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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Edition <strong>January</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />
Win two Saints<br />
memberships for <strong>2018</strong>!<br />
Pages 24 - 25<br />
Iconic local<br />
images<br />
Pages 43 - 46<br />
Winter Sleep<br />
Pages 26 - 30<br />
Food & Drink<br />
Pages 52 - 55<br />
Garswood Park Walk<br />
Pages 59 - 62<br />
<strong>Local</strong> News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Garden Diary Food Home Services<br />
locallife247.co.uk<br />
Photo: Shooting <strong>St</strong>ar over Billinge Beacon by Ian Bonnell
2<br />
Finance Now Available<br />
T&C’s apply, please ask for details<br />
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Telephone:<br />
01942 583 558<br />
721 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, Wigan WN5 8AQ<br />
(FREE parking to the rear)<br />
wiganfiresandfireplaces.co.uk<br />
Photo for illustration purposes only
3
4<br />
A Genuine Winter<br />
is now<br />
on!<br />
/ellamora38<br />
Positive start<br />
The festivities are over for another year, our<br />
waistlines have surely grown, and our finances<br />
may be a little low.<br />
I know, I know, it may sound like I’m highlighting the<br />
obvious but as we’re now in a New Year it’s surely<br />
time for the “New Year, New Me” mantra to start,<br />
right?<br />
If you’d like to start off the year with some cheer,<br />
there are still pantomimes to enjoy including the<br />
classics Cinderella and Aladdin. And there’ll be<br />
opportunities to kick start a new fitness regime, or<br />
just shift a little excess holiday weight.<br />
The <strong>January</strong> sales are in full swing, so it’s time to<br />
stock up on some of the necessities you may have<br />
missed during the Christmas madness – or indulge<br />
yourself one last time before the credit card guilt<br />
sets in.<br />
Whether you’d like to set yourself goals for the<br />
year, save for a dream holiday or do things a little<br />
differently this year, what better month to start than<br />
<strong>January</strong>?<br />
But most of all, be sure to make the most of your<br />
weekends off, and what better way to do it than<br />
some of the local gems we have right here in<br />
the North West. As days gets a little lighter, and<br />
(hopefully) a little warmer there’ll be plenty to do<br />
both indoors and outdoors for the whole family to<br />
get involved with.<br />
From all of us here at <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, we wish you a very<br />
happy start to <strong>2018</strong>.<br />
38 Church Road Rainford<br />
WA11 8HD 01744 881 588<br />
www.ellamora.co.uk<br />
Niamh Ollerton, Deputy Editor
5<br />
In this issue<br />
Win two Saints<br />
memberships<br />
for <strong>2018</strong>!<br />
24<br />
Shooting<br />
star<br />
Regulars<br />
34 Puzzle Corner<br />
36 Class From The Past<br />
56 Events2Go<br />
Sections<br />
6 Property<br />
8 <strong>Local</strong> News<br />
26 Health<br />
36 Eduacation<br />
59 Jack’s Tracks<br />
63 Test Drive<br />
66 Garden Diary<br />
48 Travel<br />
52 Food<br />
66 Gardening<br />
68 Home Services<br />
43<br />
Beautifully<br />
real<br />
52<br />
Jack’s Tracks visits<br />
Garswood<br />
Park<br />
59<br />
Test Drive<br />
McLaren<br />
570GT<br />
63<br />
Next issue - February <strong>2018</strong><br />
Advertising deadline - Tuesday, 23 <strong>January</strong><br />
Published - Friday, 2 February<br />
Publisher: Chris<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park,<br />
Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB<br />
Telephone: 01744 649 722<br />
chrisp@locallife247.co.uk<br />
Sales: Clare<br />
sales@locallife247.co.uk<br />
Editorial: David, Niamh sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk<br />
Design: Peter<br />
design@locallife247.co.uk<br />
Distribution: Sally<br />
sallyb@locallife247.co.uk<br />
Accounts: Sam<br />
accounts@locallife247.co.uk<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is published every month and distributed into<br />
the following areas on an alternate monthly basis.<br />
This issue is delivered to over 12,000 private homes and<br />
businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank,<br />
Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of Haydock.<br />
The next issue is delivered to over 12,500 private homes<br />
and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston<br />
Park, Windle, Prescot Road and parts of Nutgrove and<br />
Sutton Heath.<br />
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither<br />
the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any<br />
party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or<br />
other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written<br />
consent of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd.<br />
locallifemagazine247 @locallifemedia events2go
6
7<br />
NEW<br />
NEW<br />
BIRCHLEY ROAD, BILLINGE £389,950<br />
Impressive detached house boasting substantial living &<br />
entertaining space along with open views to front.<br />
ALDER LANE, CRANK £320,000<br />
<strong>St</strong>unning family home providing almost 1400 SQFT and<br />
boasting open views to three sides.<br />
ASHGROVE CRESCENT, BILLINGE £299,000<br />
Comprehensively renovated 4 bed detached property<br />
featuring a luxurious interior & impressive corner plot.<br />
PARK ROAD, BILLINGE £235,000<br />
Spacious two bed detached true bungalow located in the<br />
village of Longshaw, near Billinge.<br />
NEW<br />
NEW<br />
GRASMERE AVENUE, UP HOLLAND £215,000<br />
An extended 3 bedroom detached house with an amazing<br />
west-facing rear garden. No chain.<br />
TONTINE, ORRELL £159,950<br />
A newly renovated & truly remarkable grade II listed<br />
Georgian stone-built cottage.<br />
www.reganandhallworth.com Wiganoffice01942 205555
8<br />
Festive fun<br />
It was a bumper festive season for one Rainford<br />
shop worker!<br />
Mrs Y. Metcalfe was one of the lucky winners of our <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong><br />
Christmas hamper. We donated a hamper - packed with sumptuous<br />
local goodies - to the Rainford Village Christmas Fair recently.<br />
Hundreds supported the annual event. Santa arrived in style, with<br />
help from Rainford Santa and the Scouts. Fairground rides were<br />
provided by Silcocks and a town crier was on hand to announce<br />
the running order for the day.<br />
<strong>Local</strong>s were treated to performances by the choirs from all<br />
three village primary schools and Rainford High and music from<br />
Rainford Band.<br />
All money raised from the fair is given to local organisations who<br />
apply. It’s believed that around £3,000 was raised, and this will be<br />
distributed during this year.<br />
Beautiful gowns, elegant surroundings, personal friendly service,with over 18 years experience<br />
ANNUAL PROM EVENT<br />
SATURDAY, 27TH JANUARY, <strong>2018</strong> | 10:00AM TO 5:00PM<br />
209-211 MAIN STREET, BILLINGE, WN5 7PB<br />
www.romancia.co.uk 01744 894 443<br />
• 100+ gowns to choose from<br />
• Exclusive gowns at the event<br />
• No appointment required<br />
• Complimentary refreshments available<br />
• Largest Mori Lee supplier in the area<br />
You want your prom gown to be as unique<br />
as you are, so at Romancia our team will<br />
ensure the same dress is not sold twice by<br />
our store for any prom event.
9<br />
Parish councillor Diane Nichols said: “Thank you to<br />
all who came to the fair and made it such a success;<br />
our stewards and helpers, our stall holders, Santa<br />
and his elves, our local businesses who rallied round<br />
to help and supply electricity and loan parking<br />
spaces, our sponsors, the Rainford schools and<br />
Rainford Band for entertaining us, and Paul Draper<br />
from The Junction for the music tent.”<br />
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161, Main <strong>St</strong>reet, Billinge, WN5 7PA
10<br />
Hospital remembered<br />
A monument to preserve<br />
the memory and heritage<br />
of the former Haydock<br />
Cottage Hospital has been<br />
unveiled in Clipsey Lane.<br />
Created from the original ornate<br />
arch stone located over the entrance<br />
to the building, the monument was<br />
opened by the Mayor and Mayoress<br />
of <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, Councillor Joe Pearson<br />
and his wife Sylvia; local ward councillors - and MP<br />
for <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> North, Conor McGinn.<br />
There were also performances on the day from the<br />
Haydock Brass Band - which played at the laying<br />
of the foundation stone at the Cottage Hospital in<br />
1886 - and local folk singer, Martin Williams.<br />
Haydock’s Cllr Martin Bond spoke of his pride<br />
after the entrance arch, as well as the 130-year-old<br />
foundation stone and a time capsule containing<br />
two annual reports of the hospital and copies of<br />
local newspapers, were given back to the council<br />
from current landowner, Issam Jabrow.<br />
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On sale of the land the items rightly became his, but<br />
local resident Mr Jabrow agreed to hand over the<br />
items so that they can be permanently displayed<br />
in Haydock for residents - and family members of<br />
those miners who helped fund the hospital - to see.<br />
Councillor Bond said: “Preserving our heritage to<br />
ensure that the sacrifices of those who built our<br />
town and society is vitally important.<br />
“If we can’t always retain the physical reminders,<br />
then passing on the stories and memories to<br />
following generations becomes even more<br />
important.”
11<br />
Seeing is<br />
Believing...<br />
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01744 24135 gibneysjewellers@hotmail.co.uk<br />
Incorporating Carlchristopher Jewellers<br />
www.gibneys.co.uk
12<br />
Happy New Year<br />
from<br />
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in <strong>2018</strong> with these fantastic offers!<br />
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20% off all 400 Arbonne<br />
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Discounts only available until February 10th <strong>2018</strong>.<br />
Offers only available at Main <strong>St</strong>reet salon<br />
Pamper Packages<br />
available<br />
– including lunch<br />
Call us for more details<br />
32 Main <strong>St</strong>reet<br />
Billinge, WN5 7HD<br />
T: 01744 302 130<br />
M: 07713 194 228<br />
serenityallround.co.uk<br />
Opening Hours: Tues, Weds, Fri 9am-6pm - Thursday 9am-8pm - Saturday 9am- 3pm - Sunday & Mondays appointments on request
13<br />
Parish recordings wiped<br />
Recordings of a parish council<br />
meeting have been destroyed<br />
because rules were not formally<br />
agreed beforehand.<br />
Billinge Chapel End Parish Council confirmed that<br />
two recordings have been erased due to the fact<br />
that councillors hadn’t officially put in place a<br />
proper protocol covering this activity.<br />
Two residents who had asked for copies were<br />
informed of the situation and, according to<br />
parish chiefs, were happy for the recordings to be<br />
destroyed without them receiving a copy<br />
That matter has now been rectified, and all<br />
meetings will be recorded and kept for the council’s<br />
term of office, which is a four year period. The next<br />
term of office ends in 2019. Copies of the meetings<br />
will be available to members of the public.<br />
Billinge Chapel End was censured by watchdogs<br />
after a series of ill-tempered meetings in 2016. Two<br />
councillors, Terry McEvoy and Paul Roberts, ended<br />
up being censured by <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Council’s <strong>St</strong>andards<br />
Committee as a result.<br />
From now on, the official council summons will<br />
state that the meeting is being filmed and there<br />
will also be a sign showing this in the Public Hall.<br />
The chairman will also announce that the meeting<br />
is being filmed at the beginning of each meeting.<br />
Residents may opt out of being included in the<br />
audio recording should they ask a question. The<br />
attendance sheet and question sheet will have a<br />
tick box to show this.
14<br />
Safety drive<br />
Dozens of older Rainford residents<br />
attended a free Senior Road Safety<br />
event that took place at the village<br />
hall.<br />
Hosted by <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Council as the Merseyside lead<br />
authority for senior road users, the event – the latest<br />
in a series of similar events – sought to address the<br />
growing problem of senior road users, aged 60 and<br />
over, being involved in road traffic collisions.<br />
Attendees were given advice on driving while using<br />
prescribed drugs and medicine – as well as tips on<br />
winter driving and the benefits of public transport.<br />
The event also addressed the increasing number of<br />
incidents involving pedestrians within the senior<br />
road user age group – now becoming an area of<br />
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great concern. Event-goers learned about the<br />
popular ‘Drive Safely for Longer’ course, which is<br />
offered free to residents in Merseyside over 60 years<br />
of age. The next Senior Road User event will take<br />
place on Tuesday, February 6, 10am-2pm at Rainhill<br />
Village Hall, Dane Court, L35 4LU.<br />
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Leaflets delivered from only £24.50 per 1,000<br />
Delivered to areas throughout<br />
Wigan, Chorley, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> & Leigh<br />
Design, print & distribution packages<br />
also available<br />
Call Sally on 01695 627 999 for details<br />
or email sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
15
16<br />
<strong>Life</strong>saver appeal<br />
A Rainford lad and his friends<br />
and family are raising funds and<br />
awareness for his rare cancer.<br />
Chris Carberry, 21, was diagnosed in December<br />
2015 with a rare bone cancer in his leg called<br />
Osteosarcoma. Sadly, treatments didn’t go as hoped<br />
and Chris had his leg amputated in March 2016.<br />
Unfortunately, several months after finishing<br />
14-months of treatment, Chris was re-diagnosed in<br />
July 2017, but by this point the cancer had spread<br />
to his lungs. He then had more surgery to removed<br />
1/3 of his lung along with the tumour, but with<br />
his positive attitude still intact Chris jokes it was<br />
“because one leg wasn’t enough.”<br />
Now time is of the<br />
essence to try and raise<br />
£200,000 for pioneering<br />
lifesaving treatment<br />
abroad.<br />
But Chris and his friends<br />
and family have not lost<br />
hope, and are taking<br />
fundraising head on.<br />
There was a 24 hour<br />
Spinathon Challenge in December and other<br />
fundraising efforts include tackling Hadrians Wall<br />
last September. Chris’ dad <strong>St</strong>eve said: “We just want<br />
to raise awareness and get Chris’ story as far as<br />
possible.” Vist www. chriscarberry.co.uk<br />
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17<br />
Independent Family Jewellers<br />
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Krugerrands & Sovereigns<br />
Gibneys Jewellers<br />
21 Ormskirk <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 1BQ<br />
Tel: 01744 24135<br />
Email: gibneysjewellers@hotmail.co.uk<br />
www.gibneys.co.uk
18<br />
Tell Us Your <strong>St</strong>ory!<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is always on<br />
the look out for news<br />
stories from the local<br />
communities we serve.<br />
Are you raising money<br />
for charity? Are you a<br />
member of a community<br />
group with something<br />
to shout about? Maybe<br />
you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a<br />
claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be<br />
appearing in the next edition!<br />
Simply contact us on sthelensnews@locallife247.<br />
co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.<br />
Learning programme<br />
Current and budding volunteers, and members<br />
of community or charity groups are being offered<br />
the chance to take part in an upcoming leadership<br />
programme in Moss Bank. Sessions are free for<br />
residents of <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> aged 19+ who would benefit<br />
from the course and be able to make a difference in<br />
their community.<br />
The programme is run by Adult and Community<br />
Learning (ACL). If you’re interested in the courses<br />
or would like information on other ACL courses<br />
available, please call ACL’s Park Road Centre<br />
on 01744 677315 or 01744 677328, email:<br />
adultlearning@sthelens.gov.uk or visit the website:<br />
www.sthelens.gov.uk/adultlearning
19
20<br />
YELLOW LABEL<br />
SALE<br />
NOW ON<br />
Tucked away in the heart of<br />
Billinge is Anthony William<br />
Furniture Ltd, The Oak<br />
specialist offering a fantastic<br />
selection of dining room<br />
sets, sideboards and other<br />
occasional furniture. We have<br />
fabulous ranges of solid oak<br />
furniture that will grace your<br />
home for years to come<br />
IMMEDIATE DELIVERY<br />
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK<br />
Complete furniture ranges are available<br />
for the entire house; from the living<br />
room to the dining room, through to<br />
the bedrooms<br />
• Solid Oak Dining Tables<br />
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• Sideboards<br />
• TV units<br />
• Cabinets<br />
• Coffee Tables<br />
• Nest of Tables<br />
• Glazed Display Units<br />
• Bookcases<br />
• Console Tables<br />
And much more...<br />
01744 893 785 / 07710 487 977<br />
Unit 11 Barrows Farm, Carr Mill Road, Billinge, WN5 7TX (Carr Mill Road is next to the Texaco Garage in the village)<br />
Immediate delivery service available
21<br />
Billinge<br />
22 Windsor Road: Demolition of existing detached<br />
garage and erection of a single storey side extension<br />
along with the creation of a new vehicular access<br />
off Windsor Road (ref: P/2017/0937/HHFP).<br />
Moss Bank<br />
10 Gormley Drive: Conversion of existing garage to<br />
habitable room, along with single storey front infill<br />
extension (ref: P/2017/0857/HHFP).<br />
Shoots Delph Farm: Construction of a new access<br />
roadway from the junction of Moss Bank Road to<br />
the existing farm yard (ref: P/2017/0871/FUL).<br />
Planning Matters<br />
One <strong>St</strong>op, 44 Bowness Avenue: Change of use from<br />
retail unit to hot food takeway (ref: P/2017/0897/<br />
FUL).<br />
Rainford<br />
25 Walmesley Drive: Demolition of existing garage,<br />
and erection of two storey side extension and<br />
single storey rear extension, along with front and<br />
rear dormer extensions (ref: P/2017/0891/HHFP).<br />
36 Higher Lane: Creation of vehicular access<br />
onto classified road, with associated works to low<br />
boundary walls (ref: P/2017/0852/HHFP).<br />
For more information on these plans, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk<br />
EX-DISPLAY SALE NOW ON<br />
Sheds<br />
Log Cabins<br />
Workshops<br />
Wendy Houses<br />
Summer Houses<br />
Garden Offices<br />
Free delivery<br />
Free 100% pressure treated<br />
Free erection<br />
See our show sites at;<br />
Trebaron Garden Centre<br />
Southworth Road, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0BS<br />
Telephone: 01695 589 207<br />
Rivendell Notcutts Garden Centre<br />
Mill Lane, Widnes WA8 3UL<br />
Telephone: 0151 423 2638<br />
www.solidsheds.com<br />
DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER
22<br />
£674k funding boost<br />
YMCA <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> has been awarded a total of<br />
£674,935 by the Big Lottery and DCMS Youth<br />
Investment Fund to organise and deliver a Youth<br />
Sports Engagement Programme over the next<br />
three years. The three-year YMCA Youth Sports<br />
Engagement Programme is aimed at young<br />
people aged 10 to 18 and will offer a minimum<br />
of 20 free weekly sports and physical activity<br />
sessions, holiday programmes and sessions aimed<br />
at young people with additional needs. There will<br />
also be an opportunity to access projects and<br />
sessions organised by delivery partner the Saints<br />
Community Foundation.<br />
For more information on the free sessions and<br />
to view the time table, please visit the <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />
Council Sports Development website: https://<br />
www.sthelens.gov.uk/culture-sport-leisure/sportsdevelopment/<br />
or follow the team on social media.<br />
Corking idea<br />
A Billinge off-licence is expanding. Portland<br />
Wine and Gin Shop, on Rainford Road, is poised<br />
to open a wine bar at Unit 12 in The Winstanley<br />
Centre, Holmes House Avenue, Wigan. Permission<br />
to revamp the vacant laundrette was due to be<br />
officially approved as <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> went to press. Bar<br />
bosses told customers they hope to be open for<br />
business by February. According to papers lodged<br />
with Wigan Council, vehicle parking will remain the<br />
same, and there will be no external materials used<br />
for the site’s proposed change of use. Employees at<br />
the site will include four full-time employees; two<br />
part-time staff; and the equivalent of five total fulltime<br />
employees.<br />
Should the wine bar become a reality, opening<br />
hours are said to be be 12pm-11pm Monday to<br />
Thursday; 12pm-12am on Fridays and Saturdays<br />
and 12pm-11pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
23
24<br />
Competition<br />
Saints & Proud?<br />
Win two <strong>2018</strong> memberships!<br />
<strong>2018</strong> is all set to be an incredibly exciting year for <strong>St</strong>.<strong>Helens</strong> Rugby League Club<br />
and you can be part of the action by winning a pair of Saints memberships<br />
for <strong>2018</strong>!<br />
These memberships entitle the holders to a seat in the Totally Wicked North <strong>St</strong>and,<br />
Block NG at all Super League games in <strong>2018</strong>, with a value of up to £373 each.<br />
There have been a number of important changes that have taken place at the<br />
club during 2017, including the arrival of new Head Coach Justin Holbrook from<br />
Australian Club Sydney Roosters, and the signing of marquee player Ben Barba,<br />
former Australian Rugby League player of the year. These moves signal intent to<br />
deliver high quality, entertaining Rugby League played with world class players in<br />
the best purpose-built Rugby League stadium in the country.<br />
The Club’s theme for the <strong>2018</strong> Betfred Super League campaign is Saints & Proud, and<br />
the club wants everyone, Saints fans and all local people to be proud of the Club and<br />
what it represents to the Town and local area. This theme is the Club’s ethos for the<br />
coming season and beyond.<br />
The <strong>2018</strong> Betfred Super League campaign begins on Friday 2nd February <strong>2018</strong> (kickoff<br />
7:45pm) vs last season’s beaten Grand finalists, the Castleford Tigers at the Totally
25<br />
Wicked <strong>St</strong>adium.<br />
There are other mouthwatering<br />
fixtures in the<br />
early portion of the season<br />
including clashes with<br />
Warrington Wolves, Friday<br />
9th March and the huge local<br />
Derby against bitter rivals, Wigan Warriors, Good<br />
Friday, 30th March (kick-off time to be confirmed)<br />
To win a pair of <strong>2018</strong> memberships simply visit our<br />
website www.locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’<br />
and then on ‘competitions’. To enter the competition<br />
for the <strong>January</strong> issue of the <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> just<br />
input your answer to the following question;<br />
What is Saints theme for Super League <strong>2018</strong>?<br />
The expiry date for the competition is Wednesday<br />
31st <strong>January</strong> <strong>2018</strong>. Only one entry per household.<br />
Entrants<br />
must be over 16 years of<br />
age. The winners will be notified on Thursday 1st<br />
February <strong>2018</strong>. <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd cannot accept<br />
responsibility for entries that do not reach us.<br />
Employees of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd or their immediate<br />
relatives are not eligible to enter this competition.<br />
For more information or tickets visit Saints website<br />
www.saintsrlfc.com. <strong>2018</strong> Memberships that allow<br />
you access to up to fifteen home fixtures are also<br />
available including a host of additional benefits<br />
and exclusive content. Visit www.saintsrlfc.com/<br />
memberships for details.
26<br />
Health & Fitness<br />
Winter sleep<br />
By Abi Jackson<br />
There is never a time when sleep isn’t<br />
important. But with the shorter, vitamin<br />
D-deprived days, gloomy weather - and the dread<br />
that it’s going to drag on for months - at this time of<br />
year, solid slumber is more vital than ever.<br />
Winter, like all the seasons, has its joys (little beats<br />
a stroll on a perfect, crisp winter’s morning; stark<br />
blue sky, robins and the last of the leaves glistening<br />
with dew). But the reality for many is it can be quite<br />
hard work, too, whether it’s loneliness, worrying<br />
about the cost of Christmas or suffering the moodzapping<br />
effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD),<br />
not to mention those winter bugs doing the rounds.<br />
And so we’d do well to give ourselves - and our<br />
immune systems - a helping hand, which in so<br />
many ways, starts and ends with decent dozing.<br />
Here are five things to think about if you want to<br />
win at winter sleep.<br />
Hot and cold<br />
Nobody wants to lie shivering in bed with feet<br />
like ice blocks. But overheating can actually be<br />
more detrimental to sleep, so it’s important to<br />
get the temperature just right. “Ideally, the brain<br />
temperature needs to be fractionally lower than the<br />
body’s core temperature, so ideally your bedroom<br />
needs to be cool, around 19C,” says physiologist<br />
and sleep expert Dr Nerina Ramlakhan, author<br />
of Fast Asleep, Wide Awake: Discover The Secrets<br />
Of Restorative Sleep And Vibrant Energy (£12.99,<br />
Harper Thorsons). “So you’ll walk in and find it a<br />
bit chilly, but you can put a hot water bottle into<br />
the bed which you then discard as you get cosy. It’s<br />
important not to overheat as this will make sleep<br />
fretful and restless. I find it helpful to keep a fan in<br />
my room, even in winter, carefully positioned so I<br />
don’t get too cold if I use it. Also, a eucalyptus stick<br />
on your bedside table’s a good idea. Eucaplytus is<br />
cooling, so if you wake during the night - 2 to 4am<br />
is the most likely time for overheating - you rub<br />
the menthol stick between your eyebrows and<br />
temples and it has a cooling effect on the brain and,<br />
surprisingly, the mind.” Go for layers of bedding,<br />
rather than one thick duvet, “so you can discard<br />
some as you journey through the night”.
27
28<br />
Comfort is key<br />
A comfortable bed, that’s<br />
just right for you, makes a<br />
big difference - but often<br />
it’s only when you actually<br />
experience it, that you<br />
realise just HOW much<br />
(investing in memory<br />
foam pillows actually<br />
changed my life). A calm<br />
environment can equal<br />
a calm mind, but when<br />
it comes to designing<br />
your bedroom, “quality<br />
of sleep should be the<br />
top priority”, notes James<br />
Cox, co-founder and CEO<br />
of British brand Simba<br />
Sleep, whose unique<br />
2,000 spring/Visco memory foam mattresses can be<br />
delivered to your door in a box (from £399, www.<br />
simbasleep.com and selected John Lewis stores).<br />
“So ditch the lumpy, uncomfortable mattress.” The<br />
best mattresses aren’t likely to be the cheapest, but<br />
if you are looking to make investments, few things<br />
are more rewarding than years of good sleep.<br />
A good mattress can also play a role in helping<br />
manage and reduce aches and pains. Cox notes<br />
that innovations have come a long way, so it’s worth<br />
considering designs that combine experience and<br />
technological developments.<br />
Tech it or leave it<br />
We bang on about the importance of stepping<br />
away from those screens before bedtime, but the<br />
message just isn’t getting through for many of<br />
us (according to a recent survey by Simba Sleep,<br />
almost one in six Brits spend at least two hours a<br />
day on social media in bed). Bottom line: if you want<br />
to nail a solid sleeping routine, you need to switch<br />
off those devices. Dr Ramlakhan recommends an<br />
“electronic sundown” of around an hour before<br />
getting into bed, in order to calm those dopamine<br />
hits from constantly looking at a screen, and cut<br />
down on the blue light exposure that suppresses<br />
melatonin - “the sleep hormone” - production. “We<br />
might associate the device with being mentally<br />
engaged and in work-mode too, especially if we<br />
also have access to email on the device,” she adds.<br />
Try old-school bedtime reading - with actual books<br />
- instead. “Neuroscience shows that the reading<br />
brain responds differently to reading on paper than<br />
it does to reading on a screen. With the latter, the<br />
reading rate tends to be faster, less mindful and<br />
more skimming - sort of multi-task reading - as if<br />
looking at a social media feed. Reading on paper<br />
tends to be more mindful, and we slow down and<br />
read in more detail (neuroscientists call this deep<br />
reading).”<br />
What’s on the menu?<br />
Just as we think about fuelling up in the morning,<br />
with energy-boosting breakfasts and those allimportant<br />
caffeine kicks, if you’re aiming to improve<br />
your sleep, the same theory applies at the end of<br />
the day - in reverse. So tailor what you eat and<br />
drink in the evening, with winding-down in mind.<br />
Keeping stimulating and sugary substances to<br />
the first half of the day is one thing, but it can go<br />
beyond that. “To sleep well, we need to eat foods<br />
that help the brain produce melatonin: a small
29
30<br />
amount of carbohydrates with a small<br />
amount of protein rich in tryptophan,”<br />
suggests Dr Craig Hudson, founder<br />
of Zenbev.com. “A cheese sandwich<br />
will help sleep, but a big steak dinner<br />
will make your sleep worse. Food for<br />
sleep is like everything else; a little in<br />
moderation works well.” A late heavy<br />
dinner may make you feel sleepy,<br />
but setting your digestive system up<br />
for a night of overdrive isn’t going to<br />
amount to the best quality slumber.<br />
The same goes for alcohol - yes it may<br />
seem to help you drift off, but booze<br />
actually hinders quality sleep. Making<br />
a soothing tea part of your prebedtime<br />
routine is a great idea - not<br />
only can this be a natural way to aid<br />
sleep, but the simple act of making<br />
yourself a cuppa, and then sitting quietly to sip it,<br />
nurtures a sense of calm and mindfulness.<br />
JANETTE KING<br />
BSc (Hons) MChS<br />
PODIATRY &<br />
CHIROPODY<br />
Caring for<br />
your feet in<br />
the comfort<br />
of your<br />
own home<br />
Call today to arrange an appointment<br />
Tel: 07788 257 120<br />
Embrace bathing rituals<br />
Running yourself a bath is a fantastic way to embrace<br />
self-care, treat yourself to a little luxury, and really<br />
switch from manic ‘day mode’ to relaxed and sleepready<br />
(and it’ll help with dragging yourself away<br />
from those screens, too). Even once a week, a bath<br />
is worthwhile, and alchemist, aromatherapist and<br />
intuitive body worker Michelle Roques-O’Neil,<br />
founder of the ‘balancing and emotionally healing’<br />
THERAPIE product range, says even a 10-minute<br />
bath will make a difference when you don’t have<br />
time for a half-hour soak. Make the ritual even<br />
richer by incorporating some aromatherapy based<br />
products, such as THERAPIE Himalayan Detox Salts<br />
(£38 for 400g, roquesoneil.com), which combine<br />
pink Himalayan salts, geranium, juniper berry<br />
and powdered amethyst. “This is one of our most<br />
popular products,” says Roques-O’Neil. “It’s great for<br />
when you’re really overextended, especially with<br />
digital overload. If you’re very anxious, suffering<br />
from insomnia, you’ve just overdone it. This will help<br />
pull you down to Earth.” Applying a soothing body<br />
oil, or lavender-based moisturiser, can be another<br />
effective step in your snooze-ready self-care ritual,<br />
finishing off with a spritz of lavender pillow spray.
31<br />
WELLBEING NEWS<br />
85% of over-75s say listening to music sparks special<br />
memories<br />
It’s often said that scent is incredibly powerful at triggering memories<br />
and, according to a new survey by the Royal Voluntary Service, hearing<br />
music transports many of us back in time too. Nearly three-quarters<br />
of the 500 over-75s quizzed as part of the charity’s Sing Your Heart<br />
Out campaign, admit they’ve forgotten lots of things - but can still<br />
remember the words of their favourite songs. Many say music has the power to help them remember pivotal<br />
events from their past, such as the day they met their partner (14%), a special day (12%) or their wedding day<br />
(8%). Furthermore, 92% agree that singing along to music lifts their mood, 81% think it helps keep their mind<br />
active, while 63% say it helps them forget health worries. Presenter Phillip Schofield, said: “My song is Make Me<br />
Smile by <strong>St</strong>eve Harley and Cockney Rebel. That’s my childhood in a song. What seemed like endless summer<br />
days, growing up in Newquay. Playing on the beach, being late for tea having lost track of time.”<br />
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34<br />
Puzzle Corner<br />
WORD SEARCH - BIRDS<br />
Find the hidden words in the word search grid<br />
F R P C U R L E W C<br />
Y O L H B D A H G H<br />
W B L A C K B I R D<br />
A I T F P K T S O M<br />
N N Y F T W U A U E<br />
T D I I P S I W S R<br />
J O S N H T D N E L<br />
A V O C E T G A G I<br />
Y E T H A S L P A N<br />
SUDOKU<br />
8 6 3<br />
1 8 4 5<br />
2 7 9<br />
5<br />
8 1<br />
9 4<br />
6 7<br />
4 3 9<br />
6 5 8<br />
T H R U S H P P T U<br />
R M I M A G P I E L<br />
BLACKBIRD<br />
THRUSH<br />
CHAFFINCH<br />
DOVE<br />
MAGPIE<br />
AVOCET<br />
PHEASANT<br />
MERLIN<br />
JAY<br />
LAPWING<br />
WORD MIX UP - BIRDS<br />
Unscramble the letters to make a word<br />
NARB LOW<br />
LORDGSECT<br />
CURLEW<br />
GROUSE<br />
TERN<br />
ROBIN<br />
NIGHTJAR<br />
NUMBER<br />
BLOCK<br />
B E E A N U V W R S<br />
N I G H T J A R N L<br />
3<br />
3 9 6<br />
9 6<br />
2 3<br />
19 17 20 24<br />
The numbers in each row add up to totals to the right.<br />
The numbers in each column add up to the totals<br />
along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the<br />
totals to the right.<br />
26<br />
14<br />
26<br />
26<br />
14<br />
25<br />
NEWR<br />
NOPOGOWIDE<br />
STEELKR<br />
WORKDOPEEC<br />
LOGDINCFH<br />
LUBE ITT<br />
WIGGLE WORDS<br />
CLUE: I don’t agree<br />
Trace a path through<br />
all the letters to find<br />
the word or phrase<br />
that fits the clue.<br />
T E A P<br />
A K R M<br />
N N U U<br />
I N G J<br />
All the puzzle solutions are on page 65 of this magazine
35
36<br />
Class from the past<br />
This month’s Class from the Past is from Garswood <strong>St</strong><br />
Andrew’s School. It’s believed this photo was taken<br />
in the 1950s. Maybe you can spot a familiar face?<br />
Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to<br />
share, contact us today by emailing sthelensnews@<br />
locallife247.co.uk<br />
A new <strong>St</strong>arting Point<br />
<strong>St</strong>arting Point - the organisation<br />
which has provided advice and<br />
guidance on employment, skills and<br />
education to local people for the past<br />
20 years - is entering a new era.<br />
Thanks to funding secured from the Liverpool<br />
City Region Combined Authority’s <strong>Local</strong> Growth<br />
Fund, this new development will see <strong>St</strong>arting Point<br />
become a modern skills centre. Bosses hope this will<br />
help the organisation lead the way for delivering<br />
the skills, knowledge and qualifications demanded<br />
by today’s businesses.<br />
While the developments take place, the <strong>St</strong>arting<br />
Point team, which provides the National Careers<br />
Service in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, will be moving into <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />
Chamber’s main building on Salisbury <strong>St</strong>reet near<br />
the World of Glass, and will continue to deliver its<br />
full range of services to support local people into<br />
jobs or training.<br />
Any <strong>St</strong>arting Point customers due to attend<br />
appointments or courses will now be seen at <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong> Chamber. For any enquiries, please call<br />
<strong>St</strong>arting Point on 01744 698800 or email info@<br />
thestartingpoint.org
37
38
39
40<br />
Earn extra<br />
cash!<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> require distributors<br />
for the following areas;<br />
Haydock<br />
Westminster Drive, Buckfast Avenue,<br />
Fountains Avenue area<br />
Littler Road, Wedge Avenue,<br />
Gleneagles Drive area<br />
Moss Bank<br />
Moss Bank Road, Dalston Drive,<br />
Broad Lane area<br />
Windle Island<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Road, Moss Lane,<br />
& Rainford Road<br />
Kings Moss<br />
All areas<br />
Laffak<br />
Bosworth Road, Syston Avenue,<br />
Meriden Close area<br />
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Interested?<br />
Please email your name, address,<br />
landline number and date of birth to<br />
sallyb@locallife247.co.uk<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Two new faces at<br />
sch0ol<br />
Merchant Taylors’ School has<br />
announced the appointment of two<br />
new Heads to lead the Boys’ and Girls’<br />
Senior Schools in <strong>2018</strong>.<br />
Claire Tao, who is currently Deputy Head at the<br />
City of London School for Girls (CLSG), will take<br />
over as headmistress from Louise Robinson when<br />
she leaves at Easter <strong>2018</strong>. David Wickes will join<br />
Merchant Taylors’ Boys’ School as headmaster<br />
in September. David is currently the deputy<br />
headmaster at Warwick School.<br />
Claire started her career in industry and following<br />
the completion of an MSc in Personnel Management<br />
and Industrial Relations at the London School of<br />
Economics in 1993 and a PGCE at Roehampton<br />
University in 2004 moved into education working<br />
for the Old Palace School of John Whitgift as a<br />
biology teacher and head of house. She then went to<br />
Dulwich College Preparatory School as a chemistry<br />
teacher and housemistress before moving to CSLG<br />
where she has been for 10 years. Claire’s interests<br />
include the theatre and hosting social events and<br />
she is also looking forward to continuing her love of<br />
cycling in the Northern hills.<br />
After achieving a Master of Arts degree at Oxford<br />
in History and a further Master of Arts from King’s<br />
College, London David pursued a teaching career<br />
at Dulwich College and then Abingdon School. He<br />
enjoys travelling in Europe, visiting the theatre and<br />
watching most sports including following the ups<br />
and downs of Southampton FC.<br />
Chairman of Governors, Beverley Bell, said: “We<br />
were impressed by the calibre and number of<br />
applicants the posts attracted. Both are highly<br />
qualified for the roles and are experts in male and<br />
female pedagogy which is crucial for the Schools’<br />
single sex education focus.”
41
42
43<br />
Shooting star<br />
David Sudworth meets the Billinge dad-of-two whose<br />
photographs are delighting locals<br />
Ian Bonnell knows he’s lucky. “Most people who enjoy photography have to<br />
travel for miles, but we’ve got great scenery on our doorstep.”<br />
He’s not wrong. Although technically, Ian himself came quite a long way to enjoy the<br />
scenery Billinge and the surrounding area has to offer - from<br />
Australia to be precise.<br />
“I was born in Melbourne because my parents, Eddie<br />
and Mary, emigrated there in 1965. They had me in<br />
1968 but came back in 1970. So I’ve been in Billinge<br />
since I was two and grew up on Hillside Close.”<br />
The former Chapel End and Rainford High pupil<br />
is becoming well known in the area for his<br />
stunning photographs - mostly thanks to the<br />
power of social media.
44<br />
Crosby Beach
45<br />
Liverpool Waterfront<br />
“I’ve always sort of been interested in photography<br />
and my dad certainly was. In fact, every so often we<br />
come across photos he took of Billinge in the 1970s.<br />
Some of them have even appeared in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>.<br />
“She thinks I’m mad for going out at five o’clock in<br />
the morning, trying to catch the sun coming up,” he<br />
laughs.<br />
For Ian, 49, it remains largely a hobby. By day he<br />
works across the North West repairing petrol pumps<br />
“Wife thinks I’m mad for<br />
getting up at 5am!”<br />
on garage forecourts.<br />
“It’s starting to become a bit of a business but<br />
there’s not a great deal of money in photography<br />
unless you’re a wedding photographer, and for me<br />
it’s more man-management than anything else.<br />
“I’ve been to photograph my son Matthew’s band,<br />
Last Reserves, but even that is completely different<br />
Sign Post Billinge
46<br />
to doing landscapes. It’s nice to have variety<br />
though. I had a stall at <strong>St</strong> Aidan’s Church’s Christmas<br />
fair a few weeks ago and sold a few then. It’s not at<br />
the stage where it’ll pay the mortgage though,” he<br />
smiles.<br />
For Ian, his own particular interest is when there’s<br />
any sort of activities in the skies.<br />
“Doing trigonometry for<br />
first time in 30 years”<br />
Carr Mill Dam<br />
“I’ve captured a shooting star going over Billinge<br />
Hill and various shots of the moon. To be honest, a<br />
lot of the skill is about being in the right position<br />
to take the shot. For the first time since school, I’m<br />
doing trigonometry and reading maps. For some<br />
shots of Billinge Hill, I’ve been standing on a bridge<br />
over the M58 at Skelmersdale.<br />
“It’s all good fun though, and I just hope people get<br />
as much enjoyment out of them as I do.”<br />
To view Ian’s photos, visit www.facebook.com/<br />
IanBonnellPhotography/<br />
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48<br />
Travel<br />
Mentioned by the Daily Telegraph as<br />
one of the 20 Mediterranean islands<br />
you must visit in your lifetime, Zakynthos (or<br />
Zante has it is more popularly known) is the most<br />
southerly of the Ionian Islands and one of the most<br />
popular Greek islands. There is something for all<br />
the family on this gorgeous island with stunning<br />
Zakynthos for<br />
everyone<br />
views, where locals offer tourists the hospitality<br />
which Greece is famous for. This island paradise<br />
has three distinct geographical areas: the north<br />
west region is mountainous with many traditional<br />
mountain villages, the central region is a fertile<br />
plain chock-full with olive groves and vineyards<br />
and the south east is characterised by its beautiful
49<br />
beaches. Similarly, there are a range of contrasts on<br />
the island for tourists, depending on what you’re<br />
looking for in a holiday. Zante boasts numerous<br />
sandy beaches, mountain villages, beautiful natural<br />
scenery, water sports and good quality restaurants,<br />
bars and nightclubs to more than cater for all your<br />
entertainment needs.<br />
If it’s all out partying you’re after, then Laganas<br />
will fit the bill perfectly. Over 100 bars and clubs<br />
are packed into the main street in Laganas, so you<br />
can imagine how exciting things get during the<br />
summer holidays. Just off the coast of Laganas<br />
is the famous Marathonisi ‘Turtle’ Island, with<br />
beautiful almost tropical beaches, and also a small<br />
bay with intriguing sea caves to explore and a great<br />
spot for snorkellers. There are no buildings allowed<br />
on the island, but a quaint boat that bobs around<br />
the island selling refreshments.<br />
But for those who want to simply relaxing in an<br />
achingly beautiful setting you’ll find there are ideal<br />
New Year Offer!<br />
£10 discount p.p.<br />
This Marken Travel discount is on top of any Jet2 discount<br />
and is applicable only on Jet2 holidays booked by 31/01/18<br />
Zante holidays for you. Go to Alikanas and you’re<br />
ideally placed for exploring Zante’s lush north coast<br />
which has dramatic white cliffs, magical sea caves<br />
and one of the most beautiful beaches in the whole<br />
of Greece.<br />
TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY<br />
Take a trip to one of the Zante’s best loved tourist<br />
spots, the Blue Caves, which are located at the<br />
northern tip of the island, underneath Cape Skinari.<br />
The caves show a range of blue hues on the white<br />
rocks caused by reflections from the sea. The area<br />
<strong>2018</strong> holiday with your mates?<br />
Come to the Group Holiday Specialists<br />
• Flexible payment plans, with a low deposit<br />
• We’ll check you in online and print your<br />
boarding passes<br />
• Book in a local, secure office with travel<br />
experts<br />
• We’ll provide 24 hour emergency contacts<br />
and reps in your resort<br />
• Your bookings will be fully protected under<br />
ABTA/ATOL scheme<br />
Jet2 holidays can only be booked on the High<br />
<strong>St</strong>reet via an independent travel specialist<br />
Deposit from just<br />
£60 per person<br />
Eat-Sleep-Party-Repeat<br />
Independent Travel Specialist<br />
Protected by<br />
200 Main <strong>St</strong>reet, Billinge, WN5 7PE Telephone: 01744 893291 www.markentravel.co.uk
50<br />
is popular for snorkelling to see the wide range of<br />
marine life living in the clear waters.<br />
On the south eastern tip of the island, the pineforested<br />
Vasilikos peninsula is an area that has been<br />
mostly protected from large-scale development<br />
because of the loggerhead turtles that breed on<br />
Gerakas beach. Arguably the most beautiful area<br />
on the island. Nearby Daphni beach, also a turtle<br />
nesting beach, is well-worth a visit too.<br />
Not far from Keri is the beautiful pebble beach of<br />
Marathias. It is off the beaten track and well-worth<br />
the walk down. The island also boasts one of the<br />
most photographed beaches in Greece, Shipwreck<br />
Cove, which is a blissful cove backed by plummeting<br />
limestone cliffs; but be warned, there is usually a<br />
long queue out onto the viewing platform where<br />
you can photograph it.<br />
The Zante authorities take their conservation<br />
seriously; the only airport on the island is closed<br />
after dark because it’s close to beaches where<br />
Greece Checklist<br />
Language: Greek<br />
Currency: Euro<br />
Time: +2 hour<br />
Beer: €3.50<br />
Cappuccino : €2.91<br />
3 Course Meal: €15<br />
loggerhead turtles lay their eggs at night and some<br />
of the beaches are also closed at night for the same<br />
reason.<br />
It’s no wonder that the Telegraph rates this jewel in<br />
the Ionian, Zante, so highly. With its breath-taking<br />
green hills, lemon and orange trees, authentic<br />
Greek villages, olive groves, vineyards, long white<br />
beaches; all framed by a crystal clear blue sea. Your<br />
family holiday for <strong>2018</strong> awaits you!<br />
• NO MISLEADING STATEMENTS<br />
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WINDOWS £199*<br />
DOORS £399*<br />
FRENCH £749*<br />
COMPOSITE £599*<br />
PATIO £699*<br />
• NO SILLY SALES PRICES<br />
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*Subject to size and colour.<br />
Sefton Meadows<br />
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Maghull, L31 8BT<br />
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51
52<br />
Food & Drink<br />
In a tug-of-war relationship with food and fitness for many years, blogger<br />
Sam Murphy is the first to admit her initial foray into veganism wasn’t a<br />
healthy one.<br />
The 24-year-old, who hails from New Zealand, had anorexia as a teenager,<br />
and initially, switching to veganism proved another means of controlling her<br />
eating and introducing new restrictions.<br />
“I was raw vegan for a while, and I was so obsessed<br />
with eating only raw foods in their natural state,”<br />
explains Murphy. “I can see how easy it is to slip into<br />
that, because essentially it’s addictive, you become<br />
obsessed with it. It’s a control thing.<br />
“If you’ve got something in your life that you feel a<br />
bit out of control with, a lot of us will turn to food<br />
and control that. I know I do.”<br />
After moving to Melbourne, where she still lives<br />
and works in a vegan cafe, Murphy slowly began<br />
to change her habits and rebuild a healthier<br />
relationship with nourishing her body, reintroducing<br />
the full gamut of vegan-friendly foods (and actually<br />
cooking them), opening up about her experiences<br />
in her blog (sobeautifullyreal.com) and, eventually,<br />
shaking off her staunchly-held views of ‘good’ and<br />
‘bad’ foods.<br />
“Having spent so many years having a very strict<br />
food rule list, I still catch myself out having those<br />
pre-conceived ideas about what is good and<br />
bad,” she admits. “It really restricts you creatively,<br />
but it also restricts your enjoyment for food. The<br />
challenge for me and for others is to break down<br />
barriers and just enjoy food as food, and obviously<br />
the important thing is keeping it within the realm of being dairy-free and<br />
cruelty-free.<br />
Beautifully real<br />
By Keeley Bolger<br />
“I don’t see any reason why you should have to label something good or bad;<br />
it should just be real food.”<br />
Although she still has bad days, reflecting on her recovery, Murphy says: “I
53<br />
got to a point where my survival instincts kicked<br />
in. Something clicks, and you realise you definitely<br />
don’t want to live your life that way, and it’s that<br />
drive to keep striving for more but also to be really<br />
patient and really forgiving and loving towards<br />
yourself, and to know that you’re going to have ups<br />
and downs.<br />
“As soon as I removed the expectation that<br />
recovery was going to be this consistent uphill on<br />
a progressive scale, it relaxed me a little bit more,”<br />
she adds. “I’m able to deal with those moments that<br />
aren’t so great, which I still have - I’m human.”<br />
Her debut cookbook, Beautifully Real Food - a<br />
gorgeous, colourful collection of mouthwatering<br />
vegan dishes - is clearly the work of somebody who<br />
now celebrates the joy of food.<br />
She’s keen not to preach about veganism though,<br />
especially since, as a former meat-eater, she recalls<br />
finding the concept very alien.<br />
“When I first heard of vegans, I thought it was the<br />
weirdest thing in the world. I was like, ‘What the hell<br />
do those people eat? It’s like eating grass!’” she says<br />
with a laugh.<br />
“It’s different. People are very set in their ways and<br />
I was too, and I suppose it’s more about educating,<br />
just trying it out. I don’t expect everyone in the<br />
world to go vegan, but if they could just try a meal<br />
that is vegan, possibly not knowing that it is vegan<br />
first, that would be ideal, so they go in with a very<br />
open mind.<br />
“The more people we can get on board, the better,”<br />
says Murphy. “I try not to push my views on people;<br />
I just welcome them in like ‘Hey, I’ll cook you some<br />
food and see if you like it!’”<br />
Tempted to see if you’d like it? Here are three recipes<br />
from Beautifully Real Food to try at home...<br />
Beautifully Real Food: Guilt-Free,<br />
Meat-Free Recipes To Indulge In by Sam<br />
Murphy is published by Blink Publishing<br />
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54<br />
Turmeric Baked Beans,<br />
Potato Hash & Sautéed<br />
Greens<br />
Serves 2<br />
Ingredients<br />
For the potato hash:<br />
3 medium-large potatoes, peeled and chopped<br />
1tbsp vegan butter<br />
For the baked beans:<br />
2tsp coconut oil<br />
1 red onion, finely diced<br />
1 garlic clove, minced<br />
1 × 400g can haricot beans, rinsed and drained<br />
1tsp ground turmeric<br />
1tsp ground cumin<br />
1/4tsp ground nutmeg<br />
1tbsp coconut sugar (available from Tesco or<br />
Ocado)<br />
1-2tsp vegetable bouillon or paste<br />
125ml tomato puree<br />
1/2 a 400g can chopped tomatoes<br />
1tbsp coconut cream<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
Sautéed greens and mushrooms, to serve<br />
Method<br />
Prepare the hash by chopping the potatoes and<br />
boiling until tender. Remove from heat and rinse in<br />
water.<br />
In a non-stick frying pan, simply fry the potatoes<br />
with the vegan butter over a medium heat until the<br />
potatoes are slightly crispy and broken up.<br />
For the baked beans, heat up the coconut oil in a<br />
non-stick frying pan and sauté the onion and garlic<br />
until fragrant and browned.<br />
Add the beans, spices, coconut sugar, vegetable<br />
bouillon, tomato puree and canned tomatoes.<br />
Simmer for five to six minutes over a medium heat.<br />
Add the coconut cream and stir in. Remove from<br />
the heat and serve. Season to taste and serve with<br />
sautéed greens and mushrooms.
55<br />
Loaded Vegan Hot Dogs<br />
Serves 2-3<br />
Ingredients<br />
For the sweet chilli sauce:<br />
1-2tsp hot sauce or chilli paste<br />
2tbsp reduced-salt tomato puree<br />
2-3tbsp maple syrup<br />
1tsp garlic powder<br />
1tsp onion powder<br />
1/2tsp salt<br />
Water to thin, if necessary<br />
For the cheesy mustard mayo:<br />
1tsp Dijon mustard<br />
1tbsp tahini<br />
1tbsp maple syrup<br />
2tsp nutritional yeast<br />
1tsp onion powder<br />
3-4tbsp hot water (to reach your desired<br />
consistency)<br />
1/8tsp salt<br />
For the hot dogs:<br />
2-3 vegan sausages<br />
1/2 red onion, sliced<br />
1-2tbsp oil, for frying<br />
2-3 hot dog buns<br />
Salt and pepper, to taste<br />
Sesame seeds<br />
Method<br />
Prepare the sauces by mixing each separately in<br />
a bowl and storing in resealable plastic bags. Set<br />
aside.<br />
In a large frying pan, fry the vegan sausages and red<br />
onion in a little oil until the sausages are browned<br />
and crispy on all sides and the onions are crispy.<br />
Drain on a paper towel.<br />
Warm the buns in the oven or microwave.<br />
To assemble the hot dogs, cut a slice down the<br />
centre of the hot dog bun with a bread knife (ensure<br />
you do not cut all the way through). To apply the<br />
sauces, simply slice a small corner off the resealable<br />
plastic bags with scissors and squeeze as you would<br />
with a piping bag.<br />
Spread a thin layer of sweet chilli sauce inside the<br />
bun and then insert the vegan sausage. Sprinkle<br />
with sesame seeds. Top with onion, salt and pepper<br />
and finish with a drizzle of both the sweet chilli<br />
sauce and cheesy mustard mayo.
56<br />
Upload your event for FREE at<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk/events<br />
Follow us on Facebook<br />
events2go<br />
Charity KILO SALE<br />
Thursday, <strong>January</strong> 18, 10am<br />
A vintage and High <strong>St</strong>reet kilo sale where you can grab<br />
some bargains at just £10/Kilo with all proceeds going<br />
to the British Heart Foundation. Find amazing vintage<br />
from various eras, and clothing from high street brands.<br />
Early bird entry 10am-11am is £3 on the door, and<br />
general entry from 11am is £2 on the door.<br />
The City of Liverpool College, Roscoe <strong>St</strong>reet,<br />
Liverpool, L1 9DW. Tel: 0151 252 3000<br />
<strong>St</strong>ill Born, <strong>St</strong>ill Loved<br />
Thursday, <strong>January</strong> 25, 7pm (film starts 7.40pm)<br />
<strong>St</strong>ill Loved explores the struggles felt by families<br />
surviving baby loss. Giving an unexpected voice to<br />
bereaved fathers, who speak candidly providing an<br />
additional perspective. This is a brave, inclusive and<br />
ultimately life affirming film, for anyone that has ever, or<br />
will ever, lose someone they love.<br />
Mercure <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, Linkway West, WA10 1NG. Tel:<br />
01744 453444<br />
Dance To The Music <strong>2018</strong><br />
Wednesday, Jan 31, 7.30pm (doors open 6.30pm)<br />
‘Dance to the Music’ is a dance show like no other!<br />
Experience the evolution of dance, starting in the<br />
roaring twenties, with tap and Charleston, up to<br />
modern day Ballroom and Latin! For more info www.<br />
sthelenstheatreroyal.com<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Theatre Royal, Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 1LQ. Box Office: 01744 756 000<br />
Research Your Family Tree<br />
Wednesday, <strong>January</strong> 31, 4.30pm-6.30pm<br />
This taster session is the introduction to a free five week<br />
course to help you start researching your own family<br />
tree. Suitable for beginners and for all ages. The five<br />
week course runs from Tuesday, February 20 to Tuesday<br />
March 20 1pm- 3pm. Booking is required. Contact<br />
adultlearning@sthelens.gov.uk or call 01744 677675 to<br />
reserve your place.<br />
Eccleston Community Library, Broadway,<br />
Eccleston WA10 5PJ. Tel: 01744 677575<br />
Ghost Hunt<br />
Friday, Feb 2, 9pm, to Saturday, Feb 3, 3am<br />
Join Haunted Houses for a unforgettable ghost hunt<br />
experience at Mill <strong>St</strong>reet Barracks. In 1890, the building<br />
was the Headquarters of the 2nd Volunteer South<br />
Lancashire Regiment, and during both World Wars,<br />
the building was used as an RAF barracks and housing<br />
wounded soldiers. Tickets are £32 per person from<br />
www.haunted-houses.co.uk<br />
Mill <strong>St</strong>reet Barracks, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 2BB.<br />
The Script | Liverpool<br />
Monday, February 12, 7pm-10pm<br />
With their recent album Freedom Child launching to<br />
No.1 on the UK Official Album Chart, The Script has<br />
announced a series of UK and Ireland arena tour dates.<br />
Visit http://tidd.ly/e4c576b6 for tickets which are £41.25<br />
(incl. booking fee) and more info.<br />
Echo Arena Liverpool, Monarchs Quay, Liverpool,<br />
L3 4FP. Tel: 0844 800 0400
57<br />
The Wizard of Oz<br />
Tuesday, February 13, to Sunday, February 18<br />
This family classic includes a hilariously funny script,<br />
dazzling costumes and sets, plus brilliant songs and<br />
show-stopping choreography. More info and tickets<br />
www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Theatre Royal, Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 1LQ. Box Office: 01744 756 000<br />
Postgrad LIVE! Liverpool<br />
Thursday, February 15, 12pm-3pm<br />
Whether you’re a student thinking about your future<br />
options, a recent graduate looking to add to your<br />
qualifications, or currently working and considering a<br />
career change, Postgrad LIVE! Liverpool will help you<br />
gather the info you need to plan your steps toward<br />
Masters or PhD study. Visit www.findamasters.com<br />
Liverpool Guild of <strong>St</strong>udents, 160 Mount Pleasant,<br />
Liverpool, L3 5TR. Tel: 0151 794 6868<br />
Southport 60s Weekend<br />
Friday, Feb 16, 7pm to Sunday, Feb 18, 11.59pm<br />
Great music from the likes of, The Rag Dolls, The Berries,<br />
The Fourmost and The Undertakers plus much more<br />
all under one roof. Full weekend tickets are £199 (incl.<br />
three nights’ accommodation), call 01757 700042 for<br />
tickets and more info.<br />
Prince of Wales Hotel, Lord <strong>St</strong>, Southport, PR8 1JS.<br />
Tel: 01704 536688<br />
The Lancashire Hotpots<br />
Saturday, February 17, 7.30pm-11pm<br />
The Lancashire Hotpots return for another cracking gig!<br />
Support comes from the ‘Kings of Clubland’ <strong>St</strong>u Penders<br />
& Spladoosh. This gig sells out every year so try to get<br />
tickets sooner rather than later. Tickets are £13 from<br />
www.citadel.org.uk Under 18s must be accompanied<br />
by an adult and seated on the balcony upstairs.<br />
The Citadel Arts Centre, Waterloo <strong>St</strong>reet <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>,<br />
WA10 1PX. Tel: 01744 735436<br />
I LOVE ME Wellbeing Event<br />
Sunday, February 18, 10am-5pm<br />
Come along to this uplifting event where you’ll have the<br />
opportunity to try a wide variety of holistic treatments<br />
and try out some new complimentary therapies.<br />
Browse the stalls and discover new products. Entrance<br />
fee is £2, but kids go free. Contact Lyndsay May for more<br />
info 07572 066365.<br />
Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford,<br />
WA11 8HB. Tel: 01744 884709<br />
Rainford Heritage Society<br />
Monday, February 19, 7.30pm<br />
The Society is hosting a talk on the manufacture and<br />
usage of manuscripts in Medieval England and France<br />
by Brian Farrimond. Entry is £2 per person.<br />
Function Room, Junction pub, Rainford, WA11<br />
7JU. Tel: 01744 882868<br />
Hot Pot Lunch<br />
Monday, February 19, 1pm-4pm<br />
Come and join us for a lovely warm homemade hot<br />
pot, cake or scone and unlimited tea/coffee Byroney’s<br />
Cafe & Bistro. For those not rushing home, you can stay<br />
a while and have a sing song or join in with some fun<br />
games. Tickets are £12 and is hosted by <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> &<br />
Warrington Oddfellows. For info, call 01744 453650.<br />
Byroney’s Cafe & Bistro, 2 George <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>,<br />
WA10 1BU. Tel: 01744 612122<br />
The Little Mix Experience<br />
Tuesday, February 20, 6pm-9pm<br />
Four talented girls pay tribute to the UK’s top girl-band,<br />
Little Mix. With breathtaking dance moves, replica<br />
costumes this is a high-energy show, packed with all of<br />
Little Mix’s greatest hits. Tickets £12.50 (+£1.50 booking<br />
fee) from https://sthelenstheatreroyal.ticketsolve.com<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Theatre Royal, Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 1LQ. Tel: 01744 756000
58<br />
RAOC Veterans Reunion<br />
Saturday, March 3, 7pm-11.59pm<br />
If you’re ex RAOC and in the area you’re welcome to<br />
attend the veterans reunion, but you must book so<br />
that food numbers can be calculated. For more info visit<br />
http://raoc.websitetoolbox.com/<br />
Eagle & Child, 38 Main <strong>St</strong>reet, Billinge, Wigan,<br />
WN5 7HD. Tel: 01744 892453<br />
Comic Con<br />
Saturday, March 3, 10am-5pm<br />
There’ll be Cosplay, special guests and exhibitors<br />
at Liverpool’s very own Independent Comic Con.<br />
All enquiries should be sent to epic@liverpoolcon.<br />
com. For more info visit www.facebook.com/<br />
events/1406295456147872/<br />
<strong>St</strong> George’s Hall, Liverpool, L1 1JJ. Tel: 0151 233<br />
3020<br />
Some Guys Have All The Luck<br />
Sunday, March 4, 7.30pm-10.15pm<br />
This production celebrates the career of one of rocks<br />
greatest icons, Rod <strong>St</strong>ewart – from street busker<br />
through to international superstar! All tickets are<br />
£21.50(+£1.50 fee) from https://sthelenstheatreroyal.<br />
ticketsolve.com<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Theatre Royal, Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet, WA10<br />
1LQ. Tel: 01744 756000<br />
Apprenticeships Open Day<br />
Monday, March 5, 1pm-2pm<br />
Visit Liverpool Chamber to find out all about the<br />
Apprenticeships, traineeships and fast track courses<br />
available. If you can’t make it email apprenticeships@<br />
sthelenschamber.com to find out more or call <strong>St</strong>arting<br />
Point on 01744 698800 or visit www.sthelenschamber.<br />
com<br />
Chamber Training, 1 Old Hall <strong>St</strong>reet, Liverpool, L3<br />
9HG. Tel: 01744 742045<br />
Luke Daniels<br />
Friday, March 9, 7.30pm-11pm<br />
The BBC award-winning singer songwriter and<br />
composer. He creates masterful acoustic folk music<br />
encompassing humble woodnotes to syrupy<br />
synthesized twists. Tickets £14 from www.citadel.org.uk<br />
The Citadel Arts Centre, Waterloo <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 1PX. Tel: 01744 735436<br />
Rio Carnival in Liverpool<br />
Friday, March 16, 10pm to Saturday, March 17,<br />
4am<br />
There’ll be Latin parade performers, you can learn<br />
to Carnival samba with infamous Rio beats and<br />
rhythms and international DJ’s. As well as a range of<br />
South American <strong>St</strong>reet Food <strong>St</strong>alls, Brazilian beers,<br />
and a face paint artist to get you party ready. Find<br />
out all you need to know at www.facebook.com/<br />
events/510369545981463/<br />
Liverpool<br />
Chip Shop Chips<br />
Saturday, March 17, 2pm-4pm and Saturday,<br />
March 17, 7pm-9pm<br />
It’s the grand reopening of Booth and Son’s Fish & Chip<br />
Shop. Eric has returned home forty years later, and it’s<br />
time for a fresh start. But old flame Christine has other<br />
ideas. Tickets are £5-£8 from www.eventbrite.co.uk<br />
Parr Library, Fleet Lane, Parr, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA9 1SY.<br />
Tel: 01744 677580<br />
Rainford Heritage Society<br />
Monday, March 19, 7.30pm, 7.30pm<br />
The Society is hosting a talk entitled “How Ormskirk<br />
treated evacuees from Liverpool in WW2” by Roger<br />
Bloxall. Everyone is welcome; entry is £2 per person.<br />
Function Room, Junction pub, Rainford, WA11<br />
7JU. Tel: 01744 882868
59<br />
Garswood Park<br />
by David Sudworth<br />
Once upon a time, the way to assure<br />
immortality was to have a statue erected in<br />
the local market square. These days, it’s having a pub<br />
named after you.<br />
Sir Thomas Gerard has that distinction on Gerard<br />
<strong>St</strong>reet (where else?) in Ashton-in-Makerfield.<br />
Despite said pub being housed in an old Kwik Save<br />
supermarket store, it does little to diminish his aura as<br />
a hero who was sent to the Tower of London for trying<br />
to rescue Mary Queen of Scots.<br />
This walk roams around the Gerard family’s old<br />
stomping ground. Part of the estate is still there, but<br />
more of that later.<br />
We park up on Woodedge (postcode WN4 9JZ) and<br />
head north west through Skitters Wood. Millingford<br />
Brook runs through the heart of Skitters, and you<br />
can follow it pretty much to where it goes towards<br />
the M6. For non-aquatic species such as ourselves,<br />
it’s much better to take the footbridge over the<br />
M6. Once across, the path will take you right and<br />
then veer left, past some detached homes and up<br />
towards Low Bank Road. After about five minutes<br />
on Low Bank Road, turn left onto Camp Road.<br />
Without much fanfare, you’ve just crossed from<br />
Greater Manchester and into Merseyside. Follow<br />
Camp Road as it merges into Gibbons Road before
60<br />
were also lost, although most of the parkland<br />
designed by Humphry Repton including a large<br />
fish pond survived and still exists today. During<br />
World War II, the estate was used as a Prisoner of<br />
War camp and also as a training base for American<br />
troops preparing for the D-Day landing (more on<br />
this a little later in the walk).<br />
We walk past the gates, onto Millfield Lane, and<br />
head towards Haydock Industrial Estate.<br />
turning left on to Tithebarn Road.<br />
These farm fields are always producing something,<br />
and we could spot the first signs of some green veg<br />
as we wandered up.<br />
If you’ve got a pair of binoculars handy, it’s worth<br />
turning left and getting a good sight of Winter Hill.<br />
On a very clear day, it feels like you could almost<br />
touch it.<br />
We’re now heading towards Ashton Cross (yes<br />
Ordnance, not ‘Aston Cross’ as your maps show). It’s<br />
a busy old junction, close to the East Lancs Road<br />
and the M6. Across Liverpool Road, you’ll see the<br />
majestic Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf Club gates.<br />
These are in fact the original gates to the Gerard<br />
family’s old home, Garswood Park.<br />
The main house, Garswood New Hall, was built in<br />
the 17th century but was demolished in 1921 along<br />
with its associated outbuildings. The formal gardens<br />
On the left, you will pass a very grand looking black<br />
and white house. Le Chateau, as it is now called,<br />
is the former estate office for Garswood Park. It<br />
looked unloved for many years, and has been<br />
sympathetically restored to its former glory.<br />
You need to keep your eyes peeled at this point as<br />
the public footpath you need to take on the left<br />
is somewhat obscured. The entrance is directly<br />
opposite Millfield Farm, which itself is well signed.<br />
This stretch is pretty much straight for about a mile,<br />
until it reaches the M6 motorway bridge at the<br />
rear of Byrchall and <strong>St</strong> Edmund Arrowsmith high<br />
schools.<br />
The stretch can get very muddy in places, so this<br />
does slow you down, and you have to ensure you<br />
don’t veer off piste. The trick is not to follow the<br />
deep tyre track grooves in the ground, as you’ll end<br />
up about 100 yards away from the bridge (yes, that<br />
happened to us). Instead, stick to the map and you’ll
61<br />
arrive at the bridge without an unnecessary detour.<br />
At the height of summer, finding the bridge can be<br />
difficult as there is heavy leaf cover, so sticking to<br />
the map is doubly important.<br />
Once across the bridge, turn right and follow the<br />
path round the boundary wall of Byrchall. You<br />
eventually come out on Chelwood Park. Once at the<br />
end, turn left on to Warrington Road. Here, you’ll be<br />
walking along the front of Byrchall. Now, remember<br />
earlier I mentioned about a prisoner of war camp?<br />
Well, it was actually sited where the Byrchall<br />
buildings are today. One famous prisoner held there<br />
was Bert Trautmann, a Nazi paratrooper. After the<br />
war, Bremen-born Trautmann refused to go back to<br />
Germany, and instead played as a goalkeeper for<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Town and then for Manchester City. He<br />
shot to fame when he broke his neck - but carried<br />
on playing - during the 1956 FA Cup Final. As no<br />
substitutes were allowed back then, Trautmann<br />
played on and helped City to a famous 3-1 victory<br />
over Fulham. Carrying on the walk, we turn left into<br />
Vicarage Road, then right onto <strong>St</strong> Oswald’s Road<br />
before heading left, back down Liverpool Road.<br />
Turn right into Woodedge and you’ll soon see<br />
Skitters Wood again on the right hand side. You can<br />
either go through the wood, following the westerly<br />
paths, or carry on until the end of Woodedge and<br />
take the footpath opposite Orton Way, through the<br />
woods and back to where we started.<br />
Over 40 Lancashire<br />
walks<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
FREE to download at<br />
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62<br />
This is an ideal walk for this time of year - there’s<br />
not too many fields so mud splattering is kept to<br />
an acceptable level, but you still get a decent dose<br />
of local history. It’s well connected via road and bus,<br />
and there’s no shortage of places to stop for a drink<br />
of bite to eat. You could even try the eponymously<br />
named Sir Thomas Gerard close by... although you<br />
may want to change your footwear beforehand!<br />
Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and<br />
footwear while walking. While every care has been<br />
taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the<br />
publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and<br />
hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or<br />
damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from<br />
negligence, accident or other cause.<br />
Length of walk: 4.2 miles<br />
Difficulty: Easy<br />
Accessibility: Fairly straightforward, although the<br />
stretch down the side of Ashton-in-Makerfield Golf<br />
Club is very boggy at colder times of the year. The<br />
route is served by the 156 bus, which stops near<br />
Ashton Cross.<br />
Low Bank Road<br />
Skitters Wood<br />
Camp Road<br />
Ashton<br />
<strong>St</strong>range Road<br />
Woodedge<br />
Gibbons Road<br />
Liverpool Road<br />
J24<br />
Garswood Park<br />
Roman Road<br />
Millfield Lane<br />
M6<br />
FB
63<br />
Test Drive<br />
McLaren 570GT<br />
The letters ‘G’ and ‘T’ are used far too often on<br />
cars. And, yes, I’m referring to a grand tourer<br />
rather than a gin and tonic. Some automakers think<br />
that by sticking a ‘GT’ badge on the boot lid it makes<br />
their product instantly irresistible. Many are wrong<br />
about that. But McLaren isn’t. Indeed, the 570GT is<br />
so far from wrong, it’s untrue.<br />
McLaren’s 570GT is one of the best cars the<br />
British firm makes and it’s undeniably the most<br />
multitalented sports car, too. You can probably tell<br />
I was utterly blown away with the 570GT when I<br />
tested it on British bitumen recently. Fundamentally,<br />
McLaren has taken the awesome 570S and has<br />
injected it with an extra dose of civility. The result is<br />
by Tim Barnes-Clay<br />
the 570GT – a machine that’s as refined as possible<br />
without swapping for a smaller power unit and<br />
additional seats.<br />
The 570GT even looks like the 570S, but there are<br />
some major differences between the models. The<br />
latter’s flying buttresses have been replaced by<br />
curved bodywork that comprises a glass hatch.<br />
There’s a respectable 220-litres of load space under<br />
there, meaning the 570GT has a genuine practical<br />
edge to it. The car also has a glass roof that makes<br />
the cabin airy and full of mood-enhancing light.<br />
The engine, normally on display in the McLaren<br />
570S, is tastefully concealed under a leather floor<br />
in the 570GT. While, inside, the car gets extra
#<br />
64<br />
Fast Facts<br />
• 0-62 mph: 3.4 secs<br />
• Combined mpg: 26.4<br />
• Engine layout: 3799cc twin-turbocharged V8<br />
• Max. power (PS): 570<br />
• CO2: 249 g/km<br />
• Price: £154,000<br />
soundproofing, soft-close doors and electric heated<br />
seats. If that’s not enough to start justifying those<br />
letters ‘G’ and ‘T’, the 570GT is equipped with a more<br />
hushed exhaust system and softer suspension. The<br />
steering is also milder than the 570S’.<br />
These changes make the McLaren 570GT a car you<br />
could use every day. The ride is pliable enough<br />
to make our pothole-ridden roads bearable, and<br />
motorway cruising din is subdued enough so that<br />
your ears don’t bleed.<br />
But, just because you could use the GT on a daily<br />
basis doesn’t mean this is a lacklustre McLaren. Oh<br />
no. In every other way, the 570GT does everything<br />
else a full-fat McLaren does. And, most importantly,<br />
it looks one of the meanest, sexiest cars out there.<br />
It’s a major head-turner, that’s for sure.<br />
With just a quick stab of the 570GT’s starter button,<br />
the twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 lump barks into life.<br />
Depress the gas pedal and the increase of velocity<br />
is hard-hitting, due to the 570 horses under the<br />
lid. And snapping up and down the cogs via the<br />
paddle-mounted gears-shifters is a real smileinducer.<br />
Zero to 62mph is done in an insanely rapid<br />
3.4 seconds, while the top speed is a licence-losing<br />
204mph.<br />
Regardless of the additional luxuries added to the<br />
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65<br />
GT, this McLaren’s cabin stays broadly the same as<br />
in the 570S’. It’s a work of genius in contemporary<br />
sports car interior design and a long way from<br />
the chaotic button-fest of the Ferrari 488 or the<br />
unemotional ambience in Porsche’s 911 Turbo.<br />
You sit near to the ground but erect in the 570GT,<br />
so visibility is very good. And, as mentioned earlier,<br />
it’s comfortable enough to be used as a real-world<br />
form of transport.<br />
While the alterations from the 570S to GT could<br />
be seen as fairly minor, they make a substantial<br />
difference to the McLaren driving experience. The<br />
British sports car maker has constructed a machine<br />
that is as calm as possible, without kicking any of<br />
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66<br />
New pjs and slippers<br />
by Angie Barker<br />
Happy New Year everyone! I hope that<br />
Father Christmas brought you everything<br />
you wished for? Hubby excelled himself this year in<br />
the present buying department – although I didn’t<br />
get the trip to Hampton Court Flower Show that I’d<br />
kept dropping hints about – but he did remember<br />
my pj size!<br />
At this time of year I love curling up in front of the fire<br />
- in my new pjs and slippers - and browsing through<br />
a good gardening book or magazine. It gives me<br />
some inspiration for the forthcoming year and helps<br />
to take my mind off the impending credit card bill.<br />
(Well, Hubby is worth it). This is the perfect time<br />
of year for planning ahead and one of the biggest<br />
problems I hear about from clients when they are<br />
assessing their garden, is the lack of seasonal interest<br />
and colour.<br />
All garden designers have a favourite list of plants<br />
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and time again. To some extent this will be down<br />
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those plants bring something to a planting scheme,<br />
whether this be structure, colour, movement or<br />
scent.<br />
Award Winner<br />
I thought I’d give you a glimpse of my own list of<br />
plants which I simply could not be without in my<br />
own garden and which I include in many of my<br />
planting plans;<br />
Buxus sempervirens or Box – can be topiary or<br />
hedging for evergreen structure<br />
Bergenia ‘Bressingham Beauty’ – good seasonal<br />
interest, colour and texture<br />
Hakonechloa macra ‘Aureola’ – a beautiful, low<br />
mounded grass which looks amazing under Acers<br />
Heuchera ‘Palace Purple’ – good texture and colour<br />
Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ – has scent and<br />
makes a lovely small hedge<br />
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm’ – long lasting late<br />
summer colour and fabulous for bees and butterflies<br />
Sarcococca confusa – strong scent in winter – just<br />
when our spirits need a lift<br />
These are just a handful, there are so many other<br />
brilliant plants to chose from. I feel inspired already<br />
– roll on spring!<br />
Angie is a qualified<br />
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67<br />
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Established in 1984 as an emergency glazing service, today Dennis Goulding has grown and moved<br />
forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and<br />
embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that<br />
cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working<br />
with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect<br />
every step of the way and on that you have my word! <strong>St</strong>uart Goulding<br />
Don’t forget, we also offer all of these services daily...<br />
Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double Glazed Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, Safety<br />
Glass, Toughened Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced<br />
A5209<br />
B5250<br />
Open:<br />
Dennis Goulding<br />
J27<br />
Shevington<br />
A49<br />
<strong>St</strong>andish<br />
Wind Turbines<br />
Heat Pumps<br />
LED Lighting<br />
.and general<br />
Energy Savings<br />
Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road,<br />
Wrightington, WN6 9RS<br />
(Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)<br />
Telephone: 01257 427 000<br />
Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 noon<br />
www.dglwindows.co.uk<br />
TwinLakesMotorEngin ers<br />
and we’ l provide you with a<br />
detailed report showing the<br />
returns available from your<br />
own solar panels<br />
(10% typical return)<br />
Visit our showr om at<br />
Unit 4a,<br />
Cricket <strong>St</strong>r et Busine s Park<br />
o f Miry Lane,<br />
Wigan.<br />
WN6 7TP<br />
or<br />
Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk<br />
Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk<br />
70<br />
Design & Print<br />
Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />
and distribution service.<br />
For more information call<br />
01744 649 722<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Gel<br />
Nails<br />
norma ly £20<br />
now £15<br />
Lashes<br />
Spray Tan<br />
Sunbeds<br />
Acrylic & Gel Nails<br />
Natalies @ <strong>St</strong>udio 84<br />
84 Rainford Road, Billinge WN5 7PG<br />
Telephone: 07814 619 400<br />
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM<br />
Closed Thursday & Sunday<br />
Mo sy Lea Road<br />
T<br />
Y<br />
R<br />
E<br />
S<br />
Solar Thermal<br />
& Solar PV<br />
Book<br />
your FREE<br />
home survey<br />
CAR & VAN SERVICING<br />
FREE<br />
Car Health Check<br />
.and motorcycles too<br />
for a l residents of Croston and Bretherton<br />
Keep me until you need me!<br />
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Ca l now on<br />
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0843 224 9555<br />
07595 420237<br />
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Domestic + Commercial<br />
Boiler + Central Heating<br />
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Extended warranties available<br />
24 Hour Call-out<br />
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Freephone 0300 3030121<br />
Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809<br />
21, Naburn Drive, Orrell, WN5 8SB<br />
Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk<br />
www.orrellheating.co.uk<br />
506515<br />
Specialists in boiler installations, repair & maintenance<br />
All work fully warranted<br />
Email ops@hotmail.co.uk<br />
Book a boiler health check for £65<br />
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GARAGE DOOR<br />
REPAIRS<br />
All GARAGE DOORS REPAIRED :<br />
Springs, Cables, Locks, Rollers etc.<br />
Doors of all ages repaired<br />
01744 894939 / 07891 330214<br />
www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk<br />
<strong>St</strong>rawberry Cottage, Pimbo Road, <strong>St</strong>.<strong>Helens</strong> WN8 9QL<br />
CALL PAUL<br />
LOCKSMITHS<br />
ESTABLISHED 2000<br />
• UPVC & WOODEN DOOR SPECIALIST<br />
• Emergency Door Opening<br />
• UPVC Door Lock Repairs<br />
• UPVC Door Lock Changes<br />
• UPVC Door Lock Upgrades<br />
• Wood Door Lock Changes<br />
• All Work Guaranteed<br />
A Registered Insured NCFE Certified Company<br />
Call Paul for a<br />
Fast, Reliable, Professional Service<br />
Over 40 Lancashire<br />
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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
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07932 718 362<br />
WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK
72<br />
Matthew Rigby<br />
Plastering & Damp Proofing<br />
Specialist<br />
Our expert plasterers can take on the biggest<br />
and most complex jobs<br />
Our clients are assured of an impeccable service<br />
boasting quality and cleanliness<br />
We use only the finest damp proofing products<br />
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Reliable, Friendly, <strong>Local</strong> Service<br />
Contact Matthew on<br />
07840 096233<br />
Based in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />
01744 602931 or 07756 274503<br />
7 Albany Avenue, Eccleston Park, L34 2QN<br />
A.J.Davies Est.1991<br />
Painter & Decorator<br />
Paper Hanging a Speciality<br />
Friendly & Very Reliable Service<br />
Both Domestic & Commercial<br />
Trading for over 26 years<br />
Call Adam on 01744 755 005<br />
e-mail ajdaviesdecorator@hotmail.co.uk<br />
NEED<br />
A FIX IT<br />
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MultiSkilled Handyman<br />
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Decorating, Building, Gates supplied & fitted<br />
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PlC MAINTENANCE<br />
07847 394040 ~ 01744 606938<br />
MARDEC<br />
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jobs welcomed<br />
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No job too small<br />
All aspects of DIY<br />
• Plumbing Repairs<br />
• Flat Pack Assembly<br />
• Landlord & estate agent services<br />
• CCTV fitting<br />
• Locks changing<br />
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Fully Insured<br />
Green House Group M: 07947 425288<br />
Want to promote your company in<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
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locallife247.co.uk<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Established 1992<br />
01744 894 431<br />
07931 282 896
Transform your home<br />
with a brand new driveway<br />
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Resin Driveways<br />
20%<br />
WINTER<br />
DISCOUNT*<br />
*on bookings before the<br />
31st March <strong>2018</strong><br />
Tarmac Driveways<br />
J.P.Surfacing<br />
Made in Lancashire<br />
Established over 25 years<br />
42, Seymour Road,<br />
Astley Bridge,<br />
Bolton, BL1 8PT<br />
01204 590 499<br />
jp-surfacing.co.uk
74<br />
M H Roofing<br />
Established over 15 years<br />
Friendly advice and competitive rates<br />
No job too small<br />
• High Performance Felt Flat Roof Systems<br />
• <strong>St</strong>orm Damage and Insurance Work<br />
• Slating and Tiling full roofs<br />
• Poiniting and Guttering • Fascia Boards<br />
Call 01744 884117<br />
or 07702 693225<br />
www.mhroofingltd.co.uk<br />
Fully Insured & Insurance<br />
Backed Guarantees<br />
Our Focus Is<br />
Quality & Price<br />
LOCAL FAMILY<br />
FIRM<br />
All aspects<br />
of Building &<br />
Roofing UPVC<br />
Rooflines<br />
References Available<br />
From a Loose<br />
Slate to a<br />
Complete<br />
Construction<br />
Extensions &<br />
Alterations Specialists<br />
Call us on... 01744 600074<br />
Mobile: 07867 592460<br />
13 Hawes Ave, Carr Mill, WA11 7EA<br />
• WILSON BROS •<br />
Est. 1985<br />
Roofing & Roofline Specialists<br />
• All aspects of maintenance & repair<br />
• Fascia & soffit installation<br />
• Guttering and felting services<br />
Call us now for a free estimate<br />
01695 633173<br />
Colin: 07958 302 166<br />
Brian: 07760 160 988<br />
www.wilson-bros.co.uk
75
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