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Local Life - St Helens - February 2019

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

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Edition <strong>February</strong> <strong>2019</strong><br />

Citadel Sadness<br />

Pages 28 - 29<br />

Branching Out<br />

Pages 35 - 38<br />

Runshaw Walk<br />

Pages 49 - 51<br />

Keeping your<br />

home and<br />

family safe<br />

01744 607080<br />

www.best-security.co.uk<br />

See our<br />

advertisement<br />

on page 32


2


3


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

Having a clear out?<br />

Are you looking for a<br />

property clearance?<br />

NWWC can clear your;<br />

• House or Garden<br />

• Garage or Shed<br />

• Office, Warehouse or Shop<br />

#wherenext<br />

Walking through Liverpool Airport at the ludicrous<br />

time of 4:45am a couple of days ago, en route<br />

(indirectly) to a city break in Seville, I walked down a<br />

corridor plastered with quality images from many of<br />

the popular European locations that you can fly to<br />

from the airport.<br />

Themed #wherenext, the selection included<br />

imagery from Barcelona, Amsterdam, Rome,<br />

Venice, Madrid and many other European city break<br />

destinations.<br />

We’ve been lucky enough to live at a time when<br />

cheap air travel has made for easy access to many<br />

European cities, and, probably like you, we’ve<br />

loved the opportunity to explore new places and<br />

experience different cultures. For us, having the<br />

occasional city break to look forward to helps to<br />

manage the day to day stress of ordinary life.<br />

How times change.<br />

Affordable prices with a smart,<br />

professional workforce<br />

Call us today for a free quotation<br />

Call us today to arrange<br />

your clearance<br />

Skipping back a generation, the caravan parks and<br />

B&B’s of Blackpool were the staple holidays of the<br />

North West’s population. Rhyl in North Wales was<br />

the nearest my family ever got to foreign travel in<br />

my formative years, though it still amazes me that a<br />

family of eight could have ever fitted into that one<br />

static caravan.<br />

With Brexit seemingly looming large on the<br />

horizon, I wonder whether this will inhibit the next<br />

generation’s European travel experiences.<br />

Will Europe still be accessible and enjoyable to all,<br />

or will the so-called ‘Project Fear’ predictions come<br />

true?<br />

Not long now, and I guess we’ll find out..<br />

The Meadows, Ruskin Drive, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 6RP<br />

01744 758 349 / 07557 764 940<br />

Email: info@northwestwaste.co.uk<br />

www.northwestwaste.co.uk<br />

Other collection services include regular bin bag<br />

collections within <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> from just 50p per bag.<br />

northwestwaste<br />

See you next time,<br />

Chris Pearce, Publisher<br />

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk


www.locallife247.co.uk 5<br />

In this issue<br />

Citadel Sadness<br />

Regulars<br />

42 Puzzle Corner<br />

44 Events2Go<br />

49 Jack’s Tracks<br />

52 Test Drive<br />

28<br />

Sections<br />

6 <strong>Local</strong> News<br />

18 Food<br />

46 Health<br />

52 Motoring<br />

54 Gardening<br />

56 Home Services<br />

Branching Out<br />

Next issue - March <strong>2019</strong><br />

Advertising deadline - Monday, 18 <strong>February</strong><br />

Published - Friday, 1 March<br />

35<br />

Making Waves<br />

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

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

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

Telephone: 01744 649 722<br />

46<br />

Jack’s Tracks:<br />

Runshaw Moor<br />

49<br />

My Gardening<br />

Valentine<br />

Sales: Chris<br />

sales@locallife247.co.uk<br />

Editorial: Jess sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk<br />

Design: Peter<br />

design@locallife247.co.uk<br />

Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk<br />

Accounts: Christina accounts@locallife247.co.uk<br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is published every month and distributed into<br />

the following areas on an alternate monthly basis..<br />

This issue is delivered to over 14,500 private homes<br />

and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Sutton, Eccleston<br />

Park, Windle, Grange Park, Nutgrove, New Bold and<br />

Waterside Village<br />

The next issue is delivered to over 11,000 private<br />

homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood,<br />

Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of<br />

Haydock.<br />

54<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<br />

@locallifemedia


6 News & Features<br />

Heyes Mount, Rainhill o/o £600,000<br />

A magnificent five bed detached home, with far reaching<br />

views, offers many highlights including the swimming<br />

pool area, the well-kept gardens and the private location.<br />

Norlands Lane, Rainhill £425,000<br />

This spacious five bed detached bungalow with a large<br />

rear garden, is set in a gated courtyard, and includes a<br />

one bed annex with its own entrance.<br />

Newmarket Gardens, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> £285,000<br />

This four bedroom detached house, offered with no<br />

chain, is situated on a corner plot with a double garage<br />

and boasts a fantastic kitchen family room.<br />

Taunton Avenue, Sutton Leach £145,000<br />

This extended three semi-detached house is in a popular<br />

location and is beautifully presented with an open plan<br />

living room/family room and luxury kitchen.<br />

Leach Lane, Sutton Leach £139,950<br />

An extended three bed semi-detached property with<br />

a large kitchen/family room with French doors to a<br />

spacious rear garden. An ideal family home.<br />

Forest Road, Sutton Manor £129,000<br />

A beautifully presented three bed semi-detached<br />

house, with second reception room, kitchen/diner and<br />

conservatory.<br />

CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE HOME VALUATION<br />

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />

01744 850 040<br />

Rainhill<br />

0151 426 9696<br />

www.taylor-maxwell.co.uk


7<br />

X Factor Auditions<br />

The X Factor comes to <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> in March for a<br />

round of preliminary auditions.<br />

Don’t miss your chance to apply to the ITV singing<br />

competition in <strong>2019</strong>! Auditions take place at MD<br />

Productions in Units 5-8 on Barrow <strong>St</strong>reet (WA10<br />

1RX) on Friday, March 15. Slots start at 4pm or<br />

4:30pm for anyone in full-time education.<br />

Call 07908 763496 to book your place today or just<br />

turn up on the day!<br />

Blank Canvas<br />

New sessions in <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> are perfect for budding<br />

performers in the area.<br />

The sessions are open to everyone from age 5 up<br />

to adults, no matter whether you’re a singer, dancer<br />

or actor, and part of the Blank Canvas initiative.<br />

This uses creativity as a tool to inspire, increase<br />

confidence and make change in the community.<br />

Sessions are free and take place at the Peter <strong>St</strong>reet<br />

Community Centre on Peter <strong>St</strong>reet (WA10 2EQ)<br />

every Wednesday from 6pm-7pm. For further<br />

information, call 07908 763496.<br />

Artist Callout<br />

The World of Glass is once again seeking artists for<br />

its latest exhibition.<br />

‘Full Circle’ collects submissions from across the<br />

North West, in any medium including digital<br />

art, written words, sculptures, paintings or<br />

photography. The only restriction is that the piece<br />

must be circular in shape.<br />

Submit a photograph of your work with a brief<br />

description including the piece title, its dimensions,<br />

the medium, plus display specifications via email<br />

to curator@worldofglass.com. Artists can submit<br />

a maximum of three pieces. The deadline for<br />

submissions is Thursday, <strong>February</strong> 28.<br />

For further information, call 01744 22766.


8<br />

Artists Together<br />

A new artists’ hub has launched in <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>.<br />

The new initiative was set up to bring artists of<br />

various disciplines together to discuss their work<br />

and get inspired. Its aim is to guide conversations<br />

about art in a supportive space, encouraging new<br />

ways to network and share ideas.<br />

Painters, sculptors, writers, actors, dancers and filmmakers<br />

– along with any other medium you can<br />

think of! – are invited to take part in the cultural<br />

hub, which is supported by Heart of Glass.<br />

For further information, email jessbowstead@<br />

sthelens.gov.uk.<br />

Art Exhibition<br />

The World of Glass’s latest exhibition is available to<br />

view until Friday, March 6.<br />

‘Retrospective’ by Ulrich West features over 100<br />

pieces of work from the artist, who specialises<br />

layered pieces examining landscape evolution<br />

through a combination of naturalistic and manmade<br />

influences.<br />

The exhibition is open from 10am-4pm every<br />

day except Sunday in Gallery One. For further<br />

information, call 01744 22766 or pop into the<br />

museum.<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> 10K<br />

The <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> 10K returns this March.<br />

Whether your aim for the New Year was to get fitter<br />

or whether you just want to have a go, the famous<br />

road race sets off from Langtree Park on Sunday,<br />

March 10 at 9:30am. There’ll be plenty of spectators<br />

and live musicians to cheer you along the race,<br />

which helps raise money for causes like the <strong>St</strong>eve<br />

Prescott Foundation.<br />

Entry costs £22 and all finishers receive a medal<br />

and a T-shirt. For more information, visit www.<br />

sthelens10k.com<br />

LEADING LOCAL SPECIALISTS<br />

25 HARDSHAW STREET, ST HELENS, WA10 1RP<br />

2 DERBY STREET, PRESCOT, L34 3LJ<br />

THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE?<br />

Everyone should make a Will and we can give advice and guidance as to the<br />

most appropriate form of Will for you to cover your individual requirements<br />

and to try to minimize, where possible, the impact of Inheritance Tax.<br />

WILLS<br />

TRUSTS<br />

PROBATE<br />

ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES<br />

INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING<br />

LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY


9<br />

Competition Winners<br />

Pictured on our front cover this month are Julie<br />

and Frank Mooney from Eccleston, who were the<br />

winners of our December competition for a pair<br />

of <strong>2019</strong> Saints Memberships. We asked readers the<br />

question ‘Who was the BETFRED Super League top<br />

try scorer in 2018?’ The answer was, of course Ben<br />

Barba, and Julie’s name was randomly picked from<br />

hundreds of readers who came up with the correct<br />

answer.<br />

The couple were elated when <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> handed<br />

over the memberships just a few days ahead of the<br />

inaugural BETFRED Super League match of <strong>2019</strong><br />

against Wigan Warriors. Thank you to all those who<br />

entered the competition, and do keep your eyes<br />

peeled for more competitions later this year in <strong>Local</strong><br />

<strong>Life</strong>.<br />

Rainhill Plodders<br />

If your long list of New Year’s resolutions included<br />

‘Must Get Fit’, then you might be interested in<br />

the Rainhill Plodders Ladies Running Group! The<br />

group runs on Tuesday evenings from the Rainhill<br />

Recreation Club on Victoria Terrace (behind the<br />

Victoria pub), meeting at 6.50pm for a 7pm start.<br />

The group’s aims are to cater for those who want<br />

to enjoy a run, socialise and get fit, and all are<br />

welcome.<br />

Cracking the Code<br />

If your young child shows aptitude in IT and you<br />

think you may have a budding Bill Gates or Tim<br />

Berners-Lee in your household, there’s a Computer<br />

Coding class for primary school children being held<br />

every month at Thatto Heath Library. Your child can<br />

learn the basic steps to coding at the class, which<br />

runs on the 1st Tuesday of the month between<br />

3-45-4.45pm at the library on Thatto Heath road<br />

opposite the rail station. For more details, call the<br />

library on 01744 677842.


10<br />

The Final<br />

Countdown<br />

A new book by <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> author Ken Bold explores<br />

the history of Saints cup finals and their impact on<br />

the town.<br />

‘Saints: The Final Countdown’ features every one of<br />

the 79 finals <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> R.L.F.C. have reached, from<br />

the very first Challenge Cup final in 1897 through to<br />

the present day. Through the turbulent times of the<br />

early twentieth century to the soaring post-1950s<br />

successes, the book sheds new light on <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>’<br />

sporting heritage.<br />

Ken Bold was brought up in Dentons Green and<br />

Eccleston, and a lifelong Saints fan from attending<br />

his first ever game in 1960 at Knowsley Road where<br />

his dad worked as a turnstile operator. It wasn’t until<br />

the 1996 Challenge Cup final against Bradford Bulls<br />

that Ken experienced the most exciting game of his<br />

life, when Saints came back from a 12-26 down to<br />

win 40-32.<br />

‘After <strong>St</strong>eve Prescott MBE’s death in 2013, his<br />

Foundation has continued to raise substantial<br />

amounts of money for The Christie Hopsital and Tryassist,<br />

which provides support for people who have<br />

suffered life changing injuries playing Rugby League,’<br />

Ken explains.<br />

‘I hope readers will enjoy reading accounts of every<br />

one of the 79 finals,’ he adds. ‘For some they will jog<br />

memories of matches they attended, for others they<br />

will provide what I intend to be an interesting insight<br />

into the long and proud history of <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> Rugby<br />

League Club. Let’s hope there are many more final<br />

appearances in the years to come!’<br />

‘Saints: The Final Countdown’ is available for £15.99<br />

from the Saints Superstore, Wardleworths bookshop<br />

on Westfield <strong>St</strong>reet, the World of Glass gift shop, A180<br />

Darts or online from Amazon. You can also order it<br />

direct from the author at kenbold@btinternet.com<br />

‘Rugby league is all about<br />

getting to finals and,<br />

hopefully, winning them,’ Ken<br />

says. ‘My first clear memory<br />

regarding Saints is attending<br />

the 1961 Challenge Cup final<br />

at Wembley with my parents<br />

and older brother. It was a very<br />

hot day, Saints beat Wigan,<br />

and it was definitely one of<br />

my childhood highlights!’<br />

Inspired by the adrenalinefilled<br />

cup finals, Ken decided<br />

on the topic for his debut<br />

book, and arranged for<br />

all profits from sales to be<br />

donated to the <strong>St</strong>eve Prescott<br />

Foundation.<br />

Ken Bold with Linzi Prescott


11


12<br />

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Opening Times: Monday - Saturday 9am - 5pm


14<br />

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Libraries Service<br />

has welcomed the impact<br />

of a new digital service<br />

which has been used over<br />

5,000 times in the space of<br />

just three months.<br />

BorrowBox is an online<br />

book lending service<br />

where residents, once<br />

they have joined the<br />

library service, can<br />

borrow e-books to read<br />

for free. Members are<br />

BorrowBox Success<br />

able to search the collection either from a desktop<br />

pc, a tablet or their phone and download books<br />

instantly. One of the unique features of BorrowBox<br />

is that library users don’t have to worry about<br />

incurring charges for a late return – as items will be<br />

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automatically returned after a three-week period.<br />

Since its launch in October 2018, Borrowbox has<br />

contributed to a 59 per cent increase in the number<br />

of library members accessing a wide range of fiction<br />

and non-fiction titles, as well as audiobooks, which<br />

are available to download via Android, Apple, Kindle<br />

Fire or PC.<br />

One local resident and Borrowbox user, Tilly Hoyle<br />

from Newton-le-Willows said: “With BorrowBox you<br />

are never without a book! - It’s a brilliant resource<br />

and so easy to use once you’ve downloaded the app.<br />

It couldn’t be simpler and you have your library at<br />

your fingertips!”<br />

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Council’s portfolio holder for libraries,<br />

Councillor Anthony Burns, said: “BorrowBox is a<br />

fantastic addition to our library service offer as<br />

its round the clock availability means it’s more<br />

convenient for library members whose work patterns<br />

mean it might be difficult for them to physically get<br />

down to a library.<br />

“It’s pleasing to hear that public reaction so far has<br />

been positive, and I hope it encourages our techsavvy<br />

generation to give it a go and develop a love<br />

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To join the library and start using Borrowbox, bring<br />

one form of ID showing your name and address to<br />

any <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> library.


15


16<br />

Learn a Language<br />

Want to learn a new language<br />

in <strong>2019</strong>? It’s not as hard as<br />

you think! With plenty of free<br />

resources online and classes<br />

to be found locally, you can<br />

get hooked on language<br />

learning this year.<br />

New words? - You may not need to learn as many as<br />

you think! In English just 300 words make up 65% of<br />

all written material. You can buy or make decks of<br />

flash cards of these words.<br />

Cognates - These are words which are spelled<br />

almost the same in English and which have the<br />

same meaning. In French, lots of ‘ion’ words are<br />

spelled the same even though they are pronounced<br />

differently. In Spanish the same words end in ‘ción’<br />

and in Italian ‘zione’. There are also words which are<br />

similar enough to the English word that you will<br />

recognise them immediately.<br />

Interaction - You need to<br />

hear and speak the language<br />

consistently. Look up radio<br />

stations, YouTube channels,<br />

news websites, and blogs in<br />

the language you want to<br />

learn. Find a native speaker who would converse<br />

with you for half an hour in exchange for coffee<br />

and cake! There are groups dedicated to language<br />

exchange on Facebook too. By forcing yourself to<br />

converse you will improve very quickly.<br />

Free Resources – The Duolingo app does just<br />

what it says on the tin, with online flashcards and<br />

interactive assistance. The BBC also has introductory<br />

courses for around 40 different language.<br />

By Tracey Anderson


17


18 Food<br />

Lemongrass & Ginger Pork<br />

Ingredients<br />

100g pork escalope<br />

1/2 lemongrass stalk, finely chopped<br />

2cm-piece fresh root ginger, peeled and finely<br />

chopped<br />

1/2 shallot, finely chopped<br />

1-cal cooking spray<br />

25g rice noodles<br />

50g mixture of baby corn and sugar snap peas<br />

50g broccoli florets<br />

Zest and juice of half a lime<br />

1/2tsp sesame oil<br />

1tsp soy sauce<br />

1/2 red chilli, sliced<br />

Method<br />

Put the pork escalope in a dish with the lemongrass,<br />

ginger and shallot. Toss the meat to coat. If you have<br />

time, place the dish in the fridge to allow the pork to<br />

marinate for up to an hour. Spray a cold, non-stick<br />

frying pan with one-calorie cooking spray and place<br />

over a medium heat. Add the pork and fry it for three<br />

to four minutes on one side. Turn over, adding more<br />

spray to the pan, if needed. Continue to cook the pork<br />

on the other side, until golden and cooked through in<br />

the middle. Set aside to rest.<br />

Bring a small pan of water to the boil. Add the noodles<br />

and cook for five minutes, or following the instruction<br />

on the pack. Add the baby corn and sugar snap pea<br />

mixture, as well as the broccoli florets, then turn off<br />

the heat and allow to cook in the hot water for one<br />

to two minutes.<br />

Drain the noodles and vegetables, toss well to mix,<br />

then return them to the pan. <strong>St</strong>ir in the lime zest and<br />

juice, sesame oil, soy sauce and chilli, then spoon onto<br />

a plate. Slice the pork and arrange on top, then drizzle<br />

round any of the rested juices.


19<br />

Don’t compromise on taste,<br />

enjoy quality meats<br />

from your local butcher<br />

Aberdeen Angus Beef<br />

Renowned throughout Merseyside for our Scotch<br />

Beef, We only sell the best quality Certified Aberdeen<br />

Angus beef from Inverurie.<br />

Free Range Chicken<br />

We serve the same Juicy and moist Label Anglais<br />

chickens that Gordon Ramsey serves in his<br />

restaurants.<br />

Free Range Pork<br />

Supplied by Anna’s Happy Trotters, our succulent<br />

pork earned acclaim from celebrity chefs Gerard<br />

Baker and Rosemary Shrager.<br />

Lamb<br />

The luscious flavour of our lamb is attributed to being<br />

grazed on the Yorkshire Moors, and we also serve<br />

seasonal varieties.<br />

Venison<br />

This highest quality venison is supplied from the<br />

Royal Estate at Balmoral.<br />

Goat<br />

Supplied from Cumbria, this delicacy is low in<br />

cholesterol, high in iron and of similar calorific value<br />

to chicken.<br />

Sausages<br />

Our award winning sausages are made on the<br />

premises and flavours include specials flavours such<br />

as black pepper, hog roast and even chippy curry.<br />

On a diet/healthy eating kick?<br />

Try our low fat, low carb<br />

Chicken Pizza! Only £4.50!<br />

No dough, simply a chicken fillet base<br />

topped with savoury tomato sauce,<br />

mozzarella, peppers, onions & tomatoes.<br />

Free delivery!<br />

to <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> & Prescot areas<br />

Minimum order £20<br />

Opening Hours: 8am-5.30pm, Monday - Saturday<br />

576, Warrington Road,<br />

Rainhill,<br />

L35 4LZ<br />

0151 426 4604<br />

www.hayestraditionalbutchers.co.uk


20<br />

Tell Us Your <strong>St</strong>ory!<br />

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

on the look out<br />

for news stories<br />

from the local<br />

communities we<br />

serve. Are you<br />

raising money for<br />

charity? Are you<br />

a member of a<br />

community group<br />

with something<br />

to shout about?<br />

Maybe you’ve got<br />

an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let<br />

us know and you could be appearing in the next<br />

edition!<br />

Simply contact us on sthelensnews@locallife247.<br />

co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.<br />

Famous Faces<br />

A local author has compiled a book on <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>’<br />

most famous (and infamous) faces.<br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>: The Great & the Good (and a few of<br />

the not so good!) is a journey through the town’s<br />

heritage, profiling its most notorious characters<br />

from pharmaceutical giants the Beechams family to<br />

comedy legend Johnny Vegas. Along with images,<br />

fun facts, and a foreword by Paul Sculthorpe MBE,<br />

the book is a definite must-read for any Sintelleners<br />

worth their salt.<br />

Author Brian Leyland grew up in <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>,<br />

attending <strong>St</strong>. Austin’s and <strong>St</strong>. Teresa’s primary<br />

schools before moving on to West Park Grammar<br />

School. <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>: The Great & the Good is his debut<br />

publication.<br />

The book is available online at Amazon and<br />

Waterstones, or from the Saints Superstore at the<br />

Totally Wicked <strong>St</strong>adium. It costs £14.99.<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 />

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Valuation Days<br />

4th Wednesday of Every Month<br />

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

9.30 – 12 noon<br />

Check website for Details<br />

Call 01744 881 477 for more information<br />

Wigan Valuation Days<br />

2nd Tuesday Of Every Month<br />

Purposed <strong>Life</strong> Church, Turner <strong>St</strong>reet, Wigan 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


21<br />

Squash Sessions<br />

A new squash session has started in <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>.<br />

Part of the <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> Community Sport initiative,<br />

these new squash sessions are aimed at complete<br />

beginners who would like to improve their fitness<br />

and learn a new sport. Just an hour of squash can<br />

burn up to 800 calories, so it’s perfect for anyone<br />

wanting to shed a few pounds!<br />

Sessions take place on Thursdays from 5:30pm-<br />

6:30pm at the Capitol Squash Club on Duke <strong>St</strong>reet<br />

(WA10 2JP) from Thursday, January 31 and cost £2<br />

per session.<br />

For more information, call Chris on 07739 630365 or<br />

email chrismeadows@sthelens.gov.uk<br />

Living Together<br />

Rainhill Garrick Society’s latest play runs from<br />

Thursday, <strong>February</strong> 14 to Saturday, <strong>February</strong> 16.<br />

‘Living Together’ by Alan Ayckbourn is an exciting<br />

family drama based on Ayckbourn’s Norman<br />

Conquests trilogy. It depicts the events of one<br />

weekend from the perspective of the living room, as<br />

librarian Norman attempts to seduce the women of<br />

the house with varying results.<br />

The play takes place at 7:30pm each evening at<br />

Rainhill Village Hall. Tickets are available from<br />

Rainhill Post Office or by calling 01744 813429. For<br />

more information, visit www.rainhillgarrick.co.uk<br />

CloneFest <strong>2019</strong><br />

<strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>’ biggest tribute band festival is back.<br />

Featuring bands like Kings of Lyon, The Fillers, The<br />

Marley Experience and Not The Rolling <strong>St</strong>ones,<br />

CloneFest brings an incredible music sensation to<br />

Sherdley Park on Saturday, July 20th – but given that<br />

tickets for last year’s show sold out fast, it might be a<br />

good idea to get your hands on them early.<br />

Tickets for the one-day fest start at £25 for an<br />

earlybird, to £55 for VIP, and are available from<br />

Ticketline, eventim or the Citadel on Waterloo <strong>St</strong>reet.<br />

For more information, head to www.clonefest.co.uk<br />

Down the Rabbit Hole<br />

The Alice Experience comes to <strong>St</strong>. George’s Hall in<br />

Liverpool this <strong>February</strong>.<br />

From Saturday, <strong>February</strong> 9 to Saturday, <strong>February</strong><br />

23, experience a trip down the rabbit hole in a<br />

90-minute walk-through production of Wonderland.<br />

Visitors follow the White Rabbit, have tea with the<br />

Mad Hatter, meet the Cheshire Cat and more!<br />

An Autism Friendly performance is available on<br />

<strong>February</strong> 18 at 7pm, while a BSL signed performance<br />

takes place on the same day at 7:30pm.<br />

Shows take place every 30 minutes from 10am<br />

to 7:30pm most days in <strong>February</strong>. Tickets range<br />

from £6 to £12 and can be booked online at www.<br />

ticketquarter.co.uk<br />

Sheds<br />

Log Cabins<br />

Workshops<br />

Wendy Houses<br />

Summer Houses<br />

Garden Offices<br />

Free 100% pressure treated<br />

Free erection Free delivery<br />

Up to 48 months low cost finance available<br />

See our show sites at;<br />

Trebaron Garden Centre<br />

Southworth Road, Newton-le-Willows, WA12 0BS<br />

Telephone: 01695 589 207<br />

Rivendell Notcutts Garden Centre<br />

Mill Lane, Widnes WA8 3UL<br />

Telephone: 0151 423 2638<br />

www.solidsheds.com<br />

DIRECT FROM THE MANUFACTURER


22<br />

Network with Saints<br />

If you have a business to promote in the <strong>St</strong>.<br />

<strong>Helens</strong> area, you can take part in a FREE monthly<br />

networking event at the Totally Wicked <strong>St</strong>adium on<br />

Thursday 14th <strong>February</strong> from 8.30am – and get a<br />

FREE breakfast in the bargain!<br />

The <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> RFC Player of the Month and<br />

Networking Event, is sponsored by <strong>St</strong>apleton Derby<br />

Estate Agents and is held in the <strong>St</strong>apleton Derby<br />

Premier Lounge at the Totally Wicked <strong>St</strong>adium<br />

every month of the year.<br />

The guest of honour at the <strong>February</strong> 14th event<br />

is Morgan Knowles, one of the mainstays of the<br />

Saints’ pack over the past two seasons. Morgan<br />

will be followed by an invited guest presenter and<br />

then there will be an opportunity to network and<br />

improve your contact list with around 90 businesses<br />

in the room.<br />

You can book now to secure your FREE place at<br />

<strong>February</strong>’s event by emailing Saints Sales Manager<br />

at Gary.Wilton@saintsrlfc.com.<br />

Attendance is free and you are welcome to attend<br />

as often as you wish.


23<br />

Up to<br />

40% off<br />

Some things just never change...<br />

With over a 100 years combined experience, Bartons of Duke <strong>St</strong>reet<br />

continue to serve the people of <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> and surrounding areas<br />

with quality goods and services for their homes.<br />

Call into our Duke <strong>St</strong>reet stores today and browse around<br />

our extensive range of;<br />

Furniture & Beds Kitchens & Bathrooms Fires & Central Heating<br />

64-80 Duke <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 2JW 01744 22331 Bartons-furniture.co.uk Bartons-heating.co.uk<br />

Email: admin@bartons-heating.co.uk


24<br />

Do Your Bit for Dementia<br />

The Alzheimer’s Society has launched a new<br />

smartphone app to aid dementia research.<br />

Led by University of Oxford, the GameChanger app<br />

offers fun, free brain training games for anyone<br />

aged 18+ without dementia. It aims to find out<br />

more about how the brain works with the view of<br />

developing new treatments.<br />

Download the app from the App <strong>St</strong>ore or Google<br />

Play <strong>St</strong>ore and help change the future of dementia.<br />

Family History Meetings<br />

The <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Family History Society has announced<br />

their monthly meeting schedule for <strong>2019</strong>. The first<br />

two meetings are on Thursday 28th <strong>February</strong> and<br />

Thursday 21st March, both at the Lucem House<br />

Community Cinema + at 100 Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet<br />

in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, starting at 6.45pm. The theme for the<br />

first meeting is ‘The Deadly Flu’, hosted by Tony<br />

Sweeney, and the March theme is ‘Skeletons in the<br />

Cupboard’, which is hosted by Bill Taylor.<br />

The group also runs a Workshop & Help session<br />

every Tuesday from 3.45-6.45pm at Eccleston<br />

Library. For more details email townshipsfhs@<br />

googlemail.com<br />

RNLI Volunteers<br />

The <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> and District RNLI is looking for<br />

volunteers to help them with their store collections<br />

at various times and places in the <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> area.<br />

Funds raised will go towards keeping the lifeboats<br />

<strong>St</strong>ay Warm this Winter<br />

Replace your boiler and pay<br />

nothing for 6 months!<br />

With A-rated boiler packages and low flexible repayments,<br />

<strong>St</strong>aying Warm this winter has never been easier. Monthly<br />

payment options available.<br />

Rated 4.93* out of 5* with over 70 customer reviews<br />

Call today for a free quote<br />

Cosy up and save energy with Viessmann.<br />

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as standard with every German engineered<br />

Viessmann boiler installed.<br />

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Freephone 0800 193 0151 cathyrowlinson@staywarmboilers.co.uk www.staywarmboilers.co.uk


25<br />

operational in UK waters and therefore helping<br />

to save lives. If you can spare an occasional hour<br />

or two of your time, then please call Di Collins on<br />

01744 735147.<br />

Mummy & Me Fitness<br />

If you’re unable to get back into shape after<br />

having children and are struggling to balance and<br />

childcare, then these Mummy & Me fitness sessions<br />

could be ideal for you. The weekly 45 minute<br />

sessions run at Peter <strong>St</strong>reet Community Centre in<br />

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> (WA10 2EQ) on Mondays from 10am and<br />

at <strong>St</strong> Anne’s Millennium Centre (L35 0LE) on Fridays<br />

from 11.15am.<br />

It’s a great way for your child to socialise with other<br />

children, and for you to meet up with other mums<br />

in the same position. For more details visit Heart &<br />

Sole Personal Training on Facebook or call Jamie-<br />

Lee on 07413 688455.<br />

Over 60<br />

Lancashire<br />

walks<br />

FREE to download at<br />

locallife247.co.uk<br />

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


26<br />

New Year - New Kitchen or Bedroom?<br />

Let’s start here...<br />

What our customers say;<br />

Had the kitchen in my old house fitted<br />

by JC kitchens and really missed it when<br />

I moved 6 years ago. So of course I used<br />

JC again for my new kitchen, I wouldn’t<br />

use anyone else. Fantastic customer<br />

service and Jo-Anne is so lovely with<br />

brilliant ideas and superb knowledge.<br />

Helen Geogheghan<br />

Absolutely made up with our kitchen,<br />

it’s perfect. The quality is amazing we<br />

are in love. Joanne is fabulous and<br />

nothing is too much trouble. Thank you<br />

we have finally got our dream kitchen.<br />

Sarah Preston<br />

This is our second kitchen from JC<br />

Kitchens, the first one is still going<br />

strong after 14years but we recently<br />

moved house. Good advice and great<br />

service from start to finish. Highly<br />

recommend to anyone looking for the<br />

perfect kitchen.<br />

Linda Jaundrill<br />

JC<br />

Kitchens &<br />

Bedrooms<br />

Call in today and browse our showrooms or pick up some brochures<br />

Expert advice from a friendly family business, established in 1990<br />

99-101 Greenfield Road,<br />

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 6SH<br />

Tel: 01744 24406<br />

Opening Times<br />

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:30<br />

Saturday: 10:00 - 15:00<br />

Sunday: by appointment<br />

JC Kitchens


Advertisement<br />

27<br />

Experts say that a high quality, great looking kitchen/<br />

kitchen-diner is most likely to increase the value<br />

of a property. After all, kitchens are the new living<br />

rooms, where family members socialise, cook, and<br />

eat together. Like all home improvements though,<br />

the design, the appliances, the finish and the fitting<br />

needs to be quality to ensure that the investment<br />

into your new kitchen pays off long term.<br />

At JC Kitchens & Bedrooms, designing and fitting<br />

bespoke new kitchens (and bedrooms) is a passion<br />

and has been for almost 30 years. The company was<br />

formed back in 1990 when Jean Cutler, a designer<br />

at Beamans in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, decided to form her own<br />

kitchen company. Supported by her industrial<br />

chemist husband Allan, they opened JC Kitchens at<br />

Reginald’s in Reginald Road in Sutton.<br />

JC Kitchens quickly established a reputation for<br />

quality fits at reasonable prices, and the<br />

company moved to larger premises in Windle<br />

<strong>St</strong>reet where, in 2003, daughter Jo-Anne and<br />

her husband John took the reins.<br />

In 2017 JC Kitchens & Bedrooms opened their new<br />

double fronted dual aspect showroom over two<br />

floors at 99-101 Greenfield Road, where potential<br />

customers can browse a selection of kitchens and<br />

bedrooms in comfort, with expert help on hand if<br />

needed from Jo-Anne and John.<br />

The company is as passionate today about delivering<br />

quality kitchens and bedrooms as they were when<br />

the company started in 1990. Call in today for a<br />

browse, pick up a brochure and have a chat about<br />

your new kitchen or bedroom.<br />

JC Kitchens & Bedrooms<br />

99-101 Greenfield Road, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 6SH<br />

01744 24406<br />

Open Mon to Fri 9am - 4.30pm, Sat 10am - 3pm<br />

Sundays by appointment only<br />

The couple enhanced the quality reputation<br />

of the company and also continued the<br />

philanthropic ethic of Jean and Allan by<br />

supporting a number of local junior and<br />

senior rugby clubs, including Saints, where<br />

they sponsor Paul Wellens.


28<br />

Citadel Sadness<br />

A <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> landmark is set to close.<br />

The Citadel, which has been part of the town since<br />

1861, is earmarked for closure this summer.<br />

The arts centre first existed as the Theatre Royal<br />

– not to be confused with the current venue on<br />

Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet – in 1856, but the wooden barnlike<br />

building was deemed unsafe and replaced by<br />

the current building on Waterloo <strong>St</strong>reet. The new<br />

building is actually based on the designs of the<br />

Liver Theatre in Liverpool.<br />

The theatre has gone through various owners since<br />

it was first opened by Messrs Johnson and Francis.<br />

Its first lessee was Charles Henry Du Val in 1872,<br />

who first introduced pantomimes like Aladdin and<br />

Sinbad the Sailor to the theatre, along with musical<br />

acts like Vesta Tilley – a male impersonator who<br />

went on to gain national acclaim.<br />

Wallace Revill succeeded Du Val in 1884, and<br />

renovated the theatre to include new pit seats,<br />

external pointing, and interior painting. Dramatic<br />

productions such as The Silver King – led by the<br />

world famous Wilson Barret - came to the stage, and<br />

the Citadel flourished. Revill, flushed with success,<br />

went on to found a new Theatre Royal on its current<br />

site on Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet.<br />

It was in 1889 when the Citadel building was sold<br />

to the Salvation Army. No longer recognisable as a<br />

theatre after significant refurbishment, the barracks<br />

gained its new title of the Citadel under the rule of<br />

Captain Wilshaw and his wife. It remained open for<br />

this use for a further 80 years until the early 1980s,<br />

when the building was put up for sale once more.


29<br />

New owners the<br />

Rainford Trust intended<br />

to convert the disused<br />

building into an arts<br />

centre where young<br />

people could congregate<br />

to be creative. It was<br />

reopened in 1988, quickly<br />

becoming renowned for<br />

its live music events and<br />

for boasting so many<br />

opportunities for local<br />

youngsters. In 2000 the<br />

building underwent a £1<br />

million refurbishment<br />

into the building it is<br />

today.<br />

In spite of massive<br />

fundraising efforts,<br />

financial constraints mean keeping the Citadel<br />

building open isn’t economically viable. The<br />

announcement of the impending closure was met<br />

largely with disbelief and sadness from <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong><br />

residents, as we bid a teary farewell to another<br />

iconic town monument.<br />

The Citadel charity will continue on after the<br />

closure of its headquarters, working as an<br />

agency organisation to<br />

deliver quality theatre<br />

performances for children<br />

and families in the local<br />

area. A crowdfunding<br />

page has been set up<br />

for the new charity at<br />

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/<br />

citadel<br />

Salvation Army Interior<br />

town which is now continuing with Heart of Glass,<br />

Cultural Hubs and the new Citadel Agency.’<br />

<strong>Local</strong> comedy legend Johnny Vegas has announced<br />

he’ll play a farewell gig at the Citadel in June to<br />

mark the loss of a creative institution in the town<br />

centre - the place where he created his alias.<br />

The Citadel is set to close its doors for the final time<br />

on Sunday, June 30.<br />

Chief Executive Fay Lamb<br />

commented: ‘There are no<br />

words to describe how it<br />

will feel to close the doors<br />

of the Citadel building<br />

for the final time. Since<br />

opening 30 years ago,<br />

it has helped to foster a<br />

real creative energy in the


30<br />

The Packed Lunch<br />

Problem<br />

I decided to save money and eat more healthily in<br />

<strong>2019</strong>, so I knew I’d have to start packing my own<br />

lunches. It’s taken until now really get on board with<br />

this idea because every time I contemplated the<br />

effort of making a packed lunch every day I became<br />

bogged down by what I perceived as problems –<br />

here’s how I solved them.<br />

It takes too much time to pack a lunch.<br />

It’s such a faff...or is it?<br />

I timed how long it took to walk to the deli or drive<br />

to the garage, wait in the queue to be served and<br />

get back to work. Then I timed how long it took<br />

me to prepare a lunch the night before. Turns out<br />

making your own lunch is way faster! Who knew?<br />

I’m hungry again by mid-afternoon.<br />

So pack more food! DUH! I make sure I had a sugarfree<br />

protein bar, a banana, or a bag of nuts in reserve<br />

in case I had a mid-afternoon dip. That way I don’t<br />

head for the bakery or start mainlining chocolates<br />

from the ever-present boxes around our office.<br />

Formulaic lunches.<br />

When I was at primary school my mum packed<br />

me a ham sandwich, an apple, some carrot sticks<br />

and a wagon wheel, pretty much every day. When<br />

I started making my own lunches, I used the same<br />

formula (minus the wagon wheel).<br />

What did I enjoy eating? I like leftover casseroles<br />

and risottos, so I made extra. I like open sandwiches,<br />

Danish style, on Rye bread so I bought the<br />

ingredients, and I arranged lunch swaps with a<br />

friend, so she caters Thursday and I do Friday.<br />

A little creative thinking keeps things interesting<br />

and I haven’t missed nipping to the deli. In fact,<br />

walking round the park instead is a much needed<br />

breath of fresh air and gets the exercise in too!<br />

By Tracey Anderson


31<br />

Rainford Beer Fest<br />

Rainford Parish Council is gearing up for its fourth<br />

annual beer festival.<br />

The festival runs across three days in <strong>February</strong><br />

– from Friday the 8th until Sunday the 10th at<br />

Rainford Village Hall on Church Road in Rainford.<br />

Enjoy local ale from local brewers with live music on<br />

Friday and Saturday nights.<br />

Friday’s session runs from 6pm-10pm, Saturday’s<br />

from 12pm-10pm and Sunday’s from 12pm-4pm,<br />

so there’s plenty of time to sample the ales on offer.<br />

For more information, please email clerk@<br />

rainfordparishcouncil.com or call 01744 884709.<br />

Liverpool Beer Fest<br />

Liverpool Beer Festival heads to the Crypt of the<br />

Metropolitan Cathedral in <strong>February</strong>.<br />

great location, with live entertainment from the<br />

Brasswurst Bavarian Band on Friday and Saturday<br />

evenings. Guests receive a commemorative glass<br />

as part of the admission charge, and can exchange<br />

cash for beer tokens to use at the event. CAMRA<br />

members receive £3 of free tokens.<br />

Tickets are £3-£10 and can be booked on Eventbrite.<br />

Coffee Morning<br />

If you would like to help raise funds for Clatterbridge,<br />

pop along to a coffee morning being held at the<br />

Park Road Café on Park Road in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> on Monday<br />

11th <strong>February</strong>.<br />

Tea, coffee, cakes and sandwiches will be available<br />

on the morning and there will also be raffle prizes<br />

to be won. Entrance is free and the event runs from<br />

10.30am-12.30pm.<br />

From Thursday, <strong>February</strong> 21 to Saturday, <strong>February</strong><br />

23, enjoy real ales, craft beers and ciders in a


32<br />

Advertisement<br />

Protect your<br />

Home & Family<br />

The latest Crime Survey for England and Wales<br />

makes depressing and frightening reading for<br />

homeowners. This annual survey, taken from police<br />

reporting, shows that both burglaries (+ 2% to<br />

432,267 homes) and vehicle thefts (+ 7% to 457,970<br />

vehicles) are on the up.<br />

What’s even more disturbing is that this crime wave<br />

is happening at a time when, according to respected<br />

website www.fullfact.org, police numbers have<br />

fallen by the equivalent of 20,000 full time officers<br />

between 2010 and 2018 and are now at the lowest<br />

level since the early 1980’s.<br />

horrifying impact that crimes like this have on<br />

homeowners and their families. The impact of<br />

burglary doesn’t just involve the financial cost of<br />

replacing stolen goods and repairing damage, it can<br />

also have a significant impact on your emotional<br />

health too, as well as your sense of feeling safe in<br />

your own home.<br />

But what is the first step in ensuring that you fit<br />

a future-proof system that will keep your home<br />

and your family safe from increasingly tech-savvy<br />

thieves?<br />

What the statistics don’t show though is the


33<br />

The National Security Inspectorate (NSI) is<br />

recognised as the UK’s leading certification body<br />

for the security sector, and their gold standard<br />

certification of NACOSS GOLD has been awarded to<br />

just one single company in the entire <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> area<br />

– BEST Security in Rainford.<br />

Established in 1984 by the current Managing<br />

Director Paul Barnes, BEST Security are<br />

experienced specialists in the design, installation<br />

and maintenance of intruder alarms and CCTV<br />

systems – a one stop shop for security of homes<br />

and for business premises too. The company has a<br />

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34<br />

TAKE THE FOUR WEEK CHALLENGE<br />

<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> and District Scouts are still going<br />

strong after more than 100 years and are<br />

now launching a new chapter of growth<br />

and development.<br />

Newly appointed District Commissioner, Chris<br />

Valentine wants the organisation in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> to grow<br />

and let more young people join in the fun.<br />

Chris said, “As Scouts, we believe in preparing young<br />

people with skills for life. Each week, over 1,000<br />

young people across <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> and Knowsley, already<br />

enjoy fun and adventure while developing the skills<br />

they need to succeed in life.<br />

We would like to offer Scouting to even more of the<br />

young people who are waiting to join us, but without<br />

additional adult volunteers, our 19 Scout Groups are<br />

unable to fulfil the demand.<br />

To help us to grow, we are launching the ‘Four Week<br />

Challenge’ which invites parents of existing Beavers,<br />

Cubs or Scouts to volunteer for just four weeks to get<br />

a taste of what it would be like to become a Leader,<br />

to enjoy themselves and be amazed at the difference<br />

they can make.”<br />

Week 1 See what we get up to<br />

Week 2 <strong>St</strong>art to help out<br />

Week 3 Get a little more involved<br />

Week 4 You’ll know if Scouting is for you<br />

We have a wide range of flexible roles<br />

either supporting our young people<br />

directly or working behind the scenes.<br />

Any help you give can shape young<br />

people’s lives!<br />

If you are interested, please email Chris at<br />

– adultrecruitment@sthelensscouts.org.uk


35<br />

Branching Out<br />

by Jess Phillips<br />

Tracing your ancestors through a family tree is a<br />

great way to learn more about the generations<br />

before you, and to discover more about yourself<br />

in the process. Though it requires dedication and a<br />

bit of hard graft, researching the people who came<br />

before you can be an incredibly gratifying process.<br />

And once you know how to get started, it can be a<br />

lot of fun too.<br />

When <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>’s very own Design Manager, Peter<br />

Bretherton, delved into his family tree, he found<br />

a legacy which culminated in a stay at Rainhill<br />

Hospital for one of his<br />

ancestors – you really<br />

never know quite what<br />

you’ll find.<br />

Peter didn’t know his<br />

grandparents. He decided<br />

he wanted to know more<br />

about them – and the rest<br />

of his family – when other<br />

Peter Bretherton<br />

relatives began their own<br />

family history research, and became determined to<br />

uncover more about his ancestors.<br />

The earliest Brethertons Peter traced back lived<br />

in Ulnes Walton in Chorley. John Bretherton was<br />

born in 1793 and baptised in Leyland; in the 1851<br />

census John was found to be a farmer of 61 acres<br />

at Runshaw Moor, two miles east of Croston. Two<br />

generations later, however, is where things began<br />

to show a tragic side to the Bretherton family tree,<br />

beginning with John Bretherton’s grandson James.<br />

Through relatives’ accounts, census records and<br />

physical documents – which are a great resource for<br />

finding concrete information such as birthplaces,<br />

home addresses and maiden names – Peter delved<br />

deeper into his family tree.<br />

James Bretherton was born in 1857 in Euxton,<br />

Chorley, one of seven children. In his childhood,<br />

James became friendly with Ann Robinson whose<br />

father ran the Plough Inn – which is still in business<br />

today - just across the road from Runshaw Farm<br />

where James lived. The couple eventually married


36<br />

in 1879 at Euxton Chapel and moved to Chorley<br />

Lane – now Chorley Road in <strong>St</strong>andish – to begin a<br />

family, raising six children together: John, James,<br />

Elizabeth, Thomas, William and Alice.<br />

Tragedy was lurking just around the corner. Ann<br />

Robinson died in 1896 aged just 39 years old, and<br />

James remarried another Ann – Ann Churchouse<br />

from Aspull – just a few months later. The couple<br />

had one child together before Ann too died of<br />

pneumonia in 1902, and one week later James’<br />

second eldest son died of the same disease at just 19<br />

years old. However, it wasn’t until 1906 that young<br />

Alice suffered a horrific accident which left her<br />

disfigured and which traumatised her father for life.<br />

‘..the last straw’<br />

Alice was thirteen and helping out at the local vicar’s<br />

home where his wife was in labour. ‘The midwife<br />

sent Alice downstairs to bring something from the<br />

mantelpiece,’ Peter explains. ‘Unfortunately she was<br />

wearing an apron that caught fire as she reached up<br />

to grasp it. She ran upstairs for help but the midwife<br />

ordered her out of the room, so Alice ran outside<br />

the house, where no doubt her clothes burned all<br />

the more readily.’<br />

Alice spent the next twelve months in hospital, not<br />

expected to survive. She managed to defy the odds,<br />

but her father James was never the same again. ‘It<br />

must have been the last straw,’ Peter theorises,<br />

‘having lost his first wife in 1896, his second<br />

wife and nineteen year old son in 1902 and then<br />

some four years later, his daughter maimed and<br />

disfigured for life.’<br />

James’ eldest daughter Lizzy was awakened one<br />

night to suspicious noises below her bedroom, and<br />

crept downstairs to discover her father preparing<br />

to set fire to their home. On another occasion,<br />

she found him out in the garden with a loaded<br />

gun; Lizzy wrestled the weapon from him and<br />

attempted to destroy it with an axe. The gun went<br />

off, but thankfully nobody was injured. James was<br />

eventually admitted to Rainhill Hospital where he<br />

died in 1911.<br />

Meanwhile, Alice went to live with a wealthy uncle<br />

near Southport, who left her a small legacy. When<br />

Lizzy’s husband Francis<br />

went off to war, the then<br />

24 year old Alice moved<br />

in with her sister in Haigh,<br />

taking a job at the local<br />

Post Office. Francis never<br />

returned home from war,<br />

and Lizzy died in 1928,<br />

leaving Alice to care for<br />

her children.<br />

Alice passed away<br />

in March 1976 in the<br />

hospital where she<br />

had endured countless<br />

operations to treat the<br />

burns she suffered some<br />

seventy years prior.<br />

Through a combination<br />

of sources, Peter was able<br />

to trace all the way from<br />

1793 to the present day.


37<br />

‘..discovering relatives we<br />

didn’t even know about’<br />

It’s important to double check sources, especially<br />

from other published family trees, warns Karen<br />

Unsworth, a <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> resident who got involved in<br />

her own family history research after being inspired<br />

by findmypast.com. There can be inaccuracies,<br />

which is why it’s also important to check your own<br />

information is correct before making it public.<br />

It’s a good idea to file the information away privately<br />

to double-check later to avoid misleading anyone<br />

who uses your family tree as a way into their own.<br />

Karen discovered embroidered postcards sent by<br />

her great grandfather, who fought in the Great War<br />

in France. Henry Roughsedge was born in <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong><br />

in 1893, and enlisted in the South Lancs Regiment<br />

before he became a sergeant in the Machine Gun<br />

Corps. Her family’s military heritage led Karen to<br />

visit Étaples Military Cemetery in Boulogne after<br />

discovering that her husband Ian’s great uncle Samuel<br />

Hope was also killed in the First World War, and part<br />

of the same regiment as her great grandfather.<br />

Because the Machine Gun Corps was disbanded<br />

in 1922, the only records available for viewing<br />

are medal cards and grave records. Karen’s greatgrandfather’s<br />

records were lost.<br />

Karen currently has a whopping 1420 people on her<br />

family tree, and 1060 on her husband’s.<br />

Joining a family history research society can also<br />

help you along your journey into the past. Not only<br />

will you gain access to new resources and a veritable<br />

font of knowledge from experienced researchers,<br />

but you’ll meet new people who are also interested<br />

in learning more about their family trees – and who<br />

knows, maybe a distant relative!<br />

In <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>, the <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> Townships Family<br />

History Society hosts regular meetings at Lucem<br />

House Community Cinema on Corporation <strong>St</strong>reet,<br />

which take places at 7pm on the third Thursday of<br />

the month. Regular help desks are also available<br />

to get you started on your family history research<br />

journey; these take place at Eccleston Community<br />

Library on Tuesdays at 3:45pm. Please check with<br />

the library to ensure that workshops are going<br />

ahead. Further information can be found at www.<br />

sthelenstownshipsfhs.org.uk<br />

Étaples Military Cemetery


38<br />

Interested in researching your<br />

own family tree?<br />

Read our top tips to get started.<br />

s The first step in beginning your family history<br />

search is to gather as much information as you<br />

can. Whether this is vague facts from your own<br />

recollections or first-hand accounts from close<br />

family members, write it all down.<br />

s It’s a good idea to start an organisation system –<br />

labelled folders, physical or electronic, are great<br />

for locating information quickly, while photo<br />

albums organised by theme or date can link you<br />

to specific periods in your family history. Find a<br />

method that works best for you, but remember to<br />

collect any and all information you find – however<br />

insignificant it first appears.<br />

s Physical documents tend to be the key to<br />

uncovering more about your ancestors – and you<br />

never know what might be lurking in the loft or<br />

at a relative’s house. Archives also hold census<br />

records or military service documents which can<br />

be incredibly useful when conducting in-depth<br />

research – head over to www.gov.co.uk/get-copymilitary-service-records<br />

for more information.<br />

s <strong>Local</strong> sources are perfect if you know where your<br />

ancestors originated. <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> <strong>Local</strong> History and<br />

Archives Library hold a vast array of documents<br />

and a wealth of information to kick-start your<br />

research. Based out of Gamble Building in<br />

Victoria Square (WA10 1DY), you can contact the<br />

archives by calling 01744 676 952. For records in<br />

the Liverpool area, visit https://liverpool.gov.uk/<br />

libraries/archives-family-history<br />

s <strong>Local</strong> museums like the World of Glass can also<br />

be a great method of getting inspired if you<br />

hit a block. They’ll usually go into detail about<br />

local industry, and might even mention a few<br />

surprising surnames...<br />

s Another great local resource is the Lancashire<br />

BMD Project. This website compiles birth, death<br />

and marriage records from across the county in an<br />

accessible search tool, with accounts dating back<br />

to 1837 - the year civil registration started.<br />

s Lancashire Parish Clerks provides baptism,<br />

marriage and burial records compiled from a<br />

huge variety of sources including parish registers,<br />

churchwardens accounts, land tax records and<br />

business directories.<br />

s Never underestimate the microfiche. Usually<br />

squirrelled away at the back of a musty library<br />

room, microfiche readers allow users to search<br />

through local historical newspapers, which can be<br />

a key tool in finding specific events or incidents.<br />

Although this can be a laborious process,<br />

microfilm records are labelled by date, so it works<br />

best if you have a starting point in mind.<br />

s If browsing the archives for census records and<br />

trawling through microfilm seems like a daunting<br />

process, don’t be put off just yet – there are a lot of<br />

useful websites that can help you get started. Sites<br />

such as Ancestry.com charge you a membership<br />

fee but boast huge record collections and a family<br />

tree tool. <strong>St</strong>art by adding some family members<br />

to the electronic tree, and find new leads through<br />

the site’s suggestions. Meanwhile, free sites such<br />

as Find A Grave and Billion Graves help locate<br />

tombstones across the world, while allowing you<br />

to add personal history information to each grave.<br />

It’s worth looking around at various genealogy<br />

websites to find which is most suited to your<br />

research.<br />

s Another useful website is the National Library of<br />

Scotland (www.nls.uk/digital-resources), where<br />

you can search by area for historical maps. It’s<br />

great for envisioning where ancestors would have<br />

roamed and for finding old addresses for areas<br />

that have undergone name changes or where<br />

new roads have been built.


39


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42<br />

Puzzle Corner<br />

SUDOKU<br />

WORD SEARCH - Real Bread Week<br />

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

SOURDOUGH<br />

PITA<br />

DAMPER<br />

SODA<br />

PRETZEL<br />

CIABATTA<br />

BANANA<br />

RYE<br />

NAAN<br />

TIGER<br />

BROWN<br />

BAGEL<br />

ROLL<br />

BANNOCK<br />

LOAF<br />

WORD MIX UP - Real Bread Week<br />

Unscramble the letters to make a word<br />

TOOTAP<br />

THWIE<br />

NUMBER<br />

BLOCK<br />

3 1<br />

1 6<br />

6 5<br />

0 4<br />

11 9 10 21<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 />

17<br />

7<br />

16<br />

20<br />

8<br />

11<br />

GATTEOC OLFA<br />

MADPAUP<br />

TESTOIT ACEK<br />

KIPCLUMPNEER<br />

CAFCAICO<br />

ORBNEARDC<br />

WIGGLE WORDS<br />

CLUE: Flower power<br />

anthem<br />

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L L A E<br />

Y O O V<br />

N U L S<br />

E E D I<br />

All the puzzle solutions are on page 62 of this magazine


43


44 Leisure<br />

Upload your event for FREE at<br />

www.locallife247.co.uk/events<br />

Motown Experience<br />

Saturday, <strong>February</strong> 2, 7:30pm<br />

A evening of live Motown music from The Glad It’s<br />

Night, along with a disco and hot supper. Tickets<br />

£10 for guests or £8 for members, including entry<br />

to Play Your Cards right, available from the club.<br />

<strong>St</strong>. Mary’s Club, Trent Road, Billinge, WN5 7QT<br />

Snakes & Ladders<br />

Sunday, <strong>February</strong> 3, 6:30pm<br />

Roger Jones’s Christian musical ‘Snakes and Ladders’<br />

is a journey through Bible stories following the ups<br />

and downs of God’s people throughout history.<br />

<strong>St</strong> Nicholas Church, Windy Arbor Rd, Whiston, L35 0LU<br />

Time to Talk Day<br />

Thursday, <strong>February</strong> 7, 10am-4pm<br />

Learn about the organisations that provide support<br />

for people with mental health issues in the borough,<br />

plus hear talks from personal experiences of mental<br />

health. For more info, email andy@mhfa999.co.uk<br />

Totally Wicked <strong>St</strong>adium, McManus Drive, <strong>St</strong>.<br />

<strong>Helens</strong>, WA9 3AL<br />

Glass Painting<br />

Thursday, Feb 7 & Thursday, Feb 14, 10:30am<br />

Join in a relaxed morning creating your own stained<br />

glass effect on a 7x5 framed picture. Tickets cost £6<br />

for Oddfellows members or £7 for guests, booked<br />

by emailing julie.webster@oddfellows.co.uk.<br />

The World of Glass, Chalon Way East, <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>,<br />

WA10 1BX<br />

The Little Mix Experience<br />

Friday, <strong>February</strong> 8, 6pm-9pm<br />

Four hugely talented girls pay tribute to one of the<br />

UK’s finest girl bands. With breath-taking dance<br />

moves, replica costumes and pitch perfect vocals,<br />

enjoy Little Mix’s biggest hits including DNA, Black<br />

Magic, Love Me Like You and more. Tickets £14.50.<br />

Theatre Royal, Corporation <strong>St</strong>, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 1LQ<br />

Queens of Rock<br />

Friday, <strong>February</strong> 8, 7:30pm-11pm<br />

The world’s greatest tribute show dedicated to<br />

female rock legends and powerhouse vocals of the<br />

last 40 years. Tickets £15.<br />

The Citadel, Waterloo <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 1PX<br />

Clay Hearts Workshop<br />

Sunday, <strong>February</strong> 10, 7:30pm-8:30pm<br />

Get creative to make a clay heart in time for<br />

Valentine’s Day! No experience needed. Workshop<br />

costs £12.50 each, bookable from Positive <strong>Life</strong><br />

Workshops CIC on Facebook.<br />

Mill <strong>St</strong>reet Barracks, Mill <strong>St</strong>, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 2BB<br />

Valentine’s Cupcake Workshop<br />

Monday, <strong>February</strong> 11, 6pm-9pm<br />

Make 6 romantic cupcake toppers out of sugar<br />

paste, with expert guidance on hand. £30 per<br />

person including all equipment and materials – visit<br />

the Little Cottage Cakery’s Facebook page to book.<br />

Rainford Guide Hut, Church Rd, Rainford, WA11<br />

8HD


45<br />

Living Together Performance<br />

Thursday, Feb 14 – Saturday, Feb 16, 7:30pm<br />

The Rainhill Garrick Society present Alan<br />

Ayckbourn’s play ‘Living Together’, a Victorian comic<br />

tale of family drama, romance and incompetence.<br />

Tickets available from Rainhill Post Office or the<br />

Village Hall – call 01744 813429 for details.<br />

Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill, L35 4LU<br />

Murder Mystery Night<br />

Friday, <strong>February</strong> 15, 7:30pm<br />

Wealthy heiress Georgina Smythe’s will is read –<br />

but who will benefit most from her death? £35 per<br />

person including a 3-course meal and a drink –<br />

head to www.inglenook-farm.co.uk to book.<br />

Inglenook Farm, Moss Nook Ln, Rainford, WA11 8AE<br />

Mayor’s Charity Ball<br />

Saturday, <strong>February</strong> 16, 7pm<br />

Dress up in your best party frocks in aid of the <strong>St</strong>eve<br />

Prescott Foundation and <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong> Diabetes Centre.<br />

Tickets £40 from www.eventbrite.co.uk includes 3<br />

course meal, live entertainment and DJ Terryokee<br />

Totally Wicked <strong>St</strong>adium, <strong>St</strong>. <strong>Helens</strong>, WA9 1JJ<br />

Tea Dance<br />

Friday, <strong>February</strong> 22, 2pm-4pm<br />

Watch some great dancing – or join in! – alongside<br />

some delicious cakes. Tickets £2 each.<br />

Newton Community Centre, Park Road South,<br />

Newton-le-Willows, WA12 8EX<br />

Afternoon Tea<br />

Wednesday, <strong>February</strong> 27, 1pm-3pm<br />

Enjoy an afternoon with friends feasting on tea,<br />

coffee, sandwiches and cakes to raise money for<br />

Willowbrook Hospice. Tickets £7.50, available from<br />

The Living Well or on 01744 453798.<br />

Evening with Royston Vasey<br />

Friday, March 1<br />

The man behind Roy Chubby Brown presents a<br />

candid night of comedy in support of the Daniel<br />

Fox Foundation. Tickets cost £26 – for more details<br />

or to book, call 01744 813822. Over 18s only.<br />

Sidac Club, Wheatsheaf Ave, Sutton Leach, WA9 4PJ<br />

Positive WellBeing Event<br />

Sunday, March 10, 11am-6pm<br />

Experience countless beauty, wellbeing and holistic<br />

therapy treatments at this positive wellbeing event.<br />

Children’s entertainment available while adults<br />

enjoy beauty therapies, crafts and healing. For more<br />

information, contact Kelly on 07909 228102.<br />

<strong>St</strong> Helen Hotel, Linkway West, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> WA10 1NG<br />

Comedy Night<br />

Saturday, March 9, doors at 7:15pm<br />

Hilarious stand-up from <strong>St</strong>e Porter, Peter McCole,<br />

Tanya Lee Davis and Dave Twentyman, plus curry or<br />

hotpot supper. Tickets £18, all proceeds go to local<br />

sports clubs.<br />

Windle Labour Club, Dentons Green Lane, <strong>St</strong>.<br />

<strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 2QF<br />

Blue Planet II – Live<br />

Tuesday 26th March, 7.30pm<br />

A fantastical journey from icy polar seas to<br />

pulsating coral reefs, from the luminous deep sea to<br />

enormous kelp forests: immerse yourself with Blue<br />

Planet II – Live In Concert on a giant screen at the<br />

M&S Bank Arena (formerly Echo Arena). The show<br />

is hosted by BBC presenter Anita Rani with live<br />

accompaniment by the City of Prague Orchestra.<br />

This is a stunning orchestral concert experience not<br />

to be missed.<br />

M&S Bank Arena, Kings Dock, Liverpool L3 4FP<br />

The Living Well, Borough Rd, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 3RN


46 Health & Fitness<br />

Making Waves<br />

Swimming is often overlooked as a workout in favour<br />

of cardio-heavy routines. But it can be just as good -<br />

if not better - than hitting the gym. Here’s how.<br />

It’s a full body workout. Swimming is a great mixture<br />

of cardio and strength, improves endurance and<br />

works out all the muscle groups.<br />

It can help improve mental health. The motion of<br />

moving through water is very meditational, and<br />

requires a level of focus which can help reduce stress<br />

levels. It also boosts your mood through the release<br />

of serotonin.<br />

It’s sweat-free. The water constantly cools your body<br />

down and reduces the uncomfortable feeling that<br />

hits after a gym session.<br />

You’re unlikely to injure yourself - swimming is nonweight-bearing,<br />

so the risk of injury is very small.<br />

It has long-term benefits. Swimming has been found<br />

to lower blood pressure, reduce joint pain, improve<br />

lung capacity and heart function, and increase bone<br />

strength.<br />

Swimming is for everyone. Whether you’re old or<br />

young, super fit or getting there, almost anyone can<br />

swim - that’s why it’s used so often in physiotherapy.<br />

Contrary to popular belief, swimming is actually a<br />

great calorie burner, and burns more calories than<br />

running!<br />

By Tracey Anderson


47<br />

Tinnitus Treatment<br />

Around 1 in 5 British adults suffer from persistent<br />

buzzing, ringing or humming in their ears. Tinnitus is<br />

particularly prevalent in the elderly, affecting around<br />

24%, but the condition can strike any age, whether<br />

temporarily or permanently. With Tinnitus Awareness<br />

week taking place from <strong>February</strong> 4th - 10th, there’s<br />

no better time to look into treatments for managing<br />

tinnitus or think about getting checked out.<br />

There’s no one unifying cause of tinnitus. Whether<br />

caused by loud music or long-term noise exposure,<br />

general hearing loss, or as a symptom of an<br />

underlying condition, getting a conclusive diagnosis<br />

can be difficult. But there are things you can do to<br />

improve quality of life with tinnitus.<br />

Speak to your GP. Sometimes tinnitus is caused by<br />

something as innocuous as earwax – removing this<br />

can decrease the symptoms and lessen the noise.<br />

Underlying vascular conditions such as high blood<br />

pressure or an aneurysm can cause pulsatile tinnitus,<br />

which can be treated through medication or surgery.<br />

Avoiding loud noises, caffeine and nicotine means<br />

lessening the stressors associated with tinnitus.<br />

<strong>St</strong>ress management is key to managing the<br />

condition – if the sound in your ears is making you<br />

stressed, try covering it with soft music, the sound of<br />

a fan whirring, or some white noise.<br />

White noise isn’t limited to a flat hum. White noise<br />

machines can simulate an immersive habitat, such<br />

as falling rain or ocean waves, and aims to drown<br />

out background sounds. Listening to white noise<br />

can also promote a good sleep schedule and relieve<br />

stress. A white noise machine might be a worthy<br />

investment if you suffer from tinnitus, as it can help<br />

drown out the inner-ear sounds.<br />

If you suffer from constant tinnitus, support groups<br />

are out there to meet other people going through a<br />

similar experience.<br />

Delicious Detox<br />

We typically think of January as a month of detoxing,<br />

but it often just doesn’t work out that way. Tasty<br />

treats left over from the festive period are hardest to<br />

resist once the January blues have set in – so why not<br />

make <strong>February</strong> your cleanse month instead?<br />

The British Heart Foundation’s Dechox scheme is a<br />

perfect place to start. Ditch chocolate for an entire<br />

month to get your heart feeling healthier – and get<br />

sponsored to do it. <strong>St</strong>aying out of the chocolate<br />

digestives for twenty-eight days can help raise<br />

money for research into cardiovascular conditions.<br />

There are plenty of ways to make the month go<br />

smoothly. Getting your mind out of the biscuit tin<br />

can be as simple as doing something to distract<br />

yourself – taking a walk in the fresh air, reading a<br />

book, or meeting up with friends.<br />

The BHF recommend eating something bitter to<br />

overwhelm the sweet cravings. Try a glass of lemon<br />

water or cranberry juice – works every time.<br />

If you simply can’t resist your stomach’s cries for<br />

sweetness, eat a piece of fruit! If you usually take a<br />

chocolate bar to work or school, why not swap it out<br />

for a small fruit salad?<br />

Some people also recommend magnesium<br />

supplements. Dark chocolate especially contains<br />

a tonne of this, so try magnesium chloride water<br />

or head to a health food shop to pick up some<br />

magnesium tablets.<br />

The British Heart Foundation suggests swapping<br />

chocolate out for other snacks if you’re feeling<br />

particularly peckish throughout the day. Fruit<br />

crumbles, carrot cake or strawberry scones are<br />

cocoa-free recipes that are still bursting with flavour.<br />

For plenty of recipe inspiration and fundraising<br />

advice, head to www.bhf.org.uk/how-you-can-help/<br />

fundraise/dechox


48<br />

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Runshaw Moor<br />

by Jess Phillips<br />

49<br />

It’s fair to say that most of us prefer walks under a blue<br />

sky and dappled sunshine peeking through a leafy<br />

canopy, but in winter, it simply isn’t always possible.<br />

<strong>St</strong>ill, there’s something atmospheric about hiking on<br />

an overcast day, and with an air temperature of about<br />

2 degrees, our walk on Runshaw Moor turned out to<br />

capture this perfectly - and made us appreciate our<br />

pub stop even more.<br />

We begin at Worden Park (PR25 1DJ), a Leyland<br />

icon which was home to Worden Hall until 1941<br />

when it was destroyed in a fire. Conservation work<br />

is still ongoing to the old conservatory, but all that<br />

remains of the hall itself are the outbuildings and<br />

the walled kitchen garden, the remaining historic<br />

buildings house an Arts and Crafts Centre - worth a<br />

visit at the end of the walk.<br />

Leaving the car park we head straight for The<br />

Avenue and follow this west going out of the park<br />

and into Shaw Brook Road. About 200 metres after<br />

leaving the park you come to a bend in the road<br />

where you’ll find a public footpath off to your left.<br />

Take this path and keep to the right of the field.<br />

Going into the next field, continue along the right<br />

hand side until you come to the path and little<br />

footbridge (well, a thick plank) on your right. Cross<br />

over this - carefully! - and then keep to the left<br />

until you reach the end of the hedgerow. From<br />

here continue straight across the field to the stile<br />

opposite. After crossing, continue to follow the<br />

right-hand side of the field over another stile. From<br />

here go straight across and along the hedgerow,<br />

over another stile and onto Altcar Lane. Take a right


50<br />

and then a left - this leads you onto what looks like<br />

a long, private driveway, but don’t worry, you’ll find<br />

a public footpath to the immediate left of the gates<br />

at the far end.<br />

This path brings you onto a farm track - head right<br />

along and continue for about 40 metres to the<br />

public footpath on your left. Climb over the stile<br />

and head along the left side of the field.<br />

Once you enter the next field, head diagonally<br />

across to the opposite corner and then straight<br />

across the next field to the far end. You’ll pick up a<br />

farm track that leads you past the side of the farm<br />

and out onto Runshaw Lane.<br />

Head left at Runshaw Lane, passing the Plough Inn<br />

- or, if like us you’re hankering for a mid-walk snack<br />

and some warmth, take advantage of the friendly<br />

hospitality and stop off for a hearty pub lunch.<br />

Continue along Runshaw Lane until you reach Tithe<br />

Barn Lane on your left. Follow this to its end, going<br />

over the stile at the gates to Altcar Farm and then<br />

straight on and over the next stile into the field.<br />

Keep to the right and head into the next field, then<br />

just follow the valley. It’s worth a look back at the<br />

farmhouse to view the fancy gable wall of the<br />

farm house and barn. It was supposedly built like<br />

that to look pretty from Worden Hall. After you’ve<br />

Shaw Brook Road<br />

The Avenue<br />

Worden<br />

Hall<br />

Worden Park<br />

Postcode<br />

PR25 1DJ<br />

P<br />

Worden Lane<br />

Leyland Lane<br />

FB<br />

FB<br />

FB<br />

Shaw Brook<br />

Mud<br />

Altcar Lane<br />

Altcar<br />

Farm<br />

FB<br />

Tithe Barn Lane<br />

Runshaw Hall Lane<br />

Mud<br />

FB<br />

Runshaw<br />

Moor<br />

Runshaw Lane<br />

Hollin’s Brook<br />

Flag Lane<br />

Plough<br />

Inn


51<br />

crossed the ditch into the last field, watch out for<br />

the footbridge on the left which takes you back<br />

into Worden Park. This looked beautifully autumnal<br />

despite the winter weather during our walk, with<br />

fallen leaves surrounding the rushing stream.<br />

Length of walk: 4 miles<br />

Difficulty: Easy.<br />

Accessibility: Muddy in places with stiles to<br />

negotiate; some of which are a little wobbly. Some<br />

fields may contain livestock; if so please keep dogs<br />

on a lead.<br />

Back in the park, turn left and make your way<br />

towards the hall. There’s a good opportunity to rest<br />

your legs in the courtyard cafe, explore the Walled<br />

Garden, or try your luck navigating the hedge maze.<br />

Worden Park is also home to the Leyland Society of<br />

Model Engineers, who will let you have a ride on<br />

their miniature trains if the weather’s clement.<br />

Don’t forget to look out for the Cedar of Lebanon at<br />

the back of the courtyard - the tree was planted in<br />

1887 to mark Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, and<br />

grows at a very strange angle indeed!<br />

For more information about Worden Park, please<br />

visit www.southribble.gov.uk/wordenpark.<br />

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and<br />

footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been<br />

taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the<br />

publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and<br />

hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or<br />

damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from<br />

negligence, accident or other cause.


52 Motoring<br />

Aston Martin<br />

Vantage<br />

by Tim Barnes-Clay<br />

The new Aston Martin Vantage is the stuff of<br />

dreams for those who love luxury sports cars. As<br />

a lad, I never thought I’d get to sit in an Aston, let<br />

alone end up being invited to test-drive one.<br />

But life sometimes has a way of working out if you’re<br />

prepared to put the graft in. I’m not necessarily<br />

talking about me; it’s Aston Martin who should be<br />

patting its own back. The company has worked like<br />

a dog to get the new Vantage right – and it’s paid<br />

off.<br />

Why? Well, let’s begin with the looks. It’s awesome<br />

from the rear, with detailed lights and a rising rear<br />

spoiler. It’s a little less lively at the front, although<br />

the Vantage’s shark-nose is aggressively appealing.<br />

What really works, though, are the perfect<br />

proportions. The two-seater is sinuous – almost<br />

hunter-like in the way it appears poised to pounce<br />

on unsuspecting prey.<br />

Under the metal, the up-to-date Vantage is like its<br />

sibling, the elegant DB11. Both models house the<br />

Mercedes-Benz-sourced 4.0-litre V8 lump. Mind<br />

you; the twin-turbo assisted engine has been<br />

tuned so that it feels like it’s always belonged in<br />

Aston Martins. <strong>St</strong>omp your foot on the accelerator


53<br />

and the car will shoot you from zero to 62mph in<br />

3.6 seconds. It will then propel you to 195mph - if<br />

you’re in a place you can do that without losing<br />

your licence, or your life.<br />

Open the Aston up, and you’re greeted with<br />

low-slung sports seats, but they’re easy to get<br />

comfortable in. Behind the wheel, the Vantage is<br />

cosseting, and the overall cabin is far less clinical<br />

than a Porsche 911’s. It’s traditional, yet it’s still<br />

thrilling. What’s more, the Benz-derived switchgear<br />

is nicely incorporated, and the controls are intuitive<br />

to use.<br />

As you might expect, the sports car isn’t meant to<br />

be the most practical vehicle – there’s not even a<br />

glovebox. And, as hinted at earlier, this is a motor<br />

without back seats, but you can just about get some<br />

golf clubs under the tailgate.<br />

Practicality aside, the new Vantage is as close to<br />

perfect as you can get. Pushing the Aston Martinbadged<br />

starter button brings the car to life with<br />

a roar. It’s a fulfilling sound, particularly with the<br />

four-pipe sports exhaust attached. Driving off in<br />

Sport (the most relaxed of the three settings) and<br />

letting the eight-speed automatic gearbox do its<br />

thing, discloses a smooth change that’s matched to<br />

a remarkably biddable ride.<br />

Spool through Sport+ and Track settings, and the<br />

powertrain, damping and steering progressively<br />

alter the new Vantage’s temperament to make it<br />

angrier, wilder and noisier. Whichever mode you<br />

opt for, fun is always on the menu.<br />

On British tarmac, the Aston delivers confidenceinducing<br />

handling with immediate reactions - and<br />

the brakes do a top job of erasing pace. I drove the<br />

Vantage around the meandering highways and<br />

byways of the Cotswolds, and it excelled.<br />

This state-of-the-art Aston Martin Vantage is the<br />

first to be spawned under the automaker’s fresh<br />

leadership line-up – and you can tell. Yes, a 911 will<br />

give you better practicality, but the rival Porsche<br />

won’t quite give you the feeling you get from<br />

driving a legendary British model.<br />

Mobile car valeting<br />

Tel: 07803 053 715<br />

e: cjvalet@yahoo.co.uk<br />

www.cjvaleting.net<br />

Treat your car<br />

to the professional touch


54 Gardening<br />

My Gardening<br />

Valentine<br />

In the run-up to Valentine’s Day someone always<br />

asks me what they should buy for the gardener<br />

in their life. It’s a tricky question to answer. Many<br />

people think we must like cut flowers, but actually<br />

I’m not keen and most gardeners I know aren’t either.<br />

We tend to prefer our plants living and breathing<br />

in their natural environment. Infact, unless you<br />

know a bit about gardening, and the tastes of your<br />

own particular gardener you’re probably best-off<br />

avoiding plants too, because there are so many<br />

variables. Will it suit the soil? Is it too invasive? Will it<br />

poison the gardener’s dog…or children…eek?<br />

It’s a thorny issue (pardon the pun) so here is my<br />

go-to gift list guaranteed to make you the Valentine<br />

hero of your gardening amour.<br />

Don’t buy a sweatshirt which declares ‘headgardener.<br />

They are naff, and most gardeners prefer<br />

old, comfy clothes which do the job better. However,<br />

if you present your gardener with a tough tunic or<br />

gardening apron, which is thorn-proof, and which<br />

has lots of deep pockets to house secateurs and<br />

trowels, they will love you forever.<br />

Then there are wellies. Who knew wellies could be<br />

romantic? But gardening folk drool over wellies<br />

the way Supermodels drool over Jimmy Choos.<br />

And there’s so much wellie-choice now. We all<br />

prefer something with a thick sole but there are<br />

bright and colourful wellies and traditional ones.<br />

For the ultimate in warmth and breathability I can<br />

recommend a proper Gore-Tex pair...sheer luxury.<br />

Mine remain the favourite Valentine gift my husband<br />

ever bought me.<br />

rose will also earn you Valentine brownie points.<br />

Watering cans are heavy when full. I find 3-4 litres is<br />

about the right size.<br />

A bunch of long-stemmed red roses will set you<br />

back at least £40 and they might last a few days.<br />

For a similar price you can buy the gardener in your<br />

life Felco secateurs (with Valentine red handles) and<br />

they’ll last forever. I know which I’d prefer.<br />

Garden trugs are so practical. Most gardeners I know<br />

would be delighted to receive one. The trug is a great<br />

gift but even better when filled with a few gardening<br />

goodies such as packets of seed, water retaining<br />

granules, plant food etc. You could add some hand<br />

tools too, such as a trowel and a fork. Make sure they<br />

are stainless steel and have long handles.<br />

And insulated mug or a good flask will always warm<br />

the heart of your Valentine because hot drinks don’t<br />

remain hot for long outside, even on a warm day.<br />

Finally, don’t forget gardening vouchers. Often<br />

us gardeners spot the perfect plant or gardening<br />

accessory when we’re strapped for cash, so vouchers<br />

are a perfect gift to save for a rainy day...and<br />

gardeners love rainy days, Valentine’s or not.<br />

By Rachael Leverton<br />

A proper long-necked watering can, with a brass


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CALL PAUL<br />

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58<br />

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Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories,<br />

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

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Don’t forget, we also offer all of these services daily...<br />

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59<br />

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

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60<br />

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TwinLakesMotorEngin ers<br />

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

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TwinLakesMotorEngin ers<br />

Ask us about our wide range of hearing aids<br />

62<br />

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

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Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!<br />

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28544

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