Local Life - St Helens - May 2019

LocalLife 

St Helens Edition May 2019 

Dream - Ten Years On 

Page 8 

Garswood OAP Freefalls 

Pages 22 - 23 

Picture Houses of the Past 

Page 31 - 34 

Carr Mill Walk 

Pages 45 - 47 

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4 Local Life 

It’s Good to Walk! 

Did you know that May is National Walking Month? 

Neither did I until last week, but I guess it’s a good 

excuse to let you know of a web resource where you 

can download over sixty circular walks, within a 30 

minute drive of St Helens, completely free of charge. 

The site receives hundreds of visits a week from local 

walkers and has become a particular favourite of 

walking groups throughout Lancashire. 

If you haven’t already guessed, the site is our very 

own www.locallife247.co.uk. 

When you visit the site, click on ‘Free Stuff’ and then 

on ‘Jack’s Tracks’ and there’s a long list of walks that 

we have completed over the past ten years which 

you can download free of charge. There’s a variation 

of walks available but most are between four and 

eight miles, so nothing too hard core. Lancashire 

has some stunning scenery to enjoy, and May is a 

wonderful month to sample the great outdoors. 

Whilst you’re looking at the website, do check out 

another couple of features; 

We carry some marvellous competitions in our 

magazines and you can enter these free of charge 

via our website. Just click on Free Stuff and complete 

your details along with your answer and you could 

be a winner! 

And finally, for those people who are involved in 

helping organise events; from am dram productions 

to school summer fairs, to charity fundraisers. Were 

you aware that you can publicise your event free on 

the Events2Go section of our site and, providing you 

submit before our print deadlines, we’ll include your 

events in the magazine free too? 

Here’s that website again – www.locallife247.co.uk. 

See you next time 

Chris Pearce, Publisher 

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

www.locallife247.co.uk 5 

In this issue 

Garswood OAP 

Freefalls 

22 

Regulars 

36 Puzzle page 

40 Events2Go 

Sections 

6 Local News 

26 Travel 

52 Motoring 

45 Jack’s Tracks 

52 Test Drive 

48 Gardening 

54 Home Services 

Picture Houses 

of the Past 

31 

Win Tickets to 

Nile Rodgers 

& Chic 

42 

Jack’s Tracks: 

Carr Mill 

Next issue - June 2019 

Advertising deadline - Monday, 20 May 

Published - Friday, 31 May 


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. 

45 

Test Drive: 

Kia E-Niro 

This 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. 

The next 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. 

52 

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 

Moonlight Colour Walk 

Registration is now open for Willowbrook Hospice’s 

Moonlight Colour Walk. 

The walk promises to be great fun for all the family 

(including the dog!). Choose from a 10k or 6.5k 

route, with an optional ‘colour splash’ station where 

you’ll be covered head-to-toe in rainbow powder. 

Entrance costs £15 for adults and £5 for under-16s. 

Register on 01744 453798 or call into The Living 

Well on Borough Road. The walk takes place on 

Saturday, June 8 at 9pm from The Living Well. 

Wonderful Woodland 

The Friends of Clinkham Wood and Moss Bank 

Gala are looking for photographs to feature in their 

summer exhibition. 

If you’re a budding or experienced photographer 

and have snaps of the local area you’d like to 

share, send your pictures in by Wednesday, May 

29. Pictures can be submitted to the Friends of 

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The Friends also have plenty of conservation events 

coming up, including pond dipping on Sunday, 

May 19 from 2pm-4pm and balsam bashing on 

Sunday, June 23 at the same time. If you’d like to 

get involved, they meet on the green opposite the 

Moss Bank Mission church. 

Fit Forever 

Park Farm ACYP Centre is hosting Fit Forever 

sessions for over 60s. 

Enjoy a range of activities ranging from boccia to 

badminton led by qualified coaches. Each session 

costs just £2 per person including hot drinks. 

Fit Forever runs every Tuesday from 1pm-3pm at 

Park Farm ACYP Centre on Kentmere Avenue (WA11 

7PG). For further information, call 01744 754367. 

Volunteer Callout 

A new Willowbrook Hospice shop is set to open in 

Billinge – and they’re looking for volunteers. 

If you can spare a few hours a week to help out with 

sales and raise vital funds for your local hospice – 

plus get some experience for your CV – the role 

could be perfect for you. 

For more information, call Ian on 01744 766929 

or visit www.willowbrook.org.uk/expression-ofinterest/ 

Garswood Ladies 

The Garswood Ladies Club always welcomes new 

members. 

The group host regular speakers to present 

interesting talks on various topics, including 

defibrillator training, sign language, line dancing 

and history. They also invite new ideas from ladies 

for future meetings. 

Meetings take place on the first Wednesday of the 

month in the Parish Hall on Garswood Road from 

1pm-3pm. For more information, call Elizabeth on 

07864 820161.

7 

Affordable Art 

Knowsley Council and Kirkby Gallery are excited to 

announce their Affordable Art Auction. 

Taking place on Thursday, May 9 from 5pm-8pm, the 

auction offers visitors the chance to bid on artwork 

donated by the likes of Willy Russell, Mike Kirby and 

Philip Garrett, and will be overseen by Bargain Hunt 

auctioneer Adam Partridge. 

You can register to bid and attend the auction or 

leave an absentee bid if you can’t make it on the 

night. 145 artworks feature in the auction, which are 

on display in the 18th Knowsley Open Art Exhibition 

until Saturday, May 4. All of the art featured has some 

connection with the local area, whether the artist 

lives or works around Knowsley. 

Commission from the auction will be donated to the 

Friends of Kirkby Gallery & Prescot Museum, which 

encourages public education through the continual 

improvement of the museums. 

To register your attendance call 0151 443 4936 or 

email tina.ball@knowsley.gov.uk 

Couch to 5K 

New Couch to 5K sessions are starting at the end of 

April. 

A ten-week plan designed to build up your walking 

or running ability up from zero to 5K, the sessions are 

great for anyone wanting to start afresh and get fit. 

They take place at Sutton Athletics Track on Elton 

Head Road on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6pm- 

7pm, then on Saturdays from 9:15am-10am. You can 

come to as many sessions as you’d like – the more 

you attend, the more benefit you’ll experience. 

The course costs £12.50 for the full ten weeks, or 

£16 with a Couch to 5K t-shirt included. Trainers 

are essential. The first session begins on Monday, 

April 29 - register online at Eventbrite or email 

gemmaharkness@sthelens.gov.uk

8 

Dream - 10 Years On 

2019 celebrates the 10th anniversary of Sutton 

Manor’s ‘Dream’ sculpture. 

Originally unveiled in May 2009, the Dream came 

about as a result of Channel 4’s ‘The Big Art Project’. 

It almost wasn’t commissioned - the sculpture was 

shortlisted for the final 12 entries in the competition, 

but eventually placed seventh, narrowly missing 

a spot in the top six which would be built over six 

months. It was only when several of the winning 

projects couldn’t be completed that Dream 

was offered a reserve spot. It now attracts 

around 85,000 visitors each year. 

The 66 foot high sculpture stands on 

the site of the former Sutton Manor 

Colliery, and depicts a nine-year-old 

child looking forward to St. Helens’ 

future. Developed with assistance 

from ex-miners across the town, 

Dream is both a reminder of the 

town’s industrial roots and an 

exploration of the future. 

The statue is constructed from 

white pre-cast concrete and 

Spanish dolomite aggregate - 

the whitest marble there is, with 

a luminescent finish. It was built 

using 90 unique pieces, and has 

to withstand wind speeds of up 

to 100mph from its perch on the 

summit of the ex-colliery. 

Now St. Helens Community Archive 

is asking keen local photographers to submit 

their best snaps of the iconic monument to the 

archive. There’s also a chance your images might be 

included in an exhibition at Chester Lane Library. 

If you’d like to submit a photograph, visit www. 

sthelenscommunityarchive.org.uk or email info@ 

sthelenscommunityarchive.co.uk for more details. 

On Friday, May 31 the exhibition opens at 

the library at 5:45pm, showcasing mining 

memorabilia, artwork and the photo gallery, 

with refreshments provided. There’ll also 

be a talk and Q&A with the original minds 

behind the project, including former 

Sutton Manor miner Gary Conley. The 

event is free to attend, but must be 

booked at any St. Helens library or on 

www.culturalhubs.eventbrite.co.uk 

From 7pm-10:15pm the same day, 

head over to the Dream sculpture for 

free guided yoga sessions - just bring 

your own yoga mats - performances 

by MD Dance Academy, Tom 

Loughlin and Rick Ashcroft, and a 

multi-faith service. Local poet Brian 

Salkeld will also be there to recite his 

poem ‘Memories’. 

The Dream will be thoroughly 

cleaned to ensure it looks its best for 

the celebrations. For more information 

- including how to book onto a free 

guided tour of the sculpture and its 

surroundings - email garyconley@ 

sthelens.gov.uk

9

10 

All Paws on Deck 

A family fun day takes place at Inglenook Farm in 

Rainford in aid of Dogs Trust this month. 

On Sunday, May 19 head to the farm for a fun dog 

show, a have-a-go doggie agility course and loads 

of family games - plus, feast on homemade cakes 

and enter the grand raffle! 

The event takes place from 12pm-4pm. Entry costs 

£5 per car or £1 on foot. 

Book Bingo 

Head to any St. Helens library any time until 

Monday, July 1 to collect a Book Bingo sheet. 

Part of the Time to Read project, complete a line 

of categories – such as ‘a book you have always 

wanted to read’ and you’ll be entered into a prize 

draw to win £200. 

Book Bingo is open to all adults aged over 16. For 

more information, pop into a library or visit www. 

time-to-red.co.uk/bingo 

Local Elections 

On Thursday, May 2, the ballot boxes officially open 

for the latest round of local elections. Read on to 

find out who’s standing in local wards. 

Billinge & Seneley Green 

Conservative – John Charles Barlow 

Labour – Joe Pearson 

UKIP – Peter Peers 

Green – Sue Rahman 

Blackbrook 

Green - Ellen Agnes Hannah Finney 

Conservative - Melanie Ann Marie Lee 

Labour - Linda Lovina Maloney 

Haydock 

Labour – Jeanette Susan Banks 

Conservative – Judith Margaret Collins 

Green – David Ian van der Burg 

Moss Bank 

Green – Deb Connor 

Labour – John Fulham 

Conservative – Margaret Hilda Harvey 

Lib Dem – David Kent 

UKIP – Anthony James Parr 

Independent – Paul John Wilcock 

Rainford 

Conservative – James Allan Jones 

Labour – Keith Anthony Laird 

Green – Joanne Lee Travis 

Town Centre 

Conservative - Iris Brown 

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Green - William Fitzpatrick 

Labour - Carole-Ann Gill 

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11 

Clubhouse Revamp 

Computer-generated images of the new clubhouse 

at Sherdley Park golf course have been released. 

The new clubhouse, designed by Green Circle 

Estates Ltd. who are leasing the course, will feature 

a new restaurant which opens in May, a bar and a 

terrace open to members of the public. The plans 

are set to bring the golf course into the modern age, 

and include a £1 million refurbishment. 

For more information and updates, visit www. 

sherdleyparkgolfclub.com 

Lancashire Lanes 

A 75 mile cycle in aid of the Steve Prescott 

Foundation takes place this month. The Lancashire 

Lanes Sportive starts at Rainford High School on 

Sunday, May 12 at 9am. 

Around 500 riders are expected to take part in the 

race, with an appeal for more female cyclists to get 

involved this year. The route is marked out, and 

mechanical assistance is available. 

A free dinner stop of beans on toast is also available 

along the route. 

Entry to the event costs £20, and entry forms can be 

obtained from Thatto Cycles on Nutgrove Road or 

online at www.steveprescottfoundation.co.uk 

For more information, call 07971 792859 or email 

info@steveprescottfoundation.co.uk 

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12 

Hook Up for Willowbrook 

A crochet group in Garswood have been 

successful in raising money for Willowbrook 

Hospice. 

Hook Up hosted their Easter Egg Bingo event in 

April, getting together to crochet Easter chicks, 

candle jar covers and Easter baskets to fill with 

eggs. to act as bingo prizes. Local businesses 

also got involved in donating goodies to be 

won. 

The night, which included a tombola and cake 

sale, managed to raise £725.18 for the hospice, 

which was handed over in the form of a giant 

cheque. 

The group always welcomes new members – 

they meet every Wednesday at the Methodist 

Church on Victoria Road, Garswood, from 

6:15pm-8:15pm. Crocheters of all abilities, from 

beginner to expert and both left- and righthanded, 

are very welcome to attend. 

Each session costs £2 with hot drinks and 

biscuits included. 

Picnic in the Park 

Rainford’s Picnic in the Park returns on Saturday, 

June 1, bringing plenty of fun, food and music to 

Jubilee Recreation Ground. And with pop-anthem 

sensation T’Pau topping the bill, you won’t want to 

miss out. 

The all-day music festival features six huge acts, 

including Brit-pop cover band Chasing Crows, 

Warrington-based mashup trio Scratch, and, hailing 

from Liverpool, B-side rockers The Shakers. 

Tickets to the event cost £20 for adults or £10 for 

primary school children, with under-5s going free. 

Doors open at 12pm. 

Tickets can be purchased from PT Kitchens on 

Ormskirk Road or online at www.rainfordfestival. 

co.uk 

Ride 45 

Registration is open for Willowbrook Hospice’s 

charity bike ride. 

The sixth annual Ride 45 takes place on Sunday, July 

14 and covers 45 miles across St. Helens. Beginning 

at Rainford High, entry costs £20 plus sponsorship. 

The ride begins at 8am - to register, call 01744 

453798 or pop into The Living Well, Borough Road. 

Beer Fest 

The 11th annual Beer & Gin Festival returns to The 

Mansion House in support of Age UK this month. 

On Saturday, May 18, enjoy a massive selection of 

alcoholic treats from 12pm till late. Entry costs £4 

on the door, with all proceeds going to Age UK Mid 

Mersey.

13

14 

The shortlist for the St. Helens Chamber 

Business Awards has been announced. 

Chamber Awards 

Award categories ranged from 

Small Business of the Year to Family 

Business of the Year, and celebrated 

local companies doing what they 

do best in St. Helens. Among those 

nominated were Local Life advertisers 

Bluebird Care St. Helens for the Best 

Use of Technology award & Customer 

Commitment award and CE Bettridge & 

Sons Ltd. for the Family Business of the 

Year award. 

The winners of each category are set to be unveiled 

at the St. Helens Chamber Annual Dinner & Business 

Awards on Thursday, May 16 at the Totally Wicked 

Stadium. Tickets for the event cost £45 for members 

or £55 for non-members, plus VAT. The winning 

businesses will be entered into the national 

Chamber Awards in London this November. 

Tickets to the awards ceremony can be booked on 

01744 742028. For more details and to see the full 

shortlist, visit https://www.sthelenschamber.com/ 

business/st-helens-chamber-business-awards

15 

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16 

Outdoor Cinema 

Watch The Greatest Showman as you’ve never seen 

it before – under the stars. 

The Clock Face Pub & Restaurant brings the first 

ever outdoor cinema to the area on Friday, May 10 

at 7pm, with the hit musical taking to the big screen 

once more. Bring your blankets and chairs along to 

witness the spectacle of the circus under the sky. 

Tickets for the event cost £8 (adults) or £6 (children), 

available from the pub or online on TicketPole. 

Summer Nights 

Two huge outdoor cinema experiences head to 

Dunham Massey park this summer. 

Catch a special showing of Grease on Thursday, 

August 29 from 6:30pm with the beautiful grounds 

as a backdrop. Experience the friendships, romance 

and adventure of the hit musical like you’ve never 

seen it before, and have a good old singalong while 

you’re at it! 

On Saturday, August 31, Bohemian Rhapsody 

heads to the park at 6:30pm. You’ll follow Queen 

through their huge career all through to their heady 

performance at the 1985 Live Aid. 

Tickets for the films cost £15.50 per adult, £10.50 

per child under 12, or free for under-5s. For more 

information, visit www.summernightsfilm.co.uk 

Short Story Competition 

The Prescot Festival short story competition is free 

to enter. 

This year’s theme is magic, myth and mystery – nonprofessional 

writers of all ages in Merseyside and 

Halton are encouraged to submit stories of up to 

1,000 words inspired by the theme. There’s a £100 

prize up for grabs for the winner! 

Entries must be received by Friday, May 31 – visit 

www.prescotfestival.co.uk for details on how to 

enter. 

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WA11 8JY

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18 

Reignite Bootcamp 

Looking to get back into work this year? St. Helens 

Chamber’s FREE Reignite Bootcamp programme can 

help make the transition a smooth one. 

During the 3-week bootcamp you’ll complete a 

range of courses from CV writing to Marketing 

Development and Microsoft Excel, receiving 

mentoring and support to help you boost your skills 

and confidence. 

Childcare costs are covered from 9:30am-3:30pm. If 

you’re interested, contact Starting Point on 01744 

698800 or email info@startingpoint.org 

Post Office Proposal 

The Post Office branch on Bridge Street could be set 

to relocate if proposed changes are to go ahead. 

The proposed relocation would see the central St. 

Helens branch head to a retail unit in the Church 

Square Shopping Centre, previously Saints & Sinners. 

Along with offering traditional services, the new 

branch would have the capacity to return and collect 

online shopping, a click and collect bureau service 

from over 3,500 branches, and day-to-day banking 

facilities. Opening hours would also be extended 

until 5:30pm on Saturdays. 

Customers are invited to give their opinions on 

the plans until Wednesday, May 15. To access the 

consultation, visit www.postofficeviews.co.uk or call 

03452 660115. 

Northern Heritage 

St. Helens-based UC Crew are looking for people to 

help unearth the history of 1970s Northern Soul and 

1980s Break Dance. 

Volunteers want to know what went on, where 

people went and how it all started, so they’re looking 

out for stories, photographs, newspaper articles and 

memorabilia pertaining to the above eras. These 

artefacts will be exhibited in November. 

To get involved, contact Tom: hello@uccrew.co.uk

19 

Record Breakers 

Ever fancied getting your name in the Guinness 

Book of World Records? Now’s your chance! 

A world record breaking attempt at the most 

consecutive rugby league passes will take place in 

St. Helens on Saturday, June 1. The current record 

stands at 280 passes – so a total of 281 people are 

needed to sign up for the attempt! 

You’ll also be raising money for a great cause along 

the way – the event is in support of the Steve 

Prescott Foundation in association with Accord 

Legal Services. 

Chairman of Thatto Heath Crusaders Mike Denning 

said: ‘A team from St. Helens Council took part in a 

rugby tournament at Twickenham a few years ago 

and sadly failed, so we are not taking anything for 

granted. This is not going to be easy!’ 

Passes must be made from a distance of 5 metres, 

and within 5 seconds of each pass. 

Registration costs £10 for a basic entry or £25 

including an event t-shirt. Certificates will be 

given out if the record is broken. The event takes 

place at Crusader Park on Close Street (WA9 5JA) 

on Saturday, June 1 at 4pm, after Thatto Heath 

Crusaders take on Wath Brow. 

For more information, call Martin on 07971 792859 

or email info@steveprescottfoundation.co.uk 

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22 

Garswood OAP 

Freefalls 

An 84-year-old Garswood man is preparing for a 

sponsored parachute jump in aid of Wigan & Leigh 

Hospice. 

Born and raised in Ashton-in-Makerfield where his 

father was the gatekeeper at Ashton Cross Lodge, 

Lesley Cunliffe has always dreamed of completing a 

freefall skydive. This June that dream will become a 

reality on the Lancaster Airfield, where Les will jump 

from a height of 11,000 feet in tandem. 

I met up with Les in his Garswood home to discuss his 

motivations for such an impressive – but terrifying – 

feat. 

saw a gathering of British veterans in all their medals 

and gear. They were in Cyprus for the opening of a 

war memorial for the British soldiers killed by EOKA 

terrorists.’ 

EOKA was a Greek Cypriot nationalist guerrilla 

organisation, who campaigned for the end of British 

rule in Cyprus and for an eventual union with Greece. 

371 men – many of whom were on National Service 

- were killed during an armed uprising in 1958, and 

it wasn’t until 2009 that the memorial was finally 

unveiled in Kyrenia. 

‘It all started when I was in the Army in 

Cyprus,’ he explained. ‘I was in the Royal 

Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME); 

there were six of us attached to the Royal 

Signals Engineers. My friend from day one, 

Derek Speakman, came into my tent one 

day and told me he had a good skive going 

– there was a notice on the board asking for 

people to sign up and get their parachute 

wings.’ 

Joining the course would mean returning 

to the UK for three months and being able 

to visit home at the weekends, along with a 

thicker pay packet. 

‘The only problem was, you had to sign up 

for an additional twelve months, which I 

didn’t want to do. Derek did, however, and 

the last time I saw him was in the October 

when I left the Army,’ Lesley continued. 

Lesley didn’t think much more of it until 

ten years ago, when he was on holiday in 

Kyrenia with his wife Shirley. ‘One night we 

went downstairs for dinner in the hotel, and

23 

To be eligible for the jump, Lesley had to prove 

he was fit enough to hold his legs upright while 

swinging in a harness for five minutes; a test he 

passed with flying colours. His next step is to gather 

as much sponsorship money as possible to donate 

to the hospice. 

‘I’m feeling good about the jump,’ he said, ‘even if my 

two sons think I’m crazy! I still ride motorbikes, so I 

suppose it’s a bit about the adrenaline for me.’ An 

adrenaline rush indeed – jumping from 11,000 feet, 

and 6,000 of those in freefall, sounds more than a bit 

daunting. 

Lesley has set a fundraising goal of £1000, £300 of 

which he has already raised. If you’d like to donate to 

the worthy cause, call Lesley on 01942 727371. 

‘The memorial was only half a mile from the hotel, 

so we went to visit it a few days later,’ Lesley told 

me. ‘It was surrounded by beautiful gardens, a row 

of tablets with the names of those killed. At the very 

end there were six named men from REME – and one 

name in particular shocked and saddened me.’ 

Lesley’s old friend Derek Speakman was among 

those who lost their lives in Kyrenia. 

‘Throughout the holiday, I kept thinking that it could 

have been my name on that tablet,’ Lesley said. ‘After 

that, I knew I wanted to do a parachute jump.’ 

Five years ago, Lesley signed up to do a jump on 

behalf of the Northwest Air Ambulance, who do 

a lot of voluntary work at the motorcycle races he 

competes in and marshals at. But it wasn’t meant to 

be. 

‘I filled in all the forms and got accepted for the jump, 

but when I went for a medical check-up my blood 

pressure was deemed too high to jump.’ 

Thankfully, an advertisement in the Wigan & Leigh 

Hospice charity shop in Ashton provided a saving 

grace. ‘They wanted people for a charity skydive, so 

I decided this was it. I obtained a medical certificate 

and went along to see them.’ 

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Moss Bank Road, Birchley View area 

Crank & Kings Moss areas 

Rainford 

Ormskirk Road, Church Road area 

Haresfinch 

Green Leach Lane, Clover Hey area 

Billinge 

Rainford Road, Braeside Crescent estate 

Interested? 

Please email your name, address, 

landline number and date of birth to 

sallyb@locallife247.co.uk 

LocalLife

24 

Weekender Win 

Warrington is gearing up for the massive 

Neighbourhood Weekender Festival in May – and 

Local Life is offering you the chance to win a pair 

of VIP tickets. 

Topping the bill are songwriting sensation George 

Ezra and Wigan-born Richard Ashcroft of The Verve, 

with acts like You Me At Six, Kate Nash and The 

Futureheads also appearing on stage throughout 

the weekend. The festival also affords you the 

opportunity to catch breakthrough artists like 

Maisie Peters, Manchester band Pale Waves and 

BRIT award winner Sam Fender before they make it 

even bigger. 

The festival made its debut last year to roaring 

acclaim from critics, dubbed ‘everything you could 

wish for’ by Louder Than War, and with a fresh, 

exciting line-up in 2019, the Neighbourhood 

Weekender looks set to continue that trend tenfold. 

A solid grassroots roster of local and national talent 

will take over three stages, with the chance to 

experience a thriving hub of locally-sourced food 

and drink with a unique community feel. 

Local Life have three pairs of weekend VIP 

tickets to give away on our Facebook page @ 

locallifemagazines247. These get you into the 

dedicated VIP area, with posh toilets, special food 

traders, a VIP bar and plenty of hammocks to recline 

in – along with a viewing platform for the main 

stage. The tickets are worth a whopping £208 each, 

so make sure to head over to our social media to be 

in with a chance of winning! Give our page a like 

to enter and to be the first to hear about our latest 

social media competitions! 

The festival runs across Saturday, May 25 and 

Sunday, May 26. For more information about the 

Neighbourhood Weekender or to purchase tickets, 

visit www.nbhdweekender.com

25 

Absolutely made up with our kitchen, it’s perfect. 

The quality is amazing we are in love. Joanne is 

fabulous and nothing is too much trouble. Thank 

you we have finally got our dream kitchen. 

Sarah Preston. 

Call in and browse our showrooms or pick up some brochures 

Expert advice from a friendly family business, established in 1990 

JC 

Kitchens & 

Bedrooms 

99-101 Greenfield Road, 

St Helens, WA10 6SH 

Tel: 01744 24406 

Opening Times 

Monday - Friday: 09:00 - 16:30 

Saturday: 10:00 - 15:00 

Sunday: by appointment 

JC Kitchens

26 

Fabulous Fjords 

By Jess Phillips 

Scandinavia has long been revered for its breathtaking 

natural beauty. Norway in particular 

combines spectacular scenery – glaciers spanning 

more than 8,000 kilometres, sublimely sculpted 

fjords, and of course the unmissable Northern 

Lights – with modern metropolises like Oslo. There 

are plenty of opportunities to soak in the local 

culture, including the country’s Viking roots, while 

cruising around Norway’s highlights. 

Indeed, the deck of a boat is the perfect place to 

appreciate the sweeping landscapes of the country 

and its fjords. Settle in to travel around Stavanger, 

Bergen, Alesund and more. 

Begin in Bergen: the acclaimed gateway to the 

fjords. Norway’s second largest city manages to 

retain the classic charm of a smaller town while 

boasting plenty to see and do. Mount Fløyen offers 

amazing views over the whole city and the sparkling 

blue water of the harbour beyond; ride the funicular 

railway to its highest point at 400 metres above sea 

level, and offer a great viewing platform for the 

fjords. There’s something for everyone on Mount 

Fløyen – adrenaline junkies can experience a flying 

zipline, while animal lovers will appreciate the 

nearby grazing mountain goats as they roam free. 

There really is no better introduction to just how 

versatile Norway is. 

Also not to be missed is the nearby UNESCO 

World Heritage site: Bryggen. Built after a great 

fire ravaged the city streets in 1702, Bryggen is a 

cultural cornucopia. Its museum is a good place 

to start when it reopens in June, and guided walks 

are offered through the streets for those wanting 

to soak up some heritage. Of course, the quaint, 

lopsided shops are also the perfect destination for 

some retail therapy, or to gather some bespoke gifts 

to take home. 

Of course, the fjords are at the centre of any 

Norway trip – and Geiranger offers glorious views 

in abundance. Oscillating between snow-covered 

peaks and lush vegetation, Geiranger offers a 

world-class fjord experience, promising visitors 

spectacular views of cascading waterfalls like the 

Seven Sisters. The best way to soak up Greingerfjord

27 

has to be by water: experience the thrill of a journey 

by Rib boat, take the whole family on a guided 

kayaking trip or relax on a short ferry cruise down 

the fjord to appreciate the sunlight cresting the 

cliffs. 

If sailing down the fjord isn’t for you, there are 

plenty of viewing platforms on land, including the 

Geiranger Skywalk a whopping 1,500 metres above 

sea level. The Norwegian Fjordcentre provides an 

educational introduction for all ages, delving into 

the history of the UNESCO World Heritage site with 

unique exhibits and a cinema screen offering a 

photographic journey through nature. 

Norway has a long and varied history – its Norse 

roots to its union with Denmark and Sweden to 

form Scandinavia, there’s plenty to discover about 

the country’s heritage all over. But it’s the city of 

Stavanger which is home to the oldest cathedral 

in Norway, the largest surviving wooden house 

settlement in northern Europe, and an authentic 

pagan ritual site all in one. 

Norwegian Fjords Cruise 

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to Bergen, Geiranger, Molde, Olden, Alesund, 

Begin at Stavanger Cathedral; a medieval 

monument dating back to the early 1100s. The 

building was consecrated to Saint Svitun and is 

still in use by the Bishop of Stavanger today. It’s 

certainly a must-see for any would-be architects, 

and offers a true insight into Norway’s theological 

history. 

Stavanger, then back to Southampton. 

Leading interior stateroom 

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The city’s Old Town, Gamle Stavanger, is home 

to 173 white wooden houses and snaking 

cobblestone streets. Their construction harks back 

FREE Presentation Evening! 

Crazy for cruises, but where to go next? 

Want to cruise, but not sure it’s for you? 

Come along to our Royal Caribbean 

presentation evening on 

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To book your place please call 

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Independent Travel Specialist 

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

28 

to the eighteenth century, and remarkable effort 

has been put into preservation efforts. You’ll be able 

to find plenty of unique galleries and boutiques 

nestled among the winding streets, along with the 

Stavanger Maritime Museum – the perfect getaway 

for a bit of peace and quiet away from the bustle of 

the main shopping district. 

An hour and a half’s drive away from the city lies 

Pulpit Rock, otherwise known as Preikestolen. The 

massive rectangular cliff is almost a perfect square, 

formed when the glacier melted 10,000 years ago 

and cracked the mountain open with the removal 

of pressure from the ice. The ‘Preacher’s Pulpit’ was 

once used in covert pagan rituals, but now the 843 

metre high platform hails BASE jumpers from all 

around looking for an adrenaline rush like no other. 

You shouldn’t travel to Norway without sampling 

some of the local delicacies. Norway bases a lot of 

its dishes on fish – fresh from the Norwegian Sea 

which surrounds the country’s 50,000+ islands 

– and sheep, which are also used to produce the 

famed Norwegian wool. Raspeballer, a dense ball 

of mashed potato and flour then flavoured with 

stock of fatty sheep cuts, is a great place to start. 

Enjoy this dish with bacon and melt-in-the-mouth 

butter and you’ll be kept warm through even the 

chilliest Scandinavian night. Meanwhile, Rakfisk is a 

delicious offering of freshwater trout, left to ferment 

for several months and served with sour cream and 

soft Lefse flatbread. 

For the braver among us, head to 

any watering hole worth its salt 

to sample Smalahove – a smoked 

sheep’s head. Boiled and salted, 

the head is served with kohlrabi 

mash and gives off a very smoky 

flavour, especially around the 

eyes and ears. It’s best served 

with traditional Norwegian beer. 

Whether you’re looking for an 

insight into its vast history or 

the chance to get up high to 

appreciate the fjords, Norway is 

a multifaceted country where 

stunning landscapes and 

architecture abound, and what 

better way to enjoy it than on the 

deck of a cruise ship?

29

30 

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living room to the dining room, through 

to the bedrooms 

Tucked away in the heart of 

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specialist offering a fantastic 

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Immediate delivery service available

31 

Picture Houses 

of the Past 

By Jess Phillips 

Going to the cinema has been a favourite pastime 

for many since silent film premiered in front of an 

audience in 1895. The production was a Lumière 

brothers enterprise in Paris, and was the first to 

present moving pictures to a paying audience. 

Now cinema is ruled by the multiplex, and the days 

of intervals and flickering projectors are long over 

save for a few historical mementos tucked away in 

bohemian backstreets. But St. Helens was once 

home to an eclectic bunch of picture houses – many 

of which have since been demolished. So dust off the 

lyrics to the ABC Minors song and look back on the 

glory days of film when it came to town. 

ABC Capitol 

The former Central Fitness gym on the corner of 

North Road and Duke Street has a long history – and 

it certainly didn’t start as a gymnasium. 

Many will remember the old Capitol cinema as its 

stint as an ABC venue, where the legendary ABC 

Minors song was piped out by children the town 

over before the showing of a film for the young’uns, 

but the elegant building actually began its life in 

October 1929 as an independent venue. 

The cinema was taken over by Regent Enterprises 

later that year before its lease was passed to 

The Savoy’s foyer in the 1930s

32 

The Capitol showing Tommy around 1975; picture by Stephen Johnson 

the ABC chain in 1935. It held one screen with a 

seating capacity of 1,550, and underwent extensive 

renovation work in the 60s. 

St. Helens residents have fond memories of watching 

Disney cartoons like Bambi and Snow White at the 

Capitol, as well as regular screenings of Kung Fu 

flicks. 

The Capitol closed as a cinema in December 1978 

and was converted into a sports centre. It still exists 

today, though the gym has since closed down. 

ABC Savoy 

St. Helens was actually home to not one but two ABC 

cinemas, the second of these being The Cannon on 

Bridge Street. From 1910-1934 the site was home 

to the original Savoy Picture House (also known as 

the Picturedome), before being demolished and 

replaced in 1935 by the ‘New’ Savoy. 

The cinema hosted a café and 1,515 seats, along 

with balcony seating. It was taken over by the ABC 

in February 1936 and eventually became known as 

the ABC Savoy. 

The cinema’s capacity was extended in 1978 and 

eventually became part of the Cannon group, and 

was renamed The Cannon to compensate for this. It 

continued to operate until September 1993, and was 

eventually demolished to make way for the Chinese 

Buffet and retail units that now exist on the site. 

Scala Cinema 

The Griffin family were widely known in St. Helens for 

their furniture store on the corner of Westfield Street 

and Ormskirk Street. But in 1912 the family built their 

very own electric theatre on Ormskirk Street. 

The cinema was taken over in 1928 and became Scala 

Cinema, equipped with a British Talking Pictures

33 

sound system for playing 

talkies. It closed for 

business in 1956 and was 

subsequently demolished 

and replaced with retail 

units, now Iceland. The 

only reminder that the site 

ever contained a cinema is 

the Scala Snooker & Pool 

Centre which sits a floor 

above the shop. 

Rivoli Cinema 

On Corporation Street 

sat the regal Rivoli 

Cinema, which opened in 

September 1929. It was 

Inside the Savoy screen, provided by Victor Davies 

decked out with a Christie 

theatre organ to accompany showings of silent films films like Calamity Jane – offering cheap Saturday 

and taken over by the JF Emery Circuit in 1932, then matinees for children. 

County Playhouses Wigan Ltd. The cinema boasted Before being equipped with a BTP sound system 

‘courting seats’ in the back row for getting cosy on in 1930 – when it was renamed the Oxford Picture 

a date. 

House - silent movies would be accompanied by 

The cinema had one screen and could seat up live violin music. It closed as a cinema in 1956 and 

to 1,257 people. In the 50s it was equipped with became the Plaza Theatre Club, offering live music. 

CinemaScope technology to allow for the showing The building became The Orange House bar before 

of widescreen films, and the organ removed. Leedsbased 

being converted into retail units. 

chain Star Cinemas 

took over the lease in 

1965 and converted the 

building into a bingo hall, 

before it was eventually 

closed and demolished. 

The Plaza 

Probably best known 

as the Savoy Club and 

later the Orange House 

pub, the white building 

on Duke Street opened 

in 1912 as The Oxford 

Picturedome. It could hold 

around 800 people in its 

single screen and played 

ABC Capitol in the 1960s, provided by Carol Southward

34 

The Hippodrome 

The popular Hippodrome bingo hall began 

its life early in the twentieth century. It was 

originally opened as a theatre in 1903: The 

Empire Theatre of Varieties. The theatre 

contained two balconies, a range of stage 

boxes and could seat over 2,000 people. 

Local architect J.A. Baron designed the 

building, and it was operated by a group 

of businessmen including Thomas 

The Savoy Cinema, provided by Victor Davies 

Barrasford. 

Around 1937 the old theatre was converted into The Picturedome originally opened in 1920 and was 

a cinema, reducing its seating capacity to 900 and run by the Bracegirdle family. 

getting rid of one of the balconies. It became known 

as The New Hippodrome Cinema and was equipped 

with CinemaScope in 1956, with the seating reduced 

to 700. The renovation work, which widened the 

proscenium to 43ft, retained the original Edwardian 

ceiling and central dome. 

The cinema continued to be successful until 1968, 

when it was converted into a bingo hall. 

Haydock Picturedome 

Haydock was once home to two cinemas – the old 

Conservative Club on Clipsley Lane once housed 

the Haydock Electraceum, which was a pioneering 

picture house of its time. The ornate Electraceum, 

which in 1913 was showing silent movies like 

An Arabian Fanatic for a few 

coppers, was converted into a 

Conservative Club in 1920 and 

has since been demolished and 

replaced by Tesco. 

But it’s the Haydock 

Picturedome that many Yickers 

still fondly remember. Better 

known as the ‘A’duck Bug’, 

many recall the tatty building 

and its frequent sprays from 

Ma Fenney, who doused the 

seats and audience in perfume 

– perhaps to get rid of any 

lurking infestations. 

The Palladium 

Close to the town centre on Boundary Road, the 

Palladium Cinema began its life around 1927, 

boasting a small stage and 25ft wide proscenium. 

Affectionately named The Plad, the cinema hosted 

many a Saturday matinee, showing films like Flash 

Gordon and The Three Stooges. During the interval, 

patrons would be doused with a scent spray to keep 

everyone feeling fresh during the film. 

CinemaScope technology was installed at The 

Palladium in 1955, though the cinema closed shortly 

after in the 1960s. The building was in use as Casey 

Bros electrical wholesalers, but now stands empty. 

‘We are the boys and girls all known as 

Minors of the ABC 

And every Saturday all line up 

To see the films we like and shout aloud with glee 

We like to laugh and have our sing-song 

Such a happy crowd are we 

We’re all pals together 

We’re Minors of the ABC!’

35

36 

Puzzle Corner 

All the puzzle solutions can be found 

on page 44 of this magazine. 

WORD SEARCH 

Italian Music Terms 

SUDOKU 

Find the hidden words in the word search grid 

ACCELERANDO 

ADAGIO 

ALLEGRETTO 

ALLEGRO 

ANDANTE 

ANIMATO 

ARPEGGIO 

CODA 

CON BRIO 

DA CAPO 

DOLCE 

ESPRESSIVO 

FINE 

FORTE 

GRANDIOSO 

GRAVE 

LARGO 

LEGATO 

LENTO 

LIBRETTO 

WIGGLE WORDS 

CLUE: Bring someone 

new to look at it. 

Trace a path through 

all the letters to find 

the word or phrase 

that fits the clue. 

MARCATO 

MODERATO 

MOLTO 

PIANO 

PRESTO 

RUBATO 

SEMPLICE 

SEMPRE 

TENUTO 

VIVACE 

O R I A 

F A F P 

E Y R H 

S E E S 

NUMBER 

BLOCK 

3 1 

3 1 

9 5 

3 

24 15 14 14 

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. 

23 

13 

10 

27 

17 

14

37 

Summer Arts Market 

Liverpool Cathedral hosts a huge summer arts 

market on Saturday, June 1. 

Browse stalls from over 200 artists, designers and 

makers; get your hands on some vintage goods; 

and browse food stalls. The event provides a 

wonderful, bespoke alternative to the high street 

with stylist homeware, unique gifts and artisan 

food. There’s also a craft workshop to keep the little 

ones entertained! 

The fair runs from 10am-6pm. Entry costs £3 per 

adult, with children under 16 going free. For more 

information, visit www.summerartsmarket.com 

Tee Off 

A charity golf day takes place in August in aid of the 

HoneyRose Foundation. 

On Monday, August 5, head down to Grange Park 

Golf Club on Prescot Road for an entire day of golf 

to raise funds for the cancer charity. You’ll receive a 

bacon barm & hot drink on arrival, with a 1:30pm 

shotgun start, followed by a delicious 2-course 

meal and prize presentation. Entry costs £50 per 

player - call 01744 732229, 07733 470250 or email 

d.lane107@btinternet.com to register. 

Tell Us Your Story! 

Local Life is always on 

the look out for news 

stories from the local 

communities we serve. 

Are you raising money 

for charity? Are you a 

member of a community 

group with something 

to shout about? Maybe 

you’ve got an unusual 

talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know 

and you could be appearing in the next edition! 

Simply contact us on sthelensnews@locallife247. 

co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.

38 Travel 

At its heart, Chiropractic simply removes interference from your 

nervous system (brain, spine and spinal cord) by taking care of your 

spine. This helps you use your own ability to heal and have health, 

throughout your mind and body. 

MEET OUR INSPIRATIONAL PATIENT, JOHN... he came to us with neck problems 

which were interfering with his nerves so much he couldn’t lift or grip things with 

either arm or hand. Rheumatism was mentioned. Within a few weeks of joining 

us and over the months he’s shown us all that the (his) human body is remarkably 

powerful at healing - chiropractic just helps you do it, which is why Dr Mike (our 

Chiropractor) in the pic doesn’t claim any credit at all. 

Have you already tried everything and are still struggling with pain? 

Some people come to us as a last resort, after years of pain, suffering and very little quality of life that is 

being lived. Some come straight to us. People join us because they want a natural, effective approach to 

getting out of pain and back to a better life. It doesn’t matter if you’ve been told `to learn to live with it, or 

its your age` (both are false ideas), Chiropractic care can still help you. 

PATIENTS TELL CHIROPRACTIC LIKE IT IS, CHRISTINE SAYS: “Good morning 

campers! I came in here like a cripple on a cross, now I feel like a new woman. I’m 

dancing”. She’s looking forwards to going to Turkey in May and doing that dancing! 

Please note that Christine’s results are down to her body doing such a good job of 

healing, chiropractic care simply helped her use her own ability to heal without 

drugs or surgery... she’s the star! 

There is no real limit to your potential to heal. 

When our patients get better, we always tell them that Chiropractic didn’t treat or cure them at all, it 

simply helped them use their own ability to heal. 

Whenever you are ready to take care of your health issues, we are here for you. 

We have made Chiropractic care at our hospital so affordable, we have entire 

families coming to us. Mum, Dad, Baby, Toddler, Teen and Grandparents all 

benefiting from affordable, excellent, Chiropractic care. 

Please call 01942 498 480 for further details 

or visit us at www.ChiroHospital.com or on Facebook: wiganfamilychiro 

WIGAN FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC HOSPITAL, 27 BRIDGEMAN TERRACE, WIGAN, WN1 1TD

39 

Health & Fitness 

Struggling with anxiety, depression, 

anger, guilt, destructive behaviours, 

bereavement or abuse? 

Counselling can help you to make sense of your 

problems and become the person you want to be. 

Call 07816 611 366 for an appointment or 

email: janelucascounselling@gmail.com 

Want to lose weight? 

Want to stop smoking? 

Have you anxiety or 

phobia issues? 

Hypnosis can help you! 

Find out how - email: 

info@sandraedwardsconsulting.co.uk 

or call me on 07721 498 230 

Initial Consultation Free! 

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Immediate weight loss 

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smoking and more... 

Philip Parr - Qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist 

with over 10 years experience. 

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Over 60 walks 

FREE to download at locallife247.co.uk

40 

Upload your event for FREE at 

www.locallife247.co.uk/events 

Of Time and Place 

Wednesday, May 1, 7pm 

Sue Gerrard performs her ghost stories. Tickets £5 

including light refreshments – booking is essential 

on 07985 556539. 

St. Mark’s Gate Lodge, Rutland Street, St. Helens, 

WA10 2EH 

Scout & Guide Show 

Wednesday, May 1 – Friday, May 3, 7:15pm 

A family variety show by over 70 members of 

the St. Helens Scout and Guide movement, with 

ages ranging from 6-65! Tickets £8, available from 

Jennifer on 07742 383176. 

Theatre Royal, Corporation St, St. Helens, WA10 1LQ 

Singalong Grease 

Saturday, May 4, 7:30pm-10pm 

See the classic musical like you’ve never seen it 

before. Receive an interactive prop bag and learn 

how to hand jive. Tickets £17 per adult or £13 per 

child, bookable on 01744 756000. 

Theatre Royal, Corporation St, St. Helens, WA10 1LQ 

Family Fun Day 

Sunday, May 5, 2pm-9pm 

Help fundraise for local mental health charities with 

Orrell Ju Jitsu and Bispham Bowling Club. Enjoy a 

BBQ, face painting, charity auction, martial arts 

displays & more. Free entry. 

Cemetery Open Day 

Saturday, May 11, 10am-2pm 

Meet the bereavement services staff and take a 

behind-the-scenes tour of the crematorium. You’ll 

hear advice on funeral planning and finance, with 

cemetery tours offered by the Friends of St. Helens 

Cemetery. 

St. Helens Crematorium, Rainford Road, St. 

Helens, WA10 6DF 

Bring & Buy Plant Sale 

Saturday, May 11, 10am-3pm 

Spruce up your garden for the summer and bring 

any unwanted plants for Willowbrook’s gardens! 

Any plants which flourish in damp/shady conditions 

are especially welcome, and refreshments will be on 

sale. 

The Living Well, Borough Rd, St. Helens, WA10 3RN 

Cobalt Brass Concert 

Saturday, May 11, doors at 7pm 

The award-winning Cobalt Brass present an evening 

of musical exploration, traversing an eclectic mix of 

genres. Tickets £5 – to book, email cobaltbrass@ 

gmail.com 

Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford, 

WA11 8HB 

Bispham Hall Bowling Club, Smethurst Road, 

Billinge, WN5 7DW

41 

Pamperlicious Wellbeing 

Sunday, May 12, 11am-6pm 

Experience countless beauty treatments and 

holistic therapies with an emphasis on healing and 

connection. Plenty of stalls to browse and products 

to purchase – for info, call Kelly on 07909 228102. 

St. Helens Hotel, Linkway West, St. Helens, WA10 

1NG 

Afternoon Tea 


Feast on a selection of sandwiches, cakes and 

scones with lashings of prosecco and hot drinks. 

Tickets £10 with proceeds to Rainford Girl Guiding 

and the Chairman’s Fund, bookable on 01744 

884709. 


WA11 8HB 

Ghost Train 

Thursday, May 16 – Saturday, May 18, 7:30pm 

Rainhill Garrick Society present the classic ghost 

story – a group of passengers are stranded at a rural 

station overnight, and increasingly threatened by 

a malevolent force. Tickets available from Rainhill 

Post Office and Village Hall, or on 01744 813429. 

Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, Rainhill, L35 4LU 

Liverpool Legends 

Friday, May 17, 7:30pm 

John Aldridge, Ronnie Whelan and Steve McMahon 

discuss the highlights of their football careers, with 

plenty of banter along the way. Limited meet and 

greet opportunities available, tickets £31 for adults 

or £30 for concessions. 

St. Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St. 

Helens, WA10 1LQ 

Bedding Plant Sale 

Saturday, May 18, 9:30am-2:30pm 

Come along to the church and browse a wide 

selection of bedding plants and hanging baskets to 

brighten up the garden for the summer. Free entry. 

St. Paul’s Church, Chain Ln, Blackbrook, WA11 9QF 

Beer & Gin Festival 

Saturday, May 18, 12pm-11pm 

The 11th annual Beer & Gin Festival returns to The 

Mansion House! Enjoy craft beers and specialty 

gins, with proceeds going to Age UK. Entry £4. 

The Mansion House, Victoria Park, St. Helens, 

WA10 2UE 

Charity Darts Tournament 

Saturday, May 18, 6pm-10pm 

Come and compete for the Living Well Trophy 

with a fun darts tournament to raise money for 

Willowbrook Hospice! There are also chances to win 

cash prizes. Tickets £10 for competitors and £5 for 

spectators – to book, call 01744 453798. 

SIDAC Social Club, Bude Ave, St. Helens, WA9 4PJ 

Classics in the Park 

Sunday, May 19, 11am-4pm 

See classic cars, bikes, trikes and an Army vehicle 

display, with caterers in attendance. Free admission. 

Lymewood Country Park, Vista Road, Newton-le- 

Willows, WA11 0RN 

Dogs Trust Fun Day 


Enjoy a fun dog show, have-a-go agility course, 

doggy dash and plenty of fun and games, plus 

homemade cakes & food, and a grand raffle on the 

day. Entry £5 per car or £1 on foot. 

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

42 

Win tickets to 

Nile Rodgers 

& CHIC 

– Live in Concert 

The Jockey Club Live and Haydock Park Racecourse 

have joined forces to present a summer of incredible 

open air concerts. Jess Glynne will be appearing at 

Haydock Park on 7th June, Rick Astley on 20th July, 

and on 22nd June, the brilliant Nile Rodgers & CHIC 

will be playing live at the venue, and we’ve got a 

pair of tickets to give away for the Nile Rodgers & 

CHIC concert! 

The Jockey Club Live concerts at Haydock Park 

Racecourse have been a staple in the region’s 

social calendar and over the past few years hosting 

thousands of fans of live music. These events are 

renowned for combining a fun filled evening at 

the races with a spectacular evening concert in 

the informal and relaxed open-air setting of the 

hallowed turf. 

Nile Rodgers is truly exceptional. He amplifies his 

legacy as a multiple GRAMMY-winning composer, 

producer, arranger and guitarist by constantly 

traversing new musical terrain and successfully 

expanding the boundaries of popular music. As the 

co-founder of CHIC, Rodgers pioneered a musical 

language that generated chart-topping hits like “Le 

Freak,” sparked the advent of hip-hop with “Good 

Times,” and won CHIC 11 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 

nominations. 

His work in the CHIC Organization and his 

productions for artists like David Bowie (incl. 

‘Lets Dance’), Diana Ross (incl. ‘Upside Down’, ‘I’m 

Coming Out’) and Madonna (incl. ‘Material Girl’, ‘Like 

A Virgin’) have sold over 300 million albums and 

50 million singles worldwide while his innovative, 

trendsetting collaborations with Daft Punk, Avicii, 

Sigala, Disclosure and Sam Smith reflect the 

vanguard of contemporary music.

43 

To enter the competition to win a pair of tickets 

to Nile Rodgers & CHIC -Live at Haydock Park 

Racecourse, simply visit our website, www. 

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

on ‘competitions’ and then answer the following 

question; 

Name the album released in 2018 by Nile Rodgers 

and CHIC. 

Releasing their ninth studio album ‘It’s About Time’ 

in 2018, the release saw the band once again work 

the cream of the crop of the current music stars 

ranging from Mura Masa and Stefflon Don to Lady 

Gaga. Expect to hear some of the best-known pop 

anthems from the last four decades. With more than 

200 production credits to his name, the scope of 

Nile Rodgers’ peerless influence is undeniable. 

Over the next few months on Facebook, we’ll also 

be giving away an additional pair of tickets for each 

of the Jess Glynne, Nile Rodgers and CHIC and the 

Rick Astley concerts, and also a pair of tickets for 

the Southport Flower Show – Make sure you visit 

Facebook and give ‘Local Life Magazines’ a ‘like’ to 

keep in touch. 

The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Friday 31st 

May 2019 and the winners will be notified within five working 

days. 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. 

Tickets are now on sale for this concert via 

thejockeyclublive.co.uk.

44 

Leisure 

BIG BIG Tea Party 


A special afternoon tea with plenty of entertainment, 

a raffle and stalls to browse. Tickets £15 with 

proceeds to Willowbrook Hospice, available from 

The Living Well or 01744 453798. 

St. Helens Hotel, Linkway West, St. Helens, WA10 

1NG 

Disco Bingo 

Friday, May 24, 7:15pm 

A traditional bingo game with a hilarious modern 

twist – certain numbers trigger Disco classics to 

get the whole room dancing! There’ll be dance-offs 

throughout the evening with daft prizes to be won. 

SIDAC Social Club, Bude Ave., St. Helens, WA9 4PJ 

Craft & Nature Day 

Monday, May 27, 12pm-5pm 

Fun activities for all the family take over Willow 

Park to promote the Year of the Environment. Take 

part in traditional crafts and learn how you can get 

involved with the Rangers. 

Willow Park, Southworth Road, Newton-le- 

Willows, WA12 9TF 

Picnic in the Park 

Saturday, June 1, 12pm onwards 

T’PAU headlines this year’s Picnic in the Park! A 

fantastic line-up of music all day, with a range of 

stalls and food outlets to browse for the whole 

family. Tickets £20 for adults or £10 for primary 

school children (under-5s free) – bookable at www. 

rainfordfestival.co.uk 

Jubilee Recreation Ground, Church Road, 

Rainford, WA11 8HE 

Summer Fair 

Saturday, June 15, 11:30am-2pm 

Browse a range of stalls at the annual summer fair, 

with children’s crafts and activities. Free entry. 

St. Paul’s Church, Chain Ln, Blackbrook, WA11 9QF 

Hypnosis for Health 

Saturday, June 22, 10am-4pm 

Find out how the gentle power of hypnosis can help 

you achieve personal change. Tickets £30 including 

lunch, bookable on info@sandraedwardsconsulting. 

co.uk or on 07721 498230. 


WA11 8HB 

Puzzle Solutions 

WIGGLE WORDS: 

A FRESH PAIR OF EYES 

3 1 2 7 

4 3 2 1 

9 6 7 5 

8 5 3 1 

24 15 14 14 

23 

13 

10 

27 

17 

14

45 

Carr Mill 

by Jess Phillips 

On a glorious spring day masquerading as midsummer, 

we headed out on our latest 4 ½ mile Jack’s Tracks 

around Sankey Valley Country Park and the beautiful 

Carr Mill Dam in St. Helens. Begin at the Sankey Valley 

Visitor Centre (postcode WA11 0AB), where you’ll find 

a convenient free car park just behind the Ship Inn off 

Blackbrook Road/Stanley Bank Way (A58). The visitor 

centre is also a good place to learn a bit more about the 

flora and fauna of the park before you head off along 

the trail. 

First, walk onto the old canal tow path, then turn 

right to make your way up through the country park 

along the main trail. There are plenty of birds to spot 

along the way, plus a few monuments to the Sankey 

Canal’s long and lustrous history by the waterside. 

As you reach the northern end of the park, pass 

under the East Lancashire Road and then the railway 

viaduct, with Carr Mill Dam in front of you. If you’re 

lucky, a train might pass by overhead. Continue to 

follow the path as it slopes gently upwards and to 

the right, then to the left onto Garswood Road. This 

is where you’ll find the Toby Carvery pub – walk 

towards the water’s edge and follow the path around 

the western side of the reservoir. 

If you live locally, it’s easy to forget what a feat of 

engineering Carr Mill Dam actually is. It was formed 

by damming Blackbrook Valley, and used to power 

industrial mills before being enlarged for use as 

a headwater for the St. Helens Canal in the mideighteenth 

century. Many species of birds make their 

home at the dam, including Grey Heron, Mute Swan 

and Kingfisher.

46 

FB 

The Goyt 

Catter’s Fold 

Farm 

Mud 

Aquaduct 

A571 

Garswood Road 

Carr Mill Road 

Carr 

Mill 

Laffak Road 

Carr Mill 

Dam 

FB 

East Lancashire Road 

Black Brook 

A580 

Laffak 

FB 

Sankey Valley 

Country Park 

A58 

Length of walk: 4.5 miles 

Difficulty: Easy 

Accessibility: Unsuitable for wheelchairs. 

Mud 

P 

Stanley Bank Way 

Chain Lane 

St Helens 

A58 

Sankey Valley 

Visitor Centre

47 

Looping around the dam, you’ll eventually come 

to the bridge known as Nineteen Arches. What 

many people don’t know is that the bridge actually 

serves as an aqueduct, used to shift water from the 

Rivington reservoirs into Liverpool. Cross it, and 

head straight up the public footpath on the other 

side. You’ll emerge onto a farm track, surrounded 

by greenery on either side, and go right towards a 

picturesque farm house. 

Take the footpath to the left of the house and follow 

it to the end of the hedgerow, then go straight 

on through the fields. Follow another farm track 

through the next field, then turn right to go along 

the back of the hedgerow. 

You’ll be taken out into a wooded area with a 

footbridge over the brook – take the path to the 

right. Following it eventually brings you back out 

onto Garswood Road; continue past the Carr Mill 

Powerboat Racing Clubhouse before crossing the 

dam past a steep grass verge. At this point you’ll 

pick up the path you came along and head back into 

Sankey Valley Country Park. 

Back under the cooler shade of the trees, take the 

footbridge on the left then head right, following the 

narrow path back down through the park. As you 

emerge back out onto the main path, make sure to 

look out for the monument to the old water wheels 

at Stanley Iron Slitting Mill before heading back to 

the car. Built in 1773, the mill used a small canal 

connected to Carr Forges, and was powered by the 

water stored in the reservoir. It worked until 1830, 

when it was replaced by a corn mill which lasted 

until around 1900. 

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.

48 

Scaling theWalls 

What do you think of if I say ‘clematis’? I think most 

of us would think of the large, purple-flowered, 

“Jackmanii” or the rampant, bronze-leafed, pinkflowered 

montana rubens. 

They are both terrific plants, but I think they are a 

little over-used. My husband teases me that I tend 

to give my ‘clematis lecture’ when visiting friends’ 

houses and see one scrambling over a trellis. For 

your benefit I’ve written it down here. 

Clematis is known as the ‘Queen of Climbers’. It can 

be utterly spectacular and should definitely not be 

relegated to trellis. It can used for covering fences 

and arbours, old tree stumps, sheds and even in 

beds and borders. Choose wisely and you can have 

flowers from early spring until late autumn. 

For beds and borders you don’t want anything as 

vigorous as montana, which will smother everything 

it touches. Instead choose a daintier one such as a 

variety of texensis or viticella. 

The flowers of the texensis hybrids look like finely cut 

bells. “Etoile Rose” is a beautiful dark pink edged with 

paler pink and “Princess of Wales” is a beautiful rosy 

red. Both of these will scramble through shrubs and 

flower all summer. They die back in winter so can be 

tidied up then. 

Viticella hybrids produce flowers which look like 

little pixie hats as they open. “Minuet” has purple 

and white flowers suspended on fine stems while 

“Purpurea Plena Elegans” produces double blooms 

which open into little purple rosettes. 

One of the most difficult sites to find climbers for is 

an east or north facing site. My absolute favourite 

clematis thrives in this situation and flowers in early 

spring. Clematis alpina “Pink Flamingo” produces 

nodding, semi-double, creamy flowers veined with 

deep pink. It has the added bonus of producing 

beautiful fluffy seed heads after the flowers fade. 

Clematis prefers its feet in the shade and its head 

in the sun. Make sure the plant’s roots are shaded: 

pieces of broken flagstone are ideal, or an old 

cracked upside-down terracotta pot with the 

bottom knocked out. When clematis is happy it will 

flower prolifically. 

Large-flowered clematis tend to produce a second 

flush in the autumn, but others like tangutica and 

orientalis wait to flower until then. Both of these are 

very vigorous and are great for covering unsightly 

sheds or old trees. 

Finally, if you have a sheltered spot against a wall 

try cirrhosa balearica. This is a beautiful, winterflowering 

variety with ferny foliage and pale-green 

flowers spotted with crimson. 

So, there it is…my clematis lecture. Hopefully you 

took notes and are ready to branch out into a whole 

new world of climbers. 

Happy gardening, 

By Rachael Leverton

Motoring 49 

SMN 

Tree and Landscape Management 

Tree Felling & Pruning 

Site Clearance 

Tree Surveys and Reports 

Invasive Weed Control 

Ground Maintenance 

Agricultural & Domestic Fencing 

Firewood & Woodchip 

Woodland Maintenance 

24 Hour Emergency Tree Work 

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Day: 07970 521 692 Eve: 01942 214 121 

www.smntrees.co.uk steve@smntrees.co.uk 

Garden need a little 

• Tree Surgery 

• Flagging & Fencing 

• Landscaping & Design 

• Garden Clearances 

• Logs For Sale 

Wood chipping & stump grinder services 

Call Lloyd today for a free estimate 

01942 367170 / 07900 738637 

Want to promote your 

company in Local Life? 

Call Sally: 01744 649 722 

locallife247.co.uk 


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Cricket St, Wigan, WN6 7TP 

www.ltcgroup.co.uk 

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50 

M. Baker 

Fencing 

Call Michael now 

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or 07977 534387 

garden maintenance 

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garden tidy ups 

• All fencing supplied 

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MOBILE 

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Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories, 

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

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every step of the way and on that you have my word! Stuart Goulding 

Don’t forget, we also offer all of these services daily... 

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Dennis Goulding 

(Drive onto ‘Ainscough Building Supplies’) 

Telephone: 01257 427 000 

Open Hours: Monday - Friday 7:30am - 5:00pm; Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00 noon 

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Open: 

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Garden Make-Overs 

51 

Landscape & Artificial Grass Specialist 

We’ll design & create your new modern 

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Our wide range of artificial grass are all 

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All aspects of Landscaping 

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Quality work & reliability 

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• Landscape design & implementation 

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Call for free estimate 

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01695 633173 

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www.wilson-bros.co.uk 

Design & Print 

Flyers, postcards, brochures 

and distribution service. 

For more information call 

01744 649 722 


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• Garden Walls • Patios • Fencing 

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52 Gardening 

E-Niro 

Kia 

by Tim Barnes-Clay 

Check out the new Kia e-Niro. The Korean automaker 

has ushered this car into the automotive arena in the 

hope of putting to rest the reservations of electriccar 

naysayers. 

The cynics tend to think that vehicles without 

combustion engines don’t have the range or the 

performance of ‘regular’ cars – and they always slam 

the price. Well, after having a first drive of the e-Niro 

in South Korea I’m pleased to report that Kia will 

probably turn these disbelievers into believers. 

Why? Well, the e-Niro is more credible than any 

electric car to date, including Hyundai’s mechanically 

related Kona Electric. While the two vehicles have 

Fast Facts 

• 0-62 mph: 7.5 seconds 

• Range: 282 miles 

• Engine layout: Single electric motor 

• Max. power (PS): 204 

• CO2: 0 g/km 

• Price: £32,995 (after Govt grant) 

similar powertrains and platforms, the Kia houses 

its ingenious technology in a more traditionallydesigned 

and more down-to-earth bundle. 

The pure-electric e-Niro looks almost the same as its 

plug-in and hybrid bedfellows, although there are 

some restrained alterations. Look intently, and you’ll 

spot the sleeker front bumper, a fared-in grille and 

17-inch alloys. The rear of the Kia wears a modified 

trim to complement the nose, too, helping to 

provide a more slippery shape. 

Inside, the car is like other Kia Niros. The dashboard 

is bland yet functional, there’s an ultra-modern 

infotainment system, and importantly, there’s space 

for five-up. The most obvious difference, though, is 

within the centre console. The usual gear selector has 

been replaced with a rotary dial. This little change in 

details unfurls some additional storage room, too. 

The e-Niro’s 451-litre boot is larger than the 

ubiquitous Nissan Qashqai’s, but it’s less than the 

510-litres in the Seat Ateca. Mind you, it’s still a good 

size, and you can store the charging cables under the 

load floor. 

At the time of writing, there’s just one trim level to

53 

select – and it’s called the First Edition. Okay, it’s not 

very original, but who cares when you get a car as 

well kitted-out as this? The e-Niro in this guise comes 

with a reversing camera, heated leather seats, lane 

keep assist and forward collision warning. The Kia 

doesn’t possess LED headlights, though – and that’s 

a shame. 

So, yes, the e-Niro is all very orthodox; that is until 

you examine the powertrain. The Kia gets a 204ps 

motor that propels the front wheels. This, as well as 

the 64kWh battery pack, is used in Hyundai’s Kona 

Electric. However, unlike the Kona, a 136ps, 39kWh 

variant won’t be sold in the UK. 

The motor’s power output boosts the Kia e-Niro’s 

athleticism well above the current plug-in and hybrid 

Niro models. What’s more, once the substantial surge 

of torque is taken into consideration, the car feels 

livelier than many ‘warm’ family-hatchbacks. There’s 

even enough grunt to get a squeal from the front 

tyres, as I found out when putting my foot down to 

escape Seoul’s traffic. 

There are a couple of paddles behind the e-Niro’s 

steering wheel to regulate the force of brake 

regeneration. And, while you can’t drive the Kia with 

one pedal as you can in Nissan’s Leaf, the trio of levels 

allows you to make the most of the e-Niro’s charge. 

What about the all-important range then? Well, Kia 

claims that the e-Niro can manage 282 miles on 

one charge. More impressively, the official figure is 

higher when driving around town. That means many 

e-Niro drivers will only need to charge up once a 

week - at the most. 

Granted, the topping up process isn’t as 

straightforward as a quick fill up at the pumps, but 

connect the Kia to a 100kW quick charger and less 

Mobile car valeting 

Tel: 07803 053 715 

e: cjvalet@yahoo.co.uk 

www.cjvaleting.net 

Treat your car 

to the professional touch 

than an hour later (54 minutes) you’ll have charged 

the battery pack from next to nothing to 80 per 

cent. That’s enough energy for the e-Niro to cover 

between 226 and nearly 300 miles, depending on 

how you drive it. 

So, how much does this new all-electric car cost? 

Well, at £32,995 (after the £3,500 Government grant), 

the Kia e-Niro will only set you back around £1000 or 

so more than the flagship Nissan Qashqai. 

There are very few drawbacks with this e-Niro. Okay, 

it can understeer a bit due to the weighty batterypack, 

but then this pack gives the Kia a low centre 

of gravity. So, no, there really aren’t any significant 

gripes from me. 

At the end of the day, the all-new e-Niro is a nononsense 

five-door family crossover that makes 

electric car ownership more appealing than ever. 

PCP or lease coming to an end? 

Call me now and save £000’s 

SCuffS/SCratCheS mended 

minor dentS repaired 

alloy wheel repairS 

no Vat Charged 

we’ll beat any quote! 

Call Chris on 

01942 215 111 or 07969 357 751 

www.cosmeticar.co.uk

54 Home Services 

H. TEBB & SON 

French Polishers 

& Upholsterers 

of Distinction 

• Domestic and 

commercial work 

welcome 

• Free Pick Up and 

Delivery 

• Established in St. 

Helens since 1946 

• Free estimates 

01744 23074 

91 Shaw Street, St Helens, WA10 1EN 

www.htebb.co.uk 

T: 01942 409401 

M: 07881 816839 

- Professional Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning 

- Specialist Leather Cleaning 

- Fully insured and trained member of NCCA 

- FREE no obligation pre-inspection and quote 

www.carrolls-carpetandupholstery.co.uk 



Call Sally: 01744 649 722 



Providing professional carpet & 

upholstery cleaning since 1993 

Carpets Upholstery Curtains 

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For more information call: 

01925 411 449 

Visit our website and check out the testimonials. 

www.alliancechemdry.co.uk

55 

Domestic 

cleaning 

Oven 

cleaning 

Carpet 

cleaning 

T: 07938 566 401 

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Ironing 

service 

St Helens’ premier 

domestic 

cleaning service 

Cleaning in the 

St Helens area 

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We only use reliable, vetted staff 

• £10.75 per hour - minimum 2 hrs 

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Call or email Joanne 01744 649091 

joanne@acleanbreak.co.uk / www.acleanbreak.co.uk 

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CHIMNEY SWEEP 

Woodburners Open fires Stoves 

UPVC CLEANING 

• Windows, Fascias, Gutters etc. 

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Ask us about our wide range of hearing aids 

56 

Haydock 

Decorators 

• High Quality Decorating Over 20 years experience 

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For a free quote & friendly advice contact Paul on 07596 956 030 

A Genuine Family Run Business 

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for all residents of Croston and Bretherton 



Call now on 

01772 603923 


E 

X 

H 

A 

U 

S 

T 

S 

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” 

10% off 

Presen 

Put your 

hearing 

first with 

this voucher for 10% OFF your next 

hearing test or earwax removal. 

Contact us today for further information. Terms and conditions a ply 

Rural Village 

NURSERY 

OPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

FUNDED 

Rated by We cater for 

PLACES 

OFSTED CHILDREN 

Available for 

as 

3 months 

2/3/4 

OUTSTANDING - 4 years 

year olds 

£35.50 

per day 

Large 

outdoor 

PLAY AREA 

POP IN 

for a chat 

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

SKF 

Rendering Ltd 

01744 602931 or 07756 274503 

7 Albany Avenue, Eccleston Park, L34 2QN 

Call Steve for friendly 

advice and a free quote 

01744 636 584 

07986 528 547 

We’ll transform the look of your home with 

our machine-applied coloured renders. 

One Coat Through Coloured Renders, Acrylic 

Renders & EWi Renders (Insulated). 48 colours. 

Approved applicators for:

57 

Call-Outs 

welcome 

24/7 

ATB Plumbing & Heating 

Boiler Installs, Repairs & Services 

Fire & Cooker Installations 

Bathrooms Fitted 

System Flushes 

Landlords Certifications 624630 

LPG 

Call Alec on 

07730 735 174 

rainford-boiler-tech.co.uk 

All aspects of Gas Heating & Plumbing 

• Boilers 

• Bathrooms 

• Servicing 

11672 

Installations, Upgrades & Maintenance 

Established 30+ years ~ emergency call outs 

Call Paul for advice and a free quote 

07929 428 496 

42-44 Rainford Road, Billinge 

FINANCE 

AVAILABLE 

ASK FOR DETAILS 

Specialists in boiler installations, repair & maintenance 

Brand New Bathrooms 

Boiler + Central Heating 

Installs, Servicing + Repairs 

Extended warranties available 

24 Hour Call-out 

Domestic + Commercial 

FINANCE 

OPTIONS 

AVAILABLE 

All work fully warranted 

Email ops@hotmail.co.uk 

Book a boiler health check for £65 

& get a carbon monoxide 

alarm (RRP £29) FREE! 

Call the team on 

01744 892437 

Freephone 0300 3030121 

Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809 

21 Naburn Drive, Orrell, WN5 8SB 

Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk 

www.orrellheating.co.uk 



Call Sally: 01744 649 722 



506515 

Heating & Plumbing Services 

• Boiler Installations & Repairs 

• Servicing & Maintenance 

• Gas Safety Certificates 

• We’re on call 365 days a year – our 

service & maintenance plans start 

from just 41p per day! 

152642 

64-80 Duke Street, St Helens, WA10 2JW 

01744 22331 

Bartons-heating.co.uk


Ask us about our wide range of hearing aids 

58 

www.bodtree.co.uk 

Keeping your home and family safe 

• CCTV – Tailored high-quality CCTV solutions for your home 

and/or business 

• Alarms - Hard wired & wire-free systems security solutions 

• Full installation, repairs & maintenance. 

The only St Helens company 

to reach NSI Gold standard 

Call us today for a free, no obligation, security survey. 

Established 1984 

Rainford Electrical 

Electrical Installations & Repairs Est.1975 

All aspects of domestic work undertaken 

Lights, Sockets, Fuseboards etc 

Electric Oven & Shower Repairs 

P.A.T. Testing & Inspection 

Small jobs a speciality 

Call Alan Leigh on 

01744 883883 or 07884 496434 

COMPUTER PROBLEMS? 

Broadband broken, computer slow 

printer packed up, virus/spyware or 

your keyboards gone kaput 

Bodtree Systems fix all types of PC problems 

in the comfort of your own home 

Call Catherine Now 07540 222787 

No Call Out Charges • Local Company • PC Experts 

Tel: 01744 778381 - 01942 418763 - Mobile - 07540 222787 





01744 649 722 


T 

Y 

R 

E 

S 


FREE 


...and motorcycles too 

for all residents of Croston and Bretherton 



Call now on 

01772 603923 


E 

X 

H 

A 

U 

S 

T 

S 

We provide regular garden 

maintenance such as mowing 

and trimming, and we also 

perform extra services such as 

patio and gutter cleaning. 

Unit D, Moss Park, Dairy Farm Road, Rainford, WA11 7JR 

01744 607080 

enquiries@best-security.co.uk 

www.best-security.co.uk 

All electrical work 

undertaken from full 

re-wires to alarms/CCTV. 

www.hjselectricalservices.co.uk 

W.Hurst & Son Ltd 

ELECTRIC CONTRACTOR 

www.whurstandson.co.uk 

• All types of electrical work 

• 35+ years experience 

• No job too small 

• Friendly and reliable 

Need help looking after your garden? 

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” 

10% off 

Presen 

No job too small. 

No call out charge 

– guaranteed. 

30 years experience. 

Call Steve on 

07809 427 508 

For a free quote 

& advice call Jeff 

01695 622 191 

07850 622 191 

Put your 

hearing 

first with 

this voucher for 10% OFF your next 

hearing test or earwax removal. 

Contact us today for further information. Terms and conditions a ply 

Rural Village 

NURSERY 

OPEN 

Mon-Fri 

8AM-6PM 

FUNDED 

Rated by We cater for 

PLACES 

OFSTED CHILDREN 

Available for 

as 

3 months 

2/3/4 

OUTSTANDING - 4 years 

year olds 

£35.50 

per day 

Large 

outdoor 

PLAY AREA 

POP IN 

for a chat 

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

59 

KEYS LOCKS SAFES 

• Repairs & Upgrades 

on all locks, including UPVC 

• Safes supplied & installed 

• Key cutting service 

• Emergency call outs welcomed 

• All work guaranteed 

Call your local lock expert for a free quote 

Call us now on 

01744 732 256 

Established 1970 

Visit our showroom: 2, Lingholme Road, St Helens, WA10 2NS 

GARAGE DOOR 

REPAIRS 

All GARAGE DOORS REPAIRED : 

Springs, Cables, Locks, Rollers etc. 

Doors of all ages repaired 

01744 894939 / 07891 330214 

www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk 

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

CALL PAUL 

LOCKSMITHS 

ESTABLISHED 2000 

• UPVC & WOODEN DOOR SPECIALIST 

• Emergency Door Opening 

• UPVC Door Lock Repairs 

• UPVC Door Lock Changes 

• UPVC Door Lock Upgrades 

• Wood Door Lock Changes 

• All Work Guaranteed 

A Registered Insured NCFE Certified Company 

Call Paul for a 

Fast, Reliable, Professional Service 

Do you have 

Failed Double 

Glazing Units? 

Don’t pay £££’s to replace the frame, 

we’ll replace the glass panes. 

We also replace; Window locks, 

Door locks, Hinges & Handles. 

...and we do conservatory repairs. 

Call us now for a free quotation on 

01744 810 000 

www.northwestwindowrepairs.co.uk 

TELEPHONE 

01744 526 589 

MOBILE 

07932 718 362 

WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK 



Call Sally: 01744 649 722 


LocalLife

60 

For all your building needs 

• New Builds & Extensions 

• Kitchen & Bathroom Refurbishments 

• Loft & Garage Conversions 

• Painting & Decorating Contractors 

Domestic & commercial work welcomed Established in St Helens since 1958 

For free advice and quotes, call Jon on 07887 603926 

Bettridge’s Construction Ltd 

Strickland Street, 

St Helens, WA10 1LS 

07887 603926 

www.bettridges.construction 

Matthew Rigby 

Property Services 

Damp Control Specialists 

We provide an honest, accurate 

assessment of your damp 

problems using state of the art 

diagnostic equipment. 

Call us to assess your property 

and we will provide you with a 

comprehensive damp report. 

MultiSkilled Handyman 

Roofing & Roofline- repairs and replacement 

Decorating, Building, Gates supplied & fitted 

Plastering, Gardening 

For all your home improvements - No job too small 

PlC MAINTENANCE 

07847 394040 ~ 01744 606938 

Contact Matthew on 

07840 096 233 

Reliable, friendly, local service 

GDR Driveways 

Flagging • Block paving 

Concreting • Fencing 

Call Gareth for a FREE quotation 

01942 217 113 | 07715 177 754

61 

M H Roofing 

Established over 15 years 

Friendly advice and competitive rates 

No job too small 

• High Performance Felt Flat Roof Systems 

• Storm Damage and Insurance Work 

• Slating and Tiling full roofs 

• Poiniting and Guttering • Fascia Boards 

Call 01744 884117 

or 07702 693225 

www.mhroofingltd.co.uk 

Fully Insured & Insurance 

Backed Guarantees 

3 Maggots Nook Road, Rainford 

Our Focus Is 

Quality & Price 

LOCAL FAMILY 

FIRM 

All aspects 

of Building & 

Roofing UPVC 

Rooflines 

References Available 

From a Loose 

Slate to a 

Complete 

Construction 

Extensions & 

Alterations Specialists 

Call us on... 01744 600074 

Mobile: 07867 592460 

13 Hawes Ave, Carr Mill, WA11 7EA 

• WILSON BROS • 

Est. 1985 

Roofing & Roofline Specialists 

• All aspects of maintenance & repair 

• Fascia & soffit installation 

• Guttering and felting services 

Call us now for a free estimate 

01695 633173 

Colin: 07958 302 166 

Brian: 07760 160 988 

www.wilson-bros.co.uk 

Facias, soffits, cladding, 

dry verge and gutters - call us now 

for all your roofline requirements! 

We specialise in seamless aluminium gutters. 

Clean, stylish and guaranteed for 25 years! 

01942 735 515 / 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183 

www.orrellroofline.co.uk

62 

Resin Bound 

Driveways 

A beautiful bespoke resin bound 

surface is the idea way to add real 

kerb appeal to your property. Our 

experience of designing and installing 

resin bounded products is second to 

none, you’ll get the driveway of your 

dreams, on time and on budget. As 

a leading bonded resin driveway 

installer, our experience stretches 

across a wide range of designs. 

Indian Stone 

Block Paving 

Tarmac 

Artificial Grass 

Patios 

General Landscaping 

T: 0800 303272 

www.houseofanderson1905.co.uk 

14 day cooling off period 

Read testimonials on website

63 

Come and visit the largest 

showroom in the North West 

® 

Quality installations of windows, 

doors, fascias, soffits and gutters 

First for quality • First for service • First for reliability 

No contractors • No salesmen 

Just a smile and a honest price from a family run business 

Rockdoor 

Approved 

Installer Reg No 

02767596 

SISTER COMPANY OF FOXWELLS BUILDERS 

Established 16 years 

Call us for a Free Quote 

Office Number: 01942 871 777 

Victoria Industrial Estate, Victoria Street, Leigh, WN7 5SE 

warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk • info@warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk

Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today! 

Quality ~ Choice ~ Value 

Windows 

Bi-Fold Doors 

Thermally-efficient conservatory roofs 

expertly fitted by accredited installers 

© 

Orangeries 

Don’t just lock it, 

Rock it! 

Conservatories 

Manufacturers and installers since 2004 

Contact us on 01744 891717 for a no obligation quote 

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

www.orrellwindows.co.uk 

28544

Local Life - St Helens - May 2019

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