Local Life - St Helens - January 2018

LocalLife

St Helens Edition January 2018

Win two Saints

memberships for 2018!

Pages 24 - 25

Iconic local

images

Pages 43 - 46

Winter Sleep

Pages 26 - 30

Food & Drink

Pages 52 - 55

Garswood Park Walk

Pages 59 - 62

Local News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Garden Diary Food Home Services

locallife247.co.uk

Photo: Shooting Star over Billinge Beacon by Ian Bonnell

Finance Now Available

T&C’s apply, please ask for details

Telephone:

01942 583 558

721 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan WN5 8AQ

(FREE parking to the rear)

wiganfiresandfireplaces.co.uk

Photo for illustration purposes only

A Genuine Winter

is now

on!

/ellamora38

Positive start

The festivities are over for another year, our

waistlines have surely grown, and our finances

may be a little low.

I know, I know, it may sound like I’m highlighting the

obvious but as we’re now in a New Year it’s surely

time for the “New Year, New Me” mantra to start,

right?

If you’d like to start off the year with some cheer,

there are still pantomimes to enjoy including the

classics Cinderella and Aladdin. And there’ll be

opportunities to kick start a new fitness regime, or

just shift a little excess holiday weight.

The January sales are in full swing, so it’s time to

stock up on some of the necessities you may have

missed during the Christmas madness – or indulge

yourself one last time before the credit card guilt

sets in.

Whether you’d like to set yourself goals for the

year, save for a dream holiday or do things a little

differently this year, what better month to start than

January?

But most of all, be sure to make the most of your

weekends off, and what better way to do it than

some of the local gems we have right here in

the North West. As days gets a little lighter, and

(hopefully) a little warmer there’ll be plenty to do

both indoors and outdoors for the whole family to

get involved with.

From all of us here at Local Life, we wish you a very

happy start to 2018.

38 Church Road Rainford

WA11 8HD 01744 881 588

www.ellamora.co.uk

Niamh Ollerton, Deputy Editor

In this issue

Win two Saints

memberships

for 2018!

Shooting

star

Regulars

34 Puzzle Corner

36 Class From The Past

56 Events2Go

Sections

6 Property

8 Local News

26 Health

36 Eduacation

59 Jack’s Tracks

63 Test Drive

66 Garden Diary

48 Travel

52 Food

66 Gardening

68 Home Services

Beautifully

real

Jack’s Tracks visits

Garswood

Park

Test Drive

McLaren

570GT

Next issue - February 2018

Advertising deadline - Tuesday, 23 January

Published - Friday, 2 February

Publisher: Chris

LocalLife

Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park,

Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB

Telephone: 01744 649 722

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

Sales: Clare

sales@locallife247.co.uk

Editorial: David, Niamh sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk

Design: 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 12,000 private homes and

businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank,

Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of Haydock.

The next 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.

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

NEW

BIRCHLEY ROAD, BILLINGE £389,950

Impressive detached house boasting substantial living &

entertaining space along with open views to front.

ALDER LANE, CRANK £320,000

Stunning family home providing almost 1400 SQFT and

boasting open views to three sides.

ASHGROVE CRESCENT, BILLINGE £299,000

Comprehensively renovated 4 bed detached property

featuring a luxurious interior & impressive corner plot.

PARK ROAD, BILLINGE £235,000

Spacious two bed detached true bungalow located in the

village of Longshaw, near Billinge.

NEW

GRASMERE AVENUE, UP HOLLAND £215,000

An extended 3 bedroom detached house with an amazing

west-facing rear garden. No chain.

TONTINE, ORRELL £159,950

A newly renovated & truly remarkable grade II listed

Georgian stone-built cottage.

www.reganandhallworth.com Wiganoffice01942 205555

Festive fun

It was a bumper festive season for one Rainford

shop worker!

Mrs Y. Metcalfe was one of the lucky winners of our Local Life

Christmas hamper. We donated a hamper - packed with sumptuous

local goodies - to the Rainford Village Christmas Fair recently.

Hundreds supported the annual event. Santa arrived in style, with

help from Rainford Santa and the Scouts. Fairground rides were

provided by Silcocks and a town crier was on hand to announce

the running order for the day.

Locals were treated to performances by the choirs from all

three village primary schools and Rainford High and music from

Rainford Band.

All money raised from the fair is given to local organisations who

apply. It’s believed that around £3,000 was raised, and this will be

distributed during this year.

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• Largest Mori Lee supplier in the area

You want your prom gown to be as unique

as you are, so at Romancia our team will

ensure the same dress is not sold twice by

our store for any prom event.

Parish councillor Diane Nichols said: “Thank you to

all who came to the fair and made it such a success;

our stewards and helpers, our stall holders, Santa

and his elves, our local businesses who rallied round

to help and supply electricity and loan parking

spaces, our sponsors, the Rainford schools and

Rainford Band for entertaining us, and Paul Draper

from The Junction for the music tent.”

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161, Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PA

Hospital remembered

A monument to preserve

the memory and heritage

of the former Haydock

Cottage Hospital has been

unveiled in Clipsey Lane.

Created from the original ornate

arch stone located over the entrance

to the building, the monument was

opened by the Mayor and Mayoress

of St Helens, Councillor Joe Pearson

and his wife Sylvia; local ward councillors - and MP

for St Helens North, Conor McGinn.

There were also performances on the day from the

Haydock Brass Band - which played at the laying

of the foundation stone at the Cottage Hospital in

1886 - and local folk singer, Martin Williams.

Haydock’s Cllr Martin Bond spoke of his pride

after the entrance arch, as well as the 130-year-old

foundation stone and a time capsule containing

two annual reports of the hospital and copies of

local newspapers, were given back to the council

from current landowner, Issam Jabrow.

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On sale of the land the items rightly became his, but

local resident Mr Jabrow agreed to hand over the

items so that they can be permanently displayed

in Haydock for residents - and family members of

those miners who helped fund the hospital - to see.

Councillor Bond said: “Preserving our heritage to

ensure that the sacrifices of those who built our

town and society is vitally important.

“If we can’t always retain the physical reminders,

then passing on the stories and memories to

following generations becomes even more

important.”

Seeing is

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Happy New Year

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Parish recordings wiped

Recordings of a parish council

meeting have been destroyed

because rules were not formally

agreed beforehand.

Billinge Chapel End Parish Council confirmed that

two recordings have been erased due to the fact

that councillors hadn’t officially put in place a

proper protocol covering this activity.

Two residents who had asked for copies were

informed of the situation and, according to

parish chiefs, were happy for the recordings to be

destroyed without them receiving a copy

That matter has now been rectified, and all

meetings will be recorded and kept for the council’s

term of office, which is a four year period. The next

term of office ends in 2019. Copies of the meetings

will be available to members of the public.

Billinge Chapel End was censured by watchdogs

after a series of ill-tempered meetings in 2016. Two

councillors, Terry McEvoy and Paul Roberts, ended

up being censured by St Helens Council’s Standards

Committee as a result.

From now on, the official council summons will

state that the meeting is being filmed and there

will also be a sign showing this in the Public Hall.

The chairman will also announce that the meeting

is being filmed at the beginning of each meeting.

Residents may opt out of being included in the

audio recording should they ask a question. The

attendance sheet and question sheet will have a

tick box to show this.

Safety drive

Dozens of older Rainford residents

attended a free Senior Road Safety

event that took place at the village

hall.

Hosted by St Helens Council as the Merseyside lead

authority for senior road users, the event – the latest

in a series of similar events – sought to address the

growing problem of senior road users, aged 60 and

over, being involved in road traffic collisions.

Attendees were given advice on driving while using

prescribed drugs and medicine – as well as tips on

winter driving and the benefits of public transport.

The event also addressed the increasing number of

incidents involving pedestrians within the senior

road user age group – now becoming an area of

NEWTON LEGAL

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great concern. Event-goers learned about the

popular ‘Drive Safely for Longer’ course, which is

offered free to residents in Merseyside over 60 years

of age. The next Senior Road User event will take

place on Tuesday, February 6, 10am-2pm at Rainhill

Village Hall, Dane Court, L35 4LU.

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Leaflets delivered from only £24.50 per 1,000

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Design, print & distribution packages

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Call Sally on 01695 627 999 for details

or email sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

Lifesaver appeal

A Rainford lad and his friends

and family are raising funds and

awareness for his rare cancer.

Chris Carberry, 21, was diagnosed in December

2015 with a rare bone cancer in his leg called

Osteosarcoma. Sadly, treatments didn’t go as hoped

and Chris had his leg amputated in March 2016.

Unfortunately, several months after finishing

14-months of treatment, Chris was re-diagnosed in

July 2017, but by this point the cancer had spread

to his lungs. He then had more surgery to removed

1/3 of his lung along with the tumour, but with

his positive attitude still intact Chris jokes it was

“because one leg wasn’t enough.”

Now time is of the

essence to try and raise

£200,000 for pioneering

lifesaving treatment

abroad.

But Chris and his friends

and family have not lost

hope, and are taking

fundraising head on.

There was a 24 hour

Spinathon Challenge in December and other

fundraising efforts include tackling Hadrians Wall

last September. Chris’ dad Steve said: “We just want

to raise awareness and get Chris’ story as far as

possible.” Vist www. chriscarberry.co.uk

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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.

Learning programme

Current and budding volunteers, and members

of community or charity groups are being offered

the chance to take part in an upcoming leadership

programme in Moss Bank. Sessions are free for

residents of St Helens aged 19+ who would benefit

from the course and be able to make a difference in

their community.

The programme is run by Adult and Community

Learning (ACL). If you’re interested in the courses

or would like information on other ACL courses

available, please call ACL’s Park Road Centre

on 01744 677315 or 01744 677328, email:

adultlearning@sthelens.gov.uk or visit the website:

www.sthelens.gov.uk/adultlearning

YELLOW LABEL

SALE

NOW ON

Tucked away in the heart of

Billinge is Anthony William

Furniture Ltd, The Oak

specialist offering a fantastic

selection of dining room

sets, sideboards and other

occasional furniture. We have

fabulous ranges of solid oak

furniture that will grace your

home for years to come

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

Complete furniture ranges are available

for the entire house; from the living

room to the dining room, through to

the bedrooms

• Solid Oak Dining Tables

and Chairs

• Sideboards

• TV units

• Cabinets

• Coffee Tables

• Nest of Tables

• Glazed Display Units

• Bookcases

• Console Tables

And much more...

01744 893 785 / 07710 487 977

Unit 11 Barrows Farm, Carr Mill Road, Billinge, WN5 7TX (Carr Mill Road is next to the Texaco Garage in the village)

Immediate delivery service available

Billinge

22 Windsor Road: Demolition of existing detached

garage and erection of a single storey side extension

along with the creation of a new vehicular access

off Windsor Road (ref: P/2017/0937/HHFP).

Moss Bank

10 Gormley Drive: Conversion of existing garage to

habitable room, along with single storey front infill

extension (ref: P/2017/0857/HHFP).

Shoots Delph Farm: Construction of a new access

roadway from the junction of Moss Bank Road to

the existing farm yard (ref: P/2017/0871/FUL).

Planning Matters

One Stop, 44 Bowness Avenue: Change of use from

retail unit to hot food takeway (ref: P/2017/0897/

FUL).

Rainford

25 Walmesley Drive: Demolition of existing garage,

and erection of two storey side extension and

single storey rear extension, along with front and

rear dormer extensions (ref: P/2017/0891/HHFP).

36 Higher Lane: Creation of vehicular access

onto classified road, with associated works to low

boundary walls (ref: P/2017/0852/HHFP).

For more information on these plans, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk

EX-DISPLAY SALE NOW ON

Sheds

Log Cabins

Workshops

Wendy Houses

Summer Houses

Garden Offices

Free delivery

Free 100% pressure treated

Free erection

See our show sites at;

Trebaron Garden Centre

Southworth Road, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0BS

Telephone: 01695 589 207

Rivendell Notcutts Garden Centre

Mill Lane, Widnes WA8 3UL

Telephone: 0151 423 2638

www.solidsheds.com

DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER

£674k funding boost

YMCA St Helens has been awarded a total of

£674,935 by the Big Lottery and DCMS Youth

Investment Fund to organise and deliver a Youth

Sports Engagement Programme over the next

three years. The three-year YMCA Youth Sports

Engagement Programme is aimed at young

people aged 10 to 18 and will offer a minimum

of 20 free weekly sports and physical activity

sessions, holiday programmes and sessions aimed

at young people with additional needs. There will

also be an opportunity to access projects and

sessions organised by delivery partner the Saints

Community Foundation.

For more information on the free sessions and

to view the time table, please visit the St Helens

Council Sports Development website: https://

www.sthelens.gov.uk/culture-sport-leisure/sportsdevelopment/

or follow the team on social media.

Corking idea

A Billinge off-licence is expanding. Portland

Wine and Gin Shop, on Rainford Road, is poised

to open a wine bar at Unit 12 in The Winstanley

Centre, Holmes House Avenue, Wigan. Permission

to revamp the vacant laundrette was due to be

officially approved as Local Life went to press. Bar

bosses told customers they hope to be open for

business by February. According to papers lodged

with Wigan Council, vehicle parking will remain the

same, and there will be no external materials used

for the site’s proposed change of use. Employees at

the site will include four full-time employees; two

part-time staff; and the equivalent of five total fulltime

employees.

Should the wine bar become a reality, opening

hours are said to be be 12pm-11pm Monday to

Thursday; 12pm-12am on Fridays and Saturdays

and 12pm-11pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Competition

Saints & Proud?

Win two 2018 memberships!

2018 is all set to be an incredibly exciting year for St.Helens Rugby League Club

and you can be part of the action by winning a pair of Saints memberships

for 2018!

These memberships entitle the holders to a seat in the Totally Wicked North Stand,

Block NG at all Super League games in 2018, with a value of up to £373 each.

There have been a number of important changes that have taken place at the

club during 2017, including the arrival of new Head Coach Justin Holbrook from

Australian Club Sydney Roosters, and the signing of marquee player Ben Barba,

former Australian Rugby League player of the year. These moves signal intent to

deliver high quality, entertaining Rugby League played with world class players in

the best purpose-built Rugby League stadium in the country.

The Club’s theme for the 2018 Betfred Super League campaign is Saints & Proud, and

the club wants everyone, Saints fans and all local people to be proud of the Club and

what it represents to the Town and local area. This theme is the Club’s ethos for the

coming season and beyond.

The 2018 Betfred Super League campaign begins on Friday 2nd February 2018 (kickoff

7:45pm) vs last season’s beaten Grand finalists, the Castleford Tigers at the Totally

Wicked Stadium.

There are other mouthwatering

fixtures in the

early portion of the season

including clashes with

Warrington Wolves, Friday

9th March and the huge local

Derby against bitter rivals, Wigan Warriors, Good

Friday, 30th March (kick-off time to be confirmed)

To win a pair of 2018 memberships simply visit our

website www.locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’

and then on ‘competitions’. To enter the competition

for the January issue of the St Helens Local Life just

input your answer to the following question;

What is Saints theme for Super League 2018?

The expiry date for the competition is Wednesday

31st January 2018. Only one entry per household.

Entrants

must be over 16 years of

age. The winners will be notified on Thursday 1st

February 2018. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept

responsibility for entries that do not reach us.

Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate

relatives are not eligible to enter this competition.

For more information or tickets visit Saints website

www.saintsrlfc.com. 2018 Memberships that allow

you access to up to fifteen home fixtures are also

available including a host of additional benefits

and exclusive content. Visit www.saintsrlfc.com/

memberships for details.

Health & Fitness

Winter sleep

By Abi Jackson

There is never a time when sleep isn’t

important. But with the shorter, vitamin

D-deprived days, gloomy weather - and the dread

that it’s going to drag on for months - at this time of

year, solid slumber is more vital than ever.

Winter, like all the seasons, has its joys (little beats

a stroll on a perfect, crisp winter’s morning; stark

blue sky, robins and the last of the leaves glistening

with dew). But the reality for many is it can be quite

hard work, too, whether it’s loneliness, worrying

about the cost of Christmas or suffering the moodzapping

effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD),

not to mention those winter bugs doing the rounds.

And so we’d do well to give ourselves - and our

immune systems - a helping hand, which in so

many ways, starts and ends with decent dozing.

Here are five things to think about if you want to

win at winter sleep.

Hot and cold

Nobody wants to lie shivering in bed with feet

like ice blocks. But overheating can actually be

more detrimental to sleep, so it’s important to

get the temperature just right. “Ideally, the brain

temperature needs to be fractionally lower than the

body’s core temperature, so ideally your bedroom

needs to be cool, around 19C,” says physiologist

and sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, author

of Fast Asleep, Wide Awake: Discover The Secrets

Of Restorative Sleep And Vibrant Energy (£12.99,

Harper Thorsons). “So you’ll walk in and find it a

bit chilly, but you can put a hot water bottle into

the bed which you then discard as you get cosy. It’s

important not to overheat as this will make sleep

fretful and restless. I find it helpful to keep a fan in

my room, even in winter, carefully positioned so I

don’t get too cold if I use it. Also, a eucalyptus stick

on your bedside table’s a good idea. Eucaplytus is

cooling, so if you wake during the night - 2 to 4am

is the most likely time for overheating - you rub

the menthol stick between your eyebrows and

temples and it has a cooling effect on the brain and,

surprisingly, the mind.” Go for layers of bedding,

rather than one thick duvet, “so you can discard

some as you journey through the night”.

Comfort is key

A comfortable bed, that’s

just right for you, makes a

big difference - but often

it’s only when you actually

experience it, that you

realise just HOW much

(investing in memory

foam pillows actually

changed my life). A calm

environment can equal

a calm mind, but when

it comes to designing

your bedroom, “quality

of sleep should be the

top priority”, notes James

Cox, co-founder and CEO

of British brand Simba

Sleep, whose unique

2,000 spring/Visco memory foam mattresses can be

delivered to your door in a box (from £399, www.

simbasleep.com and selected John Lewis stores).

“So ditch the lumpy, uncomfortable mattress.” The

best mattresses aren’t likely to be the cheapest, but

if you are looking to make investments, few things

are more rewarding than years of good sleep.

A good mattress can also play a role in helping

manage and reduce aches and pains. Cox notes

that innovations have come a long way, so it’s worth

considering designs that combine experience and

technological developments.

Tech it or leave it

We bang on about the importance of stepping

away from those screens before bedtime, but the

message just isn’t getting through for many of

us (according to a recent survey by Simba Sleep,

almost one in six Brits spend at least two hours a

day on social media in bed). Bottom line: if you want

to nail a solid sleeping routine, you need to switch

off those devices. Dr Ramlakhan recommends an

“electronic sundown” of around an hour before

getting into bed, in order to calm those dopamine

hits from constantly looking at a screen, and cut

down on the blue light exposure that suppresses

melatonin - “the sleep hormone” - production. “We

might associate the device with being mentally

engaged and in work-mode too, especially if we

also have access to email on the device,” she adds.

Try old-school bedtime reading - with actual books

- instead. “Neuroscience shows that the reading

brain responds differently to reading on paper than

it does to reading on a screen. With the latter, the

reading rate tends to be faster, less mindful and

more skimming - sort of multi-task reading - as if

looking at a social media feed. Reading on paper

tends to be more mindful, and we slow down and

read in more detail (neuroscientists call this deep

reading).”

What’s on the menu?

Just as we think about fuelling up in the morning,

with energy-boosting breakfasts and those allimportant

caffeine kicks, if you’re aiming to improve

your sleep, the same theory applies at the end of

the day - in reverse. So tailor what you eat and

drink in the evening, with winding-down in mind.

Keeping stimulating and sugary substances to

the first half of the day is one thing, but it can go

beyond that. “To sleep well, we need to eat foods

that help the brain produce melatonin: a small

amount of carbohydrates with a small

amount of protein rich in tryptophan,”

suggests Dr Craig Hudson, founder

of Zenbev.com. “A cheese sandwich

will help sleep, but a big steak dinner

will make your sleep worse. Food for

sleep is like everything else; a little in

moderation works well.” A late heavy

dinner may make you feel sleepy,

but setting your digestive system up

for a night of overdrive isn’t going to

amount to the best quality slumber.

The same goes for alcohol - yes it may

seem to help you drift off, but booze

actually hinders quality sleep. Making

a soothing tea part of your prebedtime

routine is a great idea - not

only can this be a natural way to aid

sleep, but the simple act of making

yourself a cuppa, and then sitting quietly to sip it,

nurtures a sense of calm and mindfulness.

JANETTE KING

BSc (Hons) MChS

PODIATRY &

CHIROPODY

Caring for

your feet in

the comfort

of your

own home

Call today to arrange an appointment

Tel: 07788 257 120

Embrace bathing rituals

Running yourself a bath is a fantastic way to embrace

self-care, treat yourself to a little luxury, and really

switch from manic ‘day mode’ to relaxed and sleepready

(and it’ll help with dragging yourself away

from those screens, too). Even once a week, a bath

is worthwhile, and alchemist, aromatherapist and

intuitive body worker Michelle Roques-O’Neil,

founder of the ‘balancing and emotionally healing’

THERAPIE product range, says even a 10-minute

bath will make a difference when you don’t have

time for a half-hour soak. Make the ritual even

richer by incorporating some aromatherapy based

products, such as THERAPIE Himalayan Detox Salts

(£38 for 400g, roquesoneil.com), which combine

pink Himalayan salts, geranium, juniper berry

and powdered amethyst. “This is one of our most

popular products,” says Roques-O’Neil. “It’s great for

when you’re really overextended, especially with

digital overload. If you’re very anxious, suffering

from insomnia, you’ve just overdone it. This will help

pull you down to Earth.” Applying a soothing body

oil, or lavender-based moisturiser, can be another

effective step in your snooze-ready self-care ritual,

finishing off with a spritz of lavender pillow spray.

WELLBEING NEWS

85% of over-75s say listening to music sparks special

memories

It’s often said that scent is incredibly powerful at triggering memories

and, according to a new survey by the Royal Voluntary Service, hearing

music transports many of us back in time too. Nearly three-quarters

of the 500 over-75s quizzed as part of the charity’s Sing Your Heart

Out campaign, admit they’ve forgotten lots of things - but can still

remember the words of their favourite songs. Many say music has the power to help them remember pivotal

events from their past, such as the day they met their partner (14%), a special day (12%) or their wedding day

(8%). Furthermore, 92% agree that singing along to music lifts their mood, 81% think it helps keep their mind

active, while 63% say it helps them forget health worries. Presenter Phillip Schofield, said: “My song is Make Me

Smile by Steve Harley and Cockney Rebel. That’s my childhood in a song. What seemed like endless summer

days, growing up in Newquay. Playing on the beach, being late for tea having lost track of time.”

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Puzzle Corner

WORD SEARCH - BIRDS

Find the hidden words in the word search grid

F R P C U R L E W C

Y O L H B D A H G H

W B L A C K B I R D

A I T F P K T S O M

N N Y F T W U A U E

T D I I P S I W S R

J O S N H T D N E L

A V O C E T G A G I

Y E T H A S L P A N

SUDOKU

8 6 3

1 8 4 5

2 7 9

8 1

9 4

6 7

4 3 9

6 5 8

T H R U S H P P T U

R M I M A G P I E L

BLACKBIRD

THRUSH

CHAFFINCH

DOVE

MAGPIE

AVOCET

PHEASANT

MERLIN

JAY

LAPWING

WORD MIX UP - BIRDS

Unscramble the letters to make a word

NARB LOW

LORDGSECT

CURLEW

GROUSE

TERN

ROBIN

NIGHTJAR

NUMBER

BLOCK

B E E A N U V W R S

N I G H T J A R N L

3 9 6

9 6

2 3

19 17 20 24

The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right.

The numbers in each column add up to the totals

along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the

totals to the right.

NEWR

NOPOGOWIDE

STEELKR

WORKDOPEEC

LOGDINCFH

LUBE ITT

WIGGLE WORDS

CLUE: I don’t agree

Trace a path through

all the letters to find

the word or phrase

that fits the clue.

T E A P

A K R M

N N U U

I N G J

All the puzzle solutions are on page 65 of this magazine

Class from the past

This month’s Class from the Past is from Garswood St

Andrew’s School. It’s believed this photo was taken

in the 1950s. Maybe you can spot a familiar face?

Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to

share, contact us today by emailing sthelensnews@

locallife247.co.uk

A new Starting Point

Starting Point - the organisation

which has provided advice and

guidance on employment, skills and

education to local people for the past

20 years - is entering a new era.

Thanks to funding secured from the Liverpool

City Region Combined Authority’s Local Growth

Fund, this new development will see Starting Point

become a modern skills centre. Bosses hope this will

help the organisation lead the way for delivering

the skills, knowledge and qualifications demanded

by today’s businesses.

While the developments take place, the Starting

Point team, which provides the National Careers

Service in St Helens, will be moving into St Helens

Chamber’s main building on Salisbury Street near

the World of Glass, and will continue to deliver its

full range of services to support local people into

jobs or training.

Any Starting Point customers due to attend

appointments or courses will now be seen at St

Helens Chamber. For any enquiries, please call

Starting Point on 01744 698800 or email info@

thestartingpoint.org

Earn extra

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Westminster Drive, Buckfast Avenue,

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Littler Road, Wedge Avenue,

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LocalLife

Two new faces at

sch0ol

Merchant Taylors’ School has

announced the appointment of two

new Heads to lead the Boys’ and Girls’

Senior Schools in 2018.

Claire Tao, who is currently Deputy Head at the

City of London School for Girls (CLSG), will take

over as headmistress from Louise Robinson when

she leaves at Easter 2018. David Wickes will join

Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School as headmaster

in September. David is currently the deputy

headmaster at Warwick School.

Claire started her career in industry and following

the completion of an MSc in Personnel Management

and Industrial Relations at the London School of

Economics in 1993 and a PGCE at Roehampton

University in 2004 moved into education working

for the Old Palace School of John Whitgift as a

biology teacher and head of house. She then went to

Dulwich College Preparatory School as a chemistry

teacher and housemistress before moving to CSLG

where she has been for 10 years. Claire’s interests

include the theatre and hosting social events and

she is also looking forward to continuing her love of

cycling in the Northern hills.

After achieving a Master of Arts degree at Oxford

in History and a further Master of Arts from King’s

College, London David pursued a teaching career

at Dulwich College and then Abingdon School. He

enjoys travelling in Europe, visiting the theatre and

watching most sports including following the ups

and downs of Southampton FC.

Chairman of Governors, Beverley Bell, said: “We

were impressed by the calibre and number of

applicants the posts attracted. Both are highly

qualified for the roles and are experts in male and

female pedagogy which is crucial for the Schools’

single sex education focus.”

Shooting star

David Sudworth meets the Billinge dad-of-two whose

photographs are delighting locals

Ian Bonnell knows he’s lucky. “Most people who enjoy photography have to

travel for miles, but we’ve got great scenery on our doorstep.”

He’s not wrong. Although technically, Ian himself came quite a long way to enjoy the

scenery Billinge and the surrounding area has to offer - from

Australia to be precise.

“I was born in Melbourne because my parents, Eddie

and Mary, emigrated there in 1965. They had me in

1968 but came back in 1970. So I’ve been in Billinge

since I was two and grew up on Hillside Close.”

The former Chapel End and Rainford High pupil

is becoming well known in the area for his

stunning photographs - mostly thanks to the

power of social media.

Crosby Beach

Liverpool Waterfront

“I’ve always sort of been interested in photography

and my dad certainly was. In fact, every so often we

come across photos he took of Billinge in the 1970s.

Some of them have even appeared in Local Life.

“She thinks I’m mad for going out at five o’clock in

the morning, trying to catch the sun coming up,” he

laughs.

For Ian, 49, it remains largely a hobby. By day he

works across the North West repairing petrol pumps

“Wife thinks I’m mad for

getting up at 5am!”

on garage forecourts.

“It’s starting to become a bit of a business but

there’s not a great deal of money in photography

unless you’re a wedding photographer, and for me

it’s more man-management than anything else.

“I’ve been to photograph my son Matthew’s band,

Last Reserves, but even that is completely different

Sign Post Billinge

to doing landscapes. It’s nice to have variety

though. I had a stall at St Aidan’s Church’s Christmas

fair a few weeks ago and sold a few then. It’s not at

the stage where it’ll pay the mortgage though,” he

smiles.

For Ian, his own particular interest is when there’s

any sort of activities in the skies.

“Doing trigonometry for

first time in 30 years”

Carr Mill Dam

“I’ve captured a shooting star going over Billinge

Hill and various shots of the moon. To be honest, a

lot of the skill is about being in the right position

to take the shot. For the first time since school, I’m

doing trigonometry and reading maps. For some

shots of Billinge Hill, I’ve been standing on a bridge

over the M58 at Skelmersdale.

“It’s all good fun though, and I just hope people get

as much enjoyment out of them as I do.”

To view Ian’s photos, visit www.facebook.com/

IanBonnellPhotography/

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Travel

Mentioned by the Daily Telegraph as

one of the 20 Mediterranean islands

you must visit in your lifetime, Zakynthos (or

Zante has it is more popularly known) is the most

southerly of the Ionian Islands and one of the most

popular Greek islands. There is something for all

the family on this gorgeous island with stunning

Zakynthos for

everyone

views, where locals offer tourists the hospitality

which Greece is famous for. This island paradise

has three distinct geographical areas: the north

west region is mountainous with many traditional

mountain villages, the central region is a fertile

plain chock-full with olive groves and vineyards

and the south east is characterised by its beautiful

beaches. Similarly, there are a range of contrasts on

the island for tourists, depending on what you’re

looking for in a holiday. Zante boasts numerous

sandy beaches, mountain villages, beautiful natural

scenery, water sports and good quality restaurants,

bars and nightclubs to more than cater for all your

entertainment needs.

If it’s all out partying you’re after, then Laganas

will fit the bill perfectly. Over 100 bars and clubs

are packed into the main street in Laganas, so you

can imagine how exciting things get during the

summer holidays. Just off the coast of Laganas

is the famous Marathonisi ‘Turtle’ Island, with

beautiful almost tropical beaches, and also a small

bay with intriguing sea caves to explore and a great

spot for snorkellers. There are no buildings allowed

on the island, but a quaint boat that bobs around

the island selling refreshments.

But for those who want to simply relaxing in an

achingly beautiful setting you’ll find there are ideal

New Year Offer!

£10 discount p.p.

This Marken Travel discount is on top of any Jet2 discount

and is applicable only on Jet2 holidays booked by 31/01/18

Zante holidays for you. Go to Alikanas and you’re

ideally placed for exploring Zante’s lush north coast

which has dramatic white cliffs, magical sea caves

and one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole

of Greece.

TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY

Take a trip to one of the Zante’s best loved tourist

spots, the Blue Caves, which are located at the

northern tip of the island, underneath Cape Skinari.

The caves show a range of blue hues on the white

rocks caused by reflections from the sea. The area

2018 holiday with your mates?

Come to the Group Holiday Specialists

• Flexible payment plans, with a low deposit

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• Book in a local, secure office with travel

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Jet2 holidays can only be booked on the High

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is popular for snorkelling to see the wide range of

marine life living in the clear waters.

On the south eastern tip of the island, the pineforested

Vasilikos peninsula is an area that has been

mostly protected from large-scale development

because of the loggerhead turtles that breed on

Gerakas beach. Arguably the most beautiful area

on the island. Nearby Daphni beach, also a turtle

nesting beach, is well-worth a visit too.

Not far from Keri is the beautiful pebble beach of

Marathias. It is off the beaten track and well-worth

the walk down. The island also boasts one of the

most photographed beaches in Greece, Shipwreck

Cove, which is a blissful cove backed by plummeting

limestone cliffs; but be warned, there is usually a

long queue out onto the viewing platform where

you can photograph it.

The Zante authorities take their conservation

seriously; the only airport on the island is closed

after dark because it’s close to beaches where

Greece Checklist

Language: Greek

Currency: Euro

Time: +2 hour

Beer: €3.50

Cappuccino : €2.91

3 Course Meal: €15

loggerhead turtles lay their eggs at night and some

of the beaches are also closed at night for the same

reason.

It’s no wonder that the Telegraph rates this jewel in

the Ionian, Zante, so highly. With its breath-taking

green hills, lemon and orange trees, authentic

Greek villages, olive groves, vineyards, long white

beaches; all framed by a crystal clear blue sea. Your

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Food & Drink

In a tug-of-war relationship with food and fitness for many years, blogger

Sam Murphy is the first to admit her initial foray into veganism wasn’t a

healthy one.

The 24-year-old, who hails from New Zealand, had anorexia as a teenager,

and initially, switching to veganism proved another means of controlling her

eating and introducing new restrictions.

“I was raw vegan for a while, and I was so obsessed

with eating only raw foods in their natural state,”

explains Murphy. “I can see how easy it is to slip into

that, because essentially it’s addictive, you become

obsessed with it. It’s a control thing.

“If you’ve got something in your life that you feel a

bit out of control with, a lot of us will turn to food

and control that. I know I do.”

After moving to Melbourne, where she still lives

and works in a vegan cafe, Murphy slowly began

to change her habits and rebuild a healthier

relationship with nourishing her body, reintroducing

the full gamut of vegan-friendly foods (and actually

cooking them), opening up about her experiences

in her blog (sobeautifullyreal.com) and, eventually,

shaking off her staunchly-held views of ‘good’ and

‘bad’ foods.

“Having spent so many years having a very strict

food rule list, I still catch myself out having those

pre-conceived ideas about what is good and

bad,” she admits. “It really restricts you creatively,

but it also restricts your enjoyment for food. The

challenge for me and for others is to break down

barriers and just enjoy food as food, and obviously

the important thing is keeping it within the realm of being dairy-free and

cruelty-free.

Beautifully real

By Keeley Bolger

“I don’t see any reason why you should have to label something good or bad;

it should just be real food.”

Although she still has bad days, reflecting on her recovery, Murphy says: “I

got to a point where my survival instincts kicked

in. Something clicks, and you realise you definitely

don’t want to live your life that way, and it’s that

drive to keep striving for more but also to be really

patient and really forgiving and loving towards

yourself, and to know that you’re going to have ups

and downs.

“As soon as I removed the expectation that

recovery was going to be this consistent uphill on

a progressive scale, it relaxed me a little bit more,”

she adds. “I’m able to deal with those moments that

aren’t so great, which I still have - I’m human.”

Her debut cookbook, Beautifully Real Food - a

gorgeous, colourful collection of mouthwatering

vegan dishes - is clearly the work of somebody who

now celebrates the joy of food.

She’s keen not to preach about veganism though,

especially since, as a former meat-eater, she recalls

finding the concept very alien.

“When I first heard of vegans, I thought it was the

weirdest thing in the world. I was like, ‘What the hell

do those people eat? It’s like eating grass!’” she says

with a laugh.

“It’s different. People are very set in their ways and

I was too, and I suppose it’s more about educating,

just trying it out. I don’t expect everyone in the

world to go vegan, but if they could just try a meal

that is vegan, possibly not knowing that it is vegan

first, that would be ideal, so they go in with a very

open mind.

“The more people we can get on board, the better,”

says Murphy. “I try not to push my views on people;

I just welcome them in like ‘Hey, I’ll cook you some

food and see if you like it!’”

Tempted to see if you’d like it? Here are three recipes

from Beautifully Real Food to try at home...

Beautifully Real Food: Guilt-Free,

Meat-Free Recipes To Indulge In by Sam

Murphy is published by Blink Publishing

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Turmeric Baked Beans,

Potato Hash & Sautéed

Greens

Serves 2

Ingredients

For the potato hash:

3 medium-large potatoes, peeled and chopped

1tbsp vegan butter

For the baked beans:

2tsp coconut oil

1 red onion, finely diced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 × 400g can haricot beans, rinsed and drained

1tsp ground turmeric

1tsp ground cumin

1/4tsp ground nutmeg

1tbsp coconut sugar (available from Tesco or

Ocado)

1-2tsp vegetable bouillon or paste

125ml tomato puree

1/2 a 400g can chopped tomatoes

1tbsp coconut cream

Salt and pepper, to taste

Sautéed greens and mushrooms, to serve

Method

Prepare the hash by chopping the potatoes and

boiling until tender. Remove from heat and rinse in

water.

In a non-stick frying pan, simply fry the potatoes

with the vegan butter over a medium heat until the

potatoes are slightly crispy and broken up.

For the baked beans, heat up the coconut oil in a

non-stick frying pan and sauté the onion and garlic

until fragrant and browned.

Add the beans, spices, coconut sugar, vegetable

bouillon, tomato puree and canned tomatoes.

Simmer for five to six minutes over a medium heat.

Add the coconut cream and stir in. Remove from

the heat and serve. Season to taste and serve with

sautéed greens and mushrooms.

Loaded Vegan Hot Dogs

Serves 2-3

Ingredients

For the sweet chilli sauce:

1-2tsp hot sauce or chilli paste

2tbsp reduced-salt tomato puree

2-3tbsp maple syrup

1tsp garlic powder

1tsp onion powder

1/2tsp salt

Water to thin, if necessary

For the cheesy mustard mayo:

1tsp Dijon mustard

1tbsp tahini

1tbsp maple syrup

2tsp nutritional yeast

1tsp onion powder

3-4tbsp hot water (to reach your desired

consistency)

1/8tsp salt

For the hot dogs:

2-3 vegan sausages

1/2 red onion, sliced

1-2tbsp oil, for frying

2-3 hot dog buns

Salt and pepper, to taste

Sesame seeds

Method

Prepare the sauces by mixing each separately in

a bowl and storing in resealable plastic bags. Set

aside.

In a large frying pan, fry the vegan sausages and red

onion in a little oil until the sausages are browned

and crispy on all sides and the onions are crispy.

Drain on a paper towel.

Warm the buns in the oven or microwave.

To assemble the hot dogs, cut a slice down the

centre of the hot dog bun with a bread knife (ensure

you do not cut all the way through). To apply the

sauces, simply slice a small corner off the resealable

plastic bags with scissors and squeeze as you would

with a piping bag.

Spread a thin layer of sweet chilli sauce inside the

bun and then insert the vegan sausage. Sprinkle

with sesame seeds. Top with onion, salt and pepper

and finish with a drizzle of both the sweet chilli

sauce and cheesy mustard mayo.

Upload your event for FREE at

www.locallife247.co.uk/events

events2go

Charity KILO SALE

Thursday, January 18, 10am

A vintage and High Street kilo sale where you can grab

some bargains at just £10/Kilo with all proceeds going

to the British Heart Foundation. Find amazing vintage

from various eras, and clothing from high street brands.

Early bird entry 10am-11am is £3 on the door, and

general entry from 11am is £2 on the door.

The City of Liverpool College, Roscoe Street,

Liverpool, L1 9DW. Tel: 0151 252 3000

Still Born, Still Loved

Thursday, January 25, 7pm (film starts 7.40pm)

Still Loved explores the struggles felt by families

surviving baby loss. Giving an unexpected voice to

bereaved fathers, who speak candidly providing an

additional perspective. This is a brave, inclusive and

ultimately life affirming film, for anyone that has ever, or

will ever, lose someone they love.

Mercure St Helens, Linkway West, WA10 1NG. Tel:

01744 453444

Dance To The Music 2018

Wednesday, Jan 31, 7.30pm (doors open 6.30pm)

‘Dance to the Music’ is a dance show like no other!

Experience the evolution of dance, starting in the

roaring twenties, with tap and Charleston, up to

modern day Ballroom and Latin! For more info www.

sthelenstheatreroyal.com

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St

Helens, WA10 1LQ. Box Office: 01744 756 000

Research Your Family Tree

Wednesday, January 31, 4.30pm-6.30pm

This taster session is the introduction to a free five week

course to help you start researching your own family

tree. Suitable for beginners and for all ages. The five

week course runs from Tuesday, February 20 to Tuesday

March 20 1pm- 3pm. Booking is required. Contact

adultlearning@sthelens.gov.uk or call 01744 677675 to

reserve your place.

Eccleston Community Library, Broadway,

Eccleston WA10 5PJ. Tel: 01744 677575

Ghost Hunt

Friday, Feb 2, 9pm, to Saturday, Feb 3, 3am

Join Haunted Houses for a unforgettable ghost hunt

experience at Mill Street Barracks. In 1890, the building

was the Headquarters of the 2nd Volunteer South

Lancashire Regiment, and during both World Wars,

the building was used as an RAF barracks and housing

wounded soldiers. Tickets are £32 per person from

www.haunted-houses.co.uk

Mill Street Barracks, St Helens, WA10 2BB.

The Script | Liverpool

Monday, February 12, 7pm-10pm

With their recent album Freedom Child launching to

No.1 on the UK Official Album Chart, The Script has

announced a series of UK and Ireland arena tour dates.

Visit http://tidd.ly/e4c576b6 for tickets which are £41.25

(incl. booking fee) and more info.

Echo Arena Liverpool, Monarchs Quay, Liverpool,

L3 4FP. Tel: 0844 800 0400

The Wizard of Oz

Tuesday, February 13, to Sunday, February 18

This family classic includes a hilariously funny script,

dazzling costumes and sets, plus brilliant songs and

show-stopping choreography. More info and tickets

www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St

Helens, WA10 1LQ. Box Office: 01744 756 000

Postgrad LIVE! Liverpool

Thursday, February 15, 12pm-3pm

Whether you’re a student thinking about your future

options, a recent graduate looking to add to your

qualifications, or currently working and considering a

career change, Postgrad LIVE! Liverpool will help you

gather the info you need to plan your steps toward

Masters or PhD study. Visit www.findamasters.com

Liverpool Guild of Students, 160 Mount Pleasant,

Liverpool, L3 5TR. Tel: 0151 794 6868

Southport 60s Weekend

Friday, Feb 16, 7pm to Sunday, Feb 18, 11.59pm

Great music from the likes of, The Rag Dolls, The Berries,

The Fourmost and The Undertakers plus much more

all under one roof. Full weekend tickets are £199 (incl.

three nights’ accommodation), call 01757 700042 for

tickets and more info.

Prince of Wales Hotel, Lord St, Southport, PR8 1JS.

Tel: 01704 536688

The Lancashire Hotpots

Saturday, February 17, 7.30pm-11pm

The Lancashire Hotpots return for another cracking gig!

Support comes from the ‘Kings of Clubland’ Stu Penders

& Spladoosh. This gig sells out every year so try to get

tickets sooner rather than later. Tickets are £13 from

www.citadel.org.uk Under 18s must be accompanied

by an adult and seated on the balcony upstairs.

The Citadel Arts Centre, Waterloo Street St Helens,

WA10 1PX. Tel: 01744 735436

I LOVE ME Wellbeing Event

Sunday, February 18, 10am-5pm

Come along to this uplifting event where you’ll have the

opportunity to try a wide variety of holistic treatments

and try out some new complimentary therapies.

Browse the stalls and discover new products. Entrance

fee is £2, but kids go free. Contact Lyndsay May for more

info 07572 066365.

Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford,

WA11 8HB. Tel: 01744 884709

Rainford Heritage Society

Monday, February 19, 7.30pm

The Society is hosting a talk on the manufacture and

usage of manuscripts in Medieval England and France

by Brian Farrimond. Entry is £2 per person.

Function Room, Junction pub, Rainford, WA11

7JU. Tel: 01744 882868

Hot Pot Lunch

Monday, February 19, 1pm-4pm

Come and join us for a lovely warm homemade hot

pot, cake or scone and unlimited tea/coffee Byroney’s

Cafe & Bistro. For those not rushing home, you can stay

a while and have a sing song or join in with some fun

games. Tickets are £12 and is hosted by St Helens &

Warrington Oddfellows. For info, call 01744 453650.

Byroney’s Cafe & Bistro, 2 George Street, St Helens,

WA10 1BU. Tel: 01744 612122

The Little Mix Experience

Tuesday, February 20, 6pm-9pm

Four talented girls pay tribute to the UK’s top girl-band,

Little Mix. With breathtaking dance moves, replica

costumes this is a high-energy show, packed with all of

Little Mix’s greatest hits. Tickets £12.50 (+£1.50 booking

fee) from https://sthelenstheatreroyal.ticketsolve.com

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St

Helens, WA10 1LQ. Tel: 01744 756000

RAOC Veterans Reunion

Saturday, March 3, 7pm-11.59pm

If you’re ex RAOC and in the area you’re welcome to

attend the veterans reunion, but you must book so

that food numbers can be calculated. For more info visit

http://raoc.websitetoolbox.com/

Eagle & Child, 38 Main Street, Billinge, Wigan,

WN5 7HD. Tel: 01744 892453

Comic Con

Saturday, March 3, 10am-5pm

There’ll be Cosplay, special guests and exhibitors

at Liverpool’s very own Independent Comic Con.

All enquiries should be sent to epic@liverpoolcon.

com. For more info visit www.facebook.com/

events/1406295456147872/

St George’s Hall, Liverpool, L1 1JJ. Tel: 0151 233

3020

Some Guys Have All The Luck

Sunday, March 4, 7.30pm-10.15pm

This production celebrates the career of one of rocks

greatest icons, Rod Stewart – from street busker

through to international superstar! All tickets are

£21.50(+£1.50 fee) from https://sthelenstheatreroyal.

ticketsolve.com

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, WA10

1LQ. Tel: 01744 756000

Apprenticeships Open Day

Monday, March 5, 1pm-2pm

Visit Liverpool Chamber to find out all about the

Apprenticeships, traineeships and fast track courses

available. If you can’t make it email apprenticeships@

sthelenschamber.com to find out more or call Starting

Point on 01744 698800 or visit www.sthelenschamber.

com

Chamber Training, 1 Old Hall Street, Liverpool, L3

9HG. Tel: 01744 742045

Luke Daniels

Friday, March 9, 7.30pm-11pm

The BBC award-winning singer songwriter and

composer. He creates masterful acoustic folk music

encompassing humble woodnotes to syrupy

synthesized twists. Tickets £14 from www.citadel.org.uk

The Citadel Arts Centre, Waterloo Street, St

Helens, WA10 1PX. Tel: 01744 735436

Rio Carnival in Liverpool

Friday, March 16, 10pm to Saturday, March 17,

4am

There’ll be Latin parade performers, you can learn

to Carnival samba with infamous Rio beats and

rhythms and international DJ’s. As well as a range of

South American Street Food Stalls, Brazilian beers,

and a face paint artist to get you party ready. Find

out all you need to know at www.facebook.com/

events/510369545981463/

Liverpool

Chip Shop Chips

Saturday, March 17, 2pm-4pm and Saturday,

March 17, 7pm-9pm

It’s the grand reopening of Booth and Son’s Fish & Chip

Shop. Eric has returned home forty years later, and it’s

time for a fresh start. But old flame Christine has other

ideas. Tickets are £5-£8 from www.eventbrite.co.uk

Parr Library, Fleet Lane, Parr, St Helens, WA9 1SY.

Tel: 01744 677580

Rainford Heritage Society

Monday, March 19, 7.30pm, 7.30pm

The Society is hosting a talk entitled “How Ormskirk

treated evacuees from Liverpool in WW2” by Roger

Bloxall. Everyone is welcome; entry is £2 per person.

Function Room, Junction pub, Rainford, WA11

7JU. Tel: 01744 882868

Garswood Park

by David Sudworth

Once upon a time, the way to assure

immortality was to have a statue erected in

the local market square. These days, it’s having a pub

named after you.

Sir Thomas Gerard has that distinction on Gerard

Street (where else?) in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Despite said pub being housed in an old Kwik Save

supermarket store, it does little to diminish his aura as

a hero who was sent to the Tower of London for trying

to rescue Mary Queen of Scots.

This walk roams around the Gerard family’s old

stomping ground. Part of the estate is still there, but

more of that later.

We park up on Woodedge (postcode WN4 9JZ) and

head north west through Skitters Wood. Millingford

Brook runs through the heart of Skitters, and you

can follow it pretty much to where it goes towards

the M6. For non-aquatic species such as ourselves,

it’s much better to take the footbridge over the

M6. Once across, the path will take you right and

then veer left, past some detached homes and up

towards Low Bank Road. After about five minutes

on Low Bank Road, turn left onto Camp Road.

Without much fanfare, you’ve just crossed from

Greater Manchester and into Merseyside. Follow

Camp Road as it merges into Gibbons Road before

were also lost, although most of the parkland

fish pond survived and still exists today. During

World War II, the estate was used as a Prisoner of

War camp and also as a training base for American

troops preparing for the D-Day landing (more on

this a little later in the walk).

We walk past the gates, onto Millfield Lane, and

head towards Haydock Industrial Estate.

turning left on to Tithebarn Road.

These farm fields are always producing something,

and we could spot the first signs of some green veg

as we wandered up.

If you’ve got a pair of binoculars handy, it’s worth

turning left and getting a good sight of Winter Hill.

On a very clear day, it feels like you could almost

touch it.

We’re now heading towards Ashton Cross (yes

Ordnance, not ‘Aston Cross’ as your maps show). It’s

a busy old junction, close to the East Lancs Road

and the M6. Across Liverpool Road, you’ll see the

majestic Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf Club gates.

These are in fact the original gates to the Gerard

family’s old home, Garswood Park.

The main house, Garswood New Hall, was built in

the 17th century but was demolished in 1921 along

with its associated outbuildings. The formal gardens

On the left, you will pass a very grand looking black

and white house. Le Chateau, as it is now called,

is the former estate office for Garswood Park. It

looked unloved for many years, and has been

sympathetically restored to its former glory.

You need to keep your eyes peeled at this point as

the public footpath you need to take on the left

is somewhat obscured. The entrance is directly

opposite Millfield Farm, which itself is well signed.

This stretch is pretty much straight for about a mile,

until it reaches the M6 motorway bridge at the

rear of Byrchall and St Edmund Arrowsmith high

schools.

The stretch can get very muddy in places, so this

does slow you down, and you have to ensure you

don’t veer off piste. The trick is not to follow the

deep tyre track grooves in the ground, as you’ll end

up about 100 yards away from the bridge (yes, that

happened to us). Instead, stick to the map and you’ll

arrive at the bridge without an unnecessary detour.

At the height of summer, finding the bridge can be

difficult as there is heavy leaf cover, so sticking to

the map is doubly important.

Once across the bridge, turn right and follow the

path round the boundary wall of Byrchall. You

eventually come out on Chelwood Park. Once at the

end, turn left on to Warrington Road. Here, you’ll be

walking along the front of Byrchall. Now, remember

earlier I mentioned about a prisoner of war camp?

Well, it was actually sited where the Byrchall

buildings are today. One famous prisoner held there

was Bert Trautmann, a Nazi paratrooper. After the

war, Bremen-born Trautmann refused to go back to

Germany, and instead played as a goalkeeper for

St Helens Town and then for Manchester City. He

shot to fame when he broke his neck - but carried

on playing - during the 1956 FA Cup Final. As no

substitutes were allowed back then, Trautmann

played on and helped City to a famous 3-1 victory

over Fulham. Carrying on the walk, we turn left into

Vicarage Road, then right onto St Oswald’s Road

before heading left, back down Liverpool Road.

Turn right into Woodedge and you’ll soon see

Skitters Wood again on the right hand side. You can

either go through the wood, following the westerly

paths, or carry on until the end of Woodedge and

take the footpath opposite Orton Way, through the

woods and back to where we started.

Over 40 Lancashire

walks

LocalLife

FREE to download at

locallife247.co.uk

This is an ideal walk for this time of year - there’s

not too many fields so mud splattering is kept to

an acceptable level, but you still get a decent dose

of local history. It’s well connected via road and bus,

and there’s no shortage of places to stop for a drink

of bite to eat. You could even try the eponymously

named Sir Thomas Gerard close by... although you

may want to change your footwear beforehand!

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.

Length of walk: 4.2 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Accessibility: Fairly straightforward, although the

stretch down the side of Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf

Club is very boggy at colder times of the year. The

route is served by the 156 bus, which stops near

Ashton Cross.

Low Bank Road

Skitters Wood

Camp Road

Ashton

Strange Road

Woodedge

Gibbons Road

Liverpool Road

J24

Garswood Park

Roman Road

Millfield Lane

Test Drive

McLaren 570GT

The letters ‘G’ and ‘T’ are used far too often on

cars. And, yes, I’m referring to a grand tourer

rather than a gin and tonic. Some automakers think

that by sticking a ‘GT’ badge on the boot lid it makes

their product instantly irresistible. Many are wrong

about that. But McLaren isn’t. Indeed, the 570GT is

so far from wrong, it’s untrue.

McLaren’s 570GT is one of the best cars the

British firm makes and it’s undeniably the most

multitalented sports car, too. You can probably tell

I was utterly blown away with the 570GT when I

tested it on British bitumen recently. Fundamentally,

McLaren has taken the awesome 570S and has

injected it with an extra dose of civility. The result is

by Tim Barnes-Clay

the 570GT – a machine that’s as refined as possible

without swapping for a smaller power unit and

additional seats.

The 570GT even looks like the 570S, but there are

some major differences between the models. The

latter’s flying buttresses have been replaced by

curved bodywork that comprises a glass hatch.

There’s a respectable 220-litres of load space under

there, meaning the 570GT has a genuine practical

edge to it. The car also has a glass roof that makes

the cabin airy and full of mood-enhancing light.

The engine, normally on display in the McLaren

570S, is tastefully concealed under a leather floor

in the 570GT. While, inside, the car gets extra

Fast Facts

• 0-62 mph: 3.4 secs

• Combined mpg: 26.4

• Engine layout: 3799cc twin-turbocharged V8

• Max. power (PS): 570

• CO2: 249 g/km

• Price: £154,000

soundproofing, soft-close doors and electric heated

seats. If that’s not enough to start justifying those

letters ‘G’ and ‘T’, the 570GT is equipped with a more

hushed exhaust system and softer suspension. The

steering is also milder than the 570S’.

These changes make the McLaren 570GT a car you

could use every day. The ride is pliable enough

to make our pothole-ridden roads bearable, and

motorway cruising din is subdued enough so that

your ears don’t bleed.

But, just because you could use the GT on a daily

basis doesn’t mean this is a lacklustre McLaren. Oh

no. In every other way, the 570GT does everything

else a full-fat McLaren does. And, most importantly,

it looks one of the meanest, sexiest cars out there.

It’s a major head-turner, that’s for sure.

With just a quick stab of the 570GT’s starter button,

the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 lump barks into life.

Depress the gas pedal and the increase of velocity

is hard-hitting, due to the 570 horses under the

lid. And snapping up and down the cogs via the

paddle-mounted gears-shifters is a real smileinducer.

Zero to 62mph is done in an insanely rapid

3.4 seconds, while the top speed is a licence-losing

204mph.

Regardless of the additional luxuries added to the

Rainford

Service and MOT Centre

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GT, this McLaren’s cabin stays broadly the same as

in the 570S’. It’s a work of genius in contemporary

sports car interior design and a long way from

the chaotic button-fest of the Ferrari 488 or the

unemotional ambience in Porsche’s 911 Turbo.

You sit near to the ground but erect in the 570GT,

so visibility is very good. And, as mentioned earlier,

it’s comfortable enough to be used as a real-world

form of transport.

While the alterations from the 570S to GT could

be seen as fairly minor, they make a substantial

difference to the McLaren driving experience. The

British sports car maker has constructed a machine

that is as calm as possible, without kicking any of

the theatre to the kerb.

Mobile car valeting

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e: cjvalet@yahoo.co.uk

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WORD MIX UP: BARN OWL, GOLDCREST, WREN, WOODPIGEON, KESTREL, WOODPECKER, GOLDFINCH, BLUE TIT

New pjs and slippers

by Angie Barker

Happy New Year everyone! I hope that

Father Christmas brought you everything

you wished for? Hubby excelled himself this year in

the present buying department – although I didn’t

get the trip to Hampton Court Flower Show that I’d

kept dropping hints about – but he did remember

my pj size!

At this time of year I love curling up in front of the fire

- in my new pjs and slippers - and browsing through

a good gardening book or magazine. It gives me

some inspiration for the forthcoming year and helps

to take my mind off the impending credit card bill.

(Well, Hubby is worth it). This is the perfect time

of year for planning ahead and one of the biggest

problems I hear about from clients when they are

assessing their garden, is the lack of seasonal interest

and colour.

All garden designers have a favourite list of plants

which will appear in their designed gardens time

and time again. To some extent this will be down

to personal preference but it will also be because

those plants bring something to a planting scheme,

whether this be structure, colour, movement or

scent.

Award Winner

I thought I’d give you a glimpse of my own list of

plants which I simply could not be without in my

own garden and which I include in many of my

planting plans;

Buxus sempervirens or Box – can be topiary or

hedging for evergreen structure

Bergenia ‘Bressingham Beauty’ – good seasonal

interest, colour and texture

Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ – a beautiful, low

mounded grass which looks amazing under Acers

Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ – good texture and colour

Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ – has scent and

makes a lovely small hedge

Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ – long lasting late

summer colour and fabulous for bees and butterflies

Sarcococca confusa – strong scent in winter – just

when our spirits need a lift

These are just a handful, there are so many other

brilliant plants to chose from. I feel inspired already

– roll on spring!

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

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Want to promote your company in

LocalLife

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locallife247.co.uk

LocalLife

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Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved

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Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories,

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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

A5209

B5250

Open:

Dennis Goulding

J27

Shevington

A49

Standish

Wind Turbines

Heat Pumps

LED Lighting

.and general

Energy Savings

Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road,

Wrightington, WN6 9RS

(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

TwinLakesMotorEngin ers

and we’ l provide you with a

detailed report showing the

returns available from your

own solar panels

(10% typical return)

Visit our showr om at

Unit 4a,

Cricket Str et Busine s Park

o f Miry Lane,

Wigan.

WN6 7TP

Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk

Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk

Design & Print

Flyers, postcards, brochures

and distribution service.

For more information call

01744 649 722

LocalLife

Gel

Nails

norma ly £20

now £15

Lashes

Spray Tan

Sunbeds

Acrylic & Gel Nails

Natalies @ Studio 84

84 Rainford Road, Billinge WN5 7PG

Telephone: 07814 619 400

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM

Closed Thursday & Sunday

Mo sy Lea Road

Solar Thermal

& Solar PV

Book

your FREE

home survey

CAR & VAN SERVICING

FREE

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.and motorcycles too

for a l residents of Croston and Bretherton

Keep me until you need me!

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07595 420237

Builders

Cleaners

Driveways

Garden Maintenance

Landscaping companies

PC Doctors

Plasterers

Plumbers

Roofers

UPVC Cleaners

To join our growing group of

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St Helens magazine

Why Local Life?

Save time and fuel costs by working in St Helens

Delivered regularly to cover 24,000 private homes in the

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Free professional artwork

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LocalLife

Give your company a BOOST in 2018, call us today on

01744 649 722 for further details. locallife247.co.uk

Domestic + Commercial

Boiler + Central Heating

Installs, Servicing + Repairs

Extended warranties available

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Brand New Bathrooms

Freephone 0300 3030121

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21, Naburn Drive, Orrell, WN5 8SB

Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk

www.orrellheating.co.uk

506515

Specialists in boiler installations, repair & maintenance

All work fully warranted

Email ops@hotmail.co.uk

Book a boiler health check for £65

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Call the team on

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GARAGE DOOR

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All GARAGE DOORS REPAIRED :

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Doors of all ages repaired

01744 894939 / 07891 330214

www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk

Strawberry Cottage, Pimbo Road, St.Helens WN8 9QL

CALL PAUL

LOCKSMITHS

ESTABLISHED 2000

• UPVC & WOODEN DOOR SPECIALIST

• Emergency Door Opening

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• UPVC Door Lock Changes

• UPVC Door Lock Upgrades

• Wood Door Lock Changes

• All Work Guaranteed

A Registered Insured NCFE Certified Company

Call Paul for a

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07932 718 362

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Matthew Rigby

Plastering & Damp Proofing

Specialist

Our expert plasterers can take on the biggest

and most complex jobs

Our clients are assured of an impeccable service

boasting quality and cleanliness

We use only the finest damp proofing products

and apply the most modern techniques

Reliable, Friendly, Local Service

Contact Matthew on

07840 096233

Based in St Helens

01744 602931 or 07756 274503

7 Albany Avenue, Eccleston Park, L34 2QN

A.J.Davies Est.1991

Painter & Decorator

Paper Hanging a Speciality

Friendly & Very Reliable Service

Both Domestic & Commercial

Trading for over 26 years

Call Adam on 01744 755 005

e-mail ajdaviesdecorator@hotmail.co.uk

NEED

A FIX IT

GUY ?

MultiSkilled Handyman

Roofing & Roofline- repairs and replacement

Decorating, Building, Gates supplied & fitted

Plastering, Gardening

For all your home improvements - No job too small

PlC MAINTENANCE

07847 394040 ~ 01744 606938

MARDEC

Painters & Decorators

Internal and external work

Domestic or commercial

jobs welcomed

Free inspirational

advice & quotes

No job too small

All aspects of DIY

• Plumbing Repairs

• Flat Pack Assembly

• Landlord & estate agent services

• CCTV fitting

• Locks changing

All the jobs you hate - We’ll do!

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Green House Group M: 07947 425288

Want to promote your company in

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Call Clare: 01744 649 722

locallife247.co.uk

LocalLife

Established 1992

01744 894 431

07931 282 896

Transform your home

with a brand new driveway

Resin Driveways

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*on bookings before the

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Tarmac Driveways

J.P.Surfacing

Made in Lancashire

Established over 25 years

42, Seymour Road,

Astley Bridge,

Bolton, BL1 8PT

01204 590 499

jp-surfacing.co.uk

M H Roofing

Established over 15 years

Friendly advice and competitive rates

No job too small

• High Performance Felt Flat Roof Systems

• Storm Damage and Insurance Work

• Slating and Tiling full roofs

• Poiniting and Guttering • Fascia Boards

Call 01744 884117

or 07702 693225

www.mhroofingltd.co.uk

Fully Insured & Insurance

Backed Guarantees

Our Focus Is

Quality & Price

LOCAL FAMILY

FIRM

All aspects

of Building &

Roofing UPVC

Rooflines

References Available

From a Loose

Slate to a

Complete

Construction

Extensions &

Alterations Specialists

Call us on... 01744 600074

Mobile: 07867 592460

13 Hawes Ave, Carr Mill, WA11 7EA

• WILSON BROS •

Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline Specialists

• All aspects of maintenance & repair

• Fascia & soffit installation

• Guttering and felting services

Call us now for a free estimate

01695 633173

Colin: 07958 302 166

Brian: 07760 160 988

Local Life - St Helens - January 2018

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