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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> Edition<br />
<strong>October</strong> <strong>2021</strong><br />
Christmas<br />
Light Trails<br />
Pages 17-20<br />
Hindley’s Bad Boy?<br />
Pages 70-71<br />
Beecham’s Brush-Off<br />
Page 28-30<br />
© Lightopia<br />
Pendle Hill Walk<br />
(and a sculpture trail too!)<br />
Pages 73-76<br />
Education Section<br />
Pages 36-43<br />
LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALks | competitions | home & garden SERVICES
2
3<br />
The<br />
ireplace<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong><br />
INC<br />
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Telephone: 01942 583 558<br />
721 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, <strong>Wigan</strong> WN5 8AQ<br />
Follow us:<br />
Plenty FREE parking to the rear of the showroom<br />
wiganfiresandfireplaces.co.uk<br />
REGISTER
4<br />
Autumn is a favourite time of year for home<br />
improvements, and whether it’s a coat of paint<br />
or a major makeover, you can bet that the<br />
latest looks and colours will influence your choices.<br />
Pinning down personal preferences, with half an eye<br />
on the latest trends, can leave you overwhelmed with<br />
choices and, as a result, we often take the easy way out<br />
and settle for dated rooms and furnishings.<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is full of experienced <strong>Wigan</strong>-based home<br />
improvement experts who are happy to advise you on<br />
your home improvements. Whatever you’re looking to<br />
do, there’s a local expert here who can help.<br />
If you’re struggling with your vision for improving your<br />
home, talking it through with the experts can help and<br />
can often provide inspirational thoughts. If lockdown<br />
has taught us anything, it’s the value of face-to-face<br />
communication – some things are just too important to<br />
be left to online recommendations from random people.<br />
See you next time…<br />
Chris Pearce, Publisher<br />
chrisp@locallife247.co.uk<br />
Keep in touch with the<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong> Team!<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Telephone: 01695 627 999<br />
info@locallife247.co.uk<br />
locallifemagazine247@locallifemedia<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, <strong>Wigan</strong> WN1 9UB<br />
Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the<br />
publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss<br />
or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause. No part of<br />
this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247 Ltd.
5<br />
This month’s highlights<br />
17. Christmas Light Trails<br />
Contents<br />
24. Health<br />
Under pressure.<br />
38. Education<br />
Schools and the pandemic.<br />
44. Recipes<br />
Indonesian chicken & roast beef fillet.<br />
54. Home<br />
A rug for every room.<br />
28. Beecham’s Brush-Off 60. Fan the Flames<br />
63. Look Back In Time<br />
Events of the last 125 years.<br />
66. Puzzle Pages<br />
Try these brainteasers for size!<br />
72. Finance<br />
Teaching kids to be savvy savers.<br />
73. Jack’s Tracks to Pendle Hill<br />
81. Home & Garden Services<br />
Find the best local traders for you.<br />
70. Hindley’s Bad Boy 78. Vauxhall Crossland<br />
Want to<br />
promote your<br />
business in<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong>?<br />
Next Issue - November<br />
Advertising deadline - 11th <strong>October</strong><br />
Published - 27th <strong>October</strong><br />
01695 627 999<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk
6<br />
Standish Show<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> Rotary Club are hosting ‘A Night at The Theatre’,<br />
a musical show starring Victor Michael and the Two<br />
Sopranos (Lisa Davis and Hayley Bowen), at the Standish<br />
Unity Club on Saturday 9th <strong>October</strong>.<br />
Their show includes classics such as Nessun Dorma and<br />
Time to Say Goodbye, alongside songs from famous<br />
musicals such as Les Misérables and Joseph and his<br />
Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.<br />
One of the performing trio, Lisa Davis, won’t have far to<br />
travel on the night. <strong>Wigan</strong>er Lisa told <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> that she<br />
is “delighted to be singing in her hometown for all her<br />
family and friends”.<br />
Lisa studied Opera at Chetham’s School of Music in<br />
Manchester, before going on to perform in Sir Cameron<br />
Mackintosh’s ‘Hey Mr Producer’ amongst other shows.<br />
She’s spent much of singing career at sea, performing on<br />
cruise ships throughout the world.<br />
Tickets for the show are priced at £12 and can be booked<br />
via the Rotary Club’s website www.wiganrotary.co.uk<br />
Fright Night<br />
There’s a Friday Night with a difference taking place at<br />
Haigh Woodland Park on Saturday 30th <strong>October</strong>.<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> Council and Fylde Coast Runners have joined<br />
forces to launch a brand-new series of night runs, and<br />
this is the inaugural event.<br />
The event is suitable for all abilities of runner or fast<br />
walkers and is held on a mix of trails and pathways within<br />
Haigh Hall, starting and finishing in the shadow of the<br />
hall.<br />
Entry is £25.00 per person which includes a glow in the<br />
dark finishers medal, a commemorative fright night<br />
technical t-shirt and digital event photographs! The<br />
minimum age is 15 and over on the day of the event.<br />
The event is strictly limited to 500 participants and<br />
entries are only accepted via web in advance of the<br />
event. Registration opens at 4pm on the day and the<br />
event starts at 6.30pm.<br />
To sign up, visit www.fyldecoastrunners.com<br />
Competition Winners<br />
The winners of the <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> competition in our July and<br />
August issues have been confirmed as Megan Gallagher<br />
from Standish, Melvin Levick, also from Standish,<br />
Samantha Clinton from Highfield and Angela Fletcher<br />
from Billinge.<br />
The winners all received a pair of tickets for the recent<br />
Tom Jones concert at Haydock Park. Thank you to all<br />
those who entered.
7<br />
Phoenix Rises<br />
Coping with the COVID restrictions has been particularly<br />
tough for single people. If you, or your friends/family are<br />
in this position, then there’s a local solution to loneliness.<br />
The long-established Phoenix Club has risen from the<br />
ashes and is now operating fully again. This national<br />
organisation was established for friendship and social<br />
nights, and the <strong>Wigan</strong> branch is based out of St Wilfrid’s<br />
Parish Hall on Church Street in Standish.<br />
In addition to the weekly sequence dancing, members<br />
of the club enjoy days out, theatre trips and holidays.<br />
The sequence dancing events run every Saturday, with<br />
the doors opening at 7.30, and you are advised to bring<br />
your own drinks. For more information about the <strong>Wigan</strong><br />
Phoenix Club, call 01257 421335 or 07971 956532.<br />
Having a Ball<br />
Fitness and fun don’t often go hand in hand but a ladies’<br />
rounders team in Standish is putting a stop to that! The<br />
team is currently open to women of all abilities over 14.<br />
If you fancy having a go, then the team train once a week<br />
on Wednesdays between 6.15pm-7.30pm at Standish<br />
Cricket Club on Green Lane.<br />
The ladies play in the <strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh league, focusing<br />
on staying active, making friends and having fun.<br />
For more information, please message the coaches by<br />
searching @StandishRoundersClub on Facebook<br />
Critters are Coming!<br />
Enjoy breakfast with a difference on 28th <strong>October</strong> at the<br />
Wild Mint Café at Golden Days on Back Lane in Appley<br />
Bridge. ‘Breakfast with the Critters’ will consist of a<br />
breakfast and drink, plus a chance to get up close and<br />
personal with bugs and beasts. The event is co-hosted<br />
by Curious Critters, and their handlers will be on hand to<br />
help. There are limited tickets available and pre-booking<br />
is essential. Call 01257 472533 to book.<br />
TIME<br />
coffee shop<br />
RElax and Enjoy dElIcIous dRInks and<br />
lITE bITEs In hoMEly suRRoundIngs.<br />
Our emphasis at Time is on high-quality customer<br />
service with a personal touch<br />
• Lavazza coffee, iced lattes,<br />
luxury hot chocolate<br />
• Fully licensed bar<br />
• Homemade cakes<br />
• Child friendly<br />
• Dog friendly<br />
• Lovely covered outside<br />
garden<br />
All our spaces are available to hire for business meetings,<br />
baby showers or any family celebration.<br />
nEw opEnIng houRs<br />
Monday to Thursday 8:00-4:30, Friday 8:00-9:00pm<br />
Saturday 8:00-9:00pm, Sunday 10:00-5:00pm<br />
Have a lovely glass of wine and enjoy a sharing platter<br />
from our evening menu<br />
Tuesday<br />
shevington<br />
Shevington Methodist Church, 1 Gathurst Road, WN6 8HA<br />
9am, 3.30pm, 5.00pm & 6.30pm<br />
Wednesday<br />
Billinge<br />
Bispham Methodist Church Hall, Crank Rd, WN5 7DT<br />
8.30am & 10.00am<br />
For further details call Karen on<br />
07789 227 871<br />
Christmas launch event with Akoya<br />
FridAy 22nd & SAturdAy 23rd OctOber <strong>2021</strong><br />
come and browse the lovely gifts and art work from Akoya and<br />
enjoy a complimentary glass of prosecco and canapés at time<br />
10% OFF All purcHASeS<br />
Phone: 01257 427397 Email: timewn6@outlook.com<br />
25, Preston Road • Standish • WN6 0JH<br />
www.timecoffeeshop.co.uk
8<br />
Healthwatch Appeal<br />
Are you worried about how to access your GP? How easy<br />
is it to get an appointment? Has your interaction with<br />
primary care changed because of the pandemic? If you<br />
want to share your views on the above questions, then<br />
Healthwatch <strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh want to hear from you.<br />
The purpose of Healthwatch <strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh is to<br />
represent local people who use health and social care<br />
services, and to make sure that those running services<br />
put people at the heart of care. They seek to understand<br />
the needs, experiences and concerns of people who use<br />
local health and social care services.<br />
All the information you provide will be heard<br />
confidentially and recorded anonymously to contribute<br />
to a report published later in the year. Here’s how you can<br />
contribute to that report:<br />
Contact Lisa Armstrong on 01942 834666 or text ‘GP’<br />
to this number 07939 061 872 and someone will call<br />
you back, or you can email Lisa at Lisa.Armstrong@<br />
healthwatchwiganandleigh.co.uk or alternately you can<br />
complete a short survey online at www.surveymonkey.<br />
co.uk/r/HWWLGPAccess.<br />
Stitch Group Forms<br />
A new creative stitch group has recently formed and is<br />
looking for new members. The Douglas Valley Creative<br />
Stitchers will be meeting on the second Saturday of each<br />
month at Parbold Village Hall. The next meeting is on<br />
Saturday 9th <strong>October</strong> and the activity is making a brooch<br />
or pendant.<br />
Newcomers with all levels of skill are welcome and the<br />
session opens at 2pm for a 2.30pm start and a 4pm<br />
finish. For more details about the group, contact Sue<br />
Chisnall-Sumner on 01772 461714 or email suechisnall@<br />
btinternet.com.<br />
AB Playgroup<br />
Keeping the children entertained and finding it a<br />
struggle? All Saints Church on Finch Mill Lane hosts a<br />
playgroup every Thursday from 9.15-11am. The cost<br />
is just £1.50 a family and 50p extra for any additional<br />
kids, and you can expect a warm welcome along with<br />
tea, toast, biscuits and juice. Everyone is welcome. For<br />
more info, please search for Little Saints Playgroup on<br />
Facebook.<br />
aqua:<br />
Established 2006<br />
bathroom - kitchen<br />
Aqua (NW) Ltd, 16/18, Market Street, Standish, WN6 0HN T: 01257 425 812<br />
E: info@aquabathrooms.co.uk www.aquabathrooms.co.uk
9<br />
Green Homes Grant<br />
The Greater Manchester Green Homes Grant <strong>Local</strong><br />
Authority Delivery Scheme is still open for applications.<br />
The grant allows homeowners who earn less than £30,000<br />
and whose home is energy inefficient to apply for grants<br />
of up to £10,000.<br />
The grant can be used for low carbon heating measures<br />
such as air source heat pumps as well as different types<br />
of insulation. The local authority scheme is delivered<br />
in partnership with E.ON. The scheme is also open to<br />
residential landlords to apply for grants of up to £5,000.<br />
To find out more about the scheme, visit www.eonenergy.<br />
com/greenhomesgrant<br />
Jewels May is a wonderful independent<br />
jewellers. The shop has recently expanded<br />
so as to offer customers more on site<br />
specialist services, one-to-one consultation,<br />
specialist design and re-modelling advice and<br />
manufacturing.<br />
Autumn Style Update<br />
Wear colours with confidence.<br />
Look fabulous and feel great.<br />
Their jewellery range is extensive from antique<br />
and vintage to modern and one-off bespoke<br />
luxury pieces, set with diamonds and precious<br />
stones. They also boast an impressive range of<br />
engagement and wedding rings as well as<br />
pre-owned luxury watches.<br />
Repairs & Alterations<br />
Rhodium Plating<br />
Cleaning & Polishing<br />
Design & Manufacturing<br />
Engagement & Wedding Ring Specialists<br />
Insurance Valuations<br />
Watch Servicing, Repairs, Refurbishing<br />
& Batteries<br />
Good Prices Paid For Your Scrap &<br />
Unwanted Jewellery<br />
My name’s Gina Dobson and I’m a<br />
Personal Stylist and Image Consultant<br />
From my St Helens studio, I offer;<br />
Colour Analysis Personal Styling<br />
Make Up Gift Vouchers<br />
Call me on 07598 367 552 to discover how<br />
I can help you discover your personal style.<br />
www.ginadobsoncolour.co.uk<br />
“Now offering on-site rhodium plating within an hour,<br />
Wednesday to Sunday.<br />
SPECIAL READER OFFER<br />
Rhodium plating of 2 rings for £80 (normally £90),<br />
just quote <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> 247”<br />
Heskin Hall Shopping Village,<br />
Wood Lane, Heskin, PR7 5PA<br />
Tel: 01257 450448 Etsy: Jewelsmayuk<br />
www.jewelsmay.com
10<br />
Give it a Grow<br />
<strong>Local</strong> community group, Give it a Grow <strong>Wigan</strong> are looking<br />
for volunteers to help them tidy up the space for their<br />
new hub at Mesnes Park this Sunday, <strong>October</strong> 3.<br />
Members of the group have recently acquired some<br />
allotment space in the park but they need your help!<br />
The site has not been managed since before the Covid<br />
lockdown hit and it’s pretty overgrown to say the least.<br />
The volunteer clearing day starts at 11am, so if you would<br />
like to get your gardening gloves out and lend a hand,<br />
even if only half an hour, they’d really appreciate your<br />
help. Tasks for the day will include; weed pulling, moving<br />
pots, litter picking, restoring benches and strimming to<br />
clear paths.<br />
Please take strong gardening gloves, water and food as<br />
necessary, and wear good sturdy footwear. If you have any<br />
tools like pruning shears, trowels, forks and are comfortable<br />
using them, you’re welcome to take those as well. The<br />
allotment can be accessed at the top of Mesnes Park, by<br />
the exit to the Pagefield site of <strong>Wigan</strong> & Leigh College.<br />
Give it A Grow <strong>Wigan</strong> is a new non-profit community<br />
group with the aim of bringing greater biodiversity and<br />
wildlife to the urban spaces in <strong>Wigan</strong> Borough. The new<br />
allotment area is an exciting opportunity for members to<br />
grow plants to distribute, produce their own compost,<br />
and possibly even host workshops in the future.<br />
To find out more about the project and what the group<br />
get up to, please go online at www.giveitagrowwigan.<br />
co.uk.<br />
Christmas Fair<br />
The Woodlands Animal Sanctuary in Holmeswood will<br />
be hosting a Christmas Fair at Parbold Village Hall on<br />
Saturday, November 20.<br />
The fair will take place between 11am-3pm and will be a<br />
great way to help to raise funds for the cats, hedgehogs<br />
and ponies that will be living at the shelter this winter.<br />
At the event, there will be plenty of stalls to browse<br />
around, delicious festive treats and a Teddy Tombola.<br />
For more information about the fair or Woodlands<br />
Animal Sanctuary please go online at www.<br />
woodlandsanimalsanctuary.org.uk or call 01704 823293.<br />
McNulty’s Shoes<br />
Wide shoe fitting specialists<br />
• Correct foot<br />
measurement<br />
• Extra wide shoes<br />
& slippers<br />
• Home shoe<br />
fitting service<br />
• New boots &<br />
shoes now in,<br />
Don’t miss out!<br />
Looking for Staff?<br />
Place your<br />
advertisement<br />
in <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> and<br />
we’ll also promote<br />
your advert FREE<br />
via our social<br />
media channels.<br />
Prices start from<br />
£125 + VAT<br />
01942 244100<br />
shaun@mcnultyshoes.co.uk<br />
31 Library Street | <strong>Wigan</strong> | WN1 1NN<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
01695 627999 | www.locallife247.co.uk
11<br />
Picture House<br />
Parbold’s Picture House, based at the Village Hall on<br />
The Green in Parbold, has released their listings for their<br />
forthcoming Sunday night movie programme.<br />
Screening on Sunday 10th <strong>October</strong> is Minari, a tender<br />
and sweeping story about a Korean-American family<br />
that moves to an Arkansas farm in search of their own<br />
American Dream.<br />
Screening on Sunday 24th <strong>October</strong> is The Father. The<br />
film features an ageing Anthony (Sir Anthony Hopkins)<br />
struggling with memory loss as he begins to experience<br />
the symptoms of dementia. Refusing help from his<br />
daughter Anne (Olivia Colman), Anthony increasingly<br />
begins to lose his grip on reality as he experiences<br />
hallucinations, battles traumatic memories and struggles<br />
to identify his loved ones.<br />
Screening on Sunday 7th November is 1917, a World War<br />
1 drama directed and produced by Sam Mendes and<br />
starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth and Richard<br />
Madden.<br />
The films all start at 7pm, with doors opening at 6.30pm.<br />
Please note that the café is still closed at present.<br />
The friendly place in<br />
the heart of Standish village<br />
The Unity Club<br />
• large function room or cosy<br />
lounge room available for hire<br />
• games room with a full-size<br />
snooker table, pool table,<br />
darts & dominoes<br />
Cask Ale Club of the Year<br />
awarded by CAMRA<br />
11 Years running 2010-21<br />
Open: Sun-Thurs: 7.30-11pm<br />
Fri & Sat: 5.30pm-12am<br />
If you are interested in becoming a member, hiring the function room<br />
or using the facilities for meetings please call for further details.<br />
01257 424007<br />
Cross Street, Standish, WN6 0HQ<br />
www.standishunityclub.com
Interior Design Services<br />
Bay Window Specialists<br />
Bespoke Curtains & Blinds<br />
Upholstery Services<br />
Home Consultations Available<br />
Proud stockists of
Visit our showroom<br />
to view our<br />
fine selection of...<br />
Fabrics, Wall Coverings,<br />
Paint and much more<br />
Millan Interiors, 5/7 Mill Lane, Parbold WN8 7NW<br />
T: 01257 46 34 77 www.millaninteriors.co.uk<br />
Opening Hours: Mon, Tues ,Weds, Fri 10am - 4pm • Thurs 10am - 1pm<br />
Please call 01257 46 34 77 for out of hours appointments
14<br />
Pumpkin Fun<br />
Windmill Animal Farm in Burscough will be getting<br />
into the Halloween spirt with their pumpkin picking<br />
adventure from Saturday 9th to Sunday 31st <strong>October</strong>.<br />
Farmer Chris has planted more than 20,000 plants in the<br />
pumpkin field, and you could be taking one home for the<br />
family this Halloween.<br />
Tickets cost £15.95 for adults and £16.95 for children<br />
under 15, with under 1’s free. Each ticket includes a full<br />
day of fun on the farm and access to the pumpkin patch,<br />
where you get to pick your own pumpkin. Wheelbarrows<br />
will be provided and don’t forget your wellies!<br />
For more information or to book your tickets, please go<br />
online at www.windmillanimalfarm.co.uk<br />
Samaritans Shout Out<br />
Charities such as the Samaritans have helped thousands<br />
of people through the difficulties of the past eighteen<br />
months, particularly those without family and friends.<br />
The services that the Samaritans provide are funded by<br />
retail shops throughout the UK and the <strong>Wigan</strong> shop is<br />
desperately short of volunteers.<br />
Can you spare any time, even just a couple of hours a<br />
week, to help at the <strong>Wigan</strong> shop, which is located at 39<br />
Hallgate? If so, the Shop Manager Jean Ashby would love<br />
to hear from you. Please give Jean a call on 01744 894122.<br />
Gym for Kids<br />
Gymnastic sessions are available for pre-school children<br />
at Robin Park Leisure Centre.<br />
The sessions are a perfect introduction to gymnastics,<br />
teaching kids how to do forward rolls, handstands and<br />
splits, and then move onto using the vault, beams and<br />
trampolines in subsequent sessions.<br />
Your child will build strength, learn to develop their<br />
hand-eye co-ordination and, most importantly, have lots<br />
of fun along the way.<br />
These structured lessons are taught by friendly qualified<br />
coaches across a block of 8 weeks at a cost of £34.40.<br />
For more information or to book your child’s place, please<br />
call 01942 828550 or email gymnastics@bewellwigan.org<br />
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16
Christmas Light Trails<br />
171<br />
Christmas is all about traditions. From dressing a Christmas tree to putting<br />
out a mince pie or two for Santa, for most of us Christmas represents<br />
enjoying the same activities with the same people, year in, year out.<br />
Because it’s such a busy time, new Christmas activities that are quickly<br />
adapted as a mainstream activity by all the family rarely come along, but<br />
one notable exception is the Christmas light trail.<br />
There’s nothing more uplifting in the cold winter months than illuminations<br />
and that’s why we think Christmas light trails are one of the most magical festive<br />
experiences for the entire family at this time of year.<br />
Don’t delay in booking your tickets though, these festive light experiences will sell out fast.<br />
Chester Zoo<br />
www.chesterzoo.org/lanterns<br />
Chester Zoo has revealed its plans for its wintertime<br />
celebration, The Lanterns, which runs from Friday 12<br />
November - Thursday 23 December.<br />
Now in its tenth year, visitors to the event are given the<br />
unique opportunity to experience the zoo after hours on<br />
a set trail in the dark – taking them through spectacular<br />
illuminations and colourful lanterns, encountering<br />
enchanting, costumed characters along the way.<br />
Among the many new elements at this year’s festivities<br />
will be brand new illuminated characters, featuring<br />
orangutans, butterflies, caterpillars and wolves as well as<br />
a 90th birthday light show, taking visitors on a journey<br />
through time as they explore the zoo’s history.<br />
Senior Admissions and Retail Manager at Chester Zoo,<br />
Gemma Bamford, said:<br />
“We can’t wait to welcome visitors back to our very<br />
special Christmas event, The Lanterns. It’s become a firm<br />
favourite and something of a family tradition for so many<br />
people now and this year will be more magnificent and<br />
magical than ever”.<br />
The Lanterns has been created by the zoo in partnership<br />
with multi award-winning outdoor arts producers, Wild<br />
Rumpus.
18 2<br />
Lightopia www.lightopiafestival.com<br />
The award-winning Lightopia will return with its<br />
flagship event in Manchester, for the third year on the<br />
18th November until the 3rd January, with a brandnew<br />
enchanting light and lantern festival; presenting a<br />
Christmas Fantasy at Heaton Park. The never-before-seen,<br />
illuminated trail will feature magical and multi-sensory<br />
interactive lights, lanterns and installations, illustrating a<br />
story of an imaginative and fantasy festive world.<br />
This immersive experience is the perfect Christmas<br />
adventure for family and friends, filled with wondrous<br />
light installations and mythical creatures. From the<br />
moment Lightopians step through the magical gates, the<br />
fantasy land journey begins…<br />
This year, the entry points to Lightopia will be via the Gate<br />
of Guardians, protecting the enchanted land that awaits.<br />
Shimmering walkways, decorative lights and projections<br />
will guide the way, marking the familiar route direction<br />
for this new make-believe wonderland.<br />
A Christmas spectacular can be discovered at the Grade<br />
I-listed Heaton Hall. Marvel at the 9ft bauble-inspired<br />
Christmas tree and the immersive stand-alone giant<br />
bauble, which Lightopians can walk inside. A fairy tale<br />
awaits at this unique festive land, as the characters and<br />
lights tell the tale of good vs evil, with the festive heroes<br />
protecting Christmas. Thousands of immersive lights will<br />
illuminate the Christmas land with a collection of vibrant<br />
colours.<br />
Lightopia <strong>2021</strong> will also feature a fantastical Magic<br />
Circus display, a Time Travel zone, Fantasy Forest, Fantasy<br />
Universe and Lakeside Water Show!
Bolesworth<br />
193<br />
www.bolesworth.com/christmas<br />
Bolesworth near Chester will be transformed<br />
into an illuminated winter wonderland this<br />
Christmas. The magical 1.2 mile trail, which<br />
runs for 30 nights in between 26th November<br />
to 24th December, promises a dazzling afterdark<br />
experience for all of the family.<br />
You’ll travel alongside the lakeside with the<br />
backdrop of the castle lit to spectacular<br />
effect, then you’ll follow the winding<br />
pathways through the woods where you<br />
may spot a reindeer or two, travelling<br />
over bridges and through the spectacular<br />
grounds.<br />
Pick up glistening gifts at the Christmas Market, wander<br />
round the food stands as you sip on mulled wine or<br />
hot chocolate, whilst soaking up the heart-warming<br />
atmosphere of the evening. Or get your skates on and<br />
head onto the Ice Rink with your friends and family. Set<br />
against the iconic backdrop of Bolesworth Castle, you can<br />
spin around to the soundtracks and afterwards head to<br />
the bar for a warming drink.<br />
Those looking for a dash of class with plenty of<br />
champagne can visit Champagne Island, and you surely<br />
won’t be disappointed by this very special and unique<br />
experience. You’ll have a secret hideaway on a hidden<br />
island where you can sit and watch the world go by.<br />
And Bolesworth offer a very special experience where<br />
the children are able to meet the man himself, leave their<br />
Christmas present list and have their photo taken so you<br />
can take home a memento of these magical moments.
20 4<br />
Delamere Forest www.forestryengland.uk/christmas-at-delamere<br />
A brand-new Christmas trail featuring enchanting<br />
illuminations and Christmas tunes, will illuminate Forestry<br />
England’s Delamere Forest in Cheshire, from 26 Nov – 31<br />
Dec <strong>2021</strong>.<br />
Wrap up warm and be transported into a winter<br />
wonderland where you will discover sparkling tunnels<br />
of light, walk under giant baubles and beneath trees<br />
illuminated in Christmas colours.<br />
Spend time together and create everlasting memories as<br />
you wander between the specially chosen illuminations,<br />
all choreographed to a soundtrack of Christmas classics.<br />
Pause at the mesmerising flickering flames in the fire<br />
garden and don’t forget to glimpse Father<br />
Christmas along the way.<br />
Independent street food vendors bring<br />
a delicious twist to tasty treats on offer.<br />
Have yourself a holly, jolly Christmas and<br />
complete your walk under the stars with a<br />
spiced winter warmer or a hot chocolate<br />
shared with someone special.<br />
Christmas at Delamere Forest provides a<br />
special way to celebrate the festive season<br />
with an unmissable outdoor experience.<br />
The trail is designed for visitors of all ages<br />
to enjoy.<br />
Christmas at Delamere Forest is brought<br />
to you by Sony Music in partnership with<br />
Forestry England. The trail is created by<br />
Culture Creative.
21<br />
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22<br />
Tell Us Your Story!<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> is<br />
always on the<br />
look out for<br />
news stories<br />
from the local<br />
communities we<br />
serve. Are you<br />
raising money<br />
for charity? Are<br />
you a member<br />
of a community<br />
group with<br />
something to<br />
shout about?<br />
Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a<br />
claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be<br />
appearing in the next edition!<br />
Simply contact us on editorial@locallife247.co.uk<br />
or call us on 01695 627999<br />
Job Search<br />
If you’re looking for a change of career, then My <strong>Life</strong> in<br />
Standish might just have the opportunity you need.<br />
You can get paid for sharing your skills with the people<br />
they support. The charity is on the lookout for musicians,<br />
gardeners, woodworkers, artists, screen printers,<br />
warehouse operatives, hospitality workers, upcyclers<br />
and more, get in touch and tell them about your skill set.<br />
There are full and part time roles available, and contracts<br />
are available for staff, freelance and flexible roles. A good<br />
rate of pay is being offered along with full training and<br />
development opportunities.<br />
For more information, please call My <strong>Life</strong> on 01942<br />
233422 or email hr@my-life.org.uk<br />
Memory Walk<br />
BeWell <strong>Wigan</strong> will be hosting a memory walk on Sunday,<br />
<strong>October</strong> 10 to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Society.<br />
Walk for a world without dementia and take the time to<br />
remember the loved ones who are no longer with us.<br />
You can join organisers on a 10-mile walk or a 1-mile<br />
accessible walk, both starting at the Haigh Woodland<br />
Park Visitors Centre. Registration will open at 10.15am<br />
and the walks will begin at 11am, both walks are<br />
signposted and walk leaders will be supporting people<br />
throughout.<br />
Donations can be made by going to www.justgiving.<br />
com/fundraising/MWOYO21-TracyMorris<br />
Boogie Bingo<br />
Eyes down and get your dabbers ready for the ultimate<br />
bingo event on Saturday November 6.<br />
Boogie Bingo, organised by Lisa McAllister from the<br />
Professionals of <strong>Wigan</strong> networking group, will take place<br />
at the DW Stadium from 7pm till late in a bid to raise<br />
much needed funds for <strong>Wigan</strong> and Leigh Hospice.<br />
Beautifully furnished<br />
Stone Cottage<br />
Holiday Let<br />
– sleeps up to 4<br />
Situated near Sedbergh,<br />
in the Yorkshire Dales,<br />
and also within easy<br />
reach of the Lake District<br />
Children & pets welcome<br />
Call 01942 216 058<br />
www.millthropcottage.co.uk<br />
You can look forward to an exciting combination of<br />
fun, a live show, a raffle and a serious game of bingo!<br />
Tickets cost £25 per person, and this includes light bite<br />
refreshments on the night.<br />
For more information or to book your tickets go online to<br />
www.trybooking.com/uk/events/landing/20737
23<br />
Back with a Bang<br />
The Old Courts is back with a bang this autumn, bringing<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong>ers live music, comedy, films, theatre and poetry<br />
events to make up for the past 18 months of living with<br />
COVID.<br />
The 2020 film Supernova, starring Colin Firth and Stanley<br />
Tucci, will be screened on 10.30am on Wednesday 6th<br />
<strong>October</strong>. The pair play Sam and dementia-stricken<br />
Tusker, partners of twenty years who are travelling across<br />
England in their old campervan visiting friends, family<br />
and places from their past.<br />
Court and Spark – The Joni Mitchell Songbook will be<br />
performing at the Old Courts on Friday 8th <strong>October</strong> at<br />
8pm. The act brings together five of the North West’s top<br />
musicians to celebrate the kaleidoscopic musical world<br />
of Joni Mitchell.<br />
Described by Classic Rock magazine as ‘The most<br />
authentic sounding Zep tribute in the UK’, the band<br />
Mothership comes to town on Saturday 9th <strong>October</strong> with<br />
their brand-new stage show celebrating the music of<br />
the greatest rock band in history. You can expect all the<br />
classics, but expect the unexpected, too!<br />
You can come along and celebrate the 50th anniversary<br />
of the children’s’ classic film Charlie and the Chocolate<br />
Factory with a special screening at the Old Courts on<br />
Sunday 10th <strong>October</strong> at 10.30am. This is an adaption of<br />
the Roald Dahl book which tells the story of how a young<br />
boy wins a tour through the most magnificent chocolate<br />
factory in the world, led by the world’s most unusual man.<br />
An award-winning musical comedian whose songs have<br />
been heard on BBC Radio 4 and The One Show, arrives at<br />
the Old Courts on Wednesday 27th <strong>October</strong> at 2.30pm.<br />
Jay Foreman presents ‘Disgusted Rhymes for Revolting<br />
Children’’, a devilishly cheeky hour of songs, poems and<br />
comedy for children of all ages in this family friendly<br />
show.<br />
And on Tuesday 2nd November at 8pm, the writer, poet<br />
and TV Producer Henry Normal performs The Escape<br />
Plan, an evening of pure escape with stories, jokes and<br />
poems.<br />
There’s something for everyone at The Old Courts. For<br />
more details and to buy tickets for these and other shows<br />
this autumn, visit the www.theoldcourts.com.
24<br />
Under<br />
Pressure<br />
It’s responsible for 60% of strokes and half of all heart<br />
attacks, yet most people with high blood pressure<br />
have no idea they are at risk. That’s because high blood<br />
pressure typically has no symptoms. The British Heart<br />
Foundation estimates there are up to 4.8 million people<br />
living with undiagnosed high blood pressure in the UK.<br />
It’s sometimes referred to as a silent killer because most<br />
people don’t know they have it until they get their blood<br />
pressure measured by a healthcare professional.<br />
In good news, there’s now an easy way to get your blood<br />
pressure checked and that’s via your local chemist. Every<br />
NHS pharmacy in England will offer the free checks to<br />
people aged 40 and over as part of a new deal between<br />
pharmacies and the NHS. This will undoubtedly help to<br />
increase detection of undiagnosed hypertension in the<br />
community.<br />
Hypertension or high blood pressure is a level that’s<br />
consistently at or above 140/90 and it’s something that<br />
affects one in three adults in the UK. In most cases, it’s<br />
not clear exactly what causes hypertension but there<br />
are factors that can increase your risk of getting it. These<br />
include:<br />
• Being overweight<br />
• Eating too much salt and not eating enough fruit<br />
and vegetables<br />
• Not doing enough exercise<br />
• Drinking too much alcohol or coffee<br />
• Smoking<br />
• Being a poor sleeper<br />
• Being aged 65 and over<br />
• Family history of high blood pressure or heart<br />
disease<br />
• Ethnicity – being of black African or black<br />
Caribbean descent<br />
• Living in a deprived area<br />
In around one in twenty cases, high blood pressure<br />
happens as a result of an underlying health condition or<br />
due to taking a certain medicine. Health conditions that<br />
can lead to high blood pressure include kidney disease,<br />
diabetes, a long-term kidney infection, obstructive<br />
sleep apnoea, lupus and those experiencing hormonal<br />
problems such as an underactive or overactive thyroid.<br />
Medicines that can impact on your blood pressure<br />
include the contraceptive pull, steroids, non-steroidal<br />
anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and<br />
naproxen, some cough and cold remedies and certain<br />
antidepressants such as venlafaxine.<br />
Everyone with high blood pressure is advised to make<br />
healthy lifestyle choices. These include reducing your<br />
salt intake, eating a low-fat balanced diet with plenty<br />
of fruit and vegetables, being active, cutting down on<br />
alcohol, losing weight, drinking less caffeine and quitting<br />
smoking. Medication to control high blood pressure can<br />
also be prescribed in some instances. If you’re under<br />
55, you’ll usually be offered an angiotensin-converting<br />
enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or an angiotensin-2 receptor<br />
blocker (ARB). If you’re over 55 or are of African or<br />
Caribbean origin at any age, you’ll usually be offered a<br />
calcium channel blocker.<br />
Speaking about the new high street pharmacy blood
25<br />
about five minutes to complete. Knowing your blood<br />
pressure levels will also mean you can discuss the<br />
risks with a healthcare professional, who will signpost<br />
you to the most effective source of treatment and<br />
onward management of your condition. Prevention<br />
is always better than cure, so it’s important that you<br />
know your numbers and check your blood pressure.”<br />
It’s also possible to have hypotension or low blood<br />
pressure. Having a blood pressure check can help<br />
to diagnose this too. A low blood pressure reading<br />
is one that’s less than 90/60. Symptoms that might<br />
indicate your blood pressure is too low include lightheadedness,<br />
dizziness, nausea, blurred vision, generally<br />
feeling weak, confusion and fainting.<br />
pressure check scheme, the charity’s director of policy and<br />
influencing, John Maringay, added: “This breakthrough<br />
programme will also help with the devastating burden<br />
of backlog of care left by the Covid-19 pandemic, which<br />
could see the number of people waiting for heart care<br />
and diagnosis peak at around 550,385 in January 2024,<br />
according to our latest report.<br />
“Having your blood pressure checked by your local<br />
pharmacist is a simple and quick test that will only take<br />
Our blood pressure can vary depending on what time it is,<br />
as it gradually increases throughout the day. What we’re<br />
doing and how we’re feeling can also affect it. There’s a<br />
number of possible causes of low blood pressure. For<br />
example, it can be low because you’re fit and healthy or you<br />
may have inherited hypotension from your parents. Some<br />
people will also find they naturally develop low blood<br />
pressure as they get older. In addition, being pregnant,<br />
having certain medical conditions such as diabetes and<br />
some medications can cause low blood pressure too.
26<br />
Wellie Walk<br />
Join the team at Windy Arbour Farm in Billinge this<br />
<strong>October</strong> for the returning Hallowe’en ‘Wellie Walk’ event!<br />
Stroll the tracks of Windy Arbour, a farm dating back over<br />
150 years, collecting puzzle answers, meeting special<br />
‘guests’ and looking out for some spooky surprises! Plus<br />
you can choose two pumpkins to take home and carve.<br />
This is a family event so there’s nothing too scary or<br />
dangerous, its perfect for everyone. Simply go to the<br />
website, choose an event day and pick a time slot, it<br />
couldn’t be easier! Refreshments will be available for<br />
purchase back at the farm. This is a ticket-only event and<br />
one ticket entitles you to bring one vehicle on site.<br />
Tickets are now on sale and are priced at £25, including<br />
a premium goodie bag containing special treats,<br />
some local offers, a route map and more. The walk will<br />
take around an hour and is suitable for small children,<br />
however toddlers may need to be carried as the walk is<br />
not suitable for prams or bikes. Well behaved dogs on<br />
short leads are welcome.<br />
For more information or to make a booking please go<br />
online at www.windy-arbour.shop<br />
Halloween Party<br />
There will be some spooky goings on down at the <strong>Wigan</strong><br />
Armed Forces HQ on Saturday, <strong>October</strong> 30!<br />
A Halloween party will take place at the HQ on School<br />
Lane from 1pm-5pm. There will be a disco, games, food<br />
and crafts for all the family to enjoy. There will also be a<br />
prize for the best fancy dress.<br />
Tickets are £3.50 per person or a family ticket costs £15<br />
and can be purchased from HQ reception. For more<br />
information please call 01942 821 293.<br />
Fostering in <strong>Wigan</strong><br />
Do you have a spare bedroom, and time and<br />
commitment? Then why not consider fostering and<br />
change a child or young person’s life. Sunbeam Fostering<br />
urgently need more foster carers to help provide loving<br />
and safe environments for children and young people.<br />
If you are considering fostering or would like some more<br />
information, please contact the recruitment team on<br />
02087 990 930 or visit www.sunbeamfostering.com<br />
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27
28<br />
The Beecham’s<br />
Brush-Off<br />
by Nicola Gray<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong>’s connection to ‘Big Retail’<br />
is well known throughout the<br />
town. Michael Marks of M&S<br />
fame is an ex-Wallgate resident<br />
and opened a Penny Bazaar in<br />
the Market Hall in 1891, before<br />
he launched M&S with business<br />
partner Thomas Spencer in 1894.<br />
Less well-documented is <strong>Wigan</strong>’s<br />
connection with ‘Big Pharma’ fifty<br />
years earlier. Thomas Beecham<br />
made his home in the town and, if<br />
his wife hadn’t miss-sold a remedy<br />
to a child, the town could have<br />
enjoyed the long-term benefits<br />
of being home to Beechams. This<br />
month we look at the Beecham<br />
Bust of Thomas Beecham - courtesy of<br />
GlaxoSmithKline plc<br />
dynasty and their humble<br />
beginnings in the town.<br />
The founder of Beechams,<br />
Thomas Beecham, was born in<br />
Oxfordshire on 3rd December<br />
1820. It seems hard work was<br />
always in his blood, and when he<br />
had to leave school at the age of<br />
8, he started work as a shepherd’s<br />
boy. As fate would have it this is<br />
where he first learned about<br />
herbal medicines, and he quickly<br />
became interested in curing<br />
sick animals and the occasional<br />
person. By his mid-teens he had<br />
established quite a reputation<br />
Men & women in the pill making<br />
section - courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline plc
29<br />
as an herbalist, one who could treat all<br />
types of ailments.<br />
By 1840 he had already developed the<br />
formula for his own brand of laxative<br />
pills but was still working as a postman<br />
and gardener. In 1847 Thomas made<br />
his way North to Liverpool where<br />
he met and married Jane Evans, a<br />
Welsh woman who was eight years<br />
his senior. They did appear to have<br />
a lot in common and hit it off when<br />
Beecham discovered that Jane was<br />
the maid to a chemist. It was soon<br />
after he decided to set up in business<br />
selling his herbal remedies but at<br />
the time Liverpool was deemed too<br />
poor and the couple moved to <strong>Wigan</strong>.<br />
Towards the end of 1847 the newlyweds rented a room in a<br />
slum on Wallgate and sold their wares, gradually building<br />
up custom through family and friends, later moving onto<br />
local market stalls. Thomas regularly referred to himself<br />
as ‘Dr Beecham’ much to the displeasure of the qualified<br />
professionals in the town.<br />
The Beechams welcomed their first child, Thomas on 8th<br />
June 1848, followed by daughter Sarah two years later.<br />
The family was going up in the world and thanks to a great<br />
few years in business they moved to a house on Hallgate<br />
and again to a much bigger property on Standishgate.<br />
Beecham, ever the entrepreneur, wasn’t satisfied with the<br />
market stalls and he opened his first shop at 120 Wallgate<br />
in 1858, where they sold groceries, pills and medicines.<br />
The Beecham’s services were very popular in the town,<br />
in part down to the belief held by Thomas that his pills<br />
could cure any ailment. The couple continued to sell<br />
their homemade laxatives at local markets and in the<br />
shop, with an unrivalled sales patter that included a jar of<br />
intestinal worms as a visual aid.<br />
By 1858 the couple now had four children; two boys and<br />
two girls, life was running smoothly until the unthinkable<br />
happened and rumour has it that Jane, who was known<br />
to be illiterate, dispensed a mislabelled bottle containing<br />
opium to a customer. The contents of the bottle had the<br />
potential to be fatal for children and tragedy struck when<br />
a local boy was given a spoonful of the opium by his<br />
mother, believing it to be his regular medicine. As a result,<br />
the young boy died from convulsions, and the coroner<br />
returned a verdict of accidental death.<br />
Although the Beechams were cleared of any charges,<br />
Advertisement for Beechams Lung Syrup - courtesy of GlaxoSmithKline plc<br />
public feeling and tightening legislation throughout<br />
the country made it impossible for Thomas to continue<br />
trading in <strong>Wigan</strong>. The locals weren’t forgiving, and the<br />
couple had no choice but to sell up and move out of the<br />
town, it isn’t clear why but Thomas put the shop along<br />
with all its contents up for auction and in 1860 they set up<br />
home in St Helens - the rest, as they say is history.<br />
And history is exactly what Thomas made; he continued<br />
to produce his pills at home, and it is around this time<br />
the famous ‘guinea’ Beecham slogan was born, when a<br />
customer approached Thomas at his market stall to tell<br />
him that his pills had done her the world of good and<br />
were indeed ‘worth a guinea a box’.<br />
Thomas was a great believer in the power of advertising,<br />
and records show that by 1890 his new factory was<br />
making one million pills a day and spending upwards of<br />
£100,000 a year on advertising; a massive £12 million in<br />
today’s money; and at the turn of the century, he was the<br />
largest advertiser in the country.<br />
Going back, 1863 was a momentous year for the Beechams<br />
in more ways than one; Jane and Thomas separated, and<br />
their son Joseph had joined the family enterprise. Joseph<br />
was responsible for ramping up the advertising and was<br />
publishing full-page adverts in newspapers, plastering<br />
posters on billboards, popular songs were given out as<br />
sheet music and educational pamphlets were delivered<br />
to schoolchildren to help with times tables, to really drive<br />
home the Beecham name.<br />
In 1876, Thomas started to take a less active role in the<br />
business; after the death of Jane in 1872, he remarried in<br />
1873 to Sarah Pemberton and got married again to Mary
30<br />
Sewell in 1979. Thomas moved away to Buckinghamshire<br />
with Mary and left the business, but it wasn’t long before<br />
he moved back to the North and resumed his business<br />
duties.<br />
By 1894 Thomas had left his wife and had moved to<br />
Southport, within three years he had fully retired and in<br />
1889 Thomas gave Joseph a half share in the business. He<br />
died at his home in Southport on 6th April 1907 at the age<br />
of 86 and is buried in St Helens Cemetery, Windle.<br />
Joseph continued to run the family business and he<br />
died in <strong>October</strong> 1916 having outlived his father Thomas<br />
by a mere 10 years. After Joseph’s death, the firm was<br />
managed by executors and in 1924 the firm was sold to<br />
entrepreneur Philip Hill.<br />
The Beechams products continued to expand both at<br />
home and overseas and under Philip’s leadership the<br />
business began to buy up other companies acquiring<br />
products and brands such as Lucozade, Macleans and<br />
Brylcreem. Philip took the company forward by improving<br />
their research and development by building a laboratory<br />
in Surrey and the company was named Beecham Group<br />
Ltd.<br />
Notoriety was never far away where Beechams was<br />
concerned and they hit the headlines again in 1959<br />
when their scientists discovered a new penicillin nucleus,<br />
allowing them to focus on pharmaceutical development<br />
and go on to sell antibiotics worldwide to treat a wide<br />
range of bacterial infections.<br />
In 1989 the Beecham Group and SmithKline Beckman<br />
merged to form SmithKline Beecham and in 2000<br />
they merged again to form what we now know as<br />
GlaxoSmithKline. So embedded is the Beecham brand,<br />
that GSK still uses its name for their over-the-counter cold<br />
and flu products.<br />
Key Beecham Dates:<br />
1840 Thomas Beecham developed the formula for his herbal laxatives<br />
1842 Thomas Beecham went into business with Beecham’s Pills.<br />
Thomas became a travelling salesman, offering his pills in<br />
different parts of the country.<br />
1847 The Beechams moved to <strong>Wigan</strong><br />
1858 Beecham open his first chemist on Wallgate, <strong>Wigan</strong>.<br />
1860 The Beechams were forced out of <strong>Wigan</strong> and moved to St Helens<br />
1876 Beechams opened its first factory in St. Helens – the factory was<br />
the first to be opened solely to produce medicines.<br />
1875 Beecham was exporting his remedies to Africa and Australia.<br />
1907 Thomas Beecham died, and his sons Joseph and William took<br />
over the running of the business.<br />
1924 The business was sold to Philip Hill<br />
1926 Beecham’s Flu Powders were launched.<br />
Westfield Street looking towards the Beecham’s<br />
Factory - courtesy of St Helens Archive Service<br />
1944 The company was renamed Beecham Group Ltd.<br />
1957 Company scientists discovered the penicillin nucleus 6-aminopenicillanic acid (6-APA).<br />
1959 Beecham Group Ltd signed an agreement with Bristol-Myers to market the medicines in the USA<br />
1961 A 35-acre complex was at Worthing to produce 6-APA and there are 14,450 people now employed in the<br />
business.<br />
1989 The Beecham Group plc and SmithKline Beckman merged to form SmithKline Beecham plc.<br />
1998 Production of “Beecham’s Pills” ceased.<br />
2001 SmithKline Beecham and Glaxo Wellcome merged to form GlaxoSmithKline.<br />
With thanks to St Helens Archive Service. The Archive Service collects, preserves and provides access to unique historic materials that relate to<br />
different aspects of life across the borough of St Helens. Find out more information here - www.sthelens.gov.uk/libraries/archive-service/
31
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33<br />
It’s Coming Home<br />
Council bosses have approved plans for football hubs at<br />
two locations – William Foster playing fields in Ince and<br />
Laithwaite Park in <strong>Wigan</strong> - as part of a national initiative<br />
led by the Football Foundation.<br />
There will be five full-size floodlit third generation (3G)<br />
pitches across the two sites along with changing rooms<br />
and community facilities.<br />
Councillor Nazia Rehman, cabinet member for resources,<br />
finance and transformation, said: “Providing facilities like<br />
these will have a significant health and wellbeing impact<br />
in our communities and making sport available to all is an<br />
important part of the Deal 2030.”<br />
Cabinet members voted in favour of the schemes at a<br />
meeting earlier this month, meaning the council and the<br />
Football Foundation will share the development costs.<br />
Works are expected to start next month with a provisional<br />
opening date of September 2022.<br />
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football<br />
Foundation, said: “Funding from the Premier League,<br />
The FA and the Government, through Sport England, has<br />
played a vital role in making this project a reality”.<br />
The hubs will be managed on a charitable basis by a new<br />
national football trust, with council representation at a<br />
local level.
34<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
Stairways to Heaven<br />
As the saying goes,<br />
you never get a second<br />
chance to make a first<br />
impression.<br />
For many people, the<br />
staircase is the first<br />
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home, but sadly, it’s<br />
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improvements lined up<br />
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A staircase is a staircase, do I hear you say? Well, I<br />
can guarantee you that if you take a trip to a brandnew<br />
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Vale of <strong>Wigan</strong> have been operating in <strong>Wigan</strong> for<br />
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This family firm, run by the Wilson family – Shane,<br />
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The company also<br />
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And whatever your fancy, be it exotic hardwood<br />
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With most renovations taking place within two days,<br />
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Vale of <strong>Wigan</strong> for your next home improvement<br />
project. Call in today and take a step towards a<br />
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ADVERTISEMENT<br />
35<br />
What our customers say:<br />
“Vale of <strong>Wigan</strong> produced a stunning Oak staircase<br />
with glass balustrades... you could not pick a better<br />
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staircase and the look of the hall.” Jane L, Ormskirk<br />
Vale of <strong>Wigan</strong> Ltd • Horton Street<br />
off Woodhouse Drive • <strong>Wigan</strong> • WN6 7TF<br />
0800 7723890<br />
www.moderniseyourstairs.com<br />
info@moderniseyourstairs.com<br />
Opening times:<br />
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9am-2pm Saturday
36
37
38<br />
Schools<br />
and the<br />
Pandemic<br />
The pandemic has been incredibly challenging for the<br />
education sector. There was no blueprint for schools to<br />
follow, no guide telling head teachers how to provide<br />
remote learning. Some schools were at a digital<br />
disadvantage, unable to deliver lessons to pupils remotely,<br />
either because the school did not have the resources, or<br />
because pupils did not have the right devices or reliable<br />
internet access.<br />
Those schools that were able to deliver remote learning<br />
successfully still faced challenges. Laura Castree, a<br />
secondary school teacher, told us, “A huge part of teaching<br />
is deciphering what your pupil needs and planning<br />
accordingly; this became incredibly difficult when<br />
teaching remotely, and we had to overhaul resources,<br />
teaching styles and priorities practically overnight.”<br />
Many children fell behind with their schoolwork during<br />
the lockdowns. When pupils returned to school, teachers<br />
were then faced with classrooms of children all at different<br />
stages of their learning. Disadvantaged children fell even<br />
further behind their peers.<br />
Even more worrying was the effect of the pandemic on<br />
children’s mental health. When surveyed, most schools<br />
said that some of their pupils were suffering from Covidrelated<br />
anxiety. OFSTED found that some children had<br />
lost physical fitness, others showed signs of mental<br />
distress, and there was an increase in eating disorders<br />
and self-harm.<br />
It hasn’t just been pupils who have struggled with<br />
mental health. The pandemic came on the back of years<br />
of per-pupil spending cuts, increased class sizes and<br />
numerous curriculum changes, so thousands of teachers<br />
were already suffering from work-related stress. A 2019<br />
survey by the teachers’ union NASUWT found that 70% of<br />
teachers felt their job had adversely affected their mental<br />
health. By September 2020, more than half of teachers<br />
said that their mental health had declined further. By April
39<br />
<strong>2021</strong>, 43% of teachers were experiencing<br />
all four of the main symptoms of burnout.<br />
It’s hardly surprising that teachers<br />
struggled, considering the additional<br />
pressures they were under. Geoff Barton,<br />
General Secretary of the Association of<br />
School and College Leaders, commented,<br />
“Our teachers have had to rapidly adapt<br />
to changing circumstances on many<br />
occasions. They have: rapidly become<br />
experts in delivering remote learning; run<br />
on-site provision for the children of key<br />
workers and vulnerable children during<br />
lockdowns; managed complex Covid safety<br />
measures; set up testing stations to enable<br />
pupils to return to classrooms; and, most<br />
recently, taken responsibility for assessing<br />
students following the cancellation of public exams.”<br />
It may take years before we understand the long-term<br />
effects of the pandemic on children. However, there is a<br />
sense of optimism in the education sector. Both pupils<br />
and teachers experienced a much more normal return to<br />
school this year. Extra-curricular clubs have restarted and<br />
children have more freedom to socialise again.<br />
As Laura Castree explains, “It has been apparent that<br />
some pupils fared better than others during lockdowns,<br />
but it was wonderful to see them back in the classroom,<br />
and actually the majority returned with a new and<br />
positive attitude towards school and their teachers that<br />
endured throughout the year and made the catch-up<br />
process much easier.”<br />
Could you be one of tomorrow’s<br />
outstanding teachers?<br />
Individuals who are<br />
passionate about working<br />
with young children.<br />
Join us at our open evenings<br />
Monday 1st November <strong>2021</strong> 4-5:30pm<br />
Monday 22nd November <strong>2021</strong> 4-5:30pm<br />
Monday 6th December <strong>2021</strong> 4-5:30pm<br />
Monday 17th January 2022 4-5:30pm<br />
Monday 7th February 2022 4-5:30pm<br />
Monday 14th March 2022 4-5:30pm<br />
Monday 25th April 2022 4-5:30pm<br />
Please email enquiries@wcpsd.uk to<br />
register your interest.<br />
Individuals who have<br />
the potential to be<br />
outstanding teachers<br />
Accredited<br />
Study days will be at Liverpool Hope University leading to a PGCE and QTS in primary teaching.<br />
For more information and updates please visit www.wcpsd.uk and www.saintpatricks.wigan.sch.uk<br />
To search the course please visit the ‘get into teaching’ website https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/<br />
and search using the following provider and course codes.<br />
Provider code 2A4 Primary course code (Age 5-11) 2XT7 EYFS course code (Age 3-7) AP55
40<br />
Limited number of places available in all year groups –<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> & Lancashire families are welcome to apply.<br />
Ofsted 2017:<br />
‘This school continues to be good.’<br />
‘The curriculum provides a genuinely enriching experience for all<br />
pupils.’<br />
SIAMS 2017:<br />
‘The distinctiveness and effectiveness of Appley Bridge All Saints<br />
as a Church of England school are outstanding.’<br />
Parent Quote:<br />
‘A positive environment for children to learn. Led by approachable<br />
and experienced staff.’<br />
Attainment in reading, writing and maths is consistently higher than the<br />
national average at both the expected and the higher standard.<br />
For a tour of school during<br />
a normal school day,<br />
please call on<br />
01257 252647<br />
Email enquiries to:<br />
bursar@appleybridgeallsaints.lancs.sch.uk<br />
Visit our website at:<br />
www.appleybridgeallsaints.lancs.sch.uk<br />
Follow us on Twitter:<br />
@AppleySaintsCE<br />
Appley Bridge All Saints’ CE Primary School<br />
Finch Lane, Appley Bridge, WN6 9DT<br />
Telephone: 01257 252 647<br />
Want your<br />
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41
42 ADVERTISEMENT<br />
Top<br />
Grades<br />
Education<br />
Top Grades Education, based on Cross Street<br />
in Standish, offers tuition for pupils in Y5 to<br />
GCSE. Our aim is to create confident learners<br />
who enjoy their studies while reaching their<br />
potential.<br />
The parents of our students tell us they see huge<br />
improvements in their children’s confidence after<br />
attending Top Grades classes. Our child-centred<br />
approach supports children to be more assured in their<br />
ability. We know confident learners achieve their top<br />
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Learn from the best<br />
Our fantastic team of fully qualified, specialist teachers<br />
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enthusing them with their passion for their subject.<br />
We offer expert tuition in the core subjects of English,<br />
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English: A qualification in English opens doors to<br />
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Mathematics: Increasing confidence is the key to<br />
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Science: In our science classes your child will gain<br />
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NEW Adult Spanish Conversation Classes:<br />
Would you like to learn to speak Spanish so<br />
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Home-educated Children: We cater for<br />
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Home-educated children.
Testimonials:<br />
43<br />
‘My daughter started Maths tuition with Top Grades Education just after Easter<br />
and the results are already beginning to show. She has gained confidence in her<br />
Maths and has actually started to enjoy it thanks to Richard.’- Year 9 Parent<br />
‘Richard is an excellent teacher but most of all motivates and inspires my son<br />
in maths. He really enjoys the sessions, and I can see his confidence grow with<br />
every lesson that he attends.’ – Year 10 Parent<br />
‘Emma is an inspirational and fantastic teacher. Top Grades Education is the<br />
premier league of tutoring.’ – Year 10 Parent<br />
‘I can’t thank you enough for all of your enthusiasm, your skills in bringing the<br />
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If you have a child that could benefit from our expertise, please get in touch and see how we can help.<br />
There are limited places available for this term, so book your child’s free assessment today!<br />
Call emma on 07824 776 510 or email us at hello@topgradeseducation.co.uk<br />
15 Cross Street, Standish,<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> WN6 0HQ<br />
hello@topgradeseducation.co.uk<br />
www.topgradeseducation.co.uk<br />
topgradeseducation<br />
topgradeseducation
44<br />
Indonesian Chicken<br />
with Buckwheat Noodles<br />
Serves 2<br />
Prep time: 15 minutes<br />
Marinate: at least 1 hour<br />
Cook time: 18 minutes<br />
Ingredients<br />
1 lemongrass stalk, chopped<br />
Handful of coriander leaves<br />
1 small onion, chopped<br />
2 garlic cloves, crushed<br />
2 cm piece of root ginger, grated<br />
1 tbsp coconut sugar or honey<br />
1 tbsp tamari soy sauce<br />
1 tbsp fish sauce<br />
½ tsp turmeric<br />
1 tsp garam masala<br />
400ml coconut milk<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
4 skinless, boneless chicken thighs or<br />
2 chicken breasts, cut into large chunks<br />
1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil<br />
1 red chilli, deseeded and diced<br />
1 bunch of pak choi cut into strips<br />
100g mangetout<br />
4 shitake mushrooms, sliced<br />
60g cooked buckwheat noodles or rice<br />
noodles<br />
Handful of bean sprouts<br />
2 spring onions, chopped<br />
A hearty meal in a bowl, lightly spiced and packed with nutrient-rich<br />
vegetables. This dish contains a wealth of anti-inflammatory ingredients,<br />
including ginger, garlic and turmeric together with immune-supporting<br />
shitake mushrooms and coconut. Buckwheat noodles, also called soba,<br />
are a nutritious staple in Asian dishes.<br />
Method<br />
1. Place the lemongrass, coriander, onion, garlic, ginger, coconut sugar<br />
(or honey), tamari soy sauce, fish sauce, turmeric, garam masala and<br />
coconut milk in a blender and process until smooth. Pour over the<br />
chicken. Season with a little salt and pepper. Marinate for at least one<br />
hour.<br />
2. Heat the coconut or olive oil in a wok or frying pan. Drain the chicken,<br />
reserve the marinade and stir fry the chicken for 2-3 minutes. Add the<br />
chilli, pak choi, mangetout and mushrooms and cook for a further<br />
minute. Add the marinade and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the<br />
chicken is cooked. Toss in the noodles. Sprinkle over the bean sprouts<br />
and spring onions to serve.<br />
Nutritional information per serving: 394kcal, fat 16.5g (of which saturates 7g), carbohydrate 29.2g (of<br />
which sugars 24.1g), protein 32.3g.
Roast Beef Fillet<br />
with Roasted Garlic,<br />
Tomato and Herb Sauce<br />
45<br />
Serves 4<br />
Prep time: 15 minutes<br />
Marinate: 2-3 hours or overnight<br />
Cook time: 65 minutes<br />
Succulent beef served with a delicious rich<br />
and tangy garlic and herb sauce makes a<br />
sensational feast. Any leftover meat can be<br />
served cold with salad the following day.<br />
Ingredients<br />
500g beef fillet (one piece)<br />
1 tbsp oil, for searing<br />
Marinade<br />
1 tsp ground cumin<br />
1 tbsp oil<br />
2 garlic cloves, crushed<br />
Herb Sauce<br />
1 bulb garlic<br />
1 tbsp olive oil and a little for drizzling<br />
1 shallot, diced<br />
250g cherry tomatoes, halved<br />
4 anchovy fillets<br />
1 tsp caster sugar<br />
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar<br />
25g sultanas<br />
1 tbsp capers, drained and rinsed<br />
50g blanched almonds<br />
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil<br />
100ml passata<br />
Sea salt and black pepper to taste<br />
Small bunch of parsley, chopped<br />
Small bunch basil, leaves picked, to garnish<br />
Bag of baby spinach leaves, to serve<br />
Method<br />
1. Mix all the marinade ingredients together and rub all over the fillet.<br />
Leave to marinate for 2-3 hours or overnight.<br />
2. Preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas mark 4.<br />
3. Slice off the top quarter of the garlic bulb. Put the bulb on a piece of<br />
foil, drizzle over a little oil and season. Wrap up in the foil and roast<br />
for 40 minutes. Cool slightly then squeeze out the garlic bulb into a<br />
food processor.<br />
4. For the sauce, heat the oil and sauté the shallot, tomatoes, anchovy<br />
fillets with the caster sugar and vinegar. Cook for 5 minutes. Add to<br />
the food processor with the remaining sauce ingredients except the<br />
herbs and blend to form a thick sauce. Add a little water, if needed,<br />
to thin the sauce slightly. Place in a pan and add the parsley.<br />
5. Preheat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas mark 6.<br />
6. Remove the beef from the marinade. Heat the oil in a heavy based<br />
frying pan and sear the beef on all sides. Place in an ovenproof<br />
roasting tin and roast for 20 minutes until cooked through. Allow to<br />
rest for 10 minutes before carving.<br />
7. Heat the sauce and spoon over the beef to serve. Accompany with<br />
spinach and basil leaves.<br />
Nutritional information per serving: 442kcal, fat 31g (of which saturates 6.4g), carbohydrate 9.6g (of<br />
which sugars 8.6g), protein 31.3g.
46<br />
Best Home for your Money?<br />
In the UK, private renting is fast becoming the norm. The<br />
rental sector has more than doubled since the dawn of the<br />
new millennia, rising from 2.03 million to a massive 4.44<br />
million privately rented households in the UK in 2020.<br />
And this trend is predicted to continue, with a further 1.8<br />
million households becoming private renters by 2025.<br />
So with ‘Generation Rent’ on the rise, is it time you gave<br />
serious thought to becoming a landlord?<br />
Investing in property can be a great way to make the<br />
most of any money you have to invest. Granted, it’s best<br />
if you’re prepared to invest over a long period of time,<br />
but as you can see from the table below, owning a rental<br />
property can be a fantastic home for your money.<br />
The table illustrates the increase in value of a 2 bedroomed<br />
terraced house in the <strong>Wigan</strong> Borough area over a twentyyear<br />
period from 2001-<strong>2021</strong>.<br />
House Value – 2 Bed Terraced - <strong>Wigan</strong><br />
£130,000<br />
£127,080<br />
£120,000<br />
£100,000<br />
£90,000<br />
£93,852<br />
£96,334<br />
£80,000<br />
£81,890<br />
£70,000<br />
£60,000<br />
£50,000<br />
£40,000<br />
£36,394<br />
£30,000<br />
July 2001 July 2006 July 2011 July 2016 July <strong>2021</strong><br />
https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/<br />
So, why is right<br />
now a great<br />
time to get<br />
into property?<br />
High Demand<br />
According to<br />
Propertymark,<br />
a respected<br />
estate agent<br />
industry organisation, the latest stats from May <strong>2021</strong><br />
showed that numbers of prospective tenants continue<br />
to increase. The average number of tenants per Letting<br />
Agent has jumped from 82 up to 97. In 2020, the highest<br />
average number in May was 70.<br />
Lower Supply<br />
The average number of properties managed by each<br />
letting agency branch for this year was at 203 in May. The<br />
year before, it was 208. This seems like a small reduction<br />
per branch but that’s an average and multiplied across<br />
the whole of the UK, it has a significant impact.<br />
Where demand is high and supply is low, there’s only one<br />
direction that rental prices will go and that’s upwards.<br />
Mark Hayward, the Chief Policy Adviser for Propertymark,<br />
said: “Yet again, we continue to see incredible demand<br />
from home seekers. There has been a record-breaking<br />
number of people registered per branch for the month<br />
of May. This demonstrates the continuation of a booming<br />
rental market”.<br />
If you’ve accrued savings during the past year or so, or<br />
you want to move your money into property but are<br />
not sure where to begin, please give me a call for a free,<br />
no-obligation chat about how to take the first step in<br />
developing a property portfolio.<br />
Alan Batt is a member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and has<br />
worked within the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market for over 30 years.<br />
Alan Batt<br />
For more of Alan’s tips, guidance and analysis on the <strong>Wigan</strong> property market, check out his blog at<br />
www.alanbatt.co.uk
Give me<br />
40 minutes<br />
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And I will give you<br />
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48<br />
Artisan Market<br />
Apple Cast in Newburgh will be holding an artisan market<br />
this weekend, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th <strong>October</strong> from<br />
10am-4pm.<br />
As well as over 20 stalls selling a variety of hand-crafted<br />
products and gifts, you can also look forward to getting<br />
up close to the resident birds of prey. The bravest amongst<br />
the visitors will have a chance to handle the birds and<br />
purchase framed photographs of your experience.<br />
Making an appearance on both days will be Jasper, a<br />
Malaysian wood owl, Burdock, an African spotted eagle<br />
owl and Gizmo, an Indian scops owl. There is no need<br />
to book, just simply turn up on either day, but for more<br />
information please contact Apple Cast on 01257 463012.<br />
Crowdfunder for Church<br />
All Saints Church in Appley Bridge has launched a<br />
crowdfunding page to help repair the church car park.<br />
The car park needs to be resurfaced, and there is a<br />
shortfall in funds available to carry out the work. The<br />
target is to raise £4,000 which will be matched by the<br />
Diocese of Blackburn.<br />
Whilst maintenance is primarily the responsibility of the<br />
church, the car park is made freely available to the local<br />
community, including the school. Any support towards<br />
the fund would be greatly appreciated, and if you would<br />
like to donate, please go online at www.justgiving.com/<br />
crowdfunding/allsaints-cofe<br />
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49<br />
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50<br />
Standisher up for Award<br />
Alex Winstanley, a social<br />
entrepreneur from Artisan<br />
Close in Standish, has<br />
been shortlisted for the<br />
Entrepreneur for Good<br />
Award category in the<br />
Regional Finals of the Great<br />
British Entrepreneur Awards.<br />
Alex has been recognised<br />
for the positive impact that<br />
his not-for-profit social<br />
enterprise, Happy Smiles Training CIC, and his bestselling<br />
children’s books has had on communities.<br />
Founded in 2013, the Great British Entrepreneur Awards<br />
acknowledges the hard work and inspiring stories of<br />
entrepreneurs and businesses in the UK. Previous winners<br />
include the founders of Grenade, Tangle Teezer, The LAD<br />
Bible, Clearscore & The Cambridge Satchel Company.<br />
Happy Smiles Training CIC was inspired by Alex’s<br />
experiences as a teacher and carer, where he grew tired<br />
of seeing disabled people he knew being undervalued<br />
and stigmatised. Alongside one of the young men he<br />
supported outside of his teaching role, Alex developed a<br />
team of Inclusion Champions, all disabled young adults,<br />
to deliver diversity and inclusion training to schools,<br />
community groups, businesses and more.<br />
On top of this, Alex has written a series of children’s books<br />
about a range of long-term health conditions, with his<br />
first book, ‘My Grandma Has Dementia’, recently winning<br />
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Leaflet Distribution<br />
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Your leaflets delivered alongside this magazine<br />
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Call or email us for a Leaflet Coverage List<br />
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a Dementia Hero Award. The<br />
books are informed by real<br />
people and experiences,<br />
written in rhyme and use<br />
engaging illustrations by<br />
Adam Walker-Parker, to open<br />
up conversations about<br />
topics such as depression,<br />
cancer and cerebral palsy.<br />
Alex said: “It is an<br />
unbelievable honour to have<br />
our work recognised on such a scale. It is a dream come<br />
true – for people to value the important work that we are<br />
doing in empowering people with a platform to use their<br />
experiences in order to create positive social change.<br />
Hopefully this recognition will help us to increase the<br />
impact that we can have!”<br />
Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards,<br />
Francesca James, said: “We have seen some incredible<br />
finalists over the years, and this year is no exception. It<br />
really is one of the strongest shortlists we’ve ever had,<br />
and the fact that so many exceptional people have<br />
applied during such a tough year is a testament to the<br />
resolve and entrepreneurial talent that exists across the<br />
UK.”<br />
For more information about Happy Smiles Training<br />
CIC and Alex’s books, go to www.happysmilestraining.<br />
co.uk or through Facebook (@happysmilestrainingcic @<br />
alexwinstanleyauthor)<br />
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52<br />
Hole in One for Houghwood<br />
Houghwood Golf in Crank has achieved the SafeGolf club<br />
accreditation from England Golf.<br />
The 18-hole course has just received the SafeGolf<br />
accreditation, demonstrating the club’s commitment<br />
to safeguarding children and young people, as well as<br />
adults in risk in the sport of golf.<br />
The Ladies Section at Houghwood led by Lady Captain,<br />
Dee Griffiths, and Charter Champion, Ali Starrett, have<br />
recently initiated a successful drive to introduce new lady<br />
members and girls to the game and the club.<br />
Tony Mather, Welfare Officer at Houghwood said,<br />
“Houghwood is a great club, it’s very friendly, welcoming<br />
and forward-thinking. This award helps us to spread that<br />
message and to tell people that children are safe and<br />
secure here and that we understand about beginner<br />
golfers.”<br />
The SafeGolf partnership consists of members from the<br />
golfing bodies across Great Britain & Ireland and has<br />
been established to help golf respond to the issue of<br />
child protection in sport.<br />
Anyone with a concern about the welfare of a player, or<br />
the behaviour or practice of a coach, volunteer, organiser,<br />
parent or a player, can contact the lead safeguarding<br />
officer at their national governing body by going online<br />
at www.safegolf.org.<br />
Transform<br />
your old<br />
flight into an<br />
elegant sight!<br />
With Transform Staircases<br />
Celebrating 25 years<br />
in the Staircase Industry<br />
With a staircase refurbishment by Transform we can create<br />
a whole new look to your home, bringing a contemporary<br />
modern feel with a more open and light appearance.<br />
The choice is yours!<br />
Visit us in our<br />
New<br />
Showroom<br />
126 Frog Lane<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong><br />
WN6 7DS<br />
www.transformstaircases.co.uk<br />
Telephone Bernard: 01942 323980<br />
Mobile: 07947 413246<br />
Email: bernard@transformstaircases.co.uk<br />
We specialise in: Traditional Timber • Toughened Glass Panels • Chrome or Brushed Nickel fittings
53<br />
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54<br />
A rug for<br />
every room<br />
It’s quick and easy to add softness<br />
underfoot while introducing a stylish<br />
element of colour and pattern.<br />
Add bohemian style<br />
to your living room,<br />
dining room or bedroom<br />
with this hand-tufted,<br />
unusual wool/cotton<br />
rug.<br />
Dutchbone round pix<br />
rug with tassels, £389,<br />
Cuckooland.<br />
Get cosy with a<br />
cream, textural rug<br />
that’s perfect for<br />
enjoying a fireside<br />
mug of hot chocolate<br />
while wrapped in a<br />
blanket.<br />
Teddy rug, £395, Loaf.<br />
Spark a little one’s<br />
imagination with a softer<br />
take on the popular<br />
rainbow motif, complete<br />
with boho tassels.<br />
Earth Rainbow rug with<br />
tassels, £13, Sass & Belle.<br />
Tap into the trend for<br />
geometric statement<br />
rugs with this<br />
fashionable pure wool<br />
rug, available in three<br />
colours and two sizes.<br />
Hackney handwoven<br />
rug, wool/cotton blend,<br />
Yellow Diamond, £159,<br />
Cult Furniture.<br />
Handwoven by Berbers in the Atlas Mountains, this soft and luxurious<br />
rug is fully customisable to create your dream design.<br />
Lozenge rug, jet black on natural wool, £899, Cosy Coco.<br />
The Lowdown on Rugs<br />
• Rugs look beautiful on wooden, stone and tiled<br />
floors (always use an underlay to keep them safely<br />
in place) and add welcome softness. Texture is<br />
important, in terms of both material and weave –<br />
piled wool or flat-woven cotton (which is thinner<br />
but more easily put through the washing machine),<br />
or perhaps nubby jute or sisal, tougher on the toes,<br />
but durable and with a certain rugged charm.<br />
• Gone are the days of choosing between only<br />
rectangular or circular rugs. These days, anything<br />
goes, from oval to rainbow-shaped and even<br />
irregular outlines. Tufted rugs, too, play with<br />
different heights of pile to introduce an intriguing<br />
textural element.<br />
• Add extra interest with some boho tassels (very<br />
on trend) or a more restrained finishing edge.<br />
This works well with a neutral rug that picks up a<br />
contrast border colour from elsewhere in the room.<br />
• Don’t make the mistake of buying a rug that is too<br />
small for a room. In general, it is best to go as big as<br />
possible, so that all the furniture (or at least its front<br />
legs) can sit on the rug.<br />
• For global glamour, look no further than a rug.<br />
From Indian dhurries and Greek flokatis to Middle<br />
Eastern kilims and French Aubussons, they each<br />
provide wonderful style, colour, pattern and texture.
55<br />
Spooktacular deals<br />
now on at Jorgus Carpets!<br />
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the choice & quality, I’m sure we will leave you<br />
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Visit Jorgus Carpet Factory Shop for a genuine Factory Shop Price at :<br />
Grimeford Mill | Grimeford Lane | Anderton | Chorley | PR6 9HL | Open 7 days a week
56<br />
Students Celebrate<br />
Students and staff at <strong>Wigan</strong> & Leigh College celebrated<br />
an outstanding 100% pass rate in A Levels this year with<br />
51% achieving the coveted A*-A grade.<br />
Combined with an excellent 99% pass rate in vocational<br />
courses (BTECs) students secured the very best places<br />
at university, or the most competitive apprenticeship<br />
vacancies.<br />
During the second year of assessments being adapted<br />
because of COVID 19, students excelled with the<br />
opportunity to raise their grades in a variety of ways.<br />
Unlike last year, they were able to attend College in person<br />
to collect their results and celebrate their achievements<br />
with friends and teachers.<br />
A Level student Rebecca Duffy achieved an A* in<br />
Psychology, A in Sociology and A in Biology. The former<br />
Ladybridge High School pupil is off to The University<br />
of Manchester to study Cognitive Neuroscience and<br />
Psychology.<br />
Rebecca said, “I’m really excited, I wasn’t expecting to do<br />
so well, and I can’t wait to start university. The course has<br />
been really good, all the tutors are super willing to talk to<br />
you about university opportunities and give advice.”<br />
There was more success for BTEC Level 3 Health & Social<br />
Care student Bethany Neafcy who achieved the highest<br />
grade of Distinction Star.<br />
The former Standish Community High School pupil is<br />
planning for a career as a radiographer and has accepted<br />
a place at University of Liverpool to study Therapeutic<br />
Radiography and Oncology.<br />
Bethany said, “I worked very hard, and our tutors were<br />
amazing. I couldn’t be happier with my results – I’m over<br />
the moon!”<br />
Principal, Anna Dawe, added, “The class of <strong>2021</strong> have<br />
studied their A levels and BTECs in the most difficult and<br />
testing of circumstances. They have been without doubt<br />
exceptional, showing great resilience, working hard<br />
and remaining focused on their career aspirations and<br />
next steps. We are immensely proud of them and their<br />
teachers.”
57<br />
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58
59
60<br />
E NEO3C Electric Stove:<br />
£1,135, www.acrstoves.com<br />
Fan the Flames<br />
Even though 95% of UK homes are<br />
centrally-heated and a fire isn’t necessary,<br />
there is something mesmerising and cosy<br />
about a flickering flame.<br />
Deco Fireplace: £1,395, www.haddonstone.com<br />
An open fire or a wood burner will give the best aesthetic,<br />
but both options come with a number of downsides:<br />
wood-burning is the single biggest source of smallparticle<br />
air pollution in the UK, you need to store wood<br />
and coal, there’s the mess and you will need to do a<br />
certain amount of maintenance e.g. chimney sweeping.<br />
Modern technology to the rescue then!<br />
Traditional<br />
If you have a fireplace and chimney breast, the fire<br />
surround is going to be an important feature in your<br />
room. This should reflect the style of your house, with<br />
Victorian and Georgian styles best suited to homes from<br />
that period, and less fussy contemporary styles better in<br />
more recently built homes.<br />
There are many homes with chimneys in the UK so the<br />
corresponding large number of fireplace buyers means<br />
there’s a plethora of options. You can certainly gain<br />
inspiration from looking at choices on the internet, but<br />
for such a prominent feature in your living room, a visit to<br />
a fireplace retailer is a must.<br />
For the fire itself, both gas and electric options are<br />
available to replicate the real fire look and many are<br />
incredibly realistic, with some even making crackling<br />
sounds and emitting steam to replicate smoke.<br />
Modern<br />
The beauty of modern electric fires is that you don’t have<br />
to have a chimney at all. They don’t create any emissions<br />
and therefore do not need to be vented like gas and<br />
wood fireplaces.<br />
These modern designs aren’t intended to pass for a real<br />
fire at all and many are sleek and minimalist. It’ll be very<br />
obvious that you haven’t been piling up logs and coal, but<br />
you will still have a similar ambience and they are very<br />
effective. Particularly in well-insulated modern homes, a<br />
real fire can overheat the room and it’s only the flame that<br />
you want.<br />
A further benefit has to be the safety aspect. If the flame is<br />
just an effect and isn’t emitting significant heat, there are<br />
no concerns about young children touching the fire or a<br />
spark setting the carpet alight.
Luxury Home Media Cabinet & Display:<br />
www.brayerdesign.co.uk<br />
61<br />
Look, No Walls<br />
One further idea is to move your fire<br />
away from the wall completely. With a<br />
bioethanol option you won’t need an<br />
electric connection, so you can have<br />
flames on your coffee table or in a corner of<br />
the garden, and even have more than one.<br />
Media Walls<br />
Mix 850 Bioethanol Fire Pit: £,1495, www.limelace.co.uk<br />
Media walls are very ‘on-trend’. This is where you have<br />
a television and speakers installed above an electric<br />
fire. One advantage of this design is that you will just<br />
have one focal point in the room. If you are very costconscious<br />
you can buy predesigned media walls, but<br />
if you have one built for your room you will then have<br />
complete freedom in the size of TV and style of fire<br />
you can install.<br />
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62<br />
ADVERTISEMENT<br />
1<br />
Give your home the<br />
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Wood has always been a reliable, durable and<br />
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<strong>Local</strong> business, Funky Timber, based in Wharton<br />
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Funky Timber is a family run business, established<br />
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Daniel told <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong>, “We offer our clients a wide<br />
range of products from internal and external timber<br />
cladding with various colour and design options,<br />
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Mismatched cladding may sound like a questionable<br />
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Daniel has over 18 years of carpentry experience,<br />
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“We will provide a free quote on request, all you<br />
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Alternatively, customers can come to our unit and<br />
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Funky Timber is a vibrant company serving all<br />
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Main Office - 01744 747 787 Lauren - 07800 580 532<br />
sales@funkytimber.co.uk<br />
Funky Timber, Unit 17b, Wharton St, St Helens, WA9 5AA<br />
www.funkytimber.co.uk<br />
10% off<br />
Quote: local10<br />
Valid until<br />
30th November <strong>2021</strong>
Look<br />
Back<br />
in Time<br />
125<br />
YEARS<br />
The first non-stop trans-Pacific flight took<br />
place. American aviator Clyde Pangborne<br />
and co-pilot Hugh Herndon, Jr. flew from<br />
Japan to Washington, USA in 41 hours.<br />
65<br />
YEARS<br />
The Locomotives on Highways Act 1896<br />
came into effect in the UK. It raised the<br />
speed limit for motor vehicles from 4mph<br />
to 14mph.<br />
Remembrance poppies were sold for<br />
the first time to commemorate military<br />
personnel who died in the war. In the UK<br />
they are sold by the Royal British Legion to<br />
raise funds for current and former members<br />
of the British Armed Forces. Around 30 million<br />
are sold each year.<br />
90<br />
YEARS<br />
70<br />
YEARS<br />
Winston Churchill<br />
became British<br />
prime minister for the<br />
second time.<br />
Premium Bonds went on sale in the<br />
UK, with the first one being sold to<br />
the Lord Mayor of London. They were<br />
designed to encourage people to<br />
save and offered cash prizes instead<br />
of interest. As of early <strong>2021</strong> there were around 107.75<br />
billion bonds held, each worth £1.<br />
50<br />
YEARS<br />
A man using the alias Dan Cooper hijacked<br />
a plane flying between Portland, Oregon<br />
and Seattle, Washington, USA. After<br />
extorting a $200,000 ransom he parachuted<br />
from the plane. He has never been located<br />
or formally identified.<br />
Project Gutenberg was founded. The volunteer organisation<br />
digitises out-of-print books and makes<br />
them available to the public at little<br />
or no cost.<br />
The Montreux Casino in Switzerland<br />
was destroyed by fire when a fan set<br />
off a flare gun during a concert by<br />
Frank Zappa. The band Deep Purple – who<br />
were there at the time – wrote ‘Smoke<br />
on the Water’ based on this incident.<br />
25<br />
YEARS<br />
20<br />
YEARS<br />
The first Tamagotchi<br />
handheld virtual pets<br />
were released by<br />
Bandai in Japan and six<br />
months later in Europe.<br />
General Motors released the EV1 electric<br />
car. It was the first modern electric car<br />
from a major manufacturer. 1,117<br />
cars were produced but production<br />
ceased in 1999 and the majority of<br />
them were taken back and crushed.<br />
This means the car is now one of the<br />
rarest in the world.<br />
Apple released the first iPod. A<br />
combination of long battery life<br />
(approximately ten hours), small form<br />
factor, excellent<br />
design and good marketing meant<br />
that within three years Apple had<br />
70% of the portable media market in<br />
the US, despite the iPod’s hefty initial<br />
price tag of $399.<br />
10<br />
YEARS<br />
63<br />
Death of Steve Jobs (56 years old),<br />
co-founder of Apple Inc.
64<br />
Bouncing Back<br />
<strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> recently caught up with David<br />
Barton, Chief Executive Officer of Prosper<br />
Wealth Management in Standish to ask<br />
him about how the Covid pandemic<br />
affected his business.<br />
David, talk us through those first<br />
few weeks when Covid hit;<br />
“We secured new investment to grow<br />
the business in January 2020, and<br />
within a few weeks of that happening,<br />
we were forced to close the doors and<br />
rethink our working practices.<br />
“Despite the early challenges from<br />
a tech perspective of engaging with<br />
new and existing clients via Zoom etc, and setting our<br />
staff up to work from home, we did manage to operate<br />
reasonably efficiently, and everyone did a fantastic job of<br />
adapting to the challenges”.<br />
And how has it changed since restrictions have<br />
eased?<br />
“It’s been great welcoming staff and customers back<br />
through the doors, and I can honestly say that it’s been<br />
a real tonic hearing laughter and general office banter<br />
around the place.<br />
“There are customers who are still shielding and others<br />
who are understandably nervous about being out<br />
and about, so it’s handy that many people have now<br />
experienced communicating via Zoom etc, because we<br />
can offer video conferencing and a telephone service for<br />
those clients”.<br />
“I was delighted when David agreed<br />
to join us - his skill set will be hugely<br />
beneficial to the team and will enable<br />
us to broaden our advisory capacity”<br />
How has the pandemic affected<br />
your plans to expand Prosper<br />
Wealth Management?<br />
“As you can imagine, talking with<br />
business owners has been difficult over<br />
the past 16 months or so, but despite<br />
that, we have recently completed<br />
the purchase of another North-West<br />
based wealth management business<br />
which will be integrated into the<br />
Prosper Wealth Management Group, bringing our total<br />
funds under management to just over £435 million.<br />
“We are currently talking to other IFA’s, and I would<br />
anticipate that our growth will accelerate towards our<br />
objectives of achieving £1 billion under management<br />
within the next three years as restrictions continue to lift”.<br />
And finally, what are your wishes for the coming 12<br />
months?<br />
“My real hope is that everyone can start to live their lives<br />
again without the constant Covid shadow hanging over<br />
them.<br />
“The travel and hospitality sectors in particular have had<br />
a torrid time, and the sooner these sectors can start to<br />
function again properly, the sooner the smiles will appear<br />
on people’s faces and we can start to enjoy life again.”<br />
Did Covid impact on your staffing levels?<br />
“We actually managed to take on two new administrative<br />
staff in February/March of 2020 at the height of the crisis,<br />
and although it was very difficult to bed them in, they<br />
adapted to their new roles well and are now valuable<br />
members of the team.<br />
“More recently, we have strengthened our advisory team<br />
within the last couple of weeks with the appointment of<br />
David Wilson (pictured with David Barton above) who had<br />
previously worked for Standard <strong>Life</strong> in a senior role for the<br />
last 20 years.<br />
If you would like more<br />
information, please feel free to<br />
get in touch on 01257 423800.<br />
David Barton<br />
APFS Cert CII (MP)<br />
Chief Executive Officer<br />
Remember all investments can fall as well as rise in value so investors could get back less than they invest.
66<br />
Puzzle Pages<br />
CROSSWORD<br />
down<br />
1. Collection of facts (4)<br />
2. Sacred word or syllable repeated in prayer (6)<br />
3. Wither, especially due to loss of moisture (7)<br />
4. Sediment that has settled at the bottom of<br />
a liquid (5)<br />
5. Crescent-shaped yellow fruit (6)<br />
6. Raging and rapidly spreading conflagration (8)<br />
11. Item used to dry dishes (3,5)<br />
13. Meat chopper (7)<br />
15. Metal ring for lining a small hole (6)<br />
17. Carpenter’s tool (6)<br />
18. Projection at the end of a piece of wood (5)<br />
21. Shallow basket used when gardening (4)<br />
across<br />
7. Miscellaneous articles needed for a particular<br />
operation or sport (13)<br />
8. Pre-decimal coin worth one quarter of a penny (8)<br />
9. Verdi opera with an Egyptian theme (4)<br />
10. Cooking utensil (7)<br />
12. Point directly opposite the zenith (5)<br />
14. Smooth surface (as of a cut gemstone) (5)<br />
16. Piece of cloth sewn under a zip or a pocket (7)<br />
19. Hemispherical roof (4)<br />
20. Grow thin and waste away physically (8)<br />
22. Diverse in character or content (13)<br />
Wordwheel<br />
Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten<br />
minutes to find as many words as possible, none of<br />
which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns.<br />
Each word must be of three letters or more, all must<br />
contain the central letter and letters can only be used<br />
once in every word. There is at least one word that uses<br />
all of the letters in the wheel.<br />
target<br />
Excellent: 40 or more words<br />
Good: 38 words<br />
R<br />
M<br />
O A<br />
R<br />
U T<br />
B<br />
E<br />
Fair: 30 words
67<br />
WORDSEARCH<br />
Chess<br />
ATTACK<br />
BISHOP<br />
BLOCKED<br />
CAPTURE<br />
CASTLING<br />
CENTRE<br />
CHECKMatE<br />
ENDGAME<br />
FILE<br />
FISCHER<br />
FORK<br />
GAMBIT<br />
JUMP<br />
KIBITZING<br />
KING<br />
KNIGHT<br />
LOSE<br />
OPENING<br />
PAWN<br />
PIECE<br />
PROMOTION<br />
QUEEN<br />
ROOK<br />
STALEMatE<br />
WIN<br />
SUDOKU<br />
word LADDER<br />
Change one letter at a time (but not the position<br />
of any letter) to make a new word - and move from<br />
the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the<br />
bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.<br />
WARM<br />
WIGGLE WORDS<br />
CLUE: cause a difficult<br />
situation to worsen<br />
Trace a path through all<br />
the letters to find the<br />
word or phrase that fits<br />
the clue.<br />
E R I F<br />
U F D E<br />
E A D H<br />
L T O T<br />
SEAS<br />
All the puzzle solutions can be found<br />
on page 83 of this magazine
68<br />
CMA Accountancy<br />
The Benefits of Xero & Add-Ons By Kieran Fitzgerald AATQB<br />
We’re often asked by customers why we champion the<br />
popular accountancy software Xero so much. There are<br />
clear benefits to using Xero itself, but there are also a vast<br />
array of external 3rd party software and apps that can<br />
integrate effortlessly with Xero, ensuring that you have<br />
the tools to manage your entire businesses accounting<br />
and operations as efficiently as possible.<br />
Here is a selection of our favourite apps that our<br />
customers use, and we are always on the lookout for more<br />
on the Xero App Store!<br />
Bills and Expenses – Convert your receipts and<br />
invoices into Xero data seamlessly!<br />
• Dext Prepare: Scan, sort and publish<br />
paperwork directly into Xero, using the smart<br />
tools the software offers to analyse the tax,<br />
supplier details and payment timing.<br />
• Hubdoc: Reduce data entry by accurately<br />
capturing information from bills and<br />
receipts and publishing it to Xero making<br />
it easy to match transactions to your bank<br />
transactions.<br />
• AutoEntry: Automates data entry, analysis<br />
and document storage of all of your bills,<br />
receipts, sales invoices, bank and credit card<br />
statements.<br />
Invoicing and Jobs – Simplify managing your tasks,<br />
teams and invoicing!<br />
• ServiceM8: Ideal for trade contractors &<br />
service businesses. It streamlines the process<br />
from a client’s first call to scheduling, quoting,<br />
documenting and invoicing & payment, all<br />
whilst integrating with directly with Xero!<br />
• Tradify: The complete job management<br />
solution for tradesmen & contractors. Easy<br />
to learn, simple to use and accessible on site<br />
via a phone or desktop. Handles quoting,<br />
invoicing, job scheduling and tracking,<br />
timesheets & pushes all of this information to<br />
Xero automatically.<br />
Credit Control – Get paid on time without the headache!<br />
• Chaser: Automate invoice chasing, streamline<br />
your accounts receivable process and get paid<br />
faster, all whilst maintaining great customer<br />
relationships without losing the human-touch.<br />
• Fluidly: Fluidly gives you all things cash<br />
flow in one place and the tools to get cash in<br />
the bank. Build a forecast, estimate VAT, chase<br />
invoices, apply for a loan & more.<br />
Payments – Get paid quickly and easily, online!<br />
• GoCardless: End late payments.<br />
Automatically debit your customer’s bank<br />
account whenever your Xero invoices are<br />
due. Lower-cost alternative to card payments.<br />
• Stripe: Accept direct debit, credit card, and<br />
Apple Pay payments online and get paid up<br />
to twice as fast when using Stripe in Xero.<br />
Whenever you receive payments via Stripe,<br />
you’ll automatically see the transaction<br />
data flow into Xero and can reconcile each<br />
payment with one click.<br />
Moving your software package is a big step<br />
and that’s why we have an expert team of<br />
Xero advisors ready to help with converting your data<br />
from another product into Xero, and we can also advise<br />
you on the best apps to empower you to make the<br />
right decisions to take your business to the next level.<br />
Check out our website at www.cma-accountancy.<br />
com for more tips on Xero, and you might want to<br />
sign up to our weekly newsletters whilst you’re there!<br />
Give us a call now for a FREE consultation to discuss<br />
how we can help your company benefit from working<br />
with Xero.<br />
Kieran Fitzgerald – CMA Accountancy<br />
39 Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6 9DR<br />
01257 255521 info@cma-accountancy.com<br />
www.cma-accountancy.com
69<br />
Do you need<br />
help and<br />
guidance with;<br />
Company Accounts?<br />
Auto Enrolment?<br />
Self Assessment?<br />
Cloud-based Software?<br />
Payroll Services?<br />
Making Tax Digital?<br />
AE<br />
SA deadline<br />
VAT<br />
Benefits<br />
SA<br />
FREE<br />
INITIAL<br />
CONSULTATION<br />
Call CMA Accountancy today<br />
www.cma-accountancy.com<br />
info@cma-accountancy.com<br />
Skull House Lane, Appley Bridge. 01257 255521
70<br />
Hindley’s<br />
Bad Boy?<br />
by Nicola Gray<br />
This month, <strong>Local</strong> <strong>Life</strong> goes all the way back to the 1850’s to<br />
chronicle the colourful world of Hindley’s original romantic<br />
rogue, Richard Pennington. This story of wealth, love,<br />
adultery and his ultimate heartbreak created a backdrop<br />
worthy of an episode of Downton Abbey, and shocked both<br />
his family and the local community to the core.<br />
Richard Pennington was born into a wealthy <strong>Wigan</strong> family<br />
who made their fortune employing handloom weavers<br />
and later went on to build cotton mills. Richard grew up<br />
to work in the family business and eventually became the<br />
sole owner of both the Hindley Twist Company at Lowe<br />
Mill and Worthington Mill in Hindley.<br />
Richard’s road to the head of the family company was<br />
a bumpy ride to say the least and much of his early life<br />
was steeped in scandal. Richard had a promising future<br />
of his own to look forward to, when in 1853 he qualified<br />
as a magistrate for the county. However, in 1857 he was<br />
ordered by his family to find a suitable residence away<br />
from his hometown. Richard was advised to move away to<br />
set up home after he started a relationship with Elizabeth<br />
Cash, a young mill girl he had fallen in love with.<br />
The couple already had a child they moved to Rainford<br />
later in the same year, and their second child was born<br />
at School Brow in January 1858. To accommodate<br />
their growing family, Richard and Elizabeth bought a<br />
farmhouse known locally as Mount Pleasant in <strong>October</strong><br />
1859, and their third child was born shortly after. The<br />
Muncaster Hall & Pennington Family - courtesy of St Helens Archives<br />
Hindley Lodge, Market Street from<br />
inside grounds, 1900 - courtesy of<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> & Leigh Archives<br />
story goes that Richard’s mother disapproved of the<br />
relationship and so the couple had to wait four years until<br />
her death before getting married in Liverpool in 1861.<br />
Throughout this time Richard continued the management<br />
of the family cotton mills in Hindley and during the next<br />
five years he bought several farms and houses in Rainford<br />
and entertained his wealthy friends with shooting parties<br />
on his land. In a bid to keep up appearances, Richard<br />
started to build a grand stone mansion house on the site<br />
of Mount Pleasant and used his neighbouring land to set<br />
out the gardens, lake and parkland surrounding it.<br />
The work on the hall was completed in 1866 and<br />
Muncaster Hall came into existence. Muncaster Hall<br />
lived up to the Victorian stereotype in its styling and<br />
architecture, including flowery wallpaper, carpets, wellmade<br />
furniture, a lake and extensive gardens.<br />
Although he now lived in Rainford, Richard always<br />
maintained his strong links with Hindley and throughout<br />
his lifetime, he worked tirelessly on behalf of the<br />
community and was generous with both his time and his<br />
money.<br />
He was instrumental in the creation of Hindley <strong>Local</strong><br />
Board, serving as Chairman for 20 years. The town saw<br />
significant progress during his time in office, acquiring<br />
its own gas facilities, water supply, a library and public<br />
park. Richard was also Chairman of Hindley Board of
71<br />
Worthington Mill - courtesy<br />
of <strong>Wigan</strong> & Leigh Archives<br />
Quiz<br />
Health, Chairman of Rainford <strong>Local</strong> Board and Chairman<br />
of Hindley Conservative Club. Records also show that<br />
Richard was largely responsible for the building of<br />
Hindley Parish Church where he held the post of senior<br />
churchwarden.<br />
Richard and Elizabeth had seven more children<br />
throughout their marriage, but the couple separated in<br />
December 1874. Three years later, Richard discovered that<br />
Elizabeth had formed a new relationship with a former<br />
gamekeeper of the estate, and they were divorced in 1878.<br />
He subsequently moved back to Hindley and the 1881<br />
census show him living at Hindley Lodge on Market Street.<br />
Richard died at the age of fifty-seven on the 10th of July<br />
1887 leaving all his estate in trust for his children until<br />
they reached the age of twenty-one. However, in January<br />
1895 the Hindley and Rainford properties were put up for<br />
auction and the whole of the Rainford estate including<br />
Muncaster Hall, the farms, cottages & houses totalling 315<br />
acres were bought by the Earl of Derby for £37,000.<br />
In February of the same year, one month after the hall<br />
was acquired by the Earl of Derby, the furniture and other<br />
belongings at Muncaster Hall were auctioned off in a<br />
three-day sale which left the house empty and with no<br />
trace of the family who once occupied it.<br />
Richard’s empire may have been no more, but he left a<br />
rich legacy in the communities that he called home. His<br />
eulogy referred to ‘his affection for his native places and<br />
his lavish expenditure of time and money on behalf all<br />
good objects’.<br />
With thanks to <strong>Wigan</strong> & Leigh Archives and St Helens Archive<br />
Service. The Archive Service collects, preserves and provides<br />
access to unique historic materials that relate to different<br />
aspects of life across the boroughs. Find out more information<br />
here – www.archives.wigan.gov.uk and<br />
www.sthelens.gov.uk/libraries/archive-service/<br />
Magic<br />
1. According to the lyrics of the 1989 hit single The<br />
Magic Number by De La Soul, what is the magic<br />
number?<br />
2. In a TV series first broadcast in 1997, who<br />
worked as a creative consultant to a stage<br />
magician called Adam Klaus?<br />
3. What sport do Orlando Magic play?<br />
4. Who would often tap his magic wand to<br />
perform magic when he heard the catchphrase<br />
“izzy wizzy, let’s get busy”?<br />
5. What was the title of the 2015 sequel to the<br />
2012 film Magic Mike?<br />
6. In the story of Ali Baba And The Forty Thieves, a<br />
cave full of treasure was sealed by magic. What<br />
two-word phrase allowed access to this cave?<br />
7. In the Harry Potter novels, what magical object<br />
can change all metals to gold, and can also be<br />
used to make a potion called the elixir of life<br />
that makes anyone who drinks it immortal?<br />
8. In the fairy tale Jack And The Beanstalk, what<br />
does Jack exchange to get the magic beans that<br />
cause the beanstalk to grow?<br />
9. Who recorded the album 24K Magic, which<br />
won seven awards in total at the 2018 Grammy<br />
Awards?<br />
10. On the TV show The Magic Roundabout,<br />
Zebedee would often close the show by saying<br />
what threeword phrase?<br />
Quiz solutions can be found on page 83 of this magazine
72<br />
Money<br />
Matters<br />
TEACHING KIDS TO<br />
BE SAVVY SAVERS<br />
Most of us have made mistakes with<br />
money at some point. Help your<br />
children to avoid the same financial<br />
pitfalls by giving them the knowledge<br />
and skills to build on in the future.<br />
Teach them the value of money<br />
Rather than buying your children sweets each week, give<br />
them pocket money, some of which they can use to buy<br />
sweets and some of which they can save for a bigger<br />
treat. It’s good for children to earn at least part of their<br />
pocket money by doing chores. They’ll learn that money<br />
doesn’t come for nothing and be less likely to waste it. To<br />
make life easier, you could use an app and debit card like<br />
RoosterMoney or Go Henry, which were created to help<br />
children get to grips with their finances and earn money<br />
through chores.<br />
Help them to budget<br />
Encourage children to save up for something they really<br />
want rather than just waiting for Christmas or their<br />
birthday. You could start by explaining how much they’d<br />
need to save each week to achieve their goal. Younger<br />
children tend to need quicker results, so start with a small<br />
goal that can be achieved in a few weeks rather than<br />
months.<br />
Give them responsibility<br />
Part of appreciating the value of<br />
money is learning through mistakes.<br />
It’s tempting to step in and stop your<br />
child from spending their pocket<br />
money on things that you know they<br />
will quickly discard. Offer advice but<br />
let them make their own decisions on<br />
low-value items. They may well then think<br />
twice next time they want to buy a blind bag or an<br />
expensive T-shirt. When older children are ready, you<br />
could give them more responsibility for budgeting for the<br />
things they need by giving them an allowance for clothes,<br />
school dinners, travel expenses, toiletries, days out and<br />
so on, and helping them to work out a monthly budget.<br />
Again, they can earn more through chores if they want to<br />
save up for high-value items.<br />
Discuss money<br />
Don’t be afraid to talk about money with your children.<br />
You could share how much you’re setting aside each<br />
month for next year’s holiday for example, and talk about<br />
your own experiences with money. You can also help<br />
your child to see that, while it’s good to shop around for<br />
the best price, cheap doesn’t always mean best value.<br />
However, try not to make your child worried about family<br />
finances. It’s fine to talk about not being able to afford<br />
something or how you’re saving up for a big purchase,<br />
but you don’t want your child to lose sleep worrying that<br />
you won’t be able to pay the bills.<br />
Learn from the experts<br />
Make the most of children’s love for online games. MyBnk<br />
is a UK charity on a mission to help children build good<br />
money habits. It has created a series of fun online courses<br />
for ages 5 to 21. You can access them for free at learning.<br />
mybnk.org/our-courses.
73<br />
Pendle Hill<br />
by Chris Pearce<br />
Distance: 3.9 miles Difficulty: Hard<br />
The Pendle area is well known for its connection to witchcraft<br />
and the supernatural, and the story of the Pendle witches is<br />
a prominent example how England viewed witchcraft back<br />
in the 17th century.<br />
However, Pendle Hill itself is the stage of a more uplifting<br />
story from the same period. The founder of the Quakers,<br />
George Fox, was so moved by his climb up Pendle Hill in 1652<br />
that he created the religion, and, in his autobiography, he<br />
wrote, ‘From the top of this hill the Lord let me see in what<br />
places he had a great people to be gathered’.<br />
Though we can’t guarantee you’ll have an epiphany like<br />
George’s, the views from the top of Pendle Hill on a clear<br />
day will provide you with stunning views of the North West<br />
coastline.<br />
At a shade under 4 miles long, this Jack’s Tracks starts from<br />
the main car park (BB12 9JX) in the pretty village of Barley.<br />
Exit the car park via the path behind the café/toilets and<br />
within a few yards you’ll be on the main road through<br />
Barley. Turn right along this road and you’ll pass the<br />
village’s two pubs, Pendle Inn on the left and the Barley<br />
Mow on the right.<br />
Look out for the Methodist church by a small bridge over<br />
the stream. You’ll need to turn left up the footpath that<br />
runs parallel to the stream. Follow the path for 300 yards<br />
and just past the oddly shaped tree (see picture), you’ll<br />
cross the stream again and arrive on a single-track road.<br />
Turn left and shortly after, you’ll reach a fork in the road, so<br />
take the right fork. Within seconds, you’ll see the entrance<br />
to the footpath on the right, so turn up this cobbled<br />
path. Follow this well-defined path for ¾ mile, uphill past<br />
Brown House Farm and Pendle House, and in clear view of<br />
the steep ascent awaiting you next.<br />
As you go through the gate to start to<br />
climb the hill, there is a curvier, longer<br />
(but less steep) route to the top<br />
on the left hand side, but we’ve<br />
gone for the steeper and<br />
shorter route taking you up<br />
the right hand side of the<br />
Big End, as Pendle<br />
Hill is known in<br />
these parts.
74<br />
The bad news is it’s very steep indeed, but on the plus side,<br />
the climb is made easier by the fact that the many steps<br />
are robustly built and help a safer ascent. It’s certainly a<br />
challenge, but when you stop, turn and look at the views<br />
behind you, you’ll want to take a photo break or three!<br />
Once the sharp gradient subsides, you’ll be faced with a<br />
drystone wall. Turn left just before you get to the wall and,<br />
shortly afterwards, you take the left fork of a path away<br />
from the wall towards the trig point uphill in the distance.<br />
When you’ve posed for the obligatory selfie at the trig<br />
point, carry on walking in the same direction for 1/3 of<br />
a mile. You’ll reach the signpost indicating a dog-leg<br />
left turn to Barley (down the curvier route mentioned<br />
previously). Ignore this and go straight on. The path’s<br />
gradient gets steeper, but never overbearingly so as you<br />
descend for a further ½ a mile, enjoying great views of the<br />
Ogden reservoirs on the way down.<br />
Barle<br />
You arrive at some wooden gates. Take a 90-degree left<br />
turn and then, almost immediately, take the right fork and<br />
follow that path downhill until you reach a small wooden<br />
gate. Go through the gate and follow the path downhill<br />
along the left-hand perimeter of the field. Carry on in the<br />
same direction down a track that joins up with a second<br />
track.<br />
At this point the path becomes less well-defined, but<br />
head straight on in the same direction, initially towards<br />
the field to the left-hand edge of the wooded area and<br />
then carrying on in that direction up Barley Hill and<br />
through a succession of fields for 1/3 of a mile.<br />
Once you get to the field just past the end of the Lower<br />
Ogden reservoir, look out for a wooden gate on the right<br />
hand side. Go through the gate and straight downhill,<br />
looking out for the footpath sign on the left. Follow the<br />
footpath through another gate and you’ll end up by the<br />
village hall. Turn left and then first right into the car park<br />
from where you started the walk.
75<br />
Big End<br />
Pendle<br />
Hill<br />
Beacon<br />
Pendle House<br />
Windy<br />
Harbour<br />
Farm<br />
Barley Lane<br />
Foot House<br />
Gate Farm<br />
Lower Black<br />
Moss Reservoir<br />
Upper Black<br />
Moss Reservoir<br />
Stang Top<br />
Moor<br />
y Moor<br />
Aitken<br />
Wood<br />
PENDLE<br />
SCULPTURE<br />
TRAIL<br />
Pendle Way<br />
Barley<br />
Under Pendle<br />
Cottage<br />
Barley Hill<br />
P<br />
Barley<br />
Green<br />
Buttock<br />
Lower Ogden Reservoir<br />
Upper Ogden<br />
Reservoir<br />
Fell Wood<br />
Cross Lane<br />
For those with the OS Maps<br />
app on your desktop, mobile<br />
or tablet, this walk is named:<br />
JT-Pendle-Hill<br />
Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the<br />
walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to<br />
loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.<br />
Elevation<br />
400m<br />
Lowest 215m<br />
Highest 556m<br />
200m<br />
Total ascent 346m<br />
0.0km 2.0km 4.0km 6.3km
76 4<br />
Pendle Sculpture<br />
Trail<br />
The other main attraction in the Barley area, on the<br />
opposite slopes to Pendle Hill, is the Pendle Sculpture<br />
Trail. Contained within Aitken Wood, this family tourist<br />
attraction brings together art, nature, and the history<br />
of the Pendle area.<br />
There are fifteen unique and intriguing sculptures<br />
located on the wooded trail along with ten plaques<br />
symbolising the ten witches of Pendle. The sculpture<br />
trail was inspired by Pendle’s infamous association<br />
with witchcraft, culminating in the trial of the Pendle<br />
Witches at Lancaster Castle in August 1612.<br />
Nineteen prisoners stood trial – nine from Pendle,<br />
eight from Samlesbury, one from Padiham and one<br />
from St Helens. The prisoners were not allowed to have<br />
defence counsel to plead for them, nor could they call<br />
any witnesses to speak on their behalf.<br />
All nine defendants from the Pendle area, along with<br />
Isobel Robey from St Helens, were sentenced to death<br />
and were subsequently hanged on the moors above<br />
the town.<br />
The Pendle Sculpture Trail is located in Aitken Wood,<br />
near the Black Moss Reservoirs. The nearest parking is<br />
about a mile away in the main car park in Barley – it’s a<br />
fairly easy walk to the wood, but the start of the trial is<br />
a short, fairly steep climb.<br />
For more information about the Pendle Sculpture<br />
Trail in Barley, you can visit www.visitpendle.com<br />
and download a trail map.
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78<br />
First Drive: Vauxhall Crossland<br />
Vauxhall has tweaked its popular crossover, but is it for the better?<br />
What is it?<br />
Crossovers are big business for just about all car<br />
manufacturers these days – not least Vauxhall, with<br />
its high-riding Crossland X, Mokka X and Grandland X<br />
models all proving hugely popular and even stealing sales<br />
from traditional bestsellers like the Astra and Insignia.<br />
It’s the Crossland X that’s the most affordable Vauxhall<br />
model of this kind, taking a more practical stance than<br />
the similarly sized Mokka, which instead favours design.<br />
Yet despite the Crossland X’s impressive sales, it actually<br />
was one of the worst cars in its segment, with a poor<br />
driving experience and low-quality cabin letting the<br />
side down. Can Vauxhall improve it as part of this midlife<br />
facelift, though?<br />
What’s new?<br />
One of the first things to note here is that it’s now called<br />
the Crossland – the ‘X’ part of its name being dropped<br />
for simplicity, though there are various places where this<br />
letter still appears…<br />
But most notable is the updated design, especially the<br />
front end, which gets Vauxhall’s new ‘Vizor’ design – as<br />
seen on the new Mokka – that wraps the badge and<br />
headlights behind one main panel. Changes to the<br />
steering and damping also aim to improve the way the<br />
Crossland drives.<br />
What’s under the bonnet?<br />
The engine choice remains the same as before, with an<br />
option of naturally-aspirated and turbocharged petrol<br />
engines, as well as a turbo diesel – quite a rarity these<br />
days in the small crossover class.<br />
Our test car uses the Crossland’s most powerful engine –<br />
a turbocharged three-cylinder 1.2-litre petrol engine that<br />
produces 128bhp and 230Nm of torque. Power is sent<br />
to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. This<br />
allows for a 0-60mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed<br />
of 125mph.<br />
Though the diesel is the most efficient Crossland available,<br />
this model still offers decent efficiency – Vauxhall claim<br />
almost 50mpg, with CO2 emissions of 132g/km.<br />
What’s it like to drive?<br />
The previous Crossland X’s driving experience was really<br />
what let the side down before, and though changes here<br />
aren’t huge, they certainly improve things.<br />
It’s now a far more accomplished cruiser at higher speeds<br />
with a more comfortable ride and more refined driving<br />
manners, while around town – where these Crosslands are<br />
more likely to be found – good visibility and light steering<br />
will tick plenty of boxes for buyers. This turbocharged petrol<br />
engine is also a good match, and though it can sound quite<br />
coarse at times, it delivers a decent amount of shove that<br />
enables the Crossland to get up to speed quite quickly.<br />
Facts at a glance<br />
Model: Vauxhall Crossland<br />
Base price: £19,355<br />
Model as tested: Vauxhall<br />
Crossland SRi Nav 1.2<br />
Turbo 130PS Manual<br />
Price as tested: £24,040<br />
Engine: Turbocharged<br />
1.2-litre petrol<br />
Power: 128bhp<br />
Torque: 230Nm<br />
Max speed: 125mph<br />
0-60mph: 9.5 seconds<br />
MPG: 48.7-49.5mpg<br />
Emissions: 130-132g/km
79<br />
While the Crossland’s lifeless steering and rolypoly<br />
handling fall quite significantly short of<br />
the class best, these updates are certainly a<br />
step in the right direction, if not bringing the<br />
model in line with the segment rivals.<br />
How does it look?<br />
Vauxhall is going bold for this new Crossland.<br />
The appealing Vizor helps to bring a far more<br />
modern design, but there are also new standardfit<br />
LED headlights and a new silver-effect front<br />
bumper that give a more rugged look.<br />
At the rear, Vauxhall have the new ‘Crossland’<br />
name sprawled out across the boot, while a new glossblack<br />
panel around the badge and lights also gives the<br />
model a more stylish look. It’s certainly a successful<br />
facelift, to our eyes at least.<br />
What’s it like inside?<br />
Inside, Vauxhall has added extra flair with new redpainted<br />
dashboard trim, while our SRi-spec test car got<br />
some appealing red stitching and dual orange stripes<br />
for the seats. However, nothing else has really changed,<br />
with the same familiar layout and displays being used<br />
as before. That’s not all bad, with the same easy-to-use<br />
touchscreen with smartphone mirroring included, along<br />
with an ergonomic layout. But ultimately it continues to<br />
lag behind rivals when it comes to technology and quality.<br />
The Crossland is one of the more practical cars in this<br />
class. Adults can sit quite comfortably in the rear, while<br />
sliding rear seats let you adjust occupant and boot space<br />
as needed. The boot measures up to 520 litres with the<br />
seats slid fully forward.<br />
What’s the spec like?<br />
Regardless of version, all Crosslands get a decent amount<br />
of equipment, with entry-level SE models still coming<br />
with a seven-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and<br />
Android Auto, cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels.<br />
Our mid-spec SRi Nav delivers the best blend of value and<br />
equipment, adding a larger eight-inch touchscreen with<br />
satellite navigation, rear parking sensors and dual-zone<br />
climate control, along with styling changes like larger<br />
alloys, a contrast-colour roof and tinted windows.<br />
There are notable omissions on the safety side of things,<br />
though, with even autonomous emergency braking<br />
being optional across the range – disappointing given it’s<br />
basically fitted to all new cars on sale now.<br />
As for pricing, the Crossland starts from £19,355, or<br />
£21,705 for the SRi Nav. You’ll want to spend more to avoid<br />
the lethargic 83bhp engine, though, which knocks the<br />
price up further, our test car being available from £24,040.<br />
Verdict<br />
This Crossland is better to look at and is improved behind<br />
the wheel, too. A relatively low starting price and plenty<br />
of cabin space add to the appeal – especially for families.<br />
But despite these changes, it still doesn’t excel in any<br />
real area<br />
and remains<br />
a middleof-the-road<br />
choice. Given “ Do they make<br />
the huge<br />
shopping trolleys<br />
Crossland has<br />
range of<br />
rivals the<br />
out of magnets?”<br />
We don’t judge, we just fix it.<br />
in this popular<br />
sector, this<br />
Vauxhall just<br />
doesn’t quite<br />
deliver. While<br />
not a bad<br />
choice, there<br />
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80<br />
Pots of style<br />
by Angie Barker<br />
Award Winner<br />
People often underestimate the impact<br />
that pots can have on your outside space.<br />
Whether your garden is big or small, or even<br />
a balcony, then pots can really enhance the<br />
look of it by introducing colour and style,<br />
in terms of the pots you choose and the<br />
planting.<br />
There are a few things to remember though<br />
with container gardening. First of all think<br />
big. Two or three large pots look so much<br />
better than a large collection of small<br />
ones – and they will need less watering.<br />
Then choose your style. If your garden<br />
is more of a cottage garden with lots of<br />
perennial planting in an informal style,<br />
then terracotta is the obvious choice. If however you have<br />
a contemporary, sleek garden perhaps with decking, then<br />
stainless steel or black ceramic would fit in perfectly.<br />
You also have to bear in mind that plants in containers rely<br />
on you for their water. Don’t be fooled into thinking that<br />
the rain will keep them watered. In summer especially<br />
you will need to water<br />
regularly to stop the plants drying out. Adding water<br />
retentive gel to your compost can really help preserve<br />
water content.<br />
Hubby’s favourite is an Acer palmatum ‘Butterfly’ we<br />
have growing in a pot by our conservatory door. Acers<br />
of all descriptions do well in pots because they are slow<br />
growing. Just site them somewhere protected from harsh<br />
winds in part shade and they should do well. If you have a<br />
sunny patio, Acer palmatum ‘Bloodgood’ is one of the few<br />
Acers which can withstand full sun.<br />
It is especially lovely to have a pot or two by your front door<br />
to cheer you up when you come home – even more so in<br />
winter when there is little happening in garden borders.<br />
Sarcoccoca confusa is a small evergreen shrub which will<br />
thrive in a shady spot and has the most wonderful scent<br />
during late winter to welcome you home.<br />
I have even grown a Silver Birch tree in a pot! My plan<br />
is that by keeping it in a pot it will stay relatively small<br />
but enables me to site it close to the house where I can<br />
appreciate its lovely bark and fine foliage. When it comes<br />
to pots, all you need is your imagination.<br />
Angie is a qualified awardwinning<br />
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Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons)<br />
Garden Design For All Seasons<br />
Tel: 01942 522 405<br />
Mob: 07857 008 383<br />
www.angiebarker.co.uk<br />
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M E<br />
U T<br />
WORDSEARCH SUDOKU WIGGLE<br />
WORDS<br />
PUB QUIZ<br />
Add Fuel to the Fire<br />
WORD<br />
LADDER<br />
Here is one possible<br />
solution (others may exist)<br />
WARM<br />
wars<br />
bars<br />
bats<br />
bets<br />
sets<br />
SEAS<br />
1. Three<br />
2. Jonathan Creek<br />
3. Basketball<br />
4. Sooty<br />
5. Magic Mike XXL<br />
6. Open Sesame<br />
7. The Philosopher’s Stone<br />
8. A cow<br />
9. Bruno Mars<br />
10. Time for bed
84<br />
Trading Standards has a directory of local traders you<br />
can rely on.<br />
Find the borough’s best online at www.wigan.gov.uk/goodtrader<br />
or phone 03454 040506<br />
and ask for <strong>Wigan</strong> Council’s Good Trader Scheme.<br />
Call Paul<br />
Locksmiths<br />
Established 2000<br />
A Registered Insured NCFE Certified Company<br />
Call Paul for a Fast, Reliable, Professional Service<br />
• UPVC & WOODEN DOOR SPECIALIST<br />
• Emergency Door Opening<br />
• UPVC Door Lock Repairs<br />
• UPVC Door Lock Changes<br />
• UPVC Door Lock Upgrades<br />
• Wood Door Lock Changes<br />
• All Work Guaranteed<br />
TELEPHONE<br />
01942 901103<br />
MOBILE<br />
07932 718362<br />
WWW.CALLPAULLOCKSMITH.CO.UK
£29 for a fu l day<br />
rural Vi lage<br />
NUrSErY<br />
FUNDED LANgUAgE<br />
A l sta f<br />
We cater for<br />
PLACES & SPortS<br />
paediatric<br />
CHILDrEN<br />
Available for LESSoNS<br />
& first aid<br />
3 months<br />
2/3/4<br />
for<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
- 4 years<br />
year olds pre-schoolers<br />
oPEN<br />
Mon-Fri<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
£37.50<br />
per day<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
rated by<br />
oFStED<br />
as<br />
oUtStANDINg<br />
Large NEWLY<br />
outdoor rEFUrBISHED<br />
PLAY ArEA in 2019<br />
85<br />
we do<br />
oven<br />
repairs<br />
too!<br />
prices start from £45<br />
let us clean your oven so you don’t have to!<br />
professional oven cleaning<br />
environmentally friendly<br />
we’ll restore your oven to near showroom condition!<br />
call Steven today on 07393 818 392<br />
www.ovenrescue.co.uk/wigan<br />
Get your oven<br />
looking like new!<br />
We clean ovens, hobs,<br />
microwaves and fans for over<br />
500 regular customers.<br />
Single ovens only £50<br />
We only use non-caustic,<br />
totally safe liquids.<br />
0151 430 0766<br />
0770 256 6393<br />
www.theovencleanersgroup.co.uk<br />
GARAGE DOOR<br />
REPAIRS<br />
All garage<br />
doorS<br />
repaired:<br />
Springs, Cables,<br />
Locks, Rollers etc.<br />
Doors of all ages<br />
repaired<br />
01744 894939 / 07891 330214<br />
NO FIX, NO CHARGE!<br />
Strawberry Cottage,<br />
Pimbo Lane, Upholland<br />
WN8 9QL<br />
www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk<br />
• Professional Carpet, Rug<br />
& Upholstery Cleaning<br />
• Leather Cleaning & Restoration<br />
• FREE Pre-Inspection Visit & Quotation<br />
T: 01942 409401<br />
M: 07881 816839<br />
helen@carrolls-cleaning.co.uk<br />
New Name -<br />
Same Fantastic Cleans!<br />
• Carpets - Quick Drying<br />
includes moving furniture for you<br />
• Upholstery - Fabric & Leather<br />
• Hard floors - Tile/Stone/Vinyls<br />
FREE Test clean to see the results<br />
• Curtains - Hassle free<br />
Cleaned where they hang<br />
• Rugs<br />
Collection & delivery service<br />
Call us<br />
today for<br />
a free quote<br />
01942 470 081<br />
www.alliancecleaningsystems.co.uk<br />
e: sales@alliancecleaningsystems.co.uk<br />
Design & Print<br />
Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />
and distribution service.<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a b oking system for the<br />
holidays which saves you money<br />
We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement<br />
Flexible se sions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest<br />
which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com<br />
Quality Upholsterer<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
Carpet & Upholstery<br />
Cleaning<br />
• traditional service, state of the art results •<br />
• Carpets<br />
• Rugs<br />
• Fabric & Leather<br />
Upholstery<br />
5 star rating with <strong>Wigan</strong> Trading<br />
Standards Good Trader Scheme<br />
Call today for a free consultation<br />
& no obligation quote<br />
Call - 01257 251221<br />
Mobile - 07908 770808<br />
www.manorhousecleaning.co.uk
for<br />
as<br />
86<br />
Total Cleaning North West<br />
www.totalcleaningnorthwest.co.uk<br />
Unit 6a,<br />
1 Miry Lane,<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong><br />
WN3 4AG<br />
One-stop cleaning jobs for your home and garden<br />
• Clean your dirty Driveway or Patio<br />
• Clear out your blocked gutters with our video SkyVac<br />
• Make your Conservatory sparkle • Render cleaning<br />
• Clean Gutters, Soffits and Fascias<br />
• We’ll leave Carpets & Upholstery clean and fresh<br />
Check out our fantastic 5* reviews on Facebook & Google<br />
Call or text David now for a no obligation quote<br />
£60<br />
FIXED PRICE<br />
GUTTER<br />
CLEARING<br />
ONLY<br />
01942 530483 • 07771 924 887 • www.totalcleaningnorthwest.co.uk<br />
Quality Upholsterer<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong>’s premier domestic<br />
cleaning service<br />
Over 70<br />
Lancashire<br />
walks<br />
BOOK ONLINE 24/7<br />
www.mr-soot.com<br />
Stoves & Fireplaces Swept<br />
Flues Tested<br />
Liners Installed<br />
Professional & Reliable<br />
Call Today<br />
01942 387079<br />
PAY BY<br />
CARD<br />
We only use<br />
reliable, vetted<br />
staff<br />
Cleaning in the<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> area for<br />
10+ years<br />
• £11.95 per hour<br />
minimum 2 hrs<br />
• Same cleaner each visit<br />
• All domestic duties provided<br />
Call or email Joanne<br />
Quality Flooring Fitter<br />
required<br />
01942<br />
for these pages<br />
203442<br />
joanne@acleanbreak.co.uk<br />
www.acleanbreak.co.uk/wigan<br />
Quality Flooring Fitter<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
FREE to download at<br />
locallife247.co.uk<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Design & Print<br />
• Earwax Removal<br />
• FREE Hearing Tests<br />
• Hearing Aids & Repairs<br />
• FREE 1 Week Hearing Aid Trial<br />
Drop in or contact Darren on:<br />
01942 215 391<br />
8-10 Gathurst Road, O re l, WN5 8QH<br />
www.wiganhearing.co.uk<br />
10% off<br />
Presen<br />
Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />
and distribution service.<br />
Put your<br />
hearing<br />
first with<br />
Ask us about our wide range of hearing aids<br />
this voucher for 10% OFF your next<br />
hearing test or earwax removal.<br />
Contact us today for further information. Terms and conditions a ply<br />
rural Vi lage<br />
NUrSErY<br />
A l staff<br />
paediatric<br />
& first aid<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
oPEN<br />
Mon-Fri<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
FUNDED<br />
PLACES<br />
Available for<br />
2/3/4<br />
year olds<br />
£37.50<br />
per day<br />
LANgUAgE<br />
& SPortS<br />
LESSoNS<br />
pre-schoolers<br />
Large<br />
outdoor<br />
PLAY ArEA<br />
rated by<br />
oFStED<br />
oUtStANDINg<br />
We cater for<br />
CHILDrEN<br />
3 months<br />
- 4 years<br />
NEWLY<br />
rEFUrBISHED<br />
in 2019<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 886166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
For more information<br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a booking system for the<br />
holidays which saves you money<br />
We deliver 30 hours free entitlement<br />
£29 for a fu l day<br />
Flexible sessions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outdoors & being down in the forest<br />
which is good for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
A l Saints’ Primary School | Finch Lane | Appley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk
87<br />
Call Clint for a free no obligation quote<br />
01257 543 021<br />
07834 241 642<br />
www.conservatorycleaningwigan.com<br />
get your<br />
gutters<br />
cleared<br />
Book any service<br />
FREE!<br />
ROOF CLEANING<br />
• Moss Removal & Bio-Treatment<br />
• Softwashing / Low Pressure<br />
POWER WASHING<br />
• Driveways & Patios etc.<br />
CONSERVATORIES<br />
• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning)<br />
UPVC CLEANING<br />
• Windows, Fascias,<br />
Gutters etc.<br />
SPECIAL OFFER - 20% OFF ALL CLEANING PACKAGES<br />
Having a Clear Out?<br />
Whatever you’re clearing – call us today!<br />
• House & garden<br />
• Garage or Shed<br />
Fast and friendly service<br />
Just call us today for a free quote<br />
northwestwaste<br />
• Office, Warehouse or Shop<br />
• Probate<br />
Our services are;<br />
4 Cheaper than a skip<br />
4 Fully licenced by local councils<br />
4 Completed by smart and<br />
friendly staff<br />
The Meadows, Ruskin Drive, St Helens, WA10 6RP<br />
01744 419 549 / 07557 764 940<br />
Email: transport@northwestwaste.co.uk<br />
www.northwestwaste.co.uk<br />
Want a<br />
Man & a Van<br />
to help you move<br />
house?<br />
Call us now for<br />
details.
88<br />
• Quality workmanship<br />
• Interior & exterior<br />
work<br />
• No job too<br />
big or too<br />
small<br />
01942 392398<br />
or 07707 321383<br />
Need a new<br />
look for your<br />
home?<br />
Skilled interior and<br />
exterior work undertaken<br />
at reasonable prices!<br />
Chris Smith - Painter and<br />
Decorator<br />
01257 415388<br />
or 07545 065119<br />
Shevington based business<br />
4 Exterior & Interior<br />
Decorating<br />
4 Domestic &<br />
Commercial work<br />
undertaken<br />
4 Competitive rate<br />
Award Winner<br />
Contact Graham now<br />
free estimate provided<br />
01257 426234<br />
07954 139069<br />
graham@topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk<br />
www.topcoatdecoratingservices.co.uk<br />
J&P<br />
MOORCROFT<br />
LTD<br />
Professional Painting<br />
and Decorating<br />
• Domestic & Commercial<br />
Work<br />
• Interior & Exterior work<br />
welcomed<br />
• Old/listed buildings a<br />
speciality<br />
Call us today for a free quotation<br />
Home Service available<br />
Choose from 1000s of paint &<br />
paper samples in the comfort of<br />
our own home<br />
01942 212096<br />
07831 102 511<br />
www.jpmoorcroft.com<br />
Specialists in<br />
Replacement<br />
Double<br />
Glazed Units<br />
Ring with sizes for<br />
a FREE estimate<br />
Open 7 days 8am - 8pm<br />
Established <strong>Local</strong> Family Company<br />
01942 470 085<br />
0800 328 8573<br />
www.steamywindows.net<br />
HANDS ON<br />
Property Maintenance<br />
& Handyman Services<br />
3 Kitchens & Bathrooms<br />
3 Painting & Decorating<br />
3 Building & Joinery<br />
3 Electrical<br />
3 Paving, Decking<br />
& Fencing<br />
3 Tiling<br />
3 Plumbing<br />
Check out my work at<br />
Quality keith.anderton<br />
Flooring Fitter<br />
required for these pages<br />
Telephone Keith on<br />
07812 110476<br />
Quality Flooring Fitter<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
• Conservatory repairs<br />
• Locks, handles and hinges<br />
• Replacement glass<br />
• Windows and doors installed<br />
• Replacement conservatory<br />
roofs<br />
Call MARK now on<br />
01942 737 381<br />
0776 315 1720<br />
conservatoryrepairs@gmail.com<br />
www.fixmyconservatory.com
£29 for a fu l day<br />
rural Vi lage<br />
NUrSErY<br />
FUNDED LANgUAgE<br />
A l sta f<br />
We cater for<br />
PLACES & SPortS<br />
paediatric<br />
CHILDrEN<br />
Available for LESSoNS<br />
& first aid<br />
3 months<br />
2/3/4<br />
for<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
- 4 years<br />
year olds pre-schoolers<br />
oPEN<br />
Mon-Fri<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
£37.50<br />
per day<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
rated by<br />
oFStED<br />
as<br />
oUtStANDINg<br />
Large NEWLY<br />
outdoor rEFUrBISHED<br />
PLAY ArEA in 2019<br />
Convert your bath to a<br />
Walk-In Shower<br />
AJC<br />
WALK IN SHOWERS<br />
Typical price<br />
£2200<br />
Fully guaranteed<br />
One day installation<br />
No mess - no fuss<br />
Easy to clean & maintain<br />
Call Anthony on<br />
07919 876 825<br />
Workshop address: Bulldog Tools Ind. Est.<br />
Darlington Street East, <strong>Wigan</strong> WN1 3BT<br />
Microshop address: Hardshaw Centre,<br />
Church Street, St. Helens WA10 1EB<br />
We also fit full bathrooms!<br />
JJ Driveways<br />
Imprinted Concrete<br />
Specialists<br />
Huge range of colours<br />
& patterns<br />
• Resin Driveways<br />
• Block Paving<br />
• Indian Stone<br />
• Flagging<br />
We can also revive<br />
your old drive!<br />
Ask about our sealing<br />
service<br />
Call Joe for a<br />
free quotation on<br />
01942 621 959<br />
07867 697 972<br />
www.jjdriveways.co.uk<br />
AGBathrooms.net<br />
Quality bathrooms at<br />
reasonable prices<br />
Complete bathroom<br />
installations from design<br />
to completion.<br />
For free quotes, call Adrian on<br />
07816 394 292<br />
Check out our work on<br />
www.AGBathrooms.net<br />
Quality Tiler<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
Great Value<br />
Bathrooms!<br />
Full Bathrooms<br />
& En-Suites<br />
Showers, Trays & Cubicles<br />
Relocation of Bathroom Suites<br />
25 years bathroom experience<br />
Call Chris now for a free quotation<br />
C L Bathrooms<br />
01942 749085<br />
or 07801 295483<br />
www.clbathrooms.co.uk<br />
Design & Print<br />
Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />
and distribution service.<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a b oking system for the<br />
holidays which saves you money<br />
We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement<br />
Flexible se sions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest<br />
which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com<br />
Arley Cabinet<br />
Company Ltd<br />
• Kitchens & Bedrooms since 1952 •<br />
We Measure ~ We Make ~ We Fit<br />
Drop into our<br />
showroom or call us<br />
for a free estimate<br />
214a Gidlow Lane, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN6 7BN<br />
01942 246 190<br />
www.arleycabinets.com<br />
89
90<br />
Elite<br />
Bathrooms<br />
& Wet Room Installation<br />
• Bathrooms • Wet Rooms<br />
• Wall & Floor Tiling<br />
Please call for a FREE Estimates<br />
07703 448890<br />
01942 208926<br />
Quality Tiler<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
Bathroom Installation,<br />
Full Bathrooms &<br />
En-Suites<br />
Plumbing Services<br />
Wall & Floor Tiling<br />
Ceiling Panelling<br />
01942 397173<br />
07803 057940<br />
Douglas Drive, Orrell, <strong>Wigan</strong><br />
www.ljplumbingandbathrooms.co.uk<br />
Plumbing & Heating<br />
Specialist<br />
Complete Bathrooms<br />
Installation ~ Repairs ~ Service<br />
Central Heating Systems<br />
Boilers & Gas Appliances<br />
General Plumbing<br />
Gas Safety Certificates<br />
Call Andy for a free quote on<br />
01942 564 226<br />
07397 391 935<br />
acampbellheatingandgas<br />
4 Installations, Services<br />
& Repairs<br />
4 Boilers<br />
4 Central Heating<br />
Bathrooms<br />
597379<br />
Emergency call outs<br />
welcomed<br />
4 573747<br />
• Brand New Bathrooms<br />
• Boiler + Central Heating<br />
Installs, Servicing + Repairs<br />
Freephone:<br />
0300 3030121<br />
Dave: 07769 942218<br />
Matt: 07969 183809<br />
506515<br />
FINANCE<br />
OPTIONS<br />
AVAILABLE<br />
New showroom opening soon at:<br />
2a Gathurst Lane, Shevington WN6 8HA<br />
Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk<br />
www.orrellheating.co.uk<br />
John Bailey<br />
01942 495785<br />
or 07721 040620<br />
& 07710 153238<br />
Based in Kenyon Road, <strong>Wigan</strong><br />
Call Nico for a free quote on<br />
07818 335 441<br />
• Extended warranties<br />
available<br />
• 24 Hour Call-out<br />
0%<br />
• Domestic + Commercial Finance<br />
available<br />
651511<br />
Boiler Installation<br />
Boiler Servicing & Repairs<br />
Boiler Finance Available<br />
Landlords Gas Safety Reports<br />
Experienced, Reliable & Friendly Service<br />
Credit Cards accepted<br />
01942 221 996<br />
07769 203 056<br />
hartheatingwigan@gmail.com<br />
Winstanley-based
91<br />
Showroom now open at 19 Preston Road, Standish WN6 0HP<br />
All plumbing services<br />
including services & repairs<br />
• Bathrooms/Wet Rooms designed and fitted<br />
• Specialists in Disability<br />
Installations & Conversions<br />
• Emergency Call outs welcome<br />
BOILER<br />
SERVICING<br />
FROM<br />
£60<br />
www.gphwigan.co.uk<br />
No Obligation Quotes – Call Mark on<br />
01257 473026<br />
07515 894281<br />
527090<br />
A Genuine Family Run Business<br />
With Friendly & Courteous Staff<br />
SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES<br />
• Annual Boiler Servicing<br />
• Landlord & Home Owner Gas Safety Checks<br />
• Mechanical Power Flushing<br />
• Thermostatic Valves Radiators Fitted<br />
• All-in-One Air Conditioning & Heating Units for Home & Work<br />
Telephone: 01257 421 660<br />
TEL: 01942 504 429 MOB: 07515 505 501<br />
Accredited Installer & Service Partner<br />
WE REPAIR ALL<br />
MAKES OF BOILERS!<br />
Registration No.<br />
88604<br />
www.fgwelch.co.uk<br />
We’ve got you covered<br />
for all aspects of<br />
plumbing and heating<br />
Boilers Gas Heating Plumbing Drainage<br />
Installation • Maintenance • Repairs<br />
626792<br />
Want a new boiler with<br />
ZERO upfront cost?<br />
Pay monthly with servicing and warranty included.<br />
Call us now to find out how!<br />
01942 575730<br />
07565 060530<br />
166 Gidlow Lane • <strong>Wigan</strong> • WN6 7EA<br />
www.blueflameltd.co.uk<br />
craig@blueflameltd.co.uk<br />
Family run business with 20+ years experience.<br />
Check out our reviews:
92<br />
Alarm installations,<br />
repairs & upgrades<br />
Domestic and commercial<br />
work welcome<br />
Free security assessment provided<br />
Emergency lock openings<br />
Lock changes<br />
No call-out charges<br />
24-hour service<br />
60 mins response<br />
Call 01942 669505<br />
www.uklocksandalarms.co.uk<br />
info@ianwalkerservices.co.uk<br />
JIB Approved Electrician<br />
All domestic electrical work<br />
24/7 call out service<br />
Friendly, reliable &<br />
professional<br />
Call 07557 795 892<br />
www.johnboughey-electrical.com<br />
Parbold/<strong>Wigan</strong> Areas<br />
Jon Wright<br />
Electrical Ltd<br />
All types of<br />
Domestic & Commercial<br />
work undertaken<br />
• Inspection & Tests<br />
• Repairs<br />
• Solar PV<br />
• Alarms<br />
Call now on: 07983 387448<br />
Email: jonwrightelec@live.co.uk<br />
Certificate of excellence winner<br />
2017, 2018 & 2019<br />
Total Electrics for your Home or Business<br />
Installation Service Maintenance Repairs<br />
Call us today for friendly<br />
advice and a free quotation<br />
01942 836 937<br />
www.ghewigan.co.uk<br />
4 Complete re-wires<br />
4 New/moving sockets<br />
4 All lighting needs<br />
4 Burglar Alarm systems<br />
Check out our Facebook reviews @ghe.info<br />
4 CCTV systems<br />
4 Security Light installations<br />
4 PAT testing & inspections<br />
4 No Job too Small<br />
07557 914 788<br />
Suite 1A, Kirkless Industrial Estate, Cale Lane, <strong>Wigan</strong>, WN2 1HF<br />
Call: 0800 6446100<br />
or 07904 127663<br />
Covering all North West Areas<br />
4 NAPIT part ‘P’ registered<br />
4 JIB Approved Technician<br />
4 38 Years Experience<br />
4 <strong>Local</strong>, Honest & Reliable<br />
4 Domestic<br />
4 Industrial & Commercial<br />
a Installation & Maintenance<br />
a Inspection & Testing<br />
a Nest Pro Installer<br />
a CCTV & Alarms<br />
Tel: 07738 117712<br />
Orrell based
£29 for a fu l day<br />
rural Vi lage<br />
NUrSErY<br />
FUNDED LANgUAgE<br />
A l sta f<br />
We cater for<br />
PLACES & SPortS<br />
paediatric<br />
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& first aid<br />
3 months<br />
2/3/4<br />
for<br />
QUALIFIED<br />
- 4 years<br />
year olds pre-schoolers<br />
oPEN<br />
Mon-Fri<br />
8AM-6PM<br />
£37.50<br />
per day<br />
www.cranknursery.co.uk<br />
rated by<br />
oFStED<br />
as<br />
oUtStANDINg<br />
Large NEWLY<br />
outdoor rEFUrBISHED<br />
PLAY ArEA in 2019<br />
J.Dillon<br />
Electrical Services Ltd<br />
Electrician ~ Standish<br />
• All types of electrical work<br />
• 30+ years experience<br />
• Friendly, fast and reliable<br />
• 24 hour call out service<br />
Call: 01257 424918<br />
or 07821 139826<br />
www.jdillonelectrical.co.uk<br />
Over 70 Lancashire<br />
Walks<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
FREE to download at<br />
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• Business Telephone<br />
Systems<br />
• Voip & Structured Cabling<br />
• Residential Extensions<br />
• Faults & Gen Enq<br />
Tel: 01942 441221<br />
Askus@LJTelecomServices.co.uk<br />
www.LJTelecomServices.com<br />
Quality Removals<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
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W.Hurst & Son Ltd<br />
ELECTRIC<br />
CONTRACTOR<br />
www.whurstandson.co.uk<br />
• All types of electrical work<br />
• 35+ years experience<br />
• No job too small<br />
• Friendly and reliable<br />
For a free quote<br />
& advice call Jeff<br />
01695 622 191<br />
07850 622 191<br />
• TV Aerials Installed<br />
• TV Wall Mounting<br />
• Telephone Lines<br />
• Setup Service<br />
Ring Paul on<br />
01942 514 532<br />
07709 490 095<br />
A.J.S.<br />
BAILEYS<br />
ELECTRICAL<br />
All electrical work undertaken<br />
Free quotations<br />
• Friendly reliable service<br />
• Mains board upgrades<br />
• Extra sockets to full rewires<br />
01942 215 769<br />
07739 709 005<br />
Design & Print<br />
Flyers, postcards, brochures<br />
and distribution service.<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
Little Acorns Nursery<br />
QUALITY CHILDCARE YOU CAN TRUST!<br />
Open Mon-Fri: 8am ti l 5.30pm term time<br />
We operate a b oking system for the<br />
holidays which saves you money<br />
We deliver 30 hours fr e entitlement<br />
Flexible se sions available<br />
We take children from 2 years old<br />
Ca l Sarah on 01744 86166 for more information or admin@cranknursery.net<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery is situated in a beautiful woodland<br />
se ting. It is a safe and vibrant place for your child to gain<br />
lots of wonderful educational experiences.<br />
We are big on the great outd ors & being down in the forest<br />
which is g od for your child’s health and we l-being<br />
Li tle Acorns Nursery<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
A l Saints’ Primary Sch ol | Finch Lane | A pley Bridge | WN6 9DT<br />
01257 252647<br />
www.li tleacorns-daynursery.com<br />
Aerial & Sky<br />
Services<br />
RX-12 Digital TV Aerials<br />
£75 supplied & fitted<br />
Aerial Multi-room System<br />
at £45 per room<br />
TV Wall Mounting Service<br />
Level 5 in Signal Path & Fault<br />
Diagnostics<br />
Domestic<br />
& Commercial<br />
work welcomed<br />
30+ years<br />
experience<br />
01942 257804<br />
07966 488585<br />
Call anytime for a quote or email:<br />
andy@aerialandskyservices.co.uk<br />
TT20778<br />
93<br />
www.aerialandskyservices.co.uk
94<br />
GDR Driveways<br />
ALL ASPECTS OF PAVING & turfing<br />
4 Block Paving<br />
Clean & Re-seal<br />
4 Indian Stone<br />
service available<br />
4 Flagging<br />
4 Turfing<br />
4 Artificial Grass<br />
Winstanley-based<br />
www.gdrdriveways.com<br />
Call Gareth for a FREE quotation: 01942 217 113 or 07715 177 754<br />
Handy<br />
Andy<br />
Building / Joinery<br />
Plastering / Tiling<br />
Plumbing / Roofing<br />
Flatpack Assembly<br />
Call Handy Andy on<br />
01257 369 685<br />
07899 752 225<br />
tradesbyandy@gmail.com<br />
All<br />
jobs<br />
considered<br />
Fully<br />
qualified<br />
&<br />
Insured<br />
Plasterer.<br />
NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL<br />
All plastering work<br />
undertaken including:<br />
• All types of rendering • Skimming<br />
• Dry lining • Basement tanking<br />
• Damp proof courses<br />
Call Westley Gillett for a<br />
FREE no obligation quote<br />
07802 710685<br />
Des Pilling<br />
Plastering<br />
• Plastering<br />
• Skimming<br />
• Artexing<br />
Coving & Cornice work<br />
also welcomed<br />
Orrell based – Established 1986<br />
Call Des on<br />
07787 513 235<br />
www.lakelandplastering.co.uk<br />
www.despilling.org.uk<br />
Leaflet Distribution<br />
Service<br />
Your leaflets delivered alongside this magazine<br />
to up to 39,000 local homes<br />
Flexible service for all businesses, large and small<br />
Prices from £27.50 per thousand (minimum 4,000 leaflets)<br />
Call or email us for a Leaflet Coverage List<br />
then simply chose the postcode areas<br />
you want to target<br />
Call us on 01695 627999<br />
Email chrisp@locallife247.co.uk<br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
GPS<br />
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DESIGN<br />
& PRINT<br />
services<br />
also available<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong>
95<br />
4 Extensions and House Refurbishment Works<br />
4 New Build Houses<br />
4 Groundworks, Drainage, External Paving<br />
and Landscaping<br />
4 Internal Structural works to accommodate<br />
new bi-fold doors / open plan living etc<br />
4 Full range of garden design and landscaping<br />
works including BBQ areas, garden offices,<br />
bars, games rooms etc<br />
4 Full Range of Commercial Building including<br />
Interior Designs and Fit Outs<br />
Contact us for further details on 01257 447 427 or enquiries@helixgroup.uk<br />
Blackthorn House | Skull House Ln | Appley Bridge | <strong>Wigan</strong> | WN6 9DB<br />
www.helixgroup.uk<br />
K Stone<br />
Building Services<br />
All types of building<br />
work undertaken<br />
• Brickwork<br />
• Pointing<br />
• Garden Walls<br />
• Patios<br />
25 years<br />
experience<br />
• Roof Repairs<br />
• Flagging<br />
• Alterations<br />
• Driveways<br />
01942 495412<br />
07974 496676<br />
Stoves<br />
by Andy<br />
Save £££’s on<br />
your install<br />
• Installations<br />
• Maintenance<br />
• Servicing<br />
For a free quote and expert<br />
advice call Andy on<br />
01257 369 685<br />
07899 752 225<br />
stovesbyandy@gmail.com<br />
Prices include<br />
supply & fit<br />
Orrell<br />
based<br />
6 Doors<br />
from<br />
£370<br />
Oak Door<br />
from<br />
£140<br />
All aspects of joinery<br />
Call Mike for a free quote<br />
01942 590514 • 07988 260621<br />
www.orrelljoinery.co.uk<br />
ALPINE LTD<br />
Roofing & Building Services<br />
OAP<br />
DISCOUNTS<br />
SERVING<br />
CHORLEY, WEST<br />
LANCASHIRE &<br />
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Your local roofing company from repairs<br />
to re-roofs, fascia’s, soffits & gutters.<br />
• Flat roof specialists<br />
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FULLY INSURED<br />
Tel: 01942 410989<br />
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www.alpineroofingandbuildingltd.co.uk
96<br />
Quality Removals<br />
required for<br />
these pages<br />
Call 01695 627 999<br />
<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
www.locallife247.co.uk<br />
PP<br />
Your<br />
Building services<br />
Joinery Specialists<br />
• Conservatories & Orangeries<br />
• Extensions<br />
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Reliable, Friendly,<br />
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• All aspects of joinery work<br />
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• Home improvements<br />
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For all aspects of renovations<br />
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For a free quote,<br />
call MT Joinery now.<br />
01257 422317<br />
or 07852 202867<br />
www.mtjoinery.co.uk<br />
“Attention to detail is second to none. Can’t recommend Phil enough”<br />
Facebook Review, July 2018<br />
Call us now for ALL your roofline requirements!<br />
Facias, soffits, cladding, dry verge and gutters<br />
We specialise in seamless<br />
aluminium gutters.<br />
Clean, stylish and guaranteed<br />
for 25 years!<br />
Call: 07917 352 182 / 07917 352 183<br />
www.orrellroofline.co.uk
97<br />
WILSON<br />
BROS<br />
• •<br />
Est. 1985<br />
Roofing & Roofline<br />
Specialists<br />
• All aspects of<br />
maintenance & repair<br />
• Fascia & soffit<br />
installation<br />
• Guttering and felting<br />
services<br />
Call us now for<br />
a free estimate<br />
01695 633173<br />
Colin: 07958 302 166<br />
Brian: 07760 160 988<br />
www.wilson-bros.co.uk<br />
First Class<br />
Workmanship<br />
4 All types of re-roofs<br />
4 Strip & re-slate or re-tile<br />
4 Built up felt/flat roofs,<br />
dormers etc.<br />
4 Insurance work undertaken<br />
4 Roofline uPVC<br />
fascias, soffits<br />
& guttering<br />
W.Newman<br />
ROOFING & REPAIRS<br />
01695 627 212<br />
MOBILE: 07774 943 706<br />
52 HALLBRIDGE GARDENS,<br />
UP HOLLAND<br />
Established Over 30 Years<br />
28 Years Experience<br />
All aspects of<br />
roofing & roofline<br />
Extensions & Refurbishments<br />
Kitchens & Bathrooms<br />
Conservatories & Orangeries<br />
Windows & Doors<br />
Roofs & Fascia Boards<br />
Decking & Balustrading<br />
All aspects of building works<br />
No job too small<br />
Call Peter for a free quotation<br />
Day: 07961 516 677<br />
Eve: 01942 745 428<br />
Cambridge Road, Orrell<br />
B.A.<br />
Berry<br />
Building & Roofing<br />
Specialists<br />
• All building work undertaken.<br />
• From a broken tile to a full<br />
re roof.<br />
• Flat roofs renewed and<br />
repaired.<br />
• Extensions, Alterations,<br />
Structural repairs including<br />
Lintels.<br />
Your local fully<br />
qualified tradesman<br />
with 30 years experience<br />
Call us now for a free,<br />
no obligation quote<br />
01695 622 704<br />
07968 652 320<br />
www.baberry.co.uk<br />
NEW ROOFS<br />
REPAIRS<br />
FASCIAS, SOFFITS<br />
& GUTTERS<br />
Dormers and<br />
Garages<br />
Rubber Cover Roofing Specialist<br />
Guaranteed 50 years<br />
Call for free quote<br />
M: 07894 687 384<br />
NEIL SIMPSON<br />
BUILDER<br />
Can’t find a reliable local<br />
builder?...look no further<br />
brickwork<br />
joinery roofing<br />
plastering<br />
internal alterations<br />
all types of building work undertaken<br />
garden construction<br />
garden walls patios<br />
gravel gardens<br />
flagging decking<br />
pergolas<br />
No job too small<br />
Reasonable prices<br />
Quality work<br />
Call Neil<br />
07939 961190 (day)<br />
or 01942 230402 (eve)
98<br />
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<strong>Local</strong><strong>Life</strong><br />
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99<br />
Come and visit the largest<br />
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Representative example: Total cash price £1164, deposit £0, amount borrowed £1164 over 12 months. 12 monthly repayments of £97. Interest<br />
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Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!<br />
Quality ~ Choice ~ Value<br />
Windows<br />
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Visit our showroom/factory at; Crows Nest, Ashton Road, Billinge, WN5 7XX (near Windy Arbour crossroads)<br />
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28544