Local Life - St Helens - December 2018

LocalLife 

St Helens Edition December 2018 

Heart Hero of Rainhill 

Pages 16 - 19 

Win Two 2019 Saints Memberships 

Pages 20 - 21 

Christmas Markets 

Pages 30 - 34 

Local News Motoring Jack’s Tracks Health Events2Go Home Services 

locallife247.co.uk

2

3 

Bins overflowing with Christmas waste? 

Worried about the three-weekly collections? 

Fed up with travelling to the local tip? 

We can help! 

Bin bag collections start from 50p per bag! 

Free bin bags provided! 

We collect in all areas of St Helens. 

All payment methods available. 

Call us today on 01744 758 349 or 07557 764 940 for details 

The Meadows, Ruskin Drive, St Helens, WA10 6RP 

www.northwestwaste.co.uk 

Other collection services include house & garden clearances, probate work, garage/shed clearances 

and all commercial clearances. Email your details to binbagcollections@northwestwaste.co.uk 

northwestwaste

4 Local Life 

Happy Vibes 

I’m a big fan of Christmas. Not for the presents, the 

over-indulgence and those endless festive songs in 

shops, but for the sheer goodwill we convey at this 

time of year to our fellow man – and all because it 

happens to be the second most important annual 

festival in the Christian calendar. It’s crazy right, but 

who cares – it’s Christmas! 

At this time of year even the most of taciturn of us 

get our heads up and acknowledge pretty much 

anyone we pass in the street with a nod, a smile and 

even a ‘Merry Christmas’. There’s just a different vibe 

around at this time of year, and the closer you get to 

the big day, the more infectious the vibe gets. 

It’s a privilege to be publishing a St. Helens 

magazine at this time of year because there is so 

much going on for all the family; not just in the 

town, but also in the surrounding villages. I’ve 

been in full-on decorating mode for the last two 

months, so I’m looking forward to putting away my 

paintbrushes in December and sampling St. Helens’ 

best Christmas events and I hope you will join me. 

From all of us here at Local Life, a very joyous and 

peaceful Christmas to you and your family, see you 

in 2019. 

Chris Pearce, Publisher 

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

www.locallife247.co.uk 5 

In this issue 

Heart Hero 

Regulars 

26 Puzzle Corner 

40 Events2Go 

43 Jack’s Tracks 

48 Test Drive 

16 

Sections 

6 Local News 

35 Health 

46 Gardening 

48 Motoring 

50 Home Services 

Deck The Stalls 

Next issue - January 2019 

Advertising deadline - Monday, 17 December 

Published - Friday, 4 January 

30 

Christmas With 

Autism 

35 

Jack’s Tracks: 

Dunham 

43 

Test Drive: 

Volvo V60 


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

Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB 

Telephone: 01744 649 722 

Sales: Chris 

sales@locallife247.co.uk 

Editorial: Jess sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk 

Design: Peter 

design@locallife247.co.uk 

Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk 

Accounts: Christina accounts@locallife247.co.uk 

Local Life is published every month and distributed into 

the following areas on an alternate monthly basis.. 

This issue is delivered to over 14,500 private homes 

and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Sutton, Eccleston 

Park, Windle, Grange Park, Nutgrove, New Bold and 

Waterside Village 

The next issue is delivered to over 11,000 private 

homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, 

Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of 

Haydock. 

48 

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither 

the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any 

party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or 

other cause. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written 

consent of Local Life 247 Ltd. 

locallifemagazine247 

@locallifemedia

6 News & Features 

St. Helens Illuminated 

The borough of St. Helens will be lighting up in all 

colours this Christmas. 

To get everyone in the Christmas spirit, various 

Christmas lights switch-ons will be happening 

across town. 

Confirmed dates are: 

Friday, November 30 – Haydock Library, 4pm-6pm 

Saturday, December 1 – Victoria Park, 4pm 

Saturday, December 1 – Rainford, 10:30am-3:30pm 

Sunday, December 2 – St. Peter’s Church in 

Newton-le-Willows, 12pm-6pm 

Friday, December 7 – Thatto Heath, 3:30pm 

Keep an eye on the What’s On in St. Helens Facebook 

page for further information. 

Go Evergreen 

Looking for an easy way to shift your Christmas tree 

after the big day? Willowbrook Hospice can help. 

For a minimum donation of £5 to the hospice, which 

helps provide end-of-life care to local patients, 

Willowbrook will collect your real Christmas tree 

from your door and recycle it into garden mulch. If 

you live in L14, L28, L35, WA9, WA10, WA11, WA12 

or WN5, you’re eligible to have your tree collected. 

For more information or to book, head to www. 

willowbrookhospice.charitycheckout.co.uk/ 

christmastreerecycling 

Mums & Tots 

An arts and crafts group for mums (or dads!) and 

their children runs every Wednesday in St. Helens. 

Based in The Sandwich Station on Westfield Street, 

the group offers colouring activities, card making, 

stickers and more for children and their parents. The 

sessions, which run from 9:30am-11:30am, cost £2 

per child including materials and a snack, and all 

ages are welcome. 

For more information, call 01744 302332 or head to 

The Sandwich Station St. Helens on Facebook. 

LEADING LOCAL SPECIALISTS 

25 HARDSHAW STREET, ST HELENS, WA10 1RP 

2 DERBY STREET, PRESCOT, L34 3LJ 

THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE? 

Everyone should make a Will and we can give advice and guidance as to the 

most appropriate form of Will for you to cover your individual requirements 

and to try to minimize, where possible, the impact of Inheritance Tax. 

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TRUSTS 

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ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES 

INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING 

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

7 

Happy Hampers 

The Storehouse Project in Billinge is looking for 

donations to their Christmas Hamper Appeal. 

The appeal delivers hampers to those in need 

of help in the community during the season of 

goodwill. Requested items include toys, candles, 

Christmas cake, chocolate, luxury toiletries, and 

gifts for all ages, which will be put together in a 

beautiful hamper to be handed out to those in 

need. 

The deadline for donations is Tuesday, December 18, 

and they should be dropped off at the Storehouse 

Project at Billinge Family Church on Crank Road. For 

more information, call 07816 623612. 

Santa Dash 

The St. Helens Santa Dash takes place at 11am on 

Saturday, December 15 at Victoria Park. 

Whether you walk, jog or sprint along the 4km loop 

in your Santa hat, the event promises to be great 

fun while raising money for local causes. This year’s 

chosen charities are St. Helens Hospital Diabetes 

Centre and the Steve Prescott Foundation, but 

you’re welcome to raise sponsorship funds for your 

own chosen organisation. 

There will be spot prizes for the best festive fancy 

dress, and every participant receives a Santa hat 

and medal, plus a mince pie and drink at the finish. 

Entry to the Santa Dash costs £5 for adults and £2 for 

ages 5-18. For more details, visit www.sthelens.gov. 

uk/communitysport or call Gemma on 01744 675403.

8 

Top Christmas Toys of 2018 

In these days of iPads and online gaming, do kids 

still play with toys? Yes - of course they do! Toys are 

always bucking the trend and incorporating new 

technology; here are six of the best. 

LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Express (around £75) 

The Harry Potter books remain perennially popular, 

and LEGO is always a hit so combine the two and 

you have a winning Christmas gift. The Hogwarts 

Express is definitely a good investment, with a nice 

AtoB Taxis 

The company that cares 

TAXI! 

solid train, five mini-figures, and Dementors. 

Fingerlings Untamed Dinos (under £20) 

Fingerlings are popular robotic friends which cling 

to your child’s finger and respond to motion and 

sound. This year is all about the dinosaurs. There are 

several different Raptors, along with a T-Rex. 

LOL Surprises (anywhere from £5.99-£179.99) 

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve 

probably heard of LOL Surprises. The packages have 

different layers to unwrap, with a collectable doll in 

the centre and her accessories on the outside. 

Monopoly Cheaters Edition (£20-£25) 

Monopoly is notorious for festive arguments – why 

not give everyone a reason to yell with the Cheaters 

Edition? It encourages players to fake a dice roll, 

steal money and even skip rent. Okay, so maybe it’s 

not in the spirit of Christmas, but it sounds more fun 

than normal Monopoly! 

Chow Crown (£24.99) 

This is a game like no other – plop a crown on your 

head with dangling forks attached, and race against 

time to eat all the snacks. Choose whatever nibbles 

you like to stick on the forks and go wild! 

Scruff-A-Luvs (£19.99) 

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Scruff-A-Luvs are perfect for any animal lover. These 

abandoned puppies, kittens or bunnies come as a 

scruffy ball of fur that kids can wash, blow-dry and 

groom to transform into a surprise pet! 

By Alison Foster

9 

We are now taking orders 

for our amazing range of 

Christmas meats! 

Copas 

Free Range 

Turkeys 

officially Britain’s best! 

Packington Free Range Cockerel 

These big tasty birds are a perfect Christmas alternative. 

Creedy Carver Ducks 

The finest ducks in the UK, with great tasting succulent meat 

Aberdeen Angus Beef 

We sell the best quality beef, direct from Inverurie 

Also available; 

Local free range geese, local turkey, free range pork, fresh 

turkey breast, pheasant, capons, free range chicken, lamb, 

venison, and much more! 

Free delivery! 

to St Helens & Prescot areas 

Minimum order £20 

Opening Hours: 8am-5.30pm, Monday - Saturday 

576, Warrington Road, 

Rainhill, 

L35 4LZ 

0151 426 4604 

www.hayestraditionalbutchers.co.uk

10 

Willowbrook in Bloom 

Willowbrook Hospice is celebrating a double 

success in the North West in Bloom awards. 

The Prescot gardens achieved Gold in the Hospice 

category, and were also presented with the Best 

Hospice Award 2018 for the high standards of its 

grounds and gardens. 

welcoming, and offer a tranquil space for our staff, 

volunteers and all those who use our services.’ 

The North West in Bloom awards are part of the 

Royal Horticultural Society’s national ‘Britain in 

Bloom’ awards, which encourage local communities 

to improve their surroundings through gardening. 

Dee Newey is the official gardener at 

Willowbrook, and commented: ‘It’s a 

fantastic achievement – the awards 

are a testament to the hard work and 

dedication that the team put in all year 

round, most of whom are volunteers. The 

grounds at Willowbrook are immaculate 

and there’s always something of interest 

to look at, no matter what the season.’ 

Chief Executive at Willowbrook, Neil 

Wright, said: ‘Dee and her team of 

volunteers work incredibly hard to 

ensure that the grounds are colourful, 

the auction centre 

The leading Auctioneers and Valuers 

• Modern saleroom at Manor Park, Runcorn 

• RICS and NAVA registered auctioneers and specialist consultants 

• Probate and Insurance valuation reports undertaken 

• Full house clearance service available 

• Regional valuations centres around the north-west 

St Helens Valuation Days 

4th Wednesday of Every Month 

St Thomas Church, Peter Street, WA10 2EB 

9.30 – 12 noon 

Check website for Details 

Call 01744 881 477 for more information 

Wigan Valuation Days 

2nd Tuesday Of Every Month 

Purposed Life Church, Turner Street, Wigan WN1 3SU 

9.30 – 12 noon 

Check website for Details 

Call 01942 299 057 for more information 

9 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ 

Telephone: 01928 579796 Email: enquiries@theauctioncentre.co.uk 

www.theauctioncentre.co.uk

Homeless Appeal 

A St. Helens coffee shop is looking for donations to 

help the homeless this Christmas. 

Momo’s, based in Cotham Street, is putting together 

care packages including soap, deodorant, shampoo, 

combs and hand sanitisers to aid people living on 

the streets during the season of goodwill. 

Claire Rigby, who owns the shop, said: ‘If we can 

hand over the gift of dignity and cleanliness this 

Christmas then we can move a mountain between 

us all. Please help us make up these gifts to hand out 

in December.’ 

Donations should be dropped off at Momo’s; for 

more information, head to the shop’s Facebook page. 

On The Ball 

Rainford Rangers JFC are hosting disability football 

sessions across December. 

The junior football club invite children with any 

disability to come and get involved in a series of 

MOSSOCK HALL GOLF CLUB 

THREE 

MONTHS 

FREE! 

NEW MEMBERSHIPS 

NOW AVAILABLE 

commencing 1st January 2019 

15 months for the price of 12 

taster sessions to gauge community interest in 

disabled football. You don’t need to live in Rainford 

or be a member of Rainford Rangers JFC to come 

along! 

The sessions take place on three Tuesdays in 

December – the 4th, the 11th and the 18th, from 

7pm-8pm at Rainford High School. They are free to 

attend, and there’s no need to book. 

For further information, contact Andy Ashcroft on 

07941 602539. 

Christmas Extravaganza 

Rainhill Sports Academy are holding a Christmas 

Extravaganza for 4-12 year olds on Sunday, 

December 16 from 10am-2pm. 

Children can eat breakfast with Santa, receive a gift 

and get their photo taken, with dance and sport 

sessions running throughout the day. 

The event costs £20 per child – email 

rainhillsportsacademy@gmail.com or text 07715 

295207 to book. 

2 ball 

with 

bacon roll 

and 

coffee 

£44 

Expires 31st March 2019. 

Golf Society Bookings now being taken for 2019. 

(To book any of the above please call the office) 

Mossock Hall is the perfect venue for weddings, 

anniversaries, birthdays and all functions. 

Marquee available. 

PLEASE CALL FOR MORE DETAILS 

Mossock Hall Golf Club, Liverpool Road, Bickerstaffe, Lancashire, L39 0EE 

Tel: 01695 421717 · www.mossockhallgolfclub.co.uk 

11

12 

It’s Behind You! 

Oh no it isn’t! 

Don’t panic, but pantomime season is actually right 

ahead of us. 

As December comes upon us in all its blustery glory, 

it’s easy to get caught up in the rush to get everything 

in place for the big day. But while Christmas can 

be stressful, it should also be about enjoying the 

Earn extra 

cash! 

Local Life require distributors 

for the following areas; 

St Helens 

Sutton Park Dri, Balmoral Ave, Marina Ave area 

Prescot Rd, Laurel Rd & Regents Rd area 

Severn Close, Covington Drive estates 

Tall Trees, Delph Hollow Way, 

& Thornham Avenue estates 

Eccleston 

Springfield Lane, Laurel Drive area 

Rainhill 

Rainhill Rd, Brookfield Ave & Ellaby Rd 

Two Butt Ln, Amanda Rd & St Winifred Rd 

Interested? 

Please email your name, address, 

landline number and date of birth to 

sallyb@locallife247.co.uk 


Peter Pan at the Theatre Royal 

festivities with loved ones, and an annual theatre 

visit can be the perfect opportunity to do just that. 

Pantomimes may be mainly aimed at children – but 

that doesn’t mean they aren’t great fun for all ages. 

There are some great shows coming up in the St. 

Helens area this December; make sure to get your 

hands on tickets early before they sell out! 

After October’s successful run of Beauty and the 

Beast, the Theatre Royal in St. Helens presents a 

production of Peter Pan for the Christmas period. 

Running from Saturday, December 8 until Sunday, 

January 13, swoop off to Neverland with Peter, 

John, Wendy and Michael. Featuring Brookside and 

Coronation Street star Louis Emerick as Captain 

Hook, the play features a brand new 3D scene and 

fantastic flying sequences. Ticket prices start at £11 

and can be booked on 01744 756 000. 

Head over to Liverpool’s Empire Theatre to see 

classic pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. If 

you’re missing the Giants already, this is the perfect 

play for you. The panto, packed with special effects 

and live music, runs across various dates from 

Friday, December 14 to Sunday, January 6 - get 

tickets here: hwww.atgtickets.com/shows/jackand-the-beanstalk/liverpool-empire

13

14 

The Greatest Show 

The Greatest St. Helens Show comes to town this 

December. 

On Thursday, December 13 at Haydock, Newton-le- 

Willows and Rainford libraries, you have the chance 

to see 150 years of history brought to life. Meet 

an eccentric cast of local characters from sporting 

superheroes to entrepreneurs in a performance 

from University Centre St. Helens students. 

The show fuses music, dance and storytelling to 

bring local history alive. Tickets are free - to book, 

head into any St. Helens library or call 01744 677446. 

Rainhill Writes 

A book of WW1 biographies is available for purchase. 

The book, put together by the Civic Society, compiles 

stories of the soldiers and nurses at Oakdene 

Hospital during the Great War, along with Nurse 

Lidstone’s autograph book. There are plenty of old 

photographs and illustrations to commemorate the 

centenary of the Armistice in Rainhill. 

The book costs £10 and can be purchased from 

Rainhill Library on View Road. 

Gift Appeal 

St Helens Council is asking residents to donate to its 

annual gift appeal for disadvantaged children. 

Items such as clothing, toys, books, toiletries 

and rattles are welcome, but soft toys cannot be 

accepted for health and safety reasons. People are 

especially asked to donate gifts aimed at boys aged 

7-12 years, which suffered a shortage last year. Toys 

must be bought as new and should not be wrapped. 

Collection points have been set up across the town 

centre, including St Helens Town Hall, St Helens 

libraries and Atlas House. 

The deadline for donations is Monday, December 

17. 

For more information about donations and 

collection points, call Tracy on 01744 676563.

15 

Vision of the Future 

The World of Glass is hosting an art exhibition which 

delves into the future of St. Helens. 

The so-called ‘hundred-year vision’ explores what 

the borough might look like in 2118. Part concept, 

part public consultation, local artists will display 

their sketches, paintings and designs of how St. 

Helens will evolve in the coming century. Visit the 

mood-board for the future at the World of Glass until 

Friday, January 4 during regular opening hours. 

St. Helens Santa 

A magical Christmas Grotto returns to St. Helens. 

Each weekend in December, plus Friday, December 

7, Santa and his elves head to the town centre to 

illuminate it with festive magic. For £4, children will 

receive a pre-Christmas gift from Santa himself, with 

all proceeds going to St. Helens Young Carers. 

The grotto is open from 11am-3pm each day, and 

can be found on Cotham Street opposite the Town 

Hall. For more information, call 01744 675 615. 

Family Fun 

The St. Helens Community Sport Activation Project 

offers fun sessions for all the family in Rainhill. 

Family Fun Sports sessions offer various sports and 

run every Monday from 4pm-5pm. All ages and 

abilities are welcome, and the cost of attendance is 

£2 per family. Sessions take place at the 4F Centre 

on Old Lane, Rainhill, L35 0NE. For more information, 

call Chris on 07739 630365. 

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16 

Heart Hero 

A Rainhill teenager who saved his dad’s life is 

celebrating two award wins. 

Student and Local Life magazine distributor Aaron 

Groves was just fifteen when he discovered his 

dad David had gone into cardiac arrest on January 

10, 2018. Aaron, who lives on Mossdale Drive in 

Rainhill, had been studying upstairs in his room 

and came down to find him passed out on the sofa, 

and instead of panicking, performed life-saving CPR 

while they waited for an ambulance to arrive. 

‘Aaron has always been a very calm person,’ David 

told me. ‘He never panics, and acted completely on 

instinct. Although he never received formal CPR 

training, Aaron had an informal session as part of 

the 5th St. Helens Scout Group and, thankfully, had 

recently attended a seminar on cardiac instances at 

a STEM event in Manchester.’ 

Aaron’s bravery and quick thinking didn’t go 

unnoticed. Aaron was nominated for a Heart Hero 

Award by the British Heart Foundation, and came 

away from the London black-tie ceremony in 

October this year with a win. 

‘It was incredible to get the 

award,’ Aaron said. ‘What was 

even nicer was meeting people 

who had gone through the same 

thing as I had – nobody else really 

understands the trauma that 

such an event brings, but I met a 

girl around my age who had had 

a similar experience.’ 

‘Six months after my cardiac 

arrest, we decided we wanted to 

meet the paramedic who arrived 

on the scene,’ David explained. 

‘He told us that what Aaron 

had done was exceptional, and 

not something many fifteenyear-olds 

are capable of. He 

also said he’s only experienced 

four survivals of cardiac arrest 

in his fifteen years of being a 

paramedic – and that as a result, 

Aaron was being nominated for 

the award.’ 

Along with his Heart Hero award, 

the North West Ambulance

17 

All I want for Christmas 

gorgeous unique gifts (and great food too!) 

Love It Gallery, Winstanley Road, Billinge WN5 7XG 

Open: 9.30am-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday; 10am-4pm, Sunday 

Telephone: 01695 622 332 

Christmas gifts light lunches jewellery afternoon tea bespoke glass coffee & cake

18 

Service has celebrated Aaron’s 

actions with a Lifesaver Award for his 

courage and quick-thinking when 

faced with a medical emergency, 

which he received in November. At 

his former secondary school, De La 

Salle, Aaron got a standing ovation at 

his School Leavers awards ceremony. 

‘I’m incredibly proud of him,’ David 

said. ‘I’ve made a full recovery 

and have been discharged as an 

outpatient from hospital after being 

fitted with an internal defibrillator, 

and I feel more optimistic than I ever 

have before. I can never repay Aaron 

for what he did, but we both want to 

raise awareness of the importance 

of CPR and other life-saving technology such as 

locally-installed defibrillators.’ 

Both Aaron and his dad have since gained national 

coverage, appearing on the Victoria Derbyshire 

show on BBC Two, as well as Channel 5 News. ‘I think 

it actually brought us closer together,’ Aaron told 

me. ‘Before the news interviews we hadn’t really 

talked about it, but that encouraged us to deal with 

it and talk through things – it brought us closure. 

‘I initially wasn’t keen on the idea of going on TV,’

19 

David added, ‘but Aaron insisted, and we both 

realised that it was a great way to raise awareness of 

the cause – our story really touched people’s hearts. 

Our TV appearance also helped raise awareness of 

CPR for the national Restart A Heart day on October 

16, which emphasises the importance of learning 

the skill.’ 

‘Around 1 in 3 people will stop and do something 

constructive if they see someone suffering in 

the street,’ he continued. ‘This figure, and more 

importantly interaction between people, needs to 

increase. CPR alone can help keep someone alive 

long enough for them to reach the hospital, so 

Aaron and I are encouraging local schools to apply 

for defibrillators from the British Heart Foundation 

and to put on CPR workshops.’ 

Now sixteen-year-old Aaron has started studying 

for his A-Levels at Carmel College, and intends 

to become a doctor – a fitting career path, as 

this January will see David celebrating the first 

anniversary of his ‘rebirth day’: the day his heart 

stopped beating and Aaron saved his life. 

On Your Bike 

St. Helens Pedal Power offers over 200 bike rides a 

year, following a weekly timetable of social cycles 

across 4 St. Helens locations. Bikes and helmets 

are provided free of charge, and electric bikes are 

available for anyone who might struggle to pedal. 

For more information, contact Stew on 07947 750982 

or visit the St. Helens Pedal Power Facebook page. 

Super Sports 

GoActive are hosting sports camps for kids for the 

New Year. 

From Wednesday, January 2 to Friday, January 4, 

children aged 4-11 can head to Sutton Leisure Centre 

to enjoy full days of sports including football, rugby, 

indoor athletics, dodgeball and more, with plenty of 

games and activities throughout. 

The camps run from 8:30am-4:30pm each day, and 

cost £13 per day in advance or £15 on the day. To 

book, call 01744 671717.

20 

Win two Saints 

for 2019!

21 

Memberships 

As all Saints fans know, 2018 has been one of the 

most memorable seasons in living memory with the 

team, led by Head Coach Justin Holbrook, securing 

the League Leaders Shield and storming to 26 wins 

from 30 regular season games. 

Saints dazzled the Betfred Super League with their 

attacking flair and style, as well as their grit, to 

win some nail-biting and hard-fought clashes. The 

town was buzzing all year long at the quality of this 

exciting Saints team - everyone was well and truly 

SAINTS AND PROUD! 

The Saints squad has already been strengthened 

further for 2019 with the additions of NRL stars 

Lachlan Coote, Joseph Paulo and Kevin Naiqama to 

complement the already strong core of experienced 

players and young guns. And how better to kick 

off this momentous season than a visit from our 

fiercest rivals Wigan, who’ll be visiting the Totally 

Wicked Stadium for the season’s opener on 31st 

January 2019. 

You, along with a friend, could be at this mighty 

clash, along with the 13 other regular Super League 

home matches in 2019 by entering our competition 

to win two Saints Memberships, each worth £343 

for the 2019 season. 

To enter the competition, simply visit our website 

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

then on ‘competitions’. 

To enter the competition just input your answer to 

the following question; 

Who was the BETFRED Super League top try scorer in 

2018? 

The expiry date for the competition is Monday 31st December 2018 

and the winner will be notified by 11th January 2019. Entrants must 

be over 16 years of age. Only one entry per household. Local Life 

247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. 

Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to 

enter this competition.

22 

Make a Difference this 

Christmas 

The Chocolate Orange Challenge 

is back and bigger than ever this 

December. 

Now in its eighth year, the 

Chocolate Orange Challenge is 

attracting people from across 

the country who are determined 

to donate chocolate oranges 

to causes close to their own 

hearts, including supporters in 

Wales and Milton Keynes. Closer 

to home, local businesses such 

as JC Kitchens & Bedrooms on 

Greenfield Road, Momo’s on 

Cotham Street, Saints RLFC, 

Cowley School, Thomas Cook, The 

Gerard Arms on Denton’s Green 

Lane, Cambridge Road’s Bluebird 

Care and many more are acting 

as drop-off points for the oranges, 

which will be distributed around 

local hospitals, hospices and 

to emergency service workers. 

Confirmed locations for donations 

in St. Helens this year include 

Willowbrook Hospice, Merseyside 

Fire Brigade, and Whiston & St. Helens Hospitals. 

Chris Lamb, who organises the Challenge, came up 

with the idea after losing his son Elliott, who had 

congenital cytomegalovirus or CMV – a condition 

which affects around 80% of adults but is usually 

only harmful in pregnancy. 

‘Originally I bought the staff chocolate oranges 

to say thank you to hospital and ICU staff who 

took care of Elliott when he was hospitalised 

with pneumonia. They showed such care and 

John and Jo-Ann Shaw from JC Kitchens in Greenfield Road in 

Dentons Green, St Helens 

compassion for Elliott, and became like family 

members to me’, Chris explained. 

Along with the orange distribution, Chris has also 

organised a carol concert on Friday, December 14 

to celebrate what he has dubbed Make A Difference 

Friday. ‘I wanted to provide an alternative to Mad 

Friday on the 21st, when most people are out 

getting drunk before Christmas,’ Chris explained. ‘I 

worked as a police constable for seven years, and 

that was always one of the busiest nights of the

23 

year, so I wanted to do something to encourage 

people to think about others for a day instead.’ 

The carol concert runs from 9:30am-12:30pm at St. 

Helens Town Hall, and will feature performances 

from four local school choirs. 

‘We’re also looking at lighting Blackpool Tower 

orange again,’ Chris added, ‘and I’ve been in touch 

with Radio City in Liverpool to see if we can get St. 

John’s Beacon illuminated as well. Lancashire DAF 

are kind enough to provide us with an orange lorry 

each year for our distributions, and we’re also trying 

to get Emmerdale’s Michael Parr involved to help 

with deliveries.’ 

So far, the Chocolate Orange Challenge is looking 

like a roaring success. ‘I’ve honestly lost count of all 

the oranges we’ve received so far,’ Chris said, ‘but we 

usually end up with around 3000 of them packed 

into our living room alone!’ 

For more information on how you can support 

the cause, head to the Team Chocolate Orange 

Facebook page. 

Fit Forever 

GoActive is offering some great groups to help 

people aged 60+ get fit this winter. 

A brand new free walking fitness session offers a 

low-impact workout over different local routes, 

covering both brisk and gentle walking. Sessions 

run from 9:15am-10:30am every Tuesday, and meet 

at Rainford Village Hall. 

Walking netball sessions are also available, priced 

at £3 each with the first one free. If you enjoy team 

sports but not the running, walking netball could 

be just the ticket. The sessions are designed for all 

ages and fitness levels to enjoy, and you don’t need 

to have played before. 

The games run every Monday from 11:15am-12pm 

at Peter Street Community Centre. For more details, 

email karen.mcveigh@englandnetball.co.uk. 

These events have been launched in addition to an 

already packed Fit Forever calendar, which can be 

found on the St. Helens Council website.

24

25

26 

Puzzle Corner 

WORD SEARCH - Christmas Food 

Find the hidden words in the word search grid 

SUDOKU 

1 3 

6 7 4 

3 9 

B F S J D R C C H S 

C S P G U J H A M T 

H T R I F L E P V U 

O O O N R Y S L T F 

C L U G O O T S U F 

O L T E U E N D R I 

L E S R L D U C K N 

A N T B A K T A E G 

T N S R D O S K Y E 

E K F E E I D E T A 

R G R A V Y G T D S 

P U D D I N G R M O 

L P A R S N I P S N 

TURKEY 

PUDDING 

TRIFLE 

CHESTNUTS 

GRAVY 

GINGERBREAD 

STOLLEN 

HAM 

ROULADE 

PARSNIPS 

STUFFING 

CAKE 

DUCK 

SPROUTS 

CHOCOLATE 

WORD MIX UP - Christmas Food 

Unscramble the letters to make a word 

RACEBRYRN 

SOGOE 

8 1 

NUMBER 

BLOCK 

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

The numbers in each column add up to the totals 

along the bottom. The diagonal lines also add up the 

totals to the right. 

7 5 6 2 

4 2 7 

4 3 1 6 

2 7 5 

9 8 1 

8 3 

4 6 

9 

2 8 

21 20 29 17 

17 

23 

27 

22 

15 

22 

UYLE GLO 

CINEM IPE 

GISP NI 

TANKSLEB 

TAPESOOT 

SANTAHEP 

DARNBY SEACU 

WIGGLE WORDS 

CLUE: Scotland 

Trace a path through 

all the letters to find 

the word or phrase 

that fits the clue. 

E B R E 

H O R D 

T N O R 

F O H T 

All the puzzle solutions are on page 54 of this magazine

27

28 

“Tis the season to be 

jolly... 

A trip to Warbreck is like stepping into a magical 

winter wonderland. You are guided through a 

mesmerising array of themed displays. Around 

every corner is another surprise. 

“Warbreck Garden Centre 

spectacularly changes into one of the 

most inspiring and exciting shopping 

destinations in the region” 

With a tasteful and sophisticated blend of Christmas 

decorations, interior furnishings and gorgeous gifts, 

everything you might need for this festive season is 

under one roof. 

“Warbreck has a great feel about it. Calm and 

welcoming yet clearly driven by a great passion 

for high standards. All the staff seem to ooze 

enthusiasm and thrive on going the extra mile for 

their customers. It’s such a refreshing experience 

and great to escape the hustle and bustle of the 

high street!” 

Once you’ve wandered around the beautiful 

displays and soaked up the festive atmosphere, 

the newly expanded Plantation Restaurant is the 

perfect place to relax and take some time out. 

With delicious homemade meals, snacks and cakes 

available to enjoy in homely surroundings this is an 

exceptional food venue from breakfast through to 

afternoon tea. 

Festive lunches are available from £13.95 for 2 or 3 

courses throughout December. Bookings are now 

being taken. Contact the Restaurant or visit their 

website for menu options. 

Don’t forget to look out for Warbreck’s weekend 

activities and creative workshops. More information 

can be found in the garden centre or if you contact 

them directly. 

Warbreck Garden Centre, Lyelake Lane, Lathom, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L40 6JW 

Tel: 01695 722 960 www.warbreckhomeandgarden.com

# 

29 

The garden centre have an exclusive loyalty card 

scheme which offers its customers great offers 

every visit together with regular gardening tips and 

priority booking for many of its events. 

Its Grapevine privilege customers receive 5% off 

their everyday shopping including the Plantation 

Restaurant and a buy one get one free on hot drinks 

every visit. 

Located on Lyelake Lane (B5240) in Lathom just 

minutes from Junction 3 of the M58, Warbreck 

is easily accessible from Maghull, Burscough, St 

Helens, Skelmersdale and Up Holland. 

£5 OFF * 

When you spend £30 or more 

in a single transaction in our 

Christmas Shop and Garden Centre 

Postcode 

Valid until 16th December 2018 

*This voucher cannot be used in our Plantation Restaurant, 

deli bar and food hall, Regatta clothing, gift vouchers or items 

already on promotion. Copies of this voucher are not accepted. 

Warbreck Garden Centre 

WarbreckGC 

warbreckgardencentre

30 

Deck the Stalls 

Jess Phillips gets the scoop on the best Northern Christmas markets. 

The Christmas period is notorious for the vast array 

of toys and gifts lurking on supermarket shelves, 

just begging us to be taken home and put under 

the tree. Things might have evolved from dolls and 

teddy bears into games consoles and iPads, but the 

hustle and bustle of shops at Christmas time can be 

overwhelming. What do you choose? Will the kids 

really like what you’ve picked? Should Uncle Terry 

really be drinking those miniatures? 

Christmas markets offer a great alternative to the 

masses swarming the tills in December. Set against 

snowy backdrops with beautiful cathedrals and 

cobbled streets, markets might get busy, but they 

also afford plenty of opportunities to purchase 

bespoke gifts for loved ones, treat yourself to a 

festive tipple, and escape the madness 

of the high street. Best of all? There 

are loads happening right on your 

doorstep. 

Manchester 

Manchester’s traditional German market is back this 

year and better than ever. Running until Saturday, 

December 22, the city centre will be teeming 

with stalls galore, from Cathedral Gardens down 

to Albert Square. Whether you fancy picking up 

some new winter woollies or handmade crafts, 

Manchester’s market has so much more to offer 

than just retail therapy. 

Cathedral Gardens is launching its inaugural Ice 

Village, with an ice-skating rink, ice sculpture 

exhibition and Santa’s Grotto. Tickle your tastebuds 

with a famous bratwurst or try a German beer at one 

of the many bars spread across MCR this Christmas. 

If braving the cold weather still doesn’t sound 

appealing enough, not to worry. Manchester’s 

Event City by the Trafford Centre boasts a massive 

magical Christmas from Friday, December 7 to 

Manchester Christmas Market

31 

Tuesday, January 1. 

Winter Funland is full to 

the brim with rides and 

attractions for all ages 

to enjoy. From a massive 

funfair to regular circus 

shows and ice skating, 

you’d be forgiven for 

thinking you’d been 

transported to Lapland 

– especially when you 

spot the live reindeers. 

Tickets cost £22.50, with 

entry for under-3s and 

carers free. Otherwise, 

you can bag a family 

ticket for £85. 

A pop-up Christmas 

cinema is also heading to 

the city this December. 

Catch festive classics 

from Love Actually to Gremlins, with live music and 

dance accompaniments. Get comfy in a beanbag 

with lots of blankets for a singalong special of The 

Greatest Showman from Saturday, November 24 

to Friday, December 14 at Mayfair railway arch in 

Manchester. 

York 

Known for its medieval Shambles and cobbled 

streets, York is the perfect destination to get away 

from the chaos this Christmas. Up until Sunday, 

December 23, the city will be aglow with its annual 

St. Nicholas Fair, transforming it once again into a 

historic winter wonderland. 

Fairy lights and handmade decorations adorn the 

traditional chalets strewn about the city centre, with 

the return of the Ice Factor skating rink and lots of 

pantomime cheer. A new Yorkshire Barn launches in 

2018, with county-themed festive culinary delights 

– just follow the scent of mulled wine! 

Liverpool 

The Plateau at St. George’s Hall once again plays 

host to Liverpool’s Christmas outdoor market this 

year. Running until Sunday, December 23 between 

11am-9pm each day (11am-5pm on Sundays), more 

than 40 stalls offer great Christmas bites, bespoke 

arts and crafts, and gorgeous gifts for all the family. 

New for 2018 is the Windmill Bar, serving mulled 

wine and traditional beers. 

Liverpool’s Ice Festival returns to the city in 

conjunction with the market until January 6. With 

an exhilarating ice slide, skating rink, shopping 

chalets and a brand new Ferris Wheel for 2018, the 

Pier Head will be bursting with freezing fun. 

Rainford 

Saturday, December 1, 10am-3pm 

This year’s outdoor fayre takes place in the heart of 

Rainford, along Church Road, where there will be 

plenty of festive offerings! From delicious hot food 

to gift stalls, along with fairground rides and games 

stalls, plus church bell ringing demonstrations and 

a performance from the Church Choir. 

To top it all off, Santa will arrive in his sleigh to meet 

the children in his grotto, aided by his elf helpers. 

Grassington Dickensian Market

32 

Alongside masses of stalls 

packed with festive cheer, 

a storyteller performance 

of A Christmas Carol by 

Charles Dickens’ great great 

grandson Gerald will open 

in the Concert Room of St. 

George’s Hall, on the same 

stage where Dickens gave 

his Penny Readings. Visitors 

also have the opportunity to 

see Liverpool’s world-famous 

grotto, which was originally 

housed in Lewis’ department 

store before it closed, will 

be displayed in St. John’s 

shopping centre this year 

with its original fittings. 

Chester 

What better place to unwind 

before Christmas than 

Cheshire’s Tudor paradise? 

Chester’s Christmas market 

is in town until Saturday, 

December 22. 

Heaving with festive flair from 

local and regional businesses, 

there’s no better place to grab 

the perfect stocking filler 

than the 70+ stalls lining the 

city streets. With a glittering 

Christmas tree to top it all off, 

enjoy hot chocolate or mulled wine while taking a 

leisurely stroll around the market. 

Until December 23rd, head to Chester Zoo to see 

its famous lanterns festival, with nine stunning 

spaces to discover. Illuminated lanterns depicting 

the zoo’s animals and wildlife light the way around 

a winter wonderland, and keep an eye out for 

Father Christmas and his reindeer! A Christmas 

food market is also available to pick up a hog roast 

sandwich or traditional bratwurst. 

Grassington 

Deep in the Yorkshire Dales, the town of Grassington 

is the ideal location for a Victorian yuletide. Its 

Dickensian Festival, which transports the town back 

to the nineteenth century across various dates in 

December, feels just like something out of a novel. 

Featuring a packed events calendar with music, 

magic and comedy entertainment, the whole town 

gets involved with traditional Punch & Judy shows, 

carol singing and Victorian characters galore – you 

wouldn’t be surprised to see Ebenezer Scrooge 

rounding the corner. Don’t worry – there are also 

plenty of stalls and crafts for finding that perfect 

present on the 1st, 2nd, 8th and 9th of December. 

York Christmas

33

34 

Lincoln 

Against the backdrop of a cathedral that dates back 

to 1072 A.D., Lincoln’s Christmas market runs across 

a single weekend – and although it might be a bit 

further afield, it’s certainly not to be missed. 

From Thursday, December 6 to Sunday, December 

9, the historic city comes alive with holiday cheer. 

The main section of the market is nestled between 

Lincoln’s Norman castle and incredible Gothic 

cathedral, inviting visitors to soak up the area’s rich 

architectural delights while sampling festive foods 

or browsing for gifts. 

It branches through the cobbled cultural quarter 

and up to the medieval square, with a park and ride 

system available to carry guests between the city 

itself and up the hill to the main market. 

Late opening times mean there’s no rush to find 

that perfect present - on Friday and Saturday the 

market runs from 10am-9:30pm, so you have all day 

(and most of the night!) to shop. 

Sheffield 

All the way up until Christmas Eve you can soak up 

Sheffield’s very own winter wonderland. The market 

offers 50 cabins covering the city from Fargate 

to Peace Gardens, with seasonal food and drink, 

decorations and plenty of pressies. Don’t miss out 

on the opportunity to meet Santa in his grotto, and 

head over to the German sausage grill for a tasty 

treat afterwards. 

The market is open Sunday-Wednesday from 10am- 

6pm, then from 10am-8pm on Thursday, Friday and 

Saturday. 

Lymm 


The village of Lymm might just be the perfect 

setting for a Victorian yuletide – that’s why its 

Dickensian Christmas Festival is perfect for revelling 

in the festive spirit. With stalls, entertainers, music 

and a flotilla (weather-permitting), capture the 

magic of A Christmas Carol in Lymm this year. 

Willowbrook Hospice 

Saturday, December 8 & Sunday, December 9, 

11am-4pm 

Willowbrook’s Christmas market offers a huge 

range of stalls from crafts and toiletries to Christmas 

wreaths! Try your luck at the tombola and let the 

kids get involved with some Christmas games, or 

meet the donkeys. A grotto will be open across the 

weekend to meet Father Christmas. 

Lancaster 

Christmas at the Castle offers a Christmas market 

in a setting like no other. 40 stalls will deck the 

courtyard of Lancaster Castle, offering local and 

regional artisan goods and produce from jewellery 

to candles to photography. A stage will also be set 

up with Victorian carol singers, brass bands and 

bell-ringers – perfect for getting into the Christmas 

spirit. 

A ‘Step into the Story’ event allows kids to meet 

Santa and Mrs. Claus as they trail through a magical 

wonderland through the castle. 

The market is open on Saturday, December 15 and 

Sunday, December 16, from 10:30am-5pm. 

Haworth 

The historic Bronte village will be illuminated with 

a traditional torchlight weekend this December. 

On Saturday, December 8 and Sunday, December 

9 torchlight processions head down Haworth’s 

picturesque Main Street with festive bands and 

carol singing as dusk falls. On the Saturday, a 

Candlemass Eve guided walk also takes place, 

followed by carol singing around the tree. 

The following weekend sees a brass band festival 

lighting up Haworth, with plenty of opportunities 

to pick up a Christmas gift at one of the local shops 

along the way. Finally, on Saturday, December 22 

and Sunday, December 23, experience the magical 

re-enactment of the Nativity scene. 

Don’t forget to check out our Events2Go guide on 

page 40 for lots more festive fun this Christmas.

Health & Fitness 35 

Autistic kids often find 

comfort in routine. Christmas 

means change: decorations, 

Christmas music, crowds, 

balloons, pop-up markets 

and parades, disruption to 

the normal school timetable. 

There’s a lot of potential 

for upset. Identify possible 

changes and pre-warn your 

child. It can be helpful to 

show them photos or create 

a social story to help them 

understand the sequence 

of events and what will be 

expected of them, or use an 

advent calendar as a visual 

countdown to Christmas. 

Christmas with 

Autism 

If your autistic child is old 

enough and / or verbal 

enough, involve them in planning which events 

they want to be part of, and which events they’d 

prefer to skip. For events they can’t avoid, what will 

help? A fidget toy? Noise-cancelling headphones? 

Many ASD kids don’t like surprises so it might 

be better to pre-discuss gifts. When our son was 

younger he didn’t like wrapped gifts, even ours. 

We left his unwrapped, but my husband and I 

explained that wrapping was part of our Christmas 

to each other and it was important for us. We felt it 

was good for him to see that sometimes he needed 

to compromise too. 

Discuss the Christmas Day schedule in advance. 

Who will arrive, when and how they should be 

greeted. Some kids (even those without ASD) 

hate hugging relatives so pre-warn guests if this 

is an issue. It might be prudent to go through the 

etiquette for receiving a gift too – but be prepared 

for the odd slip-up! 

Finally, if they don’t want to eat the Christmas food 

and would rather have a sandwich, or a pizza, let 

them. It’s a small thing, don’t sweat it. In the grand 

scheme of things it’s not important. And things 

change. My fifteen-year-old autistic son now tucks 

in with the rest of us but for three years between 

the ages of four and seven he ate cheese on toast 

for Christmas lunch (because that’s what he ate 

for lunch every day!). We look back now and smile 

fondly at the memory. 

By Alison Foster

36 

Eat to boost your 

Mood 

Eating right can help alleviate Seasonal Affective 

Disorder and help you beat those winter blues. 

A good, balanced diet is key to giving both your 

immune system and your mental health a much 

needed boost. 

Go Mediterranean: Scientists have found that those 

who followed a classic Mediterranean diet were 

30 per cent less likely to develop depression. The 

combination of omega 3 fatty acids together with 

natural unsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants 

from olive oil and nuts, flavonoids and other 

phytochemicals from fruit and other plant foods and 

Prescot Chiropody Clinic 

large amounts of natural folates and other B vitamins 

in the overall Mediterranean dietary pattern may 

help to protect against depression. 

Watch your blood sugar: The glycaemic index (GI) 

is a numerical system that indicates how quickly 

carbohydrates will make your blood sugar levels rise. 

Choose foods that are slow to digest, and which offer 

a gradual, sustained energy release. 

Boost your serotonin: Tryptophan is an essential 

amino acid which is converted in our bodies into the 

neurotransmitter serotonin. Proteins such as lean 

chicken, tuna, salmon and beans are tryptophan-rich 

and have been proven to boost the mood. 

Get plenty of fish: Research suggests that omega 

3, the essential fatty acids found in fish oils, can 

improve your mood. Regular consumption of oily 

fish (salmon, tuna and mackeral) has been associated 

with better moods. 

Remember that depression is not low mood. It is a 

serious mental health condition. If you think you are 

suffering from depression please consult your GP. 

By Louise Addison

37 

Christmas Stuffing 

Although Christmas is definitely a time for treats, 

the bingeing can often last longer than just the big 

day. The excuse of ‘oh go on, it’s Christmas!’ can start 

as early as November and last until the New Year. 

Avoiding being overstuffed at Christmas sounds 

difficult – but it can help avoid a nasty surprise on 

the scales afterwards. 

First, let’s face it, nobody fancies hitting the gym 

in December when it’s cold and soggy outside. 

Instead, replace workout sessions with fun activities 

that still keep you moving; a festive family event 

such as ice skating can be both a great bonding 

experience and a way to keep active. 

You don’t have to compromise on taste during the 

Christmas period. Instead of piling your dinner plate 

with carbs, swap some of the stodgier items out for 

more veggies, or a traditional starter out for a salad. 

Another good technique is to visualise eating the 

plate before you actually eat it – this can help avoid 

eating too much at once. If you think you’ll struggle 

with the temptation, fill a smaller plate to trick your 

mind into thinking you’ve eaten a bigger serving. 

It’s also a good idea to take some breaks during the 

feast. Pause between courses and perhaps halfway 

through the main to let your food go down – you 

might find you aren’t as hungry as your taste buds 

are telling you. Water actually aids digestion, so 

drink a glass with your meal.

38 

Tattoo Removal 

If you regret getting a tattoo, you’re not alone. 

According to findings by the British Association 

of Dermatologists, almost a third of people regret 

their tattoos. 

Laser treatment is widely regarded as being the 

most effective method of removal. The laser 

injects the skin with intense light, which breaks 

up the ink particles causing the tattoo to fade. The 

body’s immune system removes the broken-down 

pigments over time. The laser energy is harmless, 

and only targets the pigmented skin. 

Multiple sessions are needed to break down 

the tattoo depending on the size and scope 

of the affected area. There are different laser 

types which will depend on the age, colour 

and intensity, and treatments are normally 

scheduled at least three weeks apart. As tattoos 

are designed to be permanent removing 

them is not always straightforward and the 

procedure can be uncomfortable. 

The lasered area will need to be treated with 

antibacterial ointment, kept clean and covered 

with a bandage. A full treatment can often require 

ten sessions or more to remove the tattoo, and 

the procedure isn’t always 100% effective - some 

pigment may remain. 

New technology has reduced the side effects of 

tattoo removal but the risks haven’t been eliminated 

entirely. The biggest danger is a risk of infection 

and scarring, but there is also a risk of changes 

in skin pigment, making the treated area appear 

noticeably lighter or darker than the surrounding 

areas. There can also be increased risks if you have 

certain auto immune diseases, acne, diabetes or 

other skin conditions. 

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Upload your event for FREE at 

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The Absolutely Gin Festival 

Friday, November 30, 6pm-11:30pm & Saturday, 

December 1, 12pm-5pm & 6pm-11:30pm 

80 different gins plus live entertainment. Food 

available from the Mayur Indian Restaurant. Tickets 

£12.50, includes gin Copa glass and welcome drink. 

St. Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, WA10 1HP 

Winter Arts Market 


The North West’s biggest and best arts & crafts fair 

showcases tonnes of independent artists. With stalls 

from over 200 designers, foodies and fashionistas 

you’ll be spoilt for choice! 

Liverpool Cathedral, St. James Mount, Liverpool, 

L1 7AZ 

Christmas Fair 

Saturday, December 1, 11:30am-2pm 

Come along for a great festive treat at St. Paul’s 

Church. There will be a Santa’s grotto, great stalls 

from cakes to children’s toys, and light lunches. 

St. Paul’s, Chain Lane, Blackbrook, St. Helens, 

WA11 9QF 

Christmas Fayre 

Saturday, December 1, 12pm-5pm 

A fabulous Christmas fair for all the family, with 

stalls, face-painting, a raffle, choir performances 

and the chance to meet Santa. 

Newton Community Centre, Park Road South, 

Newton-le-Willows, WA12 8EX 

Prosecco & Fizz Festival 

Saturday, December 1, 12:30pm & 6:30pm 

Over 20 types of fizz! Free glass of prosecco on 

arrival, with most cocktails costing £5. Grab your 

own commemorative glass, enjoy live bands, great 

street food and fabulous fizz. Tickets £13.50 or 

£29.50 for VIP. 

St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, L1 1JJ 

Christmas Tree Lights 

Saturday, December 1, 3:45pm 

Friends of Victoria Park again present a beautiful 

Christmas tree. Join the Mayoress and children from 

the Parish Church Choir to see the lights switch-on. 

Gate Lodge, Rutland Street, St. Helens, WA10 2UE 

Laurence Clark 


Comedian Laurence Clark presents ‘An Irresponsible 

Father’s Guide to Parenting’: a humorous look at 

being a father with cerebral palsy. Tickets £10 or £8 

for concessions. 

The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St. Helens, WA10 1PX 

Tunza’s Christmas Market 

Sunday, December 2, 11am-3pm 

Grab a gift at the stalls, enjoy entertainment and a 

Christmas raffle, and visit Santa’s Grotto for £3. Plus 

visits from special guests and local school choirs. 

50p entry, children go free. 

The Tunza Centre, Boundary Road, St. Helens, 

WA10 2PZ

41 

Christmas Craft Fair 

Sunday, December 2, 11:30am-4:30pm 

A wealth of handcrafted gifts from jewellery to 

fudge! A special visit from Santa and his favourite 

elf, hot food and a bar, and the chance to meet 

Santa’s donkeys while the reindeer rest. Free entry. 

St. Mary’s Club, Trent Road, Billinge, WA5 7QT 

Coffee Afternoon 

Monday, December 3, 1pm-3pm 

Come down for a festive afternoon of coffee and 

refreshments, with a hamper raffle to be won! Entry 

£5 including a raffle ticket. 

St. Ann’s Centre, View Road, Rainhill, L35 0LE 

Festive Faith Fair 

Wednesday, December 5, 3:30pm-6:30pm 

Learn about over 20 faith organisations working in 

St. Helens while enjoying festive entertainment and 

refreshments. 

St. Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, WA10 1HP 

Christmas Tree Lighting 

Wednesday, December 5, 6:30pm 

Trinity Girls Band present a night of carol singing 

and a lights switch on by Santa himself. Tea, coffee 

and mince pies available in the hall afterwards. A 

free raffle will also be hosted. 

Bispham Methodist Church, Crank Road, Billinge, 

WN5 7DT 

Christmas Fayre 

Thursday, December 6, 5:30pm 

All welcome to the Christmas fayre – with craft and 

gift stalls, refreshments, a Santa’s grotto and games 

stalls with prizes to be won, it’s festive fun for all the 

family. 

Christmas Concert 

Thursday, December 6, 7pm-8:15pm 

The Mayor of Prescot presents a charity concert 

featuring Allerton Brass Quintet, Knowsley 

Ladies Choir and Prescot Parish Church Choir, 

plus performances from local schools. Festive 

refreshments served, tickets £5 on the door. 

Prescot Parish Church, Church Street, Prescot, L34 

1LA 

Christmas Pudding Stories 


Indulge in festive tales inside the giant Christmas 

pudding, plus spot the two roller skating puddings 

as they skate around Church Square. 

Church Square Shopping Centre, St. Helens, WA10 

1BN 

Heart of Glass Exhibit 


Create your own artwork inspired by women you 

adore, get creative at craft workshops and view 

an exhibition of work by local artists. An exciting 

outdoor video projection takes place in Victoria 

Square at 7pm. 

Church Square Shopping Centre, St. Helens, WA10 

1BN 

Christmas Tree Service 

Saturday, December 8, 11am 

Friends of St. Helens Cemetery host their popular 

Christmas Tree Service of Remembrance, conducted 

by Revered Phillip Collard with music and carols by 

the Citadel Choir. Write a personal message and 

hang it on the beautiful Christmas tree, and stay for 

mince pies and hot drinks afterwards. 

Crematorium Chapel, Rainford Road, WA10 6DF 

Parish C of E Primary School, Charles Street, St. 

Helens, WA10 1LW

42 

St. Helens Christmas Carol 

Saturday, December 8, 1:30pm-4pm 

The St. Helens Youth Theatre presents the story of 

Ebony Scrooge, who hates living in St. Helens until 

she receives a mysterious warning that she must 

change… Join the ghosts of St. Helens Past, Present 

and Future on a celebration of the town from 1868 

to the present and beyond. Tickets £5. 

The Citadel, Waterloo Street, St. Helens, WA10 1PX 

Christmas Fair 


Stocks Hall is full of the joy of Christmas and 

bedecked with festive cheer – relatives and guests 

of residents are invited to spend time with them, 

featuring craft, gift, food and drink stalls. 

Stocks Hall Nursing Home, 6 Elderflower Road, 

Denton’s Green, WA10 6FP 

We Are Still Here 

Saturday, December 8, 7pm 

DaDaFest Artist of the Year Simon McKeown works 

with the local disabled community in a fun, visually 

poetic spectacle inspired by St. Helens. The show 

uses the complex Victorian façade of the Town Hall 

as its canvas, and features super-sized projectors 

and immersive soundscapes. Free entry. 

St. Helens Town Hall, WA10 1HP 

Character Breakfast 

Saturday, December 8, Sunday, December 9 & 

Saturday, December 15, 9am 

Join Frozen characters for breakfast, with priority 

access to the Willowbrook Hospice Christmas 

grotto! Tickets are £12.50 per child and £5 for 

accompanying adults. Call 01744 453798 for more 

information. 

The Living Well, Borough Road, St. Helens, WA10 

3RN 

Santa Canta 5K 

Sunday, December 9, 10am-11am 

A fun, accessible one-lap course for the whole 

family! Race around the course in your Santa outfit 

to receive a finisher’s medal. All levels of fitness 

welcome. A Christmas market and catering is 

also on-site, as well as a drinks station & distance 

markers. Entry fee is £15 including a Santa suit. 

Haydock Park Racecourse, Newton-le-Willows, 

WA12 0HQ 

Inglenook Festive Market 

Sunday, December 9, 10am-4pm 

Over 75 stalls packed with stunning decorations, 

unique gifts and foodie heaven, plus music, dancing 

and a visit from Santa. 

Inglenook Farm, Moss Nook Ln, Rainford, WA11 8AE 

Come A’Caroling 

Tuesday, December 11, 7:30pm-9:30pm 

Celebrate Christmas with Pilkington Choir, singing 

Christmas carols old and new. Tickets £5 including 

refreshments, pay on the door or call Anne on 

01744 732504. 

St. Luke’s Church, Knowsley Road, St. Helens, 

WA10 4PU 

Carols in the Park 

Wednesday, December 12, 6pm-7pm 

Join in a free carol concert with music by Valley Brass 

and free refreshments. Meet at the Ranger Centre. 

Mesnes Park, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 9TA 

MAD Friday Carol Concert 

Friday, December 14, 9:30am-12:30pm 

A carol concert supporting local causes with Team 

Chocolate Orange, featuring performances from 

Holy Cross, Billinge Chapel End, Corpus Christi and 

Rainford Brook Lodge school choirs. 

St. Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, WA10 1HP

Dunham 

by Jess Phillips 

43 

Dunham Massey Park (WA14 4SJ) not only has a 

vibrant history dating back to the 14th century, but is 

also home to a huge variety of wildlife, which makes 

it a perfect location to begin this beautiful 3.8 mile 

route. The National Trust Park offers a large car park 

to begin your journey, costing £7 or free for members. 

From the car park, head through the visitor centre 

and past the hall and stables towards the old 

mill. Don’t miss the ancient oak tree in its fenced 

enclosure – the oldest tree on the estate, it is 

estimated to have stood for over 500 years, and 

predates everything else in the Park. 

As you forge through stunning woodland to reach 

the mill building, the path bends slightly to the 

left – follow it across to the main path and take the 

first one into the deer park. A highlight in their own 

right, Dunham’s deer roam freely about the estate 

enjoying the autumnal crunch of fallen leaves, and 

provide a perfect photo opportunity. 

Follow the path through to Island Pond and wind 

left around it, then take a right. This path leads you 

to the very edge of the Park – on your left you’ll see 

a wooden gate which forms a barrier for the newly 

planted trees to protect them from any wayward 

woodland critters. The hush of this new path leaves 

the impression of travelling through greenery 

untouched by time and civilisation, and you get to 

observe the saplings close up. 

There’s another gate at the end – go through this 

towards the Charcoal Road gatehouse, where you 

leave the Park’s boundary. Climb the stile and cross 

the road into the wood via a public footpath and 

emerge – carefully! – onto the 17th fairway of 

Dunham Forest Golf Club. Once you’ve made sure 

nobody’s teeing off from the far right, head straight 

across the fairway to the path, bearing in mind you 

might have to let a few roaming golf buggies past! 

The next public footpath is about 50 yards away –

44 

you’ll want to continue into the next field and 

turn right onto Oldfield Lane. There’s another 

footpath leading off from this, then turn left 

at the next path until you reach School Lane. 

The quaint little village store on this road 

is not to be missed; with a cream exterior 

and red accents, you’d almost believe you’d 

headed back to the early twentieth century. 

If you’re hankering for something to quench 

your thirst, the Axe & Cleaver pub can also 

be found on School Lane for a mid-walk pint. 

Cross the canal bridge once you reach it and 

head left onto the towpath. The route goes 

under one bridge and over two, and along 

the canal there’s a great view of Dunham 

Massey hall framed by trees – even better 

if a barge goes past at the right time. You’ll 

eventually reach a set of steps on the right, 

although these are easy to miss. Make sure 

you don’t head down the steep muddy path 

before the steps, and head left at the bottom 

under the canal. 

Photos by Peter Bretherton 

At the end, go left onto Park Lane, 

where you’ll pass The Swan with 

Two Nicks pub. The building got its 

name from the annual swan upping 

ceremony, when companies used to 

mark swans’ beaks to identify who they 

belonged to. Vintners – wine merchants 

– used two nicks to the beak for their 

swans, which is how the name arose. 

Continue over the footbridge spanning 

the River Bollin, and find yourself on 

Brickkiln Lane. Rather than following 

the road around to the left, go straight 

over the stile into Dunham Park. There’s 

a slight climb up to the Hall, and treat 

yourself to a tea and cake at the visitor 

centre or peruse the gift shop before 

heading home. 

For more information about Dunham 

Massey, visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ 

dunham-massey

FB 

45 

Oldfield Lane 

Dunham 

Massey 

Hall 

P 

Vistor 

Centre 

Dunham Park 

(Deer Park) 

Dunham Forest 

Golf & Country 

Club 

Woodhouse Ln 

Postcode 

WA14 4SJ 

Charcoal Road 

B5160 

River Bollin 

Bridgewater Canal 

A56 

Little 

Bollington 

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can 

accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

46 

Plants for 

Christmas 

With Christmas just around the corner I’m often 

asked what houseplants plants I recommend as 

gifts. Here are my top five. 

Hippeastrum / Amaryllis - is a remarkable bulb, 

which produces 60cm / 2ft tall, fleshy drainpipe 

stems and flamboyant trumpet flowers up to 20cm 

/8in across. ‘Red Lion’ with deep scarlet flowers; 

‘Apple Blossom’ with pink-tinged white flowers, and 

‘Christmas Gift’ with plain white flowers, are readily 

available. You can buy them as DIY plant-it-yourself 

kits, or as ready-planted gifts. 

Citrus bushes make interesting presents. Sold at 

this time of year with both flowers and developing 

fruit, they are deliciously scented. Lemon varieties 

‘Meyer’ and ‘Four Seasons ‘are lovely but also 

consider calamondin oranges. The plant should be 

kept in a light, frost-free spot over the winter with 

a minimum night temperature of 5C, then in the 

summer the pot can be moved outside. 

Cyclamen persicum is wonderfully 

decorative. The flowers range 

from white, through pink, to 

red. This is probably a gift for a 

more experienced gardener 

as persuading it to flower 

again can be a challenge, 

but it can be done. Keep 

it in full light in winter, 

at a steady 13C-16C. Give 

it a liquid feed fortnightly 

while it is in flower. Water 

less as the stems start to 

bend and collapse, then 

keep it completely dry for 

three months during its 

dormant period. Gently 

introduce water again as new leaves appear. 

Schlumbergera x buckleyi, the Christmas cactus is 

a perennial favourite. It has protruding stamens at 

the end of succulent, flattened leaves, and pretty 

flowers. It likes high humidity while flowering so 

mist it regularly it with a fine spray of clean water, 

and feed it monthly with a high-potash feed. When 

it’s finished flowering put the plant in a light spot 

and keep the compost just moist. 

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Ostara’ is a stunning hyacinth 

with deep-blue flowers, powerfully scented and 

particularly nice when planted as a trio in a bowl 

or basket. Christmas hyacinths are ‘forced’ to flower 

earlier than they would naturally. They need a cool 

spot, preferably no more than 13C, so that they do 

not flop. No-one wants a floppy hyacinth! The bulbs 

can be planted in the garden afterwards so will 

continue to provide pleasure in future years. 

Viburnum x bodnantense ‘Dawn’ is not a houseplant 

but it makes a fabulous gift. It flowers from 

November, while the leaves are still on, through 

the winter. The pink flowers are scented and a few 

sprigs in a small vase at this time of year are just 

joyous. Even better it is totally hardy so is great for 

the non-green-fingered, and can be planted out of 

a pot at any time, if the ground isn’t frozen. 

Don’t wrap plants, just tie a big bow around the 

pot. It’s a thoughtful touch to provide printed or 

hand-written instructions for aftercare. Make sure 

any living plant is well watered before you hand it 

over. They will probably be a bit neglected over the 

festive period, but a good watering should make 

sure that they last past New Year. 

Happy festive gardening. 

By Rachael Leverton

47 

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48 Motoring 

Volvo V60 

by Tim Barnes-Clay 

At first glance, you think the new Volvo V60 is the 

V90. Then you get closer and realise it’s smaller than 

its brother. The cars look very similar, and that’s a 

good thing because they’re both handsome. 

If you put both models next to each other, I bet 

you’d agree with me that the V60 beats the V90 

in terms of attractiveness. Why? Because it’s more 

compact and as a result, the car looks more taut and 

athletic. But the new estate has far more about it 

than sex appeal. 

The outgoing V60’s boot has been superseded by 

a load area that’s the biggest in its segment. Open 

the tailgate, and 539 litres of cargo capacity greets 

you. Crucially, the fresh V60 beats its German foes 

in this area. The BMW 3 Series Touring’s boot only 

offers 495 litres and Audi’s A4 Avant manages just 

505-litres. The Swede is longer than the Audi and 

BMW too, meaning there’s decent room for four 

adult occupants. A fifth person could squeeze 

into the middle of the back seat, but a prominent 

transmission tunnel hump hampers legroom. 

In the front, all looks classy and relaxed, with a 

dashboard that is mainly digital. There’s not as much 

metal or wood in the V60 when compared with the 

V90 - instead, you get soft plastics. However, this 

doesn’t rain on the parade - everything still looks 

solid and well screwed together. 

Behind the wheel, the new V60 is planted and 

comfy. I was handed the keys to the 190PS 2.0-litre 

four-cylinder D4 model. The diesel engine pulls like 

a train with zero to 62mph arriving in 7.9 seconds. 

Top speed is 137mph. It’s an efficient unit too, 

returning a claimed average of 61.4mpg. 

The new estate car’s ride is excellent, primarily due 

to the flexible suspension system, and the steering 

weights up well from 40mph. These two things

49 

Fast Facts 

• 0-62 mph: 7.9 secs 

• Combined mpg: 61.4 

• Engine layout: 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel turbo 

• Max. power (PS): 190 

• CO2: 119 g/km 

• Price: £36,350 

alone make the 2018 model V60 a delight to drive. 

It’s entirely suited to the UK’s roads, making it an 

ideal commuting machine. Thanks to its general 

roominess, it’s also a perfect family vehicle. 

The new Volvo V60’s spec is a bit of a downer. 

From launch, there are only two levels of trim - 

Momentum and Inscription. Happily, the more 

athletic R-Design and elevated Cross-Country 

variants will soon join the party. 

And while the V60 is well kitted-out with features 

like LED headlights, sat-nav and a portrait 

touchscreen, other alluring accessories, such as 

semi-autonomous driving aids and Apple CarPlay, 

are on the options list. These can make an already 

costly car even more expensive to buy or lease. Still, 

you should have the V60 on your shopping list if an 

estate car is what you’re after – especially one as 

eye-catching and accommodating as this. 

Mobile car valeting 

Tel: 07803 053 715 

e: cjvalet@yahoo.co.uk 

www.cjvaleting.net 

Treat your car 

to the professional touch

50 Gardening Home Services 

mr-soot.com 

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07724 311 992 

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NURSERY 

• FREE Hearing Tests 

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...and motorcycles too 

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Book your FREE Car Health Check 

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51 

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Cleaning in the 

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We only use reliable, vetted staff 

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Call or email Joanne 01744 649091 

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52 

Call-Outs 

welcome 

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Motoring 53 

01744 894939 / 07891 330214 

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

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Property Services 

Damp Control Specialists 

We provide an honest, accurate 

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Call us to assess your property 

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Contact Matthew on 

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Reliable, friendly, local service 

CALL PAUL 

LOCKSMITHS 

ESTABLISHED 2000 

• UPVC & WOODEN DOOR SPECIALIST 

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54 

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Need help looking after your garden? 

We provide regular garden 

maintenance such as mowing 

and trimming, and we also 

perform extra services such as 

patio and gutter cleaning. 

Call Jake today for a free quote 

07377 543 110 

JPA Garden Maintenance 

offers a friendly and 

professional service at 

competitive prices. 

ENROL NOW 

with “WIGAN’S BIGGEST 

MUSIC TUITION PROVIDER” 

MUSIC 

MEDIA 

GAMING 

• FREE Hearing Tests 

• Earwax Removal 

• Hearing Aids & Repairs 

• FREE 1 Week Hearing Aid Trial 

Drop in or contact Darren on: 

01942 215 391 

www.wiganhearing.co.uk 

8-10 Gathurst Road, Orre l, WN5 8QH 

“REAL LIFE EXPERIENCE” 

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Rural Village 

NURSERY 

OPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

FUNDED 

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PLACES 

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Available for 

as 

3 months 

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Ca l Sarah on 01744 886166 for more information or visit www.cranknursery.co.uk 

17 

23 

27 

22 

15 

22 

POP IN 

for a chat

55 

My New Year’s 

resolutions… 

Spend less time stuck in traffic, 

travelling to and from jobs 

Reduce fuel bills by doing more 

local work 

With the extra cash I earn & 

save - go on more holidays 

Devote more time to my 

family and friends 

St Helens people want to use local trades people, so you 

know it makes sense to promote your company in Local Life. 


Call 01744 649 722 and speak to Chris for details. 

locallife247.co.uk

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Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads) 

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28544

Local Life - St Helens - December 2018

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