Wigan Courier March 13th edition by Mark Ashley

Wigan and Leigh Hospice Celebrating

30 Years

Pages 14 & 15

Courier The WIGAN

Council reveals its budget for next 12 months

email: info@courier-online.net

Wigan’s Good News Paper

March 12th 2013

25 p

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Issue no 215

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WIGAN COUNCIL has to make more than £18m worth of savings in the next year as the money it gets from the government continues to fall.

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Lord Peter Smith is to take “an imaginative approach to making the savings”

The annual budget was agreed at a full council meeting on Wednesday March 6th, at which councillors backed a two per cent increase in council tax. The rise was described as unfortunate but essential to ensure the budget was balanced for the financial year starting in April.

The council has already made significant cuts to its budget including reducing back office costs by a further £2m and agreeing a shared IT contract with Bolton Council that will save £1m a year. But, with a shrinking grant from government, a further £18.8m needs to be cut in 2013/14. Councillors have insisted front line services and support for vulnerable people will be protected. But cuts are inevitable and among the savings being considered is a £5m cut from the social care budget. The public will be consulted before any changes are made. Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council, says there will be some tough decisions ahead. He said: “Despite the government’s cutbacks, we have been working hard to make sure our front line

services are protected as best we can and this will continue. Over the last two years we have reduced our ‘back office’ support services by around 40 per cent and we will continue to look at where we can become more efficient, such as through our new IT contract in partnership with Bolton Council. “There will be some challenges ahead. For example, we have planned to save around £5m by modernising the way we provide social care, this will mean significant changes for some people, but we aim to do it in a sympathetic and co-operative way. “I also want us to make sure we take an imaginative approach to making the savings, such as by investing in our road infrastructure we can bring down repair costs. We are also reducing to one large ‘super depot’- this will save money and make us more effective at what we do.” The budget will see council tax rise by two per cent. This increase is made up by a 1.1 per cent rise in the transport levy and a 0.9 per cent council tax rise. This will keep the increase below the government’s cap and means it will not trigger a referendum to approve it.

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Get set, GO....to help Joining Jack

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WIGAN’S first ever10k road race will take place in the autumn with runners urged to take their places on the starting line to help a good cause.

The Wigan 10k run will be held on Sunday September 8th and will start and finish in

Wigan town centre passing a host of landmarks along the route. The event has been organised by local charity Joining Jack with support from Wigan Council and Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust. Joining Jack was set-up former Wigan by Warriors player Andy Johnson and his wife Alex after their five year

old son, Jack, was diagnosed with incurable muscle wasting condition Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). And while Joining Jack is organising the event, runners are invited to raise money for a cause of their choice. Lord Peter Smith, of Wigan Leader Council, said: “The Wigan 10k promises to be a fantastic event,

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Wigan Borough. I’m pleased the council is working with them to put on this ambitious event. Hopefully lots of money will be raised and everyone will have a day to remember.” Jack Johnson’s parents, Andy and Alex, are thrilled to announce the launch of the event. Andy commented: “It is less than twelve months since we started Joining Jack and it is

which the council is delighted to support. Not only is it an opportunity for people to raise money for good causes, it will also be a great showcase for Wigan town centre. There will be lots of events before and after the run so even if you don’t feel up to taking part you can still get involved. “Joining Jack is a local charity, close to the hearts of many people in

unbelievable that in such a short space of time the charity is launching an event of this scale. “We continue to be amazed and grateful to receive such support for our son and other boys with this incurable condition. It was because of the level of support we have received locally that we wanted to involve other charities in this event. It should be a really great day and we can’t wait to see everyone with us on the starting line.” Charity trustee and race organiser, Matt Johnson, added: “We approached

the Wigan Council last year with the initial idea and were encouraged by the response received. Since then the support from organisations such as the council, Wigan Leisure & Cultural Trust and Greater Manchester Police has meant that the idea has turned into reality and we are now launching the inaugural Wigan Borough 10k race. “Wigan is known for its sporting heritage so an event like this is a perfect way for people of all abilities to get involved and maybe even set themselves a challenge.

So whether you are a serious runner, enthusiastic amateur, potential volunteer or business looking to get involved please register or get in touch.” If your running days are behind you, there are other ways to get involved. The race

WITH a history stretching back to the 1950s and a cast of colourful characters such as Kenny Bootlace and Eileen from the Toffee Shop, Wigan’s Landgate Estate is full of tales.

young people from the area are helping to preserve the unique history and culture of Landgate for future generations through the creative power of...knitting. Wigan Council’s Voice and Engagement Team has team up with Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) and community arts group The Action Factory to

bring young and older people from Landgate on a shared voyage of discovery about their own local history. The end product will be an impressive 3D tapestry, also known as a French-knitted tube, which will chronicle 60 years of life on Landgate. Community Arts Worker Nicole Pattinson from the Action Factory,

Back row (left to right): Joining Jack’s Matt Johnson, Leader of Wigan Council Lord Peter Smith, chief executive of Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Stuart Murray. Front row: Alex and Andy Johnson.

Stitch in time And now children and

organisers are looking for volunteers to help out on the day and the whole of Wigan Borough is invited to line the route and cheer on the runners. You can register for the race at www.wigan10k.co.uk Further information on route, parking facilities,

locker

and

changing

facilities and sponsorship

forms will be available

on this website at a later date. Those interested in

volunteering on the day should

info@wigan10k.co.uk

Eva Blinston and Courtney McQuade

Nicole Pattinson, Gavin Newton and Tigan Dawber give their feedback on the day

Eva Blinston,Courtney McQuade and Leyton Hitchen, with Cheryl Beswick, WLCT Community Arts Development Officer Helen Seddon and community member June Howton

Layton Hitchen, 10, and Courtney McQuade, 11, get crafty with the knitting needles under the watchful eye of artist Cheryl Beswick

explains: “We want to bring arts and crafts to people of all ages on the estate and for them to use the experience to explore their own history and sense of community. “The project is helping to keep traditional skills alive by passing them on to the younger generation. It is also helping to keep the tales and traditions of Landgate very much alive as well.” Using the Landgate Community Shop on Yewdale Road as its base, the group has been meeting regularly to progress the project. The young people have been receiving instruction in knitting from their elders and artist Cheryl Beswick. The finished work of art will be showcased at various locations across Wigan Borough and the North West of England over the next year. Accompanying the tapestry will be an animated video created by the team. The project is due to be completed and the tapestry ready by summer. The group will be holding its next workshop on the Landgate Community Shop, on Yewdale Road on Monday March 25th, everyone is welcome to attend.

Wigan receives top Infant Feeding Award

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“It is fantastic that the prestigious UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative has validated the support that families in Wigan are receiving to be of an outstanding standard and is testament to the hard work and partnership working across all the organizations.”

WIGAN Borough’s midwifery service, health visiting service, children centres and Breastfeeding Network Peer Support Service have been awarded the prestigious UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative full accreditation. The full accreditation recognises the best practice in infant feeding support to families.

UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative assessors questioned more than 100 antenatal and postnatal mothers and reported back outstanding practice standards in many

different areas and services. Antenatal information, care following delivery and infant feeding support on the maternity ward, the neonatal unit of Royal Albert Edward Infirmary Maternity Unit and follow up support in the community, were reported to have an outstanding standard. The assessors were particularly impressed by the joint partnership working between Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Maternity Services, Bridgewater (Ashton, Leigh and Wigan) Health Visiting services, Wigan Council Children Centres and The Breastfeeding Network Peer Support Service. The UNICEF Baby Friendly assessors reported that the strength of positive comments fed back to them from mothers during the assessment about the information

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and care they had received had been unprecedented and phenomenal. The UNICEF Baby Friendly initiative award is assessed in stages. Last year midwifery, health visiting and Breastfeeding Network Peer Support staff were assessed on their knowledge and skills on delivering infant feeding information and support. This recent final stage of the assessment process involved in-depth interviews with both formula and breastfeeding mothers about the information and support they had received from all staff. Cabinet member for children and young people, Councillor Susan Loudon reported: “The choices that families make around infant feeding practices have enormous impact on the future physical and emotional health of both the mother and the baby.

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Letters to the editor

Dear Sirs, We deserve the best public services and in order to pay for this, we believe that we need a thriving economy and a modern taxation system that can achieve the high standards of public services for all. High quality public services , including an NHS, free at the point of delivery, an accessible education system, and a welfare state that is there when you need it most, need stable funding rather than the current devastating round of austerity measures and cuts to public spending. The Coalition Government’s obsession with cutting the deficit has had an opposite effect, creating record levels of unemployment and greater levels of national dept. Hard working families are finding that history is repeating itself from the last time there was a Conservative Prime Minister. Yours, Wigan Central Councillor George Davies

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The Brick is moving

LOCAL homeless charity, The Brick, is moving premises. From April 2nd the charity will be operating from new premise, behind Wallpaper Supplies on Library Street, in Wigan.

Wigan residents visit Rivington Hall Barn

RESIDENTS from Standish care home, Greenacres, have travelled back in time with a visit to Dear Sirs, Hall I am writing on behalf of Wigan Swimming Club Rivington regarding our first ever licensed gala to be held at Barn in Bolton.

the new Wigan Pool on the 19th May 2013. We are a local community club, run by volunteers to provide an opportunity to young people in the Wigan area on a “Non Profit” basis. As such we rely heavily on sponsors to help us to provide the best possible opportunities to our youngsters with a view that we may be nurturing champions of the future. The Gala will be attended by swimming clubs throughout the North West. There will be over 200 swimmers taking part in 28 events. We are also estimating over 400 spectators will be in attendance. In order to increase our ability to raise funds, we are offering local people and businesses four possible opportunities of sponsorship at this event: 1)To donate a prize for our raffle that will be held on the event day. 2)Sponsor an event - your name / business will be printed in the programme and announced on the day at the time of the sponsored event. Cost £20 3)Place an A5 advertisement in our programme. Cost £40 4)Be the main sponsor of the whole event which will include: An A4 advertisement in our programme. A trophy to be presented to the highest scoring, visiting team. Your business name in lights, on the scoreboard, displayed throughout the day. Cost £200 If you are interested in donating or sponsoring, please contact me for further information. We would really appreciate any donation you are willing to offer and I look forward to hearing from you soon. Please contact me at the address below or alternatively, you can contact me on my phone number: 07941 482 466 or email secretary@wiganswimmingclub.org.uk Yours, Vicki Jones Club Secretary Wigan Swimming Club 92 Wotton Drive Ashton in Makerfield Wigan WN4 8XR

01257 400026 info@courier-online.net

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The historic, grade two listed barn, believed to date back to the 12th century, provided a medieval back drop for residents of the CLS-run care home to enjoy a funafternoon of filled entertainment and activities. After taking in the marvellous medieval features, including original Saxon beams, residents indulged in a delicious two-course lunch in the Great House Barn, while being serenaded by popular

entertainer, Paul Dee. Residents also showed their competitive side in a game of bingo before taking to the floor themselves for some ballroom dancing. Greenacres resident, Gladys Watkinson, 89, from Orrell, said: “I had a lovely time and we were all very well looked after. It was a great show.” Nicola Noon, Home Manager at Greenacres, said: “Our residents had a wonderful time at the barn. We try to vary activities as much as possible so our residents have the opportunity to learn new things and make special memories to share with their families and friends.”

The Brick has traditionally helped people in crisis, moved homeless people into accommodation and supported people to live independently as well as providing an outreach service to rough sleepers. The Brick is also setting up a recovery college, Re@B, which will improve people’s confidence and practical skills. Alongside practical help, people want to learn to cope with their own issues and problems that will give them skills for life. The charity runs a life skills programme every Tuesday for the past eighteen months and the students that have been on the course have learned so much. One of the students, Dave, said: “I was referred by Social Services to help me with anger management. During my time on the course, we have done several topics which have helped with every area of my life. The tutor Chris and the rest of the group are brilliant – they always listen and don’t judge me. “During my time on the course I had a battle to get my children back. With what I learned and listened to I put the knowledge into practice and I have now got my children back. I really don’t know where I would be now if it wasn’t for the course.” Building on this course, the charity are now able to offer courses running four days a week. The topics for the first six weeks include: Managing relationships – Monday mornings, Managing change – Monday afternoons, Confidence building – Tuesday morningsPatterns of behaviour- Thursday mornings, Breaking a destruvtive lifestyle- Thursday afternoons. Art and crafts- Friday mornings. Trainer, Chris Astbury from C & M Training has more than 20 years training experience and an empathy for people. All the courses are interactive, sometimes challenging, but always non-judgmental and nonthreatening.

Wigan Athletic kicks off ‘Woottys Footy Mile’

TWO work colleagues from KMI Plus, Wigan have teamed up to run a mile around the perimeter of 11 of the 19 football pitches in the Northwest, all in twelve hours for charity.

KMI Design Coordinator Chris Fitton, and Trainee Site Engineer Sam James are hoping to raise as much money as they can in memory of their close friend and

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colleague Bill Wootten.

Bill and his family were helped greatly by the Macmillan Nursing Team during his Bowel Cancer fight, and all proceeds from the run will go to the Macmillan Nurses Fund. Their epic challenge taking place on Friday May 10th. Wigan Athletic is 100 per cent behind the lad’s ‘Wootty Mile’ and will be supporting them all the way. Latics Team Mascots Blue and Phoenix will be giving the lads a team hug for support, and Wigan Manager Roberto Martinez will be taking

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time out of his busy team training session, to lend his support for their worthy cause. The May run will see Chris and Sam running around Carlisle United, Morecambe, Fleetwood Town, Preston North End, Bolton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic, Tranmere Rovers, Everton, Bury and Burnley’s ground, finishing off at Blackburn Rovers Ewood ParkBill’s number one love. Chris and Sam said: “Knowing Bill had such a passion for Football just like us, inspired us to come up with this idea and we will be thinking of him when we run on May 10th- we can’t wait.” Chris and Sam would greatly appreciate all the support they can get for the massive task ahead of them. You can donate online on their just giving site:www.justgiving.com/

wootty-footy-mile or follow them on Twitter@WoottyFootyM ile and Facebook: Wootty’s Footy Mile

These courses are available to anyone in the Wigan Borough who feel that this would help them improve their life style and make a positive contribution to the Community. There is no cost, no entry requirements and we are hoping that future courses will be shaped by the people taking part. If you would like to enrol call 01942 236953 and ask for an enrolment form or call in the Brick in Hallgate up to March 31st and in Rowbottom Square from April 1st.

Add some Egg-citement to your Easter! You don’t often see the words ‘Messy’ and ‘Church’ together, but this is all about to change in Standish when Standish Methodist Church launches its first Messy Church with Egg-cellent Easter theme. Everyone is welcome to come along and join in the fun. Standish Methodist’s Easter Messy Church consists of:• An informal welcometime with drinks and snacks whilst the children can hunt for Easter Eggs • A creative time, with a range of Easter crafts, games and activities. • A short 15 minute celebration time, with songs and a story. • A meal together for everyone. (Yummy homemade cakes and no cooking washing up to do.

Easter Messy Church is on Sunday 17th March from 4-6 p.m. at Standish Methodist Church, High Street, Standish - Simply come along. All welcome! If you need any more information please telephone Tracey on 07938 235769 or email familynetwork@outlook.co.uk

Proposed new food store

MAZE Planning Solutions has set out proposals for the future of The C h a d w i c k Family’s land and property on High Street, Standish.

The area is to be redeveloped to provide a new food store on the edge of the town centre, providing a significant boost to the town’s retail facilities. Before any formal planning application is made, MAZE Planning Solutions is conducting a period of public consultation. The proposed

Courier

development team will comprise of a purpose built food store, fronting High Street, providing a building of 2,330 sq.m gross floor space (25,028 sq.ft), together with parking for 150 cars and a new access junction on to HIgh Street, replacing all existing buildings and access arrangements. Andrew Watt of MAZE Planning Solutions, said: “The family’s forward looking proposals will crete a modern retail business that will give the residents of Standish and the surrounding rural communities a great opportunity to carry out their day-to-day shopping locally. “We’ve been in

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discussion with officers of Wigan Council about the future of Chadwick’s site for several months, to make sure the scale and design of the proposed food store are right for the town and its Conservation Area.” The Public Consultation Initiative will run until Friday March 22nd at 5pm. There will be an open day held at Standish Methodist Church, High Street, on March 19th, where the development team will exlpain the scheme and answer questions. For information visit www.mazeplanning.blog spot.co.uk

Ofsted Learning and Skills report praises Borough

STAFF FROM adult education services across Wigan Borough are celebrating after the latest report by Ofsted has declared their provision to be ‘good’.

The report, published earlier this week, follows a full inspection in January by Ofsted, the office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills. The Ofsted inspectors looked at all areas of the service including apprentices, adult skills qualifications, community learning and programmes for 16- to 18-year-old learners, and assessed the quality of teaching, learning and assessment across these areas. Staff were highlighted in the report, and were described as: “well qualified, very experienced, enthusiastic, dedicated and passionate about the work they do. They support learners exceedingly well to help them achieve.” Praise was also given to the way the Council works with a variety of partner organisations, stating: “The range of provision based in schools and within other partners’ premises is extensive and meets the learners’ needs very well. Partners work extremely well to

promote learning.” Leader of the Council, Lord Peter Smith, said: “I am delighted that the work we have been doing across the Borough has been formally recognised by Ofsted. Our adult learners can be confident that they are receiving a service that will continue to improve and build on this success. “I hope that more people will access these services and benefit from what we can offer them.” Wigan Council Head of Service for Information, Advice, Learning and Skills, Carol Halford, added: “This result is even more satisfying given Ofsted’s revised, more rigorous, inspection framework. “We identified what service the residents of Wigan Borough needed and worked with partners to respond to this. We deliver around 75 per cent of our service out in the community and this has been very successful. We will continue to strive to improve and become ‘outstanding’, Ofsted’s highest rating, and will be acting upon the recommendations made by Ofsted in order to achieve this.” The ‘good’ rating awarded by Ofsted shows an improvement on the previous inspection in 2009, when the service was deemed ‘satisfactory’. The full report is available on the Ofsted website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Club

Corner

Crazy golf open for Easter

THE beginning of the Easter holidays will see the re-opening of the crazy golf at Haigh Country Park, thanks to a local community group. of Haigh Friends Country Park (FOHCP) have been cleaned up the crazy golf are at Haigh Country Park and are now waiting for the return of the obstacles,

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which are being renovated by apprentices at ProCo. The reopening of the crazy golf will take place during the weekend before easter, which coincides with the school holidays. On Easter Sunday, there will be an Easter market in The Stables complex, with various stalls and activities including Easter egg painting competition, a tombola and a raffle.

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Why not come along to St.Teresa’s Hall in College Road, Upholland, WN8 OBY on a Monday evening? The hall is beautifully warm and inviting and Wigan Thistle Society members doing their “work outs” offer a happy and friendly

welcome for you to come in and join them. Movement on the floor is lively but varied to meet the needs of everyone and every now and then there are bursts of laughter and comfortable chatter. Half way through the evening there’s a cup of

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tea/coffee/soft drink and biscuits- if you’re not calorie counting- or the bar is open all evening for you to pop in if you wish. What are they all doing? Why Scottish Country Dancing of course. The movement of the dancing keeps you physically fit and the working out of the patterns helps to keep you mentally fit as well. But the laughter when it all falls apart is the best bit of all. Why don’t you come and join us? You’ll soon loose those extra inces but gain lots of friends at the same time. Just bring some comfortable shoes to dance in. At 7.30pm Margaret our dance teacher will put you at your ease as she teaches the basic steps and formations and at 8.15pm we join the main group and enjoy sharing the dancing with them. You don’t need a partner, but you are welcome to bring lots of friends. Everyone’s welcome. It’s free the first week. If you’re happy to come back, it costs £2 a week. For further information call 01942 861539 or just turn up on the night.

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WI celebrates birthday By Anne Foley

THIS MONTH we celebrated our annual Womens’ Institute birthday party with delicious savouries and sweet dishes brought by members.

The theme of the party was to dress in something sparkly. Yes we all sparkled.

The evening was made up of fun and games, which were enjoyed by eveyone. Our walking group also had a trip to Bank Hall, Bretherton, where they toured the grounds, as you can see in the picture Our next meeting is on Wednesday April 10th at 7.30pm at Appley Bridge Village Hall, Appley Lane North. New members are most welcome.

Brigade hosts gameshow night

ST. WILFRID’S Church Lads’ and Church Girls’ Brigade are hosting a Game Show-themed evening, in April.

For a night of fun, games, quizes and to compete in your favourite TV game shows get down to the Labour Club on Friday April 19th at 7.30pm.

Tickets cost £5 adults and £3 children, including a hot pot supper (vegeterian option available on request) and hot dog for children. For ticket and further information call 07725 472589

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Shevington WI

MEMBERS of Shevington WI enjoyed an entertaining talk at their February meeting when the speaker, Neil Smith, spoke about his experiences in Russia.

The next meeting will be at 7.30pm on Wednesday March 27 at Shevington Methodist Church Hall, Gathurst Lane, Shevington.

Meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every month and women of any age are welcome. If you are interested please do come to a meeting and learn more or telephone President, Sylvia McHugh on 01257 401963.

Standish to hold its first meeting

MORE THAN 40 people attended Standish WI’s preliminary meeting.

The first meeting of Standish WI will take place on Thursday March 14th at St Wilfrid’s Parish Hall, Standish, starting at 7pm. Diana Stray has agreed to be the group’s first President.

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Soroptimist International of Wigan are inspiring action and transforming lives

By Hannah Smith

WOMEN of Soroptimist International of Wigan are uniting the world with their good will.

Established in 1941, Soroptimist International of Wigan work locally, nationally and internationally to raise funds for charities. Wigan group is part of the South Lancashire Region, which is in the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland – one of the four Federations throughout the world. With more than 90,000 members spread over 3,000 clubs in 213 countries, the organisation draws women, of all ages cultures and ethnic groups together to provide services, mainly towards women and girls. The 3,000 club across the world focus on five main objectives: to maintain high ethical standards in Business, the Professions and other aspects of life, to strive for Human Rights for all people and, in particular,

to advance the status of women, to develop a spirit of friendship and unity among Soroptimists of all countries, to quicken the spirit of service and Human understanding, and to contribute to International and understanding universal friendship. The group are following their mantra: women inspiring action, transforming lives, as fundraise for they various charities. are Members supporting local homeless charity, The Brick by donating food and toiletries throughout the year, as well as DIAS, a dedicated counselling service for children between the ages of five and 15 who have witnessed domestic abuse. Immediate pastpresident, Pauline Makin, said: “It’s very satisfying to see what our support has done for different charities across the world. “During my presidential year I went to a conference in Brighton, where members from all over

the world came. It was fantastic to see so many women from all cultures in one room- I will never forget that day.” During their meeting nights, held once every month, members are joined by guest speakers. Later this year the group will host its annual ball at the DW Stadium for Wigan & Leigh Hospice. BBC North West reporter, Dave Guest will MC the event, and with support from local companies, the event looks set to be a roaring success. Ball co-ordinator and committee member, Joan Pye, said: “ We have had a lot of support from DW Stadium who supports us very well. The Ball is always one of the big events in our calendar.”

For the past 70 years the hard working women of the group have united the female population and, along with the support of more than 3,000 clubs, are continuing to help females across the borough, the region, the country and the world.

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01257 422 899

www.standishservicestation.co.uk

We have the office of fair trading code of practice and are a member of the Wigan Trading Standards giving the customer complete peace of mind.

Don’t miss out on a Free Boiler

MP Gas Care is working alongside the Green Deal Consortia to provide homes in Wigan with affordable warmth under the Government’s new ECO scheme and in particular the installation of free boilers.

Mike Penman, managing director of MP Gas Care explains: “The Energy Companies Obligation (ECO) was introduced in January 2013 to reduce the UK’s energy consumption and support people who are struggling to pay their heating bills.

“Part of ECO is the ‘Affordable Warmth

Obligation’ which provides heating and insulation measures to home owners that receive particular means-tested benefits. This obligation in particular supports pensioners and low income families.” “As an approved ‘Affordable Warmth’ installer we can discuss with you whether you will qualify for a free boiler and then sort out the installation for you. If you are in receipt of one of the following benefits you may indeed qualify so give us a call.” • Pension Credit • Child Tax Credit (and your income is £15,860 or less) • Working Tax Credit (and your income is £15,860 or less) • Income Support • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance • The support or work related element of incomerelated Employment and Support Allowance Call MP Gas Care on 01942 865648 or visit www.mpgascareltd.co.uk

Imagine Courier

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Church Chatter... New Bishop of Blackburn announced

A complete start to finish Kitchen and Bathroom service

YOU really have to see Imagine Kitchens and bathrooms to believe it! Billy and his team provide their customers with high quality, bespoke services from designing to installing the finest kitchens and bathrooms in the area. Here at Imagine Kitchens & Bathrooms we have built up a great reputation in assisting families and homes with a friendly, reliable and very honest service to give them that new perfect room whether it be a kitchen or a bathroom that they are looking for to complete their home. Our service is a start to finish professional and personally overseen procedure were everything need to refurbish your kitchen or bathroom is done by our fully qualified tradesmen. Whether it be tiling, plastering, electrics, plumbing, decorating or putting that final touch to complete the room - we are here to make it happen. If you’re looking for a new bathroom you’ve come to the right place. At Imagine Kitchens and bathrooms we pride ourselves in offering a huge range of quality, affordable bathroom products in a variety of styles.

Whatever your requirements you’re sure to find what you are looking for, from designer suites and stunning freestanding baths through to quality shower enclosures, taps and accessories. As customers of Imagine know, the company caters for all tastes incorporating modern and contemporary to traditional and practical but far more importantly they always focus on the quality of the product and installation. There is a wealth of exquisite stock to view and all kitchens and bathrooms are made to order and built by cabinet makers, no mass production here! The kitchen or bathroom of your dreams is available under one roof, all it takes is a no fuss 30 minute home survey with none of the pressure of the hard sell tactics. We are open 6 days a week for customers convenience to take a peak and to obtain some styles and ideas. For further information on our services visit our webiste www.imaginekitchenswigan.com Book a FREE design appointment call Billy on 01257 403003 or Mobile: 07835 639759.

Thanks for all you helpful advice & guidence Thanks for a job very well done on time by excellent craftsmen who were pleasent efficient and very tidy. Will use again in the next house Thanks again Ann & Keith Middleton"

Thanks for my lovely Kitchen you designed for me. The installation by the various tradsmen you sent was spot on . I am now waiting for the decorator to come Thanks so much and have a drink on me."

Dont just take our word for it, Imagine Kitchens and Bathrooms, Wigan really do go the extra mile for all of our customers. Here are just some of our satisfied customer comments.

Thankyou very Much From Alan and Margaret Sharples A lovely Job" You did a fantastic job All the best Mr and Mrs Heath"

Thank you for revamping my old kitchen, we are very pleased with the finished product and have had quiet a few compliments. Also thankyou very much to mike who did an excellent job in fitting the kitchen. Best wishes for the future and would recommend you to everyone. Peter and Marian

Quality kitchens and bathrooms at realistic prices

THE VENERABLE Julian Henderson, currently Archdeacon of Dorking, will be the new Bishop of Blackburn.

The decision, made by the Crown Nominations Committee (CNC), sent the Archdeacon’s name to the Prime Minister at the end of January and then to Her Majesty The Queen, in her role as head of state and Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

The Queen recently gave her final approval and ratification. Venerable Julian Henderson (pictured right) was officially name Bishop of Blackburn and made his first public appearance at the Blackburn Foodbank. He then made his first visit to nearby Blackburn Cathedral where he met with the Dean of Blackburn Cathedral, The Very Rev Christopher Armstrong, staff from the Diocese offices in neighbouring Church House and cathedral workers. He then made a private visit to Whalley Abbey where he met with senior Diocese clergy and senior Diocese staff. The Venerable Julian Henderson commented: “To find that I am the person invited to become the next Bishop of Blackburn is extremely humbling. It is an

honour to be entrusted with such an important and significant responsibility. “Heather and I come to the diocese in response to a call from God through His church to serve both His people and the whole wider community in Lancashire. And we do so joyfully with a real sense of expectation and excitement.”

Easter Holiday Bible Club at Jireh Baptist JIREH Baptist Methodist Church , Orrell, are holding an Easter Holiday Club during the Easter holidays.

The club, Xpedition Force, will use provide crafts, games and stories for children to learn about Jesus. Xpedition Force will meet at Jireh Baptist Church,

Chapel Street, Orrell, on Tuesday 2nd to Thursday 4th April from 6pm to 8pm and is open to infant and junior school children. A Parents’ evening will take place on Friday April 5th from 7pm, where the children show their parents what they have learnt. The club costs 50p per child each day or for tow or more children from the same family £1 per day.

e W t EW a N er b f of

w no

m oo hr s

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St. Andrew’s Social Committee keep on raising

ST ANDREW’S Church Social Committee Quiz Night was a fantastic success, raising more than £130 for the church.

The committee gave £100 to St. Andrew’s Church funds and the rest went into the Social Committee Funds towards preparation for the next event.

The Easter Story in Song

THE story of Easter will be told in song and words when the Bethel Choir performs its Cantata “Cradle to Cross” on Good Friday.

The Cantata will take place at Bethel Independent Methodist Church, commencing at 7.30pm on 29th March.

Harold Heath from Cave-Browne Evangelical Church will be Chairman for the evening, and everyone is assured a warm welcome and a tremendous evening. There is no charge for this event. For further details, ring Brian on 01942 605805

What’s on in Lent?

THE WHAT group of local churches, in Wrightington, Heskin, Appley Bridge and Tunley, have been working together to share a series of Ecumenical Services for Lent.

The theme of the service is “The Journey to the Cross.” The last service will take place on Friday 22nd March at 7.30pm at St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, Crow Orchard Road, Wrightington, WN6 9PA, with a focus on ‘The Stations of the Cross’.

Messy Church

ST LUKE’S Church, Orrell, will be holding a Messy Church event on Friday March 15th from 4.30pm6.30pm in the Church Hall, Lodge Road, Orrell.

Learn about the Christian faith through crafts, celebrate in worship and share a meal. Everyone is welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult. For further details phone 01695 623 410 or email st.luke.orrell@btinternet.com

Healing service at Aspull Methodist

ASPULL Methodist Church is holding a healing service on Sunday March 24th from 6pm.

During previous healing services at the church, a young man who suffered from muscular dystrophy is no longer in a wheelchair and is working for himself. For further information please contact Simon and Joyce Hollingum on 01204 419025

The winners were the M & Ms. St. Andrew’s Social Committee team ‘Gray and his Girls‘ came second after a tie breaker. Committee members prepared a plated buffet and home-made cakes,which were included in the ticket price of £2. The next event will be a Beetle Drive on April 22nd at 7pm at St. Andrew’s Parish Centre,120 Woodhouse Lane, Springfield, Wigan WN6 7LZ. Cost will be £2 per adult and £1 per child, payable on the door. Children must be

accompanied by an adult. Light refreshments will be provided. February’s Charity Coffee morning, also organised by the social committee, raised £191 for Myasthenia Gravis Association. Stephen, a good friend of many of the social committee members and St. Andrew’s Church, brought badges, book marks and keyrings bearing the logo and leaflets with information about the illness. Members provided chocolate tombola, raffle, hand-made cards and cakes and served breakfast. Committee member, Joan James provided two excellent raffle prizes of a meal voucher for two at the Raj restaurant Springfield corner (donated by them) and a huge cleaning hamper.

Family Fun and Frolics in February

Trinity church presents, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

MEMBERS of Trinity URC have been busily working together to produce Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Preparations have been underway since October and the show, which takes place on March 22nd and 23rd, is rapidly approaching. The show tells the bible story of Joseph by a variety of songs which

help to bring it to life in an exciting and vibrant way. Unfortunately the performance on Friday 22 March (7.30pm) is sold out due to popular demand, but there are still tickets remaining for Saturday 23 March (3pm and 7.30pm). If you would like book tickets please contact Bob Inglis on 01942 246305. The church is also holding an event, Journey to Easter, which will take place through holy week. Visitors will have the chance to visually and physically understand the Easter story by journeying through a maze set up by members of the church.

Refreshments will be on offer and all ages are welcome drop in. If you would like to come and enjoy this exciting new experience then drop in at Trinity URC, Milton Grove, Wigan, on any of these days. Monday March 25th from 2pm4pm Tuesday March 26th from 7pm9pm Wednesday March 27th from 10am- 12midday Thursday March 28th from 2pm4pm Friday March 29th from 10am12midday

Rotary Club of Wigan

Are you a Wigan based community group looking for financial help for a project or event? Why not enter

WIGAN ROTARY CLUB’S ‘DRAGONS DEN’ For full details and application form contact: www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk or Telephone:- 07813 471000

February has been a fun time for families at All Saints’ Appley Bridge. The monthly 9.15 am family time service is now two years-old, so February’s service was party time. Games, cakes and balloons were enjoyed by all at this well at this family fun worship party.

A special new style family communion service was also trialled in February, with people of all ages worshipping together. The service included children’s activities and Holy Communion. The usual c o n g r e g a t i o n particularly enjoyed seeing some of the

action worship songs which

the

children

normally use in their school assemblies. There

are plans to develop this monthly service for all ages.

Sunday

March

17th All Saints’ Church

will be saying goodbye to Rev. David Banbury

who has been working at the

church

for

work as a missioner for the

Diocese

Following the success of the last few years, local groups based in postcode areas WN1, WN3, WN5, WN6 are invited to submit their request. Following initial consideration those groups selected will be invited to put their case to ‘the dragons’ in a three minute presentation. Wigan Rotary Club President Venk Mani said “In these difficult times when we are all having to tighten our belts, I am sure there are local groups in the Wigan area who could really use a donation of a few hundred pounds to help them with a project or event they wish to

Blackburn. The church

congregation will miss

his

humour

and

innovative style. Rev.

David and his wife Kathy have made a big contribution

the

church and everyone

Good causes pitch for Rotary Club donations

WIGAN Rotary Club is again looking to donate cash to local community groups with a ‘Dragons Den’ style event.

months, alongside his

wishes them well for the future.

undertake. Last year twelve groups were successful, but the dragons unfortunately had to decline several applications.’ Bids of up to £500 can be considered and Venk continued ‘ We don’t expect the presentation to come from a person trained in public speaking, we want to hear from members of the group who are looking for the money. Last years groups ranging from Over 60’s to mother and toddler entered ‘the den’ and came away with a donation.’ Full details and an application form are available either by going to the website www.wiganrotaryclub.org.uk or by ringing 07813 471000. The closing date for entries is 20th April

Plans for Fete underway

Courier

By Ted Unwin

ANOTHER MEETING of the Shevington Fete organising committee took place on last month.

Key items reported and discussed were as follows: Significant expenditure is needed to run the Fete – venue hire, public liability insurance, purchase or hire of equipment, are just a few examples. Several potential sources of funding and of sponsorship have been identified and are being explored. Loan of a marquee has been secured from the landlord of the Crooke Hall Inn. The help of a Crooke businessman with the Fete is a splendid example of “community involvement.” The committee greatly appreciates this offer! Live music will be performed in the marquee. We are hoping to have new local performers as well as inviting back last year’s acts. Stall-holders have already begun to enquire about booking pitches for Fete 2013. The committee is making use of “social media” sites, as well as the press outlets, to advertise the event. Would-be participants can obtain more information from the contact points listed at the end of this piece. We will again be organising children’s races (hugely popular last

New opening times for Borough’s libraries

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year), and have raised some ideas which should help to improve the adults’sports events. The children’s fairground rides have been booked. All venues have had their “themes” allocated. For example, this year, the Flower and Vegetable Show will be presented in the Youth and Community Centre. The Craft Fair will remain in St. Anne’s Parish Rooms. Stalls will again line the recreation ground footpath, and additionally, some will be located in front of the Methodist Church. This arrangement, it is hoped, will facilitate better “circulation” of visitors around the site. There will be heritage and other displays in the Methodist Church complex. There is much detail and some major elements still to be planned and organised. The committee is always happy to accept extra hands. If you feel that you can contribute in any way, then please get in touch. The next committee meeting will take place on Tuesday March 19th, at 7pm in the lounge of Shevington Methodist Church.

New charity shops opens supporting local children

RING a Rainbow is a new charity which supports children up to the age of 16, living within a 10 mile radius of the new Standish charity shop.

It is the idea of Angela Miller who lives locally and is supported by her family and friends most of whom live locally. “I couldn’t have done it without the help and support of my fantastic family and great friends” admits Angela, “my mum and dad have been brilliant and worked so hard to get the shop up and running”. The first Ring a Rainbow charity shop opened on 14th February 2013 on High Street, Standish.

Angela said:“Ring a Rainbow has been set up to benefit local children in need of help in any way whether they need surgery, after care, clothes, books etc. No cause will be too small or too large for us to help in some way and every cause will be considered by the charity committee. Our intention is that

the charity becomes a part of the local community and organises local events

for children and their families to have fun”.

The charity shop welcomes your

donations of clothes, shoes, bags, jewellery, bedding, curtains, ornaments,

pottery, glasses, bric a brac, pictures, mirrors, books, cds, dvds, toys, games,

small items of furniture. They will also

collect your donations if you are unable get to the shop.

Volunteers are also needed. Please ask

at the shop for details.

The charity shop is organising an

Easter

colouring

and

drawing

competition starting 19th March 2013,

so call in and collect your entry details. For any details contact Angela on

07936

005634,

email:

ringarainbow@yahoo.co.uk or call into the shop 4b High Street, Standish, WN6 0HL (next to Royal Bank of Scotland)

THE OPENING hours in many of the borough’s libraries are set to change from Tuesday 2 April.

In 2011 Wigan Council, and its partners WLCT, set about remodelling and redefining the borough’s library service to ensure a quality, modern service for residents and to meet the financial challenges faced in these economically tough times.

As part of this review, opening hours will now be standardised across each of the three new types of libraries Central, Local and Express. Work undertaken as part of the next chapter has already included colocating services in library buildings, relocating libraries to other buildings and introducing self-service which has contributed more than £1.4m to the £76m Wigan Council are required to make in savings by central government by 2015. To properly inform the

best opening hours to adopt, WLCT has researched extensively and - as part of the Consultation - sought people’s views to identify those periods when our libraries are most and least well used. Visit your library to find out the new opening times or visit www.wlct.org/libraries Wigan Library: Mon 09:00-17:00 Tues 10:00-17:00 Wed 09:00-17:00 Thurs 09:00-19:00 09:00-17:00 Fri Sat 10:00-16:00 Sun Closed Standish Library: Mon 10:00-17:00 Tues 10:00-17:00 Wed Closed Thurs 10:00-19:00 10:00-17:00 Fri Sat 10:00-14:00 Sun Closed Shevington Library: Mon 10:00-14:00 Tues 13:00-17:00 Wed 13:00-17:00 Thurs Closed Fri 10:00-17:00 Sat Closed Sun Closed

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News from The House Courier

Helping Rotary to Rid the World of Polio

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with Makerfield MP Yvonne Fovargue

WIGAN ROTARY Club has been raising funds for the ongoing fight against polio, as part of a campaign led by Rotary International.

“Bedroom Tax will hurt vulnerable most”

IMAGINE a government so incompetent that it designed a tax that hit soldiers but not prisoners; or a Department so useless it punished foster parents for the crime of giving a home to a child in need.

Imagine ministers so out of touch they had to be told by others their plans hurt tens of thousands of pensioners - because they didn’t know. Welcome to today’s Department for Work and Pensions. From the crack team that gave us a Work Programme that is officially worse than doing nothing, we now have a Bedroom Tax that I suspect may cost more than it saves. I support sensible welfare reform but the bedroom tax is crazy. Ministers claim they are trying to solve under-occupancy but David Cameron and Iain Duncan Smith have been forced to admit that it is impossible for their plans to work because there aren’t enough smaller homes for families to move to. It is in black and white in their own impact assessment – they know this policy won’t work. So all the Bedroom

Tax will achieve is making some of the poorest and most vulnerable people in society event poorer. Two thirds of these families, by the way, are home to someone with a disability and the National Housing Federation say 200,000 are receiving Disability Living Allowance. The scheme is now so chaotic it could actually end up costing more than it saves in many parts of the country. If families are made homeless or pushed expensive private rented into accommodation the tax payer could actually be left with a higher bill – and still the problem of under occupancy will not be solved. The tragedy is this government’s plans won’t even succeed on their own terms. Everyone agrees the welfare bill needs to come down, but the best way to bring down the benefits bill is to get people into jobs. Britain needs real welfare reform that is tough, fair and that works not more chaos and confusion from this government. The Bedroom Tax is now in total disarray. Ministers must now admit they have got this horribly wrong and think again – before it’s too late.

WIGAN SPORTS CLUB Ideal for Wedding Receptions Parties, Christenings & Funerals provide your own buffet or use our facilities

Contact Judith

01942 241581 or 07751 021883 WIGAN SPORTS CLUB, BULL HEY, PARSONS WALK, WIGAN

The club, along with local schoolchildren, thanks to the co-operation of their head teachers, have supported this campaign by buying purple crocus lapel or buttonhole badges for £1. For each £1 donated, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation give an additional £1.78. The cost of the vaccine to immunise one child is just 50 pence, so each crocus sold will save more than five lives. Five Primary Schools across the local area, including, Woodfield in Wigan, Woodfold and St. Wilfrid’s in Standish, and Our Lady’s RC Aspull and Aspull Church School, helped the campaign. Rotary Past Presidents joined the children at their schools to present them with a certificate in acknowledgement of their fund raising efforts. When Rotary began its PolioPlus Programme of immunisation in 1985, people in 125 countries were suffering from the crippling effects of this deadly disease.There are now only three.The aim is to eradicate this disease completely. Wigan Rotary President Venk Mani would like to say a big thank you to everyone in Wigan who helped Rotary to pursue its ultimate goal, to End Polio Now. Photographs show pupils of Woodfold School, Standish, and Woodfield School, Wigan, with Wigan Rotary Club members, with their certificate for their fundraising efforts.

Wigan Council: Investing in our future

HUNDREDS of people will be helped into work thanks to a £2m package of measures announced by Wigan Council. Long-term jobseekers and young people will benefit from a series of schemes designed to find them work.

Lord Peter Smith announced that money from the council’s reserves will pay for a new apprenticeship scheme, a programme giving young people work within the council and a support team to focus on people aged between 25 and 50 get jobs who struggling to find jobs. Together the schemes will cost almost £2m but Lord Smith warned the recurring cost of not helping people into work would be even higher. The money to pay for the schemes will come from reserves – the money the council sets aside every year. Despite the council’s challenging financial position,

with funding from central government significantly reduced, careful management and planning has meant such one-off investments are still possible for priority projects. Lord Peter Smith said: “At a time when local government funds are being stretched to their limit, we will do our best to make sure everyone from this borough who wants to earn a living has a fighting chance to flourish.” The council will recruit at least 20 apprentices over the next 12 months. This will build on the success of the current apprenticeship scheme, which was launched in October 2012 and saw 20 young people securing positions within the council. In addition, three graduate level apprentices will be taken on. Together, this will cost around £750,000. A further £1m will be spent over the next three years giving around 30 people jobs at the council’s new super depot and its

catering arm Metrofresh. These jobs will be open to young people who are not in work, education or training. And around £370,000 will be used over the next year to securing 400 jobs for people aged 25 to 50. Lord Peter Smith said: “High numbers of people aged 25 and over are struggling to get work in our borough and this is becoming an increasing problem. “We want people to get the support they deserve to get back into work. It’s vital for the economy and for the well-being of individuals in this age group who are often made to feel like a forgotten statistic. It also helps to reduce the number of people reliant on the state for support.” It’s hoped this new initiative will be launched within the next few months. For more information visit www.wigan.gov.uk or www.yourcounciljob.co.uk

Easter at Museum of Wigan Life

MUSEUM of Wigan Life are holding Easter events throughout the school Holidays. Animal Fun Easter Activities will take place at the Museum of Wigan Life on Tuesday 26 March, Thursday 28 March, Tuesday 2nd April and Thursday 4th April. All sessions start at 1pm – 2.30pm. £2.50 per session. Make it, Spin it, Can it, exhibition is

also taking place at the Museum throughout Easter and summer. The

exhibition

celebrates

the

Borough’s past achievements, but also looks at the present.

Opening times: Monday, Tuesday,

Friday

10am-5pm,

Wednesday

closed, Saturday 11am- 3pm. Free Admission

History events in Wigan Borough

MARCH & April history events in Wigan Borough: Family History Workshop

Monday 18 March, Monday 8, 15 & 22 April 2013, 1pm – 2.30pm Leigh Local Studies, Turnpike Centre £5, booking essential Telling Tales – An Oral History Project Monday 20 March 2013, 1.30pm – 4pm

Derby Room, Turnpike Centre “Carry On Cleaning” @ Wigan Archives Wednesday 27 March & 24 April 2013, 10am – 3pm Wigan Archives Service, Leigh Town Hall, Free Handmade Books Workshop for Adults Saturday 30 March 2013, 10.00am 3.00pm Gallery Studio, Turnpike Centre, £20

Young people raise funds for charity

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Courier

By Hannah Smith

KIDZ 4 KIDZ Charity Productions does exactly what it says on the tin- it’s a production group run by young people for young people, all in aid of charity. Kidz 4 Kidz Productions is for young people age 6-18 years-old, and meet every Sunday from 3pm-5pm. Members play games, rehearse plays and write scripts.

Members of Kidz 4 Kidz Charity Produtions with helpers Jilly, Abby and Rachel

A View From Westminster... Wigan MP Lisa Nandy writes for the Courier

Debts agencies wrong to make profits out of people’s misfortune

LAST week I was out campaigning in Wigan town centre to raise p e o p l e ’ s awareness of the pitfalls of the pay day loans industry. We are lucky that in Wigan we have credit unions like Welcome and Unify, and I spent Saturday talking to local people about the help available for those struggling with debt.

It was great that more than 500 people signed our petition in the town centre to get the Government to cap the cost of credit. While they signed up, some told us heartbreaking stories of family, friends and neighbours who had got into serious difficulties with pay day lenders. It was heartening to hear how determined they were to prevent the same thing happening to others. The payday loan companies need regulation. The Financial Ombudsman receives 50 complaints a month and the majority of cases are found in the public’s favour. According to a new report released last Wednesday, the number of complaints are rising sharply. In just nine months last year the Ombudsman received more than it did during the whole of the previous year.

Quite often people

who’ve taken out loans

don’t know they can make a complaint, and many

are

In 2007, the group performed their first pantomime and since then the group has gone from strength to strength, performing a further four pantomimes as well as other shows and concerts. The group also have special meetings, including Pirate Day, Poppy Day, as well as learning different languages, sign language and bullying. Members have also watched various pantomimes, visited parks and festivals and hold an annual Christmas party and awards ceremony. All money raised from the productions go to different charities. Kidz 4 Kidz members said: “It is great coming here. We make new friends and play games, like Wink Murder. We all enjoyed doing our last production, A Park Life.”

need

Government action to cap the total rate of interest

that

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unions,

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who offer low cost credit,

turning

instead to

money

lenders who charge

excessive

rates

interest. It was great to see so many Wiganers

who feel the same backing the campaign.

Together, we can stop these legal loansharks.

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role in debunking the myths about our young people." Sue Loudon, cabinet lead for Chirdren and young people, also praised the group. She said: “I have known Jilly and the Kidz 4 Kidz Members for a number of years now, and I am constantly impressed with the talent they have, and the work they carry out to support other people. They collectively and individual are a credit to their schools, families, and to the Borough. “To often young people are seen as a ‘problem’ within our community and it is not the case; most young people are excellent citizens and do more for their communities and charities than the ‘average’ adult in society.” But there is no one prouder than Jilly than her mum, Jackie. She commented: “ I’m immensely proud of Jilly, she has helped so many children as well as charities. Some children come here very shy and lack in confidence but as soon as they join here they become much more confident and its fantastic to see. “Jilly is very inspiring and is great with the kids. All this is down to her.” For further information on Kidz 4 Kidz Productions call Jilly or Jackie on 01942 731891 or visit www.freewebs.com/kidzcharity

TAKE OUR ADVISE AND SLEEP ON IT

ashamed about being in

help.

Founder and producer of the group, Jilly McKiernan, started to raise money for children‘s charities at the age of two when her mum, Jackie, took her to a sponsored toddle and told Jilly she was doing it to get pennies for poor children. Jilly caught onto the idea and every few weeks, after that, she would visit family and friends collecting for the poor children. In total, Jilly has raised more than £10,000 for various charities! It isn’t surprising that she has been awarded so many accolades for her commitment, dedication and hard work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from Wire FM, a Local Heroes Young Achiever awards and two Wish Kids awards from Wish FM. Jilly said: “I love the group to bits. It’s just in my nature to fundraise. My mum has done a lot of charity work so I have just got it from there. I think it is so important for young people to have a safe place to go and have fun, as well as raise money for charities.” The hard work of Jilly and members of Kidz 4 Kidz group has not gone unnoticed by the community. Ashton-in-Makerfield Mp, Yvonne Fovargue, said: “Jilly is an amazing personality who gives of her time to benefit many local children. She is an inspirational character and is playing a really important

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The dream becomes a success- 30 years of Wigan & leigh Hospice

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We are all very proud to support the Wigan and Leigh Hospice in it’s 30th Year

CHEETHAMS COAL We are very happy to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Unit 22-23 Bradley Hall Trading Estate, Bradley Lane, Standish 01257 427008

VINCENT & CO Conveyancing Family Law Landlord and Tenant Wills and Probate

We are proud to support

Wigan and Leigh Hospice

24 High Street, Standish WN6 0HL Tel: 01257 425121

Standish Community Centre are proud to support the Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Moody Street, off Church Street, Standish, Wigan WN6 0JT Tel: 01257 421048

Room available for functions for all occasions Please call or ring for details

We are proud to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

First Floor, 15 Beecham Court, Wigan, Lancashire, WN3 6PR

Tel: 01942 403600 Fax: 01942 403642 www.alkerinsurance.co.uk

Northern Engineering Services Ltd

Unit 12B Bradley Hall Trading Estate, Bradley Lane, Standish WN6 0XQ. Tel: 01257 425 687

We are proud to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Standish Dry Cleaners Specialist Dry Cleaners • Sewing alterations & repairs • Shoe and boot repairs

13 Preston Road, Standish

01257 427126

The Hospice Centre,which opened its doors in 1996

THIRTY-FIVE YEARS ago one man had a vision, now 30 years later his vision and flourished and has become an essential part of Wigan Borough- Wigan and Leigh Hospice.

The tale of Wigan & Leigh Hospice starts in 1977 when, Shevington GP, Dr Surman recognised a trend in distressing deaths and so wanted a team of night sitters might bring comfort to people in terminal distress.

Taking his idea to Wigan Rotary Club, Dr Surman told members that he wanted to create a Hospice“a place where the terminally ill, who have passed beyond the stage of curative treatment, can find peace and tranquility from their surroundings and alleviation from the pain which their illness creates.” Thanks to his efforts, a steering committee was formed and 450 people attended the inaugural meeting. The Chairman of the Committee, Mayor of Wigan, said: “We are now at the beginning of a long road, which, though we shall certainly achieve our aims, will be marked with difficulties, as well as enthusiasm and at times appear disheartening, but we have begun, and we will go forward, and we shall succeed.” Community spirit and fundraising was rife, and thanks to the goodwill of local residents and businesses, in March 1980 the funds stood at £60,000, allowing the committee to negotiated with the Church Army Housing for the sale of St. James’ with St. Thomas’ Vicarage, Poolstock. And on August 1st 1983, members of the community saw what their efforts had achieve, when the Hospice opened its doors for the first time. After travelling that long road, Dr Surman’s vision now became a reality. Housing five beds, the Hospice provided treatment for terminally ill local residents, and in 1984 the Hospice created 10 more beds. The Hospice’s demand grew and

so did its services. The need for a Day Care Centre was much needed and in December 1987 opened for the public. The first Hospice shops also opened their doors for the first time on Ashton and Leigh and later two more shops opened in Hindley and Newtown. Although the Hospice services continued to grow, with the opening of four shops and establishment of a Education Committee, the cost of running the Hospice also increased, costing £494,000 a year to run. And its service was to grow

Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Hospice Alan Baron with volunteers at the centre in Hindley further when the decision to build a new building was made. A site at the centre of the Borough was identified in Hindley and a build of the new Hospice was established. 1996 saw the end of an era as the new building in the centre of Hindley opened, but it was certainly the start of a new one... With the start of the new decade, so did the did start of a new millennium. During the decade saw the establishment of a new art project, commissioned by Gerald Rickets, was opened by Sir Ian McKellen, the 20th anniversary of the Hospice, and the Hospice’s most ambitious fundraising event to date- The Proms in the Park event at Haydock Racecourse. An annex was built onto the Hospice building, opened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Gloucester. The Hospice was also

We are proud to support

Wigan & Leigh Hospice in 2013

The biggest and most ambitious fundraising event to date- Proms in the Park at Haydock Racecourse

awarded a grant from the Department of Health to develop their in-patient facilities, and create a Creative Therapy area within day Hospice. Palliative Care Nurses started to provide seven days a week community care, and an outof-hours phone services was set up. Wigan & Leigh Hospice is now a flagship hospice in the UK and is well respected within the hospice movement and it isn’t hard to see why. A recent CQC (Care Quality Commission) inspection found the hospice to achieve an excellent rating across all areas. Some of the comments included that the hospice made visitors welcome at all times, staff and volunteers were in attendance at all times to meet people’s needs and this was conducted in a very caring, polite and dignified manner and the atmosphere was pleasant and relaxed. The inspectors also commented that the rooms were comfortably furnished, very clean and fully equipped to meet the needs of the people who stayed there, and all the people who spoke to the inspectors said that their dignity was maintained when staff supported them with personal care. The Hospice is currently trying to secure some capital funding for a state-of-the-art outreach centre to be built within the existing hospice grounds. This new project, with the working title of the Woodland Centre, will house the therapy, counselling and out-patient clinics together with providing a home for our expanding community nursing team including a new Hospice at Home service currently under development. Chief Executive of the Hospice, Dr Alan Baron, said: “The new development will have the add-on benefit of freeing some space in the existing hospice that will allow us to consider opening more beds in the future. Planning permission has been applied for and we will find out whether our bid to the Department of Health has been successful this month.” Seeds of ambition and determination were planted by Dr Surman, 35 years ago, and now thirty five years later the Hospice has grown and flourished thanks to the support and goodwill of the community and its volunteers. Although in the words of thethen Wigan Mayor, back in 1977 it will be a long road, and it certainly was, but the Hospice’s journey will not stop. Here’s to another 30 years...

Supporting Wigan & Leigh Hospice Contact Jonathan Aldersley 01942 674 144 For all your Legal needs

H. GREAVES & SON

We are delighted to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

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Bithell's Waste Disposal Ltd Are proud to support Wigan and Leigh Hospice

• Skip Hire • Waste Disposal • Scrap Metal

Unit 1 Wigan Lancashire WN3 5DE Tel: 01942 243826

• The only locally owned and managed Pharmacy in Standish • Prescription collection & delivery service • Car parking to the rear We are proud to support Wigan and Leigh Hospice

15 Preston Road, Standish. Tel: 01257 421220

WIGAN RUGBY UNION CLUB

We are proud to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Douglas Valley, Wingates Road, Off Leyland Mill Lane, Wigan

Jim Stones

Your Friendly Bus Operator in Leigh For a personal and reliable service We are very pleased to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice in their 30th Year Telephone - 01925 766 465

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THE GALLERIES has launched a mobile phone recycling scheme with all proceeds being donated to Wigan & Leigh Hospice.

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Manufacturers of Disability Equipment

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We are pleased to support Wigan and Leigh Hospice

Unit 15 Bradley Hall Trading Est., Bradley Lane, Standish WN6 0XQ. Tel: 01257 425 538

CP Grimshaw Tree Surgeons Surgeons Tree

Unit 71A Bradley Hall Trading Estate, Bradley Lane, Standish. 01257 422 050

We are pleased to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

Recycle your old mobile phone for the Hospice

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The Galleries invites shoppers, store staff, centre staff and visitors to dispose of their old mobile phones in the recycling unit on Ashton Gallery on the upper level near to The Works.

The scheme has been launched in conjunction with local school teaching assistant John Rullo, who has formed ‘Phoneraising’ to sell old mobile phones for the best prices. He does this by searching and comparing the best prices from the leading phone re-cycling companies. John then donates every penny to the Hospice. Richard Paxton, Centre Director of The Galleries, commented: “The Galleries are proud supporters of Wigan & Leigh Hospice and by providing this recycling service, we are also helping to raise funds for them too. Whilst the majority of mobile phones are recycled, a small minority still throw away their old mobile phones, so remember to throw them our way.” Alan Baron, Hospice Chief Executive, added: “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to The Galleries and John Rullo for their kind and continued support. We would encourage everyone to recycle their old mobile phones in the shopping centre to help provide much needed funds for the hospice.” Phone Raising ensure that the top price is paid for each recycled phone by having 30 companies bidding their highest price for each handset. Further details about John and his scheme can be found at www.phoneraising.co.uk The Galleries have also recently introduced a printer cartridge recycling scheme for its retailers. All proceeds from this scheme are also donated to Wigan & Leigh Hospice.

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The Standish Centre, Cross Street All the staff and committee are proud to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

DRESSING UP DESIGNER DRESS AGENCY From left to right: John Rullo of Phoneraising, Richard Paxton,Centre Director of The Galleries and Edwin Matthews, Communications and PR officer at Wigan & Leigh Hospice

You can help as much or as little as you like. There are no rigid committments. The time you give time is totally governed by you. If you would like to know more, simply email the volunteers department or ring us on 01942 525566.

What is a Hospice?

THERE are many misconceptions about Hospice Care. Many people believe patients only come to the Hospice for end of life care.

The reality is that most people are unaware of the wide variety of other services available; the modern, bright surroundings; the happy atmosphere; and the fact that the majority of Hospice patients never come inside the building!... Did you know • In-patient Care is only one facet of Hospice Care • The are many reasons why people have a period of in-patient care • Over 60% of in-patients go home • The average length of in-patient stay is 10 days.

Fundraising events

You can support the Hospice by organising your own event or taking part in one or more of the Hospice's own fundraising initiatives such as:

bespoke building contractors and developers

We are proud to support Wigan & Leigh Hospice

employers and colleges value • Use skills 'hard-earned' over the years • Have fun and enjoy yourself! • Am I old/young/experienced enough Whatever your age or experience, you can be sure there is some aspect of volunteering that will suit you.

EVERY year the Hospice has to raise over £1.5 million from the local community to maintain its existing level of specialist services.

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Manchester to Blackpool Bike Ride. STAR

TREKKERS. Light for a Life Appeal. Hospice Lottery. Business Support Group

The Hospice arranges many other fundraising

events including Golf Days, Fairs, the Hospice Ball and many more. Visit our website www.wlh.org.uk or

call 01942 525566 for more information

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Celebrations at Village Hair Design

JODIE Talbot, of Village Hair Design hairdressers in Standish, has been crowned Level Three winner at the Venture Learning Hair Awards , on Monday February 25th.

Jodie was awarded first place her design and, to top of the successful night for Jodie and Village Hair Design, she also won Level Three Audience Winner. Amanda Carney, owner of Village Hair Design, was thrilled with the news. She said: “ I’m so proud of Jodie, she has come on a long way from when she started here. “She had to create a fantasy hair style on stage in front of the audience- I was so nervous for her. Jodie came second in last year’s Level Two Cut and Blow Dry category and she was in two minds whether to enter this year, so it’s great for her to get first place this year. “I would like to thankAlice, Jodie’s hair model. She was a fantastic model and we loved her quirkiness! I would also like to thank Venture Learning for organising the ceremony. Blades, in Pemberton, came second in the Level 3 category and Bang & Loop was awarded third place. It was double celebration for Village Hair Design, as hairdresser Rebecca Baxendale celebrated her 21st birthday on the same day. Happy Birthday Rebecca!

Hairdressing students at Venture Learning in Wigan went head to head at their annual hairdressing Competition at the DW Stadium. Competing against ten other Level Three students, from salons across the Borough, Jodie had to create an Avante Garde hair design.Taking inspiration from celebrity singer, Paloma Faith, she created a vintage 1940s hollywood glamour look on model Alice Hodgkiss. To complete the look Alice wore a beautiful floor length dress and a 1940s style faux fur shrug. Jodie, and the other Level Three competitors, had one hour to complete the design live in front of the audience at the awards ceremony.

Nail and Beauty Bar reach milestone

IN MARCH 2003 friends Dawn Mills and Kelly Gough decided to venture into business together and opened the very popular Nail and Beauty Bar on Broad o’th Lane in Shevington. Dawn and Kelly started out studying together at Shevington High School before going on to start a Beauty Therapy Training Course at Leigh College.

different salons but decided in 2003 that they would like to start up the business they are still growing after 10 years. On March 16th they are inviting customers old and new to celebrate this 10 year milestone with them at a fun filled day. This will include champagne and raffle prizes which will give you the chance to win gift vouchers and a full pamper day. During the day will be botox demonstrations which Dawn and Kelly will be taking part in as they will be offering this new treatment by a qualified nurse in the future. Makeup and semi permanent eyelash demonstrations are also being offered. The Nail and Beauty Bar offer a wide range of treatments including waxing, eyelash extensions, tinting, hand and foot care, gellish, minx nails, acrylic nails, bio sculpture gen nails and tanning. At the moment there are Spring offers which include one spray tan, £20.00, two spray tans £30.00, gelish hand and feet £30.00, acrylic nails treatments from £15.00 and semi permanent lashes and party lashes from £10.00. If you book a half leg was you receive a FREE underarm and bikini wax and if an eyelash or eyebrow tint is booked you will receive a FREE eyebrow wax. They are open Tuesday to Saturday with 20% off all treatments for under 16’s and 20% off all treatments for over 65’s on Tuesdays. Open times are: Tuesday 10.00am-5.00pm, Wednesday 10.00am-5.00pm, Thursday 10.00am-8.00pm, Friday 10.00am-8.00pm and Saturday 9.00am-4.00pm. Call in or book an appointment by visiting the Nail and Beauty Bar or telephoning 01257 255400. Congratulations to Dawn and Kelly from the Wigan Courier on reaching this milestone anniversary. Good luck for the future.

Don't be sunk by debt issues

ARE you one of the thousands of people struggling to pay off debts every month, fearing what could happen if you fall behind with repayments? If so, help is at hand from the expert advisers at Debt Advice Solutions.

Falling behind with debt repayments can happen quite easily, for example, a sudden emergency such as your car needing expensive repairs, landing you with an unexpected bill. There are many other situations that can cause people to fall behind with their payments, Events like redundancy, family breakdown, divorce, ill-health and the birth of a child can all cause indebtedness, as can over-borrowing to buy a new house or car. Price shocks on essential items like fuel and food can also lead to higher debt. Missing one payment may be considered an oversight by your creditor, but if you miss two or more, you could be asked what is happening. At Debt Advice Solutions, a team of experts is on hand to help you get to grips with your finances and make your debt situation much easier to bear. If your debt problems aren't significant enough to warrant bankruptcy, you don't have disposable income or you expect an imminent change in your circumstances you can't avoid, a debt management plan from Debt Advice. Solutions could be just what you're looking for. With a debt management plan, you are able to make one affordable monthly payment towards your debit, This is then distributed among your creditors.

Dawn qualified with a B-Tec National Dipolma and Kelly a NVQ Level 3. After college they both went onto to work in

As Debt Advice Solutions has established relationships with many established creditors, it may be able to reduce or freeze interest and other charges. Your debt management plan should also be fully flexible and capable of being altered at any time in the future to suit your changing circumstances. You can even choose to cancel your plan at any time with no penalties. To be eligible, you need to be responsible for more than £2,500 worth of debt and have two or more creditors, a minimum disposable income of £80 and be able to supply proof of income.

Anyone who find themselves in financial difficulty for whatever reason should seek professional help and advice. Calling Debt Advice Solutions for a discussion with one of its advisors could be the best course for you. Let them guide you through your options, which may include a debt management plan, subject to your particular set of circumstances. Let Debt Advice Solutions help you get back in control of your finances without further delay. • Information: debtadvicesolutions.co.uk/call 08000 886 676 or 01942 238214 from a mobile

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Wigan joins national careers and apprenticeships drive

WIGAN BOROUGH is buzzing with job and career advice and activities as schools, colleges, clubs, training providers and employers get involved in national Careers Week and national Apprenticeships Week.

Wigan Council’s careers service was behind many initiatives which took place in schools during national Careers Week, 4th to 10th March. Activities such as careers fairs, excursions to universities and visits from local employers, took place throughout the week. Even primary school children were being encouraged to think about future opportunities as they took part in a ‘careers detective’ game with the careers team.

of the Federation of Small Businesses, Peter Rimmer, has been involved in talking to young people about interview techniques and skills employers are looking for alongside qualifications and enthusiasm. The highlight of national Apprenticeship Week, running from 11th to 17th March, will be the Careers and Skills Fair taking place at the DW stadium on Friday 15th March. The event will run similarly to the recent Careers and Skills Fair which Wigan Council held at Leigh Sports Village last month. Exhibitors include Emirates, National Careers Service, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue, Wish FM and Wigan and Leigh College. Carol Halford, head of service for Information, Advice, Learning and Skills at Wigan Council, said: “While the employment situation in Wigan Borough is improving, there are still significant numbers of young people and adults who need support finding work – so events like this are hugely beneficial. The event in

Leigh was very well attended and we believe that running the two events makes them accessible to people across the whole of the borough. “We are pleased to work with other businesses and training providers to present local jobseekers with opportunities to explore the job market and get the support they need to get onto the employment ladder.” Representatives from Wigan Council will be available to discuss apprenticeship opportunities, and a host of businesses will be looking for new, potential employees and discussing future job opportunities with their companies. A selection of businesses will also be holding interactive demonstrations and giving attendees the chance to try their hand at hairdressing, bricklaying and other skilled professions. To find out more about the Wigan Careers and Skills Fair, and for updates on the latest news, like us on facebook .

Regional Growth Fund opens Chair of the Wigan and St Helens branch

LOCAL BUSINESSES looking to boost their cash flow can bid for additional investment as the fourth round of the Regional Growth Fund (RGF) opens.

The government programme – designed to support economic growth and sustainable employment – has made £350m worth of funding available in its fourth round, and with support from Wigan Council, local businesses can place their bids.

The Regional Growth Fund will have pumped £2.6bn worth of funding into the economy by the time it completes in 2016. Twenty one North West business projects secured £77m of funding from the third round of the programme, which is being used to create or safeguard a total of 20,000 jobs. One such company was C-TEC – an independent manufacturing company based in the Wigan borough – which received a total of £1m. Wigan council is offering support with the RGF bidding

process to any local businesses. Council Deputy Leader, Cllr David Molyneux said. “The Regional Growth Fund is proving to be a welcome boost across the borough and is helping to create and safeguard jobs and expand businesses into new markets. “Boosting jobs and business growth is our number one priority for borough - so during the next round of funding, we will be working with local businesses to produce high quality bids and give them the best possible

chance of accessing the money they need to achieve this.” Applications for round four of the RGF will close at midday on Wednesday 20th March 2013, and the minimum threshold is £1m. All RGF applications must initially be discussed with Wigan council’s Economic Development Team who can be contacted on 01942 489182. The team also provides advice and support with completing the bidding process.

Enjoy Easter at Wild Boar Park

SITUATED on the outskirts of the picturesque village of Chipping, Bowland Wild Boar Animal Park is the perfect place for a family day out.

Visitors can see meerkats, longhorn cows, goats and other wonderful and wild animals in their natural habitat, and learn about the park's animals.

Bowland Wild Boar Animal Park is the ideal place to visit in the Spring months.There’s lots to do at the park- visitors can hand feed lambs and meerkets and hold chicks. Children can also take a tractor ride through the grounds of the park. Situated next to the river Hodder, park visitors can take some beautiful riverside walk, long or short, for every member of the family. Delicious home-made produce is available in the park's cafe, or if you wish to take your own refreshments picnic areas are located around the park. The animal park has been awarded a Gold Standard Green Tourism Award.

For the look that won’t be Digital job search and Summer shoes, found everywhere else, you need sandals & bags Barbara’s of Standish CV course on offer

WHILE nearly all employers advertise their job vacancies online, there are still job seekers across Wigan who do not have internet access, an electronic version of their CV, or even an email account. Wigan Council’s Skills Shops, located in Leigh, Marsh Green and Wigan, offer a two-day digital job search and CV course specially developed to focus on equipping learners with up to date job searching skills.

Working in partnership with Adult Community Learning the Skills Shops’ courses are run in relaxed friendly environments. Tutors work with each learner to see what level of skills they already have and what help they need, meaning that the course is tailored to the individual as much as possible. By the end of the two day course, learners will have an email account and

the basic IT skills needed to create a CV and email it to employers. They will also be shown how to open a job searching account where all Jobcentreplus vacancies are advertised and will be shown how to use other websites, ensuring they have the maximum opportunities to apply for vacancies. Team coordinator, Karen Winrow, said: “These courses are just two days long but can transform the lives of people who don’t use the internet regularly, or at all in some cases. More and more job searches are only available online and, for some people, this is a barrier to finding work.” Deputy Leader of the Council, David Molyneux, added: “Many people have benefited generally from the range of training on offer in the borough’s Skills Centres. The digital job search and CV course, however, could be the key to the future success of anyone currently looking for work, especially if they do not regularly access the internet.” To speak to one of the Skills Shop advisers call 01942 827826,

LADIES, welcome to Spring/Summer at Barbaras of Standish.

All the Summer stock has now arrived and there is a vast selection of sandals and shoes in every colour imaginable. Whatever the occasion and whatever the outfit we should have something fabulous to co-ordinate. Our normal size range is from 3 - 7 (including half sizes when available) but we now stock a small selection of styles in size 2 and size 8. All Occasionwear shoes have their own matching handbags, whilst our casual range of handbags perfectly compliment the colours of our summer stock. Barbara's caters for all budgets with sandals starting from £25 and handbags from £15. If you wish to view the stock prior to a visit, or even purchase online please visit our website at http://www.barbarasofstandish.com/.

SUMMER STOCK NOW IN

Shoes & Handbags: 13 High Street, Standish. Tel: 01257 426073 Fashion: 68 High Street, Standish. Tel: 01257 425480 www.barbarasofstandish.com Opening times: Mon to Sat 9.30am - 5.00pm

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School art exhibition opens doors

Canon Sharples celebrate World Book Day

CANON Sharples C of E Primary School and Nursery, Wigan, opened the doors to their first ever whole school art exhibition, in February.

Every child in school was given the opportunity to make a piece of artwork which would then be displayed in the school hall like a real art gallery.

Their pictures were framed,catalogued and available for purchase on the gallery opening. The aim of the exhibition was to develop the children’s understanding of the value of art in our lives. The exhibition was a great success and all the children, staff and families enjoyed walking around the gallery looking at all the masterpieces.

Shevington CP ‘Buckets of Love’

CANON Sharples C. of E. Primary School and Nursery, Wigan, celebrated World Book Day on the Thursday March 7th.

The children and staff were asked to take photos of themselves reading in unusual places and bring them into school were they would be displayed. The response was so great that two boards were needed to host the photos.

compose the beginning of a story, they then sent them to another class were the teacher would read the last part out for the class to continue the next part of the story and then the process was continued until the stories were completed! They all came together for a whole school assembly to share the stories. There was great excitement as the stories began to unfold! Miss Howard, Year One teacher and Literacy co-ordinator said:“I couldn’t have organised the day without the co-operation of all the staff and the children’s families. I am really impressed and grateful at the response we have and I would like to say thank you to everyone for making the day such a success.”

St Marieʼs Pre-School

On the day everyone dressed up as their favourite book character. At the beginning of the day, the children in each class started to

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For full or part time flexible Pre-school education SHEVINGTON County Primary in Appley Bridge have been holding a ‘Bucket of Love’ week at the school.

The staff and children have been filling buckets with numerous items including toothpaste and brushes, combs, hairbands, soap, sweets, pens, pencils, notebooks, string, first aid plaster, plastic cups and plates and lots more.

The buckets were provided by Blythswood Care and they are distributed to people who live in poverty in the slums or Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The children will make a big difference for one or more families by providing the ‘Bucket of Love’ and Blythswood Care will deliver the buckets to a family in one of the needy areas to brighten their day. Well done to Shevington Community Primary School for their great efforts.

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Wigan Food & Drink Festival 2013

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WIGAN’S Food and Drink Festival 2013 was, once again, a roaring success.

breweries located all over the British Isles. The ‘Skool Dinners’ Award Evening event, was one of the highlights of the festival. In advance of the festival, Wigan Metorfresh visited schools with a panel of judges searching for culinary talents. The evening saw many awards presented to pupils of Rose Bridge, Cansfield, Deanery, and Westleigh High Schools. Some of the winning dishes were included in the evening dinner menu. Allgates Brewery opened its doors for a brewery tour. Visitors learnt the brewing process, the history of the building and sampled the beers. TV Chef Simon Rimmer celebrated Wigan’s culinary heritage by hosting a pie dinner at Haigh Hall. Guests dined on a four course gourmet dinner. Local restaurant Miller & Carter hosted a steak school. Diners enjoyed a personal demonstration to making your own perfect steak, whilst The Wheel Restaurant hosted a desert demonstration. The Crown at Worthington, once again, hosted the every-popular Gourmet Food and Beer Matching Evening. The evening consisted of eight food tasting courses each

Wigan Food and Drink festival 2013 success

This year’s food festival was in doubt but thanks to the will of local people and the generosity of local businesses the festival has been one of the best yet.

This year’s festival programme was bigger and better with more than 20 events taking place across the Borough. From young chefs to celebrity chefs, Italian to Mexican, Sunday Lunches to ‘Chippy Teas‘, daytime cookery classes to night time gourmet dinners- there was really something for everyone. Back by popular demand was Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch TV Chef Simon Rimmer, as well as one of the UK’s best chefs and Lancashire own, Nigel Haworth. Also for 2013, internationally renowned Indian food chef Anjali Patak made an appearance. The festival got off to a flying start on Thursday February 28th with the opening of the 26th Wigan CAMRA Beer Festival at Robin Park Sports Centre. Real Ale enthusiasts were able to sample more than 70 real ales from

accompanied by a matching beer. Local chefs and food enthusiasts also demonstrated their culinary skills in the four-day Kitchen Theatre. Anjali Patak and Simon Rimmer gave cookery demonstrations along with local chefs from restaurants including, Miller and Carter, Ashfield House, The Wayfarer, and The Crown at Worthington. Keith Bergman, Food and Drink Festival organiser for WLCT, said: “It’s been another wonderful festival. We’re still compiling the figures but we know that our restaurant partners were extremely busy as was the Continental Market in the town centre. CAMRA Beer festival was once again packed and the Outdoor Kitchen Theatre was well received in its new location in the town centre. “We’d like to thank everyone who took part and our sponsors without whom this festival would not be possible.” Our photographs show some of the festival’s highlights, including the CAMRA Beer Festival, the ‘Skool Dinners’ Awards Evening, and the Allgates Brewery tour.

Funeral Service Sheets

Standish author celebrates success A STANDISH author is celebrating the amazing success of his debut crime novel.

Wigan-born expoliceman and journalist, Paul Finch, who has been a Standish resident since 2001, is perhaps better known for his horror stories, of which several volumes have been published, and his scripts for various horror movies. But now he’s chanced his arm by tackling the criminal underworld.

Paul, 48, who first cut his literary teeth penning episodes of The Bill and later went on to script for Doctor Who, has taken a headlong plunge into the

dark and dangerous world of the crimethriller with his novel Stalkers (Avon Books, HarperCollins). It hit the supermarket shelves last Valentine’s Day and has already sold thousands upon thousands of copies, falling a few sales short last week of the Sunday Times Top 20 Bestsellers list. “It’s truly amazing,” Paul commented. “My horror books have sold reasonably well, but this has been a completely different ballgame. The novel’s only been available for one month and it’s already far and away the most successful thing I’ve ever written. Crime thrillers of course are a popular genre, but it also helps that the book is in almost every shop. There isn’t a

bookseller I’ve been into over the last few weeks where I haven’t seen it in stock. That’s an awesome feeling, but even better is riding on the bus or train and seeing someone across the aisle reading it. That’s happened a couple of times as well, but never with anything else I’ve written.” Stalkers, which in terms of ebook sales has been as high as seventh in the Kindle Top 100, and first in Kindle Thrillers and Suspense, is the start of a trilogy of novels detailing the investigations of Detective Sergeant Mark ‘Heck’ Heckenburg, a Manchester cop relocated to London and attached to the elite Serial Crimes Unit. In this first installment,

Heck finds himself on the trail of 38 missing women, which leads him into the darkest heart of urban Britain and a confrontation with a criminal gang so evil that many of his fellow cops refuse to believe they even exist. “I don’t want to give too much away,” Paul says. “But these are very hard-edged police thrillers. Frank, darkly realistic stuff with lots of action and violence. If it was ever put onto film, it’s not the kind of thing you’d see screened before the nine o’clock watershed.” You can find further info about Paul and his writing at his webpage: p a u l f i n c h writer.blogspot.co.uk

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New Land Rover to debut at New York Motor Show TEL: 01257 400026 to advertise in the motors section

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IT’S OFFICIAL, the all-new Range Rover Sport will be revealed on 26 March – the night

before it makes its public debut at the New York Motor Show.

And to whet our appetites, Land Rover has issued this single teaser image of the car (above), with the famous New York skyline in the background. The all-new Range Rover Sport - described by Land Rover as its “fastest, most responsive and most agile vehicle to date” will be revealed to the world as it drives through the streets of Manhattan, with the whole event streamed live on the Internet.

The roof of the new Range River Spory appears to be painted black while the body gets a contrasting bright orange finish. Despite being one of the world’s most congested cities, New York is the single biggest market for the Range Rover Sport. More are

Review courtesy Auto Express, your No1 stop for news and information about the motor trade

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sold in New York than any other metropolitan area in the world and the model is also North America’s most popular Land Rover. It’s only fitting then that Land Rover debuts its new Range Rover Sport in the city’s annual auto show, but that’s not the only event planned. It’s little wonder that Land Rover has chosen the Big Apple as a venue for the Sport’s debut, as more are sold in New York than any other city in the world, plus it’s North America’s bestselling Land Rover model. Some expect the car’s styling to bridge the gap between the Evoque and the Range Rover, with smaller rear lights and a lower, sloping roof compared to its bigger brother. Rather than using Discovery underpinnings like its predecessor, the new version will share the same aluminium chassis as the new Range Rover which will cut the car’s weight by around 350kg. The same 258bhp 3.0litre V6 diesel as the Range Rover will be offered, and is likely to be the most popular engine in the UK. A 4.4-litre TDV8 and supercharged 5.0-litre V8 petrol will also be available. Prices

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Nightowls take on soccer challenge THE FUN begins after dark for young football fans for when the sun goes down, Wigan Borough’s future footballing stars come out to play. Teams of talented young players aged from 12 to 19 converge on Wigan’s Robin Park Arena and Leigh Sports Village each Friday evening to test their skills and share their joy for the ‘beautiful game’. Yes, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Midnight Football Leagues are back and they’re bigger and better than ever. Taking its name from the phenomenal successful US initiative, Midnight Basketball, the project makes best use of the all-weather pitches to give scores of young people a positive start to their weekend. WLCT’s Sports Development Manager Chris Essex-Crosby said: “The Midnight Leagues have been running in Wigan since 2007 and have been really successful. They started as a way of giving young people something to do with their evening, keeping them off the streets and out of trouble. Over the years we have seen more than 800 young people taking part in the leagues, more than 300 each week.” The sessions are staffed by a team of fullytrained WLCT coaches, youth workers and even the parent volunteer helpers. The leagues are supported by whole host of borough organisations, including Wigan Council, Wigan and Leigh Housing and Police Community Support Officers. In Wigan, the matches take place in the shadow of the mighty DW Stadium and the scheme is also supported by hometown heroes Wigan Athletic. Each season the club rewards the young people who turn out each Friday by donating tickets to some of their home games.

The sessions are aimed at both boys and girls but the ladies don’t have to like football to get something out of Midnight Soccer. “We want to provide something for everyone,” says Chris. “So this year we have introduced Street Dance and Self-Defence sessions for girls who do not want to take part in the leagues. It is all about creating positive activities that will motivate the children and young people and keep them out of trouble. “It’s also a great chance for the young people to improve their skills in a fun, competitive environment.” Chris adds: “It’s a great way to stay healthy and can teach the young people a lot about working as part of a team to win. It could also be the breeding ground for the next generation of homegrown footballing talent. The Midnight Football Leagues are free to children and young people aged between 12 and 19 an anyone can take part. They take place between 6.30pm and 8.30pm each FRiday at Wigan’s Robin Park Arena and Leigh Sporrts Village. For more information on the 2013 Midnight Football Programme visit the Sports

Phil goes extra miles for Josh Mills Fund

Development pages at the Wigan Bororugh Sports Council website- www.wbsc.org.uk and search for Midnight Football or conatct Wign Sports Development on 01942 404982

Tennis taster sessions attract more than 100 Pictures and story by Marc Taylor

OVER THE last three weekends, Robin Park Tennis Centre in Wigan hosted successful taster sessions for 3-8 year olds, which attracted over 100 children and their parents.

The activities on offer gave them an introduction to what a typical session involves at this age and a chance to try out the fun sessions which are based on the basic athletic skills of agility, balance and co-ordination, as well as basic racket skills. Parents/grandparents are also encouraged to join in. The centre offers regular weekly sessions for children in the 3-8 age range, tots tennis for 3 to 5 year olds and Mini Red Tennis for 5 to 8 year olds, new players are welcome to join any time and all equipment is provided. As children get older, classes are scheduled to suit all ages and abilities. For adults there are traditional tennis lessons as well as the increasingly popular Cardio Tennis, a great new way of keeping fit, no tennis experience is required and you do the workout to music.

Robin Park is an indoor tennis centre, recognised by the LTA as an award winning venue, with Performance, Beacon and Clubmark status. The tennis centre currently offers ‘Tots Tennis’ lessons for 3 to 5 year olds on Monday, Wednesday, Saturdays and

Sundays and a range of lessons at various times in the week for older children and adults. If you are interested in finding out more phone either reception on 01942 828 550 or the tennis office on 01942 824 758. You can also follow us on Facebook - and Twitter - @RobinParkTennis”

“GREAT BRITAIN Wheelchair Rugby League head coach Phil Roberts is undertaking the mamouth task of 30 marathons in 30 days on an arm bike and can currently be found at the Robin Park gym on a daily basis grinding out the miles. Phil is raising money for “Josh Mills Fundraising”, Josh is Phil’s cousins son who suffers from cerebral palsy and has recently undergone a rare spinal operation which hopefully will allow him to walk in the future. However the for the operation to be a success Josh needs specialist physiotheropy, which is £60 a session

Picture and story by Marc Taylor

and is required 3 times a week for around a year. To date Phil has raised over £2000 and has been blown away by the levels of support people have offered. Anyone wishing to make a donation directly to ‘Josh Mills Fundraising Account’ - number 54918421, sort code 53-50-37. Phil himself underwent a hip replacement operation at Wrightington Hospital in January and has so far completed 21 days of the planned 30.

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MATCH OF THE Day’s Mark Lawrenson once famously called Wigan Athletic ‘the most unpredictable team in the Premier League’.

Flying start, Pats dive over to race away to a 14-0 lead.

Pats suffer second round cup exit

WIGAN St Pats are out of the Tetley’s Challenge Cup after losing narrowly 24-22 at home to Thatto Heath in the 2nd Round on Saturday March 9th, despite building up an early 14-0 lead.

Russ McFarlane tries to break the Thatto line

Prop Jon Chamberlain drives the ball in

Picture special by Marc Taylor

And although I rarely agree with the former Liverpool defender, he definitely has a valid point. Whilst our FA Cup run has undoubtedly spurred on the team, our form in the League continues to be incredibly inconsistent. In some games we completely dominate possession and look like genuine Europa League contenders, but in others we simply look like a team heading towards the Championship. However, the return of Paul Scharner has injected some muchneeded steel into the defence and the backline looks a lot sturdier with the Austrian alongside Gary Caldwell.

Precise

Winger John McCoy is put to ground

Serious collision imminent.....

Our win against Reading at the Madjeski Stadium exemplified what is achievable with our current squad. Ivory Coast striker Arouna Kone opened the scoring 43 minutes in, with Maynor Figueroa’s header hitting his chest and bouncing into the net. Kone made it 2-0 minutes later with a precise finish from the edge of the box. Reading’s Pogebryak was sent off for a cynical challenge on Figueroa just after half time, but not before the Honduran scored the third for Wigan following a clever one-two with Di

Opinion straight from the goalmouth By our Latics columnist Sam Oliver

Santo. It was a great result for the Latics that lifted us temporarily out of the relegation zone, and Martinez rightly praised the lads for their intensity during the game. But that ‘intensity’ was unquestionably missing against Liverpool at the DW. Here was an opportunity to claw our way back up the table and prove to the sceptics that we really mean business this season; It just wasn’t to be. The Reds ran riot as Stewart Downing scored just two minutes into the game with a close range header.

Disappointing

Suarez grabbed a hattrick before half time, and the Latics were left with an impossible task in the second half to come back from 4-0 down. Credit has to go to Liverpool ‘keeper Pepe Reina, who was in top form after the break and saved powerful shots from both Boyce and Di Santo. It turned out to be a disappointing afternoon

for Wigan, in complete contrast to the result against Reading the previous weekend, and attention turned to our FA Cup quarter-final tie against the Blue half of Merseyside. I have to admit, Everton are a strong and compact team and I feared the worst. In reality, we completely played them off the park in our best performance of the season so far. Figueora’s fierce header hit the back of the net 30 minutes into the game, and seconds later McManaman scored a cracker after intercepting a sloppy pass from Phil Neville.

Dreaming

He struck the ball with venom past Everton ‘keeper Jan Mucha, condemning his boyhood club to defeat in the process. Latics fans had to pinch themselves to check they weren’t dreaming, but Jordi Gomez certainly wasn’t taking anything for granted. His beautifully curved shot in the 32nd minute squeezed itself through the Toffee’s defence and into the bottom-left corner of the net. Three goals in four minutes sent the travelling support crazy, and sent Latics through to the semifinals at Wembley for the first ever time in the club’s history, playing either Blackburn or Millwall after Blackburn’s draw at The Den. And what better way to end my column this month: We’re going to Wembley! In Bobby We Trust!

Orrell face a race against time to stay up

Orrell 3 Ruskin Park 44 South Lancs & Cheshire 1 Saturday March 9th WITH SEVEN of last weeks team that did so well against Winnington Park absent through injury or unavailablility this was always going to be a difficult fixture for Orrell and so it proved with just a sole penalty to show in a 344 defeat at home to Ruskin Park. Following an exchange of penalties, John Wilson successful for Orrell, the visitors went ahead with a converted try. Although Orrell were

unable to retain possession long enough to get into their opponents half, good tackling stopped Ruskin going further ahead until just before the break the visitors kicked another penalty and scored an unconverted try for 3-18 at half time. A number of missed tackles allowed Ruskin to open the scoring in the second half with a converted try and with ten minutes remaining as Orrell began to tire, crossed for the bonus score with two more converted tries added before the final whistle. Orrell face a huge

challenge to avoid the drop with seven games remaining. Bolton 3rd 31 Aspull 0 Raging Bull Div 4N A blow to Aspull’s promotion hopes, as they never really got going in this local derby. Andrew Seddon and Aidan Clark had good games, but mistakes by the visitors proved costly, and Bolton capitalised to score a convincing victory Eccles 2 45 Wigan 2 15 Fylde 3 33 Orrell 2 10 Wigan 3 walked over Vale of Lune 4

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It’s Pat’s Night as Warriors slay Dragons

What a change!!

WELL, WE are now five matches into 2013, and what a change we have to report.

Picture special by Marc Taylor

IT was Pat Richards 200th game for Wigan, and academy graduate Greg Burke scored his first career try in the Warriors’ 38-0 thrashing of Catalan Dragons on Friday night. Other scorers for Wigan were Sam Tomkins, Jack Hughes, Blake Green and Chris Tuson.

Blake Green skips through the Dragons defence.

From a Wigan Warriors perspective, the season began in shaky fashion. Even the heavy 0-42 win against Salford on the opening day was dismissed by the moaners as an aftershock of Salford’s chaotic close-season – and there may have been something in that. But the eternal optimists were themselves starting to feel jittery a couple of weeks later, when Wigan drew against Warrington in an epic encounter, but then lost away at Huddersfield. In the latter case, they spent the final ten minutes of the match laying siege to the Giants’ line, but were worryingly unable to breach it.

Mediocrity

Leaping like the proverbial salmon, Man of the Match Pat Richards out jumps his opposite number.

Young player Greg Burke toughs it out against the experienced Catalan forwards.

That was three points from a possible six, the sort of strikerate you’d normally associate with mid-table mediocrity, and all this on top of widely-held concerns that Wigan had lost far too much talent and experience at the end of 2012. A raft of early season injuries only added fuel to the fire of this concern. However, spring has now sprung as they say, and things are suddenly looking very different. After a tough tussle in the first half of the fourth match of the campaign, Wigan finally battered London Broncos by 48-18, but faced a more difficult task in last week’s trip to Castleford, so often the graveyard of Cherry and White hopes in the past. This game looked like it would be no exception. Wigan surged ahead, but then the home side mounted an amazing fight-back. Only in the dying minutes did Wigan break the deadlock, Chris Tuson touching down under the posts for a final score of 22-28.

Character

Jack Hughes has a clear path to the line.

Sam Tomkins breaks free of a Dragons tackle.

Greg Burke crashes over the line for his first career try.

Wigan dominate scrappy game in second half

Wigan 26 Bowdon 8 South Lancs & Cheshire Div 1 Saturday March 9th 13 EARLY WIGAN PROMISE soon evaporated as two of the home forwards were forced to withdraw after seven minutes and the subsequent reorganisation allowed Bowdon to seize the initiative and dominate until the half hour mark.

Fortunately, the visitors’ only reward was a penalty as a tenacious Wigan defence kept

them at bay. Wigan finally broke out, Luke Farrow finding space on the outside to touch down in the corner. The joy was short lived as the referee overruled the touch judge and disallowed the winger’s effort. Wigan continued to press, and finally seized a 9-3 lead at the break through three penalties from Andy Whittle. As the error count rose in a scrappy affair, Wigan took control fifteen minutes after the restart with a break down the blind side:

centre Connor Matthews dummied his way through to the posts giving Whittle his easiest kick. Bowdon hit back with a try soon after the restart but with the lineout dominated by Tom Wilson and Peter Rigby, Bowdon were unable to make further progress. Whittle was on target again with a penalty after 34 minutes before Mike Rigby touched down in the corner having outpaced the defence chasing his kick through,Whittle converting from the touchline to finish the

No-one, no matter how much of a pessimist they are, should be under any illusions about that one. Okay, it was unnervingly close and in recent times the Tigers have not been the table-toppers they once were. But this was a good win for Wigan, showing great character and fortitude. It was also a valuable one, especially as it came during a weekend when Huddersfield lost to Bradford, Warrington lost to Hull KR and Hull lost to Widnes. As such, the Warriors now sit at second, only one point behind the Giants, but ahead of them on match points difference. This recent spate of unexpected results has been characteristic of the 2013 campaign overall, which has thrown up quite a few surprises. At the very start of the season, some misery guts from Yorkshire took particular offence to Wigan’s win at Salford, posting online that “Super League is doomed because there are too many one-sided games”. And yet since then we’ve been treated to some thoroughly entertaining clashes, often

Paul Finch is

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Wigan Warriors from the Inside Out...

PAUL FINCH salutes PAT RICHARDS, Wigan’s Mr Reliable

from fixtures which, on paper, you would never have expected to deliver. Castleford beat Leeds14-12, St Helens and Hull managed a 22-22 draw, Castleford and Catalan tied it at 17-17. Salford are still languishing in the bottom-placed doldrums, but even they have seen a turn-around in fortune since being taken over by multi-millionaire Dr. Marwan Koukash. There hasn’t been a visible change yet, but they’ve already launched several audacious bids for top talent – Rangi Chase, Adrian Morley and even Sam Tomkins. Though Wigan chairman Ian Lenagan and coach Shaun Wane dismissed the attempted capture of young Sam, both welcomed the resurgence of Salford as an ambitious Super League club, and I concur.

Debate

But the RFL remain steadfast in their support of the game’s current salary structure: “Salary Cap limits are agreed upon by the clubs,” a spokesman told Sportinglife, “and have played an important role in helping clubs manage their resources by discouraging overspending and creating a more stable environment for club development.” Some might debate that viewpoint, given that several clubs have suffered financial disasters since the Salary Cap was introduced, but clearly it’s a measure that we’re going to be stuck with for the timebeing.

Ovation

On a final note this week, congratulations must go to Aussie/Irishman Pat Richards, “an honourary Wiganer” in the famous

Pat Richards acknowledges the ovation from Wigan supporters after his spectacular display in Friday’s defeat of Catalans, pat’s 200th appearence for the Warriors.

It doesn’t seem that long ago when The Willows, their former home, was an indomitable fortress defended by such stalwarts of the game as Mike Coulman, Colin Dixon, Keith Fielding, Chris Hesketh, Steve Nash and David Watkins. It would do the game a power of good to see the Red Devils, as I still fondly remember them, rejoin the rugby league elite. Of course, now that Dr. Koukash has added his name to the roster of wealthy club-owners in the British game, it has reignited the debate about the Salary Cap and whether or not it is too low.

Argument

Dr. Koukash himself has waded into the argument, suggesting that modifications could be made to the Cap allowing exceptions for marquee players and possibly for players recruited from Rugby Union. Such views will delight a certain section of the Wigan crowd, who are fed up to the back teeth with hearing about the Rugby Union scouts constantly circling Wigan’s star talent, and would love to see the tables turned.

words of Shaun Wane, who reached a career milestone when he played his 200th match in Cherry and White last Friday night, a 38-0 thrashing of Catalan Dragons. In a blue (or should that be green) ribbon performance, he grandstanded the game, scoring two tries and kicking five goals, and deservedly receiving a huge ovation at the end from the 12,000+ crowd at the DW. Since signing for the Warriors in 2006, Pat has been the Mr. Reliable of the modern era, scoring phenomenal numbers of tries and conversions (the first Aussie to log more than 1,000 points for Wigan) and deservedly winning the Man of Steel award in 2010. He also happens to be one of the best blokes you could meet. So when St. Patrick’s Day comes around next weekend, perhaps we should all raise a tipple or two to our own hero in green. For regular Warriors gossip, look out for my column, TERRACE TOPICS, in the Wigan Warriors matchday programme.

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A new era dawns at Aspull RFC

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Report by Christian Walsh

WITH some major events scheduled for the off season, Aspull RFC's Committee has made some early plans and appointments on the playing side for the 2013-2014 season. Over the last year Club officials Martin Jump and Christian Walsh, along with their committee, have been focusing mainly on improving and stabilising the club's financial and off field efforts. Projects include

refurbishing part of the clubhouse and planning an ambitious summer event, details of which will be announced in the next month or so. So following the turn of the year, the Committee realised they needed to put some time into reviewing their playing structure, and the result is a new structure for Playing Management and Coaching. Aspull have appointed Mick Yates as Rugby Manager. Mick has captained at every level for the club, his experience-as he did in the early 90’s-of turning a bunch of mates into a cohesive and successful team, will be a key component to Aspull’s plans. Mick will head up a three strong coaching

team of Garrie Chadwick, Darren Whitfield and Danny Arnold: for Aspull’s level this really is a ‘Dream Team’. Garrie has been at the club on and off since his Colts days, he is a compulsive studier of the game and a very good technical coach. Darren is also a product of the highly successful Aspull Colts Team of the 1980s: he moved on to play professional Rugby League for Widnes Vikings when he rubbed shoulders on the field with the likes of Jonathan Davies and Martin Offiah. Danny, who came to the club only three seasons ago to join the Vets, is also a highly decorated RL player, boasting Challenge Cup

Aspull's new coaching/management team: From left to right Martin Jump (Chairman) Darren Whitfield (Forwards Coach) Mick Yates (Rugby Manager) Danny Arnold (Backs Coach) and Garrie Chadwick (Technical Coach) and Super League Winning Medals along with International Caps. There is also a plan to provide the squad with occasional conditioning sessions and bringing in a specialist forwards coach when required. Aspull’s current 1st team continue to improve season after season: Captain Scouse heaps praise on them: "They are a great bunch of lads, who enjoy each other’s company and win more games than they lose. What I would like to see from them

for next season is an improvement in their commitment to training and game prep. The new coaching team are committed: it’s up to the players to match their commitment and ambition." Aspull’s ambition is to play rugby in a certain way, create an ‘All in Culture’ and steadily improving the level of rugby they play, whilst continuing to improving the club environment. Martin Jump commented: "We have our eyes on a few players to bring in and

strengthen our squad, one of whom has already made it clear he will be an Aspull player next season.’ Aspull are looking for a strong finish to the season, with promotionform Raging Bull division 4 north still a possibility, however hitting the ground running for the 2013/14 season is the priority. A team meeting will be held in the next few weeks, enabling the Committee and the new Playing Management Team to lay down their plans.