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Local Life - Wigan - December 2020

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

<strong>Wigan</strong> Edition<br />

<strong>December</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

WIN<br />

a hamper<br />

for your<br />

lockdown<br />

hero!<br />

Christmas on a Budget<br />

Pages 16-17<br />

Christmas Recipes<br />

Pages 26-28<br />

Hometown Brushstrokes<br />

Pages 38-41<br />

Top Santa Apps<br />

Page 44<br />

Books for Christmas<br />

Page 48<br />

Jack’s Tracks: Carr Mill<br />

Pages 62-63<br />

LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALKS | COMPETITIONS | HOME & GARDEN SERVICES


2<br />

The gorgeous Love It Gallery in Billinge has an excellent range of original gifts<br />

to suit all budgets, made from craftspeople, many of them local. From Christmas<br />

cards, wrapping, advent calendars and decorations, right through to gifts sets,<br />

accessories, jewellery, ceramics, and soft furnishings, Love It Gallery has got<br />

something for everyone this Christmas.<br />

As the home of Morpheus Glass, it’s not surprising that<br />

the range of inspirational glass art at Love It Gallery<br />

is huge, with clocks, bowls, mirrors, vases, wall panels<br />

and much more featuring prominently, many pieces<br />

carrying the rainbow theme of <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

On site at the gallery is Bag & Bean coffee<br />

shop, where you can enjoy coffee, cake<br />

and light lunches, socially distanced style<br />

- with additional outdoor and undercover<br />

seating with heating.<br />

Love It Gallery, Winstanley Road, Billinge WN5 7XG<br />

Open: 9.30am-5pm Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm Sunday<br />

Telephone: 01695 622 332


3<br />

KEEP WARM THIS WINTER<br />

Fires - Fireplaces - Stoves - Gas - Electric - Multifuel<br />

All tastes & budgets catered for<br />

Our reputation is your guarantee!<br />

Rated: 5 star on Facebook 5 star on Google<br />

The<br />

ireplace<br />

INC<br />

The Stoveplace <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

Telephone: 01942 583 558<br />

721 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, <strong>Wigan</strong> WN5 8AQ (FREE parking to the rear)<br />

wiganfiresandfireplaces.co.uk


4<br />

This is the final <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> of <strong>2020</strong> and I can safely<br />

say that it is a year that everyone is going to glad<br />

to see the back of. The news on the vaccine front<br />

gives us hope that 2021 will be the year the world learns<br />

how to cope with this virus, but in the meantime, we are<br />

facing a toned-down Christmas.<br />

Whilst this is an awful situation for everyone, please<br />

remember in your thoughts those families that will be<br />

facing their first Christmas without loved ones. Christmas<br />

can also be a tough time of year for many who are lonely<br />

and isolated, and sending a simple Christmas card or<br />

making a phone call can mean a lot to them.<br />

With light finally showing at the end of the (admittedly<br />

very long) tunnel, now is the time to look forward to what<br />

you can hopefully enjoy next year; to the party you’re<br />

going to have next Christmas, to next year’s sunshine<br />

holiday, to celebrating birthdays, graduations, proms, to<br />

watching live sport in person or in a crowd down the pub,<br />

going to the cinema and doing all those things that we<br />

have taken for granted for so long.<br />

Never before, certainly in my lifetime, will the sentiment<br />

‘Happy New Year’ be delivered with as much sincerity as it<br />

will be this year. Enjoy Christmas, keep your family close<br />

– but not too close – and from us all at <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, a Happy<br />

New Year.<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: 01695 627 999<br />

info@locallife247.co.uk<br />

locallifemagazine247@locallifemedia<br />

<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, <strong>Wigan</strong> 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 />

38. Hometown Brushstrokes<br />

Contents<br />

20. Competition Winners<br />

The lucky Rainbow Glass winners.<br />

16. A Budget Christmas<br />

26. Christmas Recipes<br />

24. Beauty<br />

Gift set inspiration this Christmas.<br />

42. Tech<br />

Top ticket Christmas gifts <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

44. Top Christmas Apps<br />

Discover the magic of Christmas!<br />

56. Health<br />

Overcome your digestive problems.<br />

58. Puzzle Pages<br />

Try these brainteasers for size.<br />

60. Motoring<br />

6 health conditions to declare.<br />

62. Jack’s Tracks - Carr Mill<br />

65. Home & Garden Services<br />

Find the best local traders.<br />

30. Win a Luxury Hamper<br />

48. Books for Christmas<br />

Want to<br />

promote your<br />

business in<br />

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

Next Issue - January 2021<br />

Advertising deadline - 16th <strong>December</strong><br />

Published - 20th January<br />

01695 627 999<br />

www.locallife247.co.uk


6<br />

Hospice Support<br />

Hospice UK, the national<br />

charity which leads Hospice<br />

Care Week, estimates that<br />

UK hospices have lost in the<br />

region of £70m in income<br />

so far this year, with charity<br />

shops closed throughout<br />

the first lockdown and many<br />

major fundraising events<br />

having to be cancelled.<br />

You can help <strong>Wigan</strong> and<br />

Leigh Hospice face this<br />

unprecedented financial<br />

challenge by supporting<br />

the Hospice’s annual Light<br />

for a <strong>Life</strong> appeal, which<br />

provides an opportunity to<br />

celebrate and remember those you love and have loved.<br />

A light is lit on the Hospice Christmas tree for every<br />

dedication made each year and every name is featured<br />

in a Book of Dedications<br />

which is printed into a<br />

bound hard-backed book<br />

and is available to view all<br />

year round.<br />

Dedications can be made<br />

to anyone, there does not<br />

need to be a connection<br />

to the Hospice. It is a<br />

simple and moving way<br />

of remembering those<br />

you love or have loved at<br />

Christmas time.<br />

For more details, visit www.<br />

wlh.org.uk.<br />

You can also support the<br />

Hospice by buying any last-minute Christmas cards you<br />

need. The Hospice has a range of eight Christmas cards<br />

and these are sold in packs of ten cards for £2.99 each<br />

online at www.wlh.org.uk.


7<br />

Christmas Market<br />

Standish Christmas Market will be a bit different this year<br />

and organisers are hoping that their virtual offerings will<br />

help to keep the Christmas spirit alive.<br />

The hope is that they will be back in Market Place and<br />

the craft halls next year, but for <strong>2020</strong> they have teamed<br />

up with Pedddle.com to host a Virtual Christmas Market<br />

weekend.<br />

You will be able to access the market at www.pedddle.<br />

com - just search for Standish Christmas Market. There<br />

will be a sneak preview of who is going to be trading from<br />

Wednesday 2nd <strong>December</strong> and it will go live on Friday<br />

4th <strong>December</strong> and run until Sunday 6th <strong>December</strong>.<br />

The market will be full of familiar traders from previous<br />

non-virtual markets, along with a few fresh faces. The<br />

same sentiment stands this year - shop local and support<br />

small businesses.<br />

So break open the mulled wine, warm up the mince pies,<br />

curl up on your sofa and have your credit cards handy -<br />

let’s go Christmas shopping!<br />

Over 25 years of local advice<br />

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Mortgages, Re-mortgages,<br />

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*Referred to specialist<br />

01257 424 999<br />

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Festive Night In<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Youth Zone will be hosting a festive night in on<br />

Sunday 20th <strong>December</strong>. You can join them at 6pm on<br />

Zoom to for a fun-filled evening packed with amazing<br />

performances from the young people of <strong>Wigan</strong> Borough,<br />

messages from celebrity guests and they will also be<br />

revealing the winners of The Big Christmas Raffle!<br />

Prizes for The Big Christmas Raffle include a diamond<br />

necklace worth £1000, Moschino sunglasses, cameras,<br />

hampers, experiences days and much more! For more<br />

information on how to secure a raffle ticket, please email<br />

Sharon.McLaren@wiganyouthzone.org or alternatively<br />

you can purchase your ticket through the website at<br />

www.wiganyouthzone.org<br />

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Opening Hours: Mon, Tues ,Weds, Fri 10am - 4pm • Thurs 10am - 1pm • Sat 10am - 2pm


10<br />

WINTER MEMBERSHIP<br />

OFFERS<br />

You can join Gathurst Golf Club without<br />

signing up for a full membership<br />

Come along & give us a try!<br />

• Join for 1 month (Jan, Feb or Mar) for just £50 per month &<br />

play as much golf as you can fit in<br />

• Join for 2 months (any combination of Jan, Feb & Mar) for just<br />

£100 and play as much golf as you can fit in<br />

• Join for 3 months (Jan to Mar inclusive) for £150 & play as<br />

much golf as you can fit in.<br />

If you’ve already made up your mind that you want to join us, then<br />

take advantage of becoming a Full Member right now and get<br />

15 months golf for the price of 12.<br />

Sign up in <strong>December</strong> or January & your membership will be<br />

valid until 31 March 2022<br />

Various categories available, for full details<br />

please contact the club on:<br />

01257 255235<br />

or email: secretary@gathurstgolfclub.co.uk<br />

Offering top end High Street &<br />

Designer ladies fashions for sale<br />

at a fraction of the original cost!<br />

• Receive 50% of the selling price for your garments.<br />

• New stock daily • Evening & Cocktail dresses for hire.<br />

• 1st class service.<br />

Winter Stock Now Arriving<br />

267 The Green, Eccleston, Chorley, PR7 5TF<br />

Tel: 01257 676 254<br />

Open: Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 4.30pm<br />

Zoom with Santa<br />

The Santa float that normally tours <strong>Wigan</strong>’s estates in<br />

<strong>December</strong>, staffed by <strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary Club, will not be<br />

running this year due to the current health crisis.<br />

However, the club have come up with a contact-free way<br />

for the children still to be able to tell Santa what is on their<br />

Christmas list. Via the <strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary Club’s website, or by<br />

scanning the QR Code on this page, parents will be able<br />

to book a meeting for their child or children to sit in their<br />

house and link up with Santa in his grotto.<br />

Rotary President Rosemary Charles said “We are very<br />

disappointed that children will not be able to see<br />

Santa come down their street or when they go to the<br />

supermarket so we wanted to make sure they could still<br />

have a direct line to Santa with a special meeting we hope<br />

they will treasure.<br />

‘Zoom with Santa’<br />

means they will still<br />

be able to see Santa<br />

this year in his grotto<br />

and have time to<br />

chat to him and tell<br />

him what they want<br />

for Christmas. This is<br />

a fully personalised<br />

experience and will<br />

see Santa speaking<br />

one to one with<br />

each child from his<br />

Lapland grotto and<br />

recreate the magic of this festive tradition as best as<br />

possible.’<br />

‘Rosemany adds, “We are not making a charge for this<br />

but we hope everyone will feel able to make a donation<br />

which will cover the costs of the event and help us to<br />

continue all the work we do in the <strong>Wigan</strong> community”.<br />

Bookings are now been taken via www.wiganrotaryclub.<br />

org.uk with full details of the dates and times available.<br />

You can also scan the QR code on this page for arrange<br />

your very own meeting with Santa<br />

For any queries email wiganrotaryzoom@gmail.com or<br />

ring 07813 471000<br />

If you wish to donate without making a booking just go<br />

to www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk and click on the ‘Donate<br />

Now’ button.


11<br />

Choose a<br />

caring community<br />

It has never been more important to choose the right care setting.<br />

Belong villages provide high quality 24-hour support<br />

in a safe household environment, with focus on wellbeing,<br />

meaningful occupation<br />

and exercise.<br />

Small households create<br />

a homely setting,<br />

cohorting in ‘bubbles’<br />

of up to 12 people<br />

Specially adapted<br />

processes to facilitate<br />

safe move-ins and<br />

family visits<br />

Robust infection prevention<br />

and control measures, and<br />

regular testing for colleagues<br />

and residents<br />

Services include 24-hour support,<br />

including nursing and dementia<br />

care and independent living<br />

apartments<br />

Belong also operates an award-winning home<br />

care service, providing support with daily living,<br />

companionship and a range of initiatives to help<br />

with physical and mental wellbeing during lockdown.<br />

To find out more, contact your nearest village<br />

enquiries@belong.org.uk<br />

www.belong.org.uk<br />

Belong Atherton<br />

55 Mealhouse Lane,<br />

Atherton M46 0EU<br />

T: 01942 898410<br />

Belong <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

Millers Lane, Platt Bridge,<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> WN2 5DD<br />

T: 01942 855600<br />

Your life, your pace, your way


12<br />

Escape to Gulliver’s<br />

With many festive options for family fun closed off this Elf Workshop and, of course, enjoy the festive rides and<br />

year because of COVID-19, those in search of a Christmas attractions.<br />

family adventure can still depend on Gulliver’s World in<br />

The ’Festive Breakfast’ and ‘Cracker’ packages, which start<br />

Warrington. The packages are a little different this year,<br />

from £25 per person (concession prices are available)<br />

but you can still enjoy a classic collection of fabulous<br />

include either breakfast or lunch, and a chance to enjoy<br />

festive treats for all the family.<br />

Gully’s Christmas Show too.<br />

Packages start from £19 per person (concession prices<br />

Gulliver’s World is open in Warrington on every weekend<br />

are available) and all packages include a trip aboard the<br />

up to and including 19/20 <strong>December</strong>, and also open<br />

North Pole Express to the Winter Wonderland, stopping<br />

throughout Christmas week right up until the 24th<br />

off on the way for special festive sights! Every child will<br />

<strong>December</strong>. Santa Sleepovers are also available on selected<br />

have the chance to give Santa their Christmas wish list in<br />

dates at the Gulliver’s Hotel on site. For further details and<br />

a socially distant manner, choose their own gifts from the<br />

to book your tickets, visit www.gulliversfun.co.uk.<br />

family fun<br />

advEntuRE<br />

luXuRy<br />

City BREaK<br />

Rail EXPlORE<br />

CRuiSE/RivER CRuiSE<br />

Call your personal travel expert<br />

01942 912334 / 07786 311 282<br />

julie.moss@notjusttravel.com<br />

@NJTJulieM<br />

www.juliemoss.notjusttravel.com<br />

WEddinG/HOnEymOOn


13<br />

NEW 2021<br />

BROCHURE<br />

OUT NOW!<br />

Holidays ~ Short Breaks ~ Day Excursions<br />

Call us on 01942 728960<br />

for your FREE copy<br />

or download a copy from<br />

www.memorylanetravel.co.uk<br />

WiNTER WaRMiNG BREaKS FOR EaRly 2021<br />

Cornwall & Poldark country<br />

11th February – Only £289<br />

5 days/4 nights Dinner B&B<br />

Rosemundy House Hotel, St Agnes<br />

Full Entertainment Package ~ Excursions to<br />

Port Isaac, Padstow, St Ives, Truro ~ Cream Tea<br />

Bodelwyddan Castle<br />

29th January – Only £224<br />

4 days/3 nights Dinner B&B<br />

Full leisure facilities<br />

Entertainment<br />

Excursions to Llandudno and Betws-y-Coed<br />

WHy TRavEl WiTH MEMORy laNE?<br />

3 Home pick-up for holidays 3 Executive coach travel 3 Quality hotels 3 <strong>Local</strong> well-established operator<br />

Moss industrial Estate,<br />

William Way,<br />

leigh WN7 3PT<br />

01942 728960 • www.memorylanetravel.co.uk<br />

Memory Lane Holidays is a trading name of Ashcrofts Mini Travel Ltd. Company Number 06950361


14<br />

Specialists in:<br />

• Family Law • Personal Injury<br />

• Wills & Probate<br />

Call us today to arrange a<br />

free 30 minute consultation<br />

Rachel Jane Taylor<br />

Solicitor & Director<br />

RJT Solicitors<br />

44 High Street,<br />

Standish,<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>,<br />

WN6 0HF<br />

Donna Gamble<br />

Solicitor<br />

01257 228027 / 01942 409154<br />

www.rjtsolicitors.co.uk<br />

Volunteers Wanted<br />

The <strong>Wigan</strong> Borough Volunteer Hub are on the lookout for<br />

volunteers. The Hub is run by WBCP, a registered charity<br />

which exists to provide advice, training, and support to<br />

the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector.<br />

Are you willing to support those who are self-isolating,<br />

by helping with activities such as personal shopping<br />

and food deliveries?If so, please contact WBCP on 01942<br />

363621 or emaiL info@wbcommunitypartnership.org.<br />

School Admissions<br />

The deadline for new primary school admissions is 15th<br />

January. If your child was born between 1/9/16 and<br />

31/8/17, they will start reception class in September 2021.<br />

To be considered for your preferred primary schools, you<br />

must apply online on the <strong>Wigan</strong> Council (or Lancashire<br />

County Council website) or fill in the primary school<br />

application form.<br />

If you need assistance, then call the School Organisation<br />

Team on 01942 489013 (or 0300 123 6707 for Lancashire<br />

residents).<br />

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Call us on<br />

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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.


15<br />

New Use for School Site<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Council is carrying out an analysis to re-develop<br />

the former Shevington Community Primary School site<br />

to provide housing for elderly residents and people<br />

living with disabilities. If approved, the site will remain<br />

in ownership of the council and will offer high-quality,<br />

affordable rent homes to those who meet the criteria for<br />

extra care accommodation.<br />

Councillor Terry Halliwell, cabinet member for housing<br />

and welfare said: “Affordable accommodation suitable<br />

for older people has historically been in short supply in<br />

Shevington, so we’re glad to have identified a potential<br />

site to bring a new scheme forward.”<br />

No design work has started, and residents will be<br />

consulted on the proposals before planning permission is<br />

sought. If given the go ahead, it is hoped that the scheme<br />

will be funded by the council with Homes England<br />

support, subject to grant funding.<br />

Councillor Halliwell added: “This is very much an early<br />

proposal, if approved, no work would start on site<br />

before 2022. It’s imperative that we speak directly with<br />

local people to seek their thoughts so we can ensure<br />

this scheme is shaped to respect the environmental<br />

sensitivities of the site whilst considering local views.”


16<br />

ON A BUDGET<br />

Free and low-cost ideas to make Christmas magical!<br />

Try a digital advent calendar (£3.70)<br />

The Jacquie Lawson advent calendar is a firm favourite in<br />

our house. (I love it as much as the kids.) A new game,<br />

story or creative activity is released each day throughout<br />

<strong>December</strong>. The calendar is centred around a Christmassy<br />

scene, and many of the activities then become part of<br />

that scene. So your child might decorate the tree, dress<br />

up the snowman or create a wreath to hang on a shop<br />

door, for example. See www.jacquielawson.com/advent.<br />

Look for low-cost elves (£1)<br />

A branded Elf on a Shelf could set you back over £20,<br />

so look for alternatives. I picked up a couple of small<br />

bendable elves for £1 each from Tiger a couple of years<br />

ago, which did the job just as well as a bigger elf – until<br />

the dog got hold of them!<br />

Send a message from Santa (Free)<br />

Santa has been<br />

wishing my kids a<br />

happy Christmas<br />

through a Portable<br />

North Pole (www.<br />

portablenorthpole.<br />

com) video for<br />

years. The shorter<br />

personalised video<br />

is free to create<br />

and is pretty much<br />

guaranteed to<br />

delight younger<br />

children. (It’s also<br />

worth looking in<br />

your phone’s app<br />

store for Christmasthemed<br />

apps like<br />

Santa Spy Cam and Elf Yourself.)<br />

Organise a second-hand scavenger<br />

hunt (£10 or under)<br />

Most children enjoy a scavenger hunt around the house<br />

or garden. The most successful one I’ve organised for<br />

my children involved a load of Shopkins and other mini<br />

figures that I picked up second-hand from Facebook<br />

Marketplace for under £10. The elves that I mentioned<br />

above also create a treasure hunt every year, with a series<br />

of clues leading to a craft activity, gift-wrapped sweets or<br />

a small toy.


17<br />

Buy in bulk<br />

If you can club together with other families, you might<br />

be able to make savings on stocking fillers and activities<br />

by bulk buying. Baker and Ross (www.bakerross.co.uk)<br />

for example, sell a wide range of craft kits, activities and<br />

small toys. They mainly sell to schools, so if you bulk buy it<br />

works out a lot cheaper. My son adored the Gingerbread<br />

House Kit last year (two for £6.95 or 10 for £22.50).<br />

The Rainbow Wooden Keyring Craft Kits (four for £6.95<br />

or sixteen for £18.40), Racing Reindeers (four for £5.95 or<br />

sixteen for £14.88) and Woodland Friends Stationery Sets<br />

(four for £6.95 or sixteen for £18.40) would all make great<br />

stocking fillers. There’s also usually an offer on whereby<br />

you can save more money if you spend over a certain<br />

amount.<br />

Jewels May is a wonderful independent jewellers.<br />

The shop has recently expanded so as to offer<br />

customers more on site specialist services, one-toone<br />

consultation, specialist design and re-modelling<br />

advice and manufacturing.<br />

Their jewellery range is extensive from antique<br />

and vintage to modern and one-off bespoke luxury<br />

pieces, set with diamonds and precious stones. They<br />

also boast an impressive range of engagement and<br />

wedding rings as well as pre-owned luxury watches.<br />

Look for cost-saving memberships (£1)<br />

Membership cards like Kids Pass offer substantial<br />

discounts on family experiences. You can get up to 40%<br />

off cinema tickets for example, as well as<br />

money off days out to safari parks, theme<br />

parks, zoos, trampoline parks and so<br />

on, plus discounts<br />

on restaurants.<br />

A Kids Pass<br />

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18


19<br />

Cash for Culture Recovery<br />

Arts at the Mill CIC has been awarded £945,621 as part pandemic so this money will go a long way in covering<br />

of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund losses incurred in the organisation due to closure”.<br />

(CRF) to help face the challenges of the coronavirus<br />

Rebecca continued “We now broadcast live performances,<br />

pandemic and to ensure that the organisation has a<br />

workshops, tutorials, seminars, vlogs and more several<br />

sustainable future, the Culture Secretary announced<br />

times per week to continue to provide creative output<br />

recently.<br />

and to maintain cultural engagement for all. Doing<br />

Arts at the Mill are one of 1,385 cultural and creative this has meant we’ve been able to continue offering<br />

organisations across the country receiving urgently paid work in a time when opportunities for artists have<br />

needed support.<br />

become extremely limited”.<br />

£257 million of investment has been announced as part She added “In addition, we’ve thankfully been able to<br />

of the very first round of the Culture Recovery Fund grants maintain employment for all our staff members with a<br />

programme being administered by Arts Council England. number of them continuing to work and some, having<br />

Further rounds of funding in the cultural and heritage<br />

been furloughed, using their time to volunteer for the<br />

sector are due to be announced over the coming weeks.<br />

Covid-19 Community Response Team. We can’t thank<br />

DCMS and Arts Council England enough for giving us this<br />

The Arts at the Mill Marketing & Communications Director,<br />

incredible lifeline.”<br />

Rebecca Davenport said:<br />

For more inforation about The Old Courts and the role<br />

“We feel lucky and extremely grateful to have been<br />

they play in the local arts scene, visit their website at<br />

awarded this grant. We had to make the difficult decision<br />

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20<br />

Competition Winners<br />

The winners of our Rainbow Glass Art competition in<br />

the October issue of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> were recently announced.<br />

Selina Winnard (main picture) from Appley Lane North in<br />

Appley Bridge won the main prize, which was a Rainbow<br />

Arch, Joan Berry from Pepper Lane in Standish was the<br />

first runner up and won a Rainbow Heart and Rachel<br />

Phillips (pictured) from The<br />

Coverts in <strong>Wigan</strong> won the<br />

3rd prize, a Rainbow Bee.<br />

The pieces are just part of the<br />

collection of rainbow glass<br />

art designed by Morpheus<br />

Glass designer Stephanie<br />

O’Brien and available at the<br />

Love It Gallery, which is based<br />

on Winstanley Road in Billinge.<br />

The Love It Gallery is open<br />

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21<br />

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22<br />

Funding for Ideas<br />

Youngsters aged 8-19 looking for funding for big ideas are<br />

being advised to apply to <strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh Youth Cabinet.<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh Youth Cabinet are a group of young<br />

people who help to represent young people’s views<br />

and influence decisions that affect young people locally,<br />

regionally and nationally.<br />

They have £5,000 to spend on young people’s ideas and<br />

they are looking for interesting, imaginative ideas that<br />

will help young people in the area.<br />

Whether you want to get a new kit for your sports group,<br />

to run some training or a workshop for other young<br />

people, get some publicity materials or put on a play with<br />

a positive message, you can apply for funding of up to<br />

£500.<br />

You can apply online from www.wigan.gov.uk/LINC2/<br />

index.aspx, just click on ‘Have a Say’ and then on ‘Youth<br />

Inspiration Fund’.<br />

Or you can also apply by post if you’d prefer (this may be<br />

easier for you if you would like to use pictures as well as<br />

words in your application). To do this simply download<br />

the application form on the site, then apply via post to:<br />

Youth Inspiration Fund, Targeted Youth Support Services,<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Council, Hindley Town Hall, Cross Street, Hindley,<br />

WN2 3AX.<br />

After your application has been reviewed, the Youth<br />

Cabinet will decide whether or not you will be invited<br />

to attend the Youth Cabinet’s board meeting to present<br />

your ideas and a decision will be made at that meeting<br />

whether funding will be granted and the amount.<br />

Virtual Sewing<br />

The Old Courts will be holding their monthly online Stitch<br />

‘n’ Bitch session on Wednesday 16th <strong>December</strong> from<br />

7.30pm.<br />

This free zoom workshop is a laid-back stitch session run<br />

by artist Lucy Sharkey of House of Sharkey. Lucy will be<br />

on hand to offer and advice you need and a few tips and<br />

tricks. To join in, visit www.theoldcourts.com/whatson.<br />

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23


24<br />

Gifted<br />

Inspiration<br />

There’s something special about a beauty gift set. Here’s some of the best sets this Christmas.<br />

Bobbi Brown’s gift sets are always<br />

a treat and this year’s are no<br />

exception. Top of my list is the Must<br />

Have Essentials set. You get a makeup<br />

bag, full-size Pot Rouge Blusher<br />

and five minis, including a Luxe Lip<br />

Color in Neutral Rose and a Smokey<br />

Eye Mascara. Together, they’re worth<br />

£82, so the set is an absolute steal at<br />

£36.50; see www.bobbibrown.co.uk.<br />

Buying for a teenager? Organic<br />

Young’s My Skin Goals set is likely<br />

to be well-received. It features the<br />

Clear Skin Foaming Face Wash,<br />

Purifying Serum and Cleansing<br />

Moisturiser. Each product has been<br />

specifically designed with teen<br />

skin concerns in mind. Together,<br />

they help to tackle acne, soothe<br />

inflammation and keep skin healthy.<br />

Plus, each purchase supports the<br />

Born Free Foundation. The set is £30<br />

from www.greenpeople.co.uk.<br />

Know someone who could do with<br />

a better night’s sleep? Treat them to<br />

Neal’s Yard Remedies’ Beauty Sleep<br />

Collection. It features the Beauty<br />

Sleep Foaming Bath Gel, Shower Oil,<br />

Body Lotion and Concentrate Serum,<br />

all of which smell heavenly and are<br />

designed to aid relaxation. It’s £40<br />

from www.nealsyardremedies.com.<br />

It can be tricky to find the perfect<br />

gift set, so a few brands now allow<br />

you to create your own. British<br />

brand Noble Isle is one of them.<br />

Select three or four products from<br />

its extensive range, and they’ll be<br />

popped into a gift box and posted<br />

out. And what a range to choose<br />

from… Personally, I love the spicy<br />

Fireside Bath & Shower Gel and<br />

the subtly floral Willow Song Body<br />

Lotion. The bespoke Trio set is £20<br />

from www.nobleisle.com.<br />

Liz Earle (www.lizearle.co.uk ) has<br />

outdone itself with its gift range<br />

this year. The packaging is lush and<br />

many of the sets come with festive<br />

tins or reusable bags. It’s hard to pick<br />

a favourite to be honest. If you’re<br />

looking for a stocking filler, The<br />

Joy Cleanse and Polish set (£12) is<br />

ideal. Buying for a man? You can’t go<br />

wrong with the Shower and Shave<br />

Collection (£30). And I’m personally<br />

lusting after the Together We Shine<br />

Haircare Set (£33).<br />

I think we all deserve a bit of<br />

relaxation this Christmas. Open the<br />

Puressentiel Time to Unwind travel<br />

bag and you’ll find a Rest & Relax<br />

Air Spray, a Rest & Relax Massage<br />

Oil and a Stress Roll-on. Together,<br />

they use the power of essential<br />

oils to promote a feeling of calm,<br />

ease stress and tension, and aid<br />

relaxation. Bliss, at £20 from www.<br />

uk.puressentiel.com.<br />

If you’re looking for a gift with the<br />

wow factor, try Rituals’ The Ritual of<br />

Ayurveda Rebalancing Collection.<br />

All four products (Foaming Shower<br />

Gel, Body Scrub, Body Cream<br />

and Mini Fragrance Sticks) smell<br />

amazing. They’re perfect for<br />

creating an at-home spa experience<br />

on Boxing Day and beyond. And as<br />

they come with a gift box and tag,<br />

you don’t even need to wrap them.<br />

It’s £39.90 from www.boots.co.uk.


25<br />

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26<br />

Cranberry,<br />

orange and<br />

nut loaf<br />

READY<br />

in 1hr 45mins<br />

plus cooling<br />

Makes 8-10<br />

This simple cake makes a delicious alternative to a classic Christmas cake.<br />

Add the icing and fresh cranberry topping on the day of serving.<br />

Ingredients<br />

175g unsalted butter, softened<br />

175g golden caster sugar<br />

225g self-raising flour<br />

2 tsp ground mixed spice<br />

½ tsp baking powder<br />

3 large eggs<br />

75g sweetened dried cranberries<br />

50g walnuts & 50g hazelnuts, chopped<br />

Zest of 1 orange<br />

1 tbsp orange juice<br />

FROSTING<br />

Half of a 400g tub ready-made royal icing<br />

2 tsp snowflake sugar sprinkles<br />

75g fresh cranberries<br />

Fresh mint sprigs, to decorate (optional)<br />

Icing sugar, for dusting<br />

Method<br />

1 Preheat the oven to 170C, 150C fan, gas mark 3. Grease a 900g loaf<br />

tin and line the base and up two long sides of the tin with baking<br />

parchment.<br />

2 Place the butter, sugar, flour, spice, baking powder and eggs in a large<br />

bowl and beat with an electric whisk for 2-3 minutes until thoroughly<br />

combined. Fold in the dried cranberries, nuts and orange zest and juice.<br />

3 Spoon the mixture into the tin and level the surface. Bake for 1hr-1 hr 15<br />

minutes or until risen and golden and a skewer inserted into the centre<br />

of the cake comes out clean. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes then<br />

turn out onto a wire rack and leave to cool completely.<br />

4 Spread the royal icing over the top of the cake. Scatter over the sugar<br />

sprinkles and fresh cranberries, plus the fresh mint sprigs if using. Leave<br />

in a cool place until set. Serve sliced.<br />

TIP: Instead of the fresh cranberries you could scatter over more festivethemed<br />

sugar sprinkles and add a dusting of edible gold spray for a really<br />

sparkly finish.


27<br />

READY<br />

in 1 hour<br />

plus cooling<br />

Makes 20<br />

Cinnamon stars<br />

Perfect for a festive sweet treat or a lovely edible Christmas gift,<br />

these cookies can be kept in an airtight container for up to two weeks.<br />

Ingredients<br />

2 medium egg whites<br />

175g icing sugar<br />

250g finely ground roasted hazelnuts<br />

50g mixed peel, finely chopped<br />

1 tbsp ground cinnamon<br />

Method<br />

1 Using an electric handheld mixer, whisk the egg whites in a clean,<br />

grease-free bowl until holding stiff peaks. Stir in the icing sugar until<br />

thoroughly combined then continue to whisk until thick and glossy.<br />

2 Remove 40g of this mixture and set aside. Fold the hazelnuts, mixed<br />

peel and cinnamon into the remaining mixture to make a very stiff<br />

dough. Chill in the fridge for 1 hour.<br />

3 Preheat the oven to 140C, 120C fan, gas mark 1. Line 2 baking sheets<br />

with baking paper. Roll the dough out on a surface heavily dusted with<br />

icing sugar to a 1cm thickness.<br />

4 Using a 5cm star-shaped cookie cutter stamp out about 20 stars, rerolling<br />

the dough as needed until it is all used up. Place the stars on<br />

the baking sheet, well-spaced apart. Spread a little of the reserved egg<br />

white and icing sugar mixture on top of each star.<br />

TIP: Dust the cookie cutter with icing<br />

sugar frequently to prevent the mixture<br />

sticking.<br />

5 Bake for 25 minutes or until the cookies are still white and crisp on top<br />

but slightly soft underneath. Turn off the oven, open the oven door and<br />

leave the cookies to dry out for 15 minutes then transfer to a wire rack<br />

and leave to cool completely.


28<br />

READY<br />

in 30 mins<br />

plus chilling<br />

Serves 6<br />

Potted<br />

smoked salmon<br />

This is the perfect starter for the lunch on the big day –<br />

the recipe will easily double up if you are feeding a crowd at Christmas!<br />

Ingredients<br />

275g honey roast salmon flakes<br />

250g smoked salmon slices, chopped<br />

100g unsalted butter, softened<br />

125g full-fat soft cheese<br />

2 tsp creamed horseradish<br />

1 tbsp lemon juice<br />

Salt and freshly ground black pepper<br />

Fresh dill sprigs and green<br />

peppercorns, to garnish<br />

Slices of toasted brown or granary<br />

bread, to serve<br />

Method<br />

1 Reserve about 25g of the salmon flakes for garnish (cover and chill in<br />

the fridge until required).<br />

2 Place the rest of the salmon flakes in a food processor with the smoked<br />

salmon, butter, soft cheese, horseradish and lemon juice. Process until<br />

smooth and creamy. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black<br />

pepper and process for a further few seconds.<br />

3 Divide the mixture between 6 small ramekin dishes and level the<br />

surface. Cover and chill in the fridge until required. Garnish with the<br />

rest of the salmon flakes, dill sprigs and green peppercorns. Serve with<br />

toasted brown or granary bread.<br />

TIP: Most supermarkets sell packs of ready-flaked honey roast salmon but if unavailable just buy ready-cooked smoked salmon<br />

fillets and roughly flake the fish, discarding any skin and fine bones.


29


30<br />

Win a hamper<br />

for your lockdown hero!<br />

Rather than offer the hamper as a competition prize as<br />

we have done in the past, this year we’ve decided to<br />

ask you to nominate a deserving recipient of this luxury<br />

Christmas hamper.<br />

This year has brought out the very best in so many people<br />

and, as devastating as the pandemic has been, many of<br />

us have stronger ties and better relationships with our<br />

neighbours and others in the local community as a result.<br />

Who has stepped up to help you this year?<br />

You can nominate a member of your family, a friend or<br />

neighbour, a medical professional or someone else in<br />

your local community who has gone above and beyond<br />

to help others through the pandemic.<br />

To put forward your nominee for the draw to win a<br />

luxury Christmas hamper, simply visit our website,<br />

www.locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on<br />

‘competitions’. Simply nominate the name of the person<br />

you wish to receive the hamper in the ‘answer’ box.<br />

The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Thursday 17th <strong>December</strong> <strong>2020</strong><br />

and the winner will be notified within 48 hours. Entrants must be over 16 years of<br />

age. Only one entry per household – multiple entries will be voided. <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247<br />

cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us. Employees of <strong>Local</strong><br />

<strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter this competition.<br />

Good luck, and a very merry Christmas from all at <strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong>


31<br />

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32<br />

WN6 Property Review <strong>2020</strong><br />

It’s been a bumpy year for the country, but a<br />

bumper year for local house values. Here’s a few<br />

of the highlights and lowlights of the property<br />

market in <strong>2020</strong>.<br />

The Boris Bounce<br />

A flurry of activity between the <strong>December</strong> election<br />

and Christmas 2019, was just a taster for the eruption<br />

of activity that took off in the New Year and carried on<br />

unabated until mid-March. In this period, <strong>Wigan</strong> agents<br />

saw an amazing sales period, fuelled by the release of<br />

pent up demand for people wanting to move on from the<br />

Brexit uncertainty of 2018/9.<br />

Panic Hits<br />

When the pandemic hit in mid-March, the property<br />

market was put on ice for nearly three months. Panicstricken<br />

economists predicted house price drops in the<br />

order of 10% in the best-case scenario and 25% in the<br />

worst for <strong>2020</strong>. Nothing could be further from the truth.<br />

The New Normal<br />

During the spring lockdown, homeowners re-evaluated<br />

their homes and their lives. The ability to work comfortably<br />

from home became more important. It was no longer as<br />

vital to live as close to major cities. Village locations with<br />

good motorway links, larger gardens and closer proximity<br />

to green spaces became more desirable.<br />

According to a survey run by the Institute of Directors,<br />

three-quarters of British businesses say they will keep<br />

increased homeworking in place after coronavirus has<br />

been suppressed. it is gradually becoming clear that<br />

priorities for homeowners have shifted – widespread<br />

homeworking means that the need to locate in or around<br />

city centres is decreasing and buyers are looking for more<br />

spacious properties further afield.<br />

The Recovery<br />

The Stamp Duty Holiday, saving buyers thousands of<br />

pounds of tax if they moved before the end of March<br />

2021, all added fuel to a fiery-hot local property market.<br />

The increased demand for a new home in the WN6 area<br />

meant properties on the market in early summer were<br />

snapped up in days for 100% asking price or more.<br />

The Delays<br />

On the downside though, house completions have<br />

significantly been delayed for several reasons. Some<br />

solicitors, banks and surveyors are struggling to cope with<br />

the demand for their services following the end of the first<br />

lockdown. Many have furloughed staff and others have staff<br />

working from home, and this different way of working has<br />

impacted on the time taken between offer and completion.<br />

What’s Next?<br />

Normally when the UK GDP drops like a stone, the<br />

property market follows. But that has not been the case<br />

this year. However, despite all the scary predictions<br />

earlier in the year, property values in WN6 are set at an<br />

astonishing 4.1% higher compared to a year ago. This<br />

would appear to be a quite remarkable outcome given<br />

the current economic framework – long may it continue!<br />

What is a WN6 property worth today?<br />

Average Overall Value Now<br />

Average Price Paid in the last year<br />

WN6 Detached £312,700 £305,970<br />

WN6 Semi-Detached £169,420 £166,920<br />

WN6 Town House / Terraced £115,240 £124,180<br />

WN6 Apartments/ Flats £143,750 £120,230<br />

Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has<br />

worked within the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market for over 30 years.<br />

Alan Batt<br />

For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market, check out<br />

www.wiganpropertynews.blogspot.co.uk


Merry Christmas<br />

and a<br />

Happy New Year<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Office • 78 Market Street, <strong>Wigan</strong> WN1 1HX • 01942 233 999<br />

www.alanbatt.co.uk


34<br />

Artisan Market<br />

Haigh’s popular Artisan Market takes place this Sunday<br />

(6th <strong>December</strong>) from 10am-4pm at Haigh Hall Woodland<br />

Park (WN2 1PE). The market is run by The Market Co, which<br />

is known for delivering artisan markets in Wilmslow,<br />

Northwich, Urmston and other venues in the North West.<br />

In addition to running the artisan markets, the company<br />

also has a shopping platform for many talented artisans,<br />

small business producers and creators who display at<br />

their markets. This was launched earlier this year to help<br />

the NW’s artisan micro-businesses survive the pandemic.<br />

You can shop for a huge range of goods (including food,<br />

drink, art, crafts, bodycare, homeware and clothing)<br />

online at their impressive site www.themarketco.co.uk.<br />

The site also hosts micro-sites for each individual artisan.<br />

Christmas at Apple Cast<br />

R BANKS & SON<br />

FUNERALS LTD<br />

Brian Halliwell Dip F.D M.B.I.E.<br />

Independent Funeral Directors<br />

Monumental Masons<br />

A local family run business, R. Banks & Son<br />

are one of the largest independent funeral<br />

directors in the <strong>Wigan</strong> Area<br />

ESTABLISHED 1921<br />

Golden Charter Pre Arrangement Funeral Plans<br />

and Memorial Plans available<br />

FINANCE AVAILABLE on Funerals &<br />

Memorials Subject to status, written details on request<br />

24 hour service • Caring family firm<br />

Branches: Standish 01257 422011,<br />

Beech Hill 01942 829200, Bryn 01942 271392,<br />

Scholes 01942 820526, Leigh 01942 261415,<br />

Coppull 01257 793880, Upholland 01695 622099,<br />

Platt Bridge 01942 863936, Atherton 01942 318025<br />

Head Office:<br />

Halliwell House, 758/768 Ormskirk Road<br />

Pemberton, <strong>Wigan</strong> WN5 8BB<br />

www.rbanksandson.co.uk T: 01942 222156<br />

Apple Cast in Newburgh are running a family Christmas<br />

event from Saturday 19th to Wednesday 23rd <strong>December</strong>.<br />

The precise attractions had not been confirmed at the<br />

time we went to press but are expected to include a<br />

Christmas market, live music, children’s activities, food, a<br />

bar and a carol service.<br />

The event will run from 10am-2pm at the venue, which is<br />

based on Cobbs Brow Lane (WN8 7SF). For more details,<br />

visit @CastNorth West UK on Facebook.<br />

Heskin Markets<br />

Heskin Hall are hosting two Christmas events in<br />

<strong>December</strong>. The Christmas market will run from Wednesday<br />

2nd through to Sunday 6th <strong>December</strong>, and the Christmas<br />

market incorporating the Steampunk market will take<br />

place on the weekend of 12th and 13th <strong>December</strong>.<br />

Visitors can browse through artisan and makers stalls,<br />

and enjoy seasonal food and drink including bratwurst<br />

sausages and mulled wine. Live music is scheduled for<br />

4th and 5th <strong>December</strong>, and there will be an entertainer<br />

on 6th <strong>December</strong>. There will be children’s rides on site and<br />

a selection of birds of prey too.<br />

Santa will be visiting on the 5th and 6th and you will<br />

be able to make these socially distanced appointments<br />

on Facebook (@HeskinHall) prior to visiting the market.<br />

Heskin Hall is located on Wood Lane in Heskin (PR7 5PA)<br />

and entrance to the market is free.


35<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 Street, Mawdesley, Lancashire. L40 2QP<br />

Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm / Sat 10am - 4pm / Sun 11am - 4pm<br />

www.goodyearfurniture.co.uk<br />

01704 821577<br />

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A highly recommended family name established in 1982


36


37<br />

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38<br />

Hometown<br />

Brushstrokes<br />

by Nicola Gray<br />

They say a picture paints a thousand words and if this is to<br />

be believed, then Parbold-born artist David Barrow would<br />

never run out of things to say about how truly inspired he<br />

is by his hometown. Throughout his decades long career,<br />

David has skilfully captured the <strong>Wigan</strong> way-of-life in some<br />

iconic scenes including the memorable <strong>Wigan</strong> Casino,<br />

Tiffany’s nightclub, the beautiful Parbold countryside and<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> walking days.<br />

David was born in Parbold and spent his formative years<br />

there, before moving to the Springfield area of <strong>Wigan</strong><br />

when he was eight years old. David said, “I have very fond<br />

memories of growing up in Parbold, surrounded by the<br />

countryside and nature. I have 3 brothers and to this day<br />

we still reminisce about the happy times we spent there.<br />

After we relocated to <strong>Wigan</strong>, we still frequently visited<br />

Parbold to call in on my Grandad, so truth be known, we<br />

never really left!”<br />

David continued, “The first school I attended was Parbold<br />

C of E School on Lancaster Lane (now Parbold Douglas<br />

Academy), I eventually attended The Blue Coat School<br />

after the move to <strong>Wigan</strong>, before moving on to Gidlow<br />

Middle and then Whitley High School. Parbold though,<br />

brings back lots of nostalgic childhood memories. The<br />

landscape and quaintness of the village is beautiful, I<br />

have always loved to capture its beauty and the stillness<br />

of the countryside.”<br />

David began painting seriously when he was 19 years<br />

old, but his artistic achievements started much earlier<br />

on in life, as he tells me, “I have always enjoyed drawing<br />

from a young age, my first artistic triumph came when<br />

I was just 5 years old. I won the 1st prize for a TSB Bank<br />

art competition; the prize was a £1 postal order and that<br />

inspired me greatly. I have had an interest in drawing and<br />

painting for as long as I can remember.”<br />

David’s deep affection for the village is very<br />

apparent and can be seen in the striking<br />

and colourful series he has produced<br />

featuring Parbold landmarks. Looking at<br />

the vibrant paintings it is easy to pick out<br />

such scenes as the canal running through<br />

the centre of the village, Parbold Hill, and<br />

the Stocks Pub. David added, “I am always<br />

drawn to Parbold Hill, I like to walk from the<br />

village centre up to the school as I did each<br />

day with my brothers.”<br />

He tells me that he never really had a<br />

dream job growing up he just knew that<br />

it wasn’t his first job at a hairdressers, “Yes,<br />

my first job was working in a hairdressers<br />

and it just wasn’t for me, I feel I achieved<br />

my dream job when I became a full-time<br />

artist. I’m doing what I love, and it has taken<br />

me in many different directions, including<br />

passing on my love of art by occasionally<br />

teaching a few lessons.”


39<br />

David’s first official sale came in 1986<br />

when his paintings of the Market Hall and<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> Pier were bought by <strong>Wigan</strong> MBC<br />

to be added to the Town’s collection.<br />

And this was another winner for him<br />

both personally and professionally as<br />

the painting of the Market Hall won<br />

another local competition. David added,<br />

“I had the painting turned into prints<br />

and it was remarkably successful, so I<br />

produced some more of <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier and<br />

Central Park, which proved very popular.<br />

The affinity people have with their<br />

hometown is enormously powerful”<br />

David continued, “Alongside creating<br />

my own artwork, I am deeply<br />

passionate about both Art History<br />

and contemporary Fine Artists. In my<br />

spare time I am constantly researching<br />

different Artists and Art styles. I am<br />

creative person and as well as art, I have<br />

always been very much into music and I<br />

enjoy playing classical guitar when I get<br />

the chance. I also really enjoy getting out and about for<br />

family walks in Haigh Hall and Mesnes Park with our dog.”<br />

Some of David’s most iconic work features well-known<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong> scenes and in contrast to Parbold, David says,<br />

“<strong>Wigan</strong> is a much busier landscape and I like to capture<br />

the hustle and bustle of town life and to see how this<br />

changes the outcome of my work. Growing up, I used to<br />

love going to <strong>Wigan</strong> Casino nights and Northern Soul has<br />

really motivated me in the past.”


40<br />

David’s portfolio of work and his representation of<br />

Northern Soul culture has won him world-wide acclaim,<br />

especially his painting of the <strong>Wigan</strong> Casino. As a teenager<br />

he was a fanatical regular at <strong>Wigan</strong> Casino, after being<br />

introduced to the music by his older brother and hearing<br />

it around the home. David was known to frequent soul<br />

nights at Blackpool Mecca, the Ritz in Manchester and<br />

even an all-nighter in Burscough.<br />

The Northern Soul genre led to a new direction for David<br />

and he has never looked back, all the pictures in the<br />

exhibition sold and they have become extremely popular.<br />

So popular in fact that they have been collected by<br />

enthusiasts from around the world. Examples of David’s<br />

work are now owned by recognisable names such as, Paul<br />

Weller, Ocean Colour Scene, and institutions such as the<br />

world-famous Tamla Motown Museum in Detroit.<br />

In recent years David explains that he has developed a<br />

different style of working from his traditional oil paintings<br />

and atmospheric club scenes. In his most recent series<br />

of paintings, David brings to life <strong>Wigan</strong> walking days. He<br />

adds, “My favourite style to paint in is the ‘naive’ style, as I<br />

like to experiment with textures and repetition of shapes<br />

and figures. I like to produce paintings of places that are<br />

personal to me, particularly when I was growing up. The<br />

‘naïve’ style allows lots of excuses for me to show times<br />

and places from my life, with an added touch of fun.”<br />

In addition to his Walking Day series, David is developing<br />

other works based around some familiar local places<br />

including <strong>Wigan</strong> Baths, <strong>Wigan</strong> Pier, and the market.<br />

The recent and most current lockdowns have been a<br />

period of planning and research for David and he has<br />

capitalised on this time. David continued, “I have been<br />

producing and planning different collections as a<br />

story board featuring more places and memories<br />

from both <strong>Wigan</strong> and Parbold. I am in the process of<br />

creating a book featuring paintings that celebrate the<br />

traditional walking days in <strong>Wigan</strong>.”<br />

He added, “I am working in collaboration with a<br />

writer, together we are combining <strong>Wigan</strong> speak or<br />

‘<strong>Wigan</strong>ese’ as poems to describe the walking day<br />

marches. This project is going to be produced as an<br />

illustrated book, it will feature different collections,<br />

such as my walks from Parbold village, walking days,


41<br />

tractor rides from the Plantation Gates to Haigh Hall and<br />

all of this will be combined with <strong>Wigan</strong> speak as poems.”<br />

David’s hope is that the bespoke <strong>Wigan</strong> dialect will<br />

narrate and compliment the paintings, telling the story of<br />

his most favourite childhood memories.<br />

David’s work has really travelled, and he is proud to be<br />

exhibited in places from the Manchester Academy of Fine<br />

Arts and the Royal Scottish Academy to the O2 Arena<br />

London and the Turn Pike Gallery. David’s paintings<br />

have been featured five times in the summer exhibition<br />

at London’s prestigious Royal Academy; with one of<br />

David’s portrait paintings also being exhibited at the<br />

Royal Society of portrait painters. David credits one of<br />

his proudest moments as walking<br />

up the staircase in the<br />

gallery at the Royal<br />

Academy<br />

Summer show, he continues, “When I exhibited in<br />

London for the first time in 1990, I felt like I was following<br />

in the steps of other great artists and I can’t really put<br />

that feeling into words. I am also hugely proud to be a<br />

member of the Manchester Royal Academy, it’s great to<br />

be acknowledged for doing something that brings you<br />

great joy and for other people to enjoy it as well.”<br />

With such an extensive list of accolades what could<br />

possibly be left on David’s bucket list? When I put this to<br />

him, it is obvious that he isn’t about to rest on his laurels<br />

when it comes to his passion. He tells me, “Well when it<br />

comes to my bucket list, my main aim is to further develop<br />

my career as an Artist and see where that can take<br />

me. I would also like to travel, once the lockdowns<br />

are lifted and create some artwork featuring<br />

the countries and experiences I have, in<br />

the places I visit. The main aim is to be<br />

able to continue what I am doing,<br />

having my collections shown in<br />

exhibitions plus I would love<br />

more involvement in the<br />

London mall galleries.”<br />

www.davidbarrowart.artweb.com<br />

@Davidbarrowart


42<br />

Your<br />

Christmas Tech<br />

Many of the gifts we give or get at Christmas are<br />

gadgets, and that means Santa has a few things<br />

to think about in the days before the big<br />

day. For example, if the kids have asked<br />

him for a games console it’s highly<br />

likely that the console will need to<br />

download a big software update<br />

before it can play online; the worst<br />

possible time to do that download<br />

is on Christmas morning when<br />

everybody else in your street is trying<br />

to do the same. If you can, connect any<br />

new console to the internet in advance so<br />

there’s no delay before the kids can play.<br />

Another good idea is to prepare a bit of paper<br />

with your Wi-Fi details and password on it: from<br />

Amazon Echo speakers to Apple iPads and even<br />

many kids’ toys, a Wi-Fi connection is needed<br />

for them to work. Digging out the details in<br />

advance will speed things up considerably on<br />

the day.<br />

It’s worth looking out any USB-ready charger<br />

plugs (such as from iPhones or Kindle Fire<br />

tablets), because to help reduce electronic<br />

waste many USB-powered devices will come<br />

with a cable but not the plug it connects to.<br />

And of course, it’s a very good idea to check<br />

what batteries any gadgets, toys or remote<br />

controllers are going to need. If you don’t<br />

already have one, a battery charger with a<br />

couple of sets of AA and AAA rechargeable<br />

batteries will come in very handy in the next<br />

few days.<br />

Last but not least, we’d recommend having a<br />

multi-tool or a screwdriver set and some really<br />

good scissors handy. We’ve found that many<br />

kids’ toys come screwed to the packaging or<br />

require very small crosshead screwdrivers to<br />

open their battery compartments, and others<br />

come in extremely strong clear plastic that’s<br />

very hard to open.<br />

OCULUS QUEST 2<br />

APPLE WATCH<br />

Checklist<br />

The top big-ticket Christmas gifts <strong>2020</strong><br />

The Apple Watch is the best smartwatch ever<br />

made. There are now three watches to choose<br />

from, starting at £199 for the Series 3 and rising to<br />

£399 for the Series 6.<br />

£199, Apple.com<br />

This is very geeky, we know, but the<br />

Facebook-owned Oculus Quest delivers<br />

an incredible virtual reality experience<br />

without wires or the need for a computer.<br />

£299, Oculus.com<br />

PLAYSTATION 5<br />

The next-generation PlayStation<br />

is big, beautiful and it isn’t quite<br />

as expensive as we feared: the<br />

standard version is £449 and the<br />

disk-free digital version is £359.<br />

£449, Very.co.uk<br />

FITBIT SENSE<br />

If you or your loved one is a<br />

fitness fan, the new Fitbit Versa<br />

adds clever new features to its<br />

tried-and-tested fitness tracking,<br />

including EKG, temperature<br />

sensing and even stress sensing.<br />

£299, Fitbit.com<br />

DYSON SUPERSONIC<br />

If your time is money, then<br />

Dyson’s high-tech hairdryer will<br />

pay for itself very quickly: not<br />

only does it make your hair look<br />

amazing, but it does it in an<br />

amazingly short time too.<br />

£299, Boots.com


43<br />

Alarms & CCTV<br />

<strong>Wigan</strong>’s Security Specialists<br />

Wireless Intruder Alarm Offer<br />

1 x RF GHE Bell box, 1 x decoy GHE Bell box,<br />

1 x 32 Zone panel, 2 x RF pirs, 1 x RF door contact<br />

Only £300 - fully supplied & fitted<br />

Offer only available in WN postcodes<br />

Robust systems, expertly installed<br />

Burglar Alarm systems<br />

Wireless & hard wired<br />

CCTV systems<br />

View your home from your PC,<br />

smart phone or tablet<br />

Access Control systems<br />

Fire Alarms<br />

GHE Responsive Service<br />

Available 24 hours 365 days a year<br />

Suite 1A, Kirkless Industrial Estate<br />

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44<br />

Top Christmas Apps<br />

Help your child or children discover the magic of Christmas by using these popular Christmas apps.<br />

These apps are now available on both Apple or Android platforms and are either free or modestly priced.<br />

Portable North Pole<br />

Through the Portable North Pole (PNP)<br />

app and website, parents can send<br />

their kids personalised videos direct<br />

from the North Pole. Video messages<br />

are free, but for an additional fee parents can buy their<br />

child more detailed personalisations, views of Santa’s<br />

village and news of the naughty or nice list this year.<br />

NORAD<br />

For more than 60 years, the North<br />

American Aerospace Defense<br />

Command has been tracking Santa’s<br />

whereabouts on Christmas Eve using<br />

satellites and jet fighters. The <strong>2020</strong> NORAD Tracks Santa<br />

website and app each offer a Christmas countdown,<br />

games and other activities, in addition to NORAD’s iconic<br />

reports on Santa’s travels come <strong>December</strong> 24.<br />

Message From Santa<br />

Parents who download the Message<br />

from Santa app get unlimited<br />

personalised calls from Santa and<br />

can surprise their child with video<br />

messages straight from the North Pole. Kids can also<br />

leave Santa special voicemail messages or hold a text<br />

conversation with him.<br />

Elf Yourself<br />

You can star in a series of personalised<br />

videos featuring your face on dancing<br />

elves. Upload up to five photos of<br />

friends and family from Facebook<br />

or your camera. Then select a dance and the app<br />

automatically generates your custom video you can share<br />

to social media.<br />

Full range of hinge door wardrobes


45<br />

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46<br />

2021 Concerts<br />

Despite the effect<br />

that the current<br />

health crisis is<br />

having on the arts<br />

and entertainment<br />

industry, Jockey<br />

Club Live are busy<br />

lining up race night<br />

events for the 2021<br />

season at Haydock<br />

Park and Aintree racecourses. The Jockey Club Live events<br />

are renowned for combining a fun-filled evening at the<br />

races with a spectacular evening concert in the informal<br />

and relaxed open-air setting of the hallowed turf.<br />

Confirmed events at Haydock so far are Tom Jones (19th<br />

June) and Olly Murs (17th July), and the confirmed event<br />

at Aintree so far is Nile Rodgers & Chic (11th June). Jockey<br />

Club Live events are also held at Newmarket, Sandown<br />

and Carlisle racecourses.<br />

Tickets for all the events are now available at www.<br />

thejockeyclublive.co.uk and the Jockey Club Live offer a<br />

money back guarantee if cancelled.<br />

Keep your eyes peeled for <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> issues early in 2021<br />

when we will be running a couple of ticket giveaways for<br />

these events.<br />

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47<br />

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48<br />

The Gift of a Great Book<br />

Books to give, add to your wish list or just treat yourself to…<br />

The Thursday Murder<br />

Club<br />

Richard Osman<br />

Retirees Elizabeth, Joyce, Ibrahim<br />

and Ron have a unique set of skills<br />

that they put to good use solving old<br />

murder cases. So when a real murder<br />

takes place rather close to home, the<br />

four are well placed to find the killer. Funny, warm and<br />

with a twist every minute, The Thursday Murder Club will<br />

keep readers guessing right until the end. Best of all, a<br />

sequel is already in the pipeline.<br />

Oliver’s Britain<br />

Oliver Hellowell<br />

From roadside poppies and<br />

native wildlife to lochs, lakes<br />

and waterfalls, the photos<br />

that grace the pages of this<br />

coffee table book are a sight<br />

to behold. Oliver has Down’s Syndrome and a natural gift<br />

for spotting the perfect shot. Alongside the photos are<br />

quotes from Oliver and some of his many fans. A great<br />

present for people who enjoy a good ramble through the<br />

British countryside.<br />

Word Perfect:<br />

Etymological<br />

Entertainment for<br />

Every Day of the Year<br />

Susie Dent<br />

Ever wondered who the original Jack<br />

the lad was? Or where a phrase like<br />

‘turn a blind eye’ came from? Susie<br />

Dent has been a regular expert on Countdown for twentyfive<br />

years. In Word Perfect, she reveals the story behind<br />

some well-known words and phrases and introduces the<br />

reader to a whole load of new ones. (Personally, I might<br />

start calling a hankie by its Victorian slang name – a<br />

snottinger.)<br />

The Boy Who Grew<br />

Dragons<br />

Andy Shepherd<br />

Looking for a book for a seven to nine<br />

year old? The Boy Who Grew Dragons<br />

is likely to be appeal to even reluctant<br />

readers. Tomas discovers a plant when<br />

he’s helping out in his grandparents’<br />

garden. It turns out to be a dragon fruit tree and the fruit is<br />

about to hatch. Before long, Tomas is learning all about his<br />

new pet, from the fact it loves broccoli to the unfortunate<br />

fact that dragon poo is highly explosive.<br />

Flavour<br />

Yotam Ottolenghi and Ixta Belfrage<br />

If you’re buying for someone who<br />

loves nothing more than spending<br />

a couple of hours in the kitchen<br />

cooking up a storm, this is the<br />

gift for them. It is not, however, a<br />

cookery book for beginners or those<br />

wanting to whip up a quick and easy dish. The ingredients<br />

aren’t always easy to come by and most of the recipes are<br />

experimental to say the least. The dishes are not always<br />

vegetarian, but fruit, vegetables or fungi are the star<br />

ingredients, and often used in rather surprising ways.<br />

Lime and Coconut Potato Gratin anyone?<br />

My Garden World<br />

Monty Don<br />

Wildlife fans will adore My Garden<br />

World, which is basically Monty<br />

Don’s personal homage to the<br />

birds, insects and other creatures<br />

that share his garden. The book is<br />

packed with interesting nuggets of<br />

information about British wildlife and is a real pleasure to<br />

read (particularly when sat in the garden with a cuppa). If<br />

you want to really earn some brownie points, team it with<br />

a few packets of wildflower seeds and a pair of binoculars.


49<br />

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Showroom Open: 8 - 5 pm, Monday - Thursday; 8 - 4 pm, Friday; 10 - 2 pm, Saturday


50<br />

Is Inheritance Tax<br />

Voluntary?<br />

It was the late Lord Jenkins that said, “Inheritance Tax is a<br />

voluntary tax paid by people who distrust their beneficiaries<br />

more than they dislike the Inland Revenue”.<br />

Inheritance tax was always considered to be a tax on the<br />

rich, but it really isn’t!<br />

Levied at a fixed rate of 40 per cent, it is possible to become<br />

a higher rate taxpayer after you die. If you are single or<br />

divorced, UK legislation allows the first £325,000 (<strong>2020</strong>/21<br />

tax year) of your estate to be free from Inheritance Tax.<br />

If you are married, or in a civil partnership or widowed,<br />

this amount could rise to £650,000. In addition to this, the<br />

resident’s nil rate band will enable the nil rate band to be<br />

uplifted further if you are living in your own property and<br />

will be passing your estate on to direct descendants.<br />

Inheritance tax can cost your loved ones hundreds of<br />

thousands in the event of your death, yet it’s possible to<br />

legally avoid huge swathes of it, or possibly pay none at<br />

all. How do you manage this? Just by sensible planning.<br />

The main exemptions<br />

• Most transfers between spouses and civil partners.<br />

• The first £3,000 of lifetime transfers in any tax year plus<br />

any unused balance from previous year.<br />

• Gifts of up to but not exceeding £250 p.a. to any<br />

number of persons.<br />

• Gifts in consideration of marriage or civil partnership of:<br />

up to £5,000 by a parent, up to £2,500 by a grandparent<br />

or great grandparent, or up to £1,000 by any other<br />

person.<br />

• Gifts made out of income that form part of normal<br />

expenditure and do not reduce the standard of living.<br />

• Gifts to charities, whether made during lifetime or on<br />

death.<br />

from when the transfer is made for the gift to fall outside<br />

your estate. During the 7 year period the amount of tax<br />

payable reduces each year. This is known as Taper Relief.<br />

However, this relief only applies to the part of a gift which<br />

is in excess of the nil rate band (£325,000).<br />

Trusts<br />

This method allows for the placement of monies out of your<br />

estate into a suitable investment which is then wrapped<br />

within a trust. You as trustee remain in control of the<br />

investments on behalf of the beneficiaries and can decide<br />

when and if any capital will be paid out in part or in full.<br />

There are a wide variety of trust options available and<br />

therefore careful consideration needs to be given to<br />

ensure that the trust is suitable.<br />

• Are you happy to waive your right to income and<br />

capital from the trust?<br />

• Would you prefer to receive a regular income from the<br />

trust?<br />

• Would you like access to capital from the trust?<br />

Clearly, one size does not fit all and therefore further<br />

advice should be taken.<br />

Inheritance Tax is quite a technical area and therefore<br />

before embarking on a course of action I would strongly<br />

recommend that you seek professional advice. We<br />

have advisers with advanced qualifications within the<br />

taxation and trusts arena who if need be will be more<br />

than happy to guide you.<br />

Should you wish to have a chat<br />

with one of our qualified financial<br />

planners please feel free to give<br />

us a call on 01257 423800.<br />

Making Gifts<br />

In most cases, any direct gift either made direct or into<br />

an absolute trust by any one person over the exempt<br />

gift allowances, is a Potentially Exempt Transfer (PET).<br />

This means that you as the donor, need to live 7 years,<br />

David Barton<br />

APFS Cert CII (MP)<br />

Chief Executive Officer<br />

Remember all investments can fall as well as rise in value so investors could get back less than they invest.


52<br />

Covid Support<br />

for Businesses by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy<br />

It goes without saying that it has been an extremely difficult year for all of us and particularly those that run<br />

a small business. This article will outline the updated measures that have been taken by the government to<br />

support business over the next 6 months.<br />

EXTENSION TO THE CORONAVIRUS JOB RETENTION<br />

SCHEME<br />

This scheme has now been extended to the end of March<br />

2021. Employees will receive 80% of their usual salary for hours<br />

not worked and can be used for any amount of time worked.<br />

Employers have until the 14th of the following month to make<br />

their claim. HMRC will review the rates at the end of January.<br />

JOB RETENTION BONUS<br />

The £1,000 JRB due on 31st January 2021 has been postponed<br />

and will be re-issued at the appropriate time, presumably after<br />

the CJRS has stopped.<br />

FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES<br />

Businesses that have been forced to close will receive grants of up<br />

to £3,000 per month. This should cover monthly rent and is based<br />

on the business properties’ rateable value:-<br />

• For properties with a rateable value of £15k or under, grants will<br />

be available of up to £1,334 per month or £667 per two weeks<br />

• For properties with a rateable value of between £15k and £51k,<br />

grants will be available of up to £2,000 per month or £1,000 per<br />

two weeks<br />

• For properties with a rateable value of £51k or over, grants will<br />

be available of up to £3,000 per month or £1,500 per two weeks<br />

Businesses in the hospitality, leisure and accommodation sectors<br />

that suffered from reduced demand (due to local restrictions<br />

introduced between 1 August <strong>2020</strong> and 5 November <strong>2020</strong>) will<br />

also receive help. Backdated grants at 70% of closed business<br />

grants, will be available. Grants will be up to a maximum of £2,100<br />

per month for this period.<br />

Applications for discretionary <strong>Local</strong> Authority grants will be also<br />

be available. We recommend you contact your <strong>Local</strong> Authority<br />

now as limited funds are available for the discretionary grants.<br />

SELF EMPLOYED INCOME SUPPORT SCHEME – SEISS<br />

This grant for the self-employed has been extended for the period<br />

from Nov <strong>2020</strong> to Apr 2021. Grants will be paid in two lump<br />

sums, each covering a 3 month period, Nov <strong>2020</strong> to Jan 2021 and<br />

Feb 2021 to Apr 2021 and will now be worth up to 80% of their<br />

average monthly trading profit, capped at £7,500 per claim.<br />

Self Employed workers must pay close attention to the deadline<br />

for making these claims once they are published.<br />

TAX CUTS AND DEFERRALS<br />

The temporary reduction of VAT to 5% for the tourism and<br />

hospitality sectors has been extended to March 2021.<br />

Businesses that deferred their VAT payment earlier this year can now<br />

apply to pay this back in 11 interest free instalments from April 2021<br />

rather than in full in March 2021.<br />

Self-assessment taxpayers will also be able to apply from a<br />

separate 12-month extension meaning payments deferred from<br />

July <strong>2020</strong> will now not need to be paid until January 2022.<br />

FLEXIBILITY TO PAY BACK LOANS<br />

Businesses who took out a Bounce Back Loan can use a Pay as<br />

You Grow flexible repayment system to ease the burden of<br />

repayments.<br />

All the schemes introduced have had tremendous impact on<br />

businesses and in many cases have allowed them to retain staff<br />

and manage the obvious impact that the lockdown has brought.<br />

And finally, I just wanted to mention the benefits of cloud<br />

accounting packages. This has proved invaluable over the past<br />

few months as we have been able to offer hands on support,<br />

using up to information, to help clients track their cashflow, apply<br />

for loans and discuss payments plans with HMRC.<br />

If you’re looking to consoli and gro your business in 2021, then we<br />

have a range of solutions to assist businesses of all sizes, starting<br />

with our Essentials package for start-ups and sole traders, the<br />

Growth package to help you take control of your accounts and<br />

the Premier package designed to help you drive your business<br />

forward.<br />

If you’d like a free initial consultation on how<br />

CMA can help your business in 2021, please get<br />

in touch. We can meet in our COVID-safe office or<br />

over a Zoom call to discuss your requirements.<br />

Chris Alcock ACMA - CMA Accountancy<br />

39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6 9DR<br />

01257 255521 info@handsonaccounting.co.uk<br />

www.handsonaccounting.co.uk


53<br />

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54<br />

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55<br />

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56<br />

Digestive problems<br />

and how to overcome them<br />

Bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, constipation and<br />

diarrhoea. These are all common digestive problems that we<br />

all experience and usually they can be treated with ‘over the<br />

counter’ medicines. Some conditions might be as a result of<br />

overindulging or eating the wrong food, but with Christmas<br />

round the corner, what can we do to avoid them?<br />

With more of us working from<br />

home, it’s all too easy to<br />

eat a rushed sandwich in<br />

front of the computer,<br />

skip lunch altogether<br />

or grab a snack while<br />

preparing the kids’ tea.<br />

How you eat is a major<br />

consideration, as eating<br />

too quickly and not<br />

swallowing food<br />

properly can lead to<br />

digestive problems.<br />

As Roberta Baldo,<br />

nutritional therapist<br />

from Baldo & Mason<br />

says “Eat slowly. This<br />

allows time for the<br />

signals from the<br />

senses to get to the<br />

brain and stimulate<br />

the production of<br />

digestive enzymes, muscular<br />

contractions and other<br />

processes necessary for<br />

digestion, before the food<br />

arrives.”<br />

Chewing food properly also<br />

helps with digestion. As<br />

Roberta says, “If food is not<br />

chewed properly, digestion<br />

is impeded and may take<br />

much longer because the<br />

food does not have sufficient<br />

surface area exposed to the digestive juices for digestion<br />

to occur efficiently.”<br />

Taking your time over a meal is also important. At<br />

Christmas, we’ll all have plenty of time to linger over a<br />

meal, but Roberta advises to eat mindfully and “focus on<br />

your meal rather than eat whilst doing other things. How<br />

we eat is as important as what we eat.”<br />

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)<br />

Digestive problems often settle down by themselves,<br />

but sometimes symptoms persist that could indicate<br />

other conditions, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome<br />

(IBS). According to The IBS Network, this affects over<br />

twelve million people in the UK. Classic symptoms<br />

include abdominal pain, bloating, change in bowel<br />

habits, diarrhoea and constipation. Alison Reid, CEO, The<br />

IBS Network, says “It is a very individual condition and<br />

symptoms will vary for each person. Other symptoms<br />

can include lethargy, nausea and backache. There is no<br />

specific cause for IBS but the most common risk factors<br />

are a gastroenteritis attack, a traumatic or upsetting<br />

event and courses of powerful antibiotics.”<br />

What causes IBS to flare up? Contributory factors include<br />

the food that we eat and the stress in our lives.<br />

Self-management is the key to living well with IBS, says<br />

Alison. “Once you have a better understanding of what<br />

is happening in your body you will be able to explore<br />

what treatments work best for you. These include dietary<br />

and lifestyle changes, psychological therapies and<br />

medications – see your GP or pharmacist for advice. These<br />

may be used together or on their own depending on the<br />

possible cause and severity of the condition.”<br />

Managing general lifestyle and diet is vitally important<br />

when dealing with IBS, says Dr Simon Smale, consultant<br />

gastroenterologist and clinical director, Manchester<br />

University NHS Trust. “Small meals eaten often rather than<br />

one big meal at the end of the day,” he says. “Ensure you<br />

don’t drink too much caffeine and alcohol as they can have<br />

dire effects. If the condition is primarily diarrhoea, avoid


57<br />

the following foods – cauliflower, sprouts (yes<br />

even at Christmas), onions, garlic, chewing<br />

gum and diet drinks. For constipation<br />

sufferers, ensure you have enough fluid and<br />

eat enough fruit and vegetables.”<br />

In terms of lifestyle, Dr Smale advises<br />

adequate sleep and regular exercise – at least<br />

150 minutes of vigorous exercise a week,<br />

such as brisk walking.<br />

Additional advice from The IBS Network<br />

includes: reducing the consumption of highfat,<br />

processed and reheated foods such as<br />

chocolate, butter, cream, cheese, fried foods, cakes, pizza<br />

and burgers; limiting high fibre food such as wholemeal<br />

bread, whole-wheat cereals, brown rice and pasta; and<br />

limiting fruit to three portions a day.<br />

The festive season approaches so how can IBS sufferers<br />

ensure they can enjoy Christmas dinner and reduce<br />

the risk of an IBS flare up? Dr Smale says “Take things in<br />

moderation. Have a drink, followed by an alcohol-free<br />

drink. Similarly with coffee – have a caffeinated one<br />

followed by a decaff. Be mindful. When you’re having<br />

your meal, stop when you feel full.”<br />

The IBS Network suggests identifying your triggers<br />

(foods that lead to a flare up), choosing food and alcohol<br />

carefully, managing stress levels over Christmas and<br />

exercising.<br />

With some careful forward planning you will really be<br />

able to enjoy Christmas mealtimes. Happy Christmas!<br />

For Further Information<br />

www.baldoandmason.com<br />

www.theibsnetwork.org<br />

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58<br />

Puzzle Pages<br />

Sponsored by<br />

CROSSWORD<br />

ACROSS<br />

1. Cut in two (6)<br />

4. Item applied to a sprain in<br />

order to reduce swelling (3,3)<br />

9. Betrayer of one’s country (7)<br />

10. Major religion of the world (5)<br />

11. Last letter of the Greek alphabet (5)<br />

DOWN<br />

1. Shirt fastener (6)<br />

2. ___ Warne, former Australian cricketer (5)<br />

3. Sword (7)<br />

5. Steep high face of rock (5)<br />

6. Country, capital Minsk (7)<br />

7. Star sign (6)<br />

8. Curved section of seats in a theatre or opera<br />

house (5,6)<br />

14. Reproduction (7)<br />

15. One-horned beast of legend (7)<br />

16. Position of a person in society (6)<br />

17. Channel between England and the Isle<br />

of Wight (6)<br />

19. Mark (~) placed over the letter ‘n’ in Spanish (5)<br />

21. Deviating from the truth (5)<br />

12. Crocus stigmas used in flavouring 22. Judicial proceedings in a court<br />

food (7)<br />

of law (5)<br />

13. Rapid and intense programme of 23. Resembling a lion (7)<br />

training (5,6)<br />

24. Placed at intervals (6)<br />

18. Betting adviser (7)<br />

25. Chivalrous nobleman (6)<br />

20. Inuit dwelling (5)<br />

WORDWHEEL<br />

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten<br />

minutes to find as many words as possible, none of<br />

which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns.<br />

Each word must be of three letters or more, all must<br />

contain the central letter and letters can only be used<br />

once in every word. There is at least one word that uses<br />

all of the letters in the wheel.<br />

TARGET<br />

EXCELLENT: 39 or more words<br />

GOOD: 33 words<br />

G<br />

A<br />

E<br />

R<br />

C<br />

H<br />

R<br />

E<br />

FAIR: 25 words


59<br />

WORDSEARCH<br />

Advent<br />

Cupid<br />

Jolly<br />

Tinsel<br />

Angels<br />

Dancer<br />

Myrrh<br />

Toys<br />

Camel<br />

Elves<br />

Party<br />

Turkey<br />

Candles<br />

Family<br />

Prancer<br />

Vixen<br />

Card<br />

Gift<br />

Sleigh<br />

Winter<br />

Child<br />

Gold<br />

Stable<br />

Wreath<br />

Comet<br />

Holly<br />

Star<br />

Yuletide<br />

Crib<br />

Ivy<br />

SUDOKU<br />

WIGGLE WORDS<br />

CLUE: in the same<br />

difficult situation as<br />

someone else<br />

Trace a path through all<br />

the letters to find the<br />

word or phrase that fits<br />

the clue.<br />

T A L L<br />

A A S I<br />

O M E N<br />

B E H T<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 />

1<br />

4 4<br />

2 3<br />

9 6<br />

16 6 21<br />

24<br />

27<br />

15<br />

17<br />

11<br />

24<br />

13<br />

All the puzzle solutions can be found<br />

on page 67 of this magazine


60<br />

Six health conditions drivers must<br />

declare to the DVLA<br />

The DVLA requires drivers to inform it of certain illnesses – and they aren’t always obvious.<br />

If you suffer from illnesses that could affect your ability to<br />

drive, you’re required by the DVLA to inform them.<br />

However, while some might be quite obvious, the DVLA<br />

has a list of health conditions that you might be surprised<br />

to learn put you at risk of a £1,000 fine if you don’t declare<br />

them.<br />

Car hire comparison site StressFreeCarRental has scoured<br />

the full list of conditions to find the less obvious ones you<br />

should know about…<br />

Diabetes<br />

If you have diabetes that is treated by insulin, and the<br />

insulin treatments last more than three months, you<br />

must inform the DVLA. This also applies to gestational<br />

diabetes, or if you are at risk of low blood sugar, known<br />

as hypoglycaemia.<br />

Heart palpitations<br />

This condition results in the sufferer becoming more<br />

aware of their heartbeat, which may feel like it’s pounding<br />

or fluttering, or perhaps beating irregularly. While the<br />

NHS says they are usually not a sign of something serious,<br />

the DVLA requires you to declare if you regularly suffer<br />

from them.<br />

Vertigo<br />

While most people associate vertigo with being at height,<br />

this is specifically known as ‘height vertigo’. Regular vertigo<br />

sufferers can get attacks anywhere, making it feel like the<br />

world around them is spinning. If you suffer from sudden,<br />

disabling, or recurrent vertigo you must tell the DVLA.<br />

Déjà vu<br />

This is something mostly written off as an odd feeling that<br />

you’ve been somewhere before, but it can be much more<br />

serious. The DVLA must be informed if you suffer from<br />

seizures or epilepsy that causes déjà vu.<br />

Sleep apnoea<br />

Obstructive sleep apnoea is a condition that causes the<br />

throat to relax and narrow during sleep, which can cause<br />

difficulty breathing. It’s one of a number of sleeping<br />

disorders that the DVLA must be told about, including<br />

narcolepsy and cataplexy.<br />

Labyrinthitis<br />

Labyrinthitis has nothing to do with mazes – it’s actually<br />

an inner ear condition that causes dizziness, nausea and<br />

loss of hearing. Since all of these things could affect your<br />

ability to drive, you must inform the DVLA if you have it.


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62<br />

The ideal walk at this time of year comprises of a short route<br />

that is crowded with views, with nature and is mostly firm<br />

underfoot. This three-mile circular walk certainly ticks all<br />

those boxes, and it is a perfect winter walk for all the family.<br />

Look out for the variety of birds and squirrels by the Dam.<br />

Carr Mill<br />

by Chris Pearce<br />

Distance: 3 miles Difficulty: Easy<br />

Park up in the vicinity of the Masons Arms on Carr Mill<br />

Road in Billinge (WN5 7TY). This is a proper old-fashioned<br />

country pub with a roaring fire in winter, a good selection<br />

of real ales and is also dog friendly.<br />

Head to the bottom of Carr Mill Road and take a right<br />

turn at a large stone cottage and go down the signposted<br />

bridle path. Follow this path for almost ½ mile, passing<br />

Otter’s Swift Farm and a couple of other footpaths on<br />

the left. Once you pass the layby on the right, take the<br />

left turn into Carr Mill and you will immediately spot the<br />

viaduct on the left.<br />

Do not cross the viaduct, instead follow the path around<br />

the right-hand side of the Dam.<br />

The Dam is Merseyside’s largest inland body of water<br />

and it used to be a mill pond built to power Carr’s Corn<br />

Mill, part of Lord Gerard’s estate. It was hugely expanded<br />

in the 1750’s to provide water to the<br />

Sankey Canal, located about a mile away.<br />

Carr Mill was used an entertainment<br />

complex in the late fifties/early sixties,<br />

complete with castle and fairground,<br />

but is now used by walkers, anglers, and<br />

water sports enthusiasts.<br />

Once you reach the pub at the far end of<br />

the Dam, bear left round the banks and<br />

follow the rough surfaces of Garswood<br />

Old Road, which follows the perimeter of


63<br />

the dam for 375 yards until you reach the entrance to The<br />

Boathouse, home to Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club.<br />

Bear right when you reach the entrance, and then go<br />

through the gates on the immediate left.<br />

Follow this path, running parallel to the railway, for a<br />

further 375 yards and then turn right through the tunnel.<br />

The path skirts the woodland and eventually meets a<br />

concrete path.<br />

Carry on in the<br />

same direction for<br />

almost ½ a mile,<br />

then turn left over<br />

the railway bridge.<br />

left when you emerge onto Carr Mill Road and you’ll see<br />

the Masons Arms.<br />

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear<br />

whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure<br />

that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial<br />

contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any<br />

party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting<br />

from negligence, accident or other cause.<br />

Chadwick<br />

Green<br />

Goyt<br />

Hey<br />

Wood<br />

Once you pass the<br />

assorted homes<br />

of Hollin Hey, the<br />

road downgrades<br />

Otter’s<br />

Swift<br />

Carr Mill Road<br />

The Goyt<br />

to a path. When<br />

you reach the<br />

wooded area, bear<br />

left downhill and<br />

cross The Goyt.<br />

Follow the path<br />

Caleb’s<br />

Wood<br />

Carr Mill Road<br />

Brown<br />

Health Nook<br />

Caleb’s Rough<br />

Hollin Hey<br />

House<br />

Hollin Hey<br />

Farm<br />

for 150 yards, bear<br />

right and then<br />

take an immediate<br />

Crock<br />

Hey Wood<br />

left 50 yards later<br />

and head for the<br />

housing area in<br />

the distance. Turn<br />

Carr<br />

Mill<br />

Carr Mill Road<br />

Carr Mill<br />

Wood<br />

Carr Mill Dam<br />

For those with the OS Maps<br />

app on your desktop, mobile<br />

or tablet, this walk is named:<br />

JT-Carr-Mill<br />

East Lancashire Road


64<br />

Award Winner<br />

Making <strong>Life</strong> Better<br />

by Angie Barker<br />

I have met so many<br />

people this year<br />

who now have an<br />

appreciation of their<br />

outside space, no<br />

matter how small<br />

or challenging their<br />

outside space may<br />

be. So much of what I<br />

have read and heard<br />

reinforces my feeling<br />

that we are designed<br />

to be close to nature.<br />

The countryside,<br />

parks and gardens<br />

have meant so much to people and the benefits of being<br />

outside in the fresh air are now well documented. These<br />

are benefits not only in terms of physical well being<br />

but more importantly, in these days of dealing with the<br />

pandemic, mental well being also.<br />

If there is one good thing that comes out of these<br />

challenging times it will be an appreciation of nature;<br />

plants, and wildlife, that we seem to have lost over recent<br />

decades. Gardening is now ‘on trend’, the new rock and<br />

roll, fashionable, cool or as my grand daughter would say,<br />

“sick”. (I’ll just explain that one to Hubby). The demand<br />

for allotments has soared and local councils report that<br />

waiting lists are long. Once thought to be the place where<br />

grandad did a spot of veg growing, an allotment is now<br />

a place where young<br />

families want to be<br />

together to grow<br />

food and flowers for<br />

the house. You don’t<br />

have to be an expert<br />

in gardening, it is<br />

not about knowing<br />

the Latin names of<br />

plants but simply<br />

enjoying what you<br />

have created in your<br />

own space. Doing<br />

the most simple of<br />

gardening tasks can<br />

transport you away from your worries, even if it is only<br />

for a short while, and that makes you feel better. Monty<br />

Don, the presenter of Gardeners World, said recently<br />

“gardening is not an exam – it is about making a lovely<br />

place and making your life better for it”.<br />

So let’s all look forward to enjoying our gardens next<br />

spring and start thinking about Snowdrops, Daffodils,<br />

blossom trees and other early flowering perennials like<br />

Hellebores, Aquilegias and Forget Me Nots. Suddenly life<br />

seems a bit better and more hopeful.<br />

In the meantime, very best wishes for Christmas from<br />

Hubby and myself. Look after yourselves and I’ll see you<br />

in the new year.<br />

Angie is a qualified awardwinning<br />

garden designer<br />

who will plan your garden<br />

to your needs from start to<br />

finish, supplying reputable<br />

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plants.<br />

Call Angie now for your free consultation!<br />

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Award Winner


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www.alliancecleaningsystems.co.uk<br />

e: sales@alliancecleaningsystems.co.uk<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 />

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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 />

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A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />

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• Carpets<br />

• Rugs<br />

• Fabric & Leather<br />

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

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J.Dillon<br />

Electrical Services Ltd<br />

Electrician ~ Standish<br />

• All types of electrical work<br />

• 30+ years experience<br />

• Friendly, fast and reliable<br />

• 24 hour call out service<br />

Call: 01257 424918<br />

or 07821 139826<br />

www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk<br />

Call: 0800 6446100<br />

or 07904 127663<br />

Covering all North West Areas<br />

71<br />

4 NAPIT part ‘P’ registered<br />

4 JIB Approved Technician<br />

4 38 Years Experience<br />

4 <strong>Local</strong>, Honest & Reliable<br />

4 Domestic<br />

4 Industrial & Commercial<br />

Whatever your electrical needs,<br />

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New/moving sockets<br />

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Cale Lane, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN2 1HF<br />

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BAILEYS<br />

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W.Hurst & Son Ltd<br />

ELECTRIC<br />

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• All types of electrical work<br />

• 35+ years experience<br />

• No job too small<br />

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07850 622 191<br />

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Certificate of excellence winner<br />

2017, 2018 & 2019


72<br />

Call Paul<br />

Locksmiths<br />

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call Paul for a Fast, Reliable,<br />

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moBiLE<br />

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work welcome<br />

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FULL BOILER<br />

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4 Boiler Servicing & Maintenance<br />

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FINANCE<br />

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506515<br />

John Bailey<br />

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or 07721 040620<br />

& 07710 153238<br />

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Call Andy for a free quote on<br />

01942 564 226<br />

07397 391 935<br />

acampbellheatingandgas<br />

597379


74<br />

A Genuine Family Run Business<br />

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WE REPAIR ALL<br />

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4 573747<br />

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£29 for a fu l day<br />

rural Vi lage<br />

NUrSErY<br />

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Bulldog Tools Ind. Est.<br />

Darlington Street East <strong>Wigan</strong> WN1 3BT<br />

We also fit full bathrooms!<br />

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En-Suites<br />

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Ceiling Panelling<br />

01942 397173<br />

07803 057940<br />

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www.ljplumbingandbathrooms.co.uk<br />

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www.locallife247.co.uk<br />

Elite<br />

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

Little Acorns Nursery<br />

QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />

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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 />

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C L Bathrooms<br />

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75<br />

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Quality bathrooms at<br />

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www.AGBathrooms.net


76<br />

GDR Driveways<br />

ALL ASPECTS OF PAVING & tuRfING<br />

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service available<br />

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01257 369 685<br />

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All<br />

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rural Vi lage<br />

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

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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 />

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A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />

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for<br />

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78<br />

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

J&P<br />

MOORCROFT<br />

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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 outdoors & being down in the forest<br />

which is good for your child’s health and we l-being<br />

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81


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83<br />

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28544

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