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Local Life - Wigan - May 2018

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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Edition <strong>May</strong> <strong>2018</strong><br />

Ten Years Old<br />

Pages 38 - 39<br />

Burscough Walk<br />

Pages 78 - 81<br />

The Billinge<br />

split...<br />

Pages 28 - 30<br />

<strong>Local</strong> News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Garden Diary Event2Go Home Services<br />

locallife247.co.uk


2<br />

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offer redevelopment potential.<br />

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3<br />

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Photo for illustration purposes only


4<br />

No magic<br />

buttons<br />

Ctrl+Alt+Del are the buttons you press to reset<br />

your computer, but sadly I’ve discovered that,<br />

in life, there are no magic buttons to press as I try to<br />

reset my relationship with food.<br />

I’m now a fully-up member of the DT2 gang, a<br />

person with diabetes type 2. Which means for me<br />

that, instead of pies, pizzas and the morning pastry,<br />

it is nuts, leaves and berries at least for 8 weeks as I<br />

attempt to turn back the clock, along with my blood<br />

sugar levels, with a 800 calories a day diet.<br />

Luckily for me, a defect in my eyes was spotted early<br />

doors by the opticians Hepworth & Hall who used<br />

their state of the art retinal scanner and told me to<br />

get to the Doc, post haste. So the lesson here is if you<br />

ever get the chance to get a health check-up of any<br />

sort, do grab it even if you think, like I did, that you’re<br />

in fairly good nick. You might regret it if you don’t.<br />

Anyway, on a more positive note (!), <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> turns<br />

10 this month. That happened quickly didn’t it? Our<br />

first issue was produced in a bedroom on Sandy<br />

Lane, Orrell, and we are now based a few hundred<br />

yards away producing magazines for <strong>Wigan</strong>, St<br />

Helens, Chorley, West Lancashire and Leigh each<br />

month.<br />

Sincere thanks from all at <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> go to our loyal<br />

advertisers, our wonderful distributors and to you,<br />

the readers who value our magazines for what we<br />

bring to your life. <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> was launched to inform<br />

and inspire our readers, and hopefully we can<br />

manage that for the next ten years too!<br />

See you next time<br />

Chris Pearce, Publisher<br />

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk


5<br />

In this issue<br />

The Billinge<br />

split...<br />

28<br />

Make <strong>May</strong><br />

purple<br />

Regulars<br />

35 Planning<br />

44 Puzzle Corner<br />

48 Class from the past<br />

Sections<br />

42 Property<br />

50 Health<br />

54 Travel<br />

58 Legal & Finance<br />

60 Business View<br />

73 Garden Diary<br />

82 Test Drive<br />

68 Events2Go<br />

73 Gardening<br />

81 Pets<br />

85 Home Services<br />

50<br />

10 items<br />

no kitchen should<br />

be without<br />

64<br />

Jack’s Tracks visits<br />

Burscough<br />

78<br />

Test Drive<br />

DS 7<br />

Crossback<br />

82<br />

Next issue - June <strong>2018</strong><br />

Advertising deadline - Thursday, 10 <strong>May</strong><br />

Published - Wednesday, 23 <strong>May</strong><br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park,<br />

Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB<br />

Telephone: 01695 627 999<br />

Publisher: Chris<br />

Sales: Nicola<br />

Editorial: Niamh<br />

Design: Peter<br />

Distribution: Sally<br />

Accounts: Sam<br />

<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk<br />

sales@locallife247.co.uk<br />

wigannews@locallife247.co.uk<br />

design@locallife247.co.uk<br />

sallyb@locallife247.co.uk<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 13,299 private homes and<br />

businesses in Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Up Holland,<br />

Highfield, Marus Bridge, Roby Mill and Pemberton.<br />

The next issue is delivered to 13,025 private homes and<br />

businesses in Standish, Shevington, Whitley, Appley<br />

Bridge, Standish Lower Ground, Aspull and Haigh.<br />

You can also pick up a free copy of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> at Sainsburys<br />

or Tesco Extra in <strong>Wigan</strong>.<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<br />

Uproar in Haigh<br />

Haigh Hall is starting to look a little<br />

different, and it’s safe to say a lot of<br />

locals aren’t happy about it.<br />

There’s a lot of upset felt towards Contessa, the new<br />

owner of Haigh Hall and the way the hotel is said<br />

to be taking away the historic value of the building.<br />

<strong>Local</strong>s are angry about the white lines in the<br />

carriageway leading up to the hall and some have<br />

said it now ‘looks like an airport runway.’<br />

The lines were painted on Thursday, March 29, and<br />

neighbours voiced their annoyance immediately,<br />

with some stating cars are now speeding near the<br />

hall.<br />

On Sunday, April 22 from 12pm, a peaceful mass<br />

picnic has been scheduled in the grounds.<br />

Denise Honor said: “The new owners have been<br />

asking visitors to the woodland areas surrounding<br />

the hall to ‘move on.’<br />

“When they took the lease for the hall, public access<br />

was guaranteed so they have no right to do this.”<br />

Lucy Derbyshire posted on the ‘Aspull as we know<br />

it’ Facebook page about new gates which block<br />

access to the hall near the golf shop.<br />

With many residents stating how difficult it is for<br />

those with disabilities, pushchairs, and prams to<br />

visit Haigh Hall.<br />

Denise continued: “The hall was a lot better when it<br />

was in the hands of <strong>Wigan</strong> Council.<br />

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7<br />

Chequer these out<br />

Up Holland will soon be home to<br />

over a hundred new properties as<br />

planning permission is given the<br />

green light.<br />

West Lancashire Council’s planning department<br />

gave plans the go ahead for the proposed<br />

development in on Chequer Lane, Upholland.<br />

The proposed 116 homes will be constructed by<br />

Morris Homes on a 4.96 hectare site on Chequer<br />

Lane, at the junction with Tower Hill Road by the<br />

M58 bridge.<br />

Wainhomes will also be laying bricks on the land<br />

as they plan to construct 66 new homes at the site,<br />

meaning the new proposal will spike the number of<br />

properties on the land to 182.<br />

Proposed plans include the construction of 18 three<br />

bedroom semi-detached houses, 21 three bedroom<br />

detached houses, and 77 four bedroom detached<br />

houses.<br />

It’s safe to say neighbours aren’t happy, as Chris<br />

Gradwell said: “Upholland can not support another<br />

116 dwellings in a small area with such bad roads<br />

and poor publlic transport.”


8<br />

Literary Star<br />

A Winstanley student soars to literary<br />

success with two national prizes.<br />

Lucie Stanfield, 17, had been awarded first prize in<br />

two national creative writing competitions.<br />

Lucie, who is studying English Literature, Creative<br />

Writing and History at Winstanley College, was<br />

picked as the overall winner in the youth category<br />

from hundreds of entries for The Army’s poetry<br />

competition.<br />

Her poem, ‘Truce’, entwines two different<br />

perspectives of Dunkirk, one from real soldiers and<br />

the other from young boys playing soldiers.<br />

On Tuesday, April 24, Lucie will attend the awards<br />

ceremony at London’s National Army Museum<br />

where she will also read the poem.<br />

The writer also won Chester University’s Flash<br />

Fiction competition, with a short story being no<br />

more than 360 words.<br />

Her story ‘The Mermaid’s Purse’<br />

was partly inspired by her<br />

own childhood memories and<br />

love of the beach but has a<br />

deliberately shocking ending.<br />

Gareth Twose, Lucie’s English<br />

teacher, is understandably<br />

extremely proud commenting:<br />

“Lucie has an amazing talent<br />

for writing, combined with a<br />

fantastic imagination which is<br />

a winning formula.”<br />

Lucie added: “When I found out<br />

I had won two competitions I<br />

was surprised but very happy.<br />

“I’m especially looking forward<br />

to going to the awards<br />

ceremony in London next<br />

month.”


9


10<br />

In loving memory<br />

A new community garden on Tracks<br />

Lane, Billinge, has been dedicated to<br />

Ellen Higginbottom.<br />

<strong>Local</strong> volunteers with the help of <strong>Wigan</strong> Council<br />

have created a community garden in memory of<br />

Ellen Higginbottom who was murdered in Orrell<br />

Park last year.<br />

After her death, the garden area became a focal<br />

point for floral tributes to the popular Winstanley<br />

College student.<br />

Corin Lomax, a local volunteer involved in the<br />

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garden project from the beginning, said: “It was<br />

the obvious spot to leave floral tributes to Ellen,<br />

so transforming the entire area into a memorial<br />

garden inspired by her was a natural progression.”<br />

A bench complete with memorial plaque and a<br />

box hedge has been installed by volunteers from<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Council’s greenspaces team, and Moss Bank<br />

Nurseries in Leigh donated bedding plants which<br />

will be replenished by Moss Bank as the seasons’<br />

progress.<br />

The locals who have volunteered to maintain the<br />

site hope visitors will use Ellen’s garden as a place of<br />

quiet reflection and contemplation.<br />

Organisers and volunteers also hope the garden<br />

will eventually become eligible to enter the <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

in Bloom competition.<br />

And local artist, Vikky Crompton, plans to make big<br />

mosaic stepping stones for Ellen’s Garden alongside<br />

anyone who is interested.<br />

To get involved with the mosaics or help with<br />

garden maintenance, please contact Joe Taylor on<br />

01942 700060 or email joe41@blueyonder.co.uk


11<br />

For Nathan<br />

A family fun run is being held in<br />

memory of Nathan Christy who sadly<br />

lost his life to suicide in 2016.<br />

The event, held at Haigh Woodland Park, will raise<br />

awareness of the stigma surrounding mental health<br />

issues.<br />

Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 6 would have been Nathan’s 27th<br />

birthday, and so it is fitting the fun run will be held<br />

in his honour.<br />

Arrive at 8.30am for a 9am start, and run or walk<br />

1km or 5km and raise awareness for mental health.<br />

Organisers said: “We are encouraging people to<br />

start talking about their mental health issues with<br />

the aim of stopping the stigma surrounding mental<br />

health issues and preventing loss of life by suicide.<br />

Entry fees are £3 for children (up to 16 years) and £5<br />

for adults (17+). Participants can sign up at https://<br />

bookitzone.com/noreen_christy/RN2FFX<br />

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12<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Borough’s cultural future is<br />

set for a boost thanks to Arts Council<br />

England (ACE) funding.<br />

The council has secured £10,000 from ACE to go<br />

towards creating a new cultural strategy with the<br />

help of three experts with more than 40 years’<br />

experience between them.<br />

Sue Potts, Debbie Chan and Maria Brewster were<br />

awarded the contract and have a long, credible<br />

history working with local authorities.<br />

Ambitious art<br />

Donna Hall, chief executive of the council and lead<br />

officer for arts and culture in Greater Manchester<br />

said: “We have a significant cultural offer in <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

Borough thanks to council-led opportunities.<br />

“Having a diverse cultural offer is something we’re<br />

proud of and want to grow.<br />

“We want to put <strong>Wigan</strong> Borough at the forefront as<br />

a culturally thriving district and are looking forward<br />

to Sue, Debbie and Maria engaging with local<br />

people, businesses and organisations to see how<br />

the borough’s offer should be shaped.<br />

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13<br />

“This strategy will allow us to focus our efforts and<br />

will benefit the local economy and the wellbeing of<br />

residents.”<br />

The trio said: “We are very excited about working to<br />

raise <strong>Wigan</strong> Borough’s profile.<br />

“We hope that the strategy will help the borough’s<br />

cultural ambitions to flourish, enabling local talent<br />

to be recognised and developed and make the arts<br />

available to everyone.”<br />

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14<br />

Pamper package winner!<br />

Congratulations to Louise Swadkins<br />

from Winstanley who was the lucky<br />

winner of the pamper package for<br />

two at Venus Beauty Studios.<br />

To celebrate the expansion of the Salon, Venus<br />

Beauty Studio gave readers the chance to win a half<br />

hour treatment and use of the GYM ETC facilities.<br />

Louise, of Costessey Way, received her voucher<br />

and told <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> that she would be treating her<br />

mum to the spa day. Louise added, “I have wanted<br />

to treat my Mum for a while now and when I saw<br />

the spa competition I thought that was a perfect<br />

idea. “We are so excited and can’t wait to book our<br />

treatments.”<br />

Louise is pictured with Clare Roughley, owner of<br />

Venus Beauty Studios.<br />

Remember to be in with a chance of winning one of<br />

our great prizes, keep reading <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>!<br />

Start Spreading<br />

The News!<br />

Our new Events2Go platform lets you tell<br />

thousands of people about your event.<br />

Whether it’s a charity do, sportsman’s dinner, wedding fair<br />

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15<br />

Pocket full of sunshine<br />

Eveyon’es invited to Bispham Methodist Church for<br />

their Summer Fair.<br />

<strong>Local</strong> families are welcome to enjoy a fun filled day<br />

together in the community on Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 12,<br />

from 10.30am-1.30pm.<br />

There’ll be a car wash if your motor needs a little<br />

TLC, plants to buy, nearly new baby clothes, as well<br />

as cakes and crafts. Why not try your luck at the<br />

tombola and raffle? Children can enjoy the activities<br />

including Ladybird habitat houses.<br />

Lunch will be provided at the cafe with a special<br />

barbecue to get you in the summer mood.<br />

For more info, call Brenda on 01942 203772.<br />

Tell Us Your Story!<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? <strong>May</strong>be<br />

you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to<br />

fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing<br />

in the next edition!<br />

Simply email us at wigannews@locallife247.co.uk


16<br />

Be our Guest<br />

Ex-pupils of the old Abraham Guest<br />

School in Orrell are invited to a<br />

reunion.<br />

The reunion was originally publicised for the 2002<br />

class, but organiser Chris Parkinson opened the<br />

event to all ex-pupils as he wanted it to feel like<br />

‘more of a celebration than a reunion.’<br />

Originally based on Orrell Road, Abraham Guest<br />

was demolished in 2010 and the school moved to<br />

Greenhey, off City Road, and changed its name last<br />

year to Dean Trust <strong>Wigan</strong>.<br />

Chris said: “Everyone was on about organising a<br />

reunion, so I thought I’d put something together.<br />

“But a lot of people were thinking ‘Oh I might not<br />

see anyone I know,’ and I didn’t want anyone to miss<br />

out, so I thought we should open it up to everyone.<br />

“Quite a few tickets have been sold at the pub,<br />

and I’ve sold quite a few personally. I keep putting<br />

reminders on FB to make<br />

sure people are aware.<br />

“I was a bit nervous at<br />

first wondering if people<br />

would turn up, but a lot<br />

of people are looking<br />

forward to it.<br />

“The DJ is going to put<br />

pictures on a screen, and<br />

I’m having a dance off with my old head of year Mr<br />

Jeff Balmer.<br />

“I thought it was a good thing to do. It’s where I grew<br />

up and the school holds some special memories. I’m<br />

definitely looking forward to it.”<br />

The reunion will be held at the Masonic Hall,<br />

Pemberton, on Saturday, April 28 at 7pm.<br />

If you’d like to attend, tickets are £7.50 and can be<br />

purchased from the White Swan pub in Pemberton.


17


18<br />

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19<br />

Once you’ve meandered around the newly<br />

developed plant area and gift shop, why not take<br />

some time out to visit The Plantation Restaurant in<br />

its country colonial setting. Discover a delightful<br />

selection of delicious homemade meals, using<br />

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Garden centre owner, Richard Allison says, “We<br />

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20<br />

Caffeine fix<br />

One of Orrell’s longest running coffee<br />

mornings will soon be at a new venue.<br />

The Orrell & Billinge Community Network’s event<br />

is held on the last Friday of each month at the<br />

Methodist Church on Church Drive, and will soon<br />

move to the church hall behind the new Living Faith<br />

church on Church Street.<br />

On Friday, <strong>May</strong> 26, 10am, the first coffee morning<br />

will be held at the new location, where in addition<br />

to hot drinks, toast and teacakes, there is also a brica-brac<br />

stall and a popular home-made cake stall.<br />

The profits from the coffee mornings pay for the<br />

Over 75’s Christmas party, and donations are<br />

also made to charity and to the Orrell & Billinge<br />

Community Network.<br />

Organiser Joan Winstanley said “We’re delighted to<br />

be moving to the church hall as it’s a lovely building<br />

and we’d like to thank the Living Faith church for<br />

making us so welcome at their new home.<br />

“All of the volunteers are looking forward to<br />

welcoming customers, old and new, to the first<br />

coffee morning at the Living Faith church”.<br />

The last coffee morning at the Methodist Church on<br />

Church Drive will be held on Friday, April 27.<br />

The unthinkable does<br />

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21


22<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Comic Con<br />

Funky Figures, <strong>Wigan</strong> presents its<br />

popular Comic Con at Robin Park<br />

Sports Centre once more.<br />

For the little and big kids of <strong>Wigan</strong>, the event is on<br />

Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 26, 10am-4pm.<br />

Special guests include John Challis, John Altman<br />

and Harry Smith “Davey Boy Smith Jr,” alongside<br />

artists/authors A.S. Chamber, Dave Windett, and<br />

Sam Johnson “Geek Girl.”<br />

There’ll be trade stalls selling all kinds of geeky<br />

merchandise, as well as a Cosplay competition, and<br />

photo opportunities. Attendees can enjoy retro<br />

gaming and arcade machines, with a chill out area<br />

for younger children too.<br />

Funky Figures said: “We love our <strong>Wigan</strong> show. This<br />

is our home town and where our journey started.”<br />

If you’d like to attend the exciting event, family<br />

pass tickets are £20; ages 16 & over are £7; ages<br />

15 & under are £5; kids under 5 go free! Tickets are<br />

available at www.funkyfigures.co.uk or pay on the<br />

door from 11am.<br />

the auction centre<br />

The leading Auctioneers and Valuers<br />

• Modern saleroom at Manor Park, Runcorn<br />

• RICS and NAVA registered auctioneers and specialist consultants<br />

• Probate and Insurance valuation reports undertaken<br />

• Full house clearance service available<br />

• Regional valuations centres around the north-west<br />

St Helens Valuation Days<br />

4th Wednesday of Every Month<br />

St Thomas Church, Peter Street, WA10 2EB<br />

9.30 – 12 noon<br />

Check website for Details<br />

Call 01744 881 477 for more information<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Valuation Days<br />

2nd Tuesday Of Every Month<br />

Purposed <strong>Life</strong> Church, Turner Street, <strong>Wigan</strong> WN1 3SU<br />

9.30 – 12 noon<br />

Check website for Details<br />

Call 01942 299 057 for more information<br />

9 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ<br />

Telephone: 01928 579796 Email: enquiries@theauctioncentre.co.uk<br />

www.theauctioncentre.co.uk


23


24<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>’s Den<br />

The Rotary Club in <strong>Wigan</strong> hopes to<br />

donate cash to local community<br />

groups at its next ‘Dragons Den’<br />

event.<br />

<strong>Local</strong> groups based in postcode districts of WN1,<br />

WN3, WN5, WN6 are invited to submit requests<br />

for funding, which if selected, will be invited to<br />

put their case to ‘The Dragons’ in a three minute<br />

presentation.<br />

The funds granted to community groups in the<br />

‘Dragon’s Den’ initiative come directly from money<br />

raised by <strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary’s Santa Float operation in<br />

December.<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary Club President Gwyneth Millard said:<br />

“In these difficult times, I’m sure there are groups in<br />

the <strong>Wigan</strong> area that could use a donation of a few<br />

hundred pounds to help with their project or event.<br />

“Twelve groups were successful last year, but the<br />

Dragons had to decline a number of applications.”<br />

“Last year’s groups ranging from an Over 60’s group<br />

to a mother and toddler group entered ‘The Den’<br />

and came away with a donation.”<br />

Bids of up to £500 can be considered, but the<br />

closing date for entries is Sunday, April 29.<br />

Full details and an application form are available via<br />

www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk or by ringing 07813<br />

471000.<br />

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25<br />

Helping the community<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> will hold its own Stroke<br />

Awareness Day thanks to members of<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary Club.<br />

On Saturday, April 21, 10am-4pm <strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary<br />

alongside the Stroke Association UK will hold a<br />

Stroke Awareness Day.<br />

The event is named in honour of the services that<br />

Rtn. Dr Venk Mani, who sadly passed away in 2016,<br />

gave to Stroke Awareness.<br />

His Worship the <strong>May</strong>or of <strong>Wigan</strong>, Cllr. Bill Clarke and<br />

the <strong>May</strong>oress will be in attendance.<br />

Rotary President Gwyneth Millard said: “The event<br />

will be held at Tesco super-market off Central Park<br />

Way where medically trained members of club are<br />

offering free blood pressure checks.<br />

“The Rotary Club of <strong>Wigan</strong> wants to encourage<br />

people to take this opportunity to have a free check<br />

and help themselves in the prevention of strokes in<br />

our community.<br />

“We will also be presenting Tesco with a Certificate<br />

in recognition of their community work and the<br />

help given to the Rotary.”


26<br />

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27<br />

Gold Star<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Council received a gold<br />

certificate for its positive involvement<br />

in Transport for Great Manchester.<br />

The council is one of twenty businesses that have<br />

been celebrated for inspiring thousands of people<br />

to opt for more sustainable journeys to work.<br />

Transport for Greater Manchester’s (TfGM’s) Travel<br />

Choices team awarded companies gold, silver or<br />

bronze certificates for encouraging employees to<br />

walk, cycle, carshare or take public transport.<br />

Rebecca Heron, director for economy and skills at<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Council said: “We’re delighted to have been<br />

awarded the gold award from TfGM as we have<br />

worked extremely hard to encourage employees to<br />

think about their travel arrangements over the last<br />

two years as part of the Staff Deal.<br />

“We have introduced a car sharing initiative in a bid<br />

to lower carbon emissions with the added bonus of<br />

reserved parking spaces and reduced fuel costs.<br />

“We also kick-started a bike-pooling programme,<br />

allowing staff to travel to nearby meetings or site<br />

visits on either an electric or hybrid bike, which is<br />

great for both the environment and health and<br />

wellbeing. “We look forward to continuing this work<br />

and encouraging more people to travel green.”


28<br />

The Billinge<br />

split...<br />

With <strong>Local</strong> Elections imminent, David Sudworth<br />

discovers the story behind Billinge’s split<br />

It’s possibly one of the most bizarre Parliamentary speeches ever<br />

committed to Hansard.<br />

But just before 9pm on July 6, 1972, MP Gordon Oakes stood up in<br />

the House of Commons and gave his reasoning as to why part of<br />

Billinge was soon to join Rainford and Haydock in the new county<br />

of Merseyside.<br />

“They are all Lancashire towns, based on<br />

heavy industry, glass making, formerly<br />

on coal mining. The people there speak<br />

with a clear and distinct Lancashire


29<br />

accent. The people there, for example, watch Rugby<br />

League, not Liverpool or Everton. The people in<br />

those areas eat tripe and onions, not Scouse.”<br />

Oakes’ speech may have seemed, in the context of<br />

local government reorganisation, a bit bizarre. But<br />

in fact, he was arguing that although there was<br />

nothing wrong with those places joining together,<br />

he did have grave reservations about them<br />

becoming part of a greater Merseyside area.<br />

He explained: “They talk differently, work at different<br />

occupations. The problem is of urban renewal. That<br />

type of problem is totally different from the problems<br />

of Huyton, Kirkby, Halewood and Whiston, which are<br />

new, expanding towns, where they have basically<br />

“Totally different to the<br />

problems of Huyton”<br />

light industry and support Liverpool or Everton with<br />

equal vociferousness, while poor little Huyton can<br />

hardly get a team going at all. Sport is important in<br />

the constitution of an area, just as important as the<br />

problems of youth facilities, schools, social services,<br />

and things of that kind.”<br />

Within two years, the deed had been done. Part of<br />

Billinge, along with Rainford, Haydock, Crank, Moss<br />

Bank, Kings Moss and other areas, had become part<br />

of a new St Helens borough within the County of<br />

Merseyside.<br />

Despite it being 44 years<br />

since the changes, they<br />

still rankle, especially<br />

in Billinge where some<br />

feel the village was<br />

unnecessarily divided.<br />

Many of those blame<br />

Edward Heath’s<br />

Government, who<br />

were in power at the<br />

time. However, a<br />

dig into the archives<br />

reveals that in fact Billinge’s administrative divorce<br />

from <strong>Wigan</strong> predated the local government changes<br />

of 1974 by over 100 years.<br />

Billinge as a whole was part of the Deanery of<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> up until February 2, 1837, when the <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

Poor Law Union came into force. The law divided<br />

Billinge into two different townships; Chapel End<br />

and Higher End. By the end of that century, Billinge<br />

Urban District Council had been formed. In 1927, it<br />

joined Winstanley township to become Billinge &<br />

Winstanley Urban District Council.<br />

It’s important to stress though that, at this point,<br />

they were not ‘part’ of <strong>Wigan</strong> - Billinge & Winstanley<br />

UDC was an authority in its own right.<br />

Fast-forward to 1974 and townships up and down<br />

the country were allocated into different ‘new’ areas.<br />

Some of the original suggestions survived; some<br />

fell by the wayside (there was talk at one point of<br />

Ashton being part of St<br />

Helens).<br />

Billinge & Winstanley Council’s final meeting in 1974<br />

However, scanning the<br />

newspaper coverage at<br />

the time, there’s very little<br />

in the way of any concerns<br />

about loss of civic<br />

identity. Indeed, local MP<br />

Michael McGuire said in a<br />

Parliamentary debate that<br />

he’d had no complaints<br />

about the situation from<br />

constituents.


30<br />

Most of the concerns centred around<br />

more basic matters; namely pounds and<br />

pence.<br />

“Rate Shock - 61p in the £ for New Metro”<br />

cried one local newspaper, reporting on<br />

the housing rates being set.<br />

<strong>Local</strong>s in the Merseyside part of Billinge<br />

were equally unimpressed. One said: “I<br />

have got a free bus pass but can only use<br />

it to go to St Helens or Liverpool, but not<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> or Orrell. I can go to Southport, but<br />

only if it is via St Helens. Why could they not have<br />

joined the whole of Billinge to <strong>Wigan</strong>? To me, this is<br />

just another case of planning with no consideration<br />

for human beings.”<br />

“<strong>Local</strong> politics? They are<br />

a joke... ”<br />

<strong>Life</strong> wasn’t plain sailing for those who worked for the<br />

new councils either. Almost 8,000 workers were paid<br />

the wrong amounts in the first few weeks. Although<br />

one cleaner at <strong>Wigan</strong> Metro wasn’t too fussed - her<br />

normal wage of £2.50 shot up to £25!<br />

And even those areas which, on the face of it,<br />

weren’t massively effected, weren’t happy.<br />

At the final meeting of Orrell Urban District Council,<br />

councillors slammed the Metro as being ‘arrogant’<br />

for wanting to tear down their Council Chamber and<br />

turn it into offices.<br />

Orrell Urban District Council’s final sitting<br />

Councillor John Fitzpatrick stormed: “<strong>Local</strong> politics?<br />

They are a joke if this is the way they are going to<br />

carry out their business.”<br />

However, <strong>Wigan</strong>’s first ever <strong>May</strong>or, Cllr Bob Lyons,<br />

sought to soothe divisions: “I appreciate the fears of<br />

many people that there will be a feeling of isolation<br />

and loss of contact. I would like to assure people<br />

that I and all my colleagues will be available for<br />

interview and advice. I know the new members will<br />

serve to the best of their ability.”<br />

44 years on and it’s fair to say that, while the financial<br />

grumbles still rumble on, the sense of civic loss has<br />

grown. But perhaps it is unfair to push the blame<br />

onto those who made the 1974 decision.<br />

Since then, any new local government reorganisation<br />

plans have been mostly about making areas bigger,<br />

rather than going back to the pre-1974 model.<br />

Moreover, regardless of what area of Billinge you<br />

live, both parishes are ultimately controlled by the<br />

same ruling party (Labour) in their<br />

respective town halls.<br />

As for (since deceased) MP Gordon<br />

Oakes’ pronouncements; pigs’<br />

innards are no longer consumed in<br />

the same quantities as it was in the<br />

early 1970s; accents have grown<br />

more fluid along with occupations,<br />

but football is still not as popular as<br />

rugby.<br />

Billinge just before it became part of Merseyside<br />

Just goes to show that MPs<br />

talking tripe isn’t a wholly new<br />

phenomenon...


31


32


ADVERTISEMENT<br />

33


34<br />

Ruff play<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Bulldogs ARLFC<br />

is on the lookout for the<br />

members to join the ranks.<br />

The amateur rugby league club play<br />

games at Bulldog Park, Scot Lane<br />

playing fields, and are looking for new<br />

players.<br />

Darren Lindley, Chairman of the club said: “I’ve been<br />

here for 20 years and I took over nine years ago,<br />

when we only had an open age team.<br />

“I turned it around, and now we’ve had a juniors<br />

team for five year. We’ve also had national lottery<br />

funding that has helped a lot.<br />

“The open age team is in the NW Men’s League<br />

Division 3 and the kids are in the NW Junior League.<br />

“There are a lot of clubs in <strong>Wigan</strong>, so you’re almost<br />

fighting to recruit. But all our kids are new to the<br />

sport, so they’re learning the game with us.<br />

“One of our players two years ago went to Canada<br />

with the England Lion Hearts. It’s a big thing for<br />

any amateur player. And we’ve got another player<br />

going to Italy with them in July.<br />

“We’re on the up this year. We’re getting more<br />

notice now, and we’re getting recognition for all the<br />

hard work.”<br />

The team trains and plays at Scot Lane playing fields<br />

on Stadium Way. Open age training is Thursday,<br />

6.30pm and kids training is on a Saturday morning<br />

at 10.30am.<br />

For more information about the club please call<br />

Darren on 07761 361816 or Natalie on 07921<br />

506719.<br />

Sailing away<br />

Eager kids can try something new with a water<br />

course at Scotmans Flash.<br />

The six week Junior Beginners Sailing, Windsurfing<br />

& Kayaking courses will begin on Saturday, June 9,<br />

1pm-4pm and finish on Saturday, June 30, 1pm-<br />

4pm.<br />

Participants will follow RYA and BCU training<br />

schemes for beginners, and all students who<br />

complete the beginner course will recieve free<br />

membership to the Tuesday evening activity club.<br />

The course is £60, which also includes logbooks and<br />

certificates where applicable.<br />

To book, email outdooradventure@wlct.org or<br />

telephone 01942 828508 for more information.<br />

For more events, please check out our E2G on pages<br />

68-72.


35<br />

Planning Matters<br />

Billinge<br />

Orrell<br />

Winstanley College, Winstanley Road: Two storey 57 Moor Road: Change of use from A2 (Financial and<br />

extension and alterations to social science block professional services) to A3 (Cafe) together with<br />

to create additional classrooms and associated installation of extractor flue to rear (retrospective<br />

facilities (ref: A/18/85238/FULL).<br />

application)(ref: A/18/85305/CU).<br />

Kitt Green<br />

Up Holland<br />

H J Heinz Co Ltd, Walthew House Lane: To construct 86E Ormskirk Road: Change of Use from residential<br />

a new detached substation and associated works to mixed use of residential and dog grooming<br />

(ref: A/18/85133/FULL).<br />

business (Class A2)(ref: <strong>2018</strong>/0299/FUL).<br />

For more information on these plans, visit: www.wigan.gov.uk<br />

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36<br />

Changing lanes<br />

TransPennine Express customers in <strong>Wigan</strong> are being<br />

asked to prepare for a major timetable change from<br />

<strong>May</strong>.<br />

Train times and services between Edinburgh,<br />

Glasgow, Motherwell, Lockerbie, Carlisle, Penrith,<br />

Oxenholme, Lancaster, Preston, <strong>Wigan</strong> and<br />

Manchester will soon look quite different.<br />

From Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 20, customers are asked to plan<br />

ahead the changes which are part of the Great<br />

North Rail Project (GNRP).<br />

Services to and from Scotland will run direct<br />

between Preston and Manchester Piccadilly<br />

meaning the journey will no longer call at <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

North Western and Manchester Oxford Road.<br />

Other operators including Northern Rail will<br />

continue to provide services between <strong>Wigan</strong> and<br />

Manchester.<br />

Leo Goodwin, Managing Director for TransPennine<br />

Express said: “This is one of the biggest timetable<br />

changes the North has seen and will deliver real<br />

benefits. “Customers are already benefitting from<br />

free on-board Wi-Fi and entertainment system,<br />

Exstream. Our Nova 2 trains will be introduced on<br />

the route from early 2019 as part of a £500million<br />

investment which will deliver an extra 13million<br />

more seats a year.”<br />

Full details of all train times and fares can be found<br />

at www.tpexpress.co.uk<br />

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37


38<br />

Founded in a back bedroom on Sandy Lane,<br />

Turning 10<br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> now produces five magazines a<br />

month (<strong>Wigan</strong>, St Helens, Chorley, West Lancs and<br />

Leigh & District) from our<br />

offices at Hewitt Business<br />

Park on Winstanley Road.<br />

We also deliver over 750,000<br />

leaflets a year too.<br />

We’re proud of the fact that<br />

many of our customers stay<br />

with us, year after year, so<br />

here’s what our advertisers<br />

have to say about <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>.<br />

Previous to advertising in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, just 10% of our<br />

work came from <strong>Wigan</strong> itself and now, two years after<br />

advertising in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, over 50% of our work is local.<br />

We get lots of enquiries every month from <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, it’s<br />

a great magazine which people read and use.<br />

Shane Wilson – Vale of <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> covers areas that we just can’t reach with any<br />

other publication. We know when it has been delivered<br />

as our phone never stops ringing. It’s always our first<br />

choice for advertising.<br />

Sharon Lee – Expressions of Beauty<br />

I have advertised in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> for over 8 years now<br />

and it has consistently been my main source of new<br />

business. It is a fantastic, quality magazine which, as<br />

well as supporting local businesses, gives its readers an<br />

interesting and informative read. I would thoroughly<br />

recommend it.<br />

Angie Barker Garden Design<br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is 10 years old this month!<br />

I’m pleased to say that every customer we have<br />

introduced to <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> has had a direct and<br />

noticeable response. Both us, and our clients, love the<br />

publications and they are now one of the first types of<br />

local advertising we suggest when putting together<br />

promotional campaigns.<br />

Elaine Rimmer – Platinum Advertising & Design Ltd<br />

It’s been a pleasure being part of your magazines 10<br />

year growth, long may it continue.<br />

Bob McWilliam - Manor House Carpet & Upholstery<br />

Cleaning<br />

It’s a great pleasure to be associated with your<br />

magazine. I advertise my brickwork company in <strong>Local</strong><br />

<strong>Life</strong> and feel it offers me great value.<br />

Marc Mulligan Brickwork<br />

As a frequent advertiser and reader of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, it<br />

has made a big difference to my business with a vast<br />

number of customers coming from looking at the<br />

magazine, here’s to another 10 years!<br />

Graham Collier- Top Coat Decorating Service<br />

We love that little magazine. It makes a difference to<br />

customers visiting our showroom and our sales.<br />

Andrea Hampson - Cabinet Masters


39<br />

We continue to move forward and have taken on<br />

another person to help with the workload generated<br />

from the advertisement in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>.<br />

Chris Linnet – CL Bathrooms<br />

Having worked with other advertising mediums over<br />

the last 15 years the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> publication remains our<br />

partner of choice and continues to generate extremely<br />

positive responses from clients, both existing and new.<br />

David Barton – Prosper Wealth Management<br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is the best local print advertising media<br />

around, without a doubt, and it’s the only publication<br />

we advertise in. We also use the leaflet distribution<br />

service on a regular basis and it’s very reliable and also<br />

quite cheap compared to other distribution companies.<br />

Ian Johnson – GreenThumb <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

I’ve been advertising with <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> for most of the<br />

last decade. It’s the only advertising I need to do and it<br />

reliably brings me good quality local jobs every single<br />

month.<br />

If you’d like to promote your company in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong><br />

magazine or use our leaflet distribution service, call<br />

Nicola or Chris on 01695 627999 or pop into our<br />

offices at Unit 8 - Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley<br />

Road, Orrell WN5 7ZB.<br />

www.locallife247.co.uk<br />

Chris Banks – Cosmeticar<br />

Around 80/90% of our work comes from <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong><br />

and it’s all local work, we don’t have to waste hours<br />

sitting in traffic each day. As of today (10th April), we’re<br />

already booked up until August; that’s how successful<br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is.<br />

Colin Wilson – Wilson Bros. Building and Roofing<br />

In my view, <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong><br />

offers my company the<br />

most comprehensive<br />

coverage of <strong>Wigan</strong>’s<br />

strongest housing areas<br />

and I’m delighted to be<br />

able to offer my customers<br />

the chance to display their<br />

homes in this popular<br />

local magazine.<br />

Alan Batt Estate Agents


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41


42<br />

Property<br />

Alan Batt<br />

Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of<br />

Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has worked within<br />

the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market for over 30 years.<br />

First time joy<br />

by Alan Batt<br />

Positive news from the <strong>Wigan</strong> Property need to bear in mind that some buy-to-let properties<br />

Market this week for the town’s first time were bought on a hard cash basis, and there is no<br />

buyers as recently released data shows that the hard and fast data on the total numbers of buy-tolet<br />

properties bought, though HM Treasury believes<br />

number of local first time buyers taking out their first<br />

mortgage in 2017 increased more than in any other approximately only 30% to 40% of buy-to-let<br />

year since the global financial crisis in 2008/2009. property is bought with a mortgage.<br />

The data shows there were 723 first time buyers in So, what does all this mean for the <strong>Wigan</strong> Property<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>, the largest number since 2006.<br />

Market? Well, whilst the stats paint a picture, they<br />

It might surprise readers to know that it is actually don’t inform us of the whole story. The upper end of<br />

cheaper to buy than it is to rent at the ‘starter home’ the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market has been weighed down<br />

end of the housing market, as long as you have the by the indecision around the Brexit negotiations<br />

required funds for a deposit and select a good value and rise in stamp duty in 2014. The middle part of<br />

fixed-rate mortgage. Many of you can remember the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market has been affected by the<br />

mortgage rates at 12% ... even 15%. Today, at the lack of good properties to buy, as selling prices have<br />

time of writing this article, I found a 3 year fixed reached the limit of what buyers can afford under<br />

mortgage from a reputable High Street bank at existing mortgage regulations. The lower to middle<br />

2.49%, with only a 5% deposit required.<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> property market has been hit by tax changes<br />

Conversely, the same study showed that the buy-tolet<br />

investment market in <strong>Wigan</strong> was subdued over offset by this increase in first time buyers.<br />

for buy-to-let landlords, although this has been<br />

the same period, with only 148 buy-to-let properties If you currently have a house for sale, you’ll need<br />

being purchased with a mortgage. However, you to be 100% realistic with your pricing in order to<br />

achieve a sale, and you might not get as much as you<br />

thought you’d get, but the house you want to buy<br />

will probably be cheaper too.<br />

If you are thinking of selling your <strong>Wigan</strong> property,<br />

don’t ask the agent out a few days before you want<br />

to put the property on the market; get them out now<br />

and ask them what you need to do to ensure you get<br />

maximum value in the shortest possible time. I, like<br />

most <strong>Wigan</strong> agents, will freely give that advice to you<br />

at no cost or commitment to you.


43<br />

Caveat Emptor -<br />

buyer beware<br />

With readers seeing a rise in<br />

outgoings this month due<br />

to a rise in council tax, I’m going to<br />

take this opportunity to address<br />

one of the most popular<br />

misconceptions about<br />

council tax bands;<br />

Adding extensions and<br />

improving your home will<br />

NOT change the home’s council<br />

tax band.<br />

However, the government’s Valuation<br />

Office Agency does reserve the right<br />

to re-value the extended property,if<br />

and when the property gets sold.<br />

So if you are a potential buyer, you<br />

should beware of this as the VOA<br />

could change the council tax band,<br />

and therefore the amount of council tax<br />

you pay will increase as a result.<br />

This does not necessarily mean that the banding will<br />

jump one band, this depends on the extent of the<br />

improvements and where the property lies within its<br />

existing valuation band. More often than not – it isn’t<br />

an issue and the banding stays the same.<br />

Anyone can check the banding of any property by<br />

visiting www.gov.uk/council-tax-bands<br />

By the way, if you disagree with your own home’s<br />

council tax band, you can apply for it to be reassessed,<br />

but let me warn you that if you do this then<br />

your band could be moved up as well as down.<br />

If you have any questions relating to property, then<br />

do get in touch. You can email me on alan@alanbatt.<br />

co.uk or call me on 01942 233999.<br />

For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis<br />

on the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market, check out<br />

www.wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk


44<br />

Puzzle Corner<br />

WORD SEARCH - <strong>Local</strong> History<br />

Find the hidden words in the word search grid<br />

S C H U R C H E R C<br />

T C A R V I N G E H<br />

U B N S S F B A M N<br />

V E C W T G T R A S<br />

M T I R O L T D I G<br />

O T E R N R E N N N<br />

S B N C E B G V S D<br />

A R T E F A C T P W<br />

I O S M N C E L P A<br />

C N E E U O A O T L<br />

T Z T R U I N S H K<br />

W E A P O N W A N S<br />

G Y D S A B B E Y M<br />

WALK<br />

CASTLE<br />

CHURCH<br />

ARTEFACT<br />

DIG<br />

CARVING<br />

BRONZE<br />

REMAINS<br />

ABBEY<br />

MOSAIC<br />

STONE<br />

COIN<br />

WEAPON<br />

ANCIENT<br />

RUINS<br />

WORD MIX UP - <strong>Local</strong> History<br />

Unscramble the letters to make a word<br />

LEACHAGOORY<br />

NYDW<br />

SUDOKU<br />

NUMBER<br />

BLOCK<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 />

3 1<br />

2 9 5<br />

4 2 9<br />

9 1 2<br />

8 7<br />

3 6<br />

6 8<br />

9 5<br />

0 5<br />

9<br />

9 2<br />

3 5<br />

24 10 12 19<br />

7 3 4<br />

18<br />

8<br />

28<br />

15<br />

14<br />

14<br />

REACHVI<br />

YETTOPR<br />

LOANG NASOX<br />

TABLEFIDLET<br />

NORMA<br />

ROBOHC<br />

WIGGLE WORDS<br />

CLUE: Brings Good Luck<br />

Trace a path through<br />

all the letters to find<br />

the word or phrase<br />

that fits the clue.<br />

F O A F<br />

R U E E<br />

E R L D<br />

V O L C<br />

All the puzzle solutions are on page 98 of this magazine


45


46<br />

ADVERTISEMENT<br />

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music & media?<br />

Whether you are a student just finishing your<br />

GCSEs or someone wanting a change of<br />

career pathway, TMP College is the place to be! TMP<br />

College, based in Pemberton, is a specialist college<br />

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With outstanding achievement rates, the best<br />

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live events and come out with a great CV as well as<br />

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Career pathways are more diverse than ever before.<br />

The entertainment, creative and digital industries<br />

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Achieve a level 3 on one of these courses and it’s<br />

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The experienced staff at TMP College are passionate<br />

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Bursaries are available too – so students can earn<br />

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TMP College offers students the opportunity to work<br />

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47<br />

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48<br />

Class from the past<br />

This month’s Class from the Past is from Abraham<br />

Guest. It’s believed the photo was taken in the early<br />

1960s. <strong>May</strong>be you can spot a familiar face?<br />

Do you have an old class photo you’d like to<br />

share? If so, why not email it to us on wigannews@<br />

locallife247.co.uk<br />

Community day<br />

All local community groups, charities<br />

and good causes are invited to<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>’s Community Day <strong>2018</strong>.<br />

Back for the fifth year, the people of <strong>Wigan</strong> and their<br />

causes are welcome at the free event on Saturday,<br />

July 7 from 10am-4pm.<br />

<strong>Local</strong>s can raise their profile, recruit new members<br />

and volunteers, raise funds, promote their<br />

cause, provide information and advice, and sell<br />

merchandise to thousands of local people who will<br />

be at the event.<br />

Participants will be given a 9ft wide frontage along<br />

Standishgate to advertise their group as they see fit.<br />

Organisers <strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary Club have obtained the<br />

necessary licences; all you have to do is turn up and<br />

join in!<br />

There’ll be a huge stage featuring performances<br />

from the <strong>Wigan</strong> Jazz Orchestra and talent from<br />

the local community providing entertainment<br />

throughout the day.<br />

All you have to do is pay a £10 deposit, which is<br />

returnable if you turn up, and observe a few simple<br />

rules.<br />

To find out more, visit <strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary Club’s website<br />

at www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk


49


50<br />

Health & Fitness<br />

Make <strong>May</strong><br />

purple<br />

In England, one in six people will have a stroke in their lifetime. And in the UK,<br />

strokes occurs approximately 152,000 times a year – that’s one every 3 minutes<br />

27 seconds. First-time incidence of a stroke occurs almost 17 million times a year<br />

worldwide; one every two seconds. It is estimated around 30% of people who have a<br />

stroke will go on to experience another.<br />

Strokes are a leading cause of death and disability<br />

in the UK, with around 32,000 stroke-related deaths<br />

in England each year.<br />

Most people who have strokes are over 65, but<br />

one in four strokes happen in younger people.<br />

That’s nearly 40,000 people a year including several<br />

hundred children.<br />

There’s no denying that a stroke can be fatal, but<br />

it’s worth noting there are over 1.2 million stroke<br />

survivors in the UK.<br />

Deaths related to strokes have declined by 49%<br />

in the past 15 years, and this is down to better<br />

prevention, earlier treatment and more advanced<br />

treatment.<br />

It’s important to act quickly as you could save your<br />

own or someone else’s life, or help limit the longterm<br />

effects of strokes, by learning to think and Act<br />

F.A.S.T.<br />

What is a stroke?<br />

A stroke is a brain attack. It happens when the blood<br />

supply to part of your brain is cut off. Without blood your brain cells can be damaged<br />

or die. This damage can have different effects, depending on where it happens in<br />

your brain.<br />

By Niamh Ollerton<br />

Photos courtesy of the Stroke Association


51<br />

A stroke can affect the way your body works as well<br />

as how you think, feel and communicate.<br />

What causes a stroke?<br />

As we age, our arteries become harder and narrower<br />

and are more likely to become blocked. But, some<br />

medical conditions and lifestyle factors can speed<br />

up this process and increase your risk.<br />

Different types of stroke<br />

Most strokes are caused by a blockage cutting off<br />

the blood supply to the brain. This is an ischaemic<br />

stroke.<br />

But they can also be caused by a bleeding in or<br />

around the brain. This is a haemorrhagic stroke.<br />

A transient ischaemic attack (TIA) is also known<br />

as a mini-stroke. It’s the same as a stroke, except<br />

symptoms only last for a short amount of time, as<br />

the blockage stopping the blood getting to your<br />

brain is temporary.<br />

Can you recover from a stroke?<br />

For some people the effects may be relatively minor<br />

and not last long, but others may be left with serious<br />

health problems that make them dependent on<br />

other people.<br />

Know the signs of a stroke<br />

F.A.S.T. or Face-Arms-Speech-Time is easy to<br />

remember and will help you to recognise if you or<br />

someone else is having a stroke.<br />

Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they<br />

smile?<br />

Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them<br />

there?<br />

Speech – is their speech slurred?<br />

Time to call 999 if you see any single one of these<br />

signs of a stroke.<br />

Other symptoms that can be due to a stroke also<br />

include:<br />

Sudden loss of vision or blurred vision in one or<br />

both eyes;<br />

Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of your<br />

body (including your leg);


52<br />

At school<br />

Get the whole school to dress<br />

in purple for the day, or turn<br />

your sports day into a purple<br />

extravaganza. There could even be<br />

purple activities for parents too!<br />

At home<br />

Invite your friends round for a<br />

purple dinner and have purple food<br />

and drink. Get everyone to wear<br />

purple and play purple games. The<br />

possibilities are endless.<br />

Sudden memory loss or confusion;<br />

Sudden dizziness, unsteadiness or a sudden fall,<br />

especially with any of the other symptoms.<br />

Why act F.A.S.T?<br />

If you notice any sign of a stroke, call 999. The faster<br />

you act, the better the chance of recovery.<br />

Purple <strong>May</strong><br />

And to raise awareness for this worthwhile cause,<br />

it’s time to Make <strong>May</strong> Purple – Go Purple for Pounds<br />

during the Stroke Association’s annual awareness<br />

month.<br />

Friends, families and communities are invited to<br />

show their support for people who have been<br />

affected by a stroke.<br />

The Stroke Association helps stroke survivors regain<br />

their independence, but they need our help. All you<br />

need to do is wear purple and every penny raised<br />

will help provide support for stroke survivors.<br />

Wear purple to work, school or outside in your<br />

community – wherever you are, the association<br />

hopes you’ll turn all your activities purple during<br />

<strong>May</strong>. Every purple event you take part in will really<br />

make a difference to stroke survivors.<br />

Tony Rudd, National Clinical<br />

Director for Stroke with NHS<br />

England and stroke physician at Guy’s and St<br />

Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Thanks to<br />

improved NHS care, stroke survival is now at record<br />

high levels.<br />

“Urgent treatment for strokes is essential, so friends<br />

and family can play a key part in making sure their<br />

loved ones receive care as quickly as possible.”<br />

Juliet Bouverie, CEO of the Stroke Association, said:<br />

“As the UK’s leading stroke charity, we have said<br />

time and again that stroke devastates lives in an<br />

instant.<br />

“Almost two thirds of stroke survivors leave hospital<br />

with a disability, but it doesn’t have to be this way.<br />

“The faster you seek and receive emergency<br />

specialist treatment for stroke, the better your<br />

chances of making a good recovery. Knowing the<br />

signs of stroke and being able to Act FAST could<br />

save a life – your life.”<br />

If you’d like to find out more about the Stroke<br />

Association and get involved, please visit https://<br />

www.stroke.org.uk/<br />

Go purple at work<br />

Get everyone to dress in purple for the day and<br />

even host a purple bake sale.


53


54<br />

Travel<br />

All Quiet on the<br />

Western Front<br />

If I should die, think only this of me:<br />

That there’s some corner of a foreign field<br />

That is forever England.<br />

This excerpt from Rupert Brooke’s poem, increasing number of visitors of all ages, and in this<br />

The Soldier, springs to mind whilst driving month’s travel feature we take a look at a few main<br />

through the pretty Belgian countryside. It’s a<br />

peaceful rural backdrop with neatly uniform fields<br />

full of crops and it’s hard to imagine it as it was a<br />

century ago; a desolate landscape of mud, burntout<br />

trees and barbed wire, with shattered men<br />

crouching in trenches with the roar of heavy artillery<br />

overhead.<br />

As the 100th year anniversary of the end of the<br />

Great War comes to pass, visiting the battlefields<br />

sites and attractions in Belgium and France.<br />

During the Great War, Ypres occupied a strategic<br />

position standing directly in the path of Germany’s<br />

plans to invade France from the north. One in three<br />

of British deaths on the Western Front happened in<br />

the Ypres area and during the course of the war the<br />

town was all but obliterated by artillery fire.<br />

Ypres today is known as the city of peace and<br />

war graves cover the landscape around the area,<br />

of the period remains a fascinating and moving including the Tyne Cot Commonwealth war<br />

experience. These visits brings history alive for an cemetery which houses the graves of 11,954


55<br />

soldiers, but the most popular<br />

site for visitors is the Menin Gate<br />

Memorial to the Missing. The<br />

memorial is dedicated to the 54,395<br />

Commonwealth soldiers who died<br />

in the Ypres Salient but whose<br />

bodies have never been identified<br />

or found. Every night at 8pm since<br />

1927, except when the Germans<br />

occupied the area in World War 2,<br />

buglers sound the ‘Last Post’.<br />

Just two miles east of Ypres is<br />

Sanctuary Wood, home of the<br />

Flanders Field Museum, and one of the most<br />

popular destinations for the battlefield visitor. The<br />

museum manages to blend wartime artefacts with<br />

multimedia presentations to create a first-person<br />

view of life in the bleakest of conditions, whilst the<br />

trenches behind the museum give a very good feel<br />

for what it must have been like to experience the<br />

mud and misery of the trenches.<br />

No visit to the battlefields would be complete<br />

without a visit to The Somme, to see the area where<br />

the infamous Battle of the Somme began on a<br />

summer’s day in July and ended in a snowstorm 4½<br />

months later.<br />

The excellent Historical Museum of the Great War,<br />

which is housed within a medieval castle in Peronne,<br />

provides visitors with not only a vision of what life<br />

Battlefields Tours<br />

from £349 pp<br />

All Quiet on the Western Front Tour<br />

Executive coach travel<br />

4 days from £349<br />

3/4 nights hotel BB<br />

Specialist Battlefield Guide<br />

Dates April 18-<strong>May</strong> 19<br />

Terms & Conditions apply – Holidays subject to availability.<br />

Call into Marken Travel for further details<br />

Independent Travel Specialist<br />

Protected by<br />

200 Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PE Telephone: 01744 893291 www.markentravel.co.uk


56<br />

was like for the soldiers at the front but also that<br />

of the civilians of the town, which was occupied<br />

by enemy troops for two separate periods during<br />

the Great War. This absorbing museum follows the<br />

chronology of the war and uses carefully selected<br />

artefacts to illustrate military, cultural and social life.<br />

There aren’t many places in the Somme area where<br />

the ground has been undisturbed since the end of<br />

the Great War, and that’s why the Newfoundland<br />

Memorial Park is a popular choice for battlefield<br />

visitors. Shell-holes and the trenches of both sides<br />

can still be clearly seen and even walked along.<br />

The Newfoundland Regiment suffered appalling<br />

losses here in July 1916 and after the War ended,<br />

Newfoundland purchased the land, and the area is<br />

now a Canadian National Historic Site.<br />

One of the most impressive sites to visit is the<br />

Wellington Quarry in Arras, which tells the story<br />

leading up to the battle of Arras on April 9th, 1917.<br />

After a series of losses in Arras, the decision was<br />

taken to tunnel under Arras in the chalk quarries<br />

that were originally dug out centuries before, in<br />

order to hide 24,000 troops near the German front<br />

lines in readiness for a new attack.<br />

This work, mainly undertaken by Maori miners, took<br />

a whole six months and a chapel, power station,<br />

light railway, communications room, a hospital and<br />

a well were all created in the pale, flickering electric<br />

light and visitors can experience an unforgettable<br />

underground tour illustrating the horrors and<br />

futility of war.<br />

There are number of tour operators who offer<br />

Battlefield coach tours including Leger Holidays,<br />

who are the UK’s leading provider of escorted<br />

tours. You can pick up a Leger Holidays brochure<br />

at Marken Travel, 200 Main Street, Billinge WN5<br />

7PE or just call 01744 893291 and a brochure will<br />

be posted out to you.


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58<br />

ADVERTISEMENT<br />

Expansion at<br />

Prosper<br />

Wealth Management<br />

Amongst the local<br />

gossip recently was<br />

news that Prosper Wealth<br />

Management had bought a<br />

property next door to their<br />

offices on the High Street in<br />

Standish, so I popped up to<br />

see the company’s owner<br />

David Barton to find out what<br />

his future plans were for his business.<br />

CP Why did you need to buy the house next door?<br />

DB We didn’t (laugh…) As this wasn’t available we<br />

got permission from the council to extend to the<br />

side and rear of the existing premises. We’re growing<br />

really quickly as more and more prospective clients<br />

are engaging with us for financial planning services,<br />

both for investment and for retirement planning,<br />

and we needed the space for extra staff that<br />

will strengthen our research and administrative<br />

functions.<br />

CP Was it easy recruiting the extra staff?<br />

DB In a word, no! We really needed to invest in<br />

additional high quality staff with a particular skill<br />

set and a high level of technical competence to<br />

ensure that our new and existing clients benefit<br />

from both our initial planning advice service as<br />

well as our ongoing guidance. We started looking<br />

for staff in <strong>May</strong> 2017 but it wasn’t until February<br />

this year that we secured three new experienced<br />

professionals, two Para-Planners/Researchers and a<br />

Senior Administrator.<br />

David Barton<br />

CP Why didn’t you just move to a bigger place?<br />

DB All of us at Prosper Wealth Management live<br />

locally and the majority of our clients live within a<br />

5 mile radius, so we didn’t want to inconvenience<br />

them by moving out of the area. More importantly,<br />

I live 5 minutes away from the office and I like the<br />

sandwiches at Kaz’s kitchen…<br />

CP How will the changes affect you in the short<br />

term?<br />

DB The build is scheduled to start in <strong>May</strong> with a<br />

view to finishing by the end of summer. Don’t be<br />

put off by the scaffolding; we will still be open and<br />

working hard. The interior designer’s brief is to<br />

create a contemporary space with a relaxed, yet<br />

confidential feel, so we’re all looking forward to<br />

working in the new offices.<br />

CP So what are the plans for the future?<br />

DB Well, we’re currently attracting £2m to £2.5m of<br />

pension and investment money per month from<br />

local clients and our business plan is to grow the<br />

funds under management from £140m to £250m<br />

within the next three years.<br />

CP And how confident are you that will happen?<br />

DB We were the first Independent Financial Adviser<br />

in <strong>Wigan</strong> to achieve Chartered Financial Status,<br />

and people know that they can depend on us for<br />

quality advice in the areas of investments and, more<br />

specifically, pension planning, so yes, I’m quietly<br />

confident we can achieve that target.<br />

CP Good luck David, all the very best!


59


60<br />

Counting Sheep<br />

Pemberton-based retailers Land of<br />

Beds hopes to give customers an<br />

even better night’s sleep with its new<br />

collection.<br />

The Sleep Council’s latest research found one fifth of<br />

Britons sleep poorly most nights, and an additional<br />

five percent sleep ‘very poorly.’<br />

Pemberton-based retailers Land of Beds wanted to<br />

tackle this problem, and partnered up with British<br />

bed makers Dunlopillo to offer the sleep-improving<br />

Signature Bed Collection.<br />

In an industry first, the collection includes three<br />

mattresses that have all recently won a Which?<br />

magazine ‘Best Buy’ award.<br />

Mike Murray, Managing Director at Land of Beds<br />

said: “It’s a feat that no other mattress manufacturer<br />

has ever achieved.<br />

‘For Dunlopillo to win three <strong>2018</strong> ‘Best Buy’ awards,<br />

is a real testament to the premium quality of the<br />

products.<br />

“We are proud to be official stockists of all three<br />

award-winning mattresses at our Pemberton store.”<br />

The Millennium and Orchid mattresses are first-time<br />

Which? award winners, while the Royal Sovereign<br />

retains its status for the third consecutive year.<br />

Mike added: “We’re an award-winning family-run<br />

business working with award-winning bed brands<br />

– making us the ideal local retailer to speak to for<br />

advice if your sleep quality needs improving.”<br />

To view the Signature Bed Collection online, visit<br />

www.landofbeds.co.uk/Dunlopillo<br />

And they’re off!<br />

Haydock Park Racecourse’s next event features a lot<br />

more than furlongs and jockeys as the Business Fair<br />

comes to town.<br />

The racecourse is used to hosting events of a<br />

competitive nature, but the participants at the next<br />

event will be in suits and not silks.<br />

On Thursday, April 26, the St Helens Chamber<br />

Business Fair will be open for business from<br />

10.30am-3pm for local businesses and individuals<br />

to shine.<br />

According to St Helens Chamber, it’s the largest<br />

business to business networking event in the North<br />

West, with last year’s event attracting over 500<br />

companies.<br />

It’s free to attend, and participants will be able to<br />

connect with local businesses, make new contacts<br />

and hear from inspirational guest speakers.<br />

Keynote speakers include Alana Spencer, 2016’s<br />

winner of BBC’s The Apprentice and owner of<br />

Ridiculously Rich, and also Lawrence Kenwright,<br />

owner of the Signature Living hotel group.<br />

Business people can also visit the company<br />

showcase featuring a wide variety of business<br />

sectors, a programme of free business seminars and<br />

enjoy lots of networking opportunities.<br />

For more details visit www.sthelenschamber.<br />

com or email Rachel Wellens on rachel.wellens@<br />

sthelenschamber.com


61<br />

Success in trade<br />

The Good Trader awards winners for<br />

<strong>2018</strong> have been announced.<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Council’s Good Trader Scheme was set up in<br />

2008, and each year local traders are recognised for<br />

their excellent service to residents.<br />

There are now over 200 companies and individuals<br />

in the scheme who are trusted in their field of work.<br />

Members of the scheme come from different<br />

sectors and are judged on customer feedback<br />

generated over the last 12 months.<br />

By using the scheme, residents are able to avoid<br />

uninvited traders and reduce doorstep crime risk.<br />

Overall winners for <strong>2018</strong> are: Winner (<strong>Wigan</strong>)<br />

KDM Electrical; Winner (Leigh) Ferris Electrical &<br />

Ferris Property Maintenance; Highly Commended<br />

(<strong>Wigan</strong>) Royal Home Improvements; Highly<br />

Commended (Leigh) Gary Sanderson Carpets<br />

& Vinyls; Best Newcomer (<strong>Wigan</strong>) Case & Young<br />

Limited; Best Newcomer (Leigh) Grimshaw Autos.<br />

Councillor Kevin Anderson, <strong>Wigan</strong> Council cabinet<br />

member for environment, said: “It’s extremely<br />

important to recognise the traders who work hard<br />

to provide a high quality service to residents.<br />

“Congratulations to all the winners and runner<br />

ups but also not forgetting every single one of our<br />

registered traders of the Good Trader Scheme.”<br />

To find out more about the Good Trader Scheme<br />

visit www.wigan.gov.uk/goodtrader<br />

Successful partnership<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Pier’s regeneration will be overseen by a<br />

Manchester developer.<br />

Step Places has been chosen by <strong>Wigan</strong> Council, in<br />

partnership with the Canal & River Trust to lead the<br />

project.<br />

The company plans to transform the derelict 18th<br />

century industrial site into a fresh multi-leisure<br />

destination for the people of <strong>Wigan</strong> and beyond.<br />

Three buildings have been chosen for the<br />

regeneration including The Warehouse, The Orwell<br />

public house, and the Education Centre.<br />

Harinder Dhaliwal, managing director of Step<br />

Places, said: "We are excited to be part of a<br />

partnership delivering such a world-class venue<br />

and bringing life back to <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier, respecting its<br />

past and heritage."<br />

Councillor David Molyneux, deputy leader of <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

Council, added: "<strong>Wigan</strong> Pier is one the most iconic<br />

locations in the North West. We have had long-held<br />

ambitions to create a new purpose for <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier as<br />

a destination and leisure attraction.<br />

"We will support Step Places throughout the<br />

process and look forward to its plans being realised<br />

and <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier become a popular destination for<br />

people in the borough and beyond once again."<br />

Ian Sprott of the Canal & River Trust said: "The Canal<br />

and River Trust is proud to have been a partner in<br />

securing a new future for the <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier Quarter<br />

and we are excited by the developer's vision for the<br />

area."


62<br />

ADVERTISEMENT<br />

Keeping it in the family<br />

by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy<br />

We often get asked about paying your child<br />

from the business. You can pay your son<br />

or daughter from your business, but they must do<br />

some real work for that money, work which is worth<br />

what you pay them.<br />

The work need not be performed at your business<br />

premises. Skills which could be used to promote<br />

your business online or to design marketing<br />

materials could be applied remotely, perhaps while<br />

away at university.<br />

However, you need to be able to prove that<br />

adequate work was performed for the rewards.<br />

Where work is done in between studying and is not<br />

supervised, there needs to be an accurate record<br />

such as a timesheet.<br />

Also, there are rules on how many hours a child<br />

under sixteen is legally allowed to work, during<br />

school term time and during the holidays. Where<br />

the pay is more than £113 per week, you must put<br />

it through the payroll as you would for any other<br />

employee.<br />

On the subject of payroll, the national minimum<br />

wages, NMW, rates rise on 01 April <strong>2018</strong>. The NMW<br />

depends on each employee’s age and the top rate<br />

for those aged 25 and over will rise from £7.50 to<br />

£7.83 per hour. There are different rules for company<br />

directors and we are happy to advise on these.<br />

If you are employed then you should be receiving<br />

your tax code notices for the <strong>2018</strong>/19 tax year.<br />

You should carefully check these to ensure they<br />

accurately reflect your income position. If you<br />

believe the figures are incorrect you can ask for an<br />

amendment using your personal tax account; ask<br />

us how.<br />

Here at CMA we always offer a free consultation<br />

for any sole trader business, landlord or companies<br />

that would like to speak to us about their finances.<br />

We provide dynamic, value for money accountancy<br />

services and work alongside business owners to<br />

implement cloud based solutions that enable them<br />

to work efficiently and achieve their personal and<br />

business goals.<br />

Alternatively drop by the office on Skull House Lane<br />

in Appley Bridge and we can discuss these further<br />

over a coffee. There will be no charge for the initial<br />

meeting.<br />

Contact Details<br />

Chris Alcock ACMA<br />

CMA Accountancy 39 Skull House Lane, Appley<br />

Bridge, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6 9DR<br />

Tel: 01257 255521<br />

Email info@handsonaccounting.co.uk<br />

web www.handsonaccounting.co.uk


63<br />

SA deadline<br />

Benefits<br />

AE<br />

VAT<br />

Do you need<br />

help and<br />

guidance with;<br />

SA<br />

Company Accounts?<br />

Auto Enrolment?<br />

Self Assessment?<br />

Cloud-based Software?<br />

Payroll Services?<br />

Call CMA Accountancy today<br />

www.cma-accountancy.com<br />

info@cma-accountancy.com<br />

Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge. 01257 255521


64<br />

Food & Drink<br />

10 items no kitchen should<br />

be without<br />

So you’ve spent good money on creating<br />

the perfect space in which to create the<br />

perfect meal. The problems is, no matter how much<br />

you’ve forked out on that oven, those cabinets and<br />

cupboards, a good workman or woman is only as<br />

good as the tools at their disposal. Not that we<br />

would ever advocate blaming your kit when things<br />

go wrong, of course.<br />

Having a variety of quality equipment at your<br />

disposal in the kitchen will open up countless<br />

possibilities in terms of what you can cook.<br />

Imagine inviting friends over for penne and porcini<br />

mushrooms, and then revealing you made the pasta<br />

yourself. Or frying up some sirloins, complete with<br />

griddle marks. Few things are more satisfying than<br />

serving properly made dishes, so here’s a checklist<br />

of essentials you should always have to hand before<br />

you start showing off any culinary expertise.<br />

Ladle<br />

In layman’s terms, this is really just a large spoon<br />

with a bent handle and deep serving cup. Ideal<br />

for soups, obviously, it’s difficult to perfect a<br />

Vietnamese noodle pho without one of these.<br />

Chef’s knife and sharpening block<br />

Ideally you should be looking for an 8-10” blade<br />

with a thick bolster to act as a finger guard, and<br />

the knife itself should sit comfortably in your hand.<br />

A sharpening block is essential too, otherwise<br />

preparing meat will be rather troublesome after a<br />

few months.


65<br />

Grater and microplane<br />

Most of us have a grater somewhere in the home,<br />

but we recommend looking for one that also allows<br />

you to microplane- you’ll need that for zesting<br />

lemons, grating Parmesan, herbs and spices, which<br />

is important in more complex dishes.<br />

This is the best possible way to fry meat and fish<br />

with aesthetically pleasing griddle marks. Look for<br />

the heaviest you can, which is usually a good sign<br />

of quality, and one where the metal runs into the<br />

wooden handle.<br />

Paring knife<br />

You won’t be able to make fine cuts - for example<br />

coring tomatoes, other fruits and vegetables -<br />

without one of these. One word of advice; if the<br />

blade doesn’t extend into the handle put it back on<br />

the shelf and look for another.<br />

Cerated bread knife<br />

Let’s face it, your weekday morning toast is fine<br />

from a loaf of pre-cut bread, but if you’re sitting<br />

down to a hearty winter stew and want a crusty<br />

baguette you’ll need a suitable knife to carve it up.<br />

Can opener<br />

Look for a bulky plastic can opener that has a twist<br />

knob on top, rather than the more old school allmetal<br />

version.<br />

Wire mesh colander<br />

If you’re cooking pasta then this is a key purchase,<br />

even if that pasta is shop bought. Try to find one<br />

with a foot at the bottom, thus meaning your<br />

spaghetti won’t be left sitting in a puddle of water.<br />

Pasta maker<br />

There are almost as many pasta makers on the<br />

market as there are types of pasta, and so it can get a<br />

little confusing. Our preference would be to choose<br />

on that offers between three and five settings for<br />

various pasta shapes - any more and chances are it<br />

will be a jack of all trades, master of none.<br />

Wok<br />

Although no longer the exotic pan it once was,<br />

woks are probably the best investment you can<br />

make for the kitchen. Ideal for stir fry dishes and<br />

other oriental meals, there’s also nothing to stop<br />

you using this for a plethora of other offerings.<br />

Griddle pan<br />

Last, but definitely not least, is the griddle plan.


66<br />

Austrian Pancakes<br />

Totally different to our traditional pancakes, but these Austrian versions are<br />

tasty enough to be served at a dinner party. Serves 4<br />

Ingredients<br />

2 tbsps raisins<br />

2 tbsps rum<br />

4 egg yolks<br />

50g sugar<br />

1 pinch of salt<br />

500ml milk<br />

a drop of vanilla extract<br />

150g plain flour, sieved<br />

5 egg whites<br />

60g melted butter, divided<br />

Method<br />

Add the rum and raisins to a bowl and soak for 30 minutes before draining.<br />

Whisk egg yolks, sugar and salt until pale yellow and fluffy. Stir in milk and<br />

vanilla extract before gradually stirring in the flour. Stir in the raisins. Whisk<br />

the egg whites until very stiff and fold into the pancake batter. Heat a<br />

tablespoon of the butter over a low heat in a deep pan (about 20cm across)<br />

and pour in half of the batter. Heat for 4 minutes until the batter has risen<br />

and the underside is lightly browned. Remove from the pan, add another<br />

tablespoon of butter to the pan, flip the pancake and cook the other side for<br />

4 minutes. Repeat with the rest of the batter. Break they cooked pancakes<br />

into 6-8 pieces then fry again in the remaining butter for about 2 minutes.<br />

Serve dusted with icing sugar and some stewed fruit, if desired.<br />

Icing sugar


67<br />

Baked Camembert<br />

Enjoy one of the best-known French cheeses in a delicious way, bursting with<br />

flavour and coated in breadcrumbs. Make sure the cheese is not too ripe and<br />

freeze before cooking to ensure the centre melts when baking. Serves 4<br />

Ingredients<br />

4 individual Camemberts<br />

or one large Camembert<br />

cut into approx 80g/3oz<br />

wedges, frozen for 1 hour<br />

25g plain flour<br />

1 egg beaten with 1tbsp<br />

water<br />

25g breadcrumbs<br />

50ml sunflower oil<br />

Raspberry coulis or<br />

cranberry sauce to<br />

garnish<br />

Method<br />

1. Preheat oven to 200C/400F/Gas Mark 6<br />

2. Remove the Camembert from the freezer and carefully cut the white skin<br />

from the top, while leaving the bottom and sides in tact. Coat well on all sides<br />

with the flour.<br />

3. Dip the coated Camembert in the egg mix and coat with breadcrumbs,<br />

then repeat both steps. Pat well to help the crumbs stick, then place in the<br />

fridge for 30 minutes.<br />

4. Heat the oil over a medium heat. Remove the cheeses from the fridge and<br />

fry lightly on each side until light golden brown - approximately 1-2 minutes.<br />

Make sure the cheese does not begin to melt. Remove and drain excess oil on<br />

paper towels.<br />

5. Place the lightly-browned cheeses on a lined baking tray and bake in the<br />

oven for 5-10 minutes or until the top is slightly puffed.


68<br />

Upload your event for FREE at<br />

www.locallife247.co.uk/events<br />

Follow us on Facebook<br />

events2go<br />

Music Society<br />

Saturday, April 21, 7.45pm<br />

Parbold Douglas Music presents the annual Young<br />

Musician’s Showcase concert featuring young<br />

talented musicians from the local area. Young<br />

singers and musicians from across the Northwest<br />

region aged between 13 and 21 years old will be<br />

playing a variety of instruments on the evening.<br />

Auditorium, Parbold Village Hall, 2 The Green,<br />

WN8 7DN. Tel: 01257 463878<br />

Artisan Market<br />

Sun, April 22, 10am-4pm; Sun, <strong>May</strong> 20, 10am-4pm<br />

Haigh’s monthly artisan market rocks back to the<br />

park and there are monthly dates available until<br />

December <strong>2018</strong>! There’ll be more than 80 art, food,<br />

craft, and drink artisans, as well as street food, live<br />

music and great community atmosphere.<br />

Haigh Woodland Park, Haigh, WN2 1PE. Tel: 07789<br />

181677 (organiser)<br />

Townswomen’s Guild<br />

Monday, April 23 & Monday, <strong>May</strong> 14, 7.30pm<br />

Come along to the Winstanley & Highfield<br />

Townswomen’s Guild and learn something new. On<br />

Monday, April 23, ‘Can you use a defibrillator?’ Now<br />

you can find out how as this could save a life. And<br />

on Monday, <strong>May</strong> 14, the Guild’s favourite Ian Morris<br />

is back and this time he’s a real Saxon.<br />

St Pauls Church Hall, Clapgate Lane, Goose Green,<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>, WN3 5LH. Tel: 01942 242984<br />

The Pajama Game<br />

Tuesday, April 24, 7.30pm-9pm, to Saturday, April<br />

28, 7.30pm-9pm (daily)<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Musical Theatre group present “The Pajama<br />

Game,” a musical based on Richard Bissell’s novel<br />

7½ cents. Call 07598 508004 or email Ticketswmtg@<br />

gmail.com for tickets which are £9 each.<br />

St Michael’s Parish Hall, Shaw Street, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN1<br />

2BQ. Tel: 07806 787250<br />

Ladies Lunch / Fashion Show<br />

Thursday, April 26, 11am<br />

Ladies Lunch with Fashion Show by Barbara’s of<br />

Standish, with all proceeds to be donated to Cancer<br />

Research. There will be various stalls available to<br />

browse from around 11am. Tickets are £26, for more<br />

information or to purchase tickets, please contact<br />

Barbara’s of Standish on 01257 425480.<br />

Woodland Suite, Ribby Hall Village, Ribby Road,<br />

Wrea Green, PR4 2PR. Tel: 0800 085 1717<br />

Beyond <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier Musical<br />

Friday, April 27, 7pm-10pm<br />

Beyond <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier is <strong>Wigan</strong>’s West End reply to<br />

Orwell – written, produced and performed by<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>ers. The performance will show <strong>Wigan</strong> is a<br />

cultural force, that arts should be available to all<br />

and that we’ve come a long way from the <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

depicted in the Road to <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier.<br />

The Edge, Riveredge, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN3 5AB. Tel: 01942<br />

244460


69<br />

Farmers Market & Crafts Fair<br />

Sunday, April 29, 9am-3pm<br />

A special fair in aid of <strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh Hospice.<br />

There’ll be food, drink and crafts to enjoy at the free<br />

event. Organisers are looking for food, drinks, crafts<br />

and plant stalls – own gazebo needed and £20 fee.<br />

For more info email fundraising@wlh.org.uk<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh Hospice, Kildare Street, Hindley,<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>, WN2 3HZ. Tel: 01942 525566<br />

Steaming Sundays<br />

Sunday, April 29, 1pm-4pm<br />

Visit Trencherfield Mill and experience it working as<br />

it did all those years ago. There will be an informative<br />

multimedia presentation by engineers about the<br />

Mill engine’s history. Tickets are £4 for adults and<br />

£2 for children under 12 and concessions. For more<br />

info and to book call 01942 828128.<br />

Trencherfield Mill, <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier Quarter, <strong>Wigan</strong>,<br />

WN3 4EF. Tel: 01942 777566<br />

Family Nature Walk<br />

Sunday, April 29, 10am-12pm<br />

Walkers will be looking out for spring wildlife.<br />

Suitable footwear, waterproof clothing and<br />

binoculars recommended. For more information,<br />

contact Jeff on 07922 453908. Free event.<br />

Meet at the Kitchen Courtyard, Haigh Woodland<br />

Park, School Lane, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN2 1PE<br />

Haye V Bellew II<br />

Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 5, 6pm-11.55pm<br />

The Rematch! There are 70 inch LCD’s as well as<br />

the big 4K screen, it’s the best place to see this<br />

Monumentous Showdown! The bar is open until<br />

midnight with food until 10pm.Download the GK<br />

sports app for even better deals, it’d be crazy not to!<br />

Hungry Horse (Mount, <strong>Wigan</strong>), Orrell Road, WN5<br />

8HQ. Tel: 01942 219740<br />

Family Fun Day<br />

Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 5, 11am-4pm<br />

Over 20 stalls, arts & crafts, bouncy castle, outside<br />

catering plus the venue’s first Beer & Cider Festival.<br />

Join the fun, all to raise awareness and funds for<br />

ABF The Soldiers’ Charity - North West.<br />

The Sir Tom Finney, Central Drive , Penwortham,<br />

Preston, PR1 0NL. Tel: 01772 471477<br />

Family Fun Run<br />

Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 6, 8.30am<br />

Raise awareness about mental health in memory<br />

of Nathan Christy who died by suicide in 2016.<br />

Run or walk 1km or 5km on what would have been<br />

Nathan’s 27th birthday. Entry fees: £3 for children<br />

(up to 16 years), £5 for adults (17+). Sign up via<br />

https://bookitzone.com/noreen_christy/RN2FFX<br />

Haigh Woodland Park, Copperas Lane, <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

WN2 1PE. Tel: 01942 828280<br />

<strong>Local</strong> Family Festival Day<br />

Monday, <strong>May</strong> 7, 10am-5pm (gates open 9am)<br />

Enjoy a day of bikes, cars, drifting and karting.<br />

Various activities will be available for both children<br />

and adults with local stalls and refreshments. £5<br />

entrance fee for 16+ and under 16s go free.<br />

Three Sisters Circuit, Three Sisters Rd, Ashton-in-<br />

Makerfield, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN4 8DD. Tel: 01942 719030<br />

Artisan Market<br />

Sat, <strong>May</strong> 12; Sat, June 9; Sat, July 14, 10am-4pm<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Auction House invites Artisan fans to its<br />

monthly market day on the second Saturday of<br />

each month. There’ll be stalls selling organic meat &<br />

dairy, homemade artisan pies & cakes, arts & crafts,<br />

bespoke handmade children’s’ clothes, vintage<br />

traders, vinyl records and more. Free entry.<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Auction House, Miry Lane, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6<br />

7TG. Tel: 01942 230460


70<br />

Fairport Convention<br />

Tuesday, <strong>May</strong> 15, 7.30pm-11.30pm<br />

Fairport Convention has been making music for over<br />

50 years and are credited with originating British<br />

folk-rock music. Tickets are £21.40 in advance or<br />

£23 on the door www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fairportconvention-tickets-39688154338#tickets<br />

The Old Courts, entrance 4: The Theatre, Crawford<br />

Street, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN1 1NA. Tel: 01942 375859<br />

‘Goal for Ghana’ Concert<br />

Friday, <strong>May</strong> 18, 7.30pm<br />

After last year’s success the ‘T’Others are back to<br />

present ‘A Lancashire & Sixties Night.’ All proceeds<br />

go towards building a school/church in the village<br />

of Obinyimnda in Ghana. Tickets £5 (including tea/<br />

coffee biscuits) from: Bill Parkinson on 0782 441245<br />

or Beryl Gleaves on 01695 624303.<br />

Trinity Methodist Church, Pemberton, WN5 0DS<br />

Royal Wedding Tea Party<br />

Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 19, 10am-12pm<br />

Celebrate the royal wedding at the Red Robin<br />

Wacky Warehouse. There’ll be a buffet; create your<br />

own crown activity; kids are encouraged to dress<br />

up as a prince/princess; there’ll be a special guest<br />

appearance. It’s £8.50 per child and is a ticket only<br />

event.<br />

The Red Robin, Robin Park, 1 Anjou Blvd, <strong>Wigan</strong>,<br />

WN5 0UJ. Tel: 01942 218965<br />

The <strong>Wigan</strong> Rendezvous<br />

Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 20, 12.30pm-1.30pm<br />

Leigh District Access Group invites you to the <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

Rendezvous. Rides from Amberswood Hindley,<br />

Pennington Flash and Smith lane Bickershaw with<br />

a circular ride from the venue. Rosettes for all. Entry<br />

fee £10. Refreshments available. For more info email<br />

Terrin on barefrills@hotmail.co.uk<br />

Bickershaw Country Park, Edna Road, WN7 5ES<br />

Fashion Show<br />

Monday, <strong>May</strong> 21, 7pm-9.30pm<br />

Fashion Show and supper in Standish Methodist<br />

Church Hall. 7pm for 7.30 pm finishing around<br />

9.30pm. For further details please contact Barbara’s<br />

of Standish on 01257 425480<br />

Standish Methodist Church Hall, High Street,<br />

Standish, WN6 0HA. Tel: 01257 422598<br />

Bazaar and Rummage<br />

Wed, <strong>May</strong> 23 - Sat, June 2 (7.30pm showings)<br />

Gwenda, an ex-agoraphobic, leads a self-help<br />

group of three who have been unable to leave<br />

their homes. She forces them to help at a local<br />

bazaar, and while sorting through the rummage<br />

their individual fears erupt. Tickets vary from £10-<br />

£12 www.wiganlittletheatre.co.uk/performances/<br />

bazaar-and-rummage/<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Little Theatre, 44 Crompton Street, <strong>Wigan</strong>,<br />

WN1 3SL. Box Office: 01942 242561<br />

Race for <strong>Life</strong> 5k<br />

Wednesday, <strong>May</strong> 23, 7pm-8.30pm<br />

Walk, jog or run, and raise valuable funds for<br />

research to beat cancer. Entry fees: children £10;<br />

women £14.99; young women £14.99; under 6 entry<br />

(girls and boys) free and no registration needed. To<br />

register visit https://events.cancerresearchuk.org/<br />

events/signup/start/5aa6925b8707e<br />

Haigh Hall, Haigh, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN2 1P<br />

Appley Bridge Canal life<br />

Thursday, <strong>May</strong> 24, 7.30pm-9pm<br />

Bill Froggatt and Sam Marine from Canal & River<br />

Trust are giving an interesting and informative talk<br />

about the history of the Leeds-Liverpool canal and<br />

its influence on Appley Bridge. No ticket required.<br />

Appley Bridge Community Centre, Appley Lane<br />

North, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6 9AQ


71<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Comic Con <strong>2018</strong><br />

Saturday, <strong>May</strong> 26, 10am-4pm<br />

Funky Figures presents <strong>Wigan</strong>’s Comic Con.<br />

Collectibles, cars and cosplay will be featured<br />

alongside celebrity guests from TV film and comics.<br />

There’ll be a retro gaming area and arcade machines<br />

with a little chill out area for younger kids. Tickets<br />

available from http://funkyfigures.co.uk/<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Comic-Con, Loire Drive, Robin Park, WN5<br />

0UH. Tel: 07772 201119 (event planner)<br />

Car Boot Sale<br />

Sunday, <strong>May</strong> 27, 9am-2pm<br />

A car boot sale at the hospice. It’s £10 per car. To<br />

book your pitch please call the fundraising team on<br />

01942 525566 or email fundraising@wlh.org.uk<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> & Leigh Hospice, Kildare Street, <strong>Wigan</strong>,<br />

WN2 3HZ. Tel: 01942 525566<br />

<strong>May</strong> Market<br />

Monday, <strong>May</strong> 28, 12pm-5pm<br />

Join in the fun with stalls, live music, DJ, BBQ, kids’<br />

attractions and more! Supporting Macmillan. Free<br />

Entry. If you’d like to book a stall just give them a<br />

call.<br />

Hungry Horse (Mount, <strong>Wigan</strong>), Orrell Road, WN5<br />

8HQ. Tel: 01942 219740<br />

Half Term Holiday Karting<br />

Monday, <strong>May</strong> 28 until Friday, June 1<br />

Family Arrive ‘n’ Drive karting sessions for ages<br />

8+, Junior Arrive ‘n’ Drive karting sessions for ages<br />

8-15 years and Sisley Kart School sessions for<br />

ages 8-15 years. Prices start from £25. Visit www.<br />

threesisterscircuit.co.uk or contact the sales team to<br />

find out more.<br />

Three Sisters Circuit, Three Sisters Rd, Ashton-in-<br />

Makerfield, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN4 8DD. Tel: 01942 719030<br />

Creepy Crawly Critter<br />

Monday, <strong>May</strong> 28, 11am-1pm<br />

Come and meet our critter friends. There’ll be<br />

snakes, spiders, snails, lizards and more. £10 per<br />

child including a picnic box.<br />

The Red Robin, Robin Park, 1 Anjou Blvd, <strong>Wigan</strong>,<br />

WN5 0UJ. Tel: 01942 218965<br />

Vintage Tea Dance<br />

Monday, <strong>May</strong> 28, 1pm-5pm<br />

Elderly Dementia/Alzheimers sufferers across<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> and their loved ones are invited to a free<br />

vintage tea dance. Spend the day in the 1940’s,<br />

indulge in vintage treats, sing wartime tracks and<br />

have a good old’ jive. For reservations, please email<br />

us at chantelle@personal-careservices.co.uk<br />

St Anne’s Church Shevington, Standish Lower<br />

Ground and Crooke, Church Lane, WN6 8BD. Tel:<br />

07968 021641<br />

Midweek MTB Madness<br />

Wednesday, <strong>May</strong> 30, 6.30pm-8.15pm<br />

Popular midweek grassroots MTB series, expect<br />

rooty climbs, fast sections and maybe a bit of mud.<br />

Racers, Enthusiasts, Youth, Juvenile all race in one<br />

event. Entry fees range from £5-£15. Details on<br />

British Cycling www.britishcycling.org.uk/<br />

Haigh Woodland Park, Haigh, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN2 1PE<br />

Storybook Yoga<br />

Friday, June 1, 1pm-2pm and 3pm-4pm<br />

Join the team for classic stories, yoga and creative<br />

play. Stories are brought to life while learning a little<br />

yoga too. The Gruffalo is at 1pm and Green Eggs<br />

& Ham is at 3pm. Cost: £10 Suitable for one adult<br />

and one child, £5 for additional children via www.<br />

studiooneyoga.net/standishschedule<br />

Studio One Yoga, 1B, High Street, Standish, WN6<br />

0HA. Tel: 01257 424855


72<br />

Junior Beginners Sailing<br />

Saturday, June 9 to Saturday, June 30, 1pm-4pm<br />

The 6 week courses follow RYA & BCU training<br />

schemes for beginners in Sailing, Windsurfing<br />

and Kayaking. New participants will get free<br />

membership to the Tuesday evening activity club.<br />

To book, email outdooradventure@wlct.org or call<br />

01942 828508 for more information. Cost: £60.<br />

Scotmans Flash, Rushdene, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN3 5HJ. Tel:<br />

01942 324870<br />

Summer Fair<br />

Saturday, June 23, 11am-2pm<br />

There’s lots planned including: guest appearances<br />

(including Lightning McQueen), barbecue, bouncy<br />

castle and slide, donkey rides, face painting, Morris<br />

dancers, penalty shoot-out, plus many more stalls<br />

and games to play.<br />

Marus Bridge Primary School, Kelvin Grove, Marus<br />

Bridge, WN3 6SP. Tel: 01942 248129<br />

Community Fete<br />

Saturday, June 30, 11am-4pm<br />

With stalls, rides, games, live music, food, craft fair,<br />

community info and more. Games, tug ‘o’ war, races<br />

and entertainment will be held on the Recreation<br />

Ground. For more info on how to get involved,<br />

email elaineellams@aol.com or for stall bookings<br />

shevingtonfete@outlook.com<br />

Gathurst Lane, Shevington, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6 8HW<br />

Midsummer Ball<br />

Saturday 30th June <strong>2018</strong>, 7.00pm for 7.30pm<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> MS Therapy Centre Ltd., a registered charity<br />

based in Marsh Green, will be hosting a Midsummer<br />

Ball to raise funds for their projects. Bar until 1am,<br />

Carriages 1.15am. Live entertainment + DJ. Three<br />

Course Meal. Tickets are £30 each. Call 07702025280<br />

or 07759735301 for details and tickets<br />

The Marquee, DW Stadium <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Summer Baby Rave<br />

Sunday, July 8, 10am-11am<br />

There’ll be free glow sticks, UV face painting, dance<br />

routines, bubbles, multi-sensory play and huge<br />

dance anthems. Get your neon gear on and glow<br />

crazy!! Tickets £4 per person. Minimum of 1 child<br />

ticket per booking. Tickets are available at www.<br />

littleravers.co.uk/book-tickets<br />

Pemberton Masonic Hall, Chapel Street,<br />

Pemberton, WN5 8JP. Tel: 07858 604590<br />

Barking Mad Dog Festival<br />

Saturday, July 14, 10am-6pm<br />

Displays, an agility race for you and your pooch,<br />

Flyball, dog show, Microchipping and health checks<br />

with one of the on-site vets. Grab a drink at the bar<br />

and your favourite food. Kids can spend their time<br />

on the fair and bouncy castle and slide.<br />

Thompson House Equestrian Centre, Pepper<br />

Lane, Standish, WN6 0PP. Tel: 01257 422618<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Bike Ride <strong>2018</strong><br />

Sunday, July 22, 9.30am<br />

The organisers of the inaugural <strong>Wigan</strong> Bike Ride<br />

are delighted to confirm the event has returned<br />

with a 50 mile main ride and a 5 mile family ride.<br />

For more info and to register, please visit http://<br />

wiganbikeride.co.uk/<br />

Mesnes Park, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN1 1TU.<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Pride <strong>2018</strong><br />

Saturday, August 11, 11am-5pm<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Pride is back. It promises to be a free, fun,<br />

family friendly event jam packed with artists and<br />

local talent on the main stage and a range of<br />

different market stalls. This year it’s celebrating<br />

equality and diversity whilst encouraging everyone<br />

to get involved in their communities. It’s inclusive,<br />

diverse and tolerant for all. Autism Friendly.<br />

Market Place, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN1 1PJ


73<br />

Small really can be<br />

beautiful<br />

by Angie Barker<br />

So many of us have small gardens these<br />

days but any outside space is a wonderful<br />

addition to a home which is why we should make<br />

the most of every inch of space and make our<br />

gardens attractive, as well as practical, outdoor<br />

rooms.<br />

Small gardens need extra consideration however<br />

and here are a few pointers when thinking about<br />

the design of a small space:<br />

Decide what style you are going for and stick to that<br />

theme. So a contemporary garden, choose plants<br />

which will complete the look – Phormiums and<br />

Bamboos for example and go with straight lines. A<br />

courtyard garden should use Buxus sempervirens<br />

(Box) hedges and topiary. A more traditional style<br />

can use sweeping curves and circles.<br />

Don’t try to cram too much into a small space – less<br />

is more!<br />

Plants need to earn their keep so choose specimens<br />

which have long seasons of interest and a good<br />

balance of evergreens. Also limit your colour palette<br />

because too many colours in a small garden will<br />

make the borders appear cluttered<br />

If your garden is shady make the bold decision to<br />

remove the lawn as it will always struggle. There is<br />

a fantastic range of paving products available now<br />

and small cobble setts really suit a small space<br />

You should incorporate a focal point - a large pot<br />

(unplanted) can do the trick perfectly. Similarly a<br />

bird bath, sun dial or sculpture<br />

Use the walls and fences to grow climbers which<br />

will green up the space and make it feel larger<br />

There are lots of clever storage solutions available<br />

these days like benches with hinged seats and<br />

screening ideas to hide away those dreaded<br />

wheelie bins.<br />

And one of the best things about a small garden is<br />

that you can get close up and personal with your<br />

plants and really look at their beautiful detail. One<br />

of the best for <strong>May</strong> must be Dicentra spectabilis<br />

(Lamprocapnos spectabilis is the new name) or<br />

Bleeding Heart. There is a white form called ‘Alba’<br />

which is simply stunning.<br />

Award Winner<br />

I’m always telling Hubby that the best things come in<br />

small packages – he is not very tall at 5 feet 8 inches<br />

– but what there is of him is perfectly designed !<br />

Angie is a qualified<br />

award-winning garden<br />

designer who will<br />

plan your garden to<br />

your needs from start<br />

to finish, supplying<br />

reputable contractors<br />

and the ideal plants.<br />

Call Angie now for your free consultation!<br />

Angie Barker Dip GD<br />

(Inst GD) BA (Hons)<br />

Garden Design For All Seasons<br />

Tel: 01942 522 405<br />

Mob: 07857 008 383<br />

Award Winner<br />

www.angiebarker.co.uk


74<br />

Creative Garden<br />

Construction<br />

scope2scape<br />

scope2scape.co.uk<br />

T 01257 464221 M 07761 808413 / 07900 224849<br />

NEED HELP WITH YOUR GARDEN?<br />

I’ll do the hard work for you;<br />

Friendly and professional female gardener<br />

Regular maintenance service<br />

Weeding, planting and pruning<br />

Contact Hannah on<br />

01257 402 149 / 07454 393 217<br />

www.artemisgardening.co.uk<br />

Garden Landscaping<br />

(lawn laying, planting, fencing)<br />

Garden Maintenance<br />

(weeding, mowing, trimming, hedges)<br />

Regular or one off visits<br />

Plants & Planting<br />

Award-winning,<br />

local family run<br />

business offers:<br />

(wide range of plants available with advice and<br />

planting service)<br />

Call now for a friendly, no obligation quote<br />

01257 401193 / 0771 077 2732<br />

www.newleafgardenservices.co.uk<br />

Complete Solution to all Garden & Tree Services<br />

Garden maintenance<br />

One-off clearances<br />

Treework<br />

Landscaping<br />

Approved contractor West Lancs BC<br />

Call Iain today for friendly advice and a free quote<br />

Tel: 01695 632773 Mob: 07724 298193<br />

www.hands-onlandscapes.co.uk<br />

Garden Make-Overs<br />

Before<br />

After<br />

Billinge-based<br />

•Landscaping<br />

•Driveways<br />

•Decking<br />

•Design<br />

Call for free estimate<br />

Colin 07958 302 166<br />

Brian 07760 160 988<br />

Wilson Brothers<br />

01695 633173<br />

Wilson Brothers<br />

www.wilson-bros.co.uk<br />

ALL ASPECTS OF TREE WORK UNDERTAKEN<br />

TELEPHONE:<br />

01695 623 909<br />

07903 290 878<br />

QUALIFIED & INSURED<br />

FREE ESTIMATES


Semmens<br />

Landscapes<br />

Garden Design • Landscaping • Maintenance<br />

Landscapes<br />

Creating the ideal outdoor<br />

living space<br />

Garden Design & Construction<br />

All aspects of Paving, Driveways & Patios<br />

Award Winner<br />

Professional & reliable service<br />

For a free quote, call Andy on<br />

07814 133 690<br />

26, Tracks Lane<br />

Billinge, WN5 7BL<br />

Call Stewart Ashcroft on;<br />

01695 622460 or 07894 217191<br />

email:westdene41@btinternet.com<br />

Winstanley Road, Billinge<br />

Want a beautiful<br />

garden without all<br />

the hard work?<br />

At GreenHills we don’t just treat your lawns, we<br />

offer a complete service all year round.<br />

• APPLICATION OF LAWN TREATMENTS<br />

• GARDEN MAINTENANCE / ONE OFF TIDY UPS<br />

• JETWASHING DRIVEWAYS & PATIOS<br />

• HEDGES & SHRUBS MAINTAINED<br />

• WEED SPRAYING OF PATHS & DRIVEWAYS<br />

• BILLINGE BASED<br />

Professional Lawn Treatment<br />

& Garden Maintenance<br />

~ Est. 2001 ~<br />

01942 200 039 or 07950 651 956<br />

GreenhillsLC@gmail.com<br />

garden maintenance<br />

weed control to lawn &<br />

driveways<br />

hedge cutting<br />

garden tidy ups<br />

Garden Services & Lawncare<br />

Give your garden a makeover!<br />

We offer high quality landscaping, garden<br />

design and ground maintenance services<br />

Quality work and reliability<br />

at competitive prices<br />

01942 510 986<br />

07710 405 214<br />

www.ashlandscapingandmaintenance.co.uk<br />

Established 1994<br />

Our aim is to deliver a creative, personal<br />

service adhering to our customers<br />

requirements and within budget.<br />

Large projects or small makeovers are all<br />

carried out with the same commitment and<br />

dedication. We take great pride in completing<br />

all projects to the highest possible standards.<br />

www.pdhomeandgarden.co.uk<br />

07946 751308 01942 206503<br />

75<br />

fertilising & moss control<br />

turfing & landscaping<br />

tree surgery<br />

one off jobs or regular<br />

maintenance<br />

HND qualified. PA1 PA2 & PA6 spraying qualifications.<br />

20 years experience. Billinge based.<br />

jmagardenservices.co.uk<br />

day: 07929 366769 eve: 01744 302793


76<br />

SMN<br />

Tree and Landscape Management<br />

West Lancashire District Council approved contractor<br />

Day: 07970 521 692 Eve: 01942 214 121<br />

www.smntrees.co.uk steve@smntrees.co.uk<br />

Garden maintenance ~ General tidy ups<br />

Hedge cutting ~ Pressure washing ~ Fencing<br />

Call - 01942 225711 or 07773 296880<br />

Qualified Tree Surgeon NCA RFS NPTC<br />

All types of Tree and Hedge Work<br />

Fully Insured<br />

Felling, Reducing, Pruning, Shaping<br />

GARDEN GATES<br />

£145 fitted<br />

Call Graham<br />

07816 386 548<br />

01257 425 958<br />

www.ashfieldhomeimprovements.co.uk<br />

• •<br />

• Gates and railings<br />

• Repairs and restorations<br />

• Ironwork and welding<br />

• Traditional forge work<br />

25 years of expertise<br />

Landscape & Artificial Grass Specialist<br />

We’ll design & create your new modern<br />

low-maintenance garden<br />

Our wide range of artificial grass are all<br />

guaranteed for 10 years<br />

Call Andy today for more details<br />

01942 387 044 ~ 07941 602 539<br />

Check out our projects on www.turfcouk.co.uk<br />

Paving Driveways Turfing<br />

Planting<br />

Decking<br />

10 YEAR<br />

GUARANTEE<br />

Creative solutions for all garden sizes & budgets<br />

07850 940 429 or 01942 512 635<br />

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Tel: 01695 721877 Mobile: 07951 764202<br />

The Barn, 286 Ormskirk Road, Upholland<br />

ORRELL MACHINERY<br />

SALES • SERVICE • SPARES • REPAIRS<br />

Service your mower<br />

now for Spring <strong>2018</strong><br />

We also service<br />

all power tools<br />

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NO VAT CHARGED<br />

pick up & drop off!<br />

for mower services<br />

Unit 6, Hewitt Business Park, Orrell WN5 7XB<br />

Call - 01695 682 043


77<br />

Garden need a little<br />

LTC?<br />

• Tree Surgery<br />

• Flagging & Fencing<br />

• Landscaping & Design<br />

• Garden Clearances<br />

• Logs For Sale<br />

Wood chipping & stump grinder services<br />

Call Lloyd today for a free estimate<br />

01942 367170 / 07900 738637<br />

Cricket St, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6 7TP<br />

www.ltcgroup.co.uk<br />

www.treetechsolutions.co.uk<br />

• All tree work<br />

• Hedge cutting<br />

• Grounds maintenance<br />

• Stump grinding<br />

NO JOB<br />

TOO SMALL<br />

EMERGENCY CALL OUTS WELCOME<br />

Call Wes for a free quote on<br />

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LANDSCAPING<br />

• Block Paving<br />

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• Jet Washing<br />

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Email: fourseasons.treespecialists@gmail.com OAP<br />

Discounts


78<br />

According to www.lancashire.gov.uk, 71%<br />

of the North West’s fruit and vegetables are<br />

grown in the West Lancashire area and it is those flat<br />

fertile fields that we visit today on our latest Jack’s<br />

Tracks, which clocked in at just over 6 miles long.<br />

Most unusually for a village, Burscough has not one,<br />

but two railway stations, and it is from the Burscough<br />

Bridge station that the walk starts.<br />

Go north of the station on the A59 and turn left into<br />

Red Cat Lane. Within 75 yards turn left into the road<br />

leading to the old station house. There, on the right,<br />

lies the pathway that eventually leads to Martin<br />

Mere; this is the path you need.<br />

The path soon opens up and runs alongside the<br />

railway line for a further 600 yards until you arrive at<br />

Crabtree Lane. Turn right and within a minute or so<br />

you’ll see a yellow girder set in the ground next to<br />

a track. Turn left down the track which soon opens<br />

up into a field; stay on the right hand boundary of<br />

the field.<br />

Burscough<br />

Bridge<br />

by Chris Pearce<br />

For those with the OS Maps<br />

app on your desktop, mobile or<br />

tablet, this walk is named:<br />

JT Burscough Bridge


79<br />

Once you reach the fence which encloses Monk’s<br />

Farm, bear left and then follow the fence round a<br />

right hand bend until you reach a fingerpost. Take<br />

a 90 degree left turn towards Martin Mere and walk<br />

the 750 yards across the big open fields to Marsh<br />

Moss Lane. Cross the single track lane and go<br />

through the fence directly opposite.<br />

Follow the path to another fingerpost, in front of<br />

the metal fence enclosing the Martin Mere estate<br />

and turn left though the gate with a ‘Caution Deep<br />

Water’ sign on it. It’s very noticeable that the noise<br />

Martin Mere<br />

Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust<br />

Brandreth<br />

Farm<br />

Tarlscough Lane<br />

Marsh Moss Lane<br />

Red Cat Lane<br />

Martin Lane<br />

New Lane<br />

The Farm<br />

Burscough<br />

Moss Nook<br />

Merscar Lane<br />

Gorst Lane<br />

Martin Lane<br />

Crabtree Lane<br />

Burscough<br />

Bridge<br />

Orrell Lane<br />

Leeds & Liverpool Canal<br />

Start / Finish<br />

Schoo<br />

Burscough<br />

Wharf<br />

Burscough<br />

B5241<br />

Higgins Lane<br />

A59<br />

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that<br />

the walk is accurate, neither 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 other cause.


80<br />

of chirps, tweets and the honking of the seemingly<br />

kamikaze Canada Geese increases, as you make<br />

your way round the tall reed beds surrounding the<br />

wetlands.<br />

Those with the foresight to have brought<br />

binoculars may want to linger in the bird hides, but<br />

with a thirsty dog in tow I push on round the reed<br />

beds until I come to a track. Cross the track to the<br />

secondary pathway opposite and go through the<br />

gate; bear right and cross the stream and then take<br />

an immediate right down a slight gradient.<br />

Follow that path past the ponds and then once<br />

you’ve rounded a right hand bend you’ll arrive


81<br />

at another fingerpost. Take a 90 degree left turn<br />

towards a derelict barn, and take another left turn<br />

towards the railway. Cross the rails with great care<br />

and as soon as you’re across, turn left on a path that<br />

runs parallel to the railway line.<br />

Take a 90 degree right hand turn at the fingerpost<br />

towards ‘The Farm Tea Shop’, and then when you’ve<br />

swerved round a fir copse and walked round a field<br />

you’ll come to Martin Lane. Turn left and within 75<br />

yards you’ll come to the aforementioned tea shop.<br />

Carry on Martin Lane in the same direction, through<br />

the junction with Merscar Lane. Just before the<br />

crossing over the canal, follow the path on the right<br />

which leads to the towpath, then turn left under the<br />

canal bridge towards Burscough. Follow the canal<br />

for almost two miles past two swing bridges (31-<br />

New Lane and 32-Crabtree Lane) until you exit the<br />

canal at bridge 32a – Burscough Bridge.<br />

You are right by Burscough Wharf and the village<br />

centre. Turn left and go through the centre for 325<br />

yards until you get to the finish point of Burscough<br />

Bridge rail station.<br />

For those with the OS Maps app on your phone, this<br />

walk is named ‘JT Burscough Bridge’.<br />

<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />

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When can<br />

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Call - 01942 217752


82<br />

Test Drive<br />

DS<br />

7 Crossback<br />

by Tim Barnes-Clay<br />

Tim Barnes-Clay, is back from his latest car<br />

launch. This time he was invited to Windsor to<br />

sample the all-new DS 7 Crossback.<br />

At first sight, the DS 7 Crossback shows off<br />

conservative, rather than cool, characteristics. Yes,<br />

yes, I know beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But<br />

this is my opinion, and someone needs to have one.<br />

On the move, body lean is kept to a minimum, even<br />

though the steering is spongy and dead - and it isn’t<br />

perked up by changing the DS into its Sport mode.<br />

Don’t let me rain on the DS7 Crossback’s parade too


83<br />

much, though. The French motor<br />

is best kept in its Comfort setting,<br />

so that you can make the most<br />

of its respectable ride quality.<br />

This car isn’t all about the zero to<br />

62mph sprint, it’s far happier as<br />

a laid-back cruiser. But it can still<br />

pull okay, with the 2.0-litre diesel<br />

model doing the 0-62mph in just<br />

under 10 seconds.<br />

The DS marque is launching the<br />

Crossback with four different trim<br />

levels, and the Performance Line<br />

DS 7, as driven here, is likely to be<br />

the model to please the masses.<br />

This car gets 19-inch alloys,<br />

a gloss black grille, and LED<br />

lights. In the cabin, leather and<br />

Alcantara abound, while a 12-<br />

inch touchscreen infotainment<br />

screen hogs the limelight. Playing<br />

second fiddle to the big display is<br />

a large analogue clock, perched<br />

above the ignition button.<br />

The infotainment system itself is<br />

intuitive and responsive and is<br />

supported by a bunch of touch<br />

sensitive switches for the cabin<br />

controls. But more remarkable in this car segment<br />

is the adding of an infrared night vision camera that<br />

projects a vivid picture onto the driver’s display. It<br />

picks out pedestrians and animals ahead of you,<br />

and, as I found out driving around Berkshire’s unlit<br />

backroads, it works! The only drawback is that the<br />

clever driver aid is an option costing £1600.<br />

Room in the cabin is good for five-up and it’s a<br />

very comfortable car fore and aft. Indeed, the<br />

DS 7 Crossback’s flat floor means that a rear seat<br />

occupant sitting in the middle will still have<br />

space. What’s more, the car’s boot is generously<br />

proportioned with 555 litres of cargo capacity.<br />

The all-new DS’ weak point is its price-tag. At over<br />

£30,000, other more established premium brands<br />

may seem more attractive. The BMW X3 and Volvo<br />

XC40 are examples of the stiff competition the upto-the-minute<br />

French machine is up against.<br />

Still, being different is quite appealing, so it’ll be<br />

interesting to see what <strong>2018</strong> holds for the DS 7<br />

Crossback. Watch this space!<br />

Fast Facts<br />

• 0-62 mph: 9.9 secs<br />

• Combined mpg: 57.6<br />

• Engine layout: 1997cc four-cylinder turbo diesel<br />

• Max. power (PS): 180<br />

• CO2: 128 g/km<br />

• Price: £36,335


84<br />

Car Paintwork Repairs<br />

We’ll fix your;<br />

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For your free estimate, call Dave on<br />

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c/o JW Gaskell Garages,<br />

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www.jwgaskellgarageservices.co.uk


85<br />

Home Services<br />

- sponsored by<br />

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• Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 •<br />

We measure<br />

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Strawberry Cottage, Pimbo Road, Upholland WN8 9QL<br />

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Call Garage Sally: 01695 and 627 entrance 999 doors<br />

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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />

Is your<br />

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Call us today for a free estimate<br />

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t: 01942 738347 w: www.cjmgaragedoors.co.uk


86<br />

Picture Perfect!<br />

Digital Aerial & HD CCTV Installer<br />

TV Aerials installed & repaired<br />

Sky, Freesat, Talk Talk & BT<br />

Setup Service<br />

Telephone/Broadband repair<br />

Tv Wall mounting & CCTV<br />

Ring Paul on www.wiganaerials.com<br />

01942 514532 - 07709 490095<br />

HD CCTV Installed<br />

from only £295<br />

View your property on any smartphone<br />

or tablet from anywhere in the world<br />

Wireless Alarm System<br />

Wired systems also installed & serviced<br />

Digital Aerials installed<br />

from only £59 *<br />

*dependent of property size & signal strength.<br />

Call now for a FREE, no obligation quote!<br />

07817 807 960 / 01257 453 133<br />

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Looking to target<br />

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in <strong>2018</strong>?<br />

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Call Sally on 01695 627 999 for details<br />

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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong>


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! Stuart Goulding<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 />

Dennis Goulding<br />

J27<br />

Shevington<br />

A49<br />

Standish<br />

Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road,<br />

Wrightington, WN6 9RS<br />

(Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)<br />

Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 noon<br />

www.dglwindows.co.uk<br />

Unit 4a,<br />

o f Miry Lane,<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>.<br />

WN6 7TP<br />

or<br />

87<br />

Complete Electrical Installation<br />

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From new sockets to entire re-wires<br />

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WORK WELCOMED<br />

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Wireless Alarm System<br />

From £395<br />

Call us today for friendly advice and a free quote<br />

Suite 1A Kirkless Ind. Est<br />

Cale Lane <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

J.Dillon<br />

Call: 01257 424918 or 07821 139826<br />

www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk<br />

• All types of electrical work<br />

• 20+ years experience<br />

• Friendly, fast and reliable<br />

• 24 hour call out service<br />

01942 836 937 or 07557 914 788 www.ghewigan.co.uk<br />

Electrical<br />

Services Ltd<br />

Design & Print<br />

Over 30 years electrical experience<br />

All aspects of electrical work undertaken inc;<br />

Installation, Maintenance and Repair<br />

Building regulations work<br />

CCTV and Security Alarms<br />

Inspections and PAT testing<br />

Lashes<br />

Spray Tan<br />

Sunbeds<br />

Acrylic & Gel Nails<br />

Natalies @ Studio 84<br />

Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories,<br />

Soffits & Fascias I Composite Doors I Bi-Fold Doors<br />

Gel<br />

Nails<br />

normally £20<br />

now £15<br />

84 Rainford Road, Bi linge WN5 7PG<br />

Telephone: 07814 619 400<br />

Open:<br />

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM<br />

Closed Thursday & Sunday<br />

Mo sy Lea Road<br />

Solar Thermal<br />

& Solar PV<br />

Wind Turbines<br />

Heat Pumps<br />

LED Lighting<br />

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Don’t forget, we also offer all of these services daily...<br />

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Y<br />

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Book<br />

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CAR & VAN SERVICING<br />

...and motorcycles too<br />

FREE<br />

Car Health Check<br />

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Visit our showroom at<br />

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for all residents of Croston and Bretherton<br />

Keep me until you need me!<br />

Book your FREE Car Health Check<br />

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Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />

and distribution service.<br />

For more information call 01695 627 999<br />

<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />

Call Andrew to discuss your requirements<br />

Office 01695 625669<br />

Mobile 07850 956229<br />

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undertaken<br />

• Friendly reliable service<br />

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rewires<br />

Free quotations<br />

A.J.S.<br />

BAILEYS<br />

ELECTRICAL<br />

01942 215 769<br />

07739 709 005


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! Stuart Goulding<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 />

Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road,<br />

Wrightington, WN6 9RS<br />

Dennis Goulding<br />

(Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’)<br />

A5209<br />

B5250<br />

J27<br />

Shevington<br />

A49<br />

Standish<br />

Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 noon<br />

www.dglwindows.co.uk<br />

Unit 4a,<br />

off Miry Lane,<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>.<br />

WN6 7TP<br />

or<br />

88<br />

Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning<br />

• traditional service, state of the art results •<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Good<br />

Trader Of<br />

The Year<br />

2015<br />

5 star rating with<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Trading<br />

Standards Good<br />

Trader Scheme<br />

• Carpets • Rugs<br />

• Fabric & Leather Upholstery<br />

Call today for a free consultation & no obligation quote<br />

Call - 01257 251221<br />

Mobile - 07908 770808<br />

www.manorhousecleaning.co.uk<br />

Orrell Laundry<br />

11 Sefton Road, Orrell, WN5 8UP<br />

01695 623 796<br />

• Bedding & duvets • Domestic washes<br />

• Commercial washing • Ironing services<br />

• Dry cleaning • Team sports kits welcomed<br />

Open 7 days<br />

see website for<br />

opening times<br />

Free pick-up<br />

& drop off!<br />

Serving the<br />

community for<br />

over 50 years<br />

Free pICk-up & DrOp OFF<br />

service to/from Orrell, Billinge, Winstanley, Highfield, Marus Bridge,<br />

Kitt Green & Up Holland<br />

www.orrell-laundry.co.uk<br />

Want to promote your<br />

company in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>?<br />

Call Sally: 01695 627 999<br />

locallife247.co.uk<br />

<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />

Providing professional carpet &<br />

upholstery cleaning since 1993<br />

Carpets Upholstery Curtains<br />

Leather Oriental Rugs Hard Floors<br />

For more information call:<br />

01942 470 081<br />

Visit our website and check out the testimonials.<br />

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mr-soot.com<br />

Mr Soot<br />

CHIMNEY SWEEP<br />

Woodburners Open fires Stoves<br />

07724 311 992<br />

Design & Print<br />

Lashes<br />

Spray Tan<br />

Sunbeds<br />

Acrylic & Gel Nails<br />

Natalies @ Studio 84<br />

Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories,<br />

Soffits & Fascias I Composite Doors I Bi-Fold Doors<br />

Gel<br />

Nails<br />

normally £20<br />

now £15<br />

84 Rainford Road, Bi linge WN5 7PG<br />

Telephone: 07814 619 400<br />

Open:<br />

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM<br />

Closed Thursday & Sunday<br />

Mo sy Lea Road<br />

Solar Thermal<br />

& Solar PV<br />

Wind Turbines<br />

Heat Pumps<br />

LED Lighting<br />

...and general<br />

Energy Savings<br />

Don’t forget, we also offer all of these services daily...<br />

T<br />

Y<br />

R<br />

E<br />

S<br />

Book<br />

your FREE<br />

home survey<br />

Telephone: 01257 427 000<br />

and we’ l provide you with a<br />

detailed report showing the<br />

returns available from your<br />

own solar panels<br />

CAR & VAN SERVICING<br />

...and motorcycles too<br />

FREE<br />

Car Health Check<br />

(10% typical return)<br />

Visit our showroom at<br />

Cricket Street Business Park<br />

for all residents of Croston and Bretherton<br />

Keep me until you need me!<br />

Book your FREE Car Health Check<br />

Call now on<br />

TwinLakesMotorEngin ers<br />

01772 603923<br />

REPAIR & WELDING<br />

Saving money is<br />

the clear benefit!<br />

Slash your electricity and<br />

water heating bill<br />

Protect your household from<br />

future energy price rises<br />

Reduce your household’s<br />

impact on the environment<br />

E<br />

X<br />

H<br />

A<br />

U<br />

S<br />

T<br />

S<br />

Call us now<br />

0843 224 9555<br />

07595 420237<br />

Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk<br />

Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk<br />

Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />

and distribution service.<br />

For more information call 01695 627 999<br />

<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong>


89<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>’s premier<br />

domestic<br />

cleaning service<br />

Ovenclean will transform your oven and<br />

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• Ovens<br />

• Grills<br />

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Cleaning in the<br />

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10+ years<br />

We only use reliable, vetted staff<br />

• £10.75 per hour - minimum 2 hrs<br />

• Same cleaner each visit<br />

• All domestic duties provided<br />

Call or email Joanne 01942 203442<br />

joanne@acleanbreak.co.uk / www.acleanbreak.co.uk/wigan<br />

as seen<br />

ON TV<br />

• Hobs<br />

• Ranges<br />

• Microwaves<br />

• AGA’s<br />

Call today to book your oven clean<br />

0800 840 7127 or<br />

07724 694337<br />

www.ovenclean.com<br />

UPVC CLEANING<br />

• Windows, Fascias, Gutters etc.<br />

CONSERVATORIES<br />

• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning)<br />

• Glass roofs / Orangeries<br />

JETWASHING<br />

• Driveways & Patios etc.<br />

ROOF CLEANING<br />

• Moss Removal<br />

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• NEW Soft Wash Cleaning<br />

SPECIAL OFFER - 20% OFF<br />

ALL CLEANING PACKAGES<br />

Call Clint for a free no obligation quote.<br />

01942 470 089 / 07834 241 642<br />

www.conservatorycleaningwigan.com<br />

PB<br />

Driveways<br />

Conservatories<br />

Patios & Decking<br />

Gutters & Fascias<br />

Bricks & Walls<br />

Power<br />

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HOUSE CLEANING AT ITS BEST<br />

BEFORE<br />

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Call Paul today to arrange a free quote<br />

01257 402 113 ~ 07736 396 374<br />

www.pbpowerwashing.co.uk


90<br />

IAIN LOWE<br />

01695 623236<br />

• Central Heating<br />

• Plumbing<br />

• Gas Appliances<br />

• Gas Safety Checks<br />

• Landlord’s Certificates<br />

• Maintenance/Breakdowns<br />

Great Value Bathrooms!<br />

Full Bathrooms & En-Suites<br />

Showers, Trays & Cubicles<br />

Relocation of Bathroom Suites<br />

25 years bathroom experience<br />

Call Chris now for a free quotation<br />

C L Bathrooms<br />

01942 749085<br />

or 07801 295483<br />

www.clbathrooms.co.uk<br />

C&<br />

D<br />

Plumbing and Heating<br />

Heating & Bathroom Specialist<br />

Chris Heaton M.I.P.H.E.R.P<br />

07973714222<br />

01695625171<br />

Elite Bathrooms<br />

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• Bathrooms<br />

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Brand New Bathrooms<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


91<br />

All plumbing services<br />

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• Bathrooms/Wet Rooms designed and fitted<br />

• Specialists in Disability Installations &<br />

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• Emergency Call outs welcome<br />

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• Central Heating Installations<br />

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92<br />

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• WILSON BROS •<br />

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95<br />

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96<br />

All aspects of roofing & roofline<br />

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97<br />

Resin Driveways<br />

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98<br />

• Conservatory repairs<br />

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