a chance to get 

an insight into building a 

career in construction. 

We have been covering the 

development of the centre 

closely from the demolition of 

the old multi-storey car park, 

which saw the rubble recycled 

and used in the build, to 

seeing the steel frame become 

the outline of what will be a 

massive asset for Horwich. 

Visitors to the Open Doors 

project had a chance of 

actually seeing the build in 

progress, which is now at the 

half-way stage, and is really 

beginning to come to life and 

take shape. As you climb the 

steps up to what will be the 

viewing gallery for the 25m 

six-lane swimming pool and 

separate training pool you can 

almost smell the Chlorine. 

Moving across you enter what 

will be the 100-station fitness 

suite with it's massive picture 

window its sure to be the 

perfect place to be seen and 

enjoy getting fit and healthy. 

The £10m project, jointly 

funded by Bolton Council and 

Bolton Community Leisure 

Trust, will also include a four 

court sports hall, spin and 

dance studios, changing 

facilities and new car parking. 

The new Horwich Leisure 

Centre is also being built as a 

dementia friendly centre, one 

of the first in England where all 

employees will be given 

dementia awareness training, 

another massive step towards 

Horwich becoming the first 

Dementia friendly town. 

The Open Doors visit was a 

great way to see the new 

Leisure Centre taking shape 

and young would be engineers 

Cameron and Ciaran Maryland 

from Horwich said they had 

really enjoyed the experience. 

Site administrator, Danielle 

Whitworth, from Willmott 

Dixon, said about the Open 

Doors visits, “We have had 

some fantastic feedback from 

residents; we have been 

engaging with in the 

community and have plans to 

support the Horwich Carnival. 

It has all been very positive.” 

Living inBL has one of each of these exciting 

page-turning crime thrillers signed by the 

authors for you to win! 

For your chance to win simply answer the following question: 

What are the titles of the books? 

Send your answer on a postcard or sealed down envelop with your 

name, address and daytime telephone number to: 

Crime Books Competition, LivingINBL Newspaper 

147a Chorley New Road, Horwich, Bolton BL6 5QE 

You can also answer by email to competitions@livinginbl.com 

Closing Date is Thursday 11th May. The first two names chosen at 

random will be deemed the winners. The Editor’s decision is final. 

As usual it was a fascinating 

insight into the construction of 

the new Horwich Leisure 

Centre… and you can be sure 

Living inBL will continue to 

Sign-up saddle-up 

and set off 

Cyclists across the area are 

being encouraged to pit their 

pedal power against other 

European cities next month, 

with the chance of winning 

prizes. 

Anyone can join in the 

European Cycling Challenge 

(ECC) scheme to help Greater 

Manchester take on the likes of 

Rome, Barcelona and Glasgow 

by clocking cycling mileage and 

data using the free Naviki app. 

The app helps each cyclist to 

contribute to the overall 

Greater Manchester 'team' 

mileage and, during the monthlong 

challenge that runs from 

1st to 31st May, participants 

can check progress and overall 

league position in real-time via 

an online league table. 

GPS data and information on 

cycling behaviour collected 

over the period of the challenge 

will be used by Transport for 

Greater Manchester to inform 

future improvement schemes. 

Those who sign up to the 

challenge and register to 

Greater Manchester will also 

be entered into weekly free 

prize draws throughout May 

with a chance of winning 

shopping vouchers worth up to 

£300. 

follow the progress of the build 

until the ribbon is cut … plus 

for me there’s now a smaller 

size of boots and hard hat that 

fits! 

Transport for Greater 

Manchester Committee's 

Cycling and Walking 

Champion, Councillor Chris 

Paul, said, “The European 

Cycling Challenge is an 

excellent way to encourage 

people to use their bikes as 

much as possible, exercise, 

have fun and become part of a 

collective team effort. 

It doesn't matter if you're an 

elite cyclist, commuter or you 

just cycle to the shops at the 

weekend all contributions 

count. By participating, you'll 

also become an active part of 

the planning process, as your 

data will help us determine how 

your cycling needs can better 

be met in the future.” 

Born from an idea in the city of 

Bologna as a small pilot with 

around 70 people, the ECC is 

now one of Europe's largest 

cycling events, during the 2016 

edition, 52 cities from 17 

countries joined the challenge, 

and 46,000 people cycled four 

million km in a month. 

To sign up for team Greater 

Manchester, visit 

www.cyclingchallenge.eu and 

follow the instructions to 

download the Naviki app…. 

Get on your bike and Ride! 

PAGE 4 

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LIVINGINBL

Donation help for 

School in a Bag 

Sometimes it's easy to forget how fortunate we really are, every 

day our children pick up their school bag packed with books, 

pens and lunch boxes and go off to enjoy a normal day at 

school. Sadly many children throughout the world don't have the 

opportunity to attend school and simple equipment such as 

pens and paper are at the best very scarce, but an inspiring and 

novel idea is helping to give poor, orphan, vulnerable and 

disaster affected children the potential to transform their lives, 

with the help of School in a Bag. 

The idea of School in a Bag was born in 2009 following a 

collaboration project to send School Bags to orphan children in 

Swaziland, Africa, and in a recent presentation for Horwich 

Inner Wheel, guest speaker Lis Foy, who had travelled from 

Taunton, explained what was involved with the charity. 

School in a Bag, delivers rucksacks filled with stationery and 

resources to underprivileged and disaster-affected children 

across the world, enabling them to attend school and receive an 

education. Each School in a Bag is filled with stationery 

equipment and resources that will enable a child to write, draw, 

colour, calculate, express themselves and above all learn. The 

charity operates in Brazil, India and several African countries. 

After the talk, Lilian Welsby, Horwich Inner Wheel International 

Chairman, presented Lis with a cheque for £500 to help further 

the work of School in a Bag. 

New apprenticeships 

for adult social care 

Bolton Cares will create 

opportunities for 12 Apprentices 

as part of a new partnership 

with Bolton College. 

The company is linking up with 

the college to enable up to 12 

young people a year to work 

within the company whilst 

studying for a NVQ Level 2 or 

Level 3 in health and social 

care. 

Including one day a week spent 

in college, the apprenticeship 

scheme will enable Level 2 

apprentices to gain experience 

as an adult care worker and 

Level 3 apprentices as a lead 

adult care worker. 

In addition, the apprentices can 

work towards gaining the 

minimum industry standard 

Care Certificate during their 

time with the company. 

Bolton Cares will pay £5 per 

hour for apprentices under the 

age of 18, which is £1.50 above 

the national minimum wage. 

Then payments will be made in 

line with the national minimum 

wage for 18 to 25 year olds and 

older; the maximum being £7.50 

per hour. 

Chairman of the Bolton Cares 

Steering Committee, Cllr Linda 

Thomas, said, “Bolton Cares is 

a local company, offering 

opportunities for local people 

and we are delighted to be able 

to join forces with Bolton 

College to offer an attractive 

apprenticeship scheme for our 

young people. 

Working in social care can be a 

very rewarding career and a 

skilled and dedicated workforce 

is vital for us to continue 

delivering an exceptional health 

and social care system. I'm very 

much looking forward to 

meeting our first apprentices, 

and welcoming them to Bolton 

Cares.” 

Helen Rose, Director of 

Marketing and Business 

Development at Bolton College 

said, “We're delighted to be 

working so closely with Bolton 

Cares, and providing yet more 

quality Apprenticeship 

opportunities for our students. 

There's already been a lot of 

interest, and I know that the 

apprentices will relish this 

opportunity, work hard, and 

excel in their new roles.” 

Apprenticeships with the 

company are expected to last 

18 months and there is potential 

for the opportunity to work for 

Bolton Cares at the end of the 

scheme. 

Last year’s torrential weather axes 

Haigh, Aspull and Blackrod Show 

For over 25 years hundreds of 

visitors have flocked to Haigh 

Show to enjoy the chance to 

get up close and personal with 

the countryside and it's 

animals, making it one of the 

most successful Country 

Shows in the area. 

Sadly last year's Haigh Show 

was hit by storms and torrential 

rain and even though as the 

saying goes, 'the show must go 

on', which it did, the effect of 

the vehicles and machinery 

getting stuck in the mud, 

caused a massive amount of 

damage to the fields, which 

have still not recovered. 

Therefore after many meetings 

the show committee had to 

make the difficult decision to 

cancel this year's Haigh Show. 

Haigh, Aspull & Blackrod 

Agricultural Show, Chairman, 

Phil Johnson explains in the 

following statement 

'It is with much sadness and 

regret that the Committee of 

Haigh, Aspull and Blackrod 

Agricultural Society in 

collaboration with the Forster 

family (owners of Windmill 

Field), have taken the 

extremely difficult decision that 

the 2017 Annual Summer Show 

will not now go ahead. 

As many people involved in last 

years show will attest, the wet 

weather immediately before the 

show was unrelenting and 

show weekend activities 

resulted in considerable ground 

damage. 

Full steam ahead for 

local museum 

Two spectacular ‘Steaming' events will take place at Bolton 

Steam Museum on Mornington Road in Bolton, at the end of 

the month. The first event a 'May Day Steaming' will take place 

on Sunday 30th April and Monday 1st May. The second event a 

'Spring Bank Holiday Steaming' is on Sunday 28th to Monday 

29th May, both events will be firing up from 10am until 4.00pm 

Bolton Steam Museum, operated entirely by volunteers from 

the Northern Mill Engine Society, and is the home of 30 

magnificent rescued and restored stationary old steam engines, 

many of which once proudly powered the Cotton Mills of 

Lancashire, and one of the largest collections in the country. 

The May Bank Holiday 'Steamings' will be an exciting chance 

for visitors of all ages to encounter the sight, sound and smell 

of the giants of the steam age in all their glory, in fact some of 

the engines housed at the museum are now unique and one is 

the only example of its kind to survive anywhere in the world! 

This is certainly a fantastic day out for the whole family and 

sure to get a little oil in the veins. 

Admission to Bolton Steam Museum is free, although donations 

from visitors to cover running expenses are always welcome. 

The museum is situated close to Morrisons Supermarket off 

Chorley Old Road, and visitors are able to use the car park. 

For more information contact 01204 846490 www.nmes.org 

It is the Committee and 

landowners view that both the 

Windmill and adjacent car 

parking fields will not have 

recovered sufficiently to 

withstand the rigours of this 

years show. We have made this 

decision early to enable trades 

and exhibitors to make 

alternative arrangements 

The Society is currently in a 

healthy financial position and 

intent to take that strength 

forward to present a bigger and 

better show on 19th August 

2018. 

We will continue with our 

fundraising activities throughout 

the next year and are currently 

planning our traditional Friday 

night 'shindig'. 

Please check our website for 

further details at 

www.haighshow.co.uk 

We would like to thank all our 

supporters and look forward to 

seeing you in 2018 if not 

before.’ 

Phil Johnson (Chairman): For 

and on behalf of the Haigh 

Show Committee. 

When words are not enough 

we have a selection 

of Beautiful Floral Tributes 

Also Hand Ties, Bouquets and Arrangements 

Flower Baskets, Silk and Cut Flowers 

Delivered to Your Door 

Bromilows Florist 

10 Winter Hey Lane, Horwich BL6 7AA. Tel: 01204 696792 

www.bromilowsflorist.co.uk 

all major cards accepted 

LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 5

Work begins on medieval Hall one year after fire 

Work has begun in earnest on 

the historic Wythenshawe Hall. 

Around 50 firefighters attended 

the scene at the 16th Century 

Hall in March last year to put out 

the blaze which took hold across 

the timber-framed building. The 

fire could have been end for the 

much-loved building had it not 

been for the heroic efforts of 

Greater Manchester Fire 

Services officers, who battled 

through the night to prevent the 

destruction of the medieval hall. 

Despite these efforts, the arson 

attack caused a large amount of 

damage to the roof and several 

key rooms at the hall, and smoke 

damage through large portions of 

the property. 

Conlon Construction have been 

chosen to begin the repair work 

with a team of sub-contractors 

who have the necessary heritage 

experience to tackle the 

mammoth task in Wythenshawe, 

following their work at Heaton 

Hall in North Manchester. 

Since the fire last year, 

archaeologists and conservation 

architects have combed through 

the hall to save as much original 

material as possible. 

Hundreds of artefacts have been 

recovered and catalogued prior 

to the major repair work starting 

on site. The philosophy of the 

repair project is to retain and 

repair as much original material 

as possible. 

A repair programme and the 

necessary planning applications 

for the interior repairs of 

Wythenshawe Hall will be 

developed in the coming months. 

Returning to Wythenshawe Hall a 

year after the fire, Group 

Manager Pete Lamb of Greater 

Manchester Fire and Rescue 

Service, commented: “It was so 

rewarding for all of us who fought 

the fire to come back and see the 

progress that has been made 

with the restoration work and the 

sheer effort and will of all those 

involved to restore this 

magnificent historic building to its 

former glory. It was a sad sight 

when we arrived on that night 

and we did all we possibly could 

to stop the fire from spreading 

although at times it seemed the 

battle could be lost.” 

“It has given us real pleasure to 

know that our efforts were not in 

vain and I feel so pleased that we 

could play our part in saving this 

piece of history for future 

generations.” 

Cllr Sue Murphy, Deputy Leader 

of Manchester City Council, said 

“It has been gruelling year for the 

teams that have worked to 

secure the future of the building 

and save as: “It’s fantastic that 

the first phase of the major repair 

works is now on site following a 

much of the hall’s original 

artefacts and character as 

possible. One year on from the 

fire it’s been a pleasure to 

welcome the fire fighters who are 

responsible for saving the 

property from desolation. They 

put their lives on the line to 

preserve Wythenshawe Hall and 

we along with countless 

generations of Mancunians past 

and future owe them a huge debt 

of gratitude.” 

Chair of the Friends of 

Wythenshawe Hall, Richard 

Jackson, said: “The Friends of 

Wythenshawe Hall remember the 

great job done by Manchester 

Fire & Rescue a year ago. Now 

we are excited to know that 

serious reconstruction work is 

about to commence at 

Wythenshawe Hall very soon, 

and we are planning, preparing, 

and looking forward to the day 

when we can open the Hall to 

welcome visitors again.” 

Opening times 

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FLETCHER STREET, BOLTON BL3 6NF 

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PAGE 6 

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LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 7

Ivy Model Higher Barn architecturally 

designed and beautifully renovated 

Ivy Model Higher Barn is a 

prestigious one level property 

that has been architecturally 

designed and beautifully 

renovated and restored 

throughout. The exceptional 

design of this stunning 

residence also incorporates 

modern day technologies and 

home automation systems 

which have been meticulously 

applied and have created an 

exceptional example of 21st 

century living set within an 

exclusive hamlet. 

The home automation systems 

include; Elan Smart Home, 

intelligent building control 

system, incorporating the 

following technologies; Lutron 

lighting control system, Nest 

intelligent fire alarm, Texacom 

Alarm System, Sonance 

speakers with media control 

servers and an iPad control 

system with Launchport wall 

stations. 

With Bespoke Poggenpohl 

kitchen, Miele appliances, 

30mm one piece Siltstone 

island, under floor heating, 5:1 

surround system. Whilst 

bathroom and shower suites 

benefit from Silstone wall 

paneling with designer vanity's 

and Hansgrohe fittings as 

standard and these are just a 

few of the many beautiful 

additions to this stunning 

property. Higher Barn benefits 

from Marine grade Aluminium 

DGU units. Marine grade 

Aluminium DGU units. Helping 

you heat both your home and 

water there is ground source 

heat technology which ensures 

that the property is 

environmental friendly too! 

Ivy Model Lower barn is 

situated on The West Pennine 

Moors and set within rolling 

moorland which captures 

panoramic views of Lancashire 

and as far as the snow capped 

mountains Snowdonia National 

Park. The location provides 

easy access to outdoor 

recreational pursuits, Bolton 

Town Centre is within 3 miles 

and the M61 is accessible with 

ease. Train stations are located 

at Bolton or Lostock with a 30 

minute journey to Manchester 

Piccadilly. Manchester & 

Liverpool Airports are easily 

accessible via rail and road 

links. The highly regarded 

independent Bolton School is 

within 2 miles and an array of 

shopping experiences 

throughout the North West are 

only a short drive. 

Ivy Model Higher Barn is a prestigious three bedroom one 

level property that has been architecturally designed 

and beautifully renovated and restored throughout. 

£925,000 

For further details or to arrange a viewing please contact 

0800 011 2152 

Jones Homes reveal plans for 

Victoria Road Campus site 

Jones Homes is pleased to 

announce that it has received 

planning consent for a new 

residential development on the 

old college campus site at 

Victoria Road in Horwich. 

The award-winning house 

builder who already owns the 

land located on Victoria Road, 

plans to transform the 

dilapidated and overgrown site 

into a prestigious development 

of brand new homes. 

Launching in the Summer, the 

new development will be known 

as Rivington Grange and will 

comprise of 129 beautifully 

designed properties. 

Appealing to a broad spectrum 

of buyer, from first-time-buyers, 

families and those looking to 

downsize, Rivington Grange 

will offer a range of one 

bedroom apartments, two and 

three bedroom mews, four 

bedroom townhouses and 

detached homes. 

Externally, the properties will be 

distinctively Jones Homes. 

Aesthetically pleasing, they will 

feature bespoke exterior 

elevations and individual 

finishes that ensure every 

home has its own character 

and style. 

Internally, the properties have 

been carefully designed, 

inspired by modern lifestyles, 

and will boast practical floor 

layouts complemented by a 

superb specification. 

Highly regarded in the region, 

PAGE 8 

Rivington Grange is sure 

complement Jones Homes' 

current developments in Bolton; 

Smithills Coaching House and 

Clevelands. 

Gemma Pownall, Sales and 

Marketing Director at Jones 

Homes, comments, “We are 

thrilled to unveil our plans for 

Rivington Grange in Horwich; 

the development looks very 

impressive. 

Bolton is, and has been for 

many, many years, a very 

significant area for Jones 

Homes. With a long history of 

delivering expertly designed, 

high quality new build homes in 

the region, we are confident 

Rivington Grange will exceed 

expectations and be in high 

demand. We urge potential 

purchasers to register their 

interest immediately.” 

Rivington Grange is ideally 

located close to excellent 

primary and secondary schools 

and benefits from good 

transport links, including the 

M61. Horwich Golf Club is on 

the doorstep, Middlebrook 

Retail and Leisure Park is just a 

short drive away, and with the 

vibrant Horwich Town Centre 

too, the development benefits 

from a superb selection of 

shops, restaurants and leisure 

facilities. 

Potential purchasers should 

register their interest by calling 

the Jones Homes Information 

Centre on 01625 415348 or 

alternatively, please visit 

www.jones-homes.co.uk 

Concerns flood in over rumours 

about Green Lane playing fields 

Over the past few months 

groundwork has been taking 

place on Green Lane Playing 

Fields in Horwich, this caused 

the rumours to start and 

residents became concerned 

that the area was going to be 

used for housing. 

In fact the work being carried 

out is to correct the drainage on 

the pitches and improve playing 

conditions. 

Councillor Kevin McKeon, has 

given an update and stated, 

"Many Horwich residents have 

noticed work taking place on the 

playing fields on Green Lane. 

The work is correcting the 

drainage problems on the fields. 

It had to be paused over the 

winter but should now be 

underway again. Once it is 

finished, the pitches will be less 

liable to flooding and playing 

conditions for teams playing 

there will be improved. The 

fields will be re-seeded and be 

ready for use by the autumn. 

This is part of the Council's 

investment in Horwich's 

sporting facilities." 

To advertise your business contact the experts 

TELEPHONE 

01204 669966 

TM 

c 

LIVINGINBL

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PAGE 9

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PAGE 11

FACTORY OUTLET 

BLACK DIAMOND 

FIREPLACES (Allen Brother Fireplaces) 

CUSTOM MADE FIREPLACES 

FACTORY OUTLET AT CLAYTON ST. WIGAN WN3 4DA 

(M6 JUNCTION 25. HEAD FOR WIGAN PIER) 

FREE parking at the door - Open 7 days a week 

TEL: 01942 245649 or 01942 826097 

www.blackdiamondfireplaces.co.uk 

www.bestofwiganfireplaces.com 

CHORLEY FIRE CENTRE 

MULTIFUEL & WOODBURNING STOVES 

46 STEELEY LANE 

CHORLEY PR6 0RD 

TELEPHONE 

01257 232421 

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BRITISH MADE 

STOVES 

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£299 

We have extended our showroom for a wider range of Woodburning and 

Multifuel Stoves and Surrounds with over 25 stoves now on display. 

We can install a solid fuel fire in your conservatory, even if it has a 

polycarbonate roof! That room you use for only two or three months 

because it’s too cold could be used all year round by fitting a small stove. 

ANY WORK CAN BE UNDERTAKEN BY SPECIALIST FITTERS 

We have 20 years fitting experience and are 

the only HETAS Approved retailer in Chorley 

assuring all our customers get the very best 

of expert advice. 

Summer’s on the way and it’s time 

to check your outdoor heating 

As the lighter nights grow longer, it’s a 

true sign that summer is on the way. 

Even in early spring there’s nothing like 

sitting in the garden with a glass of 

wine, especially if you’re sat in front of 

an outdoor heater. 

Patio heater were not really seen much in 

the UK until about fifteen to twenty years 

ago, when they began to appear in 

commercial situations, outside cafés, pubs 

and restaurants. Similar LPG models very 

quickly began to appear on the domestic 

market as people warmed to the idea of 

being able to get more enjoyment from 

their gardens in our unsettled climate. 

These gas heaters are not the only way of 

heating a patio though. There are infrared 

and halogen radiant heaters which run on 

mains electricity and then the various forms 

of outdoor wood burning fires such as 

chimineas, fire pits, heaters and even 

bonfires. But any form of heater needs 

attention paid to its condition, location and 

the way it's used to make sure that it can 

provide comfort in complete safety. 

All patio heaters, regardless of the type or 

the fuel they use, need to be sited in a safe 

place away from anything that can catch 

fire. Keep awnings, parasols, trees and 

bushes well away from the heater, 

particularly if there is a breeze. Make sure 

that combustible items cannot get 

anywhere near the source of heat. 

Take care to keep patio heaters away from 

buildings as well. Although heating up a 

stone or brick wall doesn't cause too many 

problems, fittings such as drainpipes, 

guttering, soffits or window frames could 

get damaged. Most patio heaters give off 

direct heat, heating objects rather than the 

air around them, so items near the heater 

will get hotter the longer the heater is on. 

With LPG fuelled gas heaters great care 

must be taken with the fitting of the gas 

cylinder, supply tubes and valves. These 

heaters use standard LPG fittings that have 

been used safely for years with domestic 

and leisure cooking equipment so there 

should not be any safety problems with the 

use of LPG. But just make sure you double 

check everything each time a patio heater 

is used, particularly when swapping 

cylinders. 

Gas fuelled patios heaters are inherently 

stable because of the weight of the cylinder 

at the bottom of the pole, but make sure 

that there is a tilt cut-off switch. This means 

that if the heater is tipped over past a 

certain point the gas supply is switched off, 

extinguishing the flame. Beware that 

although this means the heater should be 

extinguished immediately the heating 

element and the top of the heater will still 

be hot and can cause severe burns. 

Electric patio heaters use either halogen or 

infrared units to provide heat so they are 

inherently safer than gas heaters. They are 

normally wall mounted so there's no tilting 

issue. There are now, however, electric 

heaters that imitate the look of gas patio 

heaters and they should be checked to 

make sure they cannot be tipped over too 

easily. 

Wood burning fires are harder to light and 

maintain than gas or electric patio heaters, 

and there's more mess, but they are 

charming and romantic. A fire pit or an 

open patio heater (these normally have a 

roof to force heat out and to the sides) 

should be made of metal or heat resistant 

brick or stone. A popular addition to wood 

burning patio heaters is the chiminea, a 

Mexican-style pot-bellied stove with a tall 

chimney that takes ash and smoke away 

from people on the patio. As the fire is 

almost completely enclosed there is less 

danger from the open flame but the 

outsides of a chiminea will get very hot. 

This is great for heating the area and 

exactly what it is supposed to do. 

But children may not realise that the whole 

structure heats up and can burn 

themselves on the exterior. Perhaps an 

open fire is better so that there is at least a 

visual and audible warning of the danger of 

the flame. It goes without saying that open 

fires should never be used when very 

young children are about. 

Here are a few more quick safety tips on 

patio heater safety to finish on. Never use 

a heater designed for the patio in the 

house, do not use them to dry clothes or 

anything else combustible and never try 

and move a heater without turning it off and 

waiting for it to cool down. 

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OPEN MONDAY, TUESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY 9.30AM - 5.00PM WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY 9.30AM - 1.00PM 

PAGE 12 

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Choosing blinds for your conservatory 

A conservatory on the home serves many purposes, choosing the right 

conservatory blinds is important if you are to get the most out the 

conservatory not just in summer but in winter. Let's take a look at the 

points to consider before you buy conservatory blinds. Fortunately 

given the advances in conservatory roofs, those hideous pleated 

insect traps that cost a kings ransom otherwise known as roof blinds 

are now out of vogue. In this article we'll concentrate on blinds for the 

windows in your conservatory. 

Roller blinds can look great in a conservatory depending on how you 

use them. If you have one roller for each "section" of window then you 

can create nice effects by raising or lowering the rollers to different 

levels as the sun moves during the course of the day. Rollers are 

available in a wide range of colours and fabrics at various prices. 

Roller Blinds can be retracted fully for ease of cleaning. They are 

relatively light in weight and so won't put undue stress on the window 

frame onto which they are attached. Roman blinds have changed 

considerably since they first became fashionable some years ago. 

Gone are the fussy home made wooden headrails and wooden dowel 

rods and in their place are modern aluminium headrails and fibreglass 

rods. Roman blinds have become popular as although expensive to 

buy made to measure, if you have sewing skills you can buy your 

fabric and then purchase cheap Roman blind kits that contain the 

headrail, rods and controls. Roman blinds are perhaps the best choice 

for insulation during the summer months. Because virtually any fabric 

can be used the choice is endless. If you are looking for venetian 

blinds for a conservatory then aluminium venetian blinds are the ones 

to choose. Venetian blinds do look rather chic and even when not 

drawn up they offer superb privacy whilst still not impeding your view. 

They won't discolour and with the various devices available for just a 

few pounds from the likes of Betterware they are easily cleaned. 

Aluminium venetian blinds are quite light and so won't put stress onto 

the UPVC window frames to which they are fixed. The colour is 

anodised and so they won't fade in the sun. When fully retracted they 

have a medium stack height so cleaning should be relatively easy. 

Vertical blinds are always a popular choice for the conservatory and 

it's easy to see why. Vertical blinds offer excellent light control 

especially if you opt for blackout vertical blinds. The many draw 

options and controls allow for endless light control. insulation and 

privacy provision. Vertical blinds aren't too heavy and so again won't 

put undue stress onto the UPVC frames. We've already discussed the 

dust and insect problems in conservatories but depending on the 

fabric that you choose vertical blinds can be easy cleaned. 

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Police Surgeries now 

available in Horwich 

The Public Enquiry Counter at GM Police Station on Burden Way, 

Middlebrook has now closed, although the Police Station remains 

operational. 

A GMP review of Public Enquiry Counters looked at changes that 

could be made to ensure services are used in the most effective 

way, by redirected resources to more popular methods of contact 

such as online or by phone. The review found that the counters 

earmarked to close including the one at Horwich Police Station, 

saw as little as one member of the public attending the Public 

Enquiry Counter per day. 

Due to this, the decision was made to close the Public Enquiry 

Counter at Middlebrook Police Station. To keep in touch with local 

residents and to have a better Police presence in Horwich, GMP 

now has regular Police Surgeries at the Public Hall on Lee Lane. 

Monday 8th May - 5.00pm till 7.00pm 

Monday 5th June - 5.00pm till 7.00pm 

LIVINGINBL c 

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PAGE 13

Add space and declutter with a fitted bedroom 

Everything today seems to 

be built in. Built-in cabinets, 

closets, bookcases, and 

shelves seem to be a real 

eye catcher when showing a 

home. Maybe because it 

makes the room look more 

structured or customised. 

Homes that do not have this 

certain flair can have their 

own built-in designs with 

bespoke furniture that is 

made to your room's 

specifications. A popular 

option of today is fitted 

bedroom furniture that 

brings space and 

organisation where chaos 

used to exist. 

Having an older home with 

dormers in the bedrooms 

may seem impossible to fit 

with any furniture but 

customising a built-in closet 

is not difficult with expert 

fitters. Simple measuring 

and deciding where the bed 

should be placed are the 

only real factors in creating 

a wardrobe or bedside table 

that is perfect for your room. 

A fitted bedroom wardrobe 

that fits snug into the 

slanted ceilings will give an 

appearance of a quality 

design, not to mention much 

needed closet space. 

You don't have to be an 

architect in order to draw a 

blueprint plan. This is much 

easier than moving your bed 

all around the room to see 

where it will give you the 

most space and provide a 

restful sleep. Start with a 

square and minimize the 

size to inches. Make points 

where the windows, doors, 

electrical outlets and any 

other obstacles appear. 

Next, make a template of 

your bed and move it all 

over. Will the sun shine in 

your eyes in this position? 

Does the door open inward, 

striking the bed? These are 

a couple of questions that a 

plan will help you see on 

paper. 

Different building materials 

are available depending on 

the type of style that you 

want. Wood, foils, laminates 

are a few of the options in 

creating your built-in 

bedroom furniture or a softer 

look with fabric or vinyl. The 

choices are as wide as your 

imagination will take you. 

Bear in mind though, that 

with bespoke furniture, it 

should match the style of 

your home because it 

becomes part of your home. 

Bear in mind that choosing 

fitted bedroom furniture is a 

bit more expensive that 

buying freestanding furniture 

but it only stands to reason. 

You are receiving a custommade 

product and look that 

will compliment your home 

forever. 

If you get your home 

appraised or you place it on 

the market, your fitted 

bedroom furniture will look 

natural and appealing as the 

day it was installed, and will 

help to sell your property. 

192 Lyons Lane, Chorley PR6 0PP 

FREEPHONE 0800 587 4487 

Project Management Individual Interiors 

In-House Fitters Matching Furniture 

Also Full Range of Hinged Door Wardrobes 

visit our website at: www.creativejoinery.net 

Open: Monday to Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm. Sundays 10.30am - 2.00pm 

PAGE 14 

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LIVINGINBL

LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 15

They’re calling it a vinyl come-back 

For many of us it’s never been away! 

It’s safe to assume if you’re over 

40 and you’ve been in any kind 

of music subculture, you’ll have 

a collection of records... 

somewhere, maybe in the loft. 

We can discuss and argue the 

merits of digital audio versus 

needle-in-the-groove playback 

until the cows come home. But 

as a self confessed vinyl junkie I 

appreciate the size, the smell, 

the feel, the label, the cover and 

credits etc that often accompany 

a record... but mainly because 

you can’t caress an MP3 file. 

Recent press coverage will have 

you believe that vinyl has made 

a comeback... it’s never been 

away! Even when the compact 

disc was invented in the ’80s, 

records still continued to exist 

and were still being pressed and 

sold. 

So, all you ‘young’ trend 

setters... You’ve read all the online 

blogs, seen all the Youtube 

clips of those strange ‘old plastic 

disc things’ spinning around on 

turntables, and now you want to 

be a vinyl collector? 

First of all, drop the word ‘vinyl’ 

as most of us proper collectors 

call them ‘records’. 

When you’re out looking for 

records don’t moan about the 

cost. There are so many 

variables to the final price of a 

record. They require several 

stages of manufacturing, as well 

as the album cover. Then there’s 

how many people need to be 

paid... the label sells it to the 

distributor who sells it to a shop 

who sells it to you. And if the 

record is an import, there will be 

another person with a foreign 

passport who will require 

payment! Just pay what you’re 

comfortable with. Many 

collectors regard records as 

tangible investments that may, or 

may not go up in value and have 

no intention of ever playing their 

prized records. I play ALL the 

records in my long standing 

collection, regardless of their 

values. That is what they are 

for... to handle and to hear their 

unique sound over the odd pops 

and crackles. So if you are going 

to use your records for what they 

were intended then please... 

go and buy a good turntable! 

You may have seen those cute 

retro style record players with 

built-in speakers that include a 

CD player, radio, digital clock 

etc. Too bad most of them have 

tone arms which are heavy 

enough to grind through the 

groove walls of that expensive 

pressing of Larry Lurex’s ‘I can 

hear music’ or that first issue of 

‘She’ll come running back’ that 

you borrowed cash to acquire. 

These kinds of stereo units look 

cheap, sound bad and will 

destroy your vinyl investments 

with repeated playing. So buyer 

beware! 

My advice is to purchase a 

quality used turntable but ignore 

the 1200/1210’s made famous at 

raves. While excellent for DJ 

work they are direct drive, so can 

sometimes produce slight motor 

noise in a home setting - just my 

opinion. You’ll also need a preamp, 

amplifier and a good pair of 

speakers in heavy enclosures. 

Read up on what’s required, but 

avoid audiophile websites as 

these are mainly obsessed with 

producing pure sound rather 

than quality music listening. 

Once you know what you want 

search the local collector fairs or 

ebay... you’ll be surprised what 

you can get second hand for 

around £700. 

the 

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Contact LivingINBL with details of your fundraising 

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PAGE 16 

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LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 17

Time to protect your 

garden fence 

Wooden fences are expensive 

besides being a lot of work to install, 

but a good looking fence can add 

value to your property value, while a 

poorly maintained one can actually 

bring down the asking price. So it 

makes sense to make an effort to 

maintain your investment. The best 

way to protect wood is to keep the 

elements from affecting it and that 

means either painting or staining 

the wood. 

When it comes to protecting wood 

from the elements you have three 

choices - paint, semitransparent 

stain and solid stain. 

Paint consists of a solvent, colour 

pigments and a binder that holds 

the paint pigments in place. Paints 

are designed to remain on the 

surface of the wood and form a film 

or layer on the surface that prevents 

moisture from getting through. 

Paints provide more UV protection 

than stains but if applied to poorly 

prepared wood can bubble and peel 

so often won't last as long as a 

stain. Stains are made from the 

same ingredients as paint, but 

they're combined in different 

proportions and are usually much 

thinner than paint. Stains are 

designed to actually soak into the 

wood and fill the wood pores so 

water can't get into the wood. 

Semitransparent stain have less 

pigment than solid or opaque stains 

and provide a translucent 

appearance that allows the grain 

and texture of the underlying wood 

to show through, making it an 

attractive finish for new wood 

fences. However they don't provide 

as much UV protection as paint or a 

solid stain . Solid stains contain 

much more pigment so covers the 

underlying grain of the wood. It's a 

good choice for older, weathered 

surfaces or surfaces that have been 

previously treated. 

As with any painting project, before 

you actually do any painting, you 

need to prepare the surface 

properly to ensure your job lasts. If 

your fence has not yet been painted 

or stained your preparation will be 

straight forward - simply pressure 

wash or sand the boards to remove 

any weathering and get them back 

close to their original wood 

appearance. 

If your fence has been previously 

painted, ideally you should remove 

all the old paint by sanding or using 

a heat gun and scraper, but if you 

are going to be repainting, often all 

that is required is scraping away 

any flaking or loose paint. However, 

if you are changing from paint to 

stain, it's important you apply a coat 

of primer to the entire surface 

before you can safely stain your 

fence to ensure the stain will 

adhere. Previously stained fences 

should be sanded or pressure 

washed to provide a clean surface 

for the new coat of stain to soak into 

the wood. 

Follow 

LivinginBL 

inBL 

on Facebook 

and Twitter 

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10 BAGS = £25 DELIVERED 

COLLECT YOUR OWN £2.00 PER BAG 

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PAGE 18 

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or visit our 

01257 482 636 website at WWW.JORGUS.CO.UK 

JORGUS CARPETS 

Jorgus Grass is 

the ideal alternative 

to natural grass and the 

perfect solution for all those 

areas where grass just won’t grow. 

Jorgus Grass can be used in all sizes of 

gardens, achieving the perfect lawn 

throughout the year. 

Jorgus Grass can be installed outdoors or indoors, 

temporary or permanent. On balcony’s, timber decking, 

children’s play areas, caravans, camping, barbeques and many 

other applications. 

Jorgus Grass is available in two widths, 4m wide and 2m wide and in 

seven grades ranging from 20mm pile to 38mm pile heights. Installation of 

Jorgus Grass can be carried out by most able bodied DIY enthusiasts and here at 

Jorgus we are always happy to give our professional advice. 

Grimeford Mill. Grimeford Lane 

Adlington, Chorley PR6 9HL 

c 

LIVINGINBL

There’s never been a better time to enter! 

HORWICH IN BLOOM 

COMPETITION 

It’s not only fun, it’s helping to make our town a more beautiful place 

Horwich in Bloom is a fun community competition, why not enter your garden today? 

There are lots of different categories you can enter from front gardens to shop fronts, from containers to 

community allotments - there's a section for everyone. 

Send your form as soon as possible to Horwich Community Centre, Beaumont Road, Horwich BL6 7BG. 

Closing date: 26th June 2017. Judging week commencing 3rd July. 

This year you could be picking up a trophy at the presentation day on Saturday 16th September. 

Horwich In Bloom 2017 - Competition Entry Form 

I WOULD LIKE TO ENTER THE FOLLOWING SECTIONS 

First Time Entrant 

Domestic Front Garden inc. sheltered housing 

Domestic Containers inc. sheltered housing. Hanging baskets, troughs ect 

must be visible from the road. 

Non Domestic Window Display, Front of Business Display 

Churches, businesses, shops, pubs, nurseries, restaurants ect. 

Community Allotmentn inc. Address and Plot Number 

Name 

Address 

Telephone 

Nominate someone’s garden 

Address 

Email 

tick box 

HORWICH FRUIT, FLOWER 

AND VEGETABLE SHOW 

If you love to grow your own Fruit and Veg, or maybe your family says you're the best jam maker in 

the world then the Horwich Fruit Flower & Vegetable Competition is definitely for you. 

There various sections you can enter from home produce to home grown produce and there's even 

a section for kids too. If you have ever felt the pride of eating a home grown tomato, then imagine 

how you would feel walking away with a trophy! 

The Horwich Fruit Flower & Veg Competition has taken place in Horwich for over 100 years and it 

would be great to get every allotment owner, leisure gardener, home baker and jam maker in 

Horwich to enter something this year. 

Horwich Fruit Flower & Veg Competition Entry Form 

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE SECTIONS 

Best display of three Vegetables of any sort (one of each kind) 

Three Potatoes 

Three Onions 

Three Carrot (with 5-8cm of tops) 

Three Tomatoes 

FLOWER SECTIONS 

One Vase of Garden Flowers 

One Rose 

Small Flower arrangent suitable for a dinner table 

Potted Plant (not exceeding 15cm pot) either A. Foliage B. Flowering 

HOME PRODUCE SECTIONS 

Victoria Sandwich (adult) A 

Four Fruit Scones 

Chocolate Cake 

Fruit Pie 

Jar of Red Jam 

Jar of Marmalade 

Jar of Lemon Curd 

Victoria Sandwich (child) B 

A 

A 

tick box 

B 

B 

Name 

Address 

Telephone 

Email 

Send your entry forms to Horwich Resource Centre, Beaumont Road, Horwich BL6 7BG. Closing date is 26 June 2017 

ENTRY FORMS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FROM HORWICH RESOURCE CENTRE AND HORWICH LIBRARY 

HORWICH IN BLOOM 2017 

HORWICH IN BLOOM PRESENTATION DAY 

SATURDAY 16th SEPTEMBER AT HORWICH COMMUNITY CENTRE 

HORWICH FRUIT 

FLOWER & VEGETABLE SHOW 

PLUS 

For further enquiries telephone 01204 668157 or email vickihrc@outlook.com 

ENTRY IS OPEN TO ALL RESIDENTS, ORGANISATIONS, SCHOOLS AND BUSINESSES WITHIN THE HORWICH TOWN COUNCIL AREA 

Schedule of the Day: 9am - 10am All produce to be dropped off at Horwich Community Centre 

10am - 1pm Judging to commence. 2pm Open to public. 2.30pm - 4.30pm Presentations 

LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 19

COMPLETE DRAINAGE SERVICES 

FOR DOMESTIC (INCLUDING ALL PLUMBING DRAINS), COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL 

including blocked drains, blocked toilets, drain cleaning, high pressure water jetting 

CCTV drain and pipeline surveys, drain inspections, drain excavations, drain repairs 

drain installations, root cutting and no dig technology 

THE BLOCKED DRAIN AND BLOCKED TOILET SPECIALISTS 

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CCTV Drain & Sewer Inspections 

Established since 1990, Bolton Drain Services is a 

specialised drain business servicing the domestic, 

commercial and industrial markets. Being based in 

Bolton means we are centrally located and can easily 

and quickly respond to any drainage emergency or drain 

problem, unlike many of the national companies! 

We have a team of fully trained engineers who utilise the 

latest equipment to unblock drains, unblock toilets, 

repair drains, install drains, inspect drains, clean using 

high pressure water jetting and carry out CCTV drain and 

sewer surveys. 

Drain Emergency? 

Bolton Drain Services can respond quickly and will fix 

and repair your drain problem efficiently. Whether it's a 

blocked or clogged drain, blocked toilet, blocked shower, 

blocked sink or all plumbing drains - we have the 

expertise to help. 

We offer a 24 hour, 7 days a week, 365 days a year 

service for all your drainage emergencies in Bolton and 

the North West. 

High Pressure Water Jetting 

Bolton Drain Services can offer high pressure water jetting 

to prevent and eliminate blockages. We can clean drains 

and sewers removing fat and silt deposits. 

CCTV Drain and Sewer Inspections 

In areas with restricted access Bolton Drain Services can 

use CCTV equipment to survey the drain or sewer - saving 

time and money. 

In areas with restricted access Bolton Drain Services can 

use CCTV equipment to survey the drain or sewer - saving 

time and money 

Drain & Sewer Excavations 

Using the latest plant and machinery Bolton Drain Services 

can excavate your drain or sewer. Excavation can in 

general be avoided by using CCTV drain inspections, 

however sometimes it is necessary to excavate and renew 

the drain. We undertake careful planning and preparation 

to minimise the disruption. 

Drain Installations 

When installing drain systems - no matter what the use for 

the drain is - it is always advised to have professionals 

carry out the installation work to prevent problems in the 

future. At Bolton Drain Services we have a team of fully 

trained engineers to ensure the safe and efficient 

installation of drains on your premises. 

24 HOUR EMERGENCY DRAINS HOTLINE 07973 402671 

Head Office: Unit 17. Tonge Bridge Way. Tonge Bridge Industrial Estate, Hypatia Street, Bolton BL2 6BD 

PAGE 20 

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5 VICTORIA ROAD. HORWICH BL6 5NA 

Purple blooms for travellers 

The purple crocuses which 

have become a world-wide 

Rotary celebration of their 

campaign to eliminate Polio 

have been blooming for 

travellers at Westhoughton 

Station. 

Last autumn, Westhoughton 

Rotary Club provided 2,500 

Crocus bulbs for the Friends 

of Westhoughton Station to 

plant, some on each of the 

platforms. They have been 

bursting into bloom in the 

spring sunshine and making 

a colourful show for 

travellers on the platform 

waiting for trains to 

Manchester and Bolton. 

At the foot of the ramp, 

there is a small plaque 

explaining the project. It 

says: In this area are 

planted 2500 crocuses to 

celebrate the virtual 

elimination of polio 

worldwide through the 

efforts of Rotary 

International and the Bill 

Gates Trust. 

It is estimated that, since 

1991 13 million cases of 

polio have been prevented 

through this Rotary 

initiative. 

Thanks to this remarkable 

long term world-wide 

campaign, polio has been 

eliminated in all but 3 

countries and, in those, 

there are only tens of 

individual cases. 

Purple was chosen in 

recognition of the “purple 

pinkie” sign, where people 

immunised dip their little 

finger into purple ink as a 

mark that they have been 

treated. This has made the 

project very popular with 

children in the remote 

countries. 

Thanks to the Friends of 

Westhoughton Station, the 

station had already become 

a much cleaner and more 

attractive place. Thanks to 

Rotary and their campaign, 

it's become a lot more 

colourful too. 

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Call 0800 0372059 / 01942 369319 

visit our website at www.window-doc.co.uk 

You can also find us on facebook and twitter 

LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 21

Monday 5.00pm & 7.00pm - Mercury Motel 

Manchester Rd. Westhoughton BL5 3PJ - Anita 07714 081862 

Monday 5.00pm & 7.00pm - Beehive Pub 

Chorley New Rd. Lostock BL6 4BU - Sara 07446 957789 

Monday 9.30am & 11.30am, 3.30pm & 5.30pm - D’Havilland Club 

Gladstone Rd. Farnworth - Christina 07784 44456 

Tuesday 5.00pm & 7.00pm - Hope Church (Former Communiversity) 

Westhoughton BL5 3DS - Anita 07714 081862 

Tuesday 3.15pm & 5.15pm - Ainsworth Unitarian School Hall 

Knowsley Rd. Ainsworth Bolton BL2 5QA - Julie 0161 7616137 

Tuesday 9.30am - Lavender Road Cricket Club 

Lavender Rd. Farnworth - Christina 07784 44456 

Tuesday 5.30pm & 7.30pm - Farnworth Social Circle Cricket Club 

Piggott St. Farnworth - Lauren 07849 138907 

Wednesday 5.00pm & 7.00pm - Lostock Parish Centre 

Lostock BL6 4EL7 - Sara 07446 957789 

Wednesday 9.30am 4.30pm & 6.30pm - Kearsley Cricket Club 

Springfield Rd. Kearsley - Samantha 07587 182238 

Wednesday 4.30pm & 6.30pm - Kearsley Cricket Club 

Springfield Rd. Kearsley - Christine 07738 369829 

Wednesday 9.15am or 11.00am - Ainsworth Unitarian School Hall 

Knowsley Rd. Ainsworth, Bolton BL2 5QA - Julie 0161 7616137 

Friday 9.30am & 11.30am - Kings Church Centre 

Breightmet, Bolton BL2 6QY - Claire 07729 771375 

Saturday 9.00am & 11.00am - St John's Methodist Church 

Victoria Rd. Horwich BL6 5PJ - Clair 07545 003606 

Saturday 9.00am & 11.00am - Devonshire Road Primary School 

Heaton, Bolton BL1 4ND - Claire 07729 771375 

Saturday 9.00am - Bolton St Catherines Academy 

Newby Rd. Bolton - Joanne 01204 525127 

PAGE 22 

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Sunglasses aren’t just for posing 

Most of us wouldn't dream of 

sitting in the park or hitting the 

beach without our sunscreen. But 

how many of us realise the 

importance of protecting our eyes 

from the harsh rays of the sun? 

Eyes are as vulnerable from 

permanent sun damage as any 

other part of the body and 

research has shown that 

prolonged exposure to ultra violet 

rays can lead to increased risk of 

cataracts, the 

world's leading cause of 

blindness later in life. Yet by 

simply wearing sunglasses every 

time we step out into sunshine, 

we 

can minimise the risks to our 

eyes. 

“Exposure from UV rays can 

cause damage to the eyes to 

build up over time,” says Dr 

Sheila West a Professor of 

Ophthalmology at the Johns 

Hopkins Wilmer Eye Institute in 

America. “We are only just 

beginning to realise that the risks 

from ultraviolet B radiation may 

be greater than we ever thought. 

There is no safe dose of UVB 

exposure when it comes to risk of 

cataract, which means that 

people of all ages, races and 

both sexes should protect their 

eyes from sunlight all year round. 

Wearing good quality sunglasses 

regularly is vitally important for 

eye health.” 

She warns that children are 

especially at risk from strong 

sunlight. 

“Kids get sunburned like adults, 

but their eyes are more delicate 

than adults with clearer, softer 

lenses which are more prone to 

damage,” she says. “They should 

be encouraged to wear 

sunglasses from an early age.” 

The good news is that you don't 

have to pay a fortune for a good 

pair although buyers should look 

out for the British Standard - or 

CE 

Mark. This mark will show that 

the UV protection is between 99 

and 100 per cent. 

Be careful to choose a pair that 

cover the entire eye area 

including eye-lids and that are 

close-fitting. This will prevent UV 

rays from 

filtering in from around the top 

and sides. 

It's a good idea to choose wrap 

around styles if you will be 

wearing your glasses outdoors a 

lot, such as for gardening or 

walking. 

Remember too that darkcoloured 

lenses don't necessarily 

provide better protection than 

lighter coloured lenses. The UV 

filtering comes from a film 

incorporated into the lens not 

through the actual colour of the 

lenses. 

Sunglass lenses come in all sorts 

of different colours including, 

brown, blue and pink, natural 

sunlight looks different through 

each of them. Neither one is 

preferable, it's just a personal 

choice. If you need to wear your 

sunglasses for driving, check that 

colours and distances are easily 

recognisable. 

If you wear reading glasses or 

contact lenses, prescription 

sunglasses - where prescription 

lenses are incorporated with sun 

filters and shaded lenses, are 

useful. Many opticians currently 

offer free or discounted 

prescription sunglasses when 

you buy reading glasses. 

The most common lenses are 

made from toughened standard 

optical plastic which is lightweight 

and shock resistant. 

That's not to say they won't break 

under extreme conditions but if 

they do they won't splinter as 

glass would. This makes them 

suitable for all kinds of sports and 

other activities. You can get 

special glass optical lenses if you 

prefer but they'll need to be 

shatter- resistant if you wear 

them for sport. 

Opticians recommend that we 

wear sunglasses whenever we're 

in strong sunshine for longer than 

10 minutes. 

This means from mid April until 

the end of September - when the 

levels of UV rays are three times 

higher at midday than they are 

during the winter. The levels of 

UVB during the summer can be 

as much as ten times higher. 

Always wear sunglasses if you 

are sunbathing, gardening or 

outside for long stretches. 

Remember that if you are outside 

in the sunshine from 11am - 2pm 

seventy per cent of the harmful 

UVB radiation we absorb occurs 

around this time. 

Check with your doctor if you are 

on medication which may make 

you light sensitive. Some drugs 

make people more sensitive to 

UV rays and may bring you out in 

a rash or cause skin 

discolouration. 

Psoriasis patients undergoing 

PUVA treatments are extremely 

sensitive to sunlight and should 

wear 100 per cent UV blocking 

sunglasses whenever they are 

outside. 

When you are driving, particularly 

into the direction of the sun and 

in the morning or late evening, 

‘sun glare' can be a real hazard. 

To kill the glare and so help you 

to drive more safely this summer 

some opticians offer special 

Polaroid lenses. These reduce 

glare by shutting out harsh light 

which can tire and disorientate 

you after a short time. The lenses 

are impregnated with double 

refracting crystals which cut out 

the light that causes glare. 

Well done Justin 

Last month we brought you the news that Justin Kellett 

Opticians from Horwich had been nominated for an award and 

was a finalist in the annual Optician Awards for 2017. 

The Optician Awards ceremony took place at the Hilton 

Birmingham Metropole, and was hosted by comedian and 

actor Debra Stephenson. 

The prestigious awards have been established for over 20 

years and are like the 'Oscars' for Opticians, it's the highlight of 

the year for Optical practices, attracting almost 500 of the UK's 

most talented Opticians, teams and companies. 

The glittering event started with champagne on arrival, 

followed by an excellent three course gala dinner and live 

entertainment from the host. 

There were 16 categories at the awards ceremony and Justin 

was a finalist for The Dispensing Optician of the Year, sadly 

Justin missed out on the top award coming a very close 

second to a charity organisation. 

Justin said, “It was such a close run thing but couldn't quiet 

beat off the competition, but if the award was for the biggest 

cheers at the ceremony I would have defiantly won. However 

second place ain't bad will be keeping up the good work.” 

The Optician Awards are one of the highest accolades for 

optical professionals, practices and companies and we have a 

finalist right here in Horwich… Well Done Justin! 

LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 23

Why hire a professional photographer? 

Why spend money when a 

friend offers to take your photos 

for you? There are numerous 

reasons why you should employ 

a professional to 'do the job' for 

you. 

First and foremost, the quality of 

the images you have of your big 

day should be of the highest 

standard, well framed and 

suitably stylised. While 

photographers are the people 

using the equipment, they must 

primarily have professionalgrade 

cameras, lenses and 

backup equipment with which to 

work. 

On many occasions friends 

have offered or been asked to 

take the photos of a wedding - 

only to discover half way 

through the day that their 

batteries have died, their 

memory cards are full up or the 

camera itself has fallen foul of 

exuberant merriment.. dropped 

in a glass of lager! 

A professional will have reserve 

cameras and lenses to be sure 

they are well equipped to deal 

with any eventuality. By 

employing a professional you 

are securing ‘peace of mind', 

knowing that the photographic 

element of the day is being 

approached at the highest level, 

in order to record your day 

beautifully and without any 

hiccups. 

Tel: 07729 396401 

PHOTOGRAPHY 

www.lindsayashtonphotography.co.uk 

PLANNING YOUR BIG DAY? 

If you're looking for your photographer then 

get in touch. We can arrange a time for you 

to look through my work, have a chat and I 

can answer your questions. 

Limited availability for 2017 and bookings are 

now being taken for 2018 and 2019 

After your big day, a 

professional photographer will 

offer the images to you in an 

edited, high resolution and 

stylised (if that's what you're 

after) way. From the hundreds 

of shots taken, only the best of 

the best will make the grade 

and they are then edited to 

produce the best final images. 

It is this time and attention to 

detail that determines the 

quality of your photos. 

Depending on work load, the 

final images will usually be 

ready from between 2-6 weeks 

maximum. Asking a friend to do 

the job will often result in a disc 

of countless images, unedited, 

some blurred or totally out of 

focus and sometimes missing 

vital parts of the proceedings. 

A professional will cover your 

entire wedding day - from the 

bride's preparations to the first 

dance… very often beyond that. 

Having a working knowledge of 

the established timetable of a 

wedding, professionals are well 

versed at being in the right 

place at the right time. There is 

also the consultation or meeting 

time that allows you to be sure 

you're comfortable with whom 

you have chosen - this is vitally 

important with getting 

'relaxed/natural' images. 

Spending this time with a 

professional, very often at the 

venue prior to the big day, offers 

some comfort knowing when 

and where things will occur 

during the day. 

You shouldn't have to worry at 

all, that is key. After all, it’s your 

wedding day, and it's a big deal. 

M&O FISH 

FRESH FISH, SEAFOOD & GAME 

FRESH FISH SHELL FISH LOBSTERS & CRABS 

SMOKED FISH SEAFOOD BOXES 

60 LEE LANE, HORWICH BL6 7AE 

TELEPHONE 01204 469018 

OPEN MON - FRI 9AM TILL 5PM SAT 9AM TILL 4PM 

Blackrod 

Fish and Pizza Bar 

Traditional English Fish & Chips 

and Italian Pizza & Pasta 

Open: 

Mon - Fri 11.30am - 9pm 

Sat 4pm - 9pm 

extra 

BLACKHORSE ST. BLACKROD BL6 5EW 

TELEPHONE 01204 773090 

There’s something for everyone at 

Brazley Community Centre 

Now Open under New Management 

following major refurbishment 

Many residents from across Horwich have used Brazley Community Centre at some point, for years it's acted as the 

Polling Station and various community groups along with the local Residents Association all call the centre their ‘home'. 

After a massive £1 million building refurbishment from Bolton Council, Brazley Community Centre on Cedar Ave in 

Horwich has been given a whole new lease of life. The Centre is now ready to invite new groups to 

come along and use the new modern, updated facilities. 

There are a number of rooms to hire, from small office style units ideal for training or IT classes, to the large, bright 

room with tables and plush seating, perfect for meetings, seminars or group activities. 

There is also a kitchen area suitable for preparing snacks and drinks. 

With ample parking available, Brazley Community Centre is great space for everyone 

I.T. Room Messy Playgroup Dog & Pup Training Job Club Keep Fit 

and much more - Call us or drop in for more information 

Rooms Available for Hire - Ideal for Birthday Parties and Private Meetings etc. 

Kitchen Facilities and Easy Access Toilets 

CEDAR AVENUE, HORWICH, BOLTON BL6 6HT. TELEPHONE 01204 695607 

PAGE 24 

c 

LIVINGINBL

New evening dining at 

Wonderful location 

There are three main ingredients in an 

excellent meal… delicious food, great service 

and beautiful surroundings. So sit back, close 

your eyes and imagine… A cool breeze 

dancing through the trees, the evening sun tip 

toeing across open water, birds singing as 

they nestle for the night. This isn't a dream, 

this is the idyllic setting for Curley's, a little 

piece of heaven right in the heart of Horwich 

and within easy reach via Chorley Old Road. 

Curley's is located in a picturesque corner of 

the West Pennine Moors and set at the edge 

of an impressive 18th century reservoir which 

once supplied water to power the steam 

engines at Wallsuche’s Bleachworks, one of 

the first factories in the town and an important 

part of the proud industrial heritage of 

Horwich. 

The stunning stone building has a traditional 

edge that certainly gives the wow factor, yet 

compliments the area whilst respecting the 

landscape which is haven for local wildlife. 

But don't forget to look out for the quirky rhino 

and elephant! 

Fabulous new evening menu 

Curley's is owned by Steve and Helen 

Kershaw, who over the years along with their 

son Jon have nurtured the business into one 

of the most popular places to eat in the Bolton 

Borough, and they are proud to introduce a 

new later dining experience with extended 

evening openings until 10.30pm to 

compliment the already extremely popular 

daily dining, which will continue to serve the 

same daytime selection of light lunches and 

delicious award winning Fish and Chips. 

The brand new evening hours from 5.30pm 

offers a whole new dining experience as 

Curley's will transform into a restaurant 

serving exceptional, locally sourced food 

including delicious steaks and fish dishes from 

the new evening menu prepared by Executive 

Head Chef Mark Robinson. Mark is an ex two 

Rosette chef with over thirty years experience 

in quality establishments. He emphasises on 

sourcing local ingredients, serving them 

simply and in a contemporary style. 

One of Head Chef Mark Robinson’s signature 

dishes that is sure to become a firm favourite 

with diners is, pan fried Seabass, served on a 

bed of caramelised fennel with herb bonbons, 

and a warm tomato and basil dressing. 

The new evening service team will be on hand 

to take orders with ease via a new state of the 

art ordering system. 

Diners will be able to order from the new 

evening menu from 5.30pm until 9.30pm, 

which promises to offer a wonderful range of 

dishes as well as lighter meal options from the 

Nibbles Menu. 

With an extensive selection of beers and 

wines to compliment your meal it's a great 

excuse to have a treat any day of the week. 

Curley's has something for everyone, from 

having a tasty lunch with the family, to 

enjoying a delicious gourmet meal 

complimented with a perfect glass of wine, 

whilst listening to the piano. It's certainly the 

place to meet, eat and enjoy! 

Amazing decor 

The outside seating areas offer a secret escape from the daily hustle and bustle, where you can 

sit for a while, with a coffee, or look across the water and watch the fishermen. Alternatively step 

inside the restaurant and enjoy its striking surroundings. Instantly the vibrant colour of the main 

wall is both warm and welcoming and a perfect highlight for the amazing real fireplace. The 

walls are decorated with an eclectic mix of pictures and mirrors which are reflected in the piano 

and sure to be a talking point for many visitors. The superb décor is cleverly brought together 

with a mix of earthy tweed fabrics to compliment the classic look, giving it a modern edge. 

Quality Dining 

£10 

OFF ©New When you order 

Three Courses 

in the perfect setting 

from our 

Curley's at Wallsuches, off Chorley Old Rd. Horwich BL6 6PP 

Evening Menu 

Telephone 01204 691783 www.curleysdiningrooms.co.uk 

WITH THIS VOUCHER 

Open: Mon - Sun 9am till 10.30pm - Evening Menu 5.00pm till 9.30pm 

OFFER LIMITED TO ONE VOUCHER PER PERSON - VALID ANY 

WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY EVENING UNTIL 31 MAY 2017. T&C APPLY

BrewDog in £213m share deal 

Scottish brewers BrewDog have sold a 22% stake 

in the business to San Francisco-based private 

equity house, TSG Consumer Partners for a total of 

£213 million. 

In a note to shareholders, the company which was 

founded 10 years ago by James Watt and Martin 

Dickie, said it was now valued at £1bn. 

The note also said that £100m is to be injected into 

the business to fund continued expansion, and 

create ‘early shareholder liquidity’. Shareholders 

have been offered the opportunity to cash out up to 

15% of their equity, or up to 40 shares. 

According to BrewDog, some 50,000 fans who have 

invested in the company through numerous crowd 

funding drives since 2010 had seen the value of 

their investments rise by as much as 2,800%. 

Those who invested in the fourth round of crowd 

funding last year, have seen the value of their 

shareholding increase by 177% in just one year, it 

said. 

BrewDog has been fiercely critical of the buy-out of 

numerous craft brewers by brewing multinationals in 

recent years, and has always declared itself as 

fiercely independent. However, it said the funds 

would be used to power its ‘ambitious’ five-year 

expansion plan, including boosting capacity at its 

Ellon and Columbus breweries, as well as building 

new breweries in Asia and Australia. 

TSG Consumer Partners has previously backed 

companies including Pop Chips and Vitamin Water. 

In the shareholder statement, Watt said: ‘Ever since 

we first started this journey in Martin’s mum’s 

garage, BrewDog has existed to make other people 

as passionate about great craft beer as we are. 

We remain more laser focused on that goal than 

ever before. Martin and I still remain controlling 

shareholders and fully committed to BrewDog, and 

this investment will allow us to accelerate our 

mission. We’re not going to let the deal go to our 

heads, but Martin did buy himself a new jumper.’ 

BrewDog said the details of the investment and the 

changes to the company’s capital structure were 

approved in a meeting on March 29 with 95% of its 

Equity Punk investors backing the deal. 

Century old beer is analysed 

Discovered during the 

reconstruction of the Raven 

Brewery in Záhlinice in 2015, the 

Czech beer in the bottles is 

believed to have been brewed at 

some point during the First World 

War. 

The researchers from the 

Research Institute for Brewing 

and Malting in Prague were able 

to see that: “Thanks to good 

storage conditions it was 

possible to analyse their original 

characteristics. All three bottles 

contained most probably a lager 

type beer.” 

As well as a sensory analysis 

conducted by the five members 

of the team, the beers were put 

through a liquid chromatography 

test – among others – to help 

determine the yeasts used, the 

alcoholic content, colour and 

total acidity. 

It was found that the beers were 

higher in alcohol than their 

modern counterparts and 

contained more iron, copper, 

manganese and zinc though had 

fewer bitter compounds. 

Yeast was extracted from two of 

the beers although only bacterial 

DNA from Staphylococcus and 

Streptomyces was found in one. 

The beer with only bacterial 

traces was the most 

disappointing of the brews 

censoriously, having a whiff of 

sulphur and “faecal matter” 

according to the scientists. 

The second beer was more 

promising, showing “Madeira” 

and “fruity off-flavours” as well as 

being dark and sour, more like a 

lambic beer than a lager. Several 

yeasts were present in this 

second beer and no bacteria. 

Finally, the third beer still 

contained traces of carbon 

dioxide bubbles and was the 

most beer-like of the three 

tasted. The researchers 

concluded: “Beer C enabled us 

to acquire deeper knowledge 

about a 100-year-old beer which, 

due to an undamaged sealing 

cork plug and most probably 

constant temperature in the 

cellar, underwent a ‘natural’ 

ageing process unmarred by 

microbial contamination, which 

resulted in an unspoiled sensory 

profile”. 


TM 

TELEPHONE 

01204 669966 

TAP & CORK 

Bottle Shop & Tap Room 

179 LEE LANE. HORWICH BL6 7JD. TEL: 01204 695506 

Sample the relaxed atmosphere of the Tap & Cork and indulge in our 

large selection of craft cask beers. Enjoy our impressive keg font as 

well as our wall of fridges containing beers, bottles and cans of 

British and foreign beers and ciders. 

For those who prefer a different tipple we have a choice of quality 

gins, rums and vodkas, plus we have an extensive wine list and 

Prosecco on tap! 

Opening Times... 

WEDNESDAY 12:00 till 11:00pm 

THURSDAY 12:00 till 11:00pm 

FRIDAY 12:00 till 11:00pm 

SATURDAY 12:00 till 11:00pm 

SUNDAY 12:00 till 10:30pm 

OFF LICENCE 

ALL BOTTLES CAN BE 

PURCHASED ON SITE TO 

DRINK IN OR TAKE AWAY 

We are also introducing an 

interesting selection of quality 

bar foods, aimed at discerning 

beer and ale drinkers. 

High class, locally sourced 

ingredients will help to create 

our dishes yet simple dishes. 

Coming very soon! 

A REAL ALTERNATIVE TO THE LOCAL BAR AND PUB SCENE 

PAGE 26 

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LIVINGINBL

SAN MARCO 

ITALIAN RESTAURANT BAR & GRILL 

Here at San Marco we want everyone to experience real Italian food and everything that goes with it... Sharing with family and 

friends and enjoying fresh food made using the best quality ingredients. We aim to create an atmosphere where you can bring 

your loved ones to relax and enjoy authentic Italian dishes that have been passed down through generations. 

LUNCH SERVED 

MONDAY TO SATURDAY 

12:00 TILL 2:00PM. 

EVENINGS 

MONDAY TO THURSDAY 

5:00PM TILL 9:00PM 

FRIDAY & SATURDAY 

5:00PM - 9:30PM 

SUNDAY 

12:00 - 9:00PM 

INDULGE IN OUR AMAZING STEAKS 

WE HAVE A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF 

HIGH QUALITY, EXPERTLY SOURCED MEATS 

TRY A 

TOMAHAWK 

THE PERFECT GIANT STEAK FOR TWO TO SHARE! 

ONLY £35.95 - PLEASE CHECK FOR AVAILABILITY 

MANY MORE DISHES AVAILABLE ON OUR NEW MENU 

OPEN FOR LUNCH EVERY DAY 

ANY PIZZA OR PASTA - LARGE SELECTION OF ITALIAN PANINI & CIABATTA 

SERVED WITH CHIPS AND SALAD - A LA CARTE MENU ALSO AVAILABLE 

Do you have limited time for lunch? Phone us in advance and your meal will be ready when you arrive 

AMAZING VALUE AT ONLY £6.95 

SERVED 

BETWEEN 

12.00 

AND 

2.00PM 

EVENING DINING WITH FULL A LA CARTE 

ENJOY 2 COCKTAILS FOR THE PRICE OF 1 

DAILY FROM 5.00PM TILL 8.00PM 

KEEP THE MAGIC OF SUNDAY FAMILY DINING 

Enjoy a wonderful family meal and be entertained 

by our magician from 3.00pm till 5.00pm 

CHILDREN UNDER 10 YEARS EAT FREE 

Offer is limited to one free child's meal per paying adult 

SAN MARCOTEL 01257 

DOUGLAS VALLEY 

A6 BLACKROD BY PASS. BLACKROD. BOLTON BL6 5HX 

475095 WWW.SAN-MARCO-RESTAURANT.CO.UK 

LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 27

One of the best places to eat out 

Our restaurant has been built from a love of Spain and its 

culture, a love that is shared between all members of the La 

Estrella family, but most of all from the owners and managers, 

Sean Howe and Gemma Davies. 

Our menu is based on traditional Spanish recipes and is 

served in a way inspired by how the Spanish classically serve 

and eat food. Because of this, La Estrella is a little different 

when it comes to tapas; earlier in 2016, we asked our 

customers what they liked and didn’t like about the cuisine, 

and from this found that customers often find it challenging 

when choosing food from such a wide variety of dishes. 

In response to this, we at La Estrella have custom made our 

menu to suit every customer, as we provide a variety of tapas 

dishes that change weekly, making it easier than ever to try 

new things and experience traditional Spanish food that is not 

only delicious, but also different and exciting. 

It is important to us that all our food is cooked and served 

entirely fresh, and that our dishes are prepared using only the 

very best Spanish ingredients. 

We import many ingredients directly from Spain to ensure the 

authenticity of the tapas, as well as sourcing fresh produce 

from local suppliers. 

La Estrella is perfect for bringing family and friends together, 

and there’s no better place to meet up and sample some truly 

delicious food than in this traditional Spanish Restaurant and 

Tapas Wine bar. 

Along with downstairs seating and a bar area, our restaurant 

includes a separate upstairs room that is available for 

booking private parties, perfect for a special evening of 

Spanish dining for all your family and friends. 

We hope you join us in our journey of bringing some Spanish 

culture that we love to the Chorley area. 

ENJOY OUR EXCITING NEW DISHES 

OPENING TIMES 

Tuesday, Wednesday 

and Thursday 

4.00pm till 10.00pm 

Friday 

12.00am till 11.00pm 

Saturday 

12.00am till 11.00pm 

Sunday 

12.00am till 10.00pm 

Closed Monday 

SPANISH CLASSES 

Tuesday Nights 

6.30-7.30 

£10 per person 

inc. glass of homemade sangria 

Te garantizamos que estará delicioso We guarantee that it will be delicious 

PSYCHIC NIGHTS 

Private 

readings from 7.00pm 

Every other Thursday 

8.00-9.00 £10 PER PERSON 

90 Bolton Street, Chorley PR7 3DX 

Telephone 01257 272277 

www.laestrella-restaurant.co.uk 

info@laestrella-restaurant.co.uk 

scan the QR code 

to go to our 

facebook page for 

the latest 

offers... 

PAGE 28 

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LIVINGINBL

WIN TICKETS 

It’s our 5th birthday! 

For a chance to win two tickets to one of the above performances just answer 

correctly the following easy question... How many performers make up a quartet? 

20 April at 7.00pm 

26 April at 7.00pm 

11 May at 7.00pm 



Send your answer, name, address and phone number to: 

LivingINBL (Music Festival). 147A Chorley New Rd. Horwich BL6 5QE 

also enter via email: competitions@livinginbl.com - Closing date for entries Tuesday 2nd May 2017 

EVENT CINEMA 

Middlebrook Horwich 

NT Live: Rosecrantz & Guilenstern are dead 

RSC: Julius Caesar 

NT Live: Obsession 

NT Live: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf 

RSC Live: Antony and Cleopatra 

www.myvue.com/event-cinema/coming-soon 

WIN TICKETS TO SEE THE PLAY 

They say time flies when you're having fun… we 

are having a great time as doesn't seem like two 

minutes since we took the plunge back in 2012 

and launched LivingINBL Newspaper and now 

we are actually celebrating our 5th Birthday… 

Where has the time gone? 

As you know we don't blow our own trumpet, we 

just get on with it… But it's our Birthday so we 

think we're allowed. 

LivingINBL Newspaper, based on Chorley New 

Road in Horwich has grown from strength to 

strength over the past five. In fact we now 

distribute our newspaper across the Bolton area 

and beyond. We have our own happy band of 

distributors who deliver LivingINBL in to homes in 

Horwich, Blackrod, Westhoughton, Lostock and 

Adlington. Plus our newspaper is always 

available in the big name supermarkets in Bolton, 

Chorley and Wigan. We also have our exciting e- 

edition, which is launched after the printed 

version has done its job, it's packed with website 

links, videos and even movie trailers… Plus it 

has an avid fan base of expats who love to get 

their monthly catch-up from home with 

LivingINBL. 

Our very first issue hit the streets in April 2012 

with a cover story on the 200th anniversary of the 

Luddites burning down a Mill in Westhoughton. 

Since then we have covered some wonderful 

events… the Olympic Torch coming through our 

Town, HM Queen Elizabeth's II Diamond Jubilee, 

Horwich Bike Races with the unique Unicycle 

Race, the amazing Horwich Carnival, the 

inauguration of Town Mayor's, meeting lots of 

celebrities and politicians. We even brought you 

Ed Balls personal Lasagne recipe after dining 

with him! We have interviewed so many famous 

people over the past five years, including Chris 

Lunt the writer of the TV series Prey. 

Plus we always report on local events including 

Bolton Food Festival, which involves chatting to 

Chef James Martin every year… I know! But 

someone has to do it. 

We have also covered the more serious side of 

local news. We joined the campaign to change 

the law on dangerous dogs after the tragic death 

of teenager Jade Lomas Anderson. 

We investigated the unscrupulous Carpet Man, 

who pulled the rug from under his customers 

noses, we tracked him down with the help of our 

readers and filed a report to Trading Standards, 

we also arranged some extra discount with a 

local carpet supplier for anyone affected by this 

Rogue Trader. 

We investigated the flies in Blackrod and 

cleaned up areas that suffered from flytipping…. 

We are currently reporting on the brand new 

Horwich Leisure Centre and we will continue to 

bring you the facts on this and many more 

issues in the months and years ahead. 

Our annual Wear it Pink campaign to raise 

money for Breast Cancer Awareness is always a 

brilliant success, we change our lovely red 

masthead to Pink and have a Perfectly Pink 

Day… although it's just any excuse to dress up 

really. 

At the last event we were highly honoured to be 

mentioned in Parliament by our local MP for 

Bolton West Chris Green - we were so very 

proud... especially as this was the second 

occasion LivingINBL was mentioned in the 

House of Commons! 

We also help to organise the Horwich Christmas 

Treasure Hunt, which is a brilliant event for 

everyone local and the children love it… Last 

year I was Mrs Elf 

So, before we open the bottle of Champers we 

would like to say a massive thank you… first of 

all to our amazing family for sound advice and 

for being there. Thanks to our brilliant friends for 

their support. Thank you to the local Mayors and 

councillors in Horwich, Blackrod, Westhoughton 

and Bolton plus Bolton West MP Chris Green, 

for their encouragement and great news stories! 

Not forgetting Andrea and Diane from Horwich 

Carnival for their hard work and dedication in 

organising the brilliant annual family event. The 

members of the Inner Wheel and the Rotary 

Club for the marvellous work they do. Plus many, 

many more people. 

Finally a huge thank you to you… our wonderful 

readers and advertisers. We couldn't do it 

without you…. We hope you enjoy LivingINBL as 

much as we love producing it!! 

Denise & Vic Silcock at LivingINBL newspaper. 

Thursday 

18th May 

7.00pm 

In the early hours of the morning on the campus of an American college, Martha, much to her husband George’s displeasure, has invited 

the new professor and his wife to their home for some after-party drinks. As the alcohol flows and dawn approaches, the young couple are 

drawn into George and Martha’s toxic games until the evening reaches its climax in a moment of devastating truth-telling. 

Sonia Friedman Productions present Imelda Staunton (Gypsy, Vera Drake, the Harry Potter films), Conleth Hill (Game Of Thrones, The 

Producers), Luke Treadaway (A Street Cat Named Bob, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, The Hollow Crown) and Imogen 

Poots (A Long Way Down, Jane Eyre) in James Macdonald’s critically acclaimed, 5 star production of Edward Albee’s landmark play, 

broadcast live to cinemas from the Harold Pinter Theatre, London. 

For a chance to win two tickets to see ‘Who’s afraid of Virginia Woolf?’ 

performed by the National Theatre and transmitted LIVE to Vue Event Cinema 

Middlebrook - simply tell us... Who wrote this landmark play? 

Send your answer, name, address and phone number to: 

LivingINBL (Virginia Woolf Comp). 147A Chorley New Rd. Horwich BL6 5QE 

also enter via email: competitions@livinginbl.com - Closing date for entries Monday 15th May 2017 

Last month’s winners Follow 

Here are last months lucky competition winners… 

Karen Duffy from Aspull will enjoy the live 

streaming of Julius Caesar from the Royal 

Shakespeare Company at Vue Cinema. 

The winner of Fast & Furious #8 was Adele Taylor 

from Blackrod and David Poulsom of Smithills was 

the winner of Kong Skull Island. 

There's some great movies coming up at the 

moment, don't forget to check our e-edition at 

livinginbl.com for exciting official trailers. 

LIVINGINBL c 

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your age (entrants must be 18 or over) your address and 

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we are offering our readers the chance to 

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PAGE 29

M 

otoringin 

inBL 

Aston Martin honours Red 

Arrows with special edition 

Aston Martin's 'Q' bespoke 

operations division has created a 

special edition Vanquish S that 

honours the RAF's famous aerobatic 

team, the Red Arrows. 

After a request from an Aston Martin 

dealer in Cambridge, the company 

set about building 10 examples of 

the Vanquish S Red Arrows Edition, 

which features design touches 

inspired by the team's famous red 

jets. 

The car is finished in Eclat Red, to 

match the BAE Systems Hawk 

trainers flown by the team, while the 

white and blue trim accents are 

designed to reference the smoke 

trails. On the roof, the carbon is 

inlaid with a jagged pattern that 

mimics that of the ejector seat 

charges in the cockpit canopies of 

the aircraft. 

Inside, the Red Arrows Edition gets 

Pinewood Green inserts in the 

upholstery, evoking the colour of the 

classic RAF flight suits and Martin 

Baker ejection seats, which are also 

reflected in the webbing seatbelts. 

The headrests have been 

embroidered with the Arrows' 

famous ‘Diamond Nine' formation, 

and there is an engine inspection 

plate signed by the pilot whose 

position in the squadron equates to 

the number of the car. 

Finally, the rear cabin has been fitted 

in the ‘2+0' configuration, which sees 

the rear seats removed in favour of a 

parcel shelf that fits the two Red 

Arrows-themed racing helmets. 

Under the skin, the Red Arrows 

Edition features the same 6.0-litre, 

592bhp V12 as the standard 

Vanquish S, permitting a top speed 

of 201mph and a 3.3-second sprint 

from a standstill to 60mph. 

Nine of the 10 Red Arrows Edition 

cars will go to customers at Aston 

Martin Cambridge, with the tenth 

being gifted to the RAF Benevolent 

fund. 

51,000 have lost access to 

their Motability vehicles 

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The number of people returning 

Motability vehicles has climbed to over 

900 a week, according to worrying new 

data obtained by Muscular Dystrophy 

UK. 

51,000 people have lost access to 

Motability vehicles as they have been 

switched from the Disability Living 

Allowance (DLA) to the Personal 

Independence Payments (PIP) since 

2013. 

Analysis of previously-released official 

data by Muscular Dystrophy UK also 

shows that the number of people 

eligible for Motability funding has fallen 

in half during the reassessment 

process. 126,300 of the 254,200 people 

who were eligible for Motability funding 

under DLA and were reassessed for PIP 

by 31 October 2016 have lost access to 

it. 

The news comes just days after 

statistics from the Ministry of Justice 

showing that 65 per cent of people who 

contest their PIP award have won their 

case on appeal, demonstrating the 

failures in how cuts have been made. 

These numbers have held at that level 

for the last three quarters, the highest 

since PIP changes were introduced. 

Muscular Dystrophy UK has seen the 

number of people contacting the charity 

about problems with their PIP more than 

double in the last six months. 

Government-funded Motability cars, 

mobility scooters and electric 

wheelchairs are specially adapted for 

the individual needs of disabled people, 

and are vital for maintaining 

independence. 

Muscular Dystrophy UK is calling on the 

Department of Work and Pensions 

(DWP) to reverse a fiercely-contested 

change in the rules. To qualify for the 

higher level of the mobility component 

of PIP, which is needed to get a 

Motability vehicle, a person must be 

unable to walk aided or unaided for 20 

metres, compared to the previous 

distance of 50 metres under the DLA 

assessment. 

The 50-metre rule is well-recognised, 

and is used by the Department of 

Transport as guidance for inclusive 

mobility. The Government has not been 

able to produce any evidence to support 

the use of the 20-metre rule, which was 

introduced by the DWP with no prior 

warning. The switch to the 20-metre rule 

has been compounded by a lack of 

knowledge about the reliability criteria, 

which are included in the assessment to 

ensure that people can not only walk 20 

metres, but do so safely and more than 

once in a short time period. However, 

many people being assessed do not 

know the rules about the reliability 

criteria, and are losing their vehicles as 

they can barely or unsafely walk 20 

metres. 

Muscular Dystrophy UK is calling for the 

DWP to revert to the 50-metre rule, and 

for the DWP and assessment providers 

Atos and Capita to ensure that all 

applicants are made aware of the 

reliability criteria and are prompted to 

consider them. They are also calling for 

the DWP to ensure vehicles are not 

taken away until a final decision has 

been reached. The appeals process 

currently takes longer than the time 

allowed for people to return their cars 

Nic Bungay, Director of Campaigns, 

Care and Information, said: “Each of the 

51,000 vehicles being taken away is a 

story about a disabled person’s 

independence being compromised. This 

is having a devastating effect on quality 

of life. The fact that two thirds of people 

who contest their PIP award win their 

case shows that the system isn’t 

working and is in urgent need of reform. 

The government consulted on the 20- 

metre rule and over 1,000 organisations 

and individuals responded expressing 

concerns – these organisations and 

individuals have been ignored. We need 

the government to review the 20-metre 

rule now, and for people being 

assessed to be told about the reliability 

criteria, to bring an end to a profoundly 

short-sighted rule.” 

To advertise in our motoring section call... 

01204 669966 

PAGE 30 

c 

LIVINGINBL

More action to repair potholes 

once driverless cars hit roads 

More action to repair potholes may be needed 

once driverless cars hit the UK’s roads, new 

research has indicated. 

Commissioned by the RAC Foundation, the 

study suggests that higher standards of road 

maintenance will be needed if and when 

autonomous vehicles become the norm. 

Potholes could prove dangerous on roads which 

carry a lot of self-driving vehicles, the 

organisation said. 

Conducted by consultancy group CAS, the 

report also highlighted the importance of 

maintaining road markings and signs. 

Commenting on the latest findings, RAC 

Foundation director Steve Gooding said people 

generally don’t have any tolerance for safety 

failings when being driven by public transport 

operators. 

With regards driverless cars, he said: “Getting 

the road infrastructure right is integral to 

ensuring an all-round safe system.” 

Earlier this week, people were given the chance 

to test an autonomous vehicle during a trial near 

the O2 Arena in London. The pilot scheme 

marked the first time that the public have been 

able to test driverless cars. 

Over the coming few weeks, around 100 people 

will be able to use the prototype car on a twomile 

route. 

Graeme Smith, chief executive of Oxbotica, 

which is developing the electric vehicles, said: 

“This needs to be like any other form of 

transportation. It shouldn't be a white-knuckle 

ride for passengers.” 

Interest in self-driving vehicles appears to be 

growing, with the Government also recently 

suggesting it will invest £100 million to test 

autonomous driving technology. 

Testing centres in Birmingham, Coventry, 

Oxford, Milton Keynes and London will be used 

to assess the vehicles and the infrastructure 

they require. 

Recent data published by the Asphalt Industry 

Alliance has indicated that more than £12 billion 

of funding is now required to help local 

authorities bring the road network up to a decent 

condition. 

Closed road motorsport for mainland 

Britain gets the chequered flag 

Motorsport on closed public 

roads can take place in 

mainland Britain following a 

change in the law that will make 

it easier for races, rallies and 

speed events to be organised. 

Although closed-roads events 

such as the Mull Rally and 

Rally Isle of Man take place 

annually in some parts of the 

British Isles, events on the 

mainland have traditionally 

been more difficult to arrange. 

This is because each Road 

Traffic Act suspension or 

amendment – necessary to 

permit competing vehicles to 

travel above the speed limits on 

mainland roads – has required 

an Act of Parliament. That 

process has proven 

prohibitively expensive and 

time-consuming for most 

grassroots motor clubs. 

From Monday 10 April, 

however, local authorities will 

are permitted to suspend the 

Road Traffic Act for authorised 

motorsport events on roads in 

their jurisdiction. The matter will 

no longer have to go to 

Parliament. 

This doesn’t give a green light 

for unregulated street races 

that could endanger others. 

Motor clubs will still have to put 

in some considerable legwork 

to get their events up and 

running; police, local councils 

and highways authorities will 

need to be consulted and the 

process will take several 

months. 

MINI launches Cooper Black 

MINI UK recently launched the 

new MINI Cooper Black Pack 

Clubman and the new MINI 

Cooper D Black Pack Clubman. 

Designed exclusively for the UK, 

the first MINI Clubman edition 

offers 17-inch Black Net spoke 

wheels combined with Black 

bonnet stripes for a sleek and 

sporty finish to further enhance 

the characteristic MINI Clubman 

styling. 

Inside, the design continues with 

a Piano Black interior and multi- 

Taxi and private hire drivers 

could face fine up to £1000 

Taxi and private hire drivers could face a fine of 

up to £1,000 and lose their taxi licences if they 

refuse to transport wheelchair users or charge 

them extra. 

New rules apply in England, Wales and Scotland 

affecting those taxis and private hire vehicles 

which are designated as wheelchair accessible. 

The new law came into force nationally on April 6 

as part of provisions being enacted from the 

Equality Act. 

Drivers will be obliged by the law to transport 

wheelchair users in their wheelchair, provide them 

with appropriate assistance, and charge them the 

same as non-wheelchair users. 

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for 

Environmental Services, Cllr Nick Peel, said: “The 

change in the law should enable wheelchair users 

to travel with confidence. 


TELEPHONE 

function steering wheel. The 

MINI Black Pack badge which is 

featured on the rear doors of the 

vehicle highlights the exclusivity 

of the new MINI Black Pack 

Clubman models. In keeping with 

the entire MINI Clubman model 

range, they offer exceptionally 

high levels of standard 

equipment including MINI 

Navigation, Bluetooth, Cruise 

Control and MINI Connected. 

The MINI Excitement Pack which 

includes the MINI logo projection 

01204 669966 

is also offered as standard. 

Nicolas Griebner, Head of 

Product, MINI UK said: “The 

MINI Black Pack Clubman 

showcases the very best of MINI 

Clubman – a host of specially 

selected equipment combined 

with attractive visual options.” 

The new MINI Cooper is 

available with on the road pricing 

starting at £21,430 for MINI 

Cooper Black Pack Clubman and 

£23,735 for MINI Cooper D Black 

Pack Clubman. 

We also want drivers of wheelchair accessible 

vehicles to be clear about the duties and 

responsibilities placed on them. 

If a driver breached their duties we would 

investigate and take appropriate action. If a 

passenger feels they have been discriminated 

against then we would encourage them to get in 

touch with our licensing team. 

In Bolton all our hackney carriage vehicles are 

wheelchair accessible and a number of private 

hire vehicles are also wheelchair accessible.” 

For more information, contact the licensing team 

on licensing.unit@bolton.gov.uk, or call 01204 

336584. 

Drivers with wheelchair accessible vehicles but 

who are unable to provide assistance for medical 

reasons can apply to the council for an exemption 

from the new requirements. 

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Calling all motorbike riders 

Westhoughton Motor Cycle Club was established in 1987 

and meets on the second and fourth Monday each month 

at The Wheatsheaf, 

Market Street, Westhoughton. Meetings start at 8.15pm 

with most people arrive around 8pm. There are club ride 

outs on many weekends between March and October. 

These normally start from the Toby Carvery car park on 

the A580 at Lane Head, Lowton. 

If you think that we are the Club for you 

why not pay us a visit, you will be made 

very welcome. Initial membership 

costs are £12.00 for the first year and 

£10.00 for subsequent years. 

See our website for more details. 

www.westhoughton-mcc.co.uk 

LIVINGINBL c 

PAGE 31

Martin Halsall’s racing team heads 

back to short circuit action 

Martin Halsall’s racing team is back in the short circuit action this year 

as part of the British Supersport Championship. The team will now be 

known as ‘ MOVUNO.COM HALSALL RACING’ and is running a 

Yamaha R6 in the leading series. 

Following four years in the MCE British Superbike Championship, 

Halsall has returned to the paddock after signing 2013 British Motostar 

champion Joe Francis. The 19-year-old from Chester made his series 

debut last year following two seasons in Superstock 600. 

He ended the year in seventh position overall, following a year dogged 

by bad luck including breaking his wrist in the season-opener at 

Silverstone which forced him to miss two rounds. Despite a few other 

issues including arm pump and bike struggles, the teenager bounced 

back and celebrated a win and countless podiums towards the end of 

the season, making him hot property and bringing him to the attention 

of several teams. 

But his plans for the year hit a stumbling block recently when he was 

left without a ride, and after learning that Halsall had built an R6, he 

got in touch to see if he would be able to help. 

“I spoke to Martin to see if he’d be interested in running the Yamaha in 

Top ten for Joe Francis 

at Donington opener 

Supersport, and he got back the next day and said it was happening,” 

said Francis. “It all came about every quickly. It’s fantastic to finally 

have something sorted; especially with Martin because he runs a slick, 

professional team and as everyone knows, his bikes are perfectly 

prepared and want for nothing.” 

“I want to try and get as many high points finishes in the first races as 

possible and then work towards getting the wins in by about the third 

round. There’s no reason why we can’t win this year and I’m extremely 

grateful to Martin for giving me this opportunity.” 

Martin Halsall added: “I’m thrilled that Joe is going to be riding for us. 

We’ve had a busy winter making plans, and even though we left the 

BSB series last year, we wanted to still be involved. I wasn’t sure what 

we were going to be doing next, but when Joe got in touch it seemed 

the perfect solution.” 

“Joe is a very talented rider and he’s also a great lad. He’s proved he 

can win races and I am certain he can win the championship. I’m 

looking forward to coming back to the British paddock and working 

with Joe, and I believe we can have a strong, successful year 

together.” 

Movuno.com Halsall Racing team and rider Joe 

Francis left the opening round of the 2017 Dickies 

British Supersport Championship with a strong haul 

of points as the team made its debut in the hard 

fought series. 

Francis brought his Yamaha R6 across the line in 

eighth place after a tough weekend which saw 

Saturday’s race postponed. 

The Chester rider had been looking to grab as 

many points as possible as the new season kickedoff 

at Donington Park, just a few weeks on since he 

signed to entrepreneur Martin Halsall’s team. 

The squad, which left the BSB championship at the 

end of last year, decided to run Francis at the 

eleventh hour, and other than the official test at the 

Leicestershire track last month, he hadn’t ridden 

the bike properly until Friday morning. 

With changing weather conditions during Friday 

and Saturday, Francis looked to be running well, 

particularly on Saturday as he qualified in sixth 

position ahead of the first race. However, an earlier 

incident meant all track action was halted early, and 

the race postponed. 

This meant Sunday’s race was the only one of the 

weekend, and Francis didn’t get the best of starts, 

dropping back to 12th in the opening lap, before 

forcing his way back up to ninth in the next few 

corners.. 

Despite a hard push, the 2013 Motostar British 

champion was unable to make up any ground as 

the riders ahead had all enjoyed better starts, and 

he spent the remainder of the race in ninth spot, 

crossing the line behind Ross Twyman, and 3.4 

seconds ahead of Keenan Armstrong. 

“It was a hard race and I struggled after my bad 

start,” said Francis. “I went right back to 12th at the 

start and although I managed to get a few spots 

back, by then the riders up front had got away and I 

was never going to be in a position to catch them. 

Around about lap five I thought I was getting 

stronger and I tried to push a bit harder, but I didn’t 

want to take any stupid risks to get up to the front in 

the first round. 

“We haven’t had any testing other than one day 

here last month, and I think we’d have really 

benefitted from the race on Saturday, but that’s 

racing and this happens. It is a shame because we 

were running so well on Friday, but we just have to 

move on. 

“We’ve got three races now at Brands Hatch in a 

fortnight, so hopefully I can come out fighting and 

we can start climbing closer to the front.” 

Team owner Martin Halsall added: “It’s a bit 

disappointing after our strong showing earlier in the 

weekend, but it’s new territory for the team and we 

came here looking to just get as many points as we 

could. 

I know Joe is disappointed, but I think we should 

take the positives and look ahead. We finished 

eighth and picked up a haul of points, and I know 

with more track time we can really move forward. 

We came here looking for a top 10 and we got one. 

Maybe next time we should say we’re looking for a 

top three and see where we end up!” 

Full MOVUNO.COM HALSALL RACING livery 

makes it’s debute at Brands Hatch 

Full report on Brands Hatch next issue 

Dickies British Supersport Championship round 1 result: 

1. Tarran Mackenzie 2. Alastair Seeley 3. Andrew Irwin 4. Benjamin Currie 5. David Allingham 6. Jack Kennedy 

7. Keith Farmer 8. Ross Twyman 9. Joe Francis 10. Keenan Armstrong 

29 - 1 May: Oulton Park 16 - 18 June: Knockhill 30 - 2 July: Snetterton 

21 - 23 July: Brands Hatch 4 - 6 Aug: Thruxton 18 - 20 Aug: Cadwell Park 

8 - 10 Sept: Silverstone 15 - 17 Sept: Oulton Park 29 - 1 Oct: Assens 

13 - 15 Oct: Brands Hatch 

PAGE 32 

c 

LIVINGINBL

LivingINBL April 2017

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