Local Life - Wigan - January 2021

LocalLife

Wigan Edition

Jack’s Tracks visits

Rabbit Rocks

Pages 51-53

Jan/Feb 2021

Through the Lens with Frank Orrell

Pages 14-17

Old Courts - The Show Goes On

Pages 20-23

Views needed for Orrell Survey

Pages 28-29

Home Style - Down to Earth

Pages 38-39

Veganuary Re-Visited

Pages 48-50

Best SUVs for under £30k

Pages 60-61

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2020 was the year when our feelings and emotions

ebbed and flowed depending on the news cycle

of the day. As I write this on Day 10 of Lockdown

3.0, the two dominant emotions today are relief and hope

– the relief that the vaccines are showing us a way out of

this and the hope that we’ll soon be able to resume our

normal daily lives.

When the virus threat eases, many will be determined

to make up for lost time by planning sunshine holidays

whilst others will take pleasure from doing the simple

things that we all took for granted, such as watching live

sport at the DW, going down the pub or to the cinema.

As you can see from this issue, Wigan has much to look

forward to post-COVID.

The very real progress made by The Old Courts in

transforming the Royal Court theatre on King Street will

push the Wigan arts scene to heights not scaled for many

years. How many readers can remember having four

working theatres within a mile of Wigan town centre, not

that many I’d wager!

The future looks bright for the Wigan Pier area and,

whilst the work on the regeneration of the Galleries site

isn’t slated to start until 2022, the exciting and radical

proposals put forward could potentially light up the way

to revitalise the entire town centre area.

Lots of exciting times to look forward to, so keep your

chin up, get the jab when you’re asked to and we’ll enjoy

those times together…

Keep in touch with the

LocalLife Team!

LocalLife

Telephone: 01695 627 999

info@locallife247.co.uk

Chris Pearce, Publisher

chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

locallifemagazine247@locallifemedia

Local Life 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the

publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss

or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of

this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

This month’s highlights

14. Through the Lens with Frank Orrell

Contents

20. The Show Goes On

28. Orrell Survey

18. Books

New discoveries!

32. Home Interiors

Update your lighting.

44. Puzzle Pages

Try these brainteasers for size.

50. Recipes

Vegan banana and custard pots.

54. Pets

Dog dieting.

55. Health

Beat the January blues.

60. Motoring

The best new SUVs under £30,000.

51. Jack’s Tracks visits Rabbit Rocks

65. Home & Garden Services

Find the best local traders for you.

38. Down To Earth

48. Veganuary Re-Visited

Want to

promote your

business in

LocalLife?

Next Issue - March 2021

Advertising deadline - 24th February

Published - 10th March

01695 627 999

www.locallife247.co.uk

hEritagE opEn days

WhEElton moor Walk

a hEalthiEr hEart

september 2018

Cover photo © Ian Bonnell Photograpthy

Standish Coronavirus Help

The new national lockdown from early January means that

many vulnerable members of the Standish community

will need help once again.

At the start of the first lockdown back in March 2020,

Standish Voice and local ward Councillors came together

to help vulnerable and elderly people affected by the

lockdown restrictions and the same team are up and

running and ready to help again.

The Standish Voice organisation, along with Councillors

Adam Marsh, Debbie Parkinson and Ray Whittingham

established Standish Coronavirus Help early in 2020,

and this much needed lifeline is still available to support

people through a network of volunteers.

The group is mindful of the fact that some of the elderly

and vulnerable people in Standish may not be able to

rely on family, friends or neighbours to help, if they have

returned to self-isolation.

Services include helping with shopping, delivering

medicine or simply supporting them by having a

conversation, on the phone or by email. This also extends

to people who

have been

advised to

shield again

due to medical

conditions.

This initiative is

not designed

to replace help

that family,

friends and neighbours can give, but to ensure isolated

older people are not forgotten. The group can also alert

the authorities to people in need of specialised help.

If you need help or know of anyone that would benefit

from the service, please email their name and address to

a.marsh@wigan.gov.uk, debbie.parkinson1@wigan.gov.

uk or raymond.whittingham@wigan.gov.uk.

If you have not got access to the internet or an email

account, a 24-hour helpline is available for urgent

requests, and you can contact the team on 01257 228488.

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A Giant

Finale

october 2018

The winner of Local Life’s

December competition was

Carole Astin of Gathurst Road in

Shevington. Carole nominated

one of her neighbours, Vicky

Little, to receive the prize, which

was a luxury Christmas hamper.

When asked why she had

nominated Vicky, Carole said

“She’s done a tremendous

amount of work in the local

community this year, helping

out at the village food bank

Hamper Winner

and holding music events at the

bottom of the garden”.

Vicky, along with husband David

and children James and Rebecca,

hosted musical performances

at key moments in 2020, such

as the Clap for Carers nights,

the VE Day celebrations and on

Christmas Eve.

Thank you to all those readers

who participated in the

competition.

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Santa Zooms In

For the first time in many years,

the Wigan Rotary Club’s annual

Santa Floats were unable to run at

Christmas and the Rotarians acted

quickly to provide online solutions

to ensure that local children

were not disappointed. The club

secured several Zoom slots with

Father Christmas himself, and the

bookings to meet him rolled in throughout December.

Wigan Rotary President Rosemary Charles said “I would

like to thank all the parents, grandparents, children and

friends who met Santa via Zoom each day. Thanks to

their generosity, Wigan Rotary

Club will continue support for

local, national and international

charities to which we are

committed.”

Rosemary added “We had lots

of amazing feedback from the

sessions with Santa and would like

to thank those who participated”.

If you would like more information about the club, please

visit www.ribi.org, contact them directly on 07813 471000

or email wiganrotary1924@virginmedia.com.

Choose a

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It has never been more important to choose the right care setting.

Belong villages provide high quality 24-hour support

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Small households create

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Specially adapted

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safe move-ins and

family visits

Robust infection prevention

and control measures, and

regular testing for colleagues

and residents

Services include 24-hour support,

including nursing and dementia

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Belong also operates an award-winning home

care service, providing support with daily living,

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To find out more, contact your nearest village

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Counselling Help

A team of Wigan counsellors are raising funds to various topics, in the hope that this will bring people

provide much needed therapeutic activities to the local together in an inspiring way.

community.

The benefits from these sessions include the provision of

Empathy North West is a non-profit organisation based life skills, increased mental wellbeing and to re-introduce

in Wigan, that offers therapeutic sessions for individuals, social environments back to people who have been

couples, families, and children.

isolated due to Covid restrictions.

The team are dedicated to the mental welfare of residents The activities will take place on Saturdays at Empathy’s

and are currently providing counselling therapy through base on Library Street, always providing a Covid

referrals and self-referrals.

safe environment. However, as a non-profit making

Because of the current pandemic, the group now wants to

organisation the group need to raise funds to purchase

go one step further to help by expanding on the wealth

equipment for the activities.

of knowledge of their counsellors and offering various They have set up a Crowdfunder account and to date

activities that will help people through these tough times have raised £422 of their £500 target. If you would like

and beyond.

to discover more about Empathy North West, visit the

The sessions will be known as Wigan Community Saturdays

website at www.empathynorthwestcic.com, and if you

and would involve various activities - everything from

would like to donate towards Community Saturdays,

creative art therapy and first aid training, to a brew and

please visit

drop-in chat sessions for the local community.

www.crowdfunder.co.uk/wigan-community-saturdays

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Iconic Ashton Store Closes

An iconic equestrian store in

Ashton has closed its doors

for the last time.

Robinsons Country Leisure

started life as Robinson

Saddlers, located next to

what is now Wigan North-

Western station. The store

moved to its current site on

Wigan Road in Ashton in the

early 1980’s and in 2013 sold

a stake in the company to Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct.

Plans have been submitted to the Council to convert the

two-storey retail store into three separate units; a garage,

complete with MOT testing station, a warehouse and a

third unit. A planning decision is due in late February.

The company’s long history started in 1867, when

James Robinson opened a small saddlery next to the

station on Wallgate. In 1970 James’ grandson, Jim sold

the company to Jim Bentham, a local riding instructor,

and in 1982 the company

moved to the Wigan Road

site in Ashton, rebranding

as Robinsons Country

Leisure. In September 2002,

a fire destroyed the shop

and it was rebuilt in 2003

as a 20,000 square foot

equestrian superstore and

café, Subsequent Robinsons

Country Leisure stores were

opened in Cannock, Basingstoke and Cardiff, as the

company became the UK’s biggest equestrian retailer.

The growth was fuelled by the launch of the company’s

innovative equestrian mail order operation in 1987 which

was eventually re-located to the South Lancs Industrial

Estate in Bryn.

It is understood that Robinsons Country Leisure will

continue operating as an online retailer from www.

robinsonsequestrian.com

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Smoke & Fire

For those people looking forward to the time when going

out and eating well is allowed again, there’s something

completely different coming to the north west this

summer to tickle your taste buds.

The Smoke and Fire Festival, a BBQ and outdoor cooking

festival, was launched to great acclaim in 2017, attracting

crowds of over 18,000. This year the Festival is going on

the road, and one of the four UK venues is Victoria Park

in Southport.

Each festival will showcase top BBQ and outdoor cooking

heroes, competitions, fabulous pop-up restaurants,

two live music stages, award-winning street food, BBQ

and outdoor cooking equipment demonstrations, kids

entertainment, and a mini real ale and cider festival.

The Smoke & Fire Festival North takes place at Victoria

Park, Southport from 18th to 21st June. Tickets are

available from www.smokeandfirefestival.com.

Walking Offer

Did you know that you can download over 70 walks

FREE from Local Life’s website? Many of these walks are

easily reached from Wigan and the surrounding area.

Just go to our website and click on ‘Free Stuff’ and then

on ‘Download Jack’s Tracks’ and you can pick and choose

unlimted routes to download absolutely free of charge.

Quite a few of these Jack’s Tracks walks also appear on the

excellent OS Maps apps created by Ordnance Survey. You

just download the OS Maps apps from Apple or Google

Play and you can search for walking, cycling and running

routes.

You can get instant access to all OS Leisure maps and

even try an aerial fly-through of your planned route. It

really is a must-have for any keen walker.

The app normally costs £28.99 per year, but until mid-

February you can get a single month’s access to OS Maps

app for just £3.99. To access the offer, visit https://shop.

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You can find this month’s Jack’s Tracks – Rabbit Rocks

Loop – on pages 51-53 of this magazine.

Happy walking!

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Life

through the lens

by Nicola Gray

Andy Warhol famously stated, the best

thing about a picture is that it never

changes, even when the people in it do.

To capture and preserve a moment in

history surely leaves you with many great

memories of your own, so I caught up

with Wigan lensman Frank Orrell, to ask

him just that.

Frank has taken thousands of pictures

of Wigan, the people who live here and

local events, spanning a career of more

than 40 years with the Wigan Observer.

Frank started life at 84, Shevington Lane

on 21st of January 1949 born to his Irish

Mum, Foila, and Dad, Jim. Frank added,

“I have a sister, Kathleen and a half sister, Ann. Ann’s mum

died giving birth to her and my

mum died of tuberculosis

in 1954, my paternal

Grandma, Annie,

helped to bring us up while my dad was

working as a joiner.”

Frank travelled about a bit in his

younger years and spent some time in

Ireland, “My Granddad, Thomas, had

been killed in action on the Somme in

the last months of the First World War.

When mum was ill, Kathleen and I were

taken to live in Corrinshigo, in Northern

Ireland with our maternal grandparents.

We were there for about a year.”

When talking about some of his earliest

memories, many of them centre around

the happy times he spent in Ireland, but

Shevington was always home, Frank

added, “I remember coming home to a then very rural

Shevington with few houses and hardly any traffic. Old

Lane was just across from where I lived and as a child it

was a bit scary, it was a mysterious and

dark tree lined track.”

Wigan Casino demolition, 1983

Bickershaw Festival, 1972

“I also remember that we didn’t have a

television in those days but the Hilton family,

who lived opposite us at Coach House Farm,

did and would let me and my sisters watch

Children’s Hour. I would spend most of the time

asking who were the goodies and who were

the baddies as the Lone Ranger, Cisco Kid and

Range Rider rode across the screen.”

Frank attended St. Marie’s Catholic Primary School on

Almond Brook Road in Standish and was taught by the

nuns there. He says, “After passing my 11 plus I went to

Blessed John Rigby Grammar School on Gathurst Road,

which was run by the Christian Brothers order. I’m afraid

to say I wasn’t as happy here as I was at primary school,

the so-called Christian Brothers could be quite cruel and

sadistic.”

On leaving grammar school, Frank had big aspirations of

becoming a professional footballer, but football’s loss has

been photography’s gain. He tells me, “Funnily enough

I was never that interested in photography but my dad

was a fairly keen amateur and because I’d no idea what

I wanted to do after leaving school he suggested writing

to the local papers to see if there was a vacancy for a

photographer. They wrote back saying that there were no

positions available at the time but would keep my name

on file.”

Frank’s first job was a far cry from the craft he eventually

made into his long-term career, “My first job was at

Bradley’s menswear shop in Market Street, when I was

sixteen. I went along to enquire about a job and the

manager, appropriately named Mr. Wigan, was happy

to take me on. Duties included sweeping the step in

the morning, lighting the coal fire, and dusting the shirt

boxes. I was never much good at selling socks, underpants

and cardigans and after two years of measuring bellies

and inside legs, I got a letter from the Post and Chronicle

newspaper on Leyland Mill Lane, inviting me for an

interview for a photographic printer.”

Frank underwent four years of training, including printing

pictures in the darkroom and occasionally going out

with photographers on assignments, he added, “I was

promoted to photographer and given my first camera,

which was a Yashica twin lens reflex. I grew to absolutely

love the job and I have covered everything from news and

sport to leisure events.”

Some of Frank’s proudest moments have come from

his time behind the camera but his proudest moment

came as a Dad, he tells me, “I won several newspaper

photography awards but my proudest moments concern

being able to get two spare photographer passes for

my sons, Danny and Mike, for the 1992 rugby league

Challenge Cup Final between Wigan and Castleford at

Wembley. This was during Wigan’s eight-year dominance

of Challenge Cup wins in a row from 1988 to 1995, the

Golborne Miners, 1979

lads were able to sit with me on the pitch looking after my

photographic gear as I took the pictures. Just to cap the

day Wigan won 28-12.”

Frank has a deep affection for his hometown, and he

has probably seen more of the place and people than

most. When asked about Wigan he said, “It’s always been

a friendly place and I think it’s quite attractive contrary

to what people outside of the area may think. I love

going for walks around Mesnes Park, Haigh Hall and in

Elnup Wood in Shevington. Wigan has also been a great

source of characters, stories, and pictures, happy and sad,

throughout my career.”

And stories are what Frank has in abundance, and I can’t

help but laugh as he regales me with the story about the

time he was at the wrong end of Bernard Manning’s wit!

“You could say that I had the dubious honour of being

insulted by Mr. Manning. He was appearing at Poolstock

Cricket Club in 1973 and I needed audience reaction

pictures as Manning told his jokes on stage. I wasn’t in a

good position at the side of the room to see their faces, so

Orrell v Gloucester

I started to creep along in front of the stage to get a better

angle. I was snapping away happily with my back to the

stage when suddenly Manning stopped his act, leant over

and asked me what I was doing.”

Frank tried to brush him off by telling him he was taking

photographs, but spying the opportunity for a bit,

Manning wouldn’t leave it alone. “‘What of?’ he asked

me, so in true Wigan style I responded, ‘the audience not

laughing at your jokes’, then I started to creep away, but

he carried on. ‘You cheeky little toe rag. Bloody hell look

at the state of him, look at the size of his nose, he could

smoke a cigar under a shower’. Of course, the audience

were in stitches and I didn’t hang around too long.”

Another incident that stuck in Frank’s mind was the time

he went to take a picture of a charity cheque presentation

at St. Mary’s Primary School in Lower Ince. Frank

continued, “Nearly the whole school were in the assembly

hall and I wanted to get as many of the pupils as I could

on the photograph, but it was difficult from ground level

so I dragged up a large vaulting box. I climbed on with

camera and flashgun in hand and

proceeded to snap away. Even from

that height I wasn’t quite far enough

back so I stepped backwards without

realising that the box was sideways

on, I tumbled over the back of the box

and disappeared. The whole school

were in uproar at my antics but luckily,

I wasn’t hurt, and my photographic

equipment survived. Just to add insult

to injury as I was leaving a little lad

said to me, ‘That was funny Mister, can

you come back at Christmas?’”

When I ask about his most

memorable image, I know it’s almost

an impossible question to answer,

but in true Frank style he says, “If I’m

allowed to pick two or three images

just to reflect the agony and ecstasy

of life my most memorable images

are a picture I took of redundant

workers facing a bleak future in 1975,

after it was announced that Empress

cotton mill in Higher Ince, was to

close. I pictured them looking forlorn

between the huge empty cotton

reels pondering their future.

“Another sad one was a picture that I took of the first

miners going back to work just three days after the

underground explosion that killed ten of their colleagues

at Golborne Colliery in March 1979. A happier image was

in the long hot summer of 1976 when Ince children made

the most of the North West Water Authority testing a new

water main to have some cool splashing fun.”

Empress Mill Closure, 1975

Frank took early retirement from his press photographer

job in 2009 and started working on his self-published

books. “I have nine books of photographs from my 42

years on the Wigan papers and am presently working

on another book of photographs mainly from the 1960s.

During lockdown I have been busy scanning negatives

and photographs at home. It will probably be late this

year before I can get it published.”

Summer, Ince, 1976

@frankorrellphotography

New Discoveries

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when it comes to reading. We tend to choose genres that we

know we’ll enjoy. But it can be good to try something new once in a while…

Quite

Claudia Winkleman

Can’t stand books by celebrity

authors? Try Quite. Reading it is a

bit like putting the world to rights

with your best mate over a glass of

wine (or three). You’ll find out about

everything from Claudia’s views

on relationships and parenting to

her thoughts on naps (essential) and brightly coloured

clothes (to be avoided at all costs).

The Girl Who Drank

the Moon

Kelly Barnhill

Still turning your nose up at reading

children’s fiction as an adult? You’re

seriously missing out. Start with The

Girl Who Drank the Moon. A baby is

left in the woods as a sacrifice to a

witch. But rather than kill her, the witch raises the child

as her own. Meanwhile, the mother is left to go mad in

the tower, where the real threat lies. Storytelling at its

best.

Humans

Brandon Stanton

Never bought a ‘coffee table book’

before? Humans won’t disappoint.

It’s a difficult book to describe in a

way that does it justice. Let’s just

say that it’ll give you a glimpse

of people’s lives across the globe.

You’ll hear from people with differing viewpoints,

discussing everything from the worst and best moments

of their lives to everyday concerns. You’ll be uplifted,

saddened and inspired and end up feeling just a little bit

more connected to the rest of humanity.

Reality and Other

Stories

John Lanchester

If you haven’t read any ghost stories

since your teenage years, Reality

and Other Stories is a good place to

start. From traditional ghost stories

to Black Mirror-esque tales, each

story is deliciously creepy and focuses on an aspect of

modern life, from a twisted reality show to a possessed

selfie stick. As you’d expect, some stories are stronger

than others, but overall, it’s a decent collection to keep

you occupied through these long winter nights.

The Night Bus Hero

Onjali Q. Raúf

Ever read a book with an unlikable

protagonist? Ten-year-old Hector

is a bully. He can generally be

found causing trouble or picking

on someone smaller. But when he

mistakenly accuses an innocent

man of a crime, Hector has to

decide whether to continue on his path or become the

hero for once. Strictly speaking, this is another children’s

book, but it’s likely to be enjoyed by anyone aged ten up.

A Single Thread

Tracy Chevalier

As a genre, historical fiction is

incredibly varied, covering as it does

every period in the last few thousand

years. A Single Thread focuses on the

period between the two world wars.

At thirty-eight, unmarried Violet is a

‘surplus woman’, with no real place in society. However,

she also has what many married women at the time did

not – freedom. When she starts embroidering kneelers

for Winchester Cathedral, Violet finds a way to both

connect with the world and make her mark on it.

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The

Show Goes On

By Nicola Gray

2020 was a catastrophic year for the hospitality and

entertainment industry and 2021 hasn’t started in a positive

way. When your business model centres around drawing

crowds time and time again, what is the plan when that is

snatched away from you? I caught up with Becky Davenport

and David Jenkins from the Old Courts in Wigan to see how

COVID has impacted the venue financially, what the team

have been up to during lockdown and what is in store for

the future.

“Back in March 2020 we made the difficult decision

to close our doors due to the impending Coronavirus

pandemic just prior to enforced lockdown, Managing

Director, David tells me. “This decision was enormous as

we fund over 80% of our community activity through

revenue earned via the sale of event tickets, food and

beverages and private hire of our spaces.”

Sadly, by closing the doors to the Old Courts this has

meant a loss of income in the region of £3m for this

financial year. This really was a devasting blow for the

team, who have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of

the Old Courts whilst inspiring the community and giving

a home to a hot bed of local artistic talent. David added,

“Fast forward a difficult, busy and emotional 7 months

and with our full staff team in tow, we’re delighted to have

received £1,254,856 in emergency funding to cover costs

up to April 2021, whilst continuing to support artists and

our community.”

David continued, “This money will help to safeguard

our staff, our buildings and the projects we are involved

in, all of which play a vital role in how we benefit our

community.” We genuinely feel that we’ve learned greatly

from this forced process but whichever way we look at

it, closing our income-generating operations has been

nothing short of the hardest thing we have ever faced. We

can’t thank the funders enough for this incredible lifeline

at a time when we needed it most.”

In response to the national lockdown the Directors didn’t

want to lose sight of their commitment to the arts, so

with funding from the Greater Manchester Combined

Authority, they launched their brand-new online

performance platform ‘The Old Courts Live’. Since May

this has allowed the Old Courts to continue to support

artists with paid work whilst offering much needed

connection and entertainment to lockdown audiences,

some of whom were isolated at home. Artistic Director,

Jonny Davenport tells me, “Aside from a boost to the

mental health of the audience and performers, we have

paid over 400 freelance artists at a time when their work

was virtually non-existent. To date, these online events

have been viewed over 70,000 times.”

And the innovation didn’t stop there, 2020 also saw the

team complete a self-published book of creative writing

and imagery submitted by 109 local contributors, named

The Language of Lockdown. As well as running the

main arm of the organisation, The Old Courts teamed

up with Wigan Council and Fur Clemt to offer their help

to coordinate volunteers delivering meals across the

borough.

Director Becky Davenport adds, “We also set up a phone

line meaning that residents could contact us if they

needed any help or even just needed a friendly chat. The

response has been phenomenal and the feedback we

have received from handling the phone calls is so heartwarming

and proves what a necessary service this is, even

without Covid isolation.

Directors Jonny Davenport, Michelle Mayor, Becky Davenport and David

Jenkins - Photo credit Ant Robling

“We’ve had chats with people about theatre, music, family,

holidays, war, politics and Wigan, you name it, we chatted

about it. I remember when we were in strict lockdown and

we had a gentleman call us up with concerns for his mother.

He didn’t live local and the lady didn’t have family in the area

at all so one of our volunteers, Dan, went round to check up

on her. Luckily, she’d just forgotten to put her phone back

on the charger, so the battery had run out. The lady’s son

was so relieved and the lady herself was so grateful that

we’d taken the time to go and see if she was ok.”

Becky continued, “Thanks to the support of the National

Lottery Community Fund and the Co-op Foundation

we’ve been able to commit to running our services longer.

Anyone who’d like to volunteer to help with phone calls

or anyone who’d like to receive a phone call can ring

01942 912300.”

2021 The Old Court Updates

In addition to protecting what The Old Courts stands for

and everything the team have worked hard to create

over recent years, they are going into 2021 with renewed

vigour and will be planning the next steps for their reopening.

The team have given us a bit of insight as to

what the next year holds in store for The Old Courts and

their other projects.

Royal Court Theatre

Over the last couple of years, the team have been busy

inside The Royal Court Theatre on King Street. They

have carried out urgent repairs to the roof and have

been busy stripping out the old night club remnants

and paraphernalia whilst returning the historic building

to the theatre it once was. Becky adds, “Aside from the

schedule of works carried out, the focus has been around

fundraising for The Royal Court Theatre to realise our

ambitions for the site. It’s been a lot of work to say the least,

but we’re delighted to report that we now have enough

funds to complete the job so that The Royal Court Theatre

can open once more, something we passionately feel that

Wigan deserves. In addition to the existing building, we

have plans in place for a contemporary, complimentary

addition to the rear of the site in which we hope to house

a café and Northern Soul museum.”

Wigan Pier

Due to Covid-19 work at Wigan Pier had slowed down as

workers were forced to stay home. However, once they

were able to safely restart work, activity was resumed

with partners Step Places, Wigan Council and Canals

Rivers Trust.

Progress on the external space was there for all to see

with new roofing, repaired and replaced brickwork,

new windows and new cladding. More recently with the

installation of the board walks and glass balustrade along

the canal, the iconic site has begun to take shape.

The vision involves transforming the renowned Wigan

Pier into canal-side walkways, a food hall, events venue

and cultural education spaces. The food

hall will include spaces for retailers,

a gin distillery and a micro-brewery

with the adjacent former Orwell public

house converted into an events venue

suitable for exhibitions, festivals,

conferences and private parties and

weddings.

Photo credit Mark Sixsmith 8

Becky added, “We are currently working

with designers Dawnvale to finalise

plans for the internal works ahead

of work commencing. Considering

functionality, ambience, heritage and

now social distancing, we are designing

a space which we hope will do justice

to the reputation that Wigan Pier has.”

Once we have completed the planning and research, we

require to safely re-open, we will run a series of small test

events in the first quarter of 2021 and we intend to be as

fully open as the world allows at the beginning of April

2021.

Collaborative Touring Network

The Old Courts

Becky tells me, “We are now entering into a research and

planning stage which will involve our staff team working

with local artists, stakeholders, the voluntary sector and

the community to establish what is needed and how we

can work together going forward to emerge from 2020

stronger than before.

In September, The Old Courts successfully won a bid

for £799,000 from Arts Council England to run the

7th, 8th and 9th years of a national project called the

Collaborative Touring Network. The CTN is a partnership

between 8 towns and cities that have over the past 6

years toured amazing shows and performances into

areas of historical low engagement. This has seen shows

feature in swimming pools, boxing rings, car park roofs

and many other unusual spaces. Becky says, “Never has

there been such a need for the pioneering network and

with the project underway, we hope that we can lead the

way to restarting touring work at some point in 2021.”

Language of Lockdown

We always say that The Old Courts is YOUR Arts Centre and

right now in a time of uncertainty we mean it more than

ever. We want to give the people of Wigan what they want

which is why we’re working closely with the community

to ensure voices are heard and everyone’s ideas influence

our strategy.”

The team are well into the process of creating 14 high

specification studio spaces for creative businesses

to occupy as well as a recording studio which, once

furnished, will be available for commercial hires and

internal use. Becky adds, “Last but by no means least is

The Grand Vault, our main music venue at The Old Courts.

We have formed a small design team who are working

on a quirky internal concept with some key local creative

figures. The purpose of the space will remain the same,

but it will be given a new and exciting lease of life ready

for re-opening.

COVID-19 Community Help

If you would like to volunteer to help or if you or someone you know just wants to chat then

please call 01942 912300 or go online at www.theoldcourts.com/help

The Old Courts | Gerrard Winstanley House | Crawford Street | Wigan | WN1 1NA

01942 834747

info@theoldcourts.com

www.theoldcourts.com

The Language of Lockdown was

commissioned by The Old Court Arts Centre

containing stories, drawings, sketches,

paintings, photographs, poetry and creative

writing based on the emotions, thoughts

and experiences from the people of Wigan,

Leigh, Greater Manchester and beyond

during the Covid-19 lockdown period.

Jonny said, “We wanted something that

would live on beyond these unprecedented

times, something to look back on as a

reminder of both how difficult things were

in that moment and how, as a community,

people managed to overcome and perhaps

learn from our experiences. We want to

provide hope to others demonstrating they were not

alone in how we have been feeling, despite being in such

an isolating period.”

The work captured the good, the bad, the ugly, the

boredom, the feelings of children missing school, the

desperate need for a haircut and a hug. The book is

available to buy on Amazon for £15.99, all proceeds will

be used to support the work of The Old Courts.

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Swing and a Miss?

When I pen these pieces at this time of year, I traditionally

reflect on what has happened in the Wigan housing market

over the past twelve months and try and give readers an

idea on what to expect in the New Year.

There is an old saying that goes, ‘Predicting the future is

easy - getting it right is the hard part’ and as we welcome

in the start of another year, we’re greeted with an

avalanche of Nostradamus-wannabes trying to predict

how house prices will perform in 2021.

The interesting part comes when one looks back on past

predictions to see who was on target and who missed

the mark by a country mile. Here’s two property-related

predictions that didn’t quite hit the mark.

For the first, roll the calendar back to when Covid-19 hit early

in 2020 and, despite a buoyant housing market still riding

the ‘Boris Bounce’, major financial economists and property

market commenters were predicting a property crash. The

more positive amongst them were predicting a 5% drop

in house prices by the end of 2020, but the forecasts from

most ‘experts’ ranged between a 10% to 15% drop.

And for the second, let’s wind back the calendar even

further - all the way back to 23rd June 2016 – that’s

right, the Brexit vote. It was the considered opinion of

Her Majesty’s Treasury, headed up by Chancellor George

Osborne, that national house prices would drop by 18%

if the country voted to leave the EU. Multiple ‘property

experts’ voiced similar concerns.

The table below illustrates how those predictions have

played out in the past 4½ years.

House Type

House Value

2016

Predicted Value

post-Brexit Result

Average Value

Today

The table shows that Wigan homeowners who own

detached homes would have seen an increase in their

property’s value equivalent to £99.23 a week. This is

calculated from the price they would have paid in the

summer of 2016 and the price they would sell for today.

On this basis, owners of semidetached homes would have

seen an increase in value equivalent to £70.77 per week,

owners of terraced homes/town houses of £36.15 per

week and apartment owners of £63.85 per week.

So why has the Wigan property market not matched

the property pundits twice in the last five years or so?

For most of us, getting on the property ladder is about

having somewhere to live rather than an investment, and

any increase in value is a secondary benefit.

Whilst panicked property predictions by ‘experts’ looking

for a quick headline won’t materially affect homeowners,

what they do is to frighten away those young people

who are about to step onto the housing ladder and that’s

regrettable because getting on the property ladder is,

for everyone who is on there for the long term, a great

investment.

So, what of 2021? It’s true that the country will have high

unemployment, yet at the same time, we have ultra-low

interest rates and for the last 20 years, on average we

have only built 150,000 households per year, but we need

300,000 homes per year to keep up with immigration,

people living longer and changes in the way households

are made up.

And what does my crystal ball say? Rightmove are

Uplift in Value in

Last 4.5 Years

Wigan Detached £250,100 £205,100 £275,900 £25,800 11.3%

Wigan Semi £137,700 £112,900 £156,100 £18,400 12.4%

Wigan Terraced /

Town House

£97,200 £79,700 £106,600 £9,400 10.7%

Wigan Apartments £99,000 £81,200 £115,600 £16,600 15.8%

% Increase since

Brexit Vote

predicting a rise of

4% in house prices in

2021, but the Halifax

are predicting a drop

of 5%, so I’m going to

sit on the fence and say

it will be something in

between!

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

worked within the Wigan property market for over 30 years.

Alan Batt

For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the Wigan property market, check out his blog at

www.alanbatt.co.uk

Let’s Celebrate

2021

Together

Wigan Office • 78 Market Street, Wigan WN1 1HX • 01942 233 999

www.alanbatt.co.uk

Tell us

Your Views

A message from Orrell RUFC, Brighter Better Orrell and Councillor Michael Winstanley

A few months ago, Wigan Warriors moved their training

base from Edge Hall Road to Robin Park as part of a deal

with Wigan Council. Since then, there has been much

speculation about the future of the Edge Hall Road site.

Different options have been mentioned on how to

make use of the site, including Orrell Rugby Union Club

returning to their former home, the possibility of it

being used by the local community, or using the land for

housing development. The land being sold for housing is

something that may happen, but many local people feel

that this would be the worst possible outcome.

Over the last six months Orrell RUFC have been in

discussions with Wigan Warriors about various options for

use of the site and have been given first refusal to come

up with a proposal.

It has been suggested that Edge Hall Road could become

a true community hub with the site being leased to the

local community. This would include the pitch being used

by Orrell RUFC and other local sporting teams, whilst

the Club House could be turned into a much-needed

meeting place for community groups and associations to

use for various activities.

With this in mind, Orrell RUFC and Brighter Better Orrell

have joined together to examine how much interest

there would be in such a proposal. They have established

a small working group with key people from both groups

and support being provided by Cllr Michael Winstanley.

They would like to hear your views about these proposals.

A survey has been created and they would very much

like to hear from you. The more people that respond will

show how much support there is in the local community

for such a scheme.

You can complete the survey until Friday 19th February

here; https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7ZL6WKC

Commenting on this proposal Gill Eyre, Chair of Brighter

Better Orrell, said “With all the amazing work, already

being done, by all the volunteers in Orrell, not just the

BBO but Friends of Orrell Station, Ellen’s garden, the

Water Park, Holgate Park, this is a golden opportunity to

enhance our beautiful community further. We all need to

get behind this for the benefit of the whole community,

the possibilities are endless, but we need the people of

Orrell to drive it forward.”

Tony Havlin, Chair of Orrell RUFC and Orrell & Winstanley

Community Sports Club said “We are delighted to be

working with BBO on a proposed community project

that could see Edge Hall Road (the former home of

Orrell RUFC) returned to the community as a community

hub. Recent events have raised the awareness of the

importance of sport and community and this facility

would bring the two together at a time when it is much

needed and wanted”.

Tony added “We believe the idea will complement our own

vision of a community sports hub (as Orrell & Winstanley

Community Sports Club) at the heart of the community

used by all ages, offering a range of participation sports,

health and wellbeing activities; all of which will be a great

addition to the locality – making it a much better, brighter

Orrell!”

Councillor Winstanley commented “This is a real

opportunity to build a long-term facility that can be at the

heart of the local community which will help to provide

a real asset for improving health and getting people fit

and also providing much needed facilities and activities

for the young people of Orrell and Billinge”.

Once all the responses have been received then these will

be analysed and incorporated into the business case that

will be presented to the Wigan Warriors.

This project can only succeed with the backing of the

local community. If you want this project to succeed,

then please complete the survey at https://www.

surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7ZL6WKC and encourage your

family and friends to do the same.

If you do not have access to the internet, then please

make your views known to the working group by writing

to Councillor Winstanley at 111 Bolton Road, Ashton-in-

Makerfield, Wigan. WN4 8AD.

Thank you

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LocalLife

Glenys to the Rescue

Her deep affection for animals

inspired Billinger Glenys Rhead

to plan a project that would raise

£1,000 to help a dog rescue centre

through the Covid-19 pandemic.

73-year-old Glenys, from Tracks

Lane in Billinge, is a retired NHS

worker who is well known locally

for her creations of a diverse range

of craft products. During the

2020 lockdowns, Glenys created a

range of washable cotton face masks, both for adults and

children, mainly adorned with images of dogs.

She then sold the masks from

a display table outside her

home and in November, Glenys

presented the RSPCA at Ormskirk

with a cheque for £1,000.

Glenys said, “I was originally aiming

to raise £100, but I never thought I

would sell so many masks. It’s kept

me very busy indeed throughout

2020, but I would like to thank

everyone who bought them and

helped me raise £1,000 for the RSPA.”

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LIGHTING REGULATIONS

All electrical work in the home in the UK must

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for anything other than the most minor works use an

electrician who is registered as a ‘competent person’.

Lights fitted in bathrooms and outdoors must be

specially rated, usually to at least IP44, but check with

your supplier and/or electrician before installing.

Plan lighting as early as possible

A good time to upgrade lighting is when redecorating,

especially if replastering. Consider adding wall lights

above the living room seating in the living room for

greater flexibility or mounted either side of a bed to free

up bedside table space. Other options are a row of lights

over the dining table, a picture light above a painting or

photograph, or spotlights above your home-office desk.

Light in layers

‘Layer’ lighting from several different sources and

directions for both practicality and aesthetics.

Professionals think of four types of lighting: general, task,

accent and atmosphere, and you can mix several types

in each room using a combination of ceiling lights and

pendants, wall washers, floor or table lamps, and special

shelf or picture lights. Use floor and table lamps for better

illumination at mid and higher levels around the room.

Get the best bulbs

Choose modern LED energy-saving bulbs – although

expensive initially, they are cheap to run and should

last for years. For a warm, welcoming light, look for

bulbs marked around 2,700K. For brightness, consider

lumens (lm) rather than wattage – use around 470lm

as the equivalent to a 40w bulb, or around 800lm for a

60w bulb. Note that dimmer switches make all lighting

schemes more versatile but it can be trickier to dim LEDs,

so consult your electrician if you’re unsure.

The latest in lighting

Lighting technology is moving fast. LED lighting allows for

very small, slim fittings in places that were not previously

possible. Strip lights can be placed around the home to

create interesting effects, while the energy efficiency of

LED means that cordless, battery-powered lights can be

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colour in time to your music can be controlled via an app,

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Residents of Appley Bridge are hoping to welcome a new

housing development to the village - for hedgehogs to

move into!

Appley Bridge Community Association are raising money

to build a hedgehog village to rehome previously injured

hedgehogs.

Located in the Meadows, near to the canal, members of

the Community Association, who are working alongside

Chorley Hedgehog Rescue Centre, think this is the perfect

home for our spikey friends.

Kate Rossington from the Appley Bridge Community

Association said, “We are hoping with your help to build

homes to keep them safe from predators during their

hibernation period. This will also hopefully encourage the

mother and her hoglets to feel safe there in the warmer

months.”

The hedgehog village will also provide feeding stations,

which will encourage the hogs to remain in their

designated area.

Kate added, “We need to plant some more hedgehog

Homes for Hedgehogs

friendly trees such as

firs which we don’t

have in The Meadows

currently,

buying

mature trees is much

more expensive than

growing them from

scratch but we want

to be up and running

in the next few months so we can start helping sooner

rather than later.”

The team have a goal to raise £600 to pay for supplies and

have currently raised £252. Kate continued, “Hedgehogs

are declining and are near extinction, so every penny

counts and is much appreciated to save these lovely

creatures.”

If you would like to make a donation you can go online

at www.gf.me/u/Zbg9wi or if you would like to volunteer

to help the Community Association please send them a

message on Facebook.

Could you be one of tomorrow’s

outstanding teachers?

image: Gibe, Wikipedia

Join us at our virtual open evenings

using Microsoft Teams.

Monday 1st March 2021

Monday 19th April 2021

5-5:30pm

Individuals who have

the potential to be

outstanding teachers

Individuals who are

passionate about working

with young children.

Please email enquiries@wcpsd.uk to

request to join a virtual open evening.

Accredited

Study days will be at Liverpool Hope University leading to a PGCE and QTS in primary teaching.

For more information and updates please visit www.wcpsd.uk and www.saintpatricks.wigan.sch.uk

To search the course please visit the ‘get into teaching’ website https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/

and search using the following provider and course codes.

Provider code 2A4 Primary course code (Age 5-11) 2XT7 EYFS course code (Age 3-7) AP55

New Future for Galleries

Wigan Council announced last month

that Galleries25 has been appointed as

the Strategic Development Partner for

the £130 million redevelopment of the

Galleries Shopping Centre in Wigan.

The proposed scheme will see the

existing 440,000 sq. ft shopping centre

transformed to provide:

• A multi-media centre comprising: six

screen cinema, music and E-sports

venue, 10 lane bowling alley, indoor

mini golf, food and beverage units

• New market hall, including a

contemporary foodhall, co-working

space and small offices

• Evening entertainment space

• A landscaped public realm square for annual outdoor • A re-animated Makinson Arcade

events

• As part of the scheme, the markets will be relocated to

• 464 residential units and a new hotel

a more central position.

Train to teach with

LEARNINGFUTURESPARTNERSHIP

Join our

outstanding

teacher training

programme and make a

difference to the lives

and futures of

the pupils

you teach.

We are a teaching

alliance of the following

schools and college:

Byrchall High School

Hawkey Hall High School

Fred Longworth High School

Tyldesley Primary School

Winstanley college

Are you interested in training to teach

primary, secondary or sixth form students?

WoULd yoU LIkE To SPEAk To oUR ExPERTS To FINd oUT IF A TEAcHING cAREER IS FoR yoU?

Learning Futures Partnership are delivering an exciting teacher training programme that awards a PGCE with Masters credits.

Please contact Learning Futures Partnership on 01942 204640

or email enquiries@learningfuturespartnership.net

to register your interest and arrange to speak to our ITT co-ordinator.

www.learningfuturespartnership.net

Galleries25 is a joint venture partnership between

Cityheart and Beijing Construction Engineering Group

International (BCEGI). Cityheart, a North West based

property development and investment company, has a

15-year track record of successfully delivering significant

projects across the country, working almost exclusively

with the public sector. UK based BCEGI will lead the

construction programme for the new scheme.

Following consultation with residents, retailers, traders

and visitors, the proposals have been designed to

transform Wigan town centre into a vibrant, attractive

and accessible place. Currently the centre is dominated

by retail units, but under these plans there will be a much

wider and diverse offer, including improved hospitality,

leisure, and residential opportunities.

The Leader of Wigan Council, Councillor David Molyneux,

said: “These proposals very much reflect the feedback we

got from residents about the importance of vibrant town

centres during the Big Listening Project in 2018 and the

more recent consultation held earlier this year”.

“Now more than ever it’s vital we do everything we can

to create exciting and welcoming town centres to help

support our local businesses and jobs. These plans do just

that and I certainly can’t wait to see them materialise.”

60 Second

Mortgage

Review

With rates still historically low,

call us today to see if we can save £’s off

your existing mortgage

Call us on

01257 441580

or for more information visit

www.armortgagesuk.com

YOUR HOME IS AT RISK IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS

ON YOUR MORTGAGE OR ANY OTHER LOAN SECURED ON IT.

Alexander Ross Mortgages is a trading style of WE Financial Services Limited

which is an appointed representative of LJ Financial Planning Limited which

is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The redevelopment will create 475 construction jobs and

a further 190 jobs when the scheme opens. Galleries25

has committed to recruiting local people to the jobs,

including 25 apprentices annually, providing work

experience and education visits and to supporting the

local supply chain through a spend of £52m.

The new scheme offers the hope that the redevelopment

of the Galleries site can revitalise the wider town centre

economy by attracting residents back into the town

centre.

Back in November 2013 the then owners of the site, Vale

Retail, announced a £60m plan to redevelop and expand

The Galleries, which failed to materialise.

In March 2018 the Council bought the site, which includes

Makinson Arcade, Marketgate, the indoor market hall and

the former Morrison’s site, for an undisclosed sum from its

former private sector owners due to concerns about the

viability of The Galleries and the negative impact it was

having on the remainder of the town centre area.

Wigan Council will work with Cityheart and BCEGI to agree

the final details of the development with construction

expected to start in early 2022 with an anticipated

completion date of 2025.

Beautifully furnished

Stone Cottage

Holiday Let

– sleeps up to 4

Situated near Sedbergh,

in the Yorkshire Dales,

and also within easy

reach of the Lake District

Children & pets welcome

Call 01942 216 058

www.millthropcottage.co.uk

This living room, designed in Dulux’s ‘Earth palette’,

demonstrates how to use Brave Ground with other colours.

THIS WARM AND GROUNDING NEUTRAL

SHADE IS SAID TO HELP CREATE A NURTURING

REFUGE FOR UNCERTAIN TIMES

Down

to Earth

• Use this earthy colour as a base, and combine

with touches of other shades such as rust,

chocolate and ochre for a rich, warm and

welcoming vibe. This palette would be lovely in a

living room, but could also help create a relaxing

bedroom, a sanctuary bathroom, a cosy kitchen or

a productive home office.

• If you prefer something less neutral, Brave

Ground can be contrasted with dashes of bolder,

brighter tones. It works well with watery greens

and blues, mustard, orange and acid yellow, and

even shocking pink.

• Natural materials are perfect for combining with

Brave Ground: wood floors, jute rugs, sheepskins,

raffia lampshades and comforting wool throws.

Add plenty of house plants and even some

pampas grass for that on-trend, ‘hygge’ look.

This metal pendant light is a great combination of a neutral

palette and clean lines.

Montreux pendant light by Its About RoMi, £269.95, Lime Lace.

• The tone of this colour will change subtly

throughout the day as the light hits it, and will

appear quite deep at night. It is always worth

painting a large sheet of neutral-coloured card

using a sample pot, attaching it to the different

walls of your room and observing how it looks

from morning until night.

Alpaca wool is durable, luxurious

and silky, celebrated for its warmth

and hypoallergenic qualities.

Alpaca throw in natural diamond

herringbone, £159.95, Annabel

James.

Made of porcelain

with a realistic, woodeffect

design, these

parquet-style tiles have

a naturalistic matt finish,

and can be used on a wall

or floor.

Woven sand wood-effect

tiles, £39.95 per square

metre, Walls and Floors.

Give your home a soft style

with prints in tranquil and

muted colours.

Beige abstract poster,

£12.95, Desenio.

Brave Ground, Dulux’s

colour of the year 2021.

left out in thE COld this winter?

4 Are you a homeowner?

4 Is your boiler over 6 years old?

4 Are you in receipt of benefits or tax credits?

You could get a frEE (or heavily subsided)

boiler via the ECO3 scheme.

What is the ECO3 Scheme?

This is a UK government energy efficiency scheme where

energy suppliers fund the installation of energy efficiency

measures, such as boilers, for homeowners in receipt of

benefits and tax credits.

GEt yOur bOilEr

fundinG tOday!

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or visit www.invictusboilergrants.co.uk

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Call us today for a FREE property risk assessment.

01942 836 937 www.ghewigan.co.uk

New Year

Resolutions!

Firstly, here’s to a happy and healthy 2021 to all Local Life

readers. Let’s hope that 2020 quickly becomes a distant

memory as the vaccine roll-out gathers momentum and life

starts to get back to some form of normality.

I’m writing this piece well before Christmas but I think it’s

likely that the usual resolutions don’t stack up too well in

2021. Cutting back on visiting restaurants and the pub

after spending so long away from them isn’t that practical

and pledging to spend more time in the gym is all very

well, providing it’s actually open.

Let’s face it, we’re all desperate to get out and live a little

so many of our usual resolutions will fall by the wayside

very quickly, if they haven’t already done so.

One resolution that shouldn’t drop off your radar though

is the resolve to have an investment/pension health

check, which could bring many financial benefits. With

the uncertainty around the pandemic abating, and

the US election behind us, and Brexit appearing to be

approaching the chequered flag, we at Prosper believe

that there could well be some very interesting investment

opportunities in 2021.

Why do we always see increased enquiries in January

from Local Life readers?

Perhaps it is all the time off over Christmas or the

completion of tax returns, but whatever the trigger,

reviewing and revamping your portfolio now could make

a significant difference to your ultimate value over the

longer term. Apart from weeding out the poor performing

funds and checking you’re still on track financially, you

might find your finances could be arranged more taxefficiently.

I was recently talking to a new client who was having a

moan about the amount of paperwork he was receiving

from all his different investments. He didn’t have a clue

what his valuations were and didn’t know how well his

investments had been performing. I asked him what his

“ideal” would feel and look like.

He wanted to;

• Retake full control of his investments rather than

getting swamped with paperwork and information

• Have ‘peace of mind’ knowing that an expert was also

keeping an eye on his investments

• Invest in a wide choice of leading companies without

being tied into a single company/fund

• Just deal with ‘one firm’ for all of his different

investments rather than having to speak to different

companies for his various funds

It probably does not come as a great surprise to learn that

we have the solution to all these issues and much, much

more. Our Wealth Management Service delivers on all the

points above.

We are following COVID-19 guidelines in our offices and we

can also offer zoom and telephone meetings for clients that

would prefer. Alternatively visit our website www.prosperifa.co.uk

or email us to request a brochure.

If you invest in the stock market the value of your investments

can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full

amount invested.

David Barton

APFS Cert CII (MP)

Chief Executive Officer

If you would like more

information, please feel free to

get in touch on 01257 423800.

The cost of the initial consultation is met by us and

you are under no obligation to take things further.

Remember all investments can fall as well as rise in value so investors could get back less than they invest.

Puzzle Pages

CROSSWORD

ACROSS

1. Tube which conveys air in and out

of the lungs (7)

5. Mike ___, former heavyweight

champion boxer (5)

8. Person skilled in telling anecdotes (9)

9. Public transport vehicle (3)

10. Residence of a clergyman (5)

DOWN

1. Make a rhythmic sound with the fingers (5)

2. Continuous portion of a circle (3)

3. People engaged in the pursuit of wild animals

or game (7)

4. Ideal of a democratic and prosperous society,

regarded as the aim of US citizens (8,5)

5. Main part of the human body (5)

6. Underwater warship (9)

7. Fund of money put by as a reserve (4,3)

11. Acute spasmodic nerve pain (9)

13. Itinerant Australian labourer (7)

14. Make less subtle or refined (7)

16. Chemically-tipped strip of wood used to light

a fire (5)

18. ___ firma, solid ground (5)

21. Common type of rodent (3)

12. Prehistoric metalworking

19. Type of Russian fighter

period (4,3)

aircraft (3)

13. Penetrating examination of one’s 20. Financial officer (9)

own beliefs and motives (4-9)

22. Welsh town to the east of

15. Struck with fear or apprehension (7) Swansea (5)

17. Representative who buys or

23. Small or minor detail (7)

sells for another person (5)

WORDWHEEL

Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten

minutes to find as many words as possible, none of

which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns.

Each word must be of three letters or more, all must

contain the central letter and letters can only be used

once in every word. There is at least one word that uses

all of the letters in the wheel.

TARGET

EXCELLENT: 28 or more words

GOOD: 22 words

FAIR: 17 words

WORDSEARCH

WINTER WORD SEARCH

BLIZZARD

BOOTS

COLD

FIREPLACE

FOG

FREEZE

FROST

GLOVES

HAIL

ICICLES

MITTENS

PARKA

SCARF

SKATES

SKIING

SLED

SLEET

SLIPPERY

SNOWFLAKE

SOCKS

SOUP

STEW

TOBOGGAN

VACATION

WIND

SUDOKU

WIGGLE WORDS

CLUE: when a more

precise number is not

available

Trace a path through all

the letters to find the

word or phrase that fits

the clue.

A P L B

R E L A

K T A M

E S T I

NUMBER BLOCK

The numbers in each row add up to totals to the

right. The numbers in each column add up to the

totals along the bottom.

The diagonal lines also add up the

totals to the right.

7 8

1 6

4 4

15 17 18

All the puzzle solutions can be found

on page 62 of this magazine

Xero the Hero

by Chris Alcock - CMA Accountancy

If there is one piece of software that can transform how effectively and efficiently you run your company,

it’s Xero. We have been using this product since 2010 and, as Gold Partners with Xero, CMA Accountancy

are experts at helping companies work flexibly and keep track of their businesses.

The sheer flexibility and ease of use of this software

came into its own during pandemic-stricken 2020, as it

helped so many of our clients to see what was happening

to their businesses in real time and helped them plan

cashflow forecasts, re-focus business plans and provide

information to support loan and grant applications. All

information on XERO can be accessed anytime, anywhere

and on any mobile device or PC.

The beauty of Xero is not just the software itself but the

multitude of 3rd party Apps that integrate seamlessly

with the software to ensure that the whole business

accounting process is as efficient as possible.

Whatever business sector you are in, whether this is

hospitality, construction, IT, e-commerce or a startup

business, there will be an App that links to Xero to

make your life easier. This summary below shows a small

selection of Apps that link up to Xero to help you manage

your business

Credit Control – Assists with debt tracking and cash

management

Chaser

Automates invoice chasing

Fluidly

Manages cashflow

Satago

Provides credit risk tools

Receipt Capture – Reduces data entry and saves time

preparing your accounts.

Receipt Bank Scan bills and receipts via your

mobile phone

AutoEntry Scans bank statements and sales

invoices

E-Commerce – Take control of your store or on-line

store

Shopify

Vend

Seamlessly connect your store to

Xero for real time sales information

Provides excellent point of sale

analysis

Job Tracking – Great for trades people to keep control

of job scheduling and billing

ServiceM8

Tradify

Manages and field service

business

Complete job management for

trades and contractors

These are just a small selection of Apps available, please

of other available Apps.

And let’s not forget Making Tax Digital. Pandemic or no

pandemic, MTD will figure highly on the agenda with

HMRC in 2021 and it is important that you start to plan for

these changes as soon as possible. As well as setting up

Xero and converting your data from another product, we

can advise you on which is the best App to use and help

you integrate this with Xero.

If you have any questions regarding Xero, Making Tax

Digital, Apps or switching to an online accounting system

please do get in touch.

Chris Alcock ACMA - CMA Accountancy

39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, Wigan, WN6 9DR

01257 255521 info@handsonaccounting.co.uk

www.handsonaccounting.co.uk

Try XERO FREE for 6 months!

Offer available for all new clients. Expiry date 14/02/2021

QuoteLocalLife50%

Do you need

help and

guidance with;

Company Accounts?

Auto Enrolment?

Self Assessment?

Cloud-based Software?

Payroll Services?

Making Tax Digital?

SA deadline

VAT

Benefits

FREE

INITIAL

CONSULTATION

Call CMA Accountancy today

www.cma-accountancy.com

info@cma-accountancy.com

Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge. 01257 255521

How to take part in

Veganuary

this year

Founded in 2014, Veganuary is a New Year initiative to

encourage people across the world to try veganism in

January. Here, we look at the reasons to take part and how

to survive a month – or more – without meat and dairy.

Veganism has ballooned in recent years. A record 400,000

people signed up to the Veganuary movement in 2020,

and it’s estimated that the UK alone is now home to

nearly two million vegans. Exposing documentaries like

‘What the Health’, ‘Cowspiracy’ and David Attenborough’s

‘A Life on Our Planet’ have helped drive the trend, all of

which shed light on the benefits of a vegan diet for our

health and for the planet.

What is veganism?

A vegan diet is one that excludes all animal products,

including meat, dairy, eggs and even honey in favour of

plants and plant-based products. Many ‘lifestyle vegans’

will also avoid buying leather, fur, wool and anything

that’s been tested on animals. In short, a vegan lifestyle

is one that tries, as much as possible, to exist without

exploiting animals.

Why should you try it?

The benefits of adopting a more plant-based diet are

numerous. David Attenborough said himself that our

planet simply cannot sustain seven billion meat eaters, and

scientists have claimed that eating large amounts of meat

and dairy is linked to a number of health conditions too.

What many people don’t know is that, when done

correctly, it’s actually possible to get all the nutrients you

need from a totally plant-based diet, no matter your age

or lifestyle. Giving up meat and dairy can also help you

lose weight and introduce you to more fruits, vegetables,

seeds and grains that you wouldn’t normally incorporate

into your weekly shop.

Veganism may not be for everyone, but just trying it for a

month will significantly reduce your carbon footprint and

may encourage you to eat less meat and dairy in the future.

The big question: how?

Adopting a vegan diet is actually a lot easier than you

think! Supermarkets, cafes and restaurants have been

filling their shelves and kitchens with tasty meat

and dairy substitutes over the last couple of years,

meaning finding something you like is easier than

ever. Book shops and the internet are packed full of

easy, tasty recipes for you to try, and if you sign up

to Veganuary you’ll receive weekly tips and recipe

ideas to keep you on track.

Seitan, Quorn and tofu are fantastic substitutes for meat

and can be used to create plant-based versions of your

favourite dishes, from spaghetti bolognese to chicken

tikka masala (be aware that Quorn does sometimes use

egg in its products). They’re all easy to cook, packed with

healthy plant proteins and have a very convincing meatlike

texture.

What about milk? Thankfully, the dairy section in

supermarkets is now filled with a huge array of plantbased

milks, including soy, oat, almond and coconut, all

with a milky texture and their own unique flavour. There

are huge varieties of vegan cheeses too, from coconutbased

cheddars to softer cheeses made from cashew

nuts. Although they won’t taste exactly like the real deal,

they’re close enough – and delicious in their own right!

Love your Greek-style yoghurt? Plant-based powerhouse

Oatly even do a vegan version of that too.

Eating out is also easier than ever. Every Veganuary, more

and more restaurants and fast-food chains are adding

extra vegan options to their menus, with the famous

Greggs ‘sausage roll’ going viral in 2019. Now, even

Dominoes, KFC and Pizza Hut offer vegan versions of their

most popular meals; sacrificing meat and dairy doesn’t

mean you have to sacrifice junk food!

What about your health?

Contrary to popular belief, you can get all the nutrients

your body needs from eating a varied and balanced

vegan diet. The only vitamin that’s difficult to find is

Vitamin B-12, but thankfully many cereals, soy milks – and

even Marmite – are fortified with this essential vitamin.

Eat your five-a-day, pack lots of protein-rich beans and

pulses into your diet, and get your calcium and iron from

green, leafy vegetables and wholemeal bread. If you find

it difficult to cram everything in, supplements are also an

option and the Veganuary website has plenty of health

and nutrition tips for going vegan the right way.

Is veganism more expensive?

There is a common misconception that adopting a vegan

diet is more expensive, but this isn’t necessarily true. Highquality

meat and dairy products can be costly and cutting

them out of your diet in favour of fresh fruits and vegetables

can actually help you save money on your weekly shop.

Branded meat and dairy substitutes can be more pricey,

but most long-term vegans will buy these rarely, instead

getting their nutrients from beans, rice, pasta, fruits and

vegetables – the cheapest ingredients in the world!

Visit uk.veganuary.com to sign up today.

READY

in 20 mins

Makes 4

These delicious dairy-free sweet pots are perfect for

Vegan banana

and custard pots

an energy-boosting breakfast or a simple dessert.

Ingredients

500ml non-dairy milk (see Tip)

2 tbsp cornflour

1 tsp vanilla extract

2-3 tbsp maple or agave syrup

Few drops vegan yellow food

colouring

100g vegan granola

1 large banana, peeled and sliced

Mint sprigs, to decorate

Method

1 Mix 6 tbsp of the non-dairy milk with the cornflour and vanilla extract in

a jug to make a smooth paste. Gradually stir in the rest of the milk.

2 Pour the milk mixture into a medium saucepan and slowly bring to the

boil over a medium heat, stirring all the time. The mixture will gradually

thicken but keep stirring to prevent any lumps forming. Continue

cooking over a low heat for 2-3 minutes until you have a smooth

thick sauce. Stir in the maple or agave syrup and a few drops of food

colouring to give a custard-yellow colour.

3 Divide half the granola and nearly all the banana slices between four

small heatproof serving dishes. Spoon over the custard and top with

the rest of the granola and banana. Decorate each pot with a sprig of

mint and serve warm or cold.

TIP: Almond, oat, coconut or soy milk will all work well in this recipe.

Rabbit Rocks

Loop

by Chris Pearce

Distance: 7.3 miles Difficulty: Medium

There is a definite urban renewal theme to this month’s

Jack’s Tracks. Go back less than 100 years and this walk

would have taken in some of the dirtiest, smelliest places in

Wigan. In the 1930’s George Orwell described the area in his

diary as a “frightful landscape of slagheaps and belching

chimneys”. With lots of investment and the helping hand of

Mother Nature, the area directly to the south/south-east of

Wigan town centre has undergone a complete change, and

this 7.3-mile walk through Wigan’s ‘Greenheart’ highlights

that remarkable transformation.

Start at the dry dock next to Wigan Investment Centre

(WN3 5BA), cross over the bridge and turn right to head

away from the handsome Trencherfield Mill. Go under

Henhurst Bridge, which carries the Chapel Lane traffic,

and follow the canal round a left-hand bend. Follow the

canal as it climbs uphill for 1.3 miles passing several locks

until you reach lock number 73.

Cross the canal at this point and

head up the hill directly on the

left to experience one of the

highlights of the walk – the views

from Rabbit Rocks. This was once

the site of Europe’s largest iron

and steel works, and the rocks

comprise of unwanted blocks of

slag, some of which are huge and

cylindrical. The views of the town

centre and beyond are impressive.

Follow the main shale path

gradually downhill and then

turn right at the wooden post

to go down steps and through

the wooded area until you reach

the gates. You’ve arrived at the

former Whelley Loop railway line; turn left and follow

this charming tree-lined corridor for just under a mile

until you reach the busy A577 Wigan to Hindley road.

Use the crossing and head in the same direction onto

Amberwood Common, again using the disused rail line.

Turn right when you reach a three-way junction and then

turn left when you reach another three-way junction

shortly afterwards and walk round the left-hand side of

the lake. When you reach a staggered four-way junction

by a fingerpost sign, head away from the lake uphill

towards Widdows Flash.

Follow this route for just over half a mile until you arrive

at the doughnut shaped Widdows Fishery. Turn left

and follow the path out of the fishery, and along the

cobbled Constantia Street until you reach the busy A577

Warrington Road. Turn right, cross over and then, 250

yards later, turn left down Taylors Lane.

Follow the road over the railway bridge and head downhill

on a wide track. Turn right at the

bottom and go through a tunnel

underneath the railway. Cross the

wide track at the other side of the

tunnel and enter some woodland.

Bear right immediately and again

a little further on when you have

passed through a large expanse of

knotweed. When you emerge into

open space, take the better used

footpath on the left and then turn

left again shortly afterwards when

you reach a concrete path.

You’ll pass through the impressive

metalwork entrance to Wigan

Flashes on the left and then follow

the block paved path to the canal

– the Leigh branch of the Leeds Liverpool Canal. Turn left,

cross at the first bridge and then turn right. The canal

passes through two expanses of water, Scotman’s Flash on

the left and Pearson’s Flash on the right, both formed as a

result of mining subsidence.

The last leg of the walk goes under the new road bridge

and eventually runs parallel to Poolstock Road, passing

the attractive St James Church. Just by a huge waste

facility, as the Leigh section of the canal merges into the

main branch, there is a metal bridge. Cross the bridge and

turn left, go under Henhurst Bridge once more and you’re

back at the starting point of the walk.

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear

whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure

that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial

contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to

any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions

resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

A49

For those with the OS Maps

app on your desktop, mobile

or tablet, this walk is named:

JT-Rabbit-Rocks

A58

A577

Wigan Wallgate

Wallgate

Water Hayes

Longshoot

Scholes

Rose Bridge

Higher Ince

Ince

Lower Ince

Ince Brook

Spring

View

Lakes Terrace

Amberswood

Common

Ince Moss

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Dog Dieting

Your dog isn’t starting the month worried

about zipping up their jeans. But if a check

on their waistline shows that they are

carrying a few extra pounds, it’s time for to

you to address the problem for the sake of

their health.

Studies have shown that overweight dogs

don’t live as long and are more prone to

illnesses that spoil their quality of life. All

those little extra treats you’ve been giving

them could mean there’s a genuine risk of

killing your pet with kindness.

There’s no BMI chart for dogs, so you need

to look at body shape and assess body fat.

Viewed from above, does your dog have a

waist where their body tapers after the ribcage? Can you

feel your dog’s ribs or do they have a potbelly?

Increasing exercise will not be enough on its own, so you

should plan a trip to the vet. Not only will they assess

how overweight they are, they’ll check if any medical

conditions are causing the extra pounds or will prevent

weight loss. Furthermore the vet can provide a special

calorie-controlled food.

Keep a note of everything – including table scraps and

treats – that your dog eats for a few days. A dog that does

not seem to eat much dog food probably still has an

appetite for sausages and biscuits!

If you’ve reached the stage that your pet actually looks

plump, it’s going to take quite a while to reach their target

weight, so stick with it.

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January

Blues

The Great Outdoors

The ongoing pandemic is challenging

the best of us when it comes to keeping

our spirits up, but even without this the

shorter daylight hours of winter can

have a huge effect on how we feel. It’s

not good for us or for those around us

to feel perpetually negative, so it’s

time to take action.

Spending time outdoors each day is crucial to tackling

winter blues. Exercise and laughter both stimulate and

boost endorphins, those wonderful feel-good chemicals

in our bodies that help to lift our mood. Furthermore,

spending an hour or two away from the news will distract

you from negative feelings through the rest of the day.

It’s Not All About You

Our social lives have been considerably curtailed since

March 2020 but contact with other people is so important.

When you are feeling down, you might feel you don’t

want to bother your friends and family. But imagine if

they asked to speak to you? You’d be unlikely to say no,

so flip that on its head and remember that they are likely

to be glad to hear from you too! Video calls are a real

blessing for distanced interactions, but even just a phone

call will cheer you.

Even better, instead of a phone call, a short walk around

the block for an in-person catch-up is likely to find

conversation flowing more easily. If you are on your own,

go somewhere that other people are – a park, the seaside

or one of the National Trust gardens.

Maybe It’s Really SAD

Over two million people in the UK are affected by Seasonal

Affective Disorder (SAD). The low levels of light during

the winter months can cause a range of symptoms, from

slowing down and lacking energy right through to severe

depression. Other symptoms include feeling gloomy,

lethargic and experiencing feelings of being unable to

carry out our normal routine.

Light therapy in the form of a lightbox has been shown

to be helpful for many sufferers, but any exposure to light

will help: a lunchtime walk or sitting near a window when

indoors.

Read All About It…Or Not

Reading about ‘the blues’ can help as it’ll reassure you that

you aren’t on your own. Seeing a post on a user forum

from someone with a similar problem and reading the

encouraging and sympathetic replies will be a comfort to

you. “A problem shared is a problem halved” as the saying

goes.

On the other hand, if the news depresses you and social

media makes you feel like everyone else is living their

best life, switch it off. When someone boasts about how

amazing their life is right now, it’s really not going to

cheer you up.

Summer’s Coming

OK, admittedly that’s stretching it a bit in January. But

each day has been getting a few minutes longer since the

21st December so there is – literally – light at the end of

the tunnel.

Helping your child to get their

5 a day

Fruit + vegetables + kids isn’t always a match made in heaven.

These tips might help to make meal times less stressful.

Don’t let dinner become a battle field

Studies have shown that putting pressure on kids to eat

can actually lead to worse eating habits a couple of years

down the line. Try to make sure you’re sitting down to

eat as a family at least a few times a week and don’t let

the tension build up until you’re all just focusing on how

much (or how little) your child is eating.

Ultimately, you want your child to have a healthy longterm

relationship with food. That’s going to be so much

harder if they end up getting anxious about dinner time.

And remember that we all have food we hate, even as

adults. So if they really despise something, move on.

Try raw

Kids often prefer the taste or texture of raw vegetables

over cooked. My children, for example, will happily munch

on raw carrots and peppers, but loathe cooked ones.

Some vegetables shouldn’t be eaten raw (like potatoes)

but most can be, even ones like broccoli.

When you are cooking vegetables, it’s worth trying

different methods. My daughter hates steamed kale, but

loves crispy kale (chopped up, tossed in olive

oil and roasted in the oven for 5-10 minutes).

Boost with multivitamins

Multivitamins don’t replace the need for a healthy diet,

but they can provide a handy boost. Look for ones that

include Vitamin D, as our bodies struggle to absorb

enough of it during winter.

Bassetts chewable multivitamins tend to be popular with

kids. Another option is Kendakids Vita-Boost Shakes,

which are fortified with twenty-three vitamins (including

vitamin D). You mix the powder with warm water (it’s a bit

like making up a bottle of baby formula). There are three

flavours to choose from. The chocolate one is basically a

healthier version of hot chocolate, but my son swears the

strawberry is by far the best. See www.kendamil.com.

Blend it up

Children often complain about ‘bits’, whether it’s the

seeds in granary bread or pieces of mushroom in a pasta

sauce. Blending soups and sauces until they’re smooth

can work wonders.

Let them help themselves

Keep your fruit bowl within reach of children over three,

so that they can help themselves when they want a snack.

You could also keep a snack box of chopped up carrots,

peppers, cucumbers etc. on a low shelf of the fridge.

Give them a choice

If you can, involve your child in shopping, and

let them pick out some fruits and vegetables

that they want to try. You could also help them

to grow some of their own, even if it’s just

strawberries on a windowsill. When it comes to

meal times, try offering your child a choice of

a few different vegetables sometimes, so they

feel that they have some control. And when

you have time, involve them in preparing

dinner and then praise them for how tasty the

food is.

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What is Tinnitus?

By Darren Glancey of Wigan Hearing

Tinnitus is an abnormal noise (or noises) that you can hear, however the noise does not come from outside your

ear. Some of the noises that people can hear include ringing, buzzing, whistles, roaring, and humming. Tinnitus

can be either constant or come and go and it can vary in loudness and character. You can hear the noise or noises

in one ear or in both ears, making it difficult to pinpoint where the noise is coming from.

The noise is often more prominent when you are in a

quiet place, as there is less background noise to distract

you, such as when you are in bed and trying to get to

sleep. It may also be more noticeable when you are tired.

Some people with tinnitus are also more sensitive to

normal everyday sounds; the radio or TV can be painfully

loud when it is at a normal volume for most other people.

Tinnitus red flags

· Pulsatile tinnitus

· Tinnitus in association with significant vertigo

· Unilateral tinnitus

· Tinnitus in association with asymmetric hearing loss

· Tinnitus causing psychological distress

· Tinnitus in association with significant neurological

symptoms and/or signs

It is though that around 10% of the population experience

tinnitus and both sexes are equally affected and although

tinnitus is more common in the elderly it can occur at

any age, including childhood. Most tinnitus is mild, and

it is relatively rare for it to develop into a chronic problem

of life-altering severity. The natural history of tinnitus in

most patients is of an acute phase of distress when the

problem begins, followed by improvement over time.

But for a minority of patients the distress is ongoing and

significant, and they will require specialist support.

For reasons that are not clear tinnitus and sensorineural

hearing loss can give rise to a blocked feeling in the

ears despite normal middle ear pressure and eardrum

mobility; and therefore, decongestants and antibiotics

are rarely helpful.

It is all too common to hear that patients have been

told nothing can be done about tinnitus. Such negative

statements are not only unhelpful but also tend to focus

the patient’s attention on their tinnitus and exacerbate

the distress. And whilst there is no direct role for drugs,

they can be used to treat associated symptoms such as

vertigo, insomnia, anxiety or depression. Referral routes

vary and will depend on local protocols, but in most

cases, referrals are directed to ENT or audiology services.

Tinnitus prevalence is greater amongst people with

hearing impairment but the severity of the tinnitus

correlates poorly with the degree of hearing loss. Hearing

aids are helpful if there is associated hearing loss and

straining to listen can allow tinnitus to emerge or, if

already present, to worsen. Correcting any hearing loss

reduces listening effort and generally reduces the level of

the tinnitus. Hearing aids are useful even if the hearing

loss is relatively mild and at a level where aids would

not normally be considered. Some modern hearing

aids have sound therapy devices incorporated within

the aid specifically for tinnitus patients. In our view, all

people who describe tinnitus deserve an audiological

assessment. Decisions on when to start using a hearing

aid and what sort to use are up to the individual patient

and audiologist.

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not

be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions.

Is your

Hearing

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01942 215 391

8-10 Gathurst Road, Orrell, WN5 8QH

www.wiganhearing.co.uk

The best new SUVs

for under £30,000

AFTER AN SUV BUT DON’T WANT TO BREAK THE BANK? WHY NOT TRY THESE OPTIONS?

The SUV segment is one that seems to be showing

no signs of slowing down when it comes to

popularity. They’re being snapped up thick and

fast thanks to good practicality levels and that allimportant

high driving position.

But they’re often not cheap. However, there is a

way to get into a new SUV without stretching the

budget too far – so we’ve set a cap of £30,000. Let’s

see what’s on offer.

MAZDA CX-5

An SUV is not often the type of car you go to for a true ‘drivers’

experience; they can be heavy, a little detached and not overly

involving. The CX-5, however, is a car that goes against the

grain – somehow Mazda has made this big SUV a genuinely

good car to drive. It’s smart to look at and smart inside too,

while all of the materials feel of a high quality. It’s also well

put together and standard equipment levels are good – all for

well under our £30,000 budget.

HONDA CR-V

Honda’s CR-V is a space-age looking SUV that stands out from

the crowd thanks to plenty of quirky design touches, such as

wraparound LED headlights and funky chrome sections. It’s

practical, well-made and spacious too. Like the Kodiaq, there’s

a seven-seater option as well.

Only available with either a petrol or hybrid setup, the CR-V

does lack the diesel option that is often preferred in this

segment, but it counters with a great driving experience and

frugal around-town motoring.

SKODA KODIAQ

The Skoda Kodiaq is one of the go-to choices when it comes

to budget SUVs. It’s spacious, practical and it looks good too

– but more importantly, it comes loaded with equipment yet

won’t break the bank.

Prices start for a smidge over £25,000 which, given the

Kodiaq offers a refined driving experience and seven-seater

flexibility, isn’t bad at all in our minds.

PEUGEOT 5008

If you’re after a different-looking SUV then step this way

towards the Peugeot 5008, arguably one of the most

distinctive cars of its type on the market today. Prices start

from just over £28,000, and for that you’re getting plenty of

standard equipment and an interior that really does feel a

class above the rest in terms of styling.

It too has seven seats – matching the CR-V and Kodiaq’s

offerings – which adds another string to the 5008’s already

well-strung bow.

RENAULT KADJAR

Renault’s Kadjar is one of the best cars on this list in terms

of budget, thanks to a starting price of just under £22,000.

For that, you’re getting a good-looking SUV with smart

styling and a well-appointed interior, along with the choice

of efficient petrol or diesel engines.

It recently had a refresh too, only helping to sharpen the

way it looks, and is packed with technology and assistance

systems.

NISSAN QASHQAI

The Nissan Qashqai is one of the go-to cars in this segment

– it’s been one of the most popular SUVs in the UK for some

time now, where its excellent value and good practicality

levels have won many drivers over.

The most recent Qashqai has been around for some time now

– and it’s due to be replaced soon – but it still represents a

real bargain considering prices start at £23,450.

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Forget New Year

Resolutions

Award Winner

Happy New Year everyone. Let’s look forward and hope

we get some normality back into to our lives, 2020 was

a tough year. This year, more than any other we could do

without focusing on dreary new year resolutions which

are usually based on depressing deprivation. Instead

let’s plan ahead and dream of new and exciting projects,

holidays and celebrations spent with families and friends.

I have a garden notebook and at this time of year I sit

down and write a list of all the things I would like to

achieve in the coming year. Here are some of the things

on my list which may inspire you to start planning your

outside space and to dream of happier times to come:

New plants to buy (there is always room to

squidge one more plant in a border)

Gilenia trifoliata - a lovely perennial covered in star

shaped white flowers in summer

Lychnis coronaria - magenta flowers which float above

clumps of silver grey leaves

Seeds to order

Tomato ‘Oh Happy Day’ - I’ve not grown this tomato

before but they are said to be blight resistant with lots

of flavour

Courgettes – if only to prove to Hubby that you CAN stuff

the flowers with cream cheese and eat them

Lupinus ‘The Pages’ – if you like cottage garden planting

then this is one for you. It has spires of red pea-like flowers.

by Angie Barker

Beware slugs will go

for young plants so

only plant out in

borders when they

are a good size

Visits

Broughton House –

a two acre garden in

Moreton In Marsh. A

gorgeous garden which I plan to visit in late summer (not

told Hubby yet)

Chelsea Flower Show. This always coincides with our

wedding anniversary in May which is handy because it

means Hubby never forgets and always buys me a glass

of fizz. I really needed cheering up one dark day last

November so I ordered the tickets – and well, if you’re

going to London you may as well spend a few days down

there and visit the National Gallery and take in a show.

(Again not told Hubby yet)

Projects

Buy a solar water fountain, a glazed pot (without drainage

holes) and some pebbles and assemble for a home made

water feature. I saw a lady do this on telly during the first

lockdown – brilliant!

Well I’ve enjoyed sharing my plans with you and hope I’ve

given you food for thought – and let’s face it, this year our

new year resolutions can always be tackled at Easter.

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We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest

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prices start from £45

let us clean your oven so you don’t have to!

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we’ll restore your oven to near showroom condition!

call Steven today on 07393 818 392

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T: 01942 409401

M: 07881 816839

helen@carrolls-cleaning.co.uk

W.Hurst & Son Ltd

ELECTRIC

CONTRACTOR

www.whurstandson.co.uk

• All types of electrical work

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For a free quote

& advice call Jeff

01695 622 191

07850 622 191

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Suite 1A, Kirkless Industrial Estate

Cale Lane, Wigan, WN2 1HF

Jon Wright

Electrical Ltd

All types of

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work undertaken

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Call now on: 07983 387448

Email: jonwrightelec@live.co.uk

Certificate of excellence winner

2017, 2018 & 2019

Call us today for friendly advice and a free quote.

01942 836 937 www.ghewigan.co.uk

Call: 0800 6446100

or 07904 127663

Covering all North West Areas

4 NAPIT part ‘P’ registered

4 JIB Approved Technician

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J.Dillon

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Electrician ~ Standish

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www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk

A.J.S.

BAILEYS

ELECTRICAL

All electrical work undertaken

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01942 215 769

07739 709 005

a Installation & Maintenance

a Inspection & Testing

a Nest Pro Installer

a CCTV & Alarms

Orrell based

Tel: 07738 117712

for

Call Paul

Locksmiths

EstablishEd 2000

• uPVC & WOOdEN dOOR sPECialist

• Emergency door Opening

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a Registered insured NCFE Certified Company

call Paul for a Fast, Reliable,

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tELEPhoNE

01942 901103

moBiLE

07932 718 362

WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK

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8-10 Gathurst Road, O re l, WN5 8QH

www.wiganhearing.co.uk

10% off

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rural Vi lage

NUrSErY

A l staff

paediatric

& first aid

QUALIFIED

oPEN

Mon-Fri

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FUNDED

PLACES

Available for

2/3/4

year olds

£37.50

per day

LANgUAgE

& SPortS

LESSoNS

pre-schoolers

Large

outdoor

PLAY ArEA

rated by

oFStED

oUtStANDINg

We cater for

CHILDrEN

3 months

- 4 years

NEWLY

rEFUrBISHED

in 2019

Ca l Sarah on 01744 886166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net

www.cranknursery.co.uk

For more information

Call 01695 627 999

Little Acorns Nursery

QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!

Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time

We operate a booking system for the

holidays which saves you money

We deliver 30 hours free entitlement

£29 for a fu l day

Flexible sessions available

We take children from 2 years old

Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland

se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain

lots of wonderful educational experiences.

We are big on the great outdoors & being down in the forest

which is good for your child’s health and we l-being

Little Acorns Nursery

A l Saints’ Primary School | Finch Lane | Appley Bridge | WN6 9DT

01257 252647

www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com

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COMPUTER

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Tel: 01744 778381 - 01942 418763

gArAge door

repAirS

All gArAge

doorS

repAired:

Springs, Cables,

Locks, Rollers etc.

Doors of all ages

repaired

01744 894939 / 07891 330214

NO FIX, NO CHARGE!

Strawberry Cottage,

Pimbo Lane, Upholland

WN8 9QL

www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk

We repair:

4 Phones & Tablets

4 Laptops & PC’s

4 Gaming Consoles

4 Apple Watches

We also build

gaming PC’s to all

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no one

can!

QUALITY service

FREE estimates

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1st Floor, Rainford Parish Council Offices,

Church Rd, Rainford, St. Helens WA11 8HB

Alarm installations,

repairs & upgrades

Domestic and commercial

work welcome

Free security assessment provided

Emergency lock openings

Lock changes

No call-out charges

24-hour service

60 mins response

Call 01942 669505

www.uklocksandalarms.co.uk

info@ianwalkerservices.co.uk

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07784 876 338

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Chris Smith - Painter and

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01257 415388

or 07545 065119

Shevington based business

4 Exterior & Interior

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4 Domestic &

Commercial work

undertaken

4 Competitive rate

Award Winner

Contact Graham now

free estimate provided

01257 426 234

graham@topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk

J&P

MOORCROFT

LTD

Professional Painting

and Decorating

• Domestic & Commercial

Work

• Interior & Exterior work

welcomed

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speciality

Call us today for a free quotation

Home Service available

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07831 102 511

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LocalLife

www.locallife247.co.uk

Design & Print

• Earwax Removal

• FREE Hearing Tests

• Hearing Aids & Repairs

• FREE 1 Week Hearing Aid Trial

Drop in or contact Darren on:

01942 215 391

8-10 Gathurst Road, O re l, WN5 8QH

www.wiganhearing.co.uk

10% off

Presen

Flyers, postcards, brochures

and distribution service.

Put your

hearing

first with

Ask us about our wide range of hearing aids

this voucher for 10% OFF your next

hearing test or earwax removal.

LocalLife

rural Vi lage

NUrSErY

A l staff

paediatric

& first aid

QUALIFIED

oPEN

Mon-Fri

8AM-6PM

FUNDED

PLACES

Available for

2/3/4

year olds

£37.50

per day

LANgUAgE

& SPortS

LESSoNS

pre-schoolers

Large

outdoor

PLAY ArEA

rated by

oFStED

oUtStANDINg

We cater for

CHILDrEN

3 months

- 4 years

NEWLY

rEFUrBISHED

in 2019

Ca l Sarah on 01744 886166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net

www.cranknursery.co.uk

For more information

Call 01695 627 999

Little Acorns Nursery

QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!

Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time

We operate a booking system for the

holidays which saves you money

We deliver 30 hours free entitlement

£29 for a fu l day

Flexible sessions available

We take children from 2 years old

Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland

se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain

lots of wonderful educational experiences.

We are big on the great outdoors & being down in the forest

which is good for your child’s health and we l-being

Little Acorns Nursery

A l Saints’ Primary School | Finch Lane | Appley Bridge | WN6 9DT

01257 252647

www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com

www.locallife247.co.uk

Fully

qualified

Insured

Plasterer.

NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL

All plastering work

undertaken including:

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• Dry lining • Basement tanking

• Damp proof courses

Call Westley Gillett for a

FREE no obligation quote

01257 413206

or 07802 710685

Des Pilling

Plastering

• Plastering

• Skimming

• Artexing

Coving & Cornice work

also welcomed

Orrell based – Established 1986

Call Des on

07787 513 235

www.lakelandplastering.co.uk

www.despilling.org.uk

• Business Telephone

Systems

• Voip & Structured Cabling

• Residential Extensions

• Faults & Gen Enq

Tel: 01942 441221

Askus@LJTelecomServices.co.uk

www.LJTelecomServices.com

Aerial & Sky

Services

RX-12 Digital TV Aerials

£65 supplied & fitted

Aerial Multi-room System

at £45 per room

TV Wall Mounting Service

Level 5 in Signal Path & Fault

Diagnostics

Domestic

& Commercial

work welcomed

30+ years

experience

01942 257804

07966 488585

Call anytime for a quote or email:

andyaerial@blueyonder.co.uk

• TV Aerials Installed

• TV Wall Mounting

• Telephone Lines

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01942 514 532

07709 490 095

www.aerialandskyservices.co.uk

Convert your bath to a

Walk-In Shower

Specialists in

Replacement

Double

Glazed Units

Ring with sizes for

a FREE estimate

Open 7 days 8am - 8pm

Established Local Family Company

01942 470 085

0800 328 8573

www.steamywindows.net

• Conservatory repairs

• Locks, handles and hinges

• Replacement glass

• Windows and doors installed

• Replacement conservatory

roofs

Call MARK now on

01942 737 381

0776 315 1720

conservatoryrepairs@gmail.com

www.fixmyconservatory.com

AJC

WALK IN SHOWERS

Typical price

£1800

Fully guaranteed

One day installation

No mess - no fuss

Easy to clean & maintain

Call Anthony on

07919 876 825

Workshop address:

Bulldog Tools Ind. Est.

Darlington Street East Wigan WN1 3BT

We also fit full bathrooms!

£29 for a fu l day

rural Vi lage

NUrSErY

A l sta f

paediatric

& first aid

QUALIFIED

oPEN

Mon-Fri

8AM-6PM

FUNDED

PLACES

Available for

2/3/4

year olds

£37.50

per day

www.cranknursery.co.uk

LANgUAgE

& SPortS

LESSoNS

for

pre-schoolers

Large

outdoor

PLAY ArEA

rated by

oFStED

oUtStANDINg

We cater for

CHILDrEN

3 months

- 4 years

NEWLY

rEFUrBISHED

in 2019

Plumbing & Heating

Specialist

Complete Bathrooms

Elite

Bathrooms

& Wet Room Installation

Great Value

Bathrooms!

John Bailey

01942 495785

or 07721 040620

& 07710 153238

Based in Kenyon Road, Wigan

Bathroom Installation,

Full Bathrooms &

En-Suites

Plumbing Services

Wall & Floor Tiling

Ceiling Panelling

01942 397173

07803 057940

Douglas Drive, Orrell, Wigan

www.ljplumbingandbathrooms.co.uk

• Bathrooms • Wet Rooms

• Wall & Floor Tiling

Please call for a FREE Estimates

07703 448890

01942 208926

StoveS

by Andy

Save £££’s on

your install

• InStallatIonS

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For a free quote and expert

advice call Andy on

01257 369 685

07899 752 225

stovesbyandy@gmail.com

Full Bathrooms

& En-Suites

Showers, Trays & Cubicles

Relocation of Bathroom Suites

25 years bathroom experience

Call Chris now for a free quotation

C L Bathrooms

01942 749085

or 07801 295483

www.clbathrooms.co.uk

Design & Print

Flyers, postcards, brochures

and distribution service.

Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

Little Acorns Nursery

QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!

Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time

We operate a b oking system for the

holidays which saves you money

We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement

Flexible se sions available

We take children from 2 years old

Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net

Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland

se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain

lots of wonderful educational experiences.

We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest

which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being

Li tle Acorns Nursery

www.locallife247.co.uk

A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT

01257 252647

www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com

£29 for a fu l day

rural Vi lage

NUrSErY

FUNDED LANgUAgE

A l sta f

PLACES & SPortS

paediatric

Available for LESSoNS

& first aid

2/3/4

for

QUALIFIED

year olds pre-schoolers

oPEN

Large

£37.50

Mon-Fri

outdoor

per day

8AM-6PM

PLAY ArEA

www.cranknursery.co.uk

rated by

oFStED

oUtStANDINg

We cater for

CHILDrEN

3 months

- 4 years

NEWLY

rEFUrBISHED

in 2019

• Brand New Bathrooms

• Boiler + Central Heating

Installs, Servicing + Repairs

• Extended warranties

available

• 24 Hour Call-out

• Domestic + Commercial

Freephone:

0300 3030121

Dave: 07769 942218

Matt: 07969 183809

506515

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AVAILABLE

21 Naburn Drive, Orrell wN5 8SB

Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk

www.orrellheating.co.uk

Design & Print

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and distribution service.

Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

Little Acorns Nursery

QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!

Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time

We operate a b oking system for the

holidays which saves you money

We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement

Flexible se sions available

We take children from 2 years old

Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net

Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland

se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain

lots of wonderful educational experiences.

We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest

which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being

A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT

Li tle Acorns Nursery

www.locallife247.co.uk

01257 252647

www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com

Promote your

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just £30 + VAT

Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

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Established since 1967

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10238

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Quality bathrooms at

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Complete bathroom

installations from design

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For free quotes, call Adrian on

07816 394 292

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Over 70 Lancashire

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LocalLife

FREE to download at

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A Genuine Family Run Business

With Friendly & Courteous Staff

SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES

• Annual Boiler Servicing

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• Mechanical Power Flushing

• Thermostatic Valves Radiators Fitted

• All-in-One Air Conditioning & Heating Units for Home & Work

Telephone: 01942 504 429

TEL: 01257 421 660 MOB: 07515 505 501

Accredited Installer & Service Partner

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No Obligation Quotes – Call Mark on

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07515 894281

527090

EmErgEncy call outs

wElcomEd

Installation ~ Repairs ~ Service

Central Heating Systems

Boilers & Gas Appliances

General Plumbing

Gas Safety Certificates

Call Andy for a free quote on

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07397 391 935

acampbellheatingandgas

597379

Pay nothing upfront for

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upgrades and energy saving

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installations & upgrades

*Subject to terms and conditions

4622825

Call Craig for a free quote;

07469 185 776

or email

enquiries@warmconnections.co.uk

4 Installations, Services

& Repairs

4 Boilers

4 Central Heating

Bathrooms

4 573747

Call nico for a free quote on

07818 335 441

• Most aspects of

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• No job too small

• Quality work call out

guaranteed fee

• Local and reliable

Ring Ken for a free quote

01695 624769 or

07909 734978

651511

Boiler Installation

Boiler Servicing & Repairs

Boiler Finance Available

Landlords Gas Safety Reports

Experienced, Reliable & Friendly Service

BOILER

SERVICES

FROM

£60

Credit Cards accepted

01942 221 996

07769 203 056

hartheatingwigan@gmail.com

Winstanley-based

GDR Driveways

ALL ASPECTS OF PAVING & tuRfING

4 Block Paving

Clean & Re-seal

4 Indian Stone

service available

4 Flagging

4 Turfing

4 Artificial Grass

JJ Driveways

Imprinted Concrete

Specialists

Huge range of colours

& patterns

• Resin Driveways

• Block Paving

• Indian Stone

• Flagging

We can also revive

your old drive!

Ask about our sealing

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Call Joe for a

free quotation on

01942 621 959

07867 697 972

www.jjdriveways.co.uk

Winstanley-based

www.gdrdriveways.com

Call Gareth for a fREE quotation: 01942 217 113 or 07715 177 754

HANDS ON

Property Maintenance

& Handyman Services

3 Kitchens & Bathrooms

3 Painting & Decorating

3 Joinery

3 Electrical

3 Building

3 Paving, Decking

& Fencing

3 Tiling

3 Plumbing

Telephone Keith on

07812 110476

Handy

Andy

Building / Joinery

Plastering / Tiling

Plumbing / Roofing

Flatpack Assembly

Call Handy Andy on

01257 369 685

07899 752 225

tradesbyandy@gmail.com

All

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LocalLife

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rated by

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LocalLife

Little Acorns Nursery

QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!

Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time

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Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net

Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland

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lots of wonderful educational experiences.

We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest

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LocalLife

28 Years Experience

Extensions & Refurbishments

Kitchens & Bathrooms

Conservatories & Orangeries

Windows & Doors

www.locallife247.co.uk

Roofs & Fascia Boards

Decking & Balustrading

All aspects of building works

No job too small

Call Peter for a free quotation

Day: 07961 516 677

Eve: 01942 745 428

Cambridge Road, Orrell

Prices include

suPPly & fit

Orrell

based

6 Doors

from

£350

Oak Door

from

£130

Joinery services include;

gates, decking, flooring, skirting,

handrails and balustrades, kitchen

makeovers, loft boarding and

ladders, fencing, external doors

and garden buildings.

call Mike for a free quote

01942 590514

07988 260621

www.orrelljoinery.co.uk

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Call 01695 627 999

LocalLife

www.locallife247.co.uk

ALPINE LTD

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CHORLEY, WEST

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WIGAN

Your local roofing company from repairs

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FULLY INSURED

Tel: 01942 410989

Mob: 07730 351523

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Call us now for ALL your roofline requirements!

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We specialise in seamless

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for 25 years!

Call: 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183

www.orrellroofline.co.uk

K Stone

Building Services

All types of building

work undertaken

• Brickwork

• Pointing

• Garden Walls

• Patios

25 years

experience

• Roof Repairs

• Flagging

• Alterations

• Driveways

01942 495412

07974 496676

Home

Improvements

• Fitted Kitchens & Bedrooms

• Garage & Loft Conversions

• Floors, Doors & Windows

• Composite Doors

• Garden Gates

For all your home

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call David on...

01942 203 804

07851 225 876

DS Joinery

Your

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“Attention to detail is second to none. Can’t recommend Phil enough”

Facebook Review, July 2018

NEIL SIMPSON

BUILDER

Can’t find a reliable local

builder?...look no further

brickwork

joinery roofing

plastering

internal alterations

all types of building work undertaken

garden construction

garden walls patios

gravel gardens

flagging decking

pergolas

No job too small

Reasonable prices

Quality work

Call Neil

07939 961190 (day)

or 01942 230402 (eve)

• All aspects of home

improvements

• one stop for all the trades

you require

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bathrooms

We design and manage

your project from

start to finish

Call Jonathan for a

free quotation

Tel: 01257 401 243

Mob: 0777 602 4045

SpeakmanpropertyServiceS.com

First Class

Workmanship

4 All types of re-roofs

4 Strip & re-slate or re-tile

4 Built up felt/flat roofs,

dormers etc.

4 Insurance work undertaken

4 Roofline uPVC

fascias, soffits

& guttering

W.Newman

ROOFING & REPAIRS

01695 627 212

MOBILE: 07774 943 706

52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS,

UP HOLLAND

Established Over 30 Years

B.A.

Berry

Building & Roofing

Specialists

• All building work undertaken.

• From a broken tile to a full

re roof.

• Flat roofs renewed and

repaired.

• Extensions, Alterations,

Structural repairs including

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Your local fully

qualified tradesman

with 30 years experience

Call us now for a free,

no obligation quote

01695 622 704

07968 652 320

www.baberry.co.uk

WILSON

BROS

• •

Est. 1985

Roofing & Roofline

Specialists

• All aspects of

maintenance & repair

• Fascia & soffit

installation

• Guttering and felting

services

Call us now for

a free estimate

01695 633173

Colin: 07958 302 166

Brian: 07760 160 988

www.wilson-bros.co.uk

All aspects of

roofing & roofline

NEW ROOFS

REPAIRS

FASCIAS, SOFFITS

& GUTTERS

Dormers and

Garages

Rubber Cover Roofing Specialist

Guaranteed 50 years

Call for free quote

M: 07894 687 384

Promote

your

business

LocalLife

All our magazine

distribution is

monitored using

GPS

tracking

ST HELENS

WIGAN

NEXT ISSuE

Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank,

Windle, Eccleston, Eccleston Park, Laffak,

Haydock, Haresfinch, Carr Mill, Denton’s Green,

Prescot Road, West Park

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hEritagE opEn days

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Come and visit the largest

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Quality installations of windows,

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Transform

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

Representative example: Total cash price £1164, deposit £0, amount borrowed £1164 over 12 months. 12 monthly repayments of £97. Interest

rate 0%. Total repayable £1164. Credit is subject to the lenders T&C. Warmlight Windows, Doors and Conservatories Ltd is authorised and

regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 7700524. We are a credit broker, not a lender and have a facility with one lender.

Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!

Quality ~ Choice ~ Value

Windows

Bi-Fold Doors

Thermally-efficient conservatory roofs

expertly fitted by accredited installers

Orangeries

Don’t just lock it,

Rock it!

Conservatories

Manufacturers and installers since 2004

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

www.orrellwindows.co.uk

28544

Local Life - Wigan - January 2021

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