Local Life - St Helens - June 2017

LocalLife
St Helens Edition June 2017
EducatingWilly
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over £300
Local News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Garden Diary Food Home Services
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Distributors
wanted
Local Life require distributors
for the following areas;
Rainhill
View Road/Lowther Drive area
School Lane, Chapel Lane area
St Helens
Prescot Road area
Scholes Lane/Lowther Crescent
Eccleston
Springfield Lane/Villiers Cres area
Windle
Bleak Hill Road area
Nutgrove
Wedgewood Gardens estate
Sutton Heath
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Distributors typically work for
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Applicants must be aged 13+ and
be fit, enthusiastic and reliable.
Interested?
Please email your
name, address, landline number
and date of birth to
sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
LocalLife
Never too
old
The phrase “youth is wasted on the young”
always tickles me, partly because it has a grain
of truth, especially when it comes to education.
At school, my timetable was divided into two:
lessons I loved (English, French, German, Latin) and
lessons I hated (everything else).
I particularly had a loathing for maths and science,
something which amuses my other half as she
teaches the latter and thoroughly enjoys quizzing
me on my times tables.
I think I got it into my head that anything other
than linguistics was a waste of time. My subsequent
career as a journalist would add weight to that
theory. Yet now I’m starting to see just how useful
other subjects can be.
Recently, I’ve been doing more and more DIY around
the house. Some of my tasks have been mixing
cement (so ratios come in handy) and cutting wood
(so measuring angles). Although I reckon I’d be more
Jim Bowen than Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, I’ve
been rather chuffed with my creations.
So it was with great interest that I had the
opportunity to chat to Willy Russell recently (see
page 35) about his foray back into the classroom
to learn about art, a subject he wasn’t particularly
good at when in full-time education.
Having seen Willy’s work, it’s hard to believe he
hasn’t been painting his entire life.
I guess it proves the old adage that, even if you’re a
bona fide star with countless awards to your name,
you’re never too old to learn...
David Sudworth, Editor

5
In this issue
Is it stress
or anxiety?
Regulars
10 Planning
16 Class From The Past
26 Puzzle Corner
37 Events2Go
41 Jack’s Tracks
46 Test Drive
50 Garden Diary
22
Educating
Willy
31
Win treatments
worth £300
28
Jack’s Tracks visits
Astley Green
41
Test Drive
Toyota Prius
Plug-in Hybrid
46
Sections
6 Local News
41 Motoring
50 Gardening
49 Home Services
Next issue - July 2017
Advertising deadline - Tuesday, 20 June
Published - Friday, 30 June
LocalLife
Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park,
Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB
Telephone: 01744 649 722
Publisher: Chris
chrisp@locallife247.co.uk
Sales: Clare
sales@locallife247.co.uk
Editorial: David sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk
Design: Dylan, Peter design@locallife247.co.uk
Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
Accounts: Sam accounts@locallife247.co.uk
Local Life is published every month and distributed into
the following areas on an alternate monthly basis.
This issue is delivered to over 12,500 private homes
and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston
Park, Windle, Prescot Road and parts of Nutgrove and
Sutton Heath.
The next issue is delivered to over 12,000 private
homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood,
Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of
Haydock.
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither
the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any
party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or
other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written
consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.
locallifemagazine247 @locallifemedia events2go

6
Candidates confirmed
Ten local candidates for the
snap General Election have been
confirmed.
The poll, which takes place on Thursday June
8, will see several candidates across both local
constituencies vying for votes.
In St Helens South & Whiston, Marie Rimmer is
hoping to make it three election victories in a
row for Labour, having held the seat since Shaun
Woodward’s departure in 2010.
In St Helens North, incumbent Conor McGinn is
also hoping to see off challenges from the Lib
Dems, Conservative, Green and UKIP candidates.
The full list of candidates standing in each seat has
now been confirmed and are as follows:
St Helens South & Whiston
• Mark Hitchen (UKIP)
• Ed McRandal (Con)
• Jeess Northey (Green)
• Marie Rimmer (Lab)
• Brian Spencer (Lib Dem)
St Helens North
• Conor McGinn (Lab)
• Tom Morrison (Lib Dem)
• Jackson Ng (Con)
• Rachel Parkinson (Green)
• Peter Peers (UKIP)

7

8
£3m extra for Windle island
St Helens councillors have agreed to
borrow almost £2m to fund a revised
Windle Island improvement scheme.
The scheme is being tweaked to “maximise
capacity” at the busy junction,
Some of the key features will include a new
‘deceleration’ lane for traffic turning left towards St
Helens from the East Lancs Road. It also includes
a ban on vehicles leaving Tesco Express, rejoining
the East Lancs and then immediately turning right
towards Rainford.
The full list of changes has pushed the overall cost
of the scheme up from £4.2m to £7.2m. To bridge
the funding gap, councillors have decided to use
£1m from the highways capital programme and
borrow the rest at a cost of around £80,000 per year.
A report on the scheme said: “The A580/A570
junction is the second most complex junction on
the A580 in terms of traffic/pedestrian volumes.
Within the site boundary, largely unchartered
intersecting underground trunk utility services
exist.
“Substantial feasibility design work, detail site
investigation, traffic modelling, validation and
public consultation has been undertaken to
provide an optimised scheme fit for purpose that
will provide: operational capacity for proposed
scheme at 87% (i.e. 13% future growth capacity).”

9
Plain sailing
Pilkington Sailing Club is planning to celebrate its
60th anniversary with a series of events. The club,
which sails on Eccleston Mere, on Burrows Lane, is
affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association (RYA). It
sails every Sunday afternoon throughout the year
and most evenings from spring to autumn.
If you are interested in finding out more please
phone Freda on 01744 21770 or Rob Tyler on
01744 884821. Alternatively, email pilkstraining@
gmail.com or visit the club’s website at www.
pilkingtonsailingclub.co.uk
Graveyard shift
Locals are being urged to help clean up the
churchyard at St Ann’s, Rainhill. Anyone who can
spare some time should meet at the church at
9.30am on Saturday, June 10. Bacon butties and hot
drinks will be provided.
New members
Kendrick’s Cross Women’s Institute is welcoming
new members. It meets every fourth Tuesday of
the month, at 7.30pm at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane
Court. For more information, call Ruth on 0151 430
0696.

10
Planning Matters
Eccleston
72 Broadway: Single storey rear extension
projecting 5.1m from the rear 3.27m high overall
and 2.27m to the eaves. (ref: P/2017/0411/HHPA ).
A decision is due soon.
69 Daresbury Road: Demolition of existing
conservatory and erection of a single storey rear
extension, single storey side extension, pitched
roof to existing two storey rear extension, rendering
exterior of dwelling, and creation of new driveway
access (ref: : P/2017/0405/HHF). Decision due soon.
Rainhill
Site of former Greencroft, Mill Lane: Erection
of two detached eco-friendly dwellings (ref:
P/2017/0418/FUL). A decision is due soon.
Windle
165 Dentons Green Lane: Single storey extension
to side and rear elevation, pitched roof to existing
two storey flat roof side extension, and front porch
(ref:P/2017/0420/HHFP). A decision is due soon.
40 Bishop Road: Demolition of existing single
storey rear extension and conservatory and erection
of a single storey rear extension (ref: P/2017/0412/
HHFP). A decision is due soon.
For more information on these and other planning applications, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk

11
Deadline looms for In Bloom
The deadline for entries to this year’s Whiston In
Bloom competition is fast approaching. Residents
and groups can enter up to three of the following
categories: Best Residential Garden (including,
front, back, side garden); Best Allotment Garden
(vegetable, fruit, flowers); Best Commercial/
Institution/Shop front/Window display; Best
Community Garden/Allotment (as a group); Young
Gardener of the Year 2017 (18-25 years) and Best
Container: planters, hanging baskets, tubs.
There will also be an Overall Winner category- 1st
Prize Certificate, £50 cash, shield and a plaque,
with second and third place contestents getting a
Certificate of Merit
The overall winner will be the entry judged to
represent “the hallmark of gardening in Whiston
with significant and influential contribution effect
in the beautification of Whiston Township”.
The winner will be entitled to retain the shield for
a year and return it before next year’s competition;
but will be entitled to keep the plaque.
Entry forms can be accessed via http://www.
whiston-tc.gov.uk/Garden_Competition.aspx or
you can request a paper copy from Whiston Town
Council Office, Whiston Town Hall, Old Colliery
Road, Whiston. Telephone 0151 430 7200 or email
whistontowncouncil@tiscali.co.uk
The deadline for entries is July 10.

12
Tell Us Your Story!
Local Life is always
on the look out for
news stories from the
local communities
we serve. Are you
raising money for
charity? Are you
a member of a
community group
with something
to shout about?
Maybe you’ve got
an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let
us know and you could be appearing in the next
edition!
Simply contact us on sthelensnews@locallife247.
co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.
Tom’s honour
A Former St Helens Mayor has been made an
Honorary Alderman of the borough for his long
service to the
community
and council.
Tom Hargreaves
MBE served
as a councillor
for almost 30
years between
1987 and 2016.
He was sworn
in as Mayor of
St Helens in 2011-12, during which he set up his
charity, Hargreaves Dementia Trust, for people in St
Helens living with dementia.
The title Honorary Alderman is the highest
award that can be made to a former councillor in
recognition of exceptional service to the council.
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14
Delays expected
Motorists are warned to expect delays in Haydock
until early July. Improvements to A58 Liverpool
Road at the junction with Tithebarn Road and
Millfield Lane are now underway, and include an
upgrade of the signals, footway and carriageway
works and some tree clearance.
The M6 Junction 24 will remain accessible from
Liverpool Road, with temporary four-way traffic
lights set up at the junction during the works.
A council spokesman said: “This will result in some
inconvenience for residents and businesses in the
area but every attempt will be made to keep the
impact to a minimum.”
Get steamed up!
Railway buffs are being advised that two steam
trains are likely to pass through Rainhill during the
summer.
They are as follows:
Saturday, June 10: The Coast to Coast Express,
Liverpool – Scarborough
Saturday, July 23: The North Wales Coast Express,
Liverpool - Holyhead
Times and updates can be found at www.
railwaytouring.net
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15
Golfers enjoy a tee-rific day
Over £4,000 was raised for Prescotbased
Willowbrook Hospice at an
annual charity golf day.
More than 20 teams of golfers teed off at Huyton
and Prescot Golf Club for the event.
Scooping first place for the second year running was
the ‘Stano’s Stars’ team captained by Paul Stanton.
Mark Pilkington, from Willowbrook Hospice, said:
“It was a fantastic day and I’d like to thank all of
the golfers who took part, our sponsors GPW
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After a day on the golf course, players enjoyed
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16
Class from the past
This month’s Class from the Past is from Rivington
Road School. It’s believed this photo was taken in
the late1960s. Maybe you can spot a familiar face?
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Immediate delivery service available

19
Consultation on hold
A consultation into potentially axing
every lollipop patrol in St Helens is
still on hold.
Councillors have agreed to consult on a series of
cost-cutting measures, which includes possibily
making them all redundant.
Other options include axing patrols in “low-risk”
sites or those which already have traffic calming
measures in place. There is also the potential of
simply transferring the responsibility of providing a
crossing service to individual schools.
It comes as St Helens Council looks to save around
£130,000 a year.
However, because of the General Election, the
council cannot, by law, start the consultation until
June 9 at the earliest. As Local Life went to press, a
date had not been confirmed, although it’s likely to
commence sometime later this summer.
A report, endorsed by councillors, said: “It is
intended to carry out a consultation based on the
following options; cease to offer a traditional SCP
Services; transfer the responsibility of delivery to
schools (or) disestablish low risk sites and those
with engineering measures. If the SCP Service
were to cease, all school crossing patrol staff
would potentially be at risk of redundancy. All staff
would be offered redeployment and support in
accordance with the council’s redeployment policy.
“If the Governing Body decide to deliver the SCP
service then the current employees assigned would
be employed by the Governing Body.”
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Pastors to expand
St Helens Street Pastors are looking to expand
their team. They want to expand the current team
from 10 pastors, including three recruits who are
currently undergoing training.
The pastors partrol on the second and fourth Fridays
of each month between 10.45pm and 3.30am and
provide assistance to anyone that may need help
getting home or someone to talk to.
However, their vision is to be be present on the
streets every Friday and Saturday night in the town
centre, offering practical help to the community. In
order to achieve this year round, approximately 40
volunteers would be needed.
For more information contact Debbie Williams on
07496 033689 or email sainthelens@streetpastors.
org.uk, visit http://streetpastors.org/locations/
sthelens/
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Health & Fitness
Is it stress,
or anxiety
By Ella Walker
Stress is a normal part of life, and everybody will
experience a sense of anxiety from time to time -
but both these things can also be signs of mental health
problems, or an indication that we possibly need to
slow down or seek some support.
But how do you tell them apart? They can feel and
exhibit themselves in a similar manner, so if you’re
confused as to whether you’re stressed or anxious,
here are some key signs to look out for...
How to spot stress
In the simplest terms, stress is caused by
a specific factor, or ‘stressor’ - for example,
a major life change. This can include any
situation, event or scenario that makes
you feel angry, frustrated,
humiliated, nervous etc.
For example, moving
house, starting a new
job, a big meeting
or exam you haven’t
prepped for, your
mother-in-law has
invited herself for
Christmas. These
are actualities
that directly cause
you stress, usually
because you feel
unprepared for them,
overwhelmed, or are
struggling to find a way
to deal with them.

23
Everyone gets stressed now and again, it’s a normal
response to situations that frighten or worry you
(which are different for everybody), but over time,
if you are under constant amounts of stress, it can
cause health worries.
Common symptoms (according to the NHS):
feeling irritable, fearful, low self-esteem, indecision,
difficulty concentrating, headaches, dizziness,
tiredness, appetite changes, short-tempered,
racing-thoughts, physical tension
How to spot anxiety
Anxiety can manifest itself even when you don’t
have something stressful to link it to, and instead,
tends to present as an ongoing feeling of unease, or
a sense of impending doom.
It’s normal to feel a bit anxious or worried,
for example, in scenarios that make you feel
apprehensive, like speaking in public, confronting
your boss, bungee jumping etc.
However, excessive anxiety - or generalised anxiety
disorder - where you worry disproportionately
and often without an obvious trigger, can severely
disrupt day-to-day life.
Common symptoms (according to the NHS):
restlessness, sense of dread, feeling on edge,
lack of concentration, feeling irritable, dizziness,
tiredness, muscle aches, fast heartbeat, trembling
and shaking, dry mouth, headaches, sweating,
shortness of breath, nausea, pins and needles
How they’re linked
Stress and anxiety often share symptoms, from
tiredness and dizziness, to muscle aches and
headaches, and both are connected to the fight-orflight
response, and neither are remotely enjoyable.
However, both conditions can be eased with the
right treatment, from mindfulness and relaxation
methods to release pressure and minimise stress, to
medication and talking therapies for anxiety. If you
are struggling or concerned about how anxious or
stressed you’re feeling, always speak to your GP.
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24
Prescot Chiropody Clinic
WELLBEING NEWS
62% of UK adults not aware lack of
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It’s among the most common forms of cancer,
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physical activity is associated with an increased
risk of the disease, a new poll by the charity has
revealed. But research shows that 150 minutes of
moderate aerobic activity - such as brisk walking
or cycling - a week, can cut your risk by as much
as 12%. Bowel Cancer UK’s now launched a new
fundraising challenge, Step Up For 30, challenging
people to do 30-minutes of exercise every day in
June (in reference to the fact that, every 30 minutes,
somebody dies from the disease). To sign up or find
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25

26
Puzzle Corner
WORD SEARCH
Find the hidden cat breeds
L R C X N T V A L Y
S I A M E S E E A B
B R B I R M A N M U
Y C Y M R I C S N R
P H S U S N T P E M
E A S N O W S H O E
R U I C E K E Y U S
S S N H R L A N D E
I I I K M A N X I C
A E A I O C I C A T
N X N N E R E V S O
G O B O M B A Y E N
O C R E G Y O T B A
SIAMESE
ABYSSINIAN
BURMESE
SPHYNX
SNOWSHOE
LOGIC PROBLEMS
Can you work out which stock was bought for
which client, how much the share price was
and which market sector
it was in?
CLUES
TOYGER
MUNCHKIN
CYMRIC
MANX
BOMBAY
1. The person who bought
JMO stock was not in
the energy sector
2. The PSTO stock that was
sold for £50
3. QMZ was in the health
sector
4. Chrissie bought £25 of
JMO stock
5. Mark bought stock in the
energy sector
PERSIAN
BIRMAN
CHAUSIE
OCICAT
KORAT
1
9
5
9 8
7 3 1
4
SUDOKU
WIGGLE WORDS
CLUE: No working for now
Trace a path through all the
letters to find the word or
phrase that fits the clue.
3
2
8
4
1
6
5
5 7
3
6 8
4
E H T N
H O L O
A D I S
Y S E A
6
All the puzzle solutions are on page 54 of this magazine

27
Need legal advice?
Don’t delay!
Local law firm I E Legal Solicitors, are able to
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Their Prescot Office is located at 20 Eccleston Street,
just next door to Prescot’s indoor shopping centre.
There is plenty of free parking at the centre, and
being on the pedestrianised shopping street means
that you can pop in for legal advice whilst visiting the
other local shops and independent stores Prescot has
to offer.
2017 marks an exciting year for I E Legal as they have
recently moved into the newly refurbished premises,
and also have some new members of the team.
Thomas Hurley is the
latest addition. Thomas
has experience in helping
people with disputes, such
as consumer problems and
recovering unpaid debts.
“It’s great being able to help
people with their legal issues,
Thomas Hurley
and as we can offer no-win no-fee for collecting
outstanding bills, and low-cost fixed fee services for
dealing with other problems, our client’s can always
rest assured that they are in safe hands!” said, Thomas.
Principal solicitor, and director
of the firm, Dominic Cooper
said “It’s great having Thomas
on board especially now we
are in our new spacious offices.
Thomas is a great lawyer with
a friendly and approachable
manner and clients find that he
puts people at ease.”
Dominic Cooper
“And with myself and other team members looking
after our clients, we can help with everything from
wills and probate, advice on inheritance issues,
disputes, court proceedings, family law, children
issues, property law, conveyancing and business law
- we really offer the full service in a nice approachable
way, in our local community.”
So no matter what your legal issue, contact I E Legal
today for FREE on 0800 612 9427 and see how we can
help you!
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20 Eccleston Street, Prescot, L34 5QE www.ielegal.co.uk

28
Competition
Win beauty treatments worth
over £300
Local Life has teamed up with Beauty by
Helen French and Environ Skin Care to bring
one of our readers a fabulous prize; a four point
treatment plan designed to knock years off your facial
appearance.
This treatment plan, applied by Beauty by Helen
French at their salon Kiln Lane in St Helens, includes a
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This prize is a culmination of the anniversary
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which celebrates its 20th year of trading in 2017. In an
industry where start ups rise and fall every year, there
are very few salons in the UK who have lasted twenty
years.
The secret of longevity at Beauty by Helen French
lies with Helen’s ongoing drive to offer customers a
full range of quality treatments using the very best
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friendly beauty therapists. Top brands used at the
salon include Clarins, Jessica and St.Tropez, and
Beauty by Helen French is the only salon in St Helens
which is permitted to use Environ Skin Care products.

29
Situated in a prominent position on Kiln Lane which has
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Environ Skin Care was founded by a top cosmetic
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Just answer this question; How many years has Beauty by Helen French been trading?
To enter the competition, visit our website www.locallife247.co.uk and click on ‘Free Stuff’ and then on ‘Competitions’
to enter your answer. The expiry date for this competition is 30th June 2017, and the details of the winner will be
publicised in the August issue of Local Life.
For more details about Collagen Power Facials, call Beauty by Helen French on 01744 736170, call into the salon at 82 Kiln
Lane, St Helens or visit www.beautybyhelenfrench.co.uk
01744 736170
84 Kiln Lane, Eccleston, St Helens, WA10 4RJ
www.beautybyhelenfrench.co.uk

30

31
The playwright talks to David Sudworth about his
upbringing and a new-found love of painting
From humble beginnings in Rainhill, he’s now one
of the country’s most celebrated playwrights.
His shows have been staged all across the world, and
Hollywood stars have played characters he created.
But even Willy Russell admits that he got first night
nerves when an exhibition of his artwork opened in
Knowsley recently.
For Willy, who turns 70 soon, this is fairly new territory. He
only picked a brush up 10 years ago, and since then he’s
become a student again. For a man who freely admits that
he “hated school and school hated me,” the irony is not lost
on him.
Educating
Willy
But there was part of him which didn’t want his paintings
on public display.
“I did think at first that I wanted this to be
just for me. But then I started thinking
whether it was a bit self-indulgent
of me not to share it.

32
“I knew that it would be seen through the gauze
of everything that I’ve done before. “But famous
people - Bob Dylan, Noel Coward, Beryl Bainbridge
to name a few - have painted and exhibited before.
And also, as you get older, you get a thicker skin.
“In my early days, I’d read the newspaper reviews.
That’s because not only is it a chance to review your
art, but it would give an indication about the future
of a play. I wouldn’t write plays for the West End,
I’d write them for specific theatres. So for Shirley
Valentine, it was for The Everyman in Liverpool.
“I remember one critic in the London Evening
Standard kicking seven shades of s**** out of
Educating Rita, so I thought that would be the
end of it. Then that weekend, a Sunday national
newspaper absolutely raved about it.
“The only thing you’ll be
drawing is the dole”
“If it hadn’t been for that review, I may not be
speaking here now speaking to you.”
Fortunately, Educating Rita did go on to be an on
to be an outstanding success. But there were few
signs in Willy’s childhood that he’d be treading this
sort of path,
Born on August 23, 1947, his official biography says
he is from Whiston. However, that is only a partial
truth.
“I was born in Whiston Hospital but when you’re
asked where you were born, it really means where
you grew up.
Julie Walters and Michael Caine in Educating Rita
gone to work in Canada but while he was away, I’d
become ill. I get something called nephritis which
is nothing today but back then, it was serious and
I was in hospital. During that time, my mum got ill
with pleurisy so my father came back. He said he
came back to look after the family, but my mum
said it was because he couldn’t hack it in Canada.
The truth is probably somewhere inbetween the
two.”
Being one of the youngest in his year and school,
and his time in hospital, meant that Willy’s education
suffered. He went to several schools, including
Knowsley Maypole Primary, Woolfall Secondary
Modern and, aged 15, he moved to Rainford High.
“I was in the same year group as people who were
12 months older than me. So although I was tall, I
wasn’t as developed in other ways. Teachers used to
say ‘are you thick Russell?’
“I was kicked out of art class and told the only thing
I’d be drawing was the dole, and that’s if I was lucky.
“I went to Rainford because I was caned so many
“I lived on Dee Road in Rainhill. But at
that time, Rainhill was synonymous with
the psychiatric hospital, so my mates who
lived there said they were from Whiston,”
he laughs.
The family lived in Rainhill untill Willy was
five years old, by which time they’d moved
to Knowsley Village.
“I’m not quite sure of the actual reason. My
father, who came from Up Holland, had

33
legs were cut to pieces. These days, it would have
been a najor newspaper scandal but back then, it
just happened.”
It was while at Rainford, during a Silent Reading
session, that Willy started to understand the power
of words: “I looked up from the novel I was reading,
realised that I was in state of serenity, and thought:
“I want to create the same feeling in others”. At the
same time, I thought: “What a ludicrous idea. You
are destined for the bottle factory.”
It was also at Rainford that he first heard Shirley
Valentine, as it was the name of a girl in his class.
Years later, Pauline Collins would portray her as a
bored housewife whose life takes a dramatic turns
when she unexpectedly wins a holiday to Greece.
Having left school with one O-Level in English
language, he became a ladies’ hairdresser. However,
he continued to fulfill his creative ambitions by
becoming a part-time singer/songwriter.
“Even to this day, people come up and ask me
who did the music for Blood Brothers. And they’re
amazed when I say it was me!” he smiles.
Aged 21, he decided to try and reclaim the years
of education he’d lost as a child by going back to
college, and training as a teacher.
While studying, Willy began writing drama and, in
Pauline Collins and Bernard Hill in the film version
1972, took a programme of three one-act plays to
the Edinburgh Fringe Festival where they were seen
by writer John McGrath.
Suitably impressed by what he saw, McGrath
recommended Willy to the Liverpool Everyman
Theatre who in turn commissioned the adaptation,
When The Reds… - Willy’s first professional work for
theatre.
It was a couple of years later, in 1974, that Willy’s
first big hit came with Beatles musical John, Paul,
George, Ringo … and Bert.
of Shirley Valentine
“I can’t abide mass-male
banter...”
Commissioned by the Liverpool Everyman, it ran
for a then unprecedented eight weeks before
transferring to the West End.
Other hits followed, including Our Day Out (1976)
and Stags and Hens (1978). But it was the film
versions of Educating Rita and, later on, Shirley
Valentine, that his work was propelled to a much
wider audience.
It’s been noted many times how he draws on
his own past when creating characters. His own
personal characteristics, such as his loathing of
communal, male banter, also feeds into this.
Willy Russell promoting his 1974 play John, Paul,
George, Ringo … and Bert
“I really can’t abide groups of men together.
As individuals, they are fine but when they’re
together, all the banter starts and they change their
behaviour. It usually starts with things like ‘So what
road did you take to get here then?’

34
“At school, I was told I didn’t have any sort of talent for painting... and I believed it”
“It’s almost as if they’re competing between
themselves to find the lowest common
denominator as quickly as possible.”
45 years on from his initial play and Willy’s body
of work has cemented his reputation, alongside
the likes of Alan Bennett and fellow Liverpudlian
Alan Bleasdale, as one of the UK’s most celebrated
playwrights.
Despite his fame, Willy has chosen to be based in his
home region - living in a cottage in Woolton, south
Liverpool, with his office based in Canning Street, in
the city centre.
His foray into painting came around 10 years ago
when, while at his holiday home in Portugal, he
started ‘doodling’ on a pad which the children had
been using earlier that day.
“At school, I was told I didn’t have any sort of talent
for painting, and I believed it.
“Even when I was a young adult, people would ask
me for input into posters for my plays but I would
just say that I’m no good at any of that stuff.
“I enrolled in art classes and it was lovely just
being a student of art, learning something new. It
was especially nice for me because when you’re a
writer, people like directors, actors and so on are
always looking to you to provide the answer. Being
a student meant that someone else had to provide
the answers other than me.”
The parallels between Willy’s thirst for education as
an adult and the plot for Educating Rita are striking.
“I’d see Rita as a fellow
journeyman”
Would Rita be proud of Willy for, like her, giving
education another go?
“That’s an interesting way of looking at it. I’ve
always been at heart and enquiring sort of person
and enjoy studying people.
“I’d see Rita as a fellow journeyman. Yeah, we’d
probably get on well...”
Willy Russell: Another Aspect is at Kirkby Gallery,
Norwich Way, Kirkby, L32 8XY, until September
2. Opening times are: Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm and
Sat 10am to 1pm.

35

36
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37
Upload your event for FREE at
www.locallife247.co.uk/events
Follow us on Facebook
events2go
Southport Food Festival
Friday, June 2 – Sunday, June 4, 10am – 6pm
If you love food then make a date with the Southport
Food and Drink Festival – a ‘foodies’ paradise with a
little something for everyone to enjoy.
Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport, Merseyside,
PR8 2BZ. Contact: visitsouthport.com
Picnic in the Park
Saturday, June 3, 1pm – 10.30pm
Rainford’s first live music festival is said to be a fun
day for all the family. With a range of musical acts and
activities for the family to enjoy. Bring your own food
and drink (no glass please)
Jubilee Playing Field, Church Road, Rainford, St.
Helens, WA11 8HE. Contact: rainfordfestival.co.uk
Pat-a-Cake Baby
Sunday, June 4, 2pm
Long Nose Puppets present a gorgeous show full
of rhyme, puppets and cake. Under 18’s must be
accompanied by an adult.
The Citadel Arts Centre St Helens WA10 1PX.
Contact: 01744 735 436
Merseyside Dogs Trust Day
Sunday, June 4, Noon – 4pm
Dogs Trust Merseyside are hosting their annual Fun
Day at Inglenook Farm for the second time! Last year’s
event proved a huge success with all money raised
going to an amazing cause.
Inglenook Farm, Moss Nook Lane, Rainford, St. Helens,
WA11 8AE. Contact: 01744 886812
Heart Walk
Monday, June 5, 12.45pm
Oddfellows gentle 30 minute walk around St Helens
Fosters Park is all about getting you moving in a fun
and friendly way, whatever your age or ability.
Town Hall, Victoria Square, St Helens, WA10 1HP.
Contact: julie.webster@oddfellows.co.uk
Moonlight Walk
Saturday, June 10, 9pm – 2am
The Moonlight Walk is back for its eleventh year! Entry
is £15 for adults and £5 for children (all online entry fees
include processing fees.) This year’s walk starts from
Willowbrook - The Living Well building on Borough Road.
Willowbrook, Borough Road, St. Helens, WA10
3RN. Contact: events@willowbrookhospice.org.uk
Somewhere in Time
Saturday, June 10, 7.30pm
Strictly’s favourite couple are back with a bang after their
first successful UK Tour. Ian and Natalie have developed
a whole new show with newly choreographed routines
of their favourite Ballroom and Latin dances.
St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St.
Helens, WA10 1LQ. Contact: 01744 756000.
Wonderland
Monday, June 12 – Saturday, June 17, 7.30pm
Frank Wildhorn’s Wonderland receives its UK and
European premiere in this brand new British Production.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool,
L1 1JE. Contact: atgtickets.com/shows/
wonderland/liverpool-empire/

38
Business Breakfast
Tuesday, June 13, 7.45am – 9am
Membership at the Chamber is all about helping your
business to grow and what better way to make new
contacts than a Business Breakfast? For members it’s
free and non-members £24.
St. Helens Chamber, Salisbury St, Off Chalon Way,
St Helens, WA10 1FY. Contact: 01744 742000
Prescot Festival
Friday, June 16 – Sunday, June 25
Arts in Prescot is a voluntary community organisation
promoting and organising arts, culture and
entertainment events in the historic Lancashire town
of Prescot.
Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34
1LA. Contact: prescotfestival.co.uk
Brass and Hotpot
Friday, June 16, 7pm
For the first time Prescot Festival welcomes one of
the UK’s finest brass bands, with an international
reputation, now in its 71st year, to entertain us with
nostalgic tunes and classic melodies.
Celebrate the opening night and the spirit of Lancashire
with a delicious Cottom’s hot pot in the interval. Tickets
are £8 and can be bought via the website.
Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34
1LA. Contact: www.prescotfestival.co.uk
Prescot Carnival
Sunday, June 18, 11.15am
Prescot Town Council present their annual afternoon of
stalls, games, food, fairground rides, live entertainment
and more for all ages. The parade assembles on
Eccleston Street at 11.15am, arriving at the carnival at 12
noon for the official opening. Entry for this event is free.
Brown’s Field, Wood Lane, Prescot, L34 1NU.
Contact: prescotfestival.co.uk
The Big Lunch
Sunday, June 18, 10am – 2pm
Greenslate community farm are taking part in the
nationwide ‘Great Get Together’ and are inviting the
whole community to come along and try their hand at
making pizzas and cakes for others! Come along and
celebrate the community!
Greenslate Community Farm Greenslate Road
Wigan, WN5 7BG. Contact: 01695 221950.
St Helens Chamber Golf Day
Thursday, June 22, 8.30am – 6pm
St Helens Chamber Golf Day provides an excellent
opportunity to network with other businesses or entertain
your own clients at a premier North West venue. The day
will start with breakfast and an optional 9 hole practice.
After lunch the main tournament will commence.
Grange Park Golf Club, Prescot Road, St. Helens,
WA10 3AD. Contact: 01744 742028
Liverpool’s Make Fest
Saturday, June 24, 9am – 5pm
Liverpool MakeFest, the north-west’s biggest Makers
event! Free entry to a friendly one day festival
celebrating all things ‘makey’. 200 Makers showcasing
science, technology, crafts, creations, inventions and
gadgets. There will be hands-on activities, ranging
from coding to crafts!
Liverpool Central Library, William Brown St, Liverpool
L3 8EW. Contact: facebook.com/liverpoolmakefest
Mersey River Festival
Saturday, June 24 – Sunday, June 25
The International Mersey River Festival is a celebration
of Liverpool’s wonderful and historic waterfront in a
completely free three day extravaganza of family fun,
amazing music and entertainment along the iconic
River Mersey.
cultureliverpool.co.uk/merseyriverfestival

39
Business Breakfast
Tuesday, June 13, 7.45am – 9am
Membership at the Chamber is all about helping your
business to grow and what better way to make new
contacts than a Business Breakfast. For members it’s
free and non-members £24.
St. Helens Chamber, Salisbury St, Off Chalon Way,
St Helens, WA10 1FY. Contact: 01744 742000
Prescot Festival
Friday, June 16 – Sunday, June 25
Arts in Prescot is a voluntary community organisation
promoting and organising arts, culture and
entertainment events in the historic Lancashire town
of Prescot, Merseyside.
Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34
1LA. Contact: prescotfestival.co.uk
Brass and Hotpot
Friday, June 16, 7pm
For the first time Prescot Festival welcomes one of
the UK’s finest brass bands, with an international
reputation, now in its 71st year, to entertain us with
nostalgic tunes and classic melodies.
Celebrate the opening night and the spirit of Lancashire
with a delicious Cottom’s hot pot in the interval. Tickets
are £8 and can be bought via the website.
Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34
1LA. Contact: www.prescotfestival.co.uk
Prescot Carnival
Sunday, June 18, 11.15am
Prescot Town Council present their annual afternoon of
stalls, games, food, fairground rides, live entertainment
and more for all ages. The parade assembles on
Eccleston Street at 11.15am, arriving at the carnival at 12
noon for the official opening. Entry for this event is free.
Brown’s Field, Wood Lane, Prescot, L34 1NU.
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40

41
sponsored by
Astley Green
by Chris Pearce
One of the recent family holiday ideas up for
discussion was visiting the Western Isles
of Scotland. We were particularly looking forward
to sampling a Lewis Sabbath. Sunday is a strict day
of rest on the Isle of Lewis; shops close, there are no
Sunday newspapers and even activities such as riding
a bike or pegging out washing are frowned upon.
Goodness knows then what these islanders would
make of Astley on a Sunday then, where the noisy
activities of the Rixton Clay Pigeon Club and the Leigh
Moto Cross Club did their utmost to disrupt a 4½ mile
country walk, so if you’re looking for solitude and
silence, best sample this walk on another day.
Park up at the end of Ellesmere Street (M29 7QP),
and then follow the bridleway heading in the
same direction for 600 hundred yards when you
will arrive at a crossroads. Turn right and follow
this path through more dense woodland until you
arrive at what’s left of a wooden gate just before
a rough moss, where walk symbols point left and
right. Ignore these signs and choose the welldefined
path that runs diagonally to the right.
Follow the path and you’ll reach a wooden gate. Go
through the gate, cross the shale track immediately
afterwards and then you’ll go over a small wooden
bridge and up a bank to the Bridgewater Canal.
Turn right and within 100 yards you’ll come to a
metal bridge running over the canal. Go up the
bank and over the bridge, and turn right to follow
the towpath along the canal for a further 100 yards

42
until you come to a dual metal wood stile leading
away from the canal.
Take this path through the pleasant woodland
for 600 yards and you’ll eventually arrive at Lower
Green Lane. Turn left onto the road and walk in
the same direction for 575 yards, crossing a mini
roundabout en-route, until you reach Oak Villa
Farm on your right hand side. Take this private road
towards the farm and head towards the stile on the
top right hand corner of the farmyard.
Hop over the stile into the horses paddock and head
towards another stile in the right hand corner of the
paddock. Once you have crossed this stile, head in
the same direction. Though this path isn’t that well
defined, you will soon arrive at the 90 degree bend
of a more established track. Turn left and follow the
track across open countryside for 250 yards.
The track takes a left hand bend and immediately
you’ll see a green bridge on the right. Ignore the
bridge and carry on right down that track for 700
Manchester Road
Astley
Postcode
M29 7QP
A572
East Lancashire Road
Bridgewater Canal
Higher Green Lane
Colliery
Museum
Private
Morley’s
Hall
Road
Lower Green Lane
Moss Lane
Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear while walking. While every care has been taken to ensure that
the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any
party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

43
yards. Straight ahead, the trees of Bedford Moss and
its single wind turbine will increasingly loom into
view, and you may spot the odd low flying aircraft
coming into land at Barton Aerodrome.
Once you’ve passed though Hills Farm and Gregory
Butts on the way, until you meet a single track
road (Moss Road). Turn right and follow the arrow
straight road for 650 yards until you reach a public
footpath sign on a left hand bend. Turn right off the
road, along this path.
Navigate your way round two tree trunks and then
cross the bridge over the brook. Follow the clearly
marked path for 100 yards and then take a left turn
across a field. Bear in mind that the field also hosts
clay pigeon shooting every fortnight on Sundays so
make sure you have any dogs on leads at this point.
Once you have crossed the field, turn right and
follow the single track for 600 yards. On the way
you’ll pass the site of Astley Car Boot and a sand
quarry. The track will split into three, but follow

44
the right hand track until you arrive at Morley’s
Hall, a Grade 2 listed building surrounded by an
ancient moat. Bear right round the moat and cross
the private road, hop over two successive stiles
and you’ll arrive at a compound centred around
Morley’s Bridge, which carries the East Lancs traffic
over the canal. Keep to the right and you’ll come to
the canal bank.
Turn right along the canal bank and follow the
towpath for ¾ mile. Look out for some moto cross
action at Astley Raceway on the right and, further
along on the left, you can enjoy some fine views of
Bolton, stretching up to Winter Hill. Once you see
the pit shaft at Astley Green once more, turn off the
canal just before the bridge, turn left and cross the
bridge and walk 500 yards until you see the starting
point of Ellesmere Street on the right.
Footnote: Have you got the OS Maps app on your
phone? This walk is filed under JT Astley Green.
Mining Museum
In the heart of Astley Green stands the Colliery
Museum which occupies some fifteen acres of the
old colliery site. The colliery began its life in 1908
to exploit coal reserves in the south Lancashire
Coalfield and closed in 1970.
The museum houses Lancashire’s only surviving
headgear and engine house, both of which now
have scheduled monument status. Apart from the
steam winding engine and headgear the museum
houses many exhibits, not least of which is the
collection of 28 colliery locomotives, the largest
collection of its type in the UK.
The museum is now run and maintained, on behalf
of the community, by the Red Rose Steam Society
Limited, a registered charity based in Lancashire.
Opening hours are 1pm-5pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays. For further information, please visit
the website www.lancashireminingmuseum.org

45
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46
Test Drive
Toyota Prius
Let’s get one thing answered – the new 2017
Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is not exciting,
okay? But, that doesn’t mean it’s a bad car. This is
one very ingenious machine, with some awesome
features – the most outstanding
being the solar panel roof that
can place just enough ‘go’ into the
Toyota’s drive battery for an extra
few free miles every day. The Prius
PHV - as it’s abbreviated to - also
has a refreshed electric powertrain.
A large 8.8kWh lithium ion battery
is housed under the floor of the
Toyota’s boot, together with a
hi-tech electrical arrangement
to move clout through it. This
works well and provides, what is
essentially a fourth-generation
Prius, some worthwhile shove,
by Tim Barnes-Clay
Plug-in
Hybrid
especially as the car also has a twin motor hybrid
powertrain. This raises pure electric power from
72PS to 103PS. All this gives the Toyota five-door
hatch a maximum speed of 84mph when driven in

47
unadulterated electric mode. Mind you, you can
only get away with this form of propulsion for so
long – the electric range is 39 miles, but expect 20-
25 miles real-world.
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid also has a 1.8 petrol
engine, and along with the electric wizardry, 122PS
is produced – giving a zero to 62mph time of 11.1sec
and a maximum speed of 101mph. Hardly exciting,
as I said earlier – but it’s not abysmal performance,
either. More importantly, the Prius PHV breaths
out a tiny 22g/km of CO2 and it’s possible to get
283mpg out of the car. No, that’s not a typo – that’s
the claimed figure.
Of course, reality doesn’t always match up to what
we’re told, and on a long motorway stretch, I only
managed to get 59mpg – but then I did have my
foot down – and hardly used electric mode. Instead,
I mucked around with the ‘Normal’‘Eco’ and ‘Power’
settings, seeing what difference they made to the
car. It’s difficult to tell much difference between ‘Eco’
and ‘Normal’ – but the ‘Power’ mode does give you
a bit of a push in the back – and a lot more noise –
reminiscent of a slightly unhinged vacuum cleaner.
Anyway, away from the tech and figures, the new
Prius PHV is similar to the normal Prius – apart from
a couple of things. Unlike the regular model, it’s
only got two seats in the rear – so it’s a strict fourseater
- and the boot is smaller. This is all due to the
bigger, newer battery. Oh, and I nearly forgot - there
is one other notable way of telling the PHV apart
from the usual Prius: its rear lights are horizontal,
not vertical. I think it looks better this way.
On the move, the car is hushed, due to extra sounddeadening
materials, and, when I did venture off
the motorway onto Spanish rural routes, the Prius
handled corners with barely any lean at all. This is
down to retuned suspension springs and dampers.
However, the tauter set-up means the car does
bang and crash over potholes. Yet, back on smooth
surfaces, the Toyota feels refined and, when using
electric-only mode, I found the car almost silent.
Only the whoosh of wind and tyre rumble disturbs
the otherwise library-like calm in the cabin.
Once I’d stopped hooning the PHV and started
using the electric settings, I achieved a hybridmode
fuel economy figure of 69mpg – which is
better than many Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles
(PHEVs) will do. Alas, that’s only a tiny fraction –
probably about 5mpg - better than you’d eke from
a run-of-the-mill Prius. It’s also hard to recommend
this car over the regular Prius – due to its strict fourseater
configuration and its shallower boot.
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48
Rainford
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ALL CLEANING PACKAGES
49
Home Services
Decorators,
plumbers, builders...
CALL PAUL
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50
“And... action”
by Angie Barker
Award Winner
Something rather exciting happened in my
garden last month. I’m not referring to
the Delphiniums which came into flower – those
wondrous perennials with tall flower spikes of pale
blue and white. Nor am I talking about the Paeonies
with their blousy white petals flushed with pink.
No, as exciting as these events were, I am in fact
referring to a visit by a BBC producer!
I received a call from the BBC in London who had
found my garden under the National Garden tape to me and you) would be condensed down into
Scheme website, and were looking for a garden to four minutes for the show. Dean explained how he
film in the North West. There is a programme called would have to stop when his sound mike picked up
Garden Rescue, where Charlie Dimmock (remember anything untoward. It was quite a challenge for the
her from Ground Force?) goes up against the Rich poor lad filming in Hindley Green with planes going
brothers (Chelsea Flower Show medal winners) to to and from Manchester airport, dogs barking, lawn
design a garden for someone who needs help with mowers whirring and Hubby who kept asking if
creating a new garden on a theme. Throughout the anyone wanted a cup of tea.
programme, snippets are thrown in from completed The show was due to be aired on BBC 1 at the end
gardens which demonstrate the particular theme of May/early June so when you read this I might
for that programme. The trend they were looking already be a television star. (ha ha). It was a brilliant
for from my garden was contemporary cottage experience – and if you want to take a peek at the
garden.
garden yourself, please come along to the garden
The producer (Dean) was extremely nice and put me open day on Sunday 25th June, between 11.00am
at my ease as we chatted and he set up his camera and 4pm. Entry is £3.50 and all proceeds go to
for an interview with me, before spending three cancer charities.
hours filming in the garden. The VT (that’s video PS. They really do shout “and ….action” !
Angie is a qualified
award-winning garden
designer who will
plan your garden to
your needs from start
to finish, supplying
reputable contractors
and the ideal plants.
Call Angie now for your free consultation!
Angie Barker Dip GD
(Inst GD) BA (Hons)
Garden Design For All Seasons
Tel: 01942 522 405
Mob: 07857 008 383
Award Winner
www.angiebarker.co.uk

51
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Head Office, 10 Greenhey Place, Skelmersdale WN8 9SA
Telephone: 01695 51442
High Legh Garden Centre, Knutsford, WA16 0QW
Telephone: 01695 51442
www.solidsheds.com

Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories,
Soffits & Fascias I Composite Doors I Bi-Fold Doors
Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved
forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and
embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that
cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working
with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect
every step of the way and on that you have my word! Stuart Goulding
Don’t forget, we also offer all of these services daily...
Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double Glazed Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, Safety
Glass, Toughened Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced
Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road,
Wrightington, WN6 9RS
Dennis Goulding
(Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)
Telephone: 01257 427 000
Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 noon
www.dglwindows.co.uk
A5209
Standish
Shevington
B5250
Open:
J27
A49
TwinLakesMotorEngin ers
Wind Turbines
Heat Pumps
LED Lighting
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Energy Savings
and we’ l provide you with a
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returns available from your
own solar panels
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Visit our showr om at
Unit 4a,
Cricket Street Business Park
o f Miry Lane,
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WN6 7TP
or
Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk
Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk
52
Want to promote your company in
LocalLife
Call Clare: 01925 387 025 - Warrington
01744 649 722 - St Helens
locallife247.co.uk
LocalLife
Design & Print
Flyers, postcards, brochures
and distribution service.
For more information call
01744 649 722
LocalLife
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Nails
normally £20
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Lashes
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Sunbeds
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Natalies @ Studio 84
84 Rainford Road, Bi linge WN5 7PG
Telephone: 07814 619 400
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM
Closed Thursday & Sunday
Mark Mitchell
Stained Glass & Leaded Lights
• Traditional Leaded Lights & Stained Glass
• Manufactured & Repaired
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• 25 Years Experience
Unit 15, Chalon Way Industrial Estate, St Helens, WA10 1AU
Tel: 0151 426 2814 Mob: 07711 841735
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Mo sy Lea Road
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Email ops@hotmail.co.uk
Book a boiler health check for £65
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Call the team on
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All aspects of decorating undertaken
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18 Station Road, Garswood, WN4 0SA
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Transform your home
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53
Resin Driveways
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jp-surfacing.co.uk

54
M H Roofing
Established over 15 years
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• High Performance Felt Flat Roof Systems
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Call 01744 884117
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55