local-life-st-helens-november-2019

LocalLife

St Helens Edition November 2019

Wildlife Wonders

Pages 22-23

Festive Markets

Pages 50-53

Jack’s Tracks:

Rufford & Croston

Pages 57-59

Education Special

Pages 35-45

Keeping your

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4 Local Life

Thick and Fast!

Just as the dark nights are setting in and nature

powers down for winter, our diaries and to-do lists

are quickly filling up with all the things planned for

the eight-week run-up to Christmas.

It can be an exhausting time with events coming

thick and fast, particularly so for those parents with

young children, who face sorting various party

costumes for the kids, sourcing presents for all and

sundry, helping with school activities, putting up

lights and trees, carving pumpkins – it’s making me

exhausted just thinking about it.

It’s a special time of year though with much

excitement all around, for most (but not all of us)

and should you be looking for something to kickstart

the Christmas cheer, then we’ve a feature on

some of the best Christmas Markets in the North

and Midlands on pages 50-53, followed by a travel

feature on German Christmas Markets.

We talk to Austin Thomas, the talented Rainfordbased

wildlife photographer and profile some of

his recent work, including the stunning front cover

picture.

Staying Cosy

And of course, we have a comprehensive listing of

Bonfire Night events and Christmas events in the

local area, just visit our Events2Go guide on pages

60-63.

This November copy is the last issue you’ll receive

through your letterbox before Christmas (though

you can register online for the December issue at

www.locallife247.co.uk), so let me wish you and

yours a happy and joyous festive season.

See you in 2020,

38 Church Road Rainford WA11 8HD

01744 881 588 www.ellamora.co.uk

/ellamora38

38 Church Road Rainford WA11

8HD Tel: 01744 881 588

Chris Pearce, Publisher

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

www.locallife247.co.uk 5

In this issue

Greenslate’s New

Greenhouse

Regulars

78 Crossword

57 Jack’s Tracks

Sections

6 Local News

46 Travel

54 Health

60 Events2Go

64 Gardening

68 Motoring

71 Home Services

Wildlife

Wonders

Education

Special

Festive Markets

Next issue - December 2019

Advertising deadline - Friday, 15th November

Published - Thursday, 28th November

LocalLife

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

Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB

Telephone: 01744 649 722

Sales: Chris

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Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

Accounts: Christina accounts@locallife247.co.uk

Local Life is published every month and distributed into

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This issue is delivered to over 11,250 private homes and

businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank,

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The next issue is delivered to over 14,500 private

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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

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@locallifemedia

6 News & Features

If you grew up in St. Helens, chances are you’ll

remember a particular Christmas tradition fondly.

The Tyrers Christmas Grotto was a staple of the

festive season in the town centre, and since the

shop closed down in 2016, one that has been sorely

missed.

But now, former Tyrers managing director Ali

Harrison, who now runs her shop Ellamora in

Rainford, is bringing the magic back in time for

Christmas.

Rainford’s Santa

‘First and foremost I wanted to provide a very

traditional grotto,’ Ali said. ‘We’re extending the old

air raid shelter outside the shop, we have an old

fireplace in there and a special Chesterfield chair for

Santa. All the children will receive a quality gift - and

best of all, we have the original Father Christmas

from Tyrers!’

Ali wants the grotto to have a real community feel,

with the hope of reviving it each year for Christmas.

Construction begins on the grotto

The traditional space is still taking shape, with

construction aiming to be finished in the next few

weeks.

Entry to the grotto will cost £12, and it is set to open

on Saturday, December 7 to coincide with Rainford’s

Christmas Fayre, then from December 13th-24th.

For more information, pop into the shop on Church

Road or call 01744 881588.

Santa’s Mailbox

Throughout the months of November and

December, children can receive a personalised

letter from Santa - all you have to do is submit a

donation to Willowbrook Hospice’s Santa’s Mailbox,

along with their names.

Not only will you receive a customised letter, but

you’ll be helping raise funds for a service that

provides essential care to people living with lifelimiting

illnesses in the local community.

HAVE A HOLLY JOLLY

CHRISTMAS

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN

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TheParkBK

Sherdley Park Golf Club,

Sherdley Road, St Helens, WA9 5DE

Charity Grotto

Local charity the HoneyRose Foundation is opening

a Santa’s Grotto for three days only in December.

The charity, which helps grant wishes for people

over 40 suffering from cancer and other lifethreatening

illnesses, invites children to come

and meet Father Christmas and receive a special

present.

Entry costs £5 per child, and the grotto opens

from 10am-1pm from Thursday, December 5 until

Saturday, December 7 at the shop on Cotham

Street.

Get Crafty

St. Mary’s Market will host a tabletop craft sale

every Saturday until Christmas.

The market will take place at St. Mary’s Market event

space from 9am-3pm each weekend - for details, or

to book a stall, call 01744 677155.

Christmas Appeal

Teardrops Supporting the Homeless have launched

their Christmas appeal - they’re especially looking

for new toys, toiletries, tinned food, gift bags,

wrapping paper, gift sets and presents for all ages.

Hampers and gifts will be distributed around the

most vulnerable people in the community to bring

some cheer during the festive period.

Donations can be dropped off at the Teardrops

Hub on Crab Street, Classy Cuts in the town centre,

REDS Cafe & Takeaway in Rainford, or at Bromdales

Ironing Service in Haresfinch.

For more information, call 01744 733233.

Volunteer Callout

Rainford Volunteer Community First Responders

are looking for more people to help them save lives.

If you’re interested in joining them, call Sally on

01744 884709 or Tony on 01744 883914.

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Cinderella

Family pantomime Cinderella comes to Rainford

Parish Church Hall this month! Performed by the

church’s Amateur Dramatic Society, this magical

fairytale brings laughs, music and heart to the

village in time for Christmas.

Performances take place on November 15th, 16th,

17th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd at 7:30pm, with 2:30pm

matinees available on weekends. Tickets cost £8 per

adult and £5 per child, bookable on 07591 333784

or from PT Kitchens on Ormskirk Road.

Winter Warmers

St. Helens Council have once again launched their

Winter Warmer campaign to serve older people in

the borough.

4,500 survival packs will be handed out in

November in association with Age UK Mid Mersey -

these include information on the best ways to save

energy and stay safe this winter.

You can pick up your pack and learn more about

the campaign in Rainford Library on Thursday,

November 14 at 10:30am, Billinge Library on

Friday, November 15 at 2pm, Garswood Library on

Thursday, November 21 at 2pm or Haydock Library

on Monday, November 25 at 10:30am.

Festive Firs

Rainford’s All Saints Parish Church are hosting a

Christmas Tree Festival in December, in aid of the

Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation and Macmillan

Cancer Care.

Local businesses and organisations will be coming

together to sponsor and decorate Christmas trees

to raise vital funds for these worthy causes.

The trees will be displayed from Friday, December 6

until Sunday, December 8 at the church on Church

Road.

If you’re interested in getting involved, email

christmastreefestival@outlook.com or call 07809

880344.

Family portraits

Personalised keepsakes

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Cross-stitching and Craft

We don’t just make frames,

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Wide choice of quality frames

Expert advice and efficient service

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On-site Parking

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Let’s Party!

Join us for a glass of bubbles,

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Wednesday 13th November - 7pm

Make-Up

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Book a 30-minute skin treat with the

Clarins Beauty Coaches.

Expressions of Beauty, 16 Main Street, Billinge.

Tuesday 5th - Thursday 7th November

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£10 booking fee will be redeemable against

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Offer only available whilst stocks last

Large selection of christmas

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Expressions Of Beauty

01744 894214 / Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PA

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To The Stars

A starry art project is set to light the skies of St.

Helens on Bonfire Night.

The project is part of a Liverpool City Region scheme

to get people rediscovering their neighbourhoods

and turning their faces to the sky. Coinciding with

the annual Spark in the Park event, ‘Constellations

Presents: The Creation’ will dazzle spectators with a

bespoke fireworks display accompanied by music.

Entry to Spark in the Park is free, and there’ll be

plenty to keep you entertained on the night,

including hot food, a children’s funfair and much

more. It takes place at Sherdley Park on Tuesday,

November 5 from 6pm.

Musical Mission

The Phoenix Society of Moss Bank Mission are

looking for an accompanist.

This group of men and women meet up for practice

at the Mission on Tuesday nights, and also perform

an average of ten concerts a year, mostly in the

afternoons. All monies raised at the concerts go to a

chosen charity each year.

If you can help in any way, please contact Alan

Prescot on 01695 622404 or 07855 297430 or

Maureen Tickle on 01744 609478 or 07707 524497.

Competition Winner

Congratulations to September’s competition

winner, who went away with a family pass to Martin

Mere Wetland Centre in Burscough, plus a free boat

trip and a £30 voucher to spend in the cafe!

The winner was Charlotte Brunt from Haresfinch.

Well done Charlotte, we hope you had a great time

at Martin Mere!

Did you know we also run exclusive giveaways on

our Facebook page, @locallifemagazine247? Don’t

forget to give it a like to stay up to date!

the auction centre

The leading Auctioneers and Valuers

• Modern saleroom at Manor Park, Runcorn

• RICS and NAVA registered auctioneers and specialist consultants

• Probate and Insurance valuation reports undertaken

• Full house clearance service available

• Regional valuations centres around the north-west

St Helens Valuation Days

4th Wednesday of Every Month

St Thomas Church, Peter Street, WA10 2EB

9.30 – 12 noon

Check website for Details

Call 01744 881 477 for more information

Wigan Valuation Days

2nd Tuesday Of Every Month

Purposed Life Church, Greenhough Street, WN1 3SU

9.30 – 12 noon

Check website for Details

Call 01942 299 057 for more information

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

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

www.theauctioncentre.co.uk

River of Light

Liverpool’s River of Light festival returns this

November, illuminating the city’s waterfront with a

spectacular fireworks display on Sunday, November

3. The Mersey becomes a stage for Titanium

Fireworks.

In addition, from Friday, November 1 until Saturday,

November 9, ten pieces of artwork from some of

the international light artists will be on display.

Gin-Tastic

Get excited, because the Absolutely Fabulous Gin

Festival returns to St. Helens Town Hall this month.

With 119 amazing gins to sample, including the

Absolutely Fabulous Pink Gin created by the

organisers themselves, you won’t want to miss the

gin-tastic event, which takes place across three

sessions on Friday, Nov 29 and Saturday, Nov 30.

Tickets cost £14.50 including a gin copaglass, a bag

and a gin guide, bookable on Skiddle.

AtoB Taxis

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Discover the real you!

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.

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34 Baldwin Street, WA10 2RL New Cross Street, WA10 1QN

Wear colours with confidence.

Look fabulous and feel great.

My name’s Gina Dobson and I’m a

Colour Consultant & Personal Stylist

From my St Helens studio, I offer;

Colour Analysis Personal Styling Make Up

Wardrobe Editing Gift Vouchers

Call me on 07598 367 552 to discover how

I can help you discover your personal style.

www.ginadobsoncolour.co.uk

ALL THE INSPIRATION

YOU’LL NEED THIS

CHRISTMAS UNDER

ONE ROOF

This festive season sees Warbreck Garden Centre

spectacularly change into one of the most inspiring and

exciting shopping destinations in the region.

With a tasteful and sophisticated blend of Christmas

decorations, interior furnishings and gifts everything you

might need for this festive season is under one roof.

We look forward to welcoming you soon.

Warm regards

Richard & All the team at Warbreck

FREE HOT DRINK

Next time you’re in the Plantation

Restaurant collect your Hot Drink

Stamp Card.

You will receive a FREE hot drink with

every 9 purchased.

OUR CHRISTMAS SHOP IS NOW OPEN!

PLANTATION RESTAURANT

Once you’ve meandered around our inspiring Christmas and Gift displays

be sure to try our Winter Menu. All our meals and desserts are prepared

by our team of very talented chefs using the freshest ingredients using many

local suppliers. With our specials menu changing daily you can be sure of a

deliciously different meal every time you visit.

FESTIVE LUNCHES

Every Tue, Wed & Thurs in December

at the Plantation Restaurant

2 COURSES £14.95

3 COURSES £18.95

Please see our delicious menu onine or in store.

BOOK NOW!

For all enquiries contact us on:

01695 722960

plantation@warbreck.co.uk

With real and artificial trees,

beautiful Christmas decorations,

festive food, crackers, poinsettia

and much more... There is

something for everyone at

Warbreck Garden Centre this

Christmas. Inspirational themed

displays and amazing offers

await you...

Find Us

Lyelake Lane, Lathom,

Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 6JW

• LYELAKE LANE, ORMSKIRK, LANCASHIRE, L40 6JW • 01695 722960 • WARBRECKHOMEANDGARDEN.COM •

Win tickets to Ed Byrne!

Fresh from a sell-out Fringe Festival run, comedian Further tickets can be obtained on 01925 442345.

Ed Byrne is heading on tour with his If I’m Honest Make sure to like our page to stay updated about

tour - and we have a pair of tickets up for grabs.

more exclusive giveaways!

The observational stand-up takes a long hard look

at himself and tries to decide if he has any traits

worth passing onto his children in his hilarious new

show.

Warrington’s show takes place at Parr Hall on

Tuesday, December 10.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over

to our Facebook page @locallifemagazine247 and

find details on how to enter on our pinned post,

from Monday, November 11 when the competition

launches.

Image by Idil Sukan

BECAUSE WE CARE

At Kare Plus Wigan and St Helens we deliver the highest

possible standard of care and first class customer service.

WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY:

“Kare Plus have been our care provider since April 2018.

We have been delighted with the service they have

provided and have no regrets that we made the change

from the previous company.” SN

“Excellent quality of care. Good time keeping, helpful,

friendly, lively staff. Cost-effective care package” EW

Our Registered Homecare Services:

• Dementia Care

• Adult Care: Personal Care / Respite Care /

Companionship / Lifestyle Support / End of

Life

• Mental Health Support

• Autism

• Learning Disabilities

• Sensory Impairment

• Complex Care: Treatment of Disease /

Disorders / Injury

What Next? Call: Wigan 01942 409561 (Option 2) / St Helens 01744 747078 (Option 2)

E: kpwiganandsthelenshc@kareplus.co.uk

W: www.kareplus.co.uk/wiganandsthelens

Crofters Court, 14 Market Street, Wigan, WN1 1HX

Care with a “K”,

care with a difference

Image by Idil Sukan

All you want for

great food, gorgeous gifts and unique glass

under one roof

g i f t s | a f t e r n o o n t e a | b e s p o k e g l a s s | l i g h t l u n

Love it Gallery / Bag & Bean

01695 622332

www.loveitgallery.co.uk

www.bagandbeanltd.co.uk

Morpheus Glass

01695 624182

www.morpheusglass.co.uk

Love it Gallery Winstanley Road Billinge Wigan WN5 7XG

Love it Gallery: Tue-Sat: 9:30-5 Sun: 10-4 Bag & Bean: Tue-Sat: 9:30-4:30 Sun: 10-4

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bAG & bEAN

COFFEE SHOP

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New greenhouse for Greenslate

Volunteers at Greenslate

Community Farm in Billinge,

along with the Friends of

Orrell Station, have been busy

constructing a new greenhouse

to create opportunities for adults

with learning difficulties.

Greenslate Farm’s Senior Care

Farm Co-Ordinator Hazel

McGregor teamed up with the

Friends of Orrell Station to begin

the scheme when they realised

they still had materials to build

a greenhouse donated by

Winstanley College. Using PVC

glazing from former platform

shelters at Orrell Station, the

Friends began the arduous

construction process this spring,

LEADING LOCAL SPECIALISTS

25 HARDSHAW STREET, ST HELENS, WA10 1RP

2 DERBY STREET, PRESCOT, L34 3LJ

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LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY

beginning with the laying of a concrete foundation.

‘It was definitely a challenge to construct,’ Bernard

Lundy of the Friends says, ‘especially after the

instructions mysteriously disappeared! We didn’t

expect there’d be so many parts to put in place.’

Now, though, the initiative is in full swing, inviting

local adults with learning difficulties to grow

carnations, campanula, winter brassicas and more.

Some of these plants will eventually be transferred

EST OVER 35 YEARS

XMAS DEMONSTRATION IN

THE SCOUT HUT RAINFORD

ON THE 8TH NOVEMBER

IN AID OF RAINFORD SCOUTS

Order your Christmas pots and wreaths

all made up fresh at the shop

Telephone orders welcome and same day delivery,

where possible, within a 15 mile radius.

...maybe a little more notice for weddings etc.

01744 885 363

29 Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HE

National &

International

Open: Monday - Saturdays, 8.30am - 5.30pm

www.wendysflowers.co.uk

to Orrell Station to brighten the space up, bringing

the greenhouse’s legacy full circle.

Greenslate Farm offers a number of opportunities

for groups and individuals with additional needs,

including farming, wildlife and conservation work,

and activities in the Straw Bale café.

The new greenhouse has already afforded the farm

new volunteering opportunities; Craig, one of the

volunteers, enjoys harvesting crops, while fellow

volunteer John takes pride in watering the plants

every day.

For more information about the Care Farm scheme,

visit https://greenslatefarm.org.uk/care-farm/

At your service 24/7, 365 days a year.

2 Prescot Road, St Helens,

WA10 3UB

01744 454 785

www.lesleyashtonfunerals.co.uk

Wildlife

Wonders

by Jess Phillips

A village framed by green belt land, Rainford offers

a wealth of beauty spots to appreciate local nature

and wildlife. From the picturesque Siding Lane

Nature Reserve to local farms and thoroughfares, it’s

a photographer’s paradise: and that’s exactly what

amateur birdwatcher Austin Thomas realised back in

2007, when he swapped out his binoculars for a camera.

‘I was actually pretty rubbish at birdwatching,’ Austin

admits. ‘I needed a better way at identifying the birds

I was seeing, and I knew the best way to do that was

to preserve the images for later research. That’s how I

got into wildlife photography in the first place.’

‘The most important thing for me in my field is

patience,’ he continues. ‘You have to take time to

learn your subject through observation – if you’re

photographing a bird, for instance, keep an eye on

what it does before it takes flight. If you recognise the

signs of it preparing to fly, you’ll be ready to get some

in-flight shots.’

What was once a hobby now takes Austin all over

the world – he spends 3 weeks a year in Africa,

where it’s possible to spot something new around

every corner.

‘I felt I’d mastered birds and mammals,’ Austin tells me,

‘so I wanted to move into underwater photography.

There’s so much beyond the surface of the ocean

that we hardly know anything about, so I learned to

scuba dive at Delph Watersports Centre near Chorley

and travelled to the Bahamas to take pictures of the

Stingrays, then Barbados for the Sea Turtles.’

The training was no doubt difficult – Austin had

to remain steady and buoyant to ensure the

photographs he took didn’t blur – but it was worth

it. ‘Everything’s so alive down there – there’s so much

colour underwater, and the sheer volume of things

to photograph was amazing,’ he says.

Austin’s next challenge will see him snapping

pictures of Egypt’s underwater life, including the

many coral reefs in the Red Sea, and hopefully some

White Tip Sharks.

Visit Austin’s website for more: http://www.austinthomas.co.uk/

Feeling the

Madlove

It’s November, which means it’s officially time for

the launch of Heart of Glass’ latest takeover fest:

Madlove.

In their new space in the Hardshaw Centre’s former

Argos store, Heart of Glass will be hosting a series of

drop-in events surrounding mental wellbeing and

loneliness, with the view of reducing social isolation

in the community.

There’ll be artwork on display, including Hana

Madness’ ‘Into Us’, which looks at stories of recovery;

film screenings, music and more, along with a Care

Cafe which invites you to sit down with a brew and

have a chat with the people around you.

You can help create

the Care Map of St.

Helens, with artist

Kate Hodgson,

screen printing a

tea-towel to take

home and adding

in the special

places in the town

that offer support,

advice and care.

Try a custom tea

blend with Tea for

St. Helens, or browse exhibitions of heartwarming,

humorous and thought-provoking works.

On Friday, November

1 from 6:30pm-

7:30pm, stand-up

comedian Jess Thom

presents her live show ‘Stand Up, Sit Down, Roll

Over’, which looks at her Tourette’s Syndrome in a

hilarious light.

On Saturday, November 9 frrom 2pm-6pm, grownups

are invited to revisit their childish side with

artist Cathy Cross for a den-building session.

Meanwhile, Kitty’s Pick n’ Mix Performance Night

will be taking place on Thursday, November 21

from 6pm-8:30pm, creating a cosy space for poets,

musicians and other performers to share their work

with a friendly audience.

Finally, on Friday, November 29 from 1pm-4:30pm,

mental health activist James Leadbitter invites

people affected by mental health issues to consider

the best ways of supporting each other and

improving care.

Tickets for each event are free, and can be reserved

at www.heartofglass.org.uk or on 01744 453163.

Dolly Sen will present ‘Mr Men do Psychiatry’ - a

series of images parodying mental health services

across the UK - while Kim Noble presents her short

film ‘But One Day’, which will be showing at regular

intervals throughout the festival. You can also drop

in to watch ‘The Suicide Chronicles’, which examines

the lack of an effective language for discussing such

a conversely public and private issue.

Lancashire Day

Wednesday, November 27 is Lancashire Day;

dedicated to the date when the first elected county

representatives were called to Westminster in 1295.

This Lancashire Day will see town criers across the

county read out the Lancashire Day Proclamation.

A special event to celebrate Lancashire Day

will take place on Friday, November 1 at 8pm

at Rainford X Sports and Social Club on News

Lane. You’ll be able to enjoy music from Wigan

Ukulele Club and a traditional hotpot supper with

Rainford Heritage Society. Tickets cost £12 and are

available from Ray on 01744 885547 or by email at

rayw91141@gmail.com

Visit Lancashire invite you to share your best

Lancashire photos, beauty spots, recipes and more

with the hashtag #LancashireDay on social media.

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Lifesaver

launched

Residents of Rainford’s Hilltop community have been working hard to install a defibrillator

unit at The Bottle & Glass pub – and have finally seen their efforts rewarded.

The local Residents’ Association was inspired by

various other defibrillator campaigns across the

country, and realised the need for a unit in this rather

isolated corner of Rainford. With that, the Hilltop

Defib Group was formed – all that was needed now

was the £1250 for the installation and registry of

the defibrillator. Residents banded together to raise

money, hosting an open house afternoon tea for

local people and appealing to Rainford Christmas

Fayre who kindly donated to the cause.

‘The Bottle & Glass was the ideal location for

the unit,’ Hilltop resident Paul Wilson explained.

‘Everyone knows where it is, and the defibrillator

will be able to help visitors to the area as well.’ The

potentially lifesaving equipment is available for use

24 hours a day – in an emergency, simply call 999

for a code to access the unit, then you’ll be talked

through what to do.

The group now intend to fundraise for an additional

unit in the area.

If you’re interested in training to use the defibrillator,

call Sally Brown, Clerk to Rainford Parish Council, on

01744 884709. Training takes approximately two

hours to complete.

An Arty Christmas

Citadel Arts have an exciting programme scheduled

for little ones this festive season, beginning with

Glisten on Saturday, December 7. Aimed at babies

up to 18 months, the intimate production sees a

sensory landscape emerge in colour, sparkles and

sound. Tickets cost £5.

Next, Little Star swings into town on Tuesday,

December 10. Children aged 6-18 months can

follow Twinkle Twinkle Little Star on a journey

through puppetry, music and captivating visuals.

Tickets cost £5 per child, adults go free.

Meet Marty the puppy on Saturday, December 14

- a beautiful musical adventure for ages 1-3. Tickets

cost £5 per child, adults go free.

Finally, a Christmas Minifest takes place on Monday,

December 23 - a fun musical experience for young

imaginations! The Artful Playground Band treat you

to a variety of musical styles from rock n’ roll to rap.

Tickets cost £5 or £3 concessions.

Children can also get involved in pre-show crafts

before most events.

For a full events listing, or to book tickets to any of

the events, visit www.citadel.org.uk or call 01744

753201.

Huge selection of fires,

stoves & fireplaces

100+ displays over five floors

90% of our fireplaces are made to measure

- no need to re-decorate or re-carpet!

Traditional, Classic & Contempory styles

Local family business,

established over 30 years

18E Jackson Street, St Helens, WA9 1AN

01744 24190

www.flamesuk.co.uk

Opening Hours: Monday –Friday 9.30am-4.30pm (closed Wednesday); Saturday - 10am-4pm

November sees the welcome return of Rainhill’s

charity Beer Festival.

The 17th annual festival run by Rainhill Rotary

Club will offer the usual wealth of ales and ciders.

Chairman Mal Steward says: ‘We have always been

complimented on our beer selections and this year

will be no exception. I can’t say any more under

the penalty of death, but the variety of ales will be

amazing.’

The Club have been successful in donating over

£350,000 to local charities from previous festivals

and Christmas float collections.

Festival Fun

Rainhill’s is the biggest charity beer festival in the

North West, and all organised by the Rotary Club.

They’re always looking for more volunteers and

barrel sponsors – if you’d like to get in touch email

enquiries@rainhillbeerfest.org

The event takes place at Rainhill Recreation Club

on Victoria Terrace on November 7th, 8th and 9th

(7pm-11pm on Thursday and Friday, then 1pm-

11pm on Saturday). Entry costs £6 on Thursday and

£7 on Friday and Saturday.

For more info, visit www.rainhillbeerfest.org

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Degrees

Learning

12 PAGE EDUCATION SPECIAL

Tech Review for the

New Year

It’s that time of year again: schools, colleges and

universities are readying for a new term and parents

are running around trying to get everything their

children need. Increasingly that includes technology,

whether that’s a basic laptop for younger children’s

homework or an all-rounder for studying, social

media and streaming video at home or in student

accommodation.

It’s worth thinking about streaming video if your

children are staying away from home, because

you can get almost all the TV you

want for free,

entirely legally,

via the internet and

most catch-up TV apps (BBC

IPlayer does need a licence). There’s no

need for a pricey Sky or Virgin contract, just a

decent broadband service. If video is going to be a

key thing, make sure whatever you buy has a goodsized

screen or buy a Chromecast, which enables

you to stream video from your computer to a TV.

The best all-rounder is a Windows 10 laptop – the

Acer Chromebook is a cheap option with a long

battery life for lectures and beyond, while the Dell

XPS 13 is a much pricier option at £1,199 but offers

a full touchscreen and beautifully refined graphics.

a powerful laptop. It’s pricey though (from £769)

with another £179 for a keyboard cover or £89 for

the Apple Pencil.

Kindles can be a more lightweight alternative

to hefting heavy textbooks around, with over 3

million eBooks to choose from in the Kindle Store.

It’s worth checking your insurance policies too,

especially if your children will be moving out for

college or university. Your home insurance might

already cover your children’s gadgets when they’re

away from home, but don’t assume that’s the case

- and if they do, check the excesses, which might

be higher than the cost of repairing or replacing

a gadget. The same applies to any contents

insurance you may take out for your children’s

accommodation. Lots of companies

have insurance policies specifically

designed for students’ computers

and smartphones, and sites such as

money.co.uk enable you to compare

the cover, cost and excesses quickly. We’d

particularly recommend insurance that covers

you for accidental damage: if something can be

dropped, smashed or accidentally covered in

liquid, it probably will be.

There’s another option: tablets such as the iPad.

Previously we’ve said they aren’t really ideal for

serious work but that’s changed with the arrival

of the iPad Pro, which is a genuine alternative to

OPEN

EVENT

YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE

Our students often say to us that they found an Open Event visit

incredibly helpful. So take their advice and drop in to explore and

experience student life at St Helens College.

THURSDAY 7 TH NOVEMBER

5.00pm - 7.30pm

WHERE TO GO:

For courses in Engineering, Construction,

Motor Vehicle and Animal Management:

The STEM Centre, Technology Campus,

Pocket Nook Street, St Helens WA9 1TT

For all of our other vocational courses and

A Level Academy:

Town Centre Campus,

Water Street, St Helens WA10 1PP

/sthelenscollege

www.sthelens.ac.uk

How to

Save and Make Money

at University

One of the trickiest but most important parts of

university life is managing your money. Budgeting for

food, clothes, nights out, books and study materials

can be overwhelming at first, but there are ways you

can help yourself.

Here are a few tips to help you spend less, save

more, and earn money at university, so you can stop

worrying about finances and make the most of this

precious time in your life.

Ways to save money at university

Make use of technology

All you need is your mobile phone. There are apps

to help you save on food, that show you how to

budget, and that keep an eye on your data usage.

Keep your food costs down by making a list of your

favourite ingredients, and an app will let you know

the cheapest places to buy them locally. You can

also track your expenses with a budgeting app.

Just type in how much you spend each day, and

what you’ve bought – at the end of the month, a

report gives you a round-up of where your money is

going, so you can adjust your spending if necessary.

Learn how to cook

Learning how to cook from scratch is a valuable skill

for life, but as food is one of the highest student

expenditures, it’s also a vital part of saving money.

Apart from the extra cash in your pocket, you can

still be sociable without the expense of eating out,

impressing your friends with gastronomic delights.

It’s a good idea to plan your meals ahead and only

buy what you need each week, avoiding ready

meals if possible, as although they’re convenient,

they’re generally bad for your health. Also, stick to

buying own-brand products that can usually be

found on the lower shelves in supermarkets, where

you might not normally look.

Ways to make money at university

Get a part-time job

Retail, catering, and hospitality are just three areas

where you could pick up a part-time job with fixed

hours that fits in with your studies. Although you

may need to forsake some evenings and weekends,

payday could make it worthwhile to miss out on a

few social occasions.

Another idea for part-time work, and one that’s a

little more flexible, is mystery shopping. You sign up

with a mystery shopping agency, or directly with an

independent company, and get paid for checking

the level of service provided in their outlets.

Promotion work and flyers

Handing out flyers around campus and promoting

club nights or events on the streets of your

university town can earn you some extra money,

but be sure to find out whether you’re working on a

commission or a ‘per hour’ basis.

If you’re sociable and good at marketing, you

could even apply to become an on-campus ‘brand

ambassador’ for a household brand name. You

might be able to organise your own promotions

and events for the brand, and make a name for

yourself in marketing.

UNIVERSITY CENTRE ST HELENS

OPEN DAY

Thursday 14 th November 2019

5.00pm - 7.00pm

Lower tuition fees, a wide range of degrees, smaller class sizes

and unrivalled access to experienced lecturers.

uc.sthelens.ac.uk

PENSION & RETIREMENT PLANNING

ARE YOU RETIREMENT READY?

When asked about retirement, most

people have a vision of a comfortable

lifestyle allowing them to maintain their

quality of life. However, without defined

goals and a clear and defined strategy to

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realise their ambitions.

The question sometimes is not at what

age you want to retire, but at what

income.

At True Bearing we work with clients

of all ages to truly understand their

retirement priorities, aims and

aspirations for them and their family.

We take an active approach in

developing a long term attainable

financial plan which can be regularly

reviewed.

With the UK pensions freedom

legislation enforced in 2015, pensions

have now become one of the most tax

efficient and flexible ways in saving for

and funding retirement.

With a complex array of legislative

changes and retirement planning

products available, it is more important

than ever to seek professional and

independent advice to ensure you make

the right decisions for your future.

To discuss your financial planning talk to us today.

Brought to you by Chartered Financial Planners, True Bearing Ltd.

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42 Advertisement

Clickworks turns 1

Digital support service Clickworks celebrated its

first anniversary in October - and managed to

support more than 1,600 people in its first year

alone.

The St. Helens Chamber centre is an interactive

space for people and businesses to improve their

digital skills. Since it opened in 2018, 612 people

have completed training courses to improve their

digital skills, 939 people have received information

or guidance to help with their careers, and 127

people have attended events at the centre.

October 2019 saw the launch of a new Study

Programme for young people, providing specialised

Digital Marketing and Coding training to kick-start

their careers, and the start of a brand new

Coding Club for school children.

Kath Boullen, Chief Executive at St. Helens

Chamber, commented: ‘Good digital skills

are now required by almost all job roles and

are in demand by businesses, so it is an area

of training that can benefit everyone. I am

delighted that so many local people have

already accessed the service.

‘Over the next 12 months we will be

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Could you be one of tomorrow’s

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Advertisement 43

ARE

winstanley college

Wednesday 6th November

Tuesday 4th February

WINSTANLEY!

No need to book, just turn up. We look forward to meeting you soon.

Winstanley Road Billinge Wigan WN5 7XF • 01695 628610 • www.winstanley.ac.uk

Life as a governor

For James Pearson, joining the board of governors

at Winstanley College was a way to give back to the

college that launched him onto a career path in

commercial law. James, now the Chair of Governors,

discusses the inspiration behind his decision, and

what it takes to strive for academic excellence at

Winstanley.

‘I had a really good time at college,’ James admits.

‘Winstanley prides itself on providing a well-rounded

education, with a focus on personal development

that goes beyond grades. It was important for me to

begin giving back to that community.’

As a player at Orrell RUFC, James isn’t short on

community spirit. ‘Keeping it local, at the college

I used to attend, was also really important to me

in my decision to apply for a post as governor. I

admit the interview process at the time was rather

daunting, but has changed

now, and was worth it when I

was offered the position.’

pride in their work, and it’s amazing to see the

result of their time at Winstanley pay off in their

final pieces.’

‘I’ve been fortunate to meet many talented people

who have really ingrained themselves in the world

of education, and who have a passion for seeing

young people achieve their goals,’ he tells me.

‘There are three core skills I think you need to

become a governor,’ James adds. ‘You can’t be afraid

to ask questions; you need a willingness to learn

and challenge yourself; and you need to care about

creating a supportive and inspiring community for

academic excellence.’

If you are interested in applying to become a

Governor at Winstanley College please contact

Rachael Weir on 01695 628640 or email Rachael.

weir@winstanley.ac.uk.

Being a governor means

setting Winstanley’s strategic

direction, ensuring financial

sustainability and to uphold

the college’s core values.

James’ background as a lawyer

has also helped him in his role.

It’s a big job – but well worth

the effort.

‘One of the best parts of my

position has been engaging

with passionate staff and

amazing students. I’m not an

arty person myself, but the

annual student art show is

always excellent to pay a visit

to. The students take such

46 Travel

The Real Thing

By Chris Pearce

When it comes to Christmas markets, no one does

them better than the Germans, who have been

holding Christmas markets since way back in the

Middle Ages. With the big day being just a few weeks

away, it made eminent sense that this month’s travel

feature focuses on where to go in Germany for an

authentic Christmas experience. Space forbids

us featuring the hundreds of Christmas

markets held throughout Germany, but

here are six of the very best to visit this

Christmas.

Like many of Germany’s larger cities, Cologne

doesn’t host just one Christmas market, but up

to eight every year, each with a different vibe or

theme, and each with its own Christmas market

mug! You’ll want to visit the Cathedral Christmas

Market, where the colourful stalls are set up right

besides the UNESCO-recognized Cologne Cathedral

(see image).

However, the best market in Cologne for families

is the Altstadt (Old Town) by the town hall, which

is run by the Heinzelmännchen, or house gnomes.

You’ll find all the usual Christmas market trappings

here, from handicrafts to spicy Glühwein, along

with toy stands, an ice rink and a puppet theatre for

the kids.

In nearby Bonn, the seasonal

celebrations are kick-started in style

when the beautiful old town hall is

transformed into an enormous Advent

calendar, with one more window

being lit up each day. The charming

alleys and architecture, along with 170

stalls situated between the festively

decorated Bottlerplatz, the Peace

Court, Vivatsgasse, Windeckstrasse is a

must for Christmas lovers.

When people think of German Christmas markets,

the one that stands for most of the lore and tradition

is the one that goes down each year in Nuremberg.

It’s one of the oldest and most famous markets in

the country, dating back to the early 17th century.

A key custom that marks its commencement is the

parading of the holy cherub Christkind, through

Nuremberg’s central square.

Another delightful market to check out is in the

town of Rüdesheim, a small town on the Rhine

Valley. Pretty much every space in the town’s

romantic old quarter is filled with stalls selling all

sorts of trinkets and treats, and worth a special

mention is the life-size Nativity scene on the market

square, which is said to be the biggest in Europe.

The squares and streets round the Cathedral and

the town hall of Aachen, close to the border with

the Netherlands and Belgium, are transformed in

December into a paradise of lights and colours,

festive sounds and seductive smells. The cathedral,

Visit Germany’s

Christmas Markets

Cruise the beautiful Rhine

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Visit the famous Christmas markets in

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5 days from only £579pp

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Selected December departures available 2019/2020.

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48 48

Christmas

Markets Cruise

4 nights FB in

5* MS Charles Dickens

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Direct flights from Manchester

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Price correct as of 10/10/19 ~ 2019 departures still available

which combines styles from the Carolingian era to

the present, is the perfect background to the market

and particularly romantic when covered in snow.

Although only open at weekends, the

Weihnachtsmarkt Schloss Guteneck offers an

altogether different experience. Held in the grounds

of the pastel-yellow castle, this market comes alive

with the sights, sounds and smells of the Middle

Ages, with strings of lights wrapped round trees

and roaring fires dotted around for warmth.

Minstrels, clowns and jugglers roam through the

stalls, and other attractions include falconry to

fire-dancing and camel rides! The evening’s events

revolve around the various Advent celebrations,

along with live Nativity scenes.

At German Christmas markets, the emphasis is on

traditional Christmas decorations, wooden toys,

and handmade items. Of course, food and drink

are an integral part of the markets, with grilled

sausages, potato cakes, waffles, and pancakes are

common, but every market will sell its own regional

specialties.

If you’re looking to sample a traditional German

Christmas, check out the advertisement from

Marken Travel on the previous page, where you can

enjoy a five day cruise down the Rhine on the fivestar

MS Charles Dickens, with visits to Christmas

markets at Cologne, Bonn, Rüdesheim and Koblenz.

Call 01744 893291 for details.

Christmas

Markets

Day trips also

available

Ludlow

Worcester

Skipton, Chester

Nottingham

and more...

Countdown to Christmas

Turkey & Tinsel

Lytham (11th-15th Nov)

Eastbourne (18th-22nd Nov)

Llandudno (2nd-6th Dec)

Prices start at £319 p.p.

Based on 2 people sharing room

for 4 nights on half board.

Single options available

Price includes;

• Executive coach travel

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• Door-to-Door pick up

• Excursions

• Live entertainment

...and more!

Weekend Shopper

York (13th-15th December)

NOW ONLY £169 p.p.

Based on 2 people sharing room

for 2 nights on B&B.

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• Door-to-Door pick up

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Christmas Lunch

Day Trips

Festive 3 course meal &

entertainment.

See website for details.

2020-2021

Brochure Out Now!

Early booking discounts now

available on all 2020 holidays.

For your FREE copy call us

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www.hattonstravel.co.uk

info@hattonstravel.co.uk

Festive

Markets

image by: Tom Holmes

There’s nothing quite like a festive market to get you into

the Christmas spirit. From Dickensian festivals keeping

the spirits of A Christmas Carol alive to bustling streets

of Austrian-inspired log cabins, there’s something for

everyone this Christmas.

Grassington

Saturday, November 30 & Sunday, December 1,

then Saturday, December 7 & Sunday, December

8, 11am-5pm

www.grassingtondickensian.co.uk/

Grassington’s legendary Dickensian Festival and

market lend a seasonal atmosphere to the picturesque

Yorkshire village, transporting market-goers back in

time to when Queen Victoria held the throne. Locals

and visitors alike will be decked out in Victorian

finery, with traditional buskers, street entertainers

and musical acts taking to the stage throughout

two wintery weekends this December. You won’t be

able to resist stalls offering all sorts of goodies from

bespoke crafts and jewellery to delicious sweet treats

and mulled wine beside the glow of an open brazier.

Meanwhile, little ones can pay a visit to a traditional

Santa Claus in his hideaway grotto, meet an array of

Dickensian characters, and follow a torchlit nativity

procession down the cobbled streets.

In venues across the village, expect performances

from Victorian character singers, Punch & Judy

shows, organ players and choirs, along with brass

bands, festive plays and much more.

image by: Mark Davis

Skipton

Sunday, December 1 & Sunday, December 8,

10am-4pm

www.facebook.com/skiptonchristmasmarket

Where better to enjoy a wealth of festive stalls

than the market town and ‘gateway to Yorkshire’ of

Skipton? This December, the town centre will once

again be taken over by vendors boasting Christmas

bargains, unique gift ideas and scrumptious snacks.

Skipton’s beautiful canal basin will play host to a

farmers’ market, while more than 100 stalls stretch

across its streets.

Relax with a mulled cider and roast chestnuts, enjoy

choral and brass performances or take the kids

off to visit Santa or ride a donkey – there really is

something for everyone. Skipton’s market received

the UK’s Best Large Speciality Market award in 2018,

and is free to enter for anyone fancying a festive

experience this year.

Worcester

Thursday, November 28 – Sunday, December 1

www.worcesterchristmasfayre.co.uk

Boasting 200 stalls, Worcester’s Victorian Christmas

Fayre is home to an abundance of local producers,

crafters and confectioners. Your senses will come

alive with sights, smells and sounds of the season:

at the traditional funfair, be whisked away on the

Galloper to the sound of a barrel organ, enjoy

community carol singing, and travel back in time

to experience what Christmas in Worcester would

have been like some 150 years ago.

The market will open with a carol service at the

breath-taking Worcester Cathedral, ahead of a

procession travelling from the Cathedral to the

Cornmarket by the Mayor.

Birmingham

Thursday, November 7 – Monday, December 23

www.thebfcm.co.uk/

Birmingham’s Frankfurt market is renowned for its

stunning collection of traders – from glass baubles

and crystal lamps to hand-crafted leather and

jewellery, you’ll be absolutely spoilt for choice this

year. As always, there’ll be tasty German delicacies

including bratwursts, schnitzels, pretzels and more

– if you’re fancying a tipple, why not sample the

gluhwein or weissbeer? There’ll also be traditional

children’s funfair rides, plenty of entertainment and

beautifully festive illuminations throughout.

The city will be bedecked in all its festive glory, with

the appearance of an outdoor ice rink and a big

wheel in Centenary Square. Experience the magic

of skating under twinkling lights or witness the

skyline from the heights of the Ferris wheel; either

way, you’ll see Birmingham like you’ve never seen

it before.

Windermere

Saturday, December 14 & Sunday, December 15

www.windermerechristmas.co.uk/

Putting a Lake District twist on the classic Christmas

market, Windermere’s Christmas Celebration is so

much more than the forty or so stalls that set up in

the picturesque village this December. Take to the

rink and show off your skating skills surrounded by

the natural beauty of the Lakes, visit Santa in his

nearby grotto and relax with performances from

brass bands and choirs throughout the weekend.

York

Thursday, November 14 – Sunday, December 22

www.visityork.org/whats-on/christmas

Among the Shambles and cobbled streets of York

lies the St. Nicholas Fair, returning once more for

2019. In wooden chalets you’ll find all manner of

goods: from festive ornaments and scented candles

to mulled wine and artisan chocolates. Street food

stalls touting curries, crepes and much more create

a real feast for the senses, with Nordic marquees

and various bars set up around the market area.

There’s plenty going on at venues around the city,

too. An outdoor ice rink around a giant Christmas

tree sets up at York Designer Outlet, while the a

whole host of Dickensian characters come to life in

York Castle Museum’s Victorian street. York Minster

introduces the Advent procession – enjoy carols

by candlelight following the Minster Choir on

December 1st.

Ulverston

Saturday, November 23 & Sunday, November 24

www.dickensianfestival.co.uk/

Don your finest Victorian costumes and head to

Ulverston this month for a traditional Dickensian

festival like no other. Among specialist shops and

businesses you’ll find a cosy Christmas market

stocked with unusual gifts, festive food and

handmade items, plus all the fun of the fair with

a Helter Skelter, horse-drawn carriages, balloon

modelling and plenty of music.

A grand Dickensian parade will take place on both

days of the festival, along with a period dress

competition for the best costume.

Chester

Saturday, November 16 – Sunday, December 22

www.visitcheshire.com/whats-on/chesterchristmas-market-p223731

The Tudor streets of Chester will be transformed

with over 70 chalets, all arranged around the iconic

Christmas tree in the city centre. Discover unique,

locally crafted items, pick up the perfect stocking

filler or surprise for a special someone. Along with

classic German foods including frankfurters and

glühwein, expect jewellery, crafts, cards and much

more.

Don’t miss the spectacular animal-themed lanterns

at Chester Zoo while you’re in the area – from

November 22 to December 23, the zoo will become

a wonderland full of sparkle and illuminations,

taking you through nine themed worlds of light.

Beverley

Sunday, December 8, 10am-4pm

www.beverleyfestivalofchristmas.co.uk

Experience a snapshot into the past with Beverley’s

traditional Victorian Christmas market. Over 120

stalls will take over the town centre, offering a huge

selection of crafts, stocking fillers and tasty treats.

Entertainers will take to the streets with birds of

prey displays, live music and dance performances,

along with a Victorian fairground for the little ones.

The festivities really begin with a reindeer-led

procession through the town at 10am – meet Santa

on his sleigh in a charged seasonal atmosphere.

There’s something for everyone in Beverley at

Christmas!

54 Health & Fitness

Water works

Why we should all drink more water

Ask most people how much fluid they are supposed

to drink in a day, and they will reply “Eight glasses

of water.” This number has seeped into the public

consciousness over the past couple of decades so

it might surprise you to know that it has very little

basis in science!

However, it is important to stay properly hydrated.

Fewer people know that if you feel thirsty you are

already dehydrated, and this has a real impact on

how your body and brain function.

Dehydration leads to a decrease in our physical

performance. Losing just 2% of your body’s

water contact can cause fatigue, problems with

temperature control, and make exercise feel

more difficult, physically and mentally, and it’s

not uncommon for people to lose 6-10% of their

body’s total water content through sweat during a

workout, and as muscle is 80% water this increases

muscle stress.

Our brains are also strongly influenced by hydration.

Studies have shown that even mild dehydration

impacts brain function. In separate studies of men

and women it was found that about 1.5% fluid

loss impaired mood and concentration, decreased

working memory, and increased feeling of anxiety,

fatigue and the frequency of headaches. 1.5% fluid

loss can easily occur during normal daily activities,

never mind during exercise or hot weather.

Worryingly the effects of dehydration are shown to

be worse in children and the elderly.

There has been some scientific interest in the effect

of increasing hydration on migraine sufferers. So

far, some studies have shown that while keeping

hydrated doesn’t stop migraines completely,

sufferers in the studies reported that the frequency

and intensity of the migraines decreased when they

were properly hydrated.

Constipation is a common health problem and can

be serious in children and the elderly. Low water

consumption does appear to be a risk factor in these

cases. Some studies have shown that carbonated

water seems to help the situation more than still

water though scientists haven’t yet explained why.

Alcohol acts as a diuretic, so it makes you lose more

water than you take in. The dehydration effects of

alcohol are responsible for the thirst, fatigue, and

headache which inevitably accompany a hangover.

It’s a good idea to alternated alcoholic drinks with

water and to drink a large glass of water before

going to sleep, after a night out on the town.

Finally, water both increases satiety and boost

metabolism so is great if you’re trying to lose

weight. Studies show that dieters who drank half

a litre of water before each meal lost 44% more

weight over a period of 12 weeks.

Try it. Make a real attempt to stay properly hydrated

for a week and monitor the results. You may be

surprised.

Anxiety Busters

Breathe – Don’t fight the racing heart or sweaty

palms, breathe into it. Place the palm of your hand

on your stomach and breathe slowly and deeply.

The aim is to train your mind to get used to coping

with panic, which takes the fear of fear away.

Face your fears - Avoiding fears makes them seem

scarier. By facing them you should start to make

them fade.

Don’t try to be perfect – We’re surrounded by

images of perfection on Facebook and Instagram.

It can make us feel very anxious if we perceive our

own lives as not measuring up. Real life is full of

stresses; bad days and setbacks happen, and it's

important to remember that life is messy.

Talk - Sharing fears takes away a lot of their scariness.

Talk to a partner, a friend or a family member, or if

you don’t feel you can talk to someone you know

call a helpline such as Samaritans.

If your anxiety is not getting better, please talk to

your GP.

Call The Samaritans free on their 24 hour help line

116 123

By Tracey Anderson

Visualise a happy place – Practice closing your

eyes and imagine a place of safety and calm. It

might be a beach you love, or a forest, or snuggled

up in bed with your puppy. Let the positive feelings

soothe you until you feel more relaxed.

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Health & Fitness

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Leisure 57

Rufford &

Croston Circular

by Chris Pearce

Distance: 8 miles Difficulty: Easy

Whilst parking up on Station Road in Rufford, near

the train station (L40 1TB), a hardened walker spotted

the Local Life Mini and came over for a chat. He was

on his way up to the Lakes, ready for what he termed

a ‘proper’ walk. Ouch! What this beautiful easy-tofollow

eight-mile route lacks in topographical views,

it more than made up for with the variety of wildlife

and the wide open-spaced beauty of the Lancashire

countryside. It’s a perfect walk for this time of year,

when the weather is variable, and the nights are

drawing in fast.

Bridge number seven carries the Station Road traffic

over the Rufford Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool

Canal and it’s from there our walk starts.

Head north up the canal from here and you’ll quickly

spot the timber framed Rufford Old Hall on the left,

which was built in 1530 for the Hesketh family,

then lords of the Manor of Rufford. Local folklore

mentions a ghost that floats above the canal at the

back of the Old Hall, but it was thankfully on a lieu

day when I walked by on this gorgeous Autumn

morning.

Ducking sharply to avoid the formation of geese

that landed nearby, I set off in the direction of the

hamlet of Sollom, some two miles distance. Depart

the towpath at bridge 16 and turn right down a

single track called Sollom Lane. Within 200 yards,

the road bends left and goes over a ditch into Eyes

Lane.

You will then use Red Bridge (a green Bailey Bridge),

to cross the River Douglas and, straight after you

cross the bridge, you’ll turn right and hop over a

stile. Stay on the built-up banks of the river, which

forks almost straight away, where the Yarrow feeds

into the Douglas. Follow the built-up banks to the

left, following the River Yarrow for 1½ miles before

you arrive at the bridge carrying the B5247, which

links Croston to Bretherton.

Hop over the stile onto the road and turn right

toward Croston. Ignore the turning onto the

industrial estate and just before the bridge goes

over the railway, turn right and follow the path

running parallel to the railway. The path eventually

bears right and, just as you see a body of water

(Twin Lakes) through the trees, you’ll execute a 90

degree turn away from the water on a path that

evolves into Riverside Crescent.

Taking great care, cross the railway line, and follow

Riverside Crescent to its junction with Westhead

Road (A581). Turn right, cross the bridge and go

straight over the junction into Backhouse Lane.

Follow the lane through a S-bend and once you

reach the T-junction, turn right. Go past Finney

Barr’s Farm into a left-hand bend and then take the

first right turn down what is Cottage Lane.

Within 200 yards, you’ll cross the railway line

once more and as the views open up, you head

in the same direction for approximately 1/3 of a

mile. Once you reach the corner of the field, do a

90-degree left turn and follow this path until you

reach a crossroads of paths (look out for the wellset

cobbles).

Turn right and follow what is Moss Lane for just over

1/3 of a mile and, just before the small bridge with

the metal grills, take a 90-degree left turn down

a path known locally as Shepherd’s Lane. Follow

Shepherd’s Lane for ¾ mile, as straight as a die

running parallel to the drainage ditch, and you’ll go

through a small s-bend and the path will suddenly

stop at a concrete bridge crossing the drainage ditch.

Cross the bridge and head diagonally across the

field on the path towards a set of wooden steps

leading up to the banks of the Douglas. Once you’re

up there turn left and follow the path along the banks

for just over 1/3 of a mile, cross the railway safely and

head down the steps to a single-track road.

Turn right and pass the pumping station on the left,

and soon afterwards you’ll emerge at Meadow Lane.

Turn right and cross the bridge over the Douglas

very carefully and you’ll see the level crossing for

Rufford Station and your starting point (Bridge 7) in

the near-distance.

Back Lane

Highfield House

Croston

Sollom

Sewage

Works

Croston

Leeds & Liverpool Canal

A581 Meadow

Lane

Finney Lane

Farm

A59

River Douglas

Rufford

Old Hall

Rufford

For those with the OS Maps

app on your desktop, mobile

or tablet, this walk is named:

JT-RuffordCroston-Circular

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.

Upload your event for FREE at

www.locallife247.co.uk/events

Lancashire Evening

Friday, November 1, 8pm

Enjoy entertainment from the Wigan Ukulele Group

and a hotpot supper in celebration of Lancashire

with the Rainford Heritage Society. Tickets £12 from

Ray on 01744 885547 or rayw91141@gmail.com

Rainford X Sports & Social Club, News Lane,

Rainford Junction, WA11 7TE

Charity Walk

Saturday, November 2, 1pm-4pm

Raise money for the Lilac Centre with a Halloween

themed walk around Carr Mill Dam, plus have-a-go

archery sessions and refreshments.

Carr Mill Boat House, Garswood Old Road, St.

Helens, WA11 7LZ

Rainford Fireworks

Saturday, November 2, 5pm-8pm

Join the St. Helens Rotary Club and the Scouts for a

bonfire and fireworks! Tickets £5 on the gate, under-

5s go free.

Church Road, Rainford (Behind the Golden Lion)

Brocstedes Fireworks

Saturday, November 2, 6pm

A professional fireworks display with live music

and plenty of food and drink. Tickets £5 on 07860

378553 or £6 on the gate.

Ashton Athletic FC, Brocstedes Avenue, Ashtonin-Makerfield,

WN4 0NR

Sutton Fireworks

Saturday, November 2, 6:30pm-9pm

Sutton Cricket Club invites you to a fantastic

fireworks display and laser show. Tickets £4 on

TicketPole or from the venue.

Sutton Cricket Club, New Street, St. Helens, WA9

3UU

Choral Concert

Saturday, November 2, 7:30pm

Join the Haydock Male Voice Choir and the Dunvant

Male Voice Choir to celebrate their musical heritage.

Tickets £8 on 01744 734176 or 01942 602856.

St. Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, St. Helens,

WA10 1HP

Charity Old Skool Night

Saturday, November 2, 7:30pm

Enjoy music from the 80s, 90s and 00s, with

live performances and hot food. Tickets £25 on

Eventbrite, all proceeds to Alzheimer’s Research UK.

Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford,

WA11 8HB

Orrell Bonfire & Fireworks

Sunday, November 3, 5pm

A firework spectacular with YMCA Orrell Cricket

Club! Plenty of seasonal treats including treacle

toffee and burgers, plus a children’s funhouse,

bonfire and more. Entry £5, £1 per child.

YMCA Orrell Cricket Club, Winstanley Rd, Orrell, WN5 7XE

Spark in the Park

Tuesday, November 5, 6pm

Enjoy a family fireworks display and children’s

funfair, with a huge variety of food and drink.

Parking available for £10 per car.

Sherdley Park, St. Helens, WA9 5DE

Garswood Fireworks

Tuesday, November 5, 6:30pm

Enjoy a bonfire and fireworks display, with loads of

food stalls and a bar. Entry £4 on the gate.

Garswood Sports & Social Club, Garswood Road,

Garswood, WN4 0XJ

Tea with Phaedra Patrick

Wednesday, November 6, 2pm-3:30pm

Bestselling author of ‘The Library of Lost and Found’

Phaedra Patrick reads from her book, signs copies

and answers questions – all over a lovely afternoon

tea. Free entry, places bookable at the library.

Newton-le-Willows Library, Crow Lane East,

Newton, WA12 9TX

Rainhill Beer Festival

Thurs, Nov 7 & Fri, Nov 8, 7pm-11pm & Sat, Nov

9, 1pm-11pm

Experience a huge selection of ciders, lager, prosecco

at Rainhill Rotary Club’s annual beer festival. Tickets

£6 on the Thurs or £7 on Fri & Sat including a glass.

Info on enquiries@rainhillbeerfest.org

Rainhill Recreation Club, Victoria Terrace, L35 0LH

Den Building for Adults

Saturday, November 9, 2pm-6pm

Join artist Cathy Cross to create your own perfect

den using specific materials, music and light, to

prove magical spaces can be built anywhere. Free

entry, 18+ only.

Madlove Takeover Space, Hardshaw Centre, St.

Helens, WA10 1EB

Clarins Party

Wednesday, November 13, 7pm

A night of fun, with plenty of opportunities to

choose from the best Clarins products, hosted by

Expressions of Beauty. Tickets £10 on 01744 894214,

redeemable against any product on the night.

Posthouse, Orrell Road, Orrell, WN5 8NB

Festive Mosaic Workshop

Thursday, November 14, 5:45pm

Create a festive mosaic to adorn a hanging heart,

wreath or star. Places £39.50 including all materials,

a buffet and mulled wine, bookable on 01695

622332.

Bag & Bean, Winstanley Road, Billinge, WN5 7XG

Tombstone Tales

Thursday, November 14, 6pm-7:30pm

Pride of St. Helens award-winner Ted Forsyth

presents a historical talk on tombstones around the

world, from murderers to famous businesspeople.

£2.50 voluntary donation requested.

Momo’s, Westfield Street, St. Helens, WA10 1QJ

Cats

Fri, Nov 15 & Sat, Nov 16, 7pm & Sun, Nov 17, 2pm

RMTC Youth presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic

musical Cats. Tickets £8 per adult or £6 concessions,

available from www.rainhillmtc.weebly.com or on

07948 908693.

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

Cinderella

Nov 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 7:30pm

(2:30pm matinee at weekends)

Rainford Parish Church Amateur Dramatic Society

bring the magical fairytale to life in a family

pantomime! Tickets £8 per adult or £5 per child on

07591 333784.

Rainford Parish Church Hall, Church Road,

Rainford, WA11 8HE

Christmas Fair

Saturday, November 16, 1:30pm-4pm

Fun for all the family with a variety of stalls,

refreshments, children’s activities and a Santa’s

Grotto! Free admission.

Toll Bar with Prescot URC, Freckleton Road, St.

Helens, WA10 3AR

Irwell String Quartet

Saturday, November 16, 7:30pm-9:15pm

St. Helens Sinfonietta present the Irwell String

Quartet led by Dewi Tudor Jones, for an evening

of glorious music. Tickets £10 or £1 per under-16,

bookable on 01744 114635.

United Reformed Church, Ormskirk Street, St.

Helens, WA10 2JZ

Southport Lights Switch-On

Sunday, November 17, 1pm-5:30pm

Expect a day packed full of family entertainment,

fairground rides, live music and a spectacular lights

show on the huge Christmas tree – headlined by

Peter Andre! Santa will also make an appearance

with his elves and reindeer, plus a fireworks display!

Southport Promenade, Southport, PR9 0DZ

Bispham Christmas Market

Friday, November 22, 3:30pm-6:30pm

Browse craft and gift stalls, meet Father Christmas,

enjoy children’s activities and light refreshments.

Bispham Methodist, Crank Rd, Billinge, WN5 7DT

Gin Night

Friday, November 22, 7pm

Enjoy four top quality gins plus garnishes and a

souvenir glass to take home, all in aid of Willowbrook

Hospice. Tickets £30 on 01744 453798.

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

Fashion, Fun & Fizz

Friday, November 22, 7pm-9:30pm

An evening of gorgeous clothes, fabulous beauty

stalls and lashings of prosecco! There’ll also be a

raffle on the night. Tickets £3 from the venue.

Newton Community Centre, Park Road South,

Newton-le-Willows, WA12 8EX

Vintage Christmas Fair

Saturday, November 23, 10am-4pm

Browse a bespoke collection of vegan friendly arts

and crafts and find the best gift ahead of the festive

season! For info, email phoenixbizinfo@gmail.com

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

Christmas Craft Fayre

Sunday, November 24, 11am-3pm

Shop for homemade crafts, Avon, chocolate gifts,

wax melts and much more, with a raffle and snacks

available. All proceeds to local charities, free entry.

Haresfinch Rugby & Community Club, Haresfinch,

St. Helens, WA11 9NS

Rainhill Asylum Talk

Tuesday, November 26, 6pm

Hear about the extensive history of Rainhill Asylum

and the Whiston Workhouse, how mental health

services evolved from the late Victorian era, and

what working life was like in the Workhouse. Tickets

£2.50 in advance from the venue.

Momo’s, Westfield Street, St. Helens, WA10 1QJ

Casino Night

Friday, November 29, 7:30pm-midnight

An evening of glitz, glamour and gambling – play

roulette, blackjack and poker. Tickets £15 from the

venue including casino chips, prosecco and canapes.

Rainford Village Hall, Church Rd, Rainford, WA11 8HB

Charity Fashion Show

Friday, November 29, doors at 7pm

Grab yourself a bargain and enjoy a plastic fantastic

fashion show of upcycling, recycling and reducing

waste. Tickets £3, proceeds to street kids in

Calangute, bookable on 07515 748033.

Garswood Sports & Social Club, Garswood Road,

Garswood, WN4 0XJ

Gin Festival

Fri, Nov 29, 6pm-11pm & Sat, Nov 30, 12pm-11pm

Celebrate Christmas early with over 120 gins and

live entertainment from Louise & The Love Bugs.

Tickets £14.50 including a gin copa glass.

Christmas Craft Fair

Saturday, November 30, 10am-1pm

Local craftmakers come together for some festive

fun – pick up some stocking-fillers and enjoy

afternoon tea with light bites. Tea is pre-bookable

on 07866 955316.

St. Aidan’s Church, Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7LA

Christmas Fair

Saturday, November 30, 11:30am-2pm

Expect all manner of craft stalls, a Santa’s grotto and

delicious light lunches! Free entry.

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

Prom Weekend

Sat, Nov 30, 10am-5pm & Sun, Dec 1, 10am-4pm

Hundreds of gowns to choose from for your Prom

Princess, including top brands like Morilee, To The

Nines and Gino Cerutti. Refreshments available.

Romancia, Main Street, Billinge, WN5 7PB

Billinge Lights Switch-On

Wednesday, December 4, 6:30pm-8pm

Meet Santa on his sleigh, enjoy music from the

Trinity Girls Brass Band, participate in a raffle and

enjoy mince pies before the lights switch on at 7pm.

Bispham Methodist Church, Crank Road, Billinge,

WN5 7DT

Wreath Workshop

Thursday, December 5, 6:30pm-9pm

Create a traditional foliage wreath with beautiful

flowers, with a delicious food spread and welcome

drinks. £45 including materials, bookable at www.

oliveowl.co.uk

Love It Gallery, Winstanley Road, Billinge, WN8 0AA

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

64 Gardening

Shed some

on it! light

by Angie Barker

There is no getting away from it … Christmas is

coming, and along with all the kerfuffle that comes

with it (oh dear, Hubby looks depressed at the

thought) – it also means we have some long, dark

evenings ahead of us. But instead of closing the

curtains and forgetting about your garden until next

spring, consider installing some outdoor lighting in

your garden to create a magical winter wonderland.

can be set into paving, decking and steps. Even if you

don’t use your garden in the winter and particularly

if your living area overlooks your garden, it will

make your inside space seem larger as you can see

beyond the windows. But why not use your garden

at this time of year – I would recommend donning

coat and scarf and lighting a fire pit and as it’s nearly

Christmas, taking a flask of Gluhwein out with you

(that’s mulled wine to Hubby).

There are some things you need to consider with

outside lighting:

• Less is more – you do not want your garden to

resemble a floodlit football pitch!

• Place up lighters carefully to make sure your lights

don’t shine into a neighbours bedroom window.

The right kind of garden lighting can create some

wonderful atmospheric effects and there are many

different products available to help you achieve

the effect you are looking for. Simple up lighters set

on spikes in the soil are very easy to install as they

sit beneath planting to light it up from beneath.

Bamboo in particular looks amazing up lit this way.

There are some more sophisticated products which

• If you are landscaping a garden consider lighting

from the start so that an electrician can fit the

lights in with the build and hide all the wiring.

But even if your garden is established, it is easy

to have an outside plug fitted so that you can run

your lights from there.

There are some companies which specialise in

garden lighting – see www.moonlightdesign.co.uk

to see the kind of effects you can achieve.

And as the season to be jolly is fast approaching,

don’t forget to include some fairy lights!

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01744 893 477 or 07950 651 956

GreenhillsLC@gmail.com

BILLINGE BASED

FREE HandyContacts web listing

when you advertise in LocalLife magazine

Prices start from

£35+ VAT per issue

Free artwork

Monthly payments

Call us today on

01744 649722

www.locallife247.co.uk/handy-contacts/

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

West Lancashire Borough Council approved contractor

Wigan Council approved contractor

Day: 07970 521 692 Eve: 01942 214 121

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

LANDSCAPE & DRIVEWAY SPECIALISTS

LANDSCAPING

• Block Paving

• Indian Stone

• Turfing & Artificial Grass

• Driveways & Patios

• Fencing & Decking

• Jet Washing

• Gravelling

TREE SPECIALISTS

• Pruning & Shaping

• Felling & Topping

• Stump Grinding

All aspects of tree work

undertaken

NO JOB TOO LARGE OR TOO SMALL

Call us today for a free, no obligation, quote;

JOHN: 07879 024 070

OFFICE: 01925 271108

Email: fourseasons.treespecialists@gmail.com

OAP

Discounts

20%

OFF

ALL

AUTUMN

BOOKINGS

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

Garden Make-Overs

Before

After

Cricket St, Wigan, WN6 7TP

www.ltcgroup.co.uk

•Landscaping

•Driveways

•Decking

•Design

Call for free estimate

Colin 07958 302 166

Brian 07760 160 988

Wilson Brothers

01695 633173

Wilson Brothers

www.wilson-bros.co.uk

LTC?

JTH Landscaping

All aspects of Landscaping

& Tree work undertaken

Quality work & reliability

at competitive prices

• Landscape design & implementation

• Tree felling, tree pruning

• Japanese knotweed control

• One off garden tidy

• 24 hour emergency tree call out

Call Thomas today for a free quote:

07923 035300 or 01744 895570

email: jthlandscaping@icloud.com

Ashfield Farm, 43, Garswood Road, Billinge

• Garden Walls • Patios • Fencing

• Driveways • Garden Maintenance

Fully Insured

Call Michael now for a free quote

01695 363859 or 07977 534387

a1brickworkandgardens.co.uk

WE WON’T BE BEATEN ON QUALITY OR PRICE

• Landscaping

• Driveways & Patios

• Block Paving

• Indian Stone

Tree Work

• Shaping & Pruning

• Felling & Topping

• Fencing & Decking

• Turfing & Artificial

Grass

UP TO 25% DISCOUNT

Call Al today for a free quote or advice

OFFICE

01942 396 818

MOBILE

07796 494 463

AABRON

LANDSCAPING

SERVICES

• Raised Beds • Artificial Grass

• Lawns Re-Turfed • Driveways & Patios

• Fencing, Flagging & Block Paving

• Gardens Designed & Constructed

Free fixed-price quotations provided

All genuine like-for-like

quotes beaten!

01744 606 080 / 07780 801 341

51 Sandringham Drive, WA9 3TQ

www.aabronlandscaping.co.uk

GDR Driveways

• Flagging • Block paving

• Indian Stone

www.gdrdriveways.com

Call Gareth for a FREE quotation

01942 217 113 | 07715 177 754

68 Motoring

Toyota Camry

The Toyota Camry is a bit of a legend - 19 million

have been made and sold since 1982.

It’s been away from the UK for 15 years, though –

and we’ve missed it. Toyota’s also missed selling it

here, so the Camry’s finally coming back – and this

time it’s in hybrid guise.

The Japanese motor-maker reckons the Camry's

petrol-electric powertrain and attractive styling

make it the ‘right vehicle at the right time’ to return

to these shores.

Is it? Well, the Camry is costly - but look a little

closer, and the £29,995 price-tag on the basic

model seems less of an issue when you realise how

inexpensive it will be to run. Depending on the way

you drive and where your drive, the Toyota’s ability

to manage short distances on electricity only could

save you forking out at the pumps.

Pros ‘n’ Cons

• Inexpensive to run

• Good standard equipment

• Ride

• Boot space

• Uncooperative infotainment system

It’s stress-free to drive, with agreeable visibility and

light steering. Whisk things up, and there’s enough

pull from the Camry’s 218ps that you seldom need

to go full throttle.

Regrettably, it’s common for hybrids to disappoint

when it comes to refinement at motorway speeds.

The subdued powerplant in the Toyota means your

ears become sensitive to other noises. Tyre roar

begins to become irksome, as does the persistent

wind whistle. But it still doesn’t make the Camry

bad company at 70mph - you just need to turn the

music up more.

There’s no dodging the fact that the latest Camry

is going to appeal to taxi firms and private hire

businesses. But that’s no bad thing - it’s roomy enough

for five adults and, at 524 litres, the boot is large.

The Toyota’s Achilles' heel, however, is its

infotainment system. It is uncooperative, and the

glass touchscreen on the dashboard is maddeningly

insensitive when you touch it. The automaker says it

will fit Android Auto and Apple CarPlay soon, but it

won’t be obtainable at launch.

Fast Facts

(2019 Toyota Camry 2.5 Hybrid Auto Excel)

• Max speed: 112 mph

• 0-62 mph: 8.3 sec

• Combined mpg: 50.4

• Engine layout: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder

petrol hybrid

• Max. power (PS): 218

• CO2: 101g/km

• Price: £31,295

If you can ignore the Camry’s convoluted fascia, you

won’t be let down by the factory-fitted equipment.

There’s lots of it - and only two trims to go for. The

‘Design’ version retails for £29,995, and the top

‘Excel’ model will reduce your bank account by

another £1,300.

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!

Mobile car valeting

Tel: 07803 053 715

e: cjvalet@yahoo.co.uk

www.cjvaleting.net

Treat your car

to the professional touch

RAINFORD MOT

CENTRE LTD

Cars & Light Commercials

Services and repairs

MOT’s – Class 4 & 7

Free pick up & drop off

service Available

Vehicle Diagnostics

Exhaust/brakes/clutch repairs

Tyres for all budgets

Call Chris on

01942 215 111 OR 07969 357 751

www.cosmeticar.co.uk

£10

OFF

when you have a

service & MOT

£5

OFF

YOUR NEXT

AIRCON RE-GAS

23 Sandwash Close, Rainford, WA11 8LY

Open Mon-Fri: 8am-5.30pm Sat: 9am-1pm Sun: by appointment

All makes

& models

welcome

Offer valid on

production of

this voucher

RAINFORD MOT

CENTRE LTD

t’s & c’s apply

All makes

& models

welcome

Offer valid on

production of

this voucher

RAINFORD MOT

CENTRE LTD

t’s & c’s apply

01744 886 720

FOCUS ON

Isn’t technology is a wonderful thing? Being able

to order goods on the internet and them arriving

the same day, being able to read the ‘paper’ in the

morning without having to trail to the shop are just

two ways our lives are made easier by technology.

Add to that the technological revolution in SMART

car body repairs.

Car body repairs such as scratches, scuffs, small

dents and alloy wheel repairs are now able to be

tackled by mobile companies who come to your

home or work. Unlike the old body shops, the

new mobile companies now do the job at your

convenience rather than the other way around.

Chris Banks, owner of Cosmeticar, is one of the

more experienced mobile operators. Cosmeticar

was founded in 2008, and prior to that date Chris

owned a Chips Away franchise for 10 years.

The Cosmeticar van is a specially customised

vehicle with what appears to be a small laboratory

in the back. It is here that paints are professionally

mixed to exacting standards before application.

Perfect colour matches for all makes and models of

vehicles are achieved with ease.

A session with Cosmeticar can transform the look

and value of your battered car leaving damaged

areas such as dents, scratches and chips looking as

good as new. Scuffs to exterior mouldings, bumpers

and mirror casings are also restored to their factory

finish and Cosmeticar can also renovate damaged

alloy wheels.

Cosmeticar offers a mobile body repair service

covering St Helens, Wigan and beyond, carrying out

small and medium sized repairs for a fraction of the

price of traditional car body repair shops.

So how much can you save by using Cosmeticar?

Chris tells us that Cosmeticar will beat any written

estimate from a similar mobile body shop.

And unlike some of their national competitors,

Cosmeticar is not VAT registered, so he will pass on

that 20% saving to customers straightaway!

It’s not just about the money though! The quality of

Cosmeticar’s work has led to 5 star ratings on both

Google and Yell - a testament to the type of quality

you can expect from Cosmeticar.

Want to save money on car body repairs

without compromising on quality?

Call Chris today on 07969 35 77 51

www.cosmeticar.co.uk

Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories,

Soffits & Fascias I Composite Doors I Bi-Fold Doors

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

forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and

embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that

cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working

with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect

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...

Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double Glazed Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, Safety

Glass, Toughened Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced

Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road,

Wrightington, WN6 9RS

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

www.dglwindows.co.uk

A5209

Standish

Shevington

B5250

Open:

J27

A49

TwinLakesMotorEngin ers

Wind Turbines

Heat Pumps

LED Lighting

...and general

Energy Savings

and we’ l provide you with a

detailed report showing the

returns available from your

own solar panels

(10% typical return)

Visit our showr om at

Unit 4a,

Cricket Str et Busine s Park

off Miry Lane,

Wigan.

WN6 7TP

Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk

Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk

Home Services 71

Home Services

Design & Print

Flyers, postcards, brochures

and distribution service.

For more information call

01744 649 722

LocalLife

Convert your bath to a

Walk-In Shower

AJC

WALK IN SHOWERS

Gel

Nails

norma ly £20

now £15

Lashes

Spray Tan

Sunbeds

Acrylic & Gel Nails

Natalies @ Studio 84

84 Rainford Road, Bi linge WN5 7PG

Telephone: 07814 619 400

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM

Closed Thursday & Sunday

Typical price

£1800

Fully guaranteed

One day installation

No mess - no fuss

Easy to clean & maintain

Call Anthony on

07919 876 825

Workshop address:

Bulldog Tools Ind. Est.

Darlington Street East

Wigan

WN1 3BT

We also fit full bathrooms!

01744 602931 or 07756 274503

7 Albany Avenue, Eccleston Park, L34 2QN

Mo sy Lea Road

Solar Thermal

& Solar PV

Book

your FREE

home survey

CAR & VAN SERVICING

FREE

Car Health Check

.and motorcycles too

for all residents of Croston and Bretherton

Keep me until you need me!

Book your FREE Car Health Check

Ca l now on

01772 603923

REPAIR & WELDING

Saving money is

the clear benefit!

Slash your electricity and

water heating bi l

Protect your household from

future energy price rises

Reduce your household’s

impact on the environment

Ca l us now

0843 224 9555

07595 420237

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

Bespoke Tiling

WALL & FLOORING SPECIALISTS

Top class work guaranteed

For a free quotation, call Oliver on

01942 741789

07387 376 530 Garswood-based

Upvc Windows & Doors I Conservatories,

Soffits & Fascias I Composite Doors I Bi-Fold Doors

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

forward to offer all you need to maintain, enhance and expand your home. We continually invest in and

embraced the latest changes in energy efficiency regulations, and still remain a local family business that

cares and takes pride in what we do. We don’t employ pushy salesmen, but pride ourselves on working

with and listening to our customers to give them exactly what they want. We will treat you with respect

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...

Glass Cut to size, Sealed Double Glazed Units Manufactured on site, Same Day Service, Safety

Glass, Toughened Glass, Mirrors, Greenhouse Glass, Glazing Service, Misted Units Replaced

Unit 16, Ainscough Business Park, Mossy Lea Road,

Wrightington, WN6 9RS

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

www.dglwindows.co.uk

A5209

Standish

Shevington

B5250

Open:

J27

A49

TwinLakesMotorEngineers

Wind Turbines

Heat Pumps

LED Lighting

...and general

Energy Savings

and we’ l provide you with a

detailed report showing the

returns available from your

own solar panels

(10% typical return)

Visit our showr om at

Unit 4a,

Cricket Str et Busine s Park

off Miry Lane,

Wigan.

WN6 7TP

Email: info@docsolarelectrical.co.uk

Website: www.docsolarelectrical.co.uk

Design & Print

Flyers, postcards, brochures

and distribution service.

For more information call

01744 649 722

LocalLife

Gel

Nails

norma ly £20

now £15

Lashes

Spray Tan

Sunbeds

Acrylic & Gel Nails

Natalies @ Studio 84

84 Rainford Road, Bi linge WN5 7PG

Telephone: 07814 619 400

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 10AM - 7PM, Saturday 10AM - 6PM

Closed Thursday & Sunday

Mo sy Lea Road

Solar Thermal

& Solar PV

Book

your FREE

home survey

CAR & VAN SERVICING

FREE

Car Health Check

.and motorcycles too

for a l residents of Croston and Bretherton

Keep me until you need me!

Book your FREE Car Health Check

Ca l now on

01772 603923

REPAIR & WELDING

Saving money is

the clear benefit!

Slash your electricity and

water heating bill

Protect your household from

future energy price rises

Reduce your household’s

impact on the environment

Ca l us now

0843 224 9555

07595 420237

T: 01942 409401

M: 07881 816839

• Professional Carpet - Rug - Upholstery Cleaning

• Leather Cleaning & Restoration

• FREE Pre-Inspection Visit & Quotation

helen@carrolls-cleaning.co.uk

St Helens’ premier

domestic

cleaning service

Cleaning in the

St Helens area

for 10+ years

UPVC CLEANING

• Windows, Fascias, Gutters etc.

CONSERVATORIES

• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning)

POWER WASHING

• Driveways & Patios etc.

ROOF CLEANING

• Moss Removal & Bio-Treatment

• Softwashing / Low Pressure

SPECIAL OFFER - 20% OFF

ALL CLEANING PACKAGES

Call Clint for a free no obligation quote.

01744 470 051 or 07834 241 642

www.justcleanpropertycare.co.uk

We only use reliable, vetted staff

• £11.95 per hour - minimum 2 hrs

• Same cleaner each visit

• All domestic duties provided

Call or email Joanne 01744 649091

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

Providing professional carpet &

upholstery cleaning since 1993

Carpets Upholstery Curtains

Leather Oriental Rugs Hard Floors

For more information call:

01925 411 449

Visit our website and check out the testimonials.

www.alliancechemdry.co.uk

All aspects of Gas Heating & Plumbing

• Boilers

• Bathrooms

• Servicing

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

Call-Outs

welcome

24/7

Want to promote your

company in Local Life?

Call Sally: 01744 649 722

locallife247.co.uk

LocalLife

11672

FINANCE

AVAILABLE

ASK FOR DETAILS

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

Over 60 walks

FREE to download at locallife247.co.uk

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!

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

01744 22331

Bartons-heating.co.uk

Brand New Bathrooms

Boiler + Central Heating

Installs, Servicing + Repairs

Extended warranties available

24 Hour Call-out

Domestic + Commercial

Freephone 0300 3030121

Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809

21 Naburn Drive, Orrell, WN5 8SB

Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk

www.orrellheating.co.uk

152642

FINANCE

OPTIONS

AVAILABLE

506515

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.

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

www.bodtree.co.uk

Established 1984

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

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

01744 607080

enquiries@best-security.co.uk

www.best-security.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

All electrical work

undertaken from full

re-wires to alarms/CCTV.

www.hjselectricalservices.co.uk

For a free quote

& advice call Jeff

01695 622 191

07850 622 191

No job too small.

No call out charge

– guaranteed.

30 years experience.

Call Steve on

07809 427 508

A.J.Davies Est.1991

Painter & Decorator

Paper Hanging a Speciality

Friendly & Very Reliable Service

Both Domestic & Commercial

Trading for over 26 years

Call Adam on 01744 755 005

e-mail ajdaviesdecorator@hotmail.co.uk

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 NO FIX, NO CHARGE!

www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk

Strawberry Cottage, Pimbo Road, Kings Moss 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

Fires & Stoves Swept

Certificates Issued

HETAS Approved Sweep

Professional & Reliable

TELEPHONE

01744 526 589

MOBILE

07932 718 362

WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK

Want to promote your

company in Local Life?

Call Sally: 01744 649 722

locallife247.co.uk

LocalLife

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

PLC MAINTENANCE

MULTISKILLED HANDYMAN

Roofing & Roofline- repairs and replacement

Decorating, Building, Gates supplied & fitted

Plastering, Gardening

For all your home improvements - No job too small

07847 394040 ~ 01744 606938

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

ALPINE LTD

Roofing & Building Services

OAP

DISCOUNTS

SERVING

CHORLEY, WEST

LANCASHIRE &

WIGAN

Your local roofing company

from repairs to re-roofs,

fascia’s, soffits & gutters.

• Flat roof specialists

• Damp proof specialists

• Quality workmanship

• Affordable pricing

• Quick response to all repairs

FULLY INSURED

Tel: 01744 776880

Mob: 07730 351523

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

• 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

Prices start from

£35+ VAT per issue

Free artwork

Monthly payments

Facias, soffits, cladding,

dry verge and gutters - call us now

for all your roofline requirements!

Damp Control

State of the art diagnostic equipment

used to provide a comprehensive

assessment of your damp issues.

Free quote and advice provided

for any remedial works needed.

For a reliable, friendly

service call Matthew on

07840 096 233

Matthew Rigby

Property Services

Damp Control Specialists

FREE HandyContacts web listing

when you advertise in LocalLife magazine

Call us today on

01744 649722

www.locallife247.co.uk/handy-contacts/

Crossword

DOWN

2. Artist’s workroom (7)

3. British peer (4)

5. Commercial passenger plane (8)

6. Popeye’s girlfriend (5)

7. Thick soup of meat, vegetables and pearl

barley (6,5)

8. Go down on bended legs (5)

9. Impaired eyesight usually resulting from

irregular conformation of the cornea (11)

14. French courtesy title for a man (8)

17. Large, ocean-dwelling mammal (3,4)

18. Frederick ___, prime minister (1770–82) (5)

20. Garden tool (5)

22. Ditch around a castle (4)

ACROSS

1. Thin biscuit often eaten with ice

cream (5)

4. Francis ___, English statesman and

philosopher (1561–1626) (5)

10. V-shaped sleeve badge indicating

military rank (7)

11. Harnesses (5)

12. Group of three (4)

13. Disease caused by lack of

thiamine (4-4)

15. Repugnance (6)

16. Part of a ship’s equipment or

cargo that is thrown overboard (6)

19. Electrical device used to limit

current flow (8)

21. Support for sails (4)

23. Commercial exchange (5)

24. Area either side of the equator (7)

25. Hair on the chin (5)

26. Weight equivalent to 14 pounds (5)

Answers at the bottom of the page

Keep in touch with the

LocalLife Team!

Want to

promote your

business in

LocalLife?

locallifemagazine247@locallifemedia

Read all our magazines online at

locallife247.co.uk

14. Monsieur, 17. Sea lion, 18. North, 20. Spade, 22. Moat.

DOWN: 2. Atelier, 3. Earl, 5. Airliner, 6. Olive, 7. Scotch broth, 8. Kneel, 9. Astigmatism,

01695 627 999

www.locallife247.co.uk

ACROSS: 1. Wafer, 4. Bacon, 10. Chevron, 11. Reins, 12. Trio, 13. Beri-beri, 15. Horror,

16. Jetsam, 19. Resistor, 21. Mast, 23. Trade, 24. Tropics, 25. Beard, 26. Stone.

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

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Rockdoor

now available

SISTER COMPANY OF FOXWELLS BUILDERS

Established since 1999

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

Conservatory Roof

Conversion System

Transform your conservatory

into a comfortable living space

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

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

www.orrellwindows.co.uk

28544

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