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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Edition<br />
Sept/Oct <strong>2020</strong><br />
WIN<br />
Rainbow<br />
Glass Art<br />
Meet the Chamber Chief<br />
Pages 30-31<br />
Free Eggs Offer<br />
Page 35<br />
Houghwood Heroes<br />
Page 32<br />
Prescot Festival Winner<br />
Pages 42-43<br />
Jack’s Tracks - Winter Hill<br />
Pages 44-46<br />
Camper Conversions<br />
Pages 54-55<br />
LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALKS | COMPETITIONS | HOME & GARDEN SERVICES
2<br />
NEW<br />
SUPERSIZED<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
for the <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />
and Wigan areas<br />
Delivered<br />
regularly to over<br />
39,000 homes in<br />
<strong>St</strong>andish, Shevington, Parbold,<br />
Appley Bridge, Whitley, Newburgh<br />
Orrell, Billinge Higher End, Upholland, Winstanley,<br />
Highfield, Marus Bridge, Ashton & Bryn<br />
• New B5 size (240mm x 170mm)<br />
• GPS tracked distribution<br />
• Advertising prices start from<br />
just £30 + VAT per issue<br />
• Leaflet distribution also available<br />
Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank, Windle,<br />
Eccleston, Eccleston Park, Laffak & Haydock<br />
Also available at<br />
Sainsburys (Wigan) and<br />
Tesco Extra (Wigan & <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>)<br />
Promote your company in the new SUPERSIZED <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>!<br />
Call us on 01744 649722 or<br />
Visit www.locallife247.co.uk for a media pack<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
01744 649 722<br />
locallife247.co.uk
3<br />
Introducing ‘Lucca’ – Full Italian leather<br />
Choose from 14 colours<br />
3 seater £1099, 2 seater £999, chair £599<br />
<strong>St</strong>ockists of<br />
Valor,<br />
Flavel, Dimplex<br />
Aurora & many more<br />
Fully Fitted<br />
Bathrooms<br />
from £4,999!<br />
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available<br />
Fully Fitted<br />
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Sofas | Chairs | Dining Sets | Kitchens | Bathrooms | Beds & Bedroom Furniture | Fires<br />
<strong>St</strong>oves | Boilers | Occasional Furniture | Mirrors & Artwork | Lamps & Ornaments<br />
64-80 Duke <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 2JW<br />
Tel: 01744 22331 www.bartonsofdukestreet.co.uk
4<br />
Getting through the whole COVID-19 health<br />
situation is turning into a bit of a marathon. And<br />
as marathon runners know, there often comes a<br />
time, usually at the 18-20 mile mark, when a runner hits<br />
a “wall”.<br />
The early gung-ho spirit displayed a few months ago has<br />
been replaced by the weary realisation that there is still<br />
some way to normality. For those who wonder if they<br />
have enough in the tank to reach the finish line, here are<br />
three suggestions to help you do that:<br />
Remind yourself of the positives: Six months down the<br />
line, you know a lot more about the virus and how to<br />
reduce the risk of being exposed to it.<br />
Re-commit to your end goal. For a marathon runner, it is<br />
completing 26 miles & 385 yards. For you, it is being alive<br />
and healthy when this is all over.<br />
Don’t focus on the finish line. Just concentrate on getting<br />
through the day. That’s all we can do, remain positive and<br />
take one step at a time.<br />
<strong>September</strong> is a great month for getting out and about<br />
enjoying the last of the summer and, even if events are<br />
far and few between this year, there is still some glorious<br />
countryside nearby to enjoy. For some inspiration, visit<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk, where you can download over 70<br />
free walks!<br />
<strong>St</strong>ay safe and see you at the finishing line,<br />
Chris Pearce, Publisher<br />
chrisp@locallife247.co.uk<br />
Keep in touch with the<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong> Team!<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Telephone: 01744 649722<br />
info@locallife247.co.uk<br />
locallifemagazine247@locallifemedia<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB<br />
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the<br />
publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss<br />
or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of<br />
this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd.
5<br />
This month’s highlights<br />
30. Meet the Chamber Chief<br />
Contents<br />
12. Beauty<br />
Boost your hair and skin!<br />
18. Food Section<br />
Peppered pork steaks & more.<br />
22. Back to School Tech<br />
... for the new normal.<br />
32. Houghwood Heroes 34. WIN Rainbow Glass<br />
26. Home Interiors<br />
A new look for your windows.<br />
48. Health<br />
Good posture & migraine awareness.<br />
52. Puzzle Pages<br />
Try these brainteasers for size.<br />
57. Home & Garden Services<br />
Find the best local traders for you.<br />
44. Jack’s Tracks - Winter Hill<br />
42. Festival Winner<br />
54. Camper Conversion<br />
Want to<br />
promote your<br />
business in<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong>?<br />
Next Issue - November/December <strong>2020</strong><br />
Advertising deadline - 22nd October<br />
Published - 5th November<br />
01744 649722<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk
6<br />
Kate Braves the Shave<br />
Billinger Kate Martin is<br />
Kate told <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>,<br />
shaving her hair off in October<br />
“Macmillan nurses supported<br />
to raise funds for Macmillan<br />
my Mum throughout her<br />
Cancer.<br />
Kate, a Countryside Ranger<br />
with the National Trust, is<br />
braving the shave in honour<br />
of her mum, Lesley Clarke<br />
who sadly lost a five year-long<br />
battle with the blood cancer<br />
Myeloma, in March this year.<br />
As <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> went to press,<br />
Kate had already raised an<br />
amazing £2,100 of her target of £2,250.<br />
Teacher Lesley was an active member of the Billinge<br />
community and lived in the village for over 40 years. She<br />
was a member of the congregation at <strong>St</strong> Mary’s church,<br />
attending the church’s music group, and was a member<br />
treatment at Whiston and <strong>St</strong>.<br />
<strong>Helens</strong> hospitals, and they<br />
did everything from helping<br />
her to complete forms, to<br />
organising beauty treatments<br />
whilst she was in hospital and<br />
finally helping to organise<br />
the equipment needed so<br />
that she could spend her final<br />
weeks at home with us.<br />
“All of this support helped both Mum and the family<br />
immeasurably during a very difficult time so I want to<br />
raise some money to ensure that Macmillan can keep<br />
supporting people living with cancer and their families”.<br />
To help Kate beat her target of £2,250, please visit her<br />
of several local walking groups during her life. She left page here; https://bravetheshave.macmillan.org.uk/<br />
behind a husband, son, daughter and two grandchildren. shavers/kate-martin<br />
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34 Baldwin <strong>St</strong>reet, WA10 2RL New Cross <strong>St</strong>reet, WA10 1QN<br />
Heritage Open Days<br />
England’s largest festival of history and culture, Heritage<br />
Open Days, will return in <strong>September</strong> and is heading<br />
outdoors to discover Hidden Nature.<br />
Uncovering stories, sites, places and people that<br />
traditional history has missed or forgotten has always<br />
been at the heart of HODs. Although Heritage Open Days<br />
have been scaled back somewhat from previous years, it<br />
is hoped that the Hidden Nature events will encourage<br />
people to spend time outdoors and discover green spaces<br />
they were unaware of or had previously overlooked.<br />
Events aren’t limited to those accessible in person<br />
either. For the first time, the Heritage Open Days (HODs)<br />
programme will feature digital events, enabling nature<br />
lovers to take tours and explore the natural world from<br />
the comfort of their sofa.<br />
Heritage Open Days run from 11-20 <strong>September</strong>. To search<br />
for local venues taking part, visit the website www.<br />
heritageopendays.org.uk
7<br />
Give your Views<br />
There is still time to raise your views on how to support<br />
cycling and walking in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>.<br />
A surge in cycling and walking for exercise and essential<br />
travel has been seen in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Borough since lockdown<br />
started and a Liverpool City Region study found six in ten<br />
people asked expected to walk and cycle more even as<br />
lockdown measures are eased.<br />
And with funding available to improve cycling and<br />
walking routes to make them safer and support social<br />
distancing now is the time to add your suggestions on<br />
how to make a difference across the borough. By taking<br />
part in the ‘<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Liveable <strong>St</strong>reets’ consultation,<br />
residents can raise an issue by pinning a ‘virtual’ location<br />
on a map and leaving suggestions on how active travel<br />
and social distancing can be achieved.<br />
Comments will help the council to secure emergency<br />
funding to deliver walking and cycling facilities, and<br />
support project delivery in the future.<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Borough Council has already been awarded<br />
funds from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority<br />
to improve the existing cycle lanes on Jubits Lane/<br />
Chester Lane and Clockface Road in Bold with temporary<br />
measures which help separate cycles and cars making it<br />
easier to cycle and walk.<br />
You can leave your views on this website; https://<br />
sthelensliveablestreets.commonplace.is/<br />
The consultation will close at the end of <strong>September</strong>.<br />
Craft Fairs<br />
Five Craft & Gift fairs in aid of raising vital funds for Age<br />
UK Mid Mersey are scheduled to take place in <strong>September</strong>,<br />
October and November at the splendid location of<br />
Mansion House in Victoria Park, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>.<br />
The first of the fairs takes place on Sunday 27th <strong>September</strong>,<br />
running from 11am-4pm. Dates for the other Craft & Gift<br />
fairs at the same venue are 24th and 25th October and<br />
7th and 29th November.<br />
For more details, or to book a stall, email marissa@<br />
memorylanefairs.com<br />
LEADING LOCAL SPECIALISTS<br />
25 HARDSHAW STREET, ST HELENS, WA10 1RP<br />
2 DERBY STREET, PRESCOT, L34 3LJ<br />
THINKING ABOUT THE FUTURE?<br />
Everyone should make a Will and we can give advice and guidance as to the<br />
most appropriate form of Will for you to cover your individual requirements<br />
and to try to minimize, where possible, the impact of Inheritance Tax.<br />
WILLS<br />
TRUSTS<br />
PROBATE<br />
ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES<br />
INHERITANCE TAX PLANNING<br />
LASTING POWERS OF ATTORNEY
8<br />
A Question of Taste<br />
Have you ever pondered why your friend’s home<br />
looks like something out of Homes and Gardens<br />
magazine, and, despite your very best efforts, your<br />
home just doesn’t? Is good taste in furnishing and décor<br />
something that you’re born with or do you have to sit<br />
through hour upon hour of TV makeover shows before<br />
you can appreciate the finer nuances of interior design?<br />
Well, don’t mention this in company, but it is possible<br />
that your friend has the services of an interior designer.<br />
Millan Interiors, who are based in the pretty village of<br />
Parbold are Lancashire’s best kept secret when it comes<br />
to interior design. Since the company was launched<br />
over ten years ago, they have transformed some of the<br />
finest homes in the area, and the business is going from<br />
strength to strength.<br />
The driving force and inspiration behind the company is<br />
Debbie Peers who opened Millan Interiors in 2008. Her<br />
mum was a seamstress and, even from her early years,<br />
Debbie knew her creative path was carved for her. After<br />
leaving school Debbie studied hard at Art and Design<br />
and was rewarded with a career at ITV, where she stayed<br />
for nearly 20 years. Initially hired to design sets for TV<br />
shows, Debbie later was promoted to Producer before<br />
she realised her dream of opening Millan Interiors.<br />
Adele Headley, Debbie’s business partner, who lives in<br />
Eccleston, worked for a lighting design company for<br />
twelve years which gave her the inspiration to study<br />
design further. She firstly completed a HNC Interior<br />
Design and Architecture where she won the student<br />
of the year award, and then continued her studies at<br />
UCLAN to complete a BA Hons. Interior Design. With a<br />
few more awards on the way, she completed her threeyear<br />
course in two years before joining forces with<br />
Debbie at Millan Interiors.<br />
Millan Interiors is a one-stop shop; they supply paint,<br />
wallpapers, bespoke curtains & blinds, tracks, poles,<br />
cushions, carpets, furniture, lighting, and much more<br />
besides. They even have their own in-house workroom<br />
with a dedicated seamstress who has over 30 years<br />
experience in high quality, hand finished soft furnishings.<br />
Their knowledgeable curtain fitter with years of<br />
experience is an integral part of their team. He offers<br />
expert advice, helping you make informed choices.<br />
Millan also provide an upholstery service carried out<br />
by expert furniture craftsmen. Their services include<br />
the re-cover<br />
of sofas, chairs<br />
etc as well as<br />
in-house design<br />
of headboards,<br />
footstools and<br />
much more.<br />
Whether you<br />
want a tin of paint<br />
or a complete<br />
house makeover<br />
you’ll be made<br />
welcome at Millan<br />
Interiors.
9<br />
You can choose from a plethora of the finest names in<br />
home furnishings. Farrow and Ball and Little Greene<br />
compete to offer you a huge selection of paints and the<br />
staff at Millan Interiors are qualified paint consultants<br />
for both companies. Looking for wallpaper or fabrics?<br />
Choose from hundreds of sample books from the likes<br />
of Zoffany, Harlequin, Anthology, Osborne and Little,<br />
GP & J Baker, Sanderson, Mulberry, Romo and Designers<br />
Guild to name just a few.<br />
Not everything at Millan Interiors has a price tag though.<br />
The inspiration and advice provided by Debbie and<br />
Adele, who between them have decades of experience<br />
in home furnishings, is invaluable to anyone wishing to<br />
transform their home interiors.<br />
So if you want to create a more impressive home, where<br />
you can proudly entertain your family and friends, then<br />
do call in and see Debbie and Adele. It doesn’t matter if<br />
you haven’t got the first idea about design, or if you’re<br />
well accomplished and just looking for some final<br />
touches to your décor, this friendly, down-to-earth pair<br />
will look after you and help you create the home of your<br />
dreams.<br />
Millan Interiors<br />
5/7 Mill Lane, Parbold WN8 7NW<br />
01257 46 34 77<br />
www.millaninteriors.co.uk<br />
Opening Hours ~ Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri 10am-4pm, Thurs<br />
10am-1pm, Weekends by appointment only<br />
Interior Design Services • Bay Window Specialists • Home Consultations Available<br />
Visit our showroom<br />
to view our<br />
fine selection of...<br />
Soft Furnishings, Upholstery,<br />
Furniture & Lighting<br />
Millan Interiors, 5/7 Mill Lane,<br />
Parbold WN8 7NW<br />
T: 01257 46 34 77<br />
www.millaninteriors.co.uk<br />
Proud stockists of<br />
Opening Hours:<br />
Mon, Tues, Weds, Fri 10am-4pm,<br />
Thurs 10am-1pm,<br />
Weekends by appointment only
10<br />
Amazing Mazes<br />
After an enforced and prolonged summer break for many<br />
parents, here’s your chance for you to finally tell the kids<br />
to ‘get lost’ - at least for a while.<br />
<strong>September</strong> sees the end of the maze ‘season’, but there<br />
are still a few days left to enjoy a trip out. Here are three<br />
options for your trip out:<br />
Closest to home is Kenyon Hall Farm in Croft, just off<br />
junction 22 of the M6. Here you can try out the themed<br />
Superheroes Maize Maze, paying tribute to all the<br />
superheroes who are helping us through the current<br />
health trauma.<br />
The maze is aimed at children aged 3 - 13 and most<br />
people take around 30 minutes to find their way out.<br />
Other activities at Kenyon Hall Farm include pick-yourown<br />
fruit and there is a café and farm shop.<br />
See www.kenyonhall.co.uk for more details.<br />
A Maize Maze is just one of the many attractions at<br />
Windmill Animal Farm near Burscough, an attraction ideal<br />
for pre-school and primary school children.<br />
In addition to the maze, attractions include close ups with<br />
rabbits and guinea pigs, there’s a reptile area with a large<br />
collection of reptiles from around the world, outdoor play<br />
areas and a café.<br />
There is also an on-site train which runs round the site<br />
every hour, on the hour.<br />
See www.windmillanimalfarm.co.uk for more details.<br />
Brimstage Maze on the Wirral, just off junction 4 of the<br />
M53, is open at weekends throughout <strong>September</strong> and<br />
offers a great time for all the family.<br />
Though the indoor play is temporarily closed, the outdoor<br />
activities are all open. In addition to the huge maze,<br />
other attractions include crazy golf, pedal karts, zip lines,<br />
jumping pillows and laser battles.<br />
See www.brimstagemaze.co.uk for more details.<br />
You must pre-book at all these attractions via the relevant<br />
websites.<br />
the auction centre<br />
The leading Auctioneers and Valuers<br />
• Modern saleroom at Manor Park, Runcorn<br />
• RICS and NAVA registered auctioneers and specialist consultants<br />
• Probate and Insurance valuation reports undertaken<br />
• Full house clearance service available<br />
• Regional valuations centres around the north-west<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Valuation Days<br />
4th Wednesday of Every Month<br />
<strong>St</strong> Thomas Church, Peter <strong>St</strong>reet, WA10 2EB<br />
9.30 – 12 noon<br />
Check website for Details<br />
Call 01744 881 477 for more information<br />
Wigan Valuation Days<br />
2nd Tuesday Of Every Month<br />
Purposed <strong>Life</strong> Church, Greenhough <strong>St</strong>reet, WN1 3SU<br />
12 noon – 2.30pm<br />
Check website for Details<br />
Call 01942 299 057 for more information<br />
9 Berkeley Court, Manor Park, Runcorn, WA7 1TQ<br />
Telephone: 01928 579796 Email: enquiries@theauctioncentre.co.uk<br />
www.theauctioncentre.co.uk
11<br />
HOLIDAYS • SHOrt breAKS • DAY eXcUrSIONS<br />
Great Value breaks<br />
London - 20th November - Only £159<br />
4 days/3 nights B&B - The International London<br />
Christmas Shopping & Sightseeing<br />
Includes transfers from our Docklands hotel into the City<br />
Dumfries – 6th November – Only £169<br />
3 days/2 nights Dinner B&B – Cairndale Hotel<br />
Home of spectacular countryside and castles<br />
WHY MeMOrY LANe?<br />
3 Home pick-up for holidays 3 Executive coach travel<br />
3 Quality hotels 3 <strong>Local</strong> well-established operator<br />
New 2021 brochure out now!<br />
Call us now for your Free copy on 01942 728960<br />
Holidays below still available for this year - <strong>2020</strong><br />
Holiday Diary OctOber<br />
4/10/20 Bournemouth 6/HB £349<br />
9/10/20 Blackpool & Illuminations 4/HB £259<br />
11/10/20 Jersey by Air 6/HB £499<br />
18/10/20 Tenby 6/HB £369<br />
25/10/20 Killarney, Ireland 6/HB £479<br />
26/10/20 Warner Nottinghamshire 5/HB £449<br />
Holiday Diary NOVeMber<br />
6/11/20 Dumfries 3/HB £169<br />
9/11/20 Llandudno 5/HB £259<br />
9/11/20 Bournemouth Turkey & Tinsel 5/HB £355<br />
13/11/20 Llandudno Turkey & Tinsel 4/HB £199<br />
20/11/20 London 3/B&B £159<br />
23/11/20 Torquay Turkey & Tinsel 5/HB £369<br />
Check out our <strong>September</strong> - December day excursions on our website<br />
Call for more details on 01942 728960<br />
or visit www.memorylanetravel.co.uk<br />
Memory Lane Holidays & Travel is a trading name of Ashcrofts Mini Travel Ltd. Company Number 06950361
12<br />
Beauty Boosts<br />
It won’t be long until the weather<br />
starts cooling down, but in the<br />
meantime we’re still in for a few hot,<br />
sticky days. If you’re struggling with<br />
the heat, a face mist<br />
can help, but they’re<br />
often little more than<br />
water with a splash<br />
of artificial perfume.<br />
I tend to use an<br />
organic rosewater<br />
(£12, www.akamuti.<br />
co.uk) instead. If you<br />
decant it into an old<br />
spray bottle, you can<br />
use rosewater as a face mist, toner<br />
or cooling spritz. As well as helping<br />
to beat hot weather (or in my case<br />
hot flushes), rosewater is great<br />
for your skin – boosting moisture<br />
and leaving skin feeling calmer<br />
and softer. It also smells gorgeous.<br />
I’m planning to carry on using it<br />
throughout autumn and winter to<br />
counteract the drying effects of<br />
central heating.<br />
Looking for a more wallet-friendly<br />
retinol? Dermaworks’ Retinol Night<br />
Serum (www.dermaworks.co.uk) is<br />
incredibly good value at just £14.95.<br />
It’s 2.5% retinol (most high-street<br />
retinol serums are only 1%) and<br />
it’s packed with other ingredients<br />
that your skin will love, including<br />
moisture-boosting hyaluronic acid.<br />
It’s also vegan, 100% natural and<br />
cruelty-free. Over time, it’ll help to<br />
repair cells and improve skin texture.<br />
For best results, you’ll want to use<br />
it for a few months, although you<br />
should still see some benefits pretty<br />
quickly. My skin feels noticeably<br />
softer the morning after using it.<br />
And, unlike a lot of other serums I’ve<br />
tried, this one doesn’t feel greasy or<br />
sticky.<br />
Hand sanitisers are certainly handy,<br />
but they can also be very drying<br />
– leading to sore,<br />
cracked skin. Green<br />
People’s new Deep<br />
Cleaning Hand<br />
Foam (£11.50, www.<br />
greenpeople.co.uk)<br />
is a good alternative.<br />
It’s free from alcohol<br />
and sodium lauryl<br />
sulphate (SLS), so it<br />
won’t strip the skin<br />
of its natural oils.<br />
It’s even gentle enough for sensitive<br />
skin. It’s over 90% organic, and the<br />
antibacterial and antimicrobial<br />
properties mainly come from<br />
essential oils, including tea tree.<br />
And, even better, it’s a dual-purpose<br />
foam. You can use it as a hand<br />
sanitiser when you’re out and about,<br />
and a foaming hand wash back at<br />
home.<br />
The benefits<br />
of retinol are<br />
widely known. It’s<br />
one of the best<br />
ingredients for<br />
tackling fine lines<br />
and sun damage,<br />
boosting collagen<br />
production<br />
and generally<br />
making skin look<br />
healthier and fresher. If you’re new<br />
to using retinol, Murad’s Retinol<br />
Youth Renewal products are a great<br />
place to start. As with everything<br />
from this brand, you know you’re<br />
getting skincare that’s the result<br />
of months (if not years) of research<br />
and has been scientifically proven to<br />
work. The eye cream has only been<br />
out for a few months but is already<br />
getting rave reviews. It feels lovely to<br />
apply and it’s safe to say that I agree<br />
with the 93% of testers who’ve seen<br />
a reduction in lines and wrinkles. It’s<br />
£70 at www.murad.co.uk.
13<br />
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01744 894 214<br />
www.expressionsofbeauty.co.uk
14<br />
Cuppa for Macmillan<br />
What’s not to like about an event dubbed the World’s<br />
Biggest Coffee Morning - drinking coffee, eating cake and<br />
raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, a charity<br />
that offers so much help to cancer sufferers each year. The<br />
event raised over £27 million pounds in 2019 as people all<br />
over the UK hosted their own coffee mornings.<br />
With the COVID restrictions in place, it’s going to be<br />
difficult to top that target this year so Macmillan are<br />
urging as many people as possible to sign up to host their<br />
own coffee mornings. Signing up is easy and you’ll even<br />
receive a free Coffee Morning Fundraising Kit to get you<br />
started.<br />
Fresh on the menu this year are socially distanced<br />
coffee mornings and virtual coffee mornings, and there<br />
are plenty of ideas on the Macmillan website to help.<br />
Take coffee mornings to your loved ones with doorstep<br />
deliveries, host garden coffee mornings, hold online<br />
quizzes are just some of the ideas for this year’s events.<br />
The official date for the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning<br />
is Friday 25 <strong>September</strong>, though many are held after<br />
or before that date. You can sign up to host a coffee<br />
morning or search for a coffee morning near you at www.<br />
macmillan.org.uk<br />
Festival Cancelled<br />
Ashton-in-Makerfield Festival, the annual cultural and<br />
musical extravaganza which has been running in the<br />
town successfully for 26 years since 1993 has been<br />
cancelled for <strong>2020</strong>. The Festival was due to run from 12th-<br />
26th <strong>September</strong>.<br />
Gamble Future<br />
A public consultation was held on the potential future<br />
use of the Gamble Building back in March, and feedback<br />
has shown an overwhelming desire by local people to<br />
see the building used as a community arts, cultural and<br />
educational space.<br />
With this in mind, the council’s Integrated Care Services<br />
and <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will<br />
be potentially relocating to Forster House. The Archives<br />
Service will remain in the building.<br />
Call us now on:<br />
07751 000102<br />
10 North Road<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />
WA10 2TL<br />
Equity RElEasE<br />
are you aged 55 and over?<br />
are you a homeowner?<br />
You may be able to release equity from your<br />
home in the form of a lifetime mortgage.<br />
• Paying Off Any Existing Loans,<br />
• Credit Cards or Mortgages<br />
• Assisting Children with<br />
Property Purchase<br />
• Purchase a Holiday Home<br />
• Home Improvements<br />
• Dream holidays<br />
• Inheritance Tax Planning<br />
www.hansonifa.co.uk<br />
Easy Equity Release is a trading style of Hanson Financial Services. Hanson Financial Services is authorised and regulated by the Financial<br />
Conduct Authority and is entered on the Financial Services Register under reference 482628.<br />
This is a <strong>Life</strong>time mortgage which may reduce the value of your estate and may affect your entitlement to state benefits. To understand<br />
the features and risks ask for a Personalised illustration.<br />
Any information contained herein is a personal opinion of the author and should not be considered to be advice of any kind. Inheritance<br />
Tax planning is not regulated by the FCA. Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. By consolidating your debts into<br />
a mortgage you may be required to pay more over the entire term than you would with your existing debt.<br />
Only if you choose to proceed and your case completes will Hanson Financial Services charge an advice fee, currently not exceeding £1,295.<br />
Our adviser will talk through the setting up costs of a lifetime mortgage before you make any decision to proceed.
15<br />
Cremation Webcasting<br />
A webcasting service at <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Crematorium which<br />
was introduced in lockdown is to be made a permanent<br />
arrangement. The webcasting service was brought in<br />
to allow family and friends to pay their respects whilst<br />
following government guidelines.<br />
Since webcasting was introduced, more than 1,300<br />
people have used this facility.<br />
Councillor Andy Bowden, Cabinet Member for<br />
Environmental Services, said: “We’re glad to now offer this<br />
webcasting service for cremations on a full-time basis,<br />
ensuring that family and friends who aren’t able to attend<br />
in person, can pay their respects in a dignified way.”<br />
Having a clear out?<br />
We can clear your:<br />
• House or Garden<br />
• Garage or Shed<br />
• Office, Warehouse or Shop<br />
If you are arranging a funeral at the Crematorium and<br />
want the service to be webcast, speak to your funeral<br />
director in the first instance. A consent form will need to<br />
be completed and then you’ll receive an invitation to join<br />
the streaming time slot, which you can forward via email<br />
to others with joining instructions.<br />
For more details about this and other services, visit www.<br />
sthelens.gov.uk/births-deaths-and-marriages<br />
60 Second<br />
Mortgage<br />
Review<br />
4 Affordable prices<br />
4 Smart and friendly staff<br />
4 Free quotation<br />
Call us today to arrange<br />
your clearance<br />
With rates still historically low,<br />
call us today to see if we can save £’s off<br />
your existing mortgage<br />
Call us on<br />
01257 441580<br />
or for more information visit<br />
www.armortgagesuk.com<br />
YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS<br />
ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT.<br />
Alexander Ross Mortgages is a trading style of WE Financial Services Limited<br />
which is an appointed representative of LJ Financial Planning Limited which<br />
is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.<br />
The Meadows, Ruskin Drive, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 6RP<br />
01744 758 349 / 07557 764 940<br />
Email: info@northwestwaste.co.uk<br />
www.northwestwaste.co.uk<br />
northwestwaste
16<br />
Queens Award for Trust<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> and Knowsley Hospitals NHS Trust Voluntary<br />
Services were amongst 230 community groups in the UK<br />
who have been honoured recently with the prestigious<br />
Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the highest award<br />
a voluntary group can receive in the UK and equivalent<br />
to an MBE.<br />
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service was created in<br />
2002 to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and aims<br />
to recognise outstanding work by volunteer groups to<br />
benefit their local communities. Two members of the<br />
group will attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace in<br />
May 2021, alongside other recipients of this year’s award.<br />
Over 450 people volunteer across Whiston, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> and<br />
Newton Community hospitals, helping in many different<br />
ways by visiting and spending time with patients,<br />
supporting hospital staff and assisting the spiritual care<br />
team.<br />
The Trust holds a recruitment session every two months<br />
where potential volunteers are invited to attend and<br />
receive a number of brief presentations from key<br />
members of staff about the Trust. If you would like to join<br />
the Trust and book a place on the next available induction<br />
please email volunteers@sthk.nhs.uk and provide your<br />
name and contact details.<br />
Light Up<br />
One family event that is not expected to be affected by<br />
COVID-19 this autumn is the Blackpool Illuminations.<br />
Dubbed as the greatest light show on earth, Blackpool<br />
Illuminations enthral millions of visitors every year.<br />
Blackpool’s Illuminations season has been extended<br />
by two months and will now run from <strong>September</strong> 4 to<br />
January 3, 2021, for the first time in history.<br />
However, there will not be a live switch-on event this year.<br />
Instead the switch-on will be held in a closed set in the<br />
Tower Ballroom and streamed live free on MTV at 8.30pm<br />
on Friday 4th <strong>September</strong>. Performing at the event will be<br />
Spice Girl Melanie C, Fleur East, Becky Hill, Tom Grennan,<br />
Diversity and Blackpool’s very own Rae Morris.<br />
You can find out more about Blackpool Illuminations,<br />
including <strong>2020</strong> switch-on times and illuminated tram<br />
tours at the website www.visitblackpool.com<br />
Car Parking<br />
If you’re a user of the Hardshaw Centre car park in town,<br />
please be aware that the payment method has now<br />
switched from a ‘pay on foot’ method to a ‘pay and display’<br />
method, so you will need to pay when you initially park<br />
the car. Cash payments will still be available and users<br />
also have an option to pay via a Pay by Phone app.<br />
Mawdesley Markets<br />
Beautifully furnished<br />
<strong>St</strong>one Cottage<br />
Holiday Let<br />
– sleeps up to 4<br />
Situated near Sedbergh,<br />
in the Yorkshire Dales,<br />
and also within easy<br />
reach of the Lake District<br />
Children & pets welcome<br />
Call 01942 216 058<br />
www.millthropcottage.co.uk<br />
Markets at the Cedar Farm Galleries near Mawdesley have<br />
returned. Fresh local produce and hand-made foodie<br />
treats are available at the Farmers Market which runs from<br />
10am-2pm on Saturday 5th <strong>September</strong> and thereafter on<br />
the first Saturday of the month.<br />
And if vintage is your thing then don’t miss the Handmade<br />
and Vintage Market, where you can browse amongst<br />
vintage goodies, clothing and accessories, handmade<br />
jewellery, luxury candles, mosaics, soaps, gifts and other<br />
beautiful things for the home. This market takes place<br />
on Saturday 19th <strong>September</strong> and thereafter on the third<br />
Saturday of the month.
17<br />
Huge selection of fires,<br />
stoves & fireplaces<br />
100+ displays over five floors<br />
90% of our fireplaces are made to measure<br />
- no need to re-decorate or re-carpet!<br />
Traditional, Classic & Contempory styles<br />
<strong>Local</strong> family business,<br />
established over 30 years<br />
18E Jackson <strong>St</strong>reet, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA9 1AN<br />
01744 24190<br />
www.flamesuk.co.uk<br />
Opening Hours: Monday –Friday 9.30am-4.30pm (closed Wednesday); Saturday - 10am-4pm
18<br />
READY<br />
in 35 mins<br />
Serves 4<br />
Peppered pork steaks<br />
with sautéed vegetables<br />
Pork steaks are great value and quick to cook.<br />
Try them with this tasty vegetable and apple topping for a filling meal.<br />
Ingredients<br />
4 thick-cut pork steaks<br />
2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper<br />
1 tsp dried thyme<br />
1 tsp dried oregano<br />
1 large parsnip, peeled and diced<br />
2 small turnips, peeled and diced<br />
1 tbsp olive oil<br />
15g butter<br />
1 onion, roughly chopped<br />
1 large apple, peeled, cored and diced<br />
100ml apple juice<br />
1 tsp Dijon mustard<br />
TIP: You can use butternut squash or<br />
courgette instead of the parsnip and<br />
turnips – you won’t need to parboil them<br />
before sautéing.<br />
Method<br />
1 Place the pork steaks in a shallow dish. Mix together the pepper, thyme<br />
and oregano, and sprinkle half the mixture over the pork steaks, turning<br />
to coat. Set aside.<br />
2 Parboil the diced vegetables in a pan of lightly salted boiling water for 2<br />
minutes. Drain well. Heat the oil and butter in a heavy-based frying pan<br />
over a medium heat. Add the onion and vegetables and sauté for 6-8<br />
minutes until almost tender, stirring frequently.<br />
3 Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Add the pork steaks<br />
and cook for 4-5 minutes on each side, or until seared and just cooked<br />
through. Remove from the pan, cover tightly with foil and rest for 10<br />
minutes.<br />
4 Add the diced apple to the sautéed veg and cook for a further 3-4<br />
minutes until tender and golden, then stir in the remaining pepper<br />
and herb mix along with the apple juice and mustard, and bring to the<br />
boil. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half. Adjust<br />
seasoning to taste. Serve the pork steaks topped with the sautéed veg<br />
and any pan juices.
Cod, Prawn &<br />
Parsley Pie<br />
19<br />
READY<br />
in 1hr 15mins<br />
Serves 6<br />
Cod and prawns in a smooth herby white sauce topped with fluffy mash,<br />
– it’s the ultimate fish pie!<br />
Ingredients<br />
1.6kg floury potatoes, peeled and cut into<br />
chunks<br />
750g cod fillet<br />
1L milk<br />
1 bay leaf<br />
Few black peppercorns<br />
75g butter<br />
50g plain flour<br />
3 tbsp freshly chopped parsley<br />
175g frozen peas, thawed<br />
225g large peeled prawns, thawed if frozen<br />
15ml olive oil<br />
Sprig of fresh parsley, to garnish<br />
TIP: You can use any white fish fillet for<br />
this pie - haddock or coley will work just as<br />
well. Alternatively, replace half the cod with<br />
salmon fillet or smoked haddock, if liked.<br />
Method<br />
1 Cook the potatoes in a large pan of boiling, lightly salted water for 15-<br />
20 minutes until tender.<br />
2 Meanwhile, place the cod in a large frying pan and pour over the milk.<br />
Add the bay leaf and peppercorns and bring to the boil. Simmer for 5<br />
minutes then remove from the heat. Using a slotted spoon, remove the<br />
cod from the pan and set aside. <strong>St</strong>rain the milk into a large heatproof<br />
jug.<br />
3 Melt 50g of the butter in a medium saucepan. <strong>St</strong>ir in the flour and<br />
cook for 1 minute. Gradually whisk in 850ml of the milk. Bring to the<br />
boil, stirring all the time, then simmer for 3-4 minutes until you have a<br />
smooth, thick sauce.<br />
4 Preheat the oven to 200C, fan 180C, Gas 6. Flake the fish, discarding<br />
any skin and bones, and stir into the sauce with the parsley, peas and<br />
prawns. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.<br />
Transfer the mixture to a deep ovenproof dish.<br />
5 Mash the potatoes with the rest of the butter and milk and season to<br />
taste. Spoon the mash over the fish mixture to cover. Drizzle over the<br />
olive oil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden<br />
and bubbling. Serve garnished with a sprig of parsley.
20<br />
Pear Tart<br />
Bourdaloue<br />
READY<br />
in 1hr 30mins<br />
plus chilling<br />
Serves 6-8<br />
This classic French tart has a lovely rich almond frangipane filling.<br />
Choose pears that are firm, but not rock hard.<br />
Ingredients<br />
225g ready-made puff pastry<br />
75g unsalted butter, softened<br />
75g caster sugar<br />
2 medium eggs, beaten<br />
1 tsp almond extract<br />
75g plain flour<br />
100g ground almonds<br />
3 firm pears, peeled, halved and cored<br />
2 tbsp apricot glaze, warmed (see Tip)<br />
TIP: Look out for small jars of apricot glaze<br />
in the baking sections of supermarkets,<br />
or make your own by pushing 3-4tbsp of<br />
warmed apricot jam through a fine-holed<br />
sieve.<br />
Method<br />
1 Roll out the puff pastry on a lightly floured surface and use to line a<br />
23cm round fluted flan tin. Trim the edges and prick the pastry all over<br />
with a fork. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.<br />
2 Beat the butter and sugar together in a bowl until pale and fluffy.<br />
Gradually beat in the eggs, then the almond extract. Sift over the<br />
flour and fold in with the ground almonds to make a smooth mixture.<br />
Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/Gas 6. Place a heavy baking sheet in<br />
the oven to heat up.<br />
3 Spread the mixture in an even layer in the chilled pastry case. Place one<br />
pear half, cut side down, on a board. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice<br />
widthways through the pear half about 10 times. Repeat with the other<br />
pear halves, keeping them in their shape.<br />
4 Arrange the sliced pears on top of the almond mixture, fanning them<br />
out slightly. Place the flan tin on the hot baking sheet and bake for 30<br />
minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 180C/fan 160C/ Gas 4 and<br />
bake for a further 20-25 minutes until golden. Cover the tart loosely<br />
with foil for the last 15-20 minutes of the cooking time to prevent the<br />
top from over-browning.<br />
5 Leave the tart to cool for 10-15 minutes then glaze the top with the<br />
warmed apricot glaze. Serve warm or cold with crème fraiche, if liked.
21
22<br />
IPAD<br />
Apple’s world-beating<br />
tablet is portable,<br />
powerful and has all<br />
the apps you need, and<br />
with the latest software<br />
update it’s also a real<br />
alternative to many<br />
laptops.<br />
It’s £379 from Apple.com.<br />
Back to<br />
School Tech<br />
for the new normal<br />
Technology has always been an important tool<br />
for schoolchildren and students, but it’s even<br />
more important now: during lockdown it became<br />
clear that children and teenagers with access to<br />
appropriate technology were better placed for<br />
remote learning. Lockdown may be over, but if<br />
infection rates rise again then we could go back<br />
to ‘blended learning’ where some or all of the<br />
school week has to take place at home – and<br />
older children are expected to use technology for<br />
homework even when things are normal.<br />
And of course, technology isn’t just for studying.<br />
It’s also for having fun: video chatting with friends,<br />
playing games, bingeing on TV box sets and<br />
taking advantage of apps. And that means buying<br />
tech can be a challenge: what should you buy if<br />
you want something that’s useful for school or<br />
college work as well as leisure time?<br />
We think these products should be in your tech<br />
shopping list. Apple’s iPad has no real rivals, so<br />
if a tablet is your preferred option that’s the one<br />
to go for: even the cheapest one is incredibly<br />
powerful and flexible; however, it’s also eminently<br />
breakable, so consider a protective case and<br />
gadget insurance too.<br />
Apple may seem like the go-to choice for laptops<br />
too, but its Mac laptops are much more<br />
expensive than equally powerful Windows<br />
PCs. There are lots of really great<br />
Windows laptops for very good<br />
prices, and Microsoft’s Surface<br />
range is stylish as well as powerful.<br />
We’ve also given some thought to getting online<br />
when there isn’t good broadband available, and<br />
to something that’s as important as any PC’s<br />
processor or tablet’s tech: the backpack it’s going<br />
to be carried around in.<br />
HUAWEI MOBILE WI-FI DONGLE<br />
If your child can’t get a fast,<br />
reliable internet connection for<br />
studying this dongle connects<br />
to the 4G mobile phone network<br />
and creates a Wi-Fi network you<br />
can connect multiple devices to.<br />
It’s £65 from Logitech.com.<br />
It costs from £22 per month at<br />
three.co.uk.<br />
MICROSOFT SURFACE GO 2<br />
Many schools and colleges are based<br />
on Windows apps and require a<br />
Windows computer. Microsoft’s<br />
Surface Go runs the full version<br />
of Windows 10 and is desirable,<br />
portable and affordable –<br />
it’s £399<br />
from<br />
Microsoft.com.<br />
LOGITECH CRAYON<br />
Logitech’s tablet stylus is as<br />
much fun as an Apple Pencil but it’s<br />
an awful lot cheaper. It’s great for drawing<br />
and note-taking, and it works on the current<br />
iPad and the iPad Pro.<br />
It’s £65 from Logitech.com.<br />
FJÄLLRÄVEN KÅNKEN LAPTOP<br />
BACKPACK<br />
A sturdy, padded backpack is<br />
important for carrying tablets or<br />
laptops around, and while the<br />
Fjällräven Kånken is one of the<br />
more expensive ones it’s beautifully<br />
made and very fashionable. Be<br />
careful, though: this brand is widely<br />
counterfeited so only buy from<br />
reputable retailers.<br />
It costs from £71 at Amazon.co.uk.
23<br />
OPEN EVENTS<br />
WED 14 OCT <strong>2020</strong> 5:30-8:00PM<br />
TUES 3 NOV <strong>2020</strong> 5:30-8.00PM<br />
SAT 14 NOV <strong>2020</strong> 11:00AM-1:30PM<br />
TUES 2 FEB 2021 5:30-8:00PM<br />
If we are unable to hold these events in college,<br />
we will offer Virtual Events instead.<br />
COME & STUDY<br />
AT ONE OF THE<br />
TOP 10<br />
COLLEGES IN<br />
THE COUNTRY*<br />
“The quality of teaching and learning is outstanding.”<br />
OFSTED 2019<br />
Ofsted June 2019<br />
Yasmin Baker<br />
The Belvedere Academy<br />
Biology - A*, Chemistry - A* Psychology - A*,<br />
EPQ - A*<br />
Now studying Medicine<br />
at Imperial College London<br />
“My time at Carmel has been absolutely<br />
fantastic! My teachers supported, encouraged<br />
and challenged my ability to help me reach my<br />
potential. My experience has led me to excel<br />
and secure a place at a top medical school.”<br />
Jacob Burke<br />
<strong>St</strong> Gregory’s Catholic High School<br />
Chemistry - A, Physics - A* Maths - A*,<br />
Further Maths - A*<br />
Now studying Engineering (MEng)<br />
at The University of Liverpool<br />
“My time at Carmel has provided lots of<br />
challenges and enjoyment. I feel it has left<br />
me well equipped for university and my<br />
future career.”<br />
Bartosz Jablonski<br />
<strong>St</strong> Gregory’s Catholic High School<br />
Chemistry - A, Mathematics - A<br />
Physics - A, French (AS - B<br />
Now studying Physics at<br />
The University of Manchester<br />
“My time at Carmel has been amazing.<br />
Alongside having such a friendly and welcoming<br />
environment, the teaching here is fantastic and<br />
has definitely given me the opportunity to<br />
achieve what I’ve aimed for.”<br />
Dona Josh<br />
<strong>St</strong> Gregory’s Catholic High School<br />
Biology - A, Chemistry - A<br />
Maths - A, EPQ - A*<br />
Now studying Biochemistry<br />
at The University of Oxford<br />
“The opportunities provided by the college have<br />
allowed me to develop my passions and gain<br />
valuable skills for the future. I have developed<br />
both academically and as an individual.”<br />
Prescot Road, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, Merseyside WA10 3AG<br />
Tel: 01744 452200 (Reception) 01744 452214 (Admissions)<br />
Email: info@carmel.ac.uk<br />
www.carmel.ac.uk<br />
A Catholic College for the Community<br />
*The Times % A* / A*-B Grades (16/08/19)
24<br />
Cycle Training<br />
Free training is being offered to new cyclists to help build<br />
confidence and improve bike riding skills.<br />
Cycling has become the ‘new normal’ for lots of people,<br />
and Merseyside Road Safety Partnership are working with<br />
BikeRight! and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority<br />
to offer these courses as part of a package of measures<br />
aimed at improving safety in the region.<br />
Cycle training is also available for children aged ten and<br />
above who missed the training delivered in schools due<br />
to coronavirus. Courses will be accessible from across<br />
Merseyside, with courses for residents of <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> being<br />
delivered at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness.<br />
The courses are all run by qualified trainers, and are an<br />
ideal way to boost confidence in adults and children alike.<br />
Courses for adults run on Saturdays for 2 hours, those for<br />
children aged ten and over are from 9am-3pm.<br />
Demand is high, but more dates are being added. Book<br />
online at https://www.bikeright.co.uk<br />
Oktoberfest Arrives<br />
It’s time to dust down your lederhosen and dirndls because<br />
Oktoberfest is coming to Liverpool! This traditional<br />
Bavarian festival will be held in the <strong>St</strong>ate Ballroom on<br />
Dale <strong>St</strong>reet, and will bring great beer and steins, Oompah<br />
bands and performers, along with German pretzels and<br />
bratwursts, all served on trestle tables, the Bavarian way.<br />
Tickets for the event are available at www.eventbrite.<br />
co.uk.<br />
Shop Artisan<br />
An Artisan street market is to be held in Ormskirk town<br />
centre on the first Sundays of <strong>September</strong> and October,<br />
offering visitors an exciting range of foods, clothing,<br />
jewellery, homeware, crafts and gifts. The market moved<br />
from nearby Burscough Wharf recently to the wider<br />
spaces of Moor <strong>St</strong>reet in Ormskirk town centre.<br />
The Artisan market will be an additional market offer for<br />
Ormskirk and the surrounding area and attract increased<br />
footfall on the Sundays when it is held, which are 6th<br />
<strong>September</strong> and 4th October, 11am to 4pm.
25<br />
Goodyear<br />
Furniture Centre<br />
One of the most<br />
Inspirational Showrooms<br />
in the North West!<br />
We have over 20’000 sq.ft of<br />
showrooms, displaying some<br />
of the finest furniture.<br />
Choice, quality, service<br />
and value for money<br />
Wide selection of quality lounge suites<br />
in fabric or leather, Dining and Cane<br />
conservatory furniture.<br />
Large selection of occasional furniture,<br />
mirrors, pictures, lamps and other<br />
accessories.<br />
Goodyear Furniture Centre:<br />
18 New <strong>St</strong>reet, Mawdesley, Lancashire. L40 2QP<br />
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm / Sat 10am - 4pm / Sun 11am - 4pm<br />
www.goodyearfurniture.co.uk<br />
01704 821577<br />
Ample free<br />
onsite parking<br />
A highly recommended family name established in 1982
26<br />
A new look<br />
for your<br />
windows<br />
Make a conservatory feel like a fully decorated<br />
room with the addition of patterned Roman blinds.<br />
Blinds in Frond Fennel fabric from the Observatory<br />
Collection, from £67 per metre, ILIV.<br />
CURTAINS, BLINDS, SHUTTERS and more<br />
Not just for privacy, blocking light or keeping in the warmth, window treatments can complement a room’s<br />
architecture, disguise a poor view, link the inside to the outside and add texture, colour and pattern.<br />
• Usually considered the luxurious choice, curtains can<br />
be made in a range of styles, from minimal to ornate. Its<br />
heading determines how a curtain hangs, usually in the<br />
form of a tape sewn onto the back of the curtain and<br />
pulled to form pleats, gathers, ‘goblets’ or other shapes.<br />
• For a less formal look, tap-tops, tie-tops, deep hems and<br />
eyelets simply slide onto a curtain pole. They are often<br />
found on ready-made curtains.<br />
• The clean-lined look of made-to-measure blinds is no<br />
longer the poor relation to curtains. And while they are<br />
usually cheaper (since they use less fabric) they can still<br />
be luxurious. Roller blinds are the most utilitarian, and<br />
very practical in bathrooms, kitchens, conservatories<br />
and perhaps even children’s rooms, while Roman blinds,<br />
featuring softly draped folds, suit many types of room.<br />
Interesting borders, hems and trims all add to the effect.<br />
Venetian (or slatted) blinds are another option, available<br />
in natural wood or an array of eye-catching colours.<br />
• Good-looking but unfussy, shutters are great for privacy,<br />
blocking out sound and light, and also add an extra layer<br />
of security. Shaker-style shutters have a timber frame and<br />
solid centre panel, can be natural or painted, and are ideal<br />
for a Georgian or Victorian home. American shutters, with<br />
tilting louvres for letting in the light, look upmarket and<br />
work virtually anywhere.<br />
• Used on its own or as an addition to conventional<br />
window treatments, window film can be an inexpensive<br />
option. Where a room is overlooked, for example, the<br />
window can be covered (wholly or partially) in opaque or<br />
patterned film which still allows in a lot of light.
Why not have a roller blind printed<br />
in a unique design and made to<br />
your specifications?<br />
World map blind, £105, Artylicious<br />
Home & Gifts.<br />
Venetian blinds offer the<br />
option of tilting the slats<br />
to filter light as well as<br />
raising or lowering.<br />
Made-to-measure 50mm<br />
textured wooden blinds,<br />
from £22.50, English Blinds.<br />
<strong>St</strong>ained glass designs<br />
are printed onto<br />
frosted (for privacy)<br />
or clear film that is<br />
easily attached to any<br />
type of window for an<br />
interesting effect.<br />
Period stained glass<br />
effect design, made<br />
to your size, £65 per<br />
square metre, Purlfrost<br />
Window Film.<br />
Curtain poles can be specially made<br />
to fit bay windows, and while fulllength<br />
curtains are not the cheapest<br />
option, they do eminently suit a<br />
period property.<br />
Made to measure William Morris<br />
Compton Midnight curtains, with<br />
light filtering lining as standard,<br />
plus optional blackout and thermal<br />
upgrades, price according to size,<br />
Blinds 2go.<br />
27<br />
Solid-wood shutters<br />
keep out the light and<br />
noise while aiding your<br />
security and looking<br />
smart.<br />
Classic wood shutters in<br />
a custom colour, from<br />
£66 per square metre,<br />
California Shutters.<br />
Add a pom-pom trim to the bottom of<br />
a pretty Roman blind and you have a<br />
lovely, decorative window treatment.<br />
Custom-made Hardwick Apple Green<br />
roman blinds, from £65.75, English Blinds.<br />
Full-length curtains with a<br />
large eyelet heading are both<br />
elegant and modern.<br />
Curtains and Roman blind in<br />
Observatory Seaspray 05, from<br />
£25 per metre, ILIV.<br />
A series of roller blinds is a<br />
sleek option when a minimal<br />
look works best with the décor.<br />
Made to measure roller blinds,<br />
from £35.94, English Blinds.<br />
This neat blackout blind is<br />
motorised so can be controlled by<br />
remote, app or smart home – no<br />
dangling cords to fiddle with.<br />
Custom-made roller blind in Regal<br />
Natural, £136.13, 247 Blinds.
28
29
30<br />
Chamber’s new<br />
leading lady…<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Chamber’s new Chief<br />
Executive tells <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> how her<br />
drive to help people landed her the<br />
top Chamber role.<br />
Sitting in the café at <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />
Chamber of Commerce, it is almost<br />
impossible not to notice how quiet<br />
this usually bustling business<br />
centre is. The Salisbury <strong>St</strong>reet<br />
headquarters is normally a hive of<br />
activity with networking events,<br />
business meetings and educational<br />
courses. The current pandemic has<br />
changed the way the Chamber team operates, for now,<br />
but not even Covid19 can dampen their spirits.<br />
Tracy Mawson is her usual welcoming self as she breezes<br />
over to our table: “Oh we’ve missed the café serving time,<br />
we could have had a brew!” she greets me. Tracy has<br />
been announced as the new Chamber Chief Executive,<br />
she will officially take the reins from the long-serving<br />
Kath Boullen, on 1 <strong>September</strong>, following nine years as<br />
deputy. “Yes, it will be like starting a new school year, I’ll<br />
have my pencil case ready and the blazer dusted off. Kath<br />
has trained me well and has been giving me some great<br />
advice, the whole team has been so encouraging!”<br />
says Tracy.<br />
During her nine-year tenure as deputy,<br />
Tracy has led the business services<br />
department and more recently the<br />
education and careers guidance<br />
services. Tracy had a nervous wait to<br />
hear about her new job. “I waited all<br />
day and finally at about 7pm I got<br />
the phone call; I was obviously really<br />
pleased.” Tracy remembered. “I felt the<br />
interview had gone really well but<br />
the competition and the rigour of the<br />
approach made it difficult to gauge,<br />
I definitely could have done with an<br />
earlier phone call.” she laughs.<br />
Tracy grew up in Kent with her parents and brother and<br />
sister, she also spent time in Somerset and Hertfordshire,<br />
before moving up to Merseyside in 2003. Tracy added,<br />
“This is my 17th year in the North West, I live in Liverpool<br />
with my husband and two sons and have worked in <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong> since 2011.<br />
“In fact my favourite thing about <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> is the people, I<br />
have always found it a really welcoming place, especially<br />
the business community. Everyone likes to<br />
go the extra mile and we
31<br />
see that in things like the creation of work experience<br />
places and lots of charitable engagement; there is just a<br />
really warm feeling that comes along with it.”<br />
For Tracy, her dream job was always going to involve<br />
working closely with people, “Careers advice when I was<br />
at school was a bit mad – there’s no other way to say it.<br />
When I had my careers meeting in secondary school, they<br />
came up with a librarian or an archivist”, she laughs.<br />
“I always liked books and I was academic but I’m really<br />
sociable and I just didn’t think that was the full picture for<br />
me. I thought I may become a politician or a councillor;<br />
funnily enough my first job was in publishing at The<br />
Oxford University Press, so they were pretty nailed on with<br />
the book thing, they just hadn’t thought of publishing.<br />
“I definitely didn’t get good careers advice and I think the<br />
same can be said for a lot of young people today. That’s<br />
why I love what we do here at the Chamber, helping<br />
young people to see that there is a full range of options<br />
available to them.”<br />
Even after nine years, Tracy can still remember her first<br />
impressions of the Chamber, “Oh I was blown away by the<br />
size of the operation. To have this facility, the quality and<br />
capacity of this building is still exciting. I think of it as a<br />
real investment and a symbol of ambition for the town.<br />
There have been many highlights in Tracy’s time at the<br />
Chamber so far, but none more so than when the team<br />
can recognise achievement. “My favourite part of the job<br />
is getting the chance to meet people; in particular the<br />
business fairs and the business awards. To see people,<br />
succeed and reach their goals, knowing that we as a team<br />
have provided a space in which they can thrive,<br />
is a great feeling.<br />
Tracy continues, “My proudest moment<br />
as deputy has happened really recently,<br />
helping our business community<br />
navigate the impact of the pandemic has been an eye<br />
opener. The business team mobilised within 12 hours<br />
of lockdown and all services went online. They have<br />
sustained that and have helped more than 1000 firms in<br />
the borough.<br />
“By having individual conversations, and tailoring advice<br />
we have helped firms to apply for grants, handle their<br />
staff and think about how they will reopen and recover.<br />
We didn’t furlough anyone; we supported our businesses<br />
and I am really proud of that.”<br />
Tracy is fully immersed in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> life and its clear to see,<br />
even when she casually mentions that she has completed<br />
the <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> 10k four years in a row. “I love to run, and I<br />
try my best to keep fit and healthy in-between taking my<br />
sons to their many commitments.” she says with a smile.<br />
Talking about her vision for the future of <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> and<br />
the Chamber Tracy says, “Unfortunately we have to be<br />
prepared for economically tough times, I really want to<br />
fulfil our mission to help our community succeed, protect<br />
people and identify green shoots of recovery around <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong>.<br />
“I think this is a chance for people to take stock and think<br />
about what they would like to do, whether that’s starting<br />
their own business, developing new skills, or simply<br />
seizing opportunities. We will be working closely with<br />
the council to build on this and enable the people of <strong>St</strong><br />
<strong>Helens</strong> to be prosperous and have the opportunities they<br />
deserve.”<br />
Chamber Fact File:<br />
• The Chamber currently has 1020 members<br />
• 20% of businesses in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> are members<br />
• Membership starts from £135 + VAT a year<br />
• The team won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise<br />
in 2017<br />
To find out about joining <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> Chamber<br />
Visit www.sthelenschamber.com<br />
or call 01744 742125
32<br />
Houghwood Heroes<br />
A group of local golfing fanatics swung for glory at<br />
Houghwood in June to raise an astonishing £15,205 for<br />
NHS Charities Together. The golfers met at the Billinge<br />
course just before sunrise at 3.45am on 23rd June, going<br />
on to play an exhausting 72 holes of<br />
golf until the final group completed the<br />
challenge by 8.30pm that evening.<br />
The challenge of walking over 26 miles<br />
of hilly terrain and taking an average<br />
of 350 shots each wasn’t a new one, for<br />
many of the group who had completed<br />
a similar challenge in 2017 and raising<br />
approximately £6,500 for the MS Society and Willowbrook<br />
Hospice.<br />
Organised by Spencer Anglesea, with the help of Neil<br />
<strong>St</strong>een and Mark Berry, the event nearly didn’t happen<br />
due to lockdown restrictions. Spencer said: “We started<br />
planning this event before the country and golf was<br />
forced to shut down and it was only in late May that we<br />
were allowed to play golf in groups of four which meant<br />
all of a sudden we were ready”.<br />
Spencer added: “We’d like to thank the directors at<br />
Houghwood Golf, who very kindly loaned us the course<br />
for the day and donated a free 12 month membership as<br />
a raffle prize, and we couldn’t have done the challenge<br />
without Neale and Sue Spence from Muffin Man, who<br />
provided food for us throughout the day because the<br />
clubhouse was still closed due to lockdown regulations”.<br />
Well done to all those golfers who participated in raising such<br />
an incredible amount of funding for NHS Charities Together:<br />
Spencer Anglesea, Neil <strong>St</strong>een, Mark Berry, Ben Anglesea,<br />
Oliver Anglesea, Jonathon Whalley, Matthew Whalley, Paul<br />
Mottram, Andrew Mottram, Alan Scott, Andy Ashton, Paul<br />
Jones, Paul Miller, <strong>St</strong>eve Molloy, <strong>St</strong>eve Simmons, Tony Mather,<br />
Simon Cutler, Payton Berry, Joe Webster, Lewis Derbyshire,<br />
Tony Derbyshire, Jack O’Brien, Martin Johnson, Neil Bradshaw,<br />
Andy Hampson, Harry Elliot, Gareth Leyland and <strong>St</strong>eve Peet.
33
34<br />
WIN<br />
Rainbow<br />
glass art!<br />
If there’s a prize for the image of the year, the rainbow<br />
would win hands down for <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
What started off as an idea to providing children with<br />
some observational points during those daily walks<br />
when schools were first locked down spread like<br />
wildfire as the image evolved into a symbol of hope,<br />
associated particularly with our beloved NHS.<br />
<strong>Local</strong> glass artist <strong>St</strong>ephanie O’Brien, the co-owner of<br />
Morpheus Glass who are based at the Love It Gallery<br />
on Winstanley Road in Billinge, has created a range of<br />
exquisite rainbow art to help people commemorate<br />
<strong>2020</strong> and we have got three pieces of this art to<br />
give away to three lucky readers.<br />
The first prize is a rainbow arch with a value<br />
of £55, the second prize is a large rainbow<br />
heart with a value of £20 and the third prize<br />
is a rainbow bee, with a value of £17.95.<br />
Other pieces in the Morpheus Glass Rainbow<br />
collection include bowls, candle stands,<br />
decorations and discs of various sizes. Prices<br />
for the collection start at just £6.50.<br />
There is little doubt that <strong>2020</strong> will be referred to in<br />
years to come as a ‘before’ and ‘after’ time in history<br />
and it’s well worth visiting Love It Gallery and browsing<br />
through the rainbow collection which commemorates this<br />
important time.<br />
To win one of our fabulous prizes simply visit our website, www.<br />
locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on ‘competitions’ and<br />
then answer the following question;<br />
What is the name of the Gallery where you can see the<br />
Morpheus Glass Rainbow collection?<br />
The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Wednesday 30th <strong>September</strong> <strong>2020</strong> and the winners will<br />
be notified within five working days. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Only one entry per household.<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. Employees of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd<br />
and their families are not eligible to enter this competition.
35<br />
1st<br />
prize<br />
worth £55<br />
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3rd<br />
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worth £17.95<br />
FREE<br />
Eggs!<br />
½ dozen large local<br />
eggs with purchases<br />
over £5<br />
One original voucher per customer<br />
Expiry date 30th <strong>September</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />
Ashton Rd | Wigan | WN5 7XX<br />
01744 892208<br />
www.windy-arbour.co.uk
36<br />
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38<br />
Paradise<br />
on Earth<br />
Clinging to the southern tip of Croatia, Dubrovnik is a<br />
lovely medieval jewel lapped by the blue waters of the<br />
Adriatic. Framed by hills fragrant with rosemary and<br />
thyme, the old town is enclosed by fortifications where<br />
red roofs, spires and domes mingle their reflections in<br />
a glistening harbour. Byron called it the ‘Pearl of the<br />
Adriatic’ and graced by a sprinkling of emerald islands<br />
just offshore, it feels almost like a dream. Dubrovnik long<br />
prospered on maritime trade, ruled in turn by Byzantines<br />
and Venetians until it became the Republic of Ragusa<br />
in 1358, reaching its golden age in the fifteenth and<br />
sixteenth centuries. Rebuilt after the 1667 earthquake,<br />
it lost its freedom under Napoleon then was taken over<br />
by the Austro-Hungarian Empire until 1918. Upheavals<br />
continued in the former Yugoslavia and in 1991-92, the<br />
city was besieged and heavily damaged during Croatia’s<br />
war of independence.But today, finely restored and listed<br />
by UNESCO, the old town fills you with delight. <strong>St</strong>eps and<br />
cobbled lanes climb up the slopes, sunflowers bloom in<br />
hidden courtyards and church bells ring all around. Main<br />
highlights are easy to find, from Gothic and Renaissance<br />
buildings to Italian fountains, monasteries and churches.<br />
The Franciscan monastery boasts one of the oldest<br />
pharmacies in Europe (1316) while the Baroque church<br />
of <strong>St</strong> Blaise displays the patron saint holding a model of<br />
the city. The cathedral claims a rich treasury of relics and<br />
paintings and a connection with Richard the Lionheart.<br />
Caught in a storm on his way back from a crusade, he<br />
promised to build a cathedral where he reached land.<br />
And so he did, though what we see today was rebuilt after<br />
the earthquake. Other cultural sites include the Sponza<br />
Palace, housing 7,000 volumes of the city’s archives,<br />
and the Rector’s Palace, former home of the Republic’s<br />
figurehead and now the History Museum.Time to relax?<br />
Watch the world go by on a café terrace, stroll along the
39<br />
<strong>St</strong>radun (the main pedestrian street<br />
between the city gates), explore<br />
the morning market or head for the<br />
harbour and city walls. The walls<br />
are two kilometres around and up<br />
to six metres thick on the land side.<br />
Never breached, they bristle with<br />
fortresses, bastions and towers,<br />
such as the sturdy Minceta dating<br />
to 1464, when every visitor to town<br />
had to bring a stone. There are<br />
steep steps and spectacular views<br />
over harbour and town, while high<br />
above an orange cable car glides up<br />
to the panoramic hilltop. Beaches stretch along the coast<br />
or you can sail or kayak to the nearby islet of Lokrum,<br />
full of chirruping crickets. Draped in lush vegetation,<br />
it’s a peaceful nature reserve and the perfect escape for<br />
romantic couples. Look out for the salt water lake known<br />
as the Dead Sea, the exotic botanical garden and the<br />
Port Royal tower looking back to Dubrovnik and its old<br />
harbour.Tempted? Just follow George Bernard Shaw for<br />
“If you want to see paradise on earth,” he said, “you must<br />
come to Dubrovnik.”<br />
£<br />
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Manchester-Dubrovnik direct from £25<br />
www.skyscanner.net<br />
OCTOBER WEATHER GUIDE<br />
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CURRENCY<br />
Croatian Kuna (HRK)<br />
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Or visit us online<br />
200 Main <strong>St</strong>reet, Billinge, WN5 7PE | Tel: 01744 893291 | www.markentravel.co.uk
40<br />
Film<br />
Reviews<br />
by Bill Robinson<br />
Black Lives Matter<br />
The current global, social and political upheaval<br />
has made ever clearer the injustice and unfairness<br />
that is shown to people of colour in all aspects<br />
of life. This injustice extends to the film industry<br />
where, depending where you do your research,<br />
black directors make up only 10-15% of all directors<br />
of the top grossing films. This is undeniably down<br />
to major production companies’ total lack of faith<br />
in films made by/about people of colour to be<br />
critically and commercially successful, and so I want<br />
to cover some of the best films that fall into the<br />
underappreciated category.<br />
Hidden<br />
Figures (2016)<br />
“Hidden Figures” tells the true<br />
story of the unknown black,<br />
female mathematicians that<br />
were instrumental in the success of the NASA space<br />
programme in the early 60s, particularly the famous<br />
launch of astronaut John Glen into orbit. I still think<br />
“Hidden Figures” is one of the most clever and descriptive<br />
names ever given to a film, and the movie itself is just as<br />
clever. It manages to highlight institutionalised racism<br />
within STEM fields as a serious issue that is holding back<br />
some of the world’s greatest minds from showing or<br />
discovering their abilities, without creating a film that is<br />
totally depressing in its tone. The dialogue can be witty<br />
and light-hearted, whilst also being serious when it needs<br />
to be. The performances also find this balance, with<br />
the three main characters able to deliver humour and<br />
sincerity in equal, effective measure. This is totally worth<br />
a watch.<br />
Available on Blue Ray<br />
Uppity: The<br />
Willy T. Ribbs<br />
<strong>St</strong>ory (<strong>2020</strong>)<br />
The most recent film of these<br />
three is perhaps my favourite,<br />
and as a big F1 fan, it’s certainly the closest to my heart.<br />
“Uppity” is the story of Willy T. Ribbs, the first prominent<br />
black racing driver in the world. Decades before Lewis<br />
Hamilton made a name for himself as the only black<br />
F1 driver, Willy T. Ribbs’ story is one of insurmountable<br />
odds and an absolutely steadfast dedication of the craft<br />
of motor racing. The documentary charts Ribbs’ rise<br />
through the ranks of the sport, from lower Formula cars<br />
to top level NASCAR and even the fastest race on the<br />
planet, the Indianapolis 500. Shamefully, motor racing<br />
sorely lacks healthy numbers of black drivers even today,<br />
making Willy’s struggle four decades ago, even more of<br />
an incredible feat and a must watch documentary.<br />
Available on Netflix<br />
Get Out (2017)<br />
I just absolutely love this film.<br />
Its brilliant in so many ways. On<br />
the surface, “Get Out” is about<br />
young African American Chris<br />
Washington being taken to visit is girlfriend’s parents for<br />
the first time. Nothing sounds particularly untoward at<br />
first, until Washington notices some strange things about<br />
the all-white, wealthy property he has been taken to. “Get<br />
Out” then descends into being one of the most effective<br />
and powerful psychological horror films of the 2010s. The<br />
film is a potent metaphor for the way echoes of the slavery<br />
era still linger in modern, western society, held up by<br />
iconic performances and writing that won director Jordan<br />
Peele the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Focusing on<br />
suspense rather than outright terror, “Get Out” is another<br />
film that perfectly fuses the conventions of its genre, with<br />
its important and powerful meaning. It is amazing.<br />
Available on Blue Ray
41<br />
Water Sports<br />
You and the family can make the most of the last of<br />
the light summer nights by trying out a range of water<br />
sports at Scotman’s Flash in Poolstock. Every Thursday<br />
night in <strong>September</strong>, Inspiring Healthy Living (IHL) will<br />
be hosting stand up paddle boarding sessions and<br />
kayaking.<br />
The stand-up paddle boarding (SUP) sessions run from<br />
6.30pm to 8pm, and the cost per person is £15 with<br />
equipment hire which consists of a board, paddle and<br />
a buoyancy aid. If you have your own SUP, the cost is<br />
reduced to £10. The sessions are suitable for everyone<br />
aged 12 or over. These are instructor-led sessions so<br />
are suitable for all levels from absolute beginners to<br />
improvers.<br />
If you have children under 12, then you’ll be interested<br />
to hear that there will also be a supervised kayaking<br />
session alongside the SUP session for ages 8 and over.<br />
The cost of this session will be £10 and a discounted rate<br />
of £7 is available for those who have booked onto the<br />
SUP session.<br />
You must pre-book for these sessions and you can do so<br />
by visiting the website www.inspiringhealthylifestyles.<br />
org/wigan/, click on ‘Services’ and then on Scotman’s<br />
Flash. Other activities at Scotman’s Flash include rafted<br />
canoeing, funboat sailing and topper sailing.<br />
You can also organise group activities or one-on-one<br />
sessions. For more detail outdooradventure@ihlmail.<br />
org for further details.<br />
Earn extra<br />
cash!<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> require distributors<br />
for the following areas;<br />
West Park<br />
Shires estate<br />
402 copies £27.14 + leaflet pay<br />
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Crantock etc<br />
384 copies £33.60 + leaflet pay<br />
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landline number and date of birth to<br />
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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong>
42<br />
Rita takes<br />
Festival Prize<br />
The tale of a boy’s dreams underneath a magical night sky<br />
has won the <strong>2020</strong> Prescot Festival Short <strong>St</strong>ory Competition.<br />
Rita Simpson (pictured) received £100 for the bittersweet<br />
fantasy ‘When You Wish upon a <strong>St</strong>ar.’<br />
The contest was the only aspect of the local arts festival<br />
that was able to go ahead this year, although music lovers<br />
online enjoyed an array of archived video performances<br />
from some of the acts scheduled for the festival.<br />
The Prescot Festival has been at the forefront of the<br />
renaissance of arts and music in the town since 2005 and<br />
the festival’s celebration of culture includes not only the<br />
10-day annual festival, but a year-round programme of<br />
arts and music and a commitment to promoting other<br />
arts groups and initiatives in the area.<br />
The 2021 Festival will take place from Friday 18th to<br />
Sunday 27th June 2021. For further details, visit www.<br />
prescotfestival.co.uk<br />
When You Wish upon a <strong>St</strong>ar<br />
By Rita Simpson<br />
A silver trail silently weaves its way around the tightly<br />
packed, sleepy terraced streets, sometimes criss-crossing<br />
itself as it returns to a missed courtyard or entry. Above, a<br />
full moon illuminates the glutinous, shimmering ooze as<br />
it journeys along, while inside, a young boy stands at his<br />
bedroom window, staring out.<br />
The lone figure dreams of travelling to the planets,<br />
landing on the moon, being an astronaut, but tonight is<br />
different, he is distracted. He watches in astonishment at<br />
the moving spectacle below, on his very own street and<br />
rubs his eyes, not certain of what he is seeing. Before he<br />
can check, a hand gently pulls him back from the window.<br />
“Back to bed Kelvin. School in the morning. It’s nearly<br />
midnight.”<br />
“But Dad, I need to tell you…”<br />
Before Kelvin can finish his sentence, his frustrated dad is<br />
at the bedroom door, shoulders hunched, thinking when<br />
will his son ever sleep the whole night through, instead of<br />
staring out of his bedroom window, star gazing.<br />
“Night, son,” mumbles Kelvin’s dad.<br />
Later he hears his father’s snores and creeps back to the
43<br />
window and there it is, all down the middle of the street,<br />
the silver trail. He finally drags himself away, knowing he<br />
won’t sleep a wink, tossing and turning, wondering where<br />
this trail came from and where it is going. Tomorrow his<br />
mum and dad will see it too.<br />
But morning brings only daylight. Kelvin questions his<br />
school friends, to find out if they have seen what he has<br />
seen, but nobody mentions anything unusual. His mind is<br />
racing, unable to stop the images in his head. Questioning<br />
himself, did it really happen?<br />
Midnight again, certain his parents are both asleep, Kelvin<br />
goes to the window. The street, encased in moonlight, he<br />
leans out of the open window, spotting in the distance<br />
an approaching shimmering shape, low on the ground.<br />
All ready dressed, he slips his boots on and sneaks<br />
downstairs, unlocking the front door, pocketing the<br />
key, before pulling the door closed. Moments later, he<br />
watches, awe struck, as the rivulet of light unfurls its way<br />
up the street. Kelvin runs alongside it, following the trail,<br />
as it travels onward.<br />
A constant, steady flow of luminous liquid wraps around<br />
the timid streets, leaving Kelvin behind and he knows<br />
now he won’t be able to keep up with it. Out of breath,<br />
he stops running, and looks back down the street at the<br />
silvery trail left behind and reaches into it. Transfixed, his<br />
hand lights up, glaring in its intensity and he feels his<br />
fingers tingling and the heat emanating from them. But<br />
in seconds, the trail has gone, vanished. He finds himself<br />
alone on an unfamiliar street, the magic has disappeared<br />
with it and the moon is cloaked in darkness.<br />
Fear, disappointment, and sadness overwhelm Kelvin and<br />
he sinks to the ground, not knowing what to do next. He<br />
doesn’t understand what has happened to him and he<br />
has no one who will believe him. On the verge of tears, he<br />
tells himself he must get up and go home. Running in all<br />
directions, he finally finds himself at his own front door.<br />
No one hears as he turns the key and creeps upstairs to<br />
his bedroom.<br />
He can’t rest, there are too many questions unanswered<br />
and he blames himself for what has happened. In his head<br />
he can’t stop repeating the words, I’ve spoilt everything,<br />
I’ve spoilt everything, if only I hadn’t touched it.<br />
writing stories and if there is time, to read out their own.<br />
Kelvin loves reading and he can’t believe his luck, it is the<br />
only thing that will stop him from thinking about last<br />
night’s events.<br />
They spend the first lesson in the library, picking a<br />
favourite book, to share later with the rest of the class.<br />
Kelvin scrambles to find Cosmic or his other favourite, The<br />
Boy from Mars. After break, Miss Farthing wants them to<br />
write a story. By the time she has finished talking about<br />
story structure, Kelvin knows exactly what he’s going to<br />
write. He scribbles away, spilling out his secret on to the<br />
paper, only stopping when the dinner bell rings. But he<br />
hasn’t written his ending. Don’t worry she tells the class;<br />
you can finish them later.<br />
But things don’t go to plan, Miss Farthing is called away<br />
and when she does turn up, she apologises, their stories<br />
will have to wait, instead she’s going to tell them a story,<br />
one her father told her when she was growing up and was<br />
obsessed with space.<br />
Kelvin is thinking about his story ending, when he catches<br />
the words, silver stream. He listens, astonished, as she tells<br />
the story of the boy who sees a magical stream, flowing<br />
through his town when everyone else is in their beds, fast<br />
asleep. How he tried to follow it but couldn’t keep up and<br />
on the second night when the boy dipped his hand into it<br />
and the stream disappeared.<br />
Kelvin’s whole body is tingling, as Miss Farthing recounts<br />
the third night. How the desperate boy rushed out and<br />
threw himself into the flowing mixture and was carried<br />
along, all through the night until dawn broke and both<br />
the stream and the boy had disappeared.<br />
“But what happened to him, miss? “<br />
The whole class is asking.<br />
Miss Farthing pauses, people believe the stream only<br />
reveals itself to the chosen, those who long to be in the<br />
heavens. Jumping into the stream on the third night of<br />
Full Moon will grant them their wish; to be carried away,<br />
to live forever among the stars above.<br />
Kelvin knows exactly what he is going to do.<br />
In the morning, he struggles to get out of bed and only<br />
for his father being off work, does he get a lift to school.<br />
They have a supply teacher, a Miss Farthing. She tells the<br />
children that today they will be involved in listening and
44<br />
Winter Hill<br />
& Rivington<br />
by Chris Pearce<br />
Distance: 6½ miles Difficulty: Moderate<br />
The vast majority of the Jack’s Tracks we have published over<br />
the last ten years have one thing in common; at some point<br />
during the walk, Winter Hill and its conspicuous masts are<br />
easily visible. We’ve never done a walk that includes Winter<br />
Hill though, and so we have put this right with a delightful<br />
easy-to-follow 6½ mile walk that encompasses Winter Hill<br />
and Rivington that offers wonderful 360-degree views of the<br />
County Palatine of Lancashire and beyond.<br />
Park in the public car park just the other side of Rivington<br />
& Blackrod High School (BL6 7RU), walk back past the<br />
school and take the left turn which runs by the tennis<br />
courts. After 425 yards you’ll arrive at a three-way<br />
junction; take the middle path which is heavily cobbled<br />
and has the farm gate in the distance.<br />
Follow this path up a gentle incline for ¾ mile, passing<br />
the turn off to Rivington Terraced Gardens on the way.<br />
Once you arrive at the new-ish looking fingerpost, take<br />
a 45-degree right turn in the direction of Rivington Pike<br />
and follow a shale path uphill past the site of <strong>St</strong>one House<br />
Lodge. Then make sure you take the path that branches<br />
off of the shale path on the u-bend.<br />
200 yards later you’ll arrive at a wide stony track. Instead<br />
of carrying straight on up to the (very visible) Pike, turn<br />
left and follow this track for 1/3 of a mile to the Pigeon
45<br />
For those with the OS Maps<br />
app on your desktop, mobile<br />
or tablet, this walk is named:<br />
Quarry<br />
(dis)<br />
Moor<br />
Bottom<br />
Winter Hill<br />
Flats<br />
JT-Winter-Hill-Rivington<br />
Belmont Road<br />
P<br />
Noon Hill Slack<br />
Noon Hill<br />
Winter Hill<br />
Masts<br />
P<br />
Rivington Hall<br />
Barn<br />
Tower<br />
Catter<br />
Nab<br />
Rivington Moor<br />
TV <strong>St</strong>ation<br />
Rivington<br />
Country<br />
Park<br />
Rivington<br />
Terraced<br />
Gardens<br />
Tower<br />
Rivington<br />
Pike<br />
River Douglas<br />
Rotary Way<br />
Brown Hill<br />
Crooked Edge<br />
Hill<br />
Rivington Lane<br />
Higher<br />
Knoll<br />
Wilder’s Moor<br />
Rivington<br />
Lodge<br />
P<br />
Jepson’s<br />
Bridge<br />
Rivington &<br />
Blackrod HS<br />
Wilderswood<br />
Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is<br />
accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage<br />
caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.
46<br />
Tower. Bear right at this point and the stony cobbled path<br />
follows the natural curvature around the hills. One mile<br />
further on, you’ll need to look out for some steps on the<br />
left leading to a wooden bridge. Cross the bridge and<br />
bear right shortly afterwards where the footpath sign is.<br />
After ten minutes of climbing steeply up the hill, you’ll<br />
arrive at a fork. Bear left at this point, hugging the lefthand<br />
lip of the hill and once you pass the first mast, the<br />
path bends rounds and changes to a tarmac path that<br />
cuts through the various ironmongery on the summit.<br />
Look out for the trig point which is situated in the lefthand<br />
side of the path and there are also plaques marking<br />
the 1958 plane crash and the demise of a 20-year-old<br />
Scotsman who was ‘barbarously murdered’ on Rivington<br />
Moor in 1838.<br />
reach Pike Cottage. Tun right at the cottage onto Belmont<br />
Road and head once again for Rivington Pike.<br />
Follow Belmont Road for 1/3 of a mile until you reach a<br />
steel bar gate, which bars vehicular access. Just before<br />
the gate, there’s a stile on the left. Go through the stile<br />
and walk on the path downhill through grazing land for<br />
another 1/3 of a mile to the wooden gate. Carry on down<br />
a tarmacked road in the same direction for a further 400<br />
yards until you reach the three-way junction referred<br />
to earlier in the walk. Turn left at this point and you will<br />
end up back at the school and your starting point shortly<br />
afterwards.<br />
The tarmacked path bends to the right, you’ll pass directly<br />
to the left-hand side of the TV mast and follow the path<br />
for ½ mile, turning off the<br />
path onto a grass track at a<br />
footpath sign on the right.<br />
Follow this grass path for a<br />
further ½ mile as it eventually<br />
falls steeply away and you
47<br />
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Model shown is Yaris Launch Edition Hybrid Petrol 1.5 VVT-i Auto £24,005 including optional Pearlescent Bi-tone paint at £1,180. Prices<br />
correct at time of being published. 5 year/100,000 mile manufacturer warranty. Terms and conditions apply. *0% APR Representative only<br />
available on new retail orders of New Generation Yaris Hybrid between 1st August <strong>2020</strong> and 30th <strong>September</strong> <strong>2020</strong> and registered and<br />
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Optional Final Payment. By taking a Toyota AccessFlex monthly payment break, you defer that monthly payment until the end of your<br />
agreement. You can defer up to 3 monthly payments (but not the final repayment), either consecutively or on 3 separate occasions during your agreement. The term<br />
of your agreement will be extended by one month in respect of each monthly payment deferred, up to a total possible extension of 3 months. Payment breaks cannot<br />
be taken to assist with financial difficulties, in respect of the first 3 monthly payments due under the agreement, within the 5 working days before the payment due<br />
date, or if any sums due under the agreement are unpaid. Toyota AccessFlex is not available for used vehicles or for any finance offers other than 0% APR. The vehicle<br />
may be used during any deferred monthly break period. No associated fees charged and monthly payment remains the same. Toyota Financial Services is a trading<br />
name of Toyota Financial Services (UK) PLC; registered office Great Burgh, Burgh Heath, Epsom, Surrey, KT18 5UZ. Authorised and regulated by the Financial<br />
Conduct Authority. Indemnities may be required. Finance subject to status to over 18s. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this<br />
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Toyota Financial Services. Participating Toyota Centres. Affordable finance through Toyota AccessFlex (PCP). Terms and conditions apply.
48<br />
The Importance<br />
of Posture<br />
Posture can be defined as the way we carry and position<br />
our body throughout our daily physical activities. Poor<br />
posture can lead to a variety of muscular-skeletal issues<br />
including chronic pain and joint degeneration. It is therefore<br />
important that you are aware of best posture and aim for it,<br />
particularly if you spend a lot of the day in one position, such<br />
as sitting at a desk for example.<br />
If you have had bad posture for a long time (and most of<br />
us do) it will feel very strange and alien at first when you<br />
try to correct it, as the body wants to keep doing what it<br />
is used to. However, if you persevere, coupling this with<br />
regular exercise to strengthen muscle tone, eventually<br />
muscle memory will kick in and you will find that your<br />
posture has improved without you having to constantly<br />
think about it.<br />
For a good seated posture your knees should be slightly<br />
lower than your hips, so you need to position your chair<br />
height accordingly. If you work at a computer,<br />
ensure that the screen is at a comfortable<br />
eye level and you are not having to<br />
hunch forward or bend your neck.<br />
Sit with your feet flat on the floor<br />
facing forwards, a hip width apart, and straighten your<br />
back so that your tailbone ‘sticks out’ rather than your<br />
back being rounded. Your spine should form a gentle<br />
‘S’ curve. Finally, make a conscious effort to lower your<br />
shoulders, slightly pushing your shoulder blades back<br />
and down at the same time.<br />
You may need to do this more than once as we all tend<br />
to naturally carry our shoulders in a raised, rounded<br />
position, which over time can lead to muscle tightness,<br />
tension headaches and back or neck pain.<br />
Are you a fan of stilettos? If so, you may want to limit their<br />
wear as high heels push the spine forward, over-arching<br />
the back. They also put pressure on your knees and the<br />
balls of your feet, which can cause joint problems later.<br />
Save the shoes for special occasions rather than wearing<br />
them every day.<br />
Mobile: 07475 004637<br />
• Depression & Anxiety<br />
• Bereavement<br />
• Work Related <strong>St</strong>ress<br />
• Relationship Issues<br />
• Infertility<br />
• Trauma<br />
• Addiction<br />
• Eating Disorders<br />
• Self-Harm<br />
• Anger Management<br />
www.empathycounsellingservices.co.uk<br />
info@empathycounsellingservices.co.uk
49<br />
Exercise and core stability are important when maintaining<br />
good posture. Over time, without regular movement and<br />
exercise, muscles weaken and muscle fibres shorten,<br />
leading to potential joint and ligament issues.<br />
<strong>St</strong>retching exercises two or three times a week will help<br />
relieve tension, increase circulation and maintain muscle<br />
condition. Yoga and Pilates are two forms of exercise that<br />
are excellent for improving tone, flexibility and posture.<br />
There are classes available for all levels, and online<br />
tutorials.<br />
Ergonomic furniture and aids can also help with best<br />
posture, for example by using a lumbar support cushion<br />
in your office chair or in the car. Always ensure that your<br />
furniture supports you adequately. A squashy chair that is<br />
too low and difficult to get out of may not be ideal.<br />
Likewise, your mattress should also support your back<br />
properly when you sleep. To check this, notice if your<br />
spine is straight when you lie on your side. If not, it may<br />
be time to change your mattress. Your pillow should also<br />
cradle your neck so that it is in alignment with the spine.<br />
Bad posture not only physically impacts on our body: it<br />
has also been proven to have a detrimental psychological<br />
effect, even leading to an increased risk of depression.<br />
Charles Darwin first scientifically proved the link between<br />
movement and emotion in his studies of humans and<br />
animals.<br />
Try this experiment. <strong>St</strong>and in front of a full-length mirror<br />
and note how you are carrying yourself. If you are<br />
feeling stressed, tired, or sad, it is likely that this will be<br />
reflected in your posture: for example, your head may be<br />
drooping, your shoulders hunched, your weight unevenly<br />
distributed and your back rounded. Now close your eyes<br />
and evenly distribute your weight, straighten your legs<br />
(keeping knees soft) and then gently lengthen your spine<br />
and neck as much as you are able, vertebra by vertebra,<br />
tucking in the pelvis. Push your shoulders back and down<br />
then slightly lower your chin. Smile and then open your<br />
eyes. Not only will you be standing taller and straighter<br />
but you will almost certainly look and feel better too.<br />
If you have concerns about your posture and suffer<br />
from chronic pain, visit your GP who can refer you to the<br />
appropriate health professional, such as an osteopath,<br />
physiotherapist or chiropractor.
50<br />
Migraine Awareness Week<br />
It’s Not ‘Just’ a Headache<br />
The World Health Organisation lists it as one of the most<br />
disabling lifetime conditions. It’s more common than<br />
epilepsy, diabetes and asthma combined. Yet migraine is<br />
often poorly understood and trivialised. Migraine Awareness<br />
Week, running from 4th–10th <strong>September</strong>, aims to educate<br />
the public about migraine and reduce its stigma.<br />
What is Migraine - and who is at risk?<br />
Migraine isn’t ‘just a bad headache’. It’s a complex set of<br />
symptoms, often including headache, that’s triggered<br />
by physiological changes – and it affects over 8 million<br />
people in the UK.<br />
People with a family history of migraine are more at risk<br />
and women are three times as likely to suffer as men are.<br />
There’s no one known ‘cause’, but several triggers that can<br />
precipitate migraine have been identified.<br />
Prescot Chiropody Clinic<br />
Migraine Triggers<br />
• <strong>St</strong>ress, anxiety or excitement.<br />
• Hunger or lack of food.<br />
• Dehydration.<br />
• Sleep.<br />
• Alcohol.<br />
• Caffeine.<br />
• Prolonged screen time.<br />
• Smells.<br />
• Hormonal changes in women.<br />
• Environmental factors – changes in temperature,<br />
humidity and altitude, loud noises, and flickering lights.<br />
• Jaw tension or coughing.<br />
• Unaccustomed exertion.<br />
• Illness<br />
Tyramine, found in some soft cheeses and wine, is no<br />
longer considered a trigger by most experts.<br />
Types and Symptoms of Migraine<br />
Most migraines fall into these categories:<br />
Migraine with aura: Previously known as focal or classic<br />
migraine, this accounts for 10-30% of migraines. Migraines<br />
with aura present as neurological symptoms that usually<br />
last less than an hour and prior to a headache (although<br />
the headache may not appear at all). The most common<br />
symptoms are visual disturbances, including tunnel<br />
vision, double vision, blind spots or temporary blindness,<br />
flashing lights and sparkling/coloured spots, stars or<br />
zigzags. However, some people may also experience:<br />
• Weakness on one side of the body or partial paralysis.<br />
• Dizziness or vertigo.<br />
• Numbness or tingling.<br />
• Disturbance to speech, hearing and memory.<br />
• Feelings of fear or confusion.<br />
• Fainting.<br />
These more severe symptoms tend to occur most often<br />
with rare subtypes of migraine, such as migraine with<br />
brainstem aura and hemiplegic migraine.
51<br />
Migraine without aura: The most common type of<br />
migraine, experienced by 70-90% of sufferers. Attacks<br />
usually last between 4 and 72 hours if they go untreated.<br />
The headache is usually a throbbing pain, often on<br />
one side, which often worsens when you move or<br />
exert yourself. It’s often accompanied by nausea and<br />
sometimes vomiting and/or diarrhoea. You may become<br />
sensitive to light or sound, too.<br />
Menstrual Migraine is usually without aura and affects<br />
fewer than 10% of women. It’s thought to be triggered<br />
by falling oestrogen levels and/or prostaglandin release<br />
during the menstrual cycle, so it’s most likely to occur<br />
within the two days before, and the first three days<br />
during, a period. It often lasts longer than other types,<br />
recurring daily for a few days.<br />
Preventing Migraine<br />
Avoiding triggers and sticking to a regular routine of<br />
exercise, sleep and healthy eating can help. If your<br />
migraines are severe and/or frequent, your GP may<br />
recommend preventative medications such as topiramate<br />
and propranolol.<br />
Treating Migraine<br />
Take medications swiftly, as the stomach often stops<br />
working effectively during a migraine. Over-the-counter<br />
painkillers may help, but you may need something<br />
stronger. Pharmacies can supply medications containing<br />
pain relief and an anti-emetic that alleviates nausea and<br />
vomiting and aids painkiller absorption. Your GP may<br />
prescribe triptan medications, which reverse the blood<br />
vessel dilation thought to cause migraine.<br />
Botox injections are now licensed for treatment of chronic<br />
migraine. It’s thought they work by interrupting the pain<br />
feedback pathway to the brain.<br />
Menstrual migraine sufferers may find relief from<br />
hormonal contraceptives, oestrogen supplements and<br />
mefenamic acid (an anti-inflammatory painkiller that can<br />
also alleviate heavy periods).<br />
Some people find that sleep or resting in a darkened<br />
room is the only way to ease their migraine.<br />
When Should You Visit Your GP?<br />
• If you’ve never had migraine before.<br />
• If you suffer from migraine more than 5 days in a month,<br />
even if your pain is under control with medication; you<br />
may require a preventative medicine.<br />
When to Seek Emergency Medical<br />
Advice<br />
Finally, if you experience any of the symptoms below, it’s<br />
important to be assessed quickly - they can also indicate<br />
a stroke or meningitis.<br />
• Paralysis or weakness in one or both arms or the face.<br />
• Slurred/ garbled speech.<br />
• A sudden agonising headache.<br />
• Headache accompanied by a high temperature, stiff<br />
neck, mental confusion, seizures, double vision and<br />
rash.<br />
FOR SUPPORT AND MORE INFORMATION:<br />
Migraine Action:<br />
http://www.migraine.org.uk<br />
info@migraine.org.uk Tel: 08456 011 033<br />
The Migraine Trust:<br />
http://www.migrainetrust.org/<br />
Tel: 020 7631 6970<br />
The National Migraine Centre:<br />
http://www.nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk/<br />
info@nationalmigrainecentre.org.uk<br />
Tel: 020 7251 3322
52<br />
Puzzle Pages<br />
Sponsored by<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
DOWN<br />
1. Children’s game involving a stone and lines<br />
marked on the ground (9)<br />
2. Animals or plants which live on a host (9)<br />
4. Ancient Mexican civilisation (5)<br />
5. Oil extracted from the flax plant (7)<br />
6. George Bernard ___, playwright (4)<br />
7. Singer who had a hit with To Sir, with Love (4)<br />
11. Sailing boat with two parallel hulls (9)<br />
12. Capital of Sweden (9)<br />
14. First note in the tonic sol-fa scale (3)<br />
15. Hawk that hunts over meadows and marshes (7)<br />
18. Name of the bear in the epic Reynard the Fox (5)<br />
19. Presidential assistant (4)<br />
20. Army’s temporary living quarters (4)<br />
ACROSS<br />
3. Powdered form of sodium<br />
chloride used at mealtimes (5,4)<br />
8. Monarchy on the coasts of the<br />
Arabian Peninsula (4)<br />
9. ‘Arm’ of an octopus (8)<br />
10. Metal paper fastener (6)<br />
13. The Hunter constellation (5)<br />
14. Musical accompaniment added<br />
above a basic melody (7)<br />
15. Brick carrier (3)<br />
16. World’s swiftest mammal (7)<br />
17. Former French unit of currency (5)<br />
21. Capital of Saudi Arabia (6)<br />
22. Italian sponge cake, coffee and<br />
brandy dessert (8)<br />
23. ___ Marx, founder of modern<br />
communism (4)<br />
24. Spicy pork and beef sausage (9)<br />
WORDWHEEL<br />
Each word to be three letters or more (but no<br />
plurals), and all must contain the central letter.<br />
There’s at least one word which uses all of the letters.<br />
TARGET<br />
EXCELLENT: 24 or more words<br />
GOOD: 19 words<br />
FAIR: 16 words
53<br />
WORDSEARCH<br />
THEME: Photography<br />
Find the hidden words in the word search grid<br />
CAMERA<br />
CLOSE UP<br />
COLOUR<br />
CONTRAST<br />
DARKROOM<br />
DEVELOPER<br />
ENLARGER<br />
FILTER<br />
FLASH<br />
FRAME<br />
NEGATIVE<br />
OVEREXPOSURE<br />
PANORAMA<br />
POSITIVE<br />
PRINT<br />
PROCESSING<br />
SHUTTER<br />
SLIDE<br />
TELEPHOTO<br />
TINT<br />
TONE<br />
TRIPOD<br />
SUDOKU<br />
WIGGLE WORDS<br />
CLUE: A person<br />
you’re very glad to<br />
see!<br />
Trace a path through all<br />
the letters to find the<br />
word or phrase that fits<br />
the clue.<br />
G I E E<br />
H S Y R<br />
T S E O<br />
F O R S<br />
NUMBER BLOCK<br />
The numbers in each row add up to totals to the<br />
right. The numbers in each column add up to the<br />
totals along the bottom.<br />
The diagonal lines also add up the<br />
totals to the right.<br />
3<br />
2 5<br />
7 6<br />
1 9<br />
17 16 19<br />
18<br />
18<br />
13<br />
18<br />
22<br />
17<br />
25<br />
All the puzzle solutions can be found<br />
on page 59 of this magazine
54<br />
The best van for a<br />
Camper Conversion<br />
A SELF-BUILD OR COMMISSIONED CAMPER VAN CAN OFFER MORE FREEDOM AND BESPOKE<br />
DETAILS THAN A FACTORY UNIT. THESE ARE THE BEST VANS TO BASE YOUR DESIGN ON.<br />
Camper vans are big business in the UK, with a lot of people finding the idea of having a mobile version of their own home<br />
an appealing prospect.<br />
And it’s easy to understand the appeal of these palaces on wheels. After all, once you’ve paid your initial investment,<br />
holidays become staggeringly cheap. Even staying on the most luxurious of campsites costs pennies compared with a<br />
night in a hotel room, while those equipped with on-board water tanks, bathroom facilities and leisure batteries can even<br />
handle a few nights of ‘wild’ camping or rallying – perfect for those who like being ‘off-the-grid’.<br />
The UK is awash with independent firms who specialise in converting vans into campers. They range from the cheap and<br />
cheerful to the seriously luxurious. Some mainstream manufacturers have got in on the act, too – just look at Volkswagen’s<br />
California. However, it’s also possible to home-build your camper if you’ve got the time. Guides online are plentiful and<br />
easy to follow, and it can prove far cheaper than going for a third-party conversion. Plus, you’re able to specify the van to<br />
your liking.<br />
But before you start a conversion, you need a van – and these are our top three.<br />
FORD TRANSIT CUSTOM<br />
The Transporter might be the cool one, but the<br />
Ford Transit has plenty going for it in this class. For<br />
starters, it’s the best-driving panel van you’ll ever<br />
find – your kitchen sink will never have enjoyed such<br />
brilliant grip and handling. A range of efficient diesel<br />
engines provide your motive power, and few vans<br />
have such a car-like driving environment – there’s<br />
even a premium stereo and smartphone connectivity.<br />
VOLKSWAGEN TRANSPORTER<br />
The VW Camper is an icon – there’s no other way to put it.<br />
Ever since the rear-engined ‘splitties’ became an image of<br />
California surfer culture, these vans have been effortlessly<br />
cool, and though the modern T6 is a totally different beast it<br />
still has that vibe nailed. Volkswagen knows this, and if you<br />
want a stylish camper it’s possible to buy your Transporter<br />
van in cool two-tone colour schemes or with retro alloy<br />
wheels. VW also offers a petrol engine – a rarity in this class.
55<br />
MERCEDES SPRINTER<br />
Want big, premium, and full of tech? You’ll need to look at<br />
the new Mercedes Sprinter. One of the safest vans on offer<br />
thanks to high-tech safety gear, this big brute comes in a<br />
wide variety of wheelbase and roof height variations so you<br />
can easily get the camper size you desire. It also has the most<br />
premium cabin on the market, with controls and displays<br />
lifted directly from Mercedes’ passenger car range. And, best<br />
of all for some people, there’s a three-pointed star on the<br />
bonnet. What could be better?<br />
Call Chris on 01942 215 111 or 07969 357 751<br />
www.cosmeticar.co.uk<br />
ScuffS/ScratcheS mended<br />
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56<br />
Well-being and water<br />
Most people find the sound of<br />
water relaxing. The benefits of ‘blue<br />
space’ – the sea, rivers, lakes, canals<br />
and waterfalls, have been studied,<br />
and found to be psychologically<br />
restorative; associated with<br />
increased sense of well-being, lower<br />
levels of stress and mental illness,<br />
lower blood pressure, and higher<br />
levels of vitamin D. In short, being by<br />
water is good for body and mind.<br />
Can we replicate this in our gardens?<br />
The presence of water in the garden<br />
can transform a space into a natural<br />
haven of calm, and provide a focal<br />
point. Running water in a garden produces negative ions<br />
which are known to increase serotonin production in the<br />
brain. Serotonin is the chemical that elevates our mood<br />
and relaxes us.<br />
There are many ways to introduce water into a smaller<br />
space, including natural look ponds and waterfalls, but<br />
you don’t need a deep ornamental pond; you can create<br />
a small pond in a container, or create a toddler and petfriendly<br />
pebble pond, or install a modern water feature<br />
which uses reflective surfaces that bounce light around,<br />
creating movement and life in the tiniest space.<br />
Any water source will attract a wide range of wildlife.<br />
I have a metallic sphere water feature on my patio that<br />
seems to be a magnet for dragonflies, which are a delight<br />
to watch. A shallow beached area or pebble pool will<br />
attract bathing birds, and also frogs and toads, which<br />
can shelter, breed, and stay out of sight of potential<br />
predators. You may even attract a hedgehog or two. They<br />
enjoy shallow pools with sloped edges, so they can drink<br />
and bathe without falling in. A small barrel or container<br />
pond will allow algae to grow which will attract water<br />
invertebrates including snails, pond skaters and water<br />
boatmen.<br />
Kids love water so introducing a pond is a great way<br />
to encourage them to learn about local wildlife while<br />
having fun. Safety is crucial though; if you have young<br />
children it might be better to wait until they are older<br />
before creating a large pond, as it will require constant<br />
supervision. A pebble pool with a small fountain effect<br />
provides all the sound and fun of water with none of the<br />
depth, and a large trug or half barrel can be transformed<br />
into a tiny wildlife pond. If you do create a pond, position<br />
it where it can be seen from the house, make sure the<br />
edges slope gently, and fence it off while the children are<br />
young.<br />
Planting around water features is half the fun. The<br />
water forget-me-not, Myosotis scorpioides is perfect for<br />
growing in shallow water or in the muddy area at the<br />
edge of ponds. It has pretty blue flowers in late spring<br />
and attracts newts, which lay their eggs on the leaves.<br />
Irises and grasses look lovely planted around any water<br />
features and you can even find a tiny lily - Nymphaea<br />
‘Pygmaea Alba’ white - for small ponds, which has the<br />
bonus of being heavily scented.<br />
Water features in a garden are no longer the preserve of<br />
the rich, with acres to spare. Even if you only have a tiny<br />
balcony you can now enjoy the sight and sound of water<br />
in your outside space.
SMN<br />
Tree and Landscape Management<br />
57<br />
Garden Machinery<br />
& Equipment<br />
Sales, Service & Repair<br />
Garden Tractors & Lawn Mowers<br />
Chainsaws & Hedge Trimmers<br />
Brush Cutters & <strong>St</strong>rimmers<br />
Equipment Servicing & Sharpening<br />
Pick-up & delivery service<br />
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Nr Skelmersdale, WN8 9PY<br />
01695 722999<br />
07918 618126/7<br />
Monday-Friday 8am-5pm,<br />
Saturday 9am-2pm<br />
www.mowermen.co.uk<br />
Dave’s<br />
GARDENING<br />
SERVICES<br />
3 Garden Maintenance<br />
3 Grass Cutting<br />
3 Hedge Trimming<br />
3 Fence <strong>St</strong>aining<br />
3 Power Washing<br />
Regular or<br />
one-off work welcome<br />
Call Dave for a free quote on<br />
01744 322 334<br />
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Based in <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong><br />
Tree Felling & Pruning<br />
Site Clearance<br />
Tree Surveys and Reports<br />
Invasive Weed Control<br />
Ground Maintenance<br />
Agricultural & Domestic Fencing<br />
Firewood & Woodchip<br />
Woodland Maintenance<br />
24 Hour Emergency Tree Work<br />
West Lancashire Borough Council<br />
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58<br />
Over 70 Lancashire<br />
Walks<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
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Home Services<br />
59<br />
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07542 405031<br />
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Garswood<br />
shaun@garswooddecoratingservices.co.uk<br />
Haydock<br />
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• High Quality Decorating<br />
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Over 20 years<br />
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For a free quote & friendly advice<br />
contact Paul on<br />
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Haydock Decorators<br />
Puzzle Solutions<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
ACROSS: 3. Table salt, 8. Oman, 9. Tentacle, 10. <strong>St</strong>aple, 13. Orion, 14. Descant, 15. Hod,<br />
16. Cheetah, 17. Franc, 21. Riyadh, 22. Tiramisu, 23. Karl, 24. Pepperoni.<br />
DOWN: 1. Hopscotch, 2. Parasites, 4. Aztec, 5. Linseed, 6. Shaw, 7. Lulu, 11. Catamaran,<br />
12. <strong>St</strong>ockholm, 14. Doh, 15. Harrier, 18. Bruin, 19. Aide, 20. Camp.<br />
WORDWHEEL<br />
ANSWER:<br />
Hamper<br />
WORDSEARCH SUDOKU WIGGLE<br />
WORDS<br />
Sight For Sore Eyes<br />
NUMBER<br />
BLOCK<br />
6 3 1 3<br />
2 4 7 5<br />
8 7 6 1<br />
1 2 5 9<br />
17 16 19 18<br />
18<br />
13<br />
18<br />
22<br />
17<br />
25
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as<br />
60<br />
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rural Vi lage<br />
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PLACES & SPortS<br />
paediatric<br />
Available for LESSoNS<br />
& first aid<br />
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for<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
year olds pre-schoolers<br />
oPEN<br />
Large<br />
£37.50<br />
Mon-Fri<br />
outdoor<br />
per day<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
PLAY ArEA<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
rated by<br />
oF<strong>St</strong>ED<br />
as<br />
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We cater for<br />
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3 months<br />
- 4 years<br />
NEWLY<br />
rEFUrBISHED<br />
in 2019<br />
61<br />
Call Clint for a free no obligation quote<br />
01744 470 051<br />
07834 241 642<br />
www.justcleanpropertycare.co.uk<br />
ROOF CLEANING<br />
• Moss Removal & Bio-Treatment<br />
• Softwashing / Low Pressure<br />
POWER WASHING<br />
• Driveways & Patios etc.<br />
CONSERVATORIES<br />
• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning)<br />
UPVC CLEANING<br />
• Windows, Fascias,<br />
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• Carpets - Quick Drying<br />
includes moving furniture for you<br />
• Upholstery - Fabric & Leather<br />
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• Curtains - Hassle free<br />
Cleaned where they hang<br />
• Rugs<br />
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<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>’ premier domestic<br />
cleaning service<br />
No job too small or tall<br />
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01942 273944<br />
07872 176335<br />
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Email: dpconservatorycleaning@gmail.com<br />
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today for<br />
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e: sales@alliancecleaningsystems.co.uk<br />
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Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a b oking system for the<br />
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Flexible se sions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest<br />
which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com<br />
We only use<br />
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Cleaning in the<br />
<strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong> area<br />
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• £11.95 per hour<br />
minimum 2 hrs<br />
• Same cleaner each visit<br />
• All domestic duties provided<br />
Call or email Joanne<br />
01744 649091<br />
joanne@acleanbreak.co.uk<br />
www.acleanbreak.co.uk
£29 for a fu l day<br />
rural Vi lage<br />
NUrSErY<br />
A l sta f<br />
paediatric<br />
& first aid<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
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Mon-Fri<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
FUNDED<br />
PLACES<br />
Available for<br />
2/3/4<br />
year olds<br />
£37.50<br />
per day<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
LANgUAgE<br />
& SPortS<br />
LESSoNS<br />
for<br />
pre-schoolers<br />
Large<br />
outdoor<br />
PLAY ArEA<br />
rated by<br />
oF<strong>St</strong>ED<br />
as<br />
oUt<strong>St</strong>ANDINg<br />
We cater for<br />
CHILDrEN<br />
3 months<br />
- 4 years<br />
NEWLY<br />
rEFUrBISHED<br />
in 2019<br />
62<br />
All aspects of Gas Heating<br />
& Plumbing<br />
• Boilers<br />
• Bathrooms<br />
• Servicing<br />
Installations, Upgrades<br />
& Maintenance<br />
Established 30+ years<br />
emergency call outs<br />
11672<br />
Call Paul for advice<br />
and a free quote<br />
07929 428 496<br />
42-44 Rainford Road, Billinge<br />
FINANCE<br />
AVAILABLE<br />
ASK FOR DETAILS<br />
Over 70 Lancashire<br />
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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
• Brand New Bathrooms<br />
• Boiler + Central Heating<br />
Installs, Servicing + Repairs<br />
• Extended warranties<br />
available<br />
• 24 Hour Call-out<br />
• Domestic + Commercial<br />
Freephone:<br />
0300 3030121<br />
Dave: 07769 942218<br />
Matt: 07969 183809<br />
506515<br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a b oking system for the<br />
holidays which saves you money<br />
We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement<br />
Flexible se sions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
FINANCE<br />
OPTIONS<br />
AVAILABLE<br />
21 Naburn Drive, Orrell wN5 8SB<br />
Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk<br />
www.orrellheating.co.uk<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest<br />
which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com<br />
Call-Outs<br />
welcome<br />
24/7<br />
624630<br />
ATB Plumbing<br />
& Heating<br />
Boiler Installs, Repairs<br />
& Services<br />
Fire & Cooker Installations<br />
Bathrooms Fitted<br />
System Flushes<br />
Landlords Certifications<br />
LPG<br />
Call Alec on<br />
07730 735 174<br />
rainford-boiler-tech.co.uk<br />
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company here for<br />
just £30 + VAT<br />
Call 01744 649722<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk
£29 for a fu l day<br />
rural Vi lage<br />
NUrSErY<br />
FUNDED LANgUAgE<br />
A l sta f<br />
PLACES & SPortS<br />
paediatric<br />
Available for LESSoNS<br />
& first aid<br />
2/3/4<br />
for<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
year olds pre-schoolers<br />
oPEN<br />
Large<br />
£37.50<br />
Mon-Fri<br />
outdoor<br />
per day<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
PLAY ArEA<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
rated by<br />
oF<strong>St</strong>ED<br />
as<br />
oUt<strong>St</strong>ANDINg<br />
We cater for<br />
CHILDrEN<br />
3 months<br />
- 4 years<br />
NEWLY<br />
rEFUrBISHED<br />
in 2019<br />
Call Paul<br />
Locksmiths<br />
EstablishEd 2000<br />
• uPVC & WOOdEN dOOR sPECialist<br />
• Emergency door Opening<br />
• uPVC door lock Repairs<br />
• uPVC door lock Changes<br />
• uPVC door lock upgrades<br />
• Wood door lock Changes<br />
• all Work Guaranteed<br />
a Registered insured NCFE Certified Company<br />
call Paul for a Fast, Reliable,<br />
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tELEPhoNE<br />
01744 526 589<br />
moBiLE<br />
07932 718 362<br />
WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK<br />
63<br />
Promote your<br />
company here for<br />
just £30 + VAT<br />
Call 01744 649722<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
Convert your bath to a<br />
Walk-In Shower<br />
AJC<br />
WALK IN SHOWERS<br />
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£1800<br />
Fully guaranteed<br />
One day installation<br />
No mess - no fuss<br />
Easy to clean & maintain<br />
Call Anthony on<br />
07919 876 825<br />
Workshop address:<br />
Bulldog Tools Ind. Est.<br />
Darlington <strong>St</strong>reet East Wigan WN1 3BT<br />
We also fit full bathrooms!<br />
All aspects of wall &<br />
floor tiling: bathrooms,<br />
wet rooms, en-suites,<br />
kitchens, lounges,<br />
conservatories etc<br />
Underfloor heating<br />
Call Karl now for a<br />
FREE ESTIMATE<br />
01744 602931<br />
or 07756 274503<br />
7 Albany Avenue,<br />
Eccleston Park, L34 2QN<br />
gArAge door<br />
repAirS<br />
All gArAge<br />
doorS<br />
repAired:<br />
Springs, Cables,<br />
Locks, Rollers etc.<br />
Doors of all ages<br />
repaired<br />
01744 894939 / 07891 330214<br />
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<strong>St</strong>rawberry Cottage,<br />
Pimbo Road, Kings Moss<br />
WN8 9QL<br />
www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk<br />
KEYS LOCKS SAFES<br />
• Repairs & Upgrades on<br />
all locks, including UPVC<br />
• Safes supplied & installed<br />
• Key cutting service<br />
• Emergency call outs<br />
welcomed<br />
• All work guaranteed<br />
Call your local lock expert<br />
for a free quote<br />
Established 1970<br />
Call us now on<br />
01744 732 256<br />
Visit our showroom:<br />
2, Lingholme Road, <strong>St</strong> <strong>Helens</strong>, WA10 2NS<br />
Design & Print<br />
Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />
and distribution service.<br />
Call 01744 649722<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a b oking system for the<br />
holidays which saves you money<br />
We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement<br />
Flexible se sions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest<br />
which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com
64<br />
ALPINE LTD<br />
Roofing & Building Services<br />
OAP<br />
DISCOUNTS<br />
SERVING<br />
CHORLEY, WEST<br />
LANCASHIRE &<br />
WIGAN<br />
Your local roofing company from repairs<br />
to re-roofs, fascia’s, soffits & gutters.<br />
• Flat roof specialists<br />
• Damp proof specialists<br />
• Quality workmanship<br />
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FULLY INSURED<br />
Tel: 01744 776880<br />
Mob: 07730 351523<br />
www.alpineroofingandbuildingltd.co.uk<br />
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<strong>St</strong>ate of the art diagnostic<br />
equipment used to provide a<br />
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of your damp issues.<br />
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advice provided<br />
for any remedial<br />
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For a reliable, friendly<br />
service call Matthew on<br />
07840 096 233<br />
Matthew<br />
Rigby<br />
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Damp Control Specialists<br />
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company here for<br />
just £30 + VAT<br />
Call 01744 649722<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
Rainford<br />
Electrical<br />
Est.1975<br />
Electrical Installations & Repairs<br />
All aspects of domestic work<br />
undertaken<br />
Lights, Sockets, Fuseboards etc<br />
Electric Oven & Shower Repairs<br />
P.A.T. Testing & Inspection<br />
Small jobs a speciality<br />
Call Alan Leigh on<br />
01744 883883<br />
or 07884 496434<br />
DF Electrical<br />
Services<br />
Domestic Commercial<br />
Industrial<br />
• Rewires<br />
• Consumer Unit Upgrades<br />
• Outside Lighting<br />
• Outside Sockets<br />
• Alarms<br />
• CCTV<br />
Contact David Feely<br />
Mob: 07961 641 826<br />
Tel: 01257 367 386<br />
Email: dfelectricalservices@outlook.com<br />
All electrical work undertaken from<br />
full re-wires to alarms/CCTV.<br />
No job too small.<br />
No call out charge – guaranteed.<br />
30 years experience.<br />
CAll STeVe oN<br />
07809 427 508<br />
www.hjselectricalservices.co.uk<br />
W.Hurst & Son Ltd<br />
ELECTRIC<br />
CONTRACTOR<br />
www.whurstandson.co.uk<br />
• All types of electrical work<br />
• 35+ years experience<br />
• No job too small<br />
• Friendly and reliable<br />
For a free quote<br />
& advice call Jeff<br />
01695 622 191<br />
07850 622 191
£29 for a fu l day<br />
rural Vi lage<br />
NUrSErY<br />
FUNDED LANgUAgE<br />
A l sta f<br />
PLACES & SPortS<br />
paediatric<br />
Available for LESSoNS<br />
& first aid<br />
2/3/4<br />
for<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
year olds pre-schoolers<br />
oPEN<br />
Large<br />
£37.50<br />
Mon-Fri<br />
outdoor<br />
per day<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
PLAY ArEA<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
rated by<br />
oF<strong>St</strong>ED<br />
as<br />
oUt<strong>St</strong>ANDINg<br />
We cater for<br />
CHILDrEN<br />
3 months<br />
- 4 years<br />
NEWLY<br />
rEFUrBISHED<br />
in 2019<br />
65<br />
Call us now for ALL your roofline requirements!<br />
Facias, soffits, cladding, dry verge and gutters<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
We specialise in seamless<br />
aluminium gutters.<br />
Clean, stylish and guaranteed<br />
for 25 years!<br />
Call: 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183<br />
www.orrellroofline.co.uk<br />
Promote your<br />
company here for<br />
just £30 + VAT<br />
Call 01744 649722<br />
Our Focus Is<br />
Quality & Price<br />
From a Loose Slate to a<br />
Complete Construction<br />
LOCAL<br />
FAMILY<br />
FIRM<br />
All aspects<br />
of Building<br />
& Roofing<br />
UPVC Rooflines<br />
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Extensions &<br />
Alterations Specialists<br />
References Available<br />
Call us on... 01744 600074<br />
Mobile: 07867 592460<br />
13 Hawes Ave, Carr Mill, WA11 7EA<br />
WILSON<br />
BROS<br />
• •<br />
Est. 1985<br />
Roofing & Roofline<br />
Specialists<br />
• All aspects of<br />
maintenance & repair<br />
• Fascia & soffit<br />
installation<br />
• Guttering and felting<br />
services<br />
Call us now for<br />
a free estimate<br />
01695 633173<br />
Colin: 07958 302 166<br />
Brian: 07760 160 988<br />
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Design & Print<br />
Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />
and distribution service.<br />
Call 01744 649722<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a b oking system for the<br />
holidays which saves you money<br />
We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement<br />
Flexible se sions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest<br />
which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com<br />
Do you<br />
have<br />
Failed<br />
Double<br />
Glazing<br />
Units?<br />
Don’t pay £££’s to replace<br />
the frame, we’ll replace the<br />
glass panes.<br />
We also replace; Window<br />
locks, Door locks, Hinges<br />
& Handles.<br />
...and we do conservatory<br />
repairs.<br />
Call us now for a free<br />
quotation on<br />
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www.northwestwindowrepairs.co.uk<br />
Promote your<br />
company here for<br />
just £30 + VAT<br />
Call 01744 649722<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
PLC<br />
MAINTENANCE<br />
MuLtiSkiLLed<br />
HandyMan<br />
• Roofing & Roofline -<br />
repairs and replacement<br />
• Decorating • Building<br />
• Gates supplied & fitted<br />
• Plastering • Gardening<br />
For all your home improvements<br />
No job too small<br />
07847 394040<br />
01744 606938
Cover photo © Ian Bonne l Photograpthy<br />
66<br />
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67<br />
Come and visit the largest<br />
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®<br />
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warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk • info@warmlightwindowsltd.co.uk<br />
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into a comfortable living space
68<br />
Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!<br />
Quality ~ Choice ~ Value<br />
Windows<br />
Bi-Fold Doors<br />
Thermally-efficient conservatory roofs<br />
expertly fitted by accredited installers<br />
©<br />
Orangeries<br />
Don’t just lock it,<br />
Rock it!<br />
Conservatories<br />
Manufacturers and installers since 2004<br />
Contact us on 01744 891717 for a no obligation quote<br />
Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads)<br />
www.orrellwindows.co.uk<br />
28544