ALKRINGTON LIFE BE LOCAL MAGAZINE - APRIL 152

Jane Stuckey Alkrington’s Beautiful Therapist John Boylan’s Drinks Review Ryan’s Recipes Library News Gardening Puzzles

Kidz Page Films

Middleton ● 0161 766 6391 Suffield House (above Mark Warren Est. Agents), Middleton Gardens, M24 4EL

kipmcgrath.co.uk/middleton ● facebook.com/kipmcgrathmiddleton

Dear Readers, Fellow Residents and Friends, It finally feels like the end of lockdown is in sight and along with the spring sunshine comes a renewed sense of hope for all those businesses who have been understandably forced to close in recent months. I am delighted that our mission to help local businesses with their advertising has really paid off and so many companies and traders are taking advantage of our rock bottom prices.

This edition is one of the biggest ever - in almost 16 years of publishing - so I must thank everyone involved for their support.

12th April is a welcome date for so many people, including our gorgeous cover girl - Jane Stuckey who can’t wait to welcome clients and friends back into her R& R Salon at Sharper Hair. Read more about Jane on page 58.

There are so many diverse and interesting business categories in this edition and lots of new editorial features which I hope you will enjoy. Please remember to mention BE LOCAL when you use the services in the magazine and prove to businesses that their adverts really do work.

Wishing you all the best for the weeks ahead Clare x

14

Phil’s Memory Lane

24

Jane’s Beauty Blog

27

Chris Clarkson MP

35

Library News

50

Puzzles

52

Gardening Tips

54

John’s Drinks Review

56

Kidz Page

62

Baking

70

Film Review

74

A Good Read

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SPECIALISTS IN BEERS / WINES / SPIRITS Photocopy Service / Fax Service Gas, Electric, Water Rate Payments accepted UKASH Vouchers / Frozen Food / Health Lottery National Lottery Scratch Cards Unbeatable BOOZE Bargains available see in store for details Seasonal Gardening Products a SPECIALTY

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Since Boris made his announcement on February 22nd about his ‘Road map’ out of lockdown, my phone has been inundated with calls and messages from clients desperate to make their hair and beauty appointments. We’ve been given April 12th as a possible date to reopen , but as Boris said in his announcement this will be at the earliest and very much dependant on whether the weeks leading up to it are going to plan within the road map. So our salon, like many others, are still holding on a little longer to take bookings, this isn’t to say we’re not desperate to get back in the game, but we know that we can’t take anything for granted at the moment and until we get a better idea of whether our proposed opening date is likely to happen we are sitting tight with our appointment books closed for now. I think this concerns some clients, but please know as soon as your salons know for certain when they can reopen, I’m sure like us, they will be working around the clock to get you all booked in and looking and feeling your best once again.

While we’re waiting for the salon doors to open, what have you been dreaming about having done? Roots no more? Split ends be gone? Perfectly manicured nails? TLC for your feet? A massage to forget all about your woes? I’m sure each and every one of us has been dreaming of something they’re desperate for once life resumes, whether it be at the salon, the pub or in a different postcode for a holiday. While each and every one of us walking the earth have for generations differed from each other, we now as a human race have one thing in common; we all need some ‘normality’ again, whatever your ‘normality’ may be.

I can’t wait to see my clients again, many of whom have become great friends over the years. Serving them with their beauty needs is my ‘normality’ and I can’t get it back quick enough!

It can’t and won’t be much longer, Stay safe, keep positive and be kind.

Janey XXX Read all about our cover girl Jane on page 58.

R & R Therapy Suite @ Sharper Hair 217 Manchester New Road, Alkrington Tel: 07739 084 346 Jane Stuckey, Holistic & Beauty Therapy offers: Aromatherapy, Swedish Massage, Hot Stone Massage Indian Head Massage, Reflexology, Hopi-Ear Candling Facials using NYR Organic products Spray Tan (Xen Tan & St Tropez) Aromatherapy Detox Body Wraps Waxing, lash & Brow Treatments Nail Treatments

Contact us for a free no obligation consultation Teresa.Bianchi@bianchiaccountants.co.uk www.bianchiaccountants.co.uk 07779 716 663

Wilkinson Tree Contractors Ltd Professional Arboricultural Company based in Middleton Covering all areas of Greater Manchester & the North West     

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Alkrington Library News

We’re Reopening!

Alkrington Library will be reopening the doors for browsing from Monday 12th April. Several other branches across the borough are also opening this same week, including Middleton, Heywood, Milnrow, Spotland and Balderstone.

 Time allowed on a PC will be limited to 30 minutes with a 15 minute space between sessions for clean ing. All PC users will need to be an active member and have their card with them.

Our opening times are going to remain  There will be a reduced number of the same as they currently are for the PC’s available for use for the foretime being – Monday-Friday from seeable future so you may be asked 9:30am-1pm and 2pm-4:30pm. to wait if they are all being used or In order to keep everyone safe here are cleaned. some of the changes to how we will  All customers will be expected to operate. wear a face covering at all times while inside the building (unless ex There will be a separate entrance empt) as will all staff. and exit and a one way system to be followed by all customers, both Post  Test and Trace will be in operation – so all visitors and staff will be reOffice and Library alike. quired to leave their details either via  The number of customers allowed in the NHS app or manually before enbranch at any one time will be limtering the building. ited. This limit will be clearly dis Hand sanitiser stations are placed played in the entrance to each throughout the branch and custombranch and staff may ask customers ers must sanitise their hands on ento queue outside when the limit has try. Wipes for PCs will be readily been reached. available also.  There will not be any toilet facilities  Printing and photocopying will be at available to the public at current available but we are still operating as and chairs and tables to relax and cash only and customers will need to study on have been removed. have the correct change.  Browsing for books, jigsaws etc will  Request and Collect service will still be limited to 20 minutes per person. run as normal for those customers  Returned books will still be placed in not ready to come for browsing. the boxes in the entrance and stock  Regular groups, storytimes and acwill go into quarantine for 72 hrs – tivities will unfortunately not resume fines are still suspended for the for the time being. foreseeable future.

We have all worked really hard to ensure that our libraries are safe for staff and the public, we have worked with Public Health to ensure the safety of everyone in our buildings.

Alkrington Post Office

Huge Thank You

At current, we are operating with a maximum capacity limit for the building so you may be asked to queue and keep social distancing measures in mind when waiting for the Post Office, this may require you to queue outside.

We understand that this isn’t ideal, especially in poor weather but unfortunately these are the rules we have to follow and we kindly ask that all our customers keep that in mind.

Once again the Alkrington Library team would like to thank all of our lovely customers for bearing with us during this difficult time, and we really appreciate all of the brilliant feedback we’ve received about our Request and Collect service. We have been working hard during these times of closure so that we can offer the best and safest possible service for you all, and we are greatly looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

All Post Office customers are also required to wear a face covering on entry For more details on anything regarding Alkrington Library, please contact the library on (unless medically exempt).

0161 643 7799 during library opening hours.

The Post Office is now open throughout the day, even over lunch.

The current opening hours are Monday – Friday 9:30am-4:30pm.

You can also email Alkrington.library@rochdale.gov.uk For book renewals please ring 0300 303 8876 Monday-Friday 8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. www.facebook.com/RochdaleBoroughLibraries

Gift Vouchers Available What better way to show someone you care, than with a gift to promote health and wellbeing.

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This month, Ryan brings us another indulgent and delicious recipe to savour: French toast with streaky bacon and maple syrup.

Make the most of the holidays and have a go at making this lazy morning treat...

Enjoy Ryan’s Brunch and follow him on Instagram:

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We are an independent family run funeral directors and having lived in Middleton our whole lives we know and understand the community that we are a part of.

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Birthdays ● Weddings ● Baby Showers Something Special for every special event.

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Have you got your AGV print yet?

Cosa nostra, although a name for The Mafia in the US, it's more literal meaning is 'our thing', and while at first glance this might sound like an exclusive term - "it's 'our thing', not yours" - it could also be read as being an inclusive term. It's *our* thing.

I consider this for two reasons:

to sauce from a pasta/pizza pairing but at £4.99 from Aldi, I still think it represents value. And when considering the price of pasta and the meatballs and sauce (which incidentally only take 35 mins in the oven with nil prep apart from a trip to the butcher), it's amazing.

Certainly, if you are going to take advantage of the change in the rules, the whole pairing is easy enough and cheap for it truly to be *our* thing.

The first is because this Nero D'avola (a less well-known Italian grape but with growing popularity) is Sicilian with Sicily being the supposed home of The Mafia and because the image on the label has a touch of the Peaky Blinders about it. The second is because as I type, we're on the eve of being able to welcome friends and family to our homes again (outdoors and subject to 'the rule of 6') - and nobody does 'friends and family' like the Italians!

I paired this wine with some Italian meatballs and sauce (from Kirkway Meats) and a pile of spaghetti. And as I was truly enjoying the food and time round the table with the wife and kids, I was also thinking it would be the perfect easy meal to welcome friends and wider family again.

Imagine the rich, herby tomato sauce joining with the flavours of red berry bursting from this wine. It's a classic pairing for a reason! The acidity is matched perfectly and the flavours compliment each other well. It's making me hungry just thinking about it!

The wine is very young and I suspect it needs the support of the acidity of a toma-

info@carringtonswines.co.uk Tel: 0161 881 0099 carringtonswines.co.uk

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I was born and bred in Alkrington almost 40 years ago and my family still live on Hardfield road all these years later. Growing up, I worked in 'Karen's Korner' the sandwich shop tucked away at the back of 'Healds' and also I did a stretch at the newsagents 'Lapins', this means there are a lot of familiar faces for me around the area!

My children attend school in Alkrington which is really handy with me working at Sharper Hair as I'm never far away for school runs and after school activities! I've worked as a massage and beauty therapist in the area for the last 8 years, the latter 5 years at Sharper Hair where my treatment room 'R&R Therapy Suite' is based. Being part of the team at Sharper Hair has been a really happy part of my life, I couldn't wish for a better work family and many of my clients that I have met through my business have become people I consider to be great friends.

It's a pleasure to be serving and be part of the community of Alkrington.

Jane has been a loyal supporter of Alkrington Life Be Local for many years now and I would like to thank her for her dedication and kindness over the years. Jane has excelled at providing interesting and relevant beauty editorial for the magazine every single month, despite working and being a mum to young children - something which really resonates with me. Jane is a shining light in our community and is a true example of what makes Alkrington a great place to live. She also gives a mean massage! Let’s support our local heroes when lockdown is fully lifted in the coming weeks.

Love Clare x

COVID 19 POLICIES ARE BEING FOLLOWED

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Dear Advertisers old and new, Readers and Neighbours, The Alkrington community has always been at the heart of Alkrington Life Be Local magazine. We appreciate how difficult recent times have been and we value the support we have been given over the last 15 years since we began.

Therefore, we would like to help out our fellow local businesses by slashing our advertising prices for the foreseeable future.

We want to support the local businesses of Alkrington and Middleton to survive and thrive through and beyond these difficult times.

We wish everyone the best and look forward to helping you to grow your business in 2021.

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Accountants Bianchi Accountancy…28 Middleton Accountancy Services ………………..47

IMS Motor Bodies…………………..18

Car Valeting Shine on the Drive…..13 Aerials Carpet Retail & Fitting Alkrington Aerials……..38 Chris Kelly’s Middleton Aerials….…..77 Carpet Market……….....20 Alarms / Security Carpet & Furniture Services Cleaning Advantage Alarms…….21 AJ Cleaning & Red 7 Security………….68 Maintenance …………..51 Manchester Carpet & Appliances Upholstery Cleaning….21 Moston Lane Appliances……….30 & 31 Star Cleaning Service...22 Art Central Heating & Uniquely Manchester…53 Plumbing B&W Boilers……………15 Balloons Up in the Clouds…….…71 SJE Superiors………….46 SJM………………………25 Bathrooms Plumbing Matters……...33 Childcare Baytree Park Beauty Therapy & Nursery………………….64 Beauty Products Holos ……………………35 St Thomas More Jan’s Beauty …………..36 Playgroup…...…..……..6 R&R Holistic Therapy...25 Cleaning Sarah’s AVON………….39 Jet Wash Drive Clean...65 Tropics ………………….22 Performance Jetting.....57

Boutiques, Gifts & Community Interest Accessories Alkrington Craft Livvy & Rose…………...23 Market…………………...75 Something Special…….51 Chris Clarkson MP…….27 Building Construction & Library……………42 & 43 Memory Lane ………….10 Supplies DPL Brickwork…….…...63 Dog Grooming Godfrey Builders…...….59 Mucky Paws…………..31 Lark …………….…….….36 Drives Your Choice……,,60 & 61 Superior Resin Drives..7 Butcher Electricians Kirkway Meats…...40 & 41 CEA Electrical………….63 Campervans & Caravans DMS Electrical………….32 Electrix…………………..55 J&D Campervan Connversion…………..46 Estate Agents Henstock Property Car Finance Rest Assured…………..69 Services…………………80 Car Services Colour Quick…………... 6

Fencing Plasterer SMH Fencing...………...37 DN Renovations….……32

Food Delivery Service Alkrington Eats…..…...29

Plumbers Plumbing Matters……...23

Funeral Services Property Maintenance Middleton’s Funeral AGV ……………………..43 Services ………….48 & 49 AJ Cleaning & Maintenance …………..39 Gardening / Landscaping Resin Drives Brinel Landscapes…….5 Superior Resin Drives..7 Stripes …………………..15 T&G………………………12 Roofing Urban Landscapes…….52 Duckworth Roofing……5 Lord’s Roofing……...….44 Gas Cylinder Supply Middleton Roofing…….63 Brentex Gas…………….33 Scaffolding Gates & Railings Middleton Scaffolding..22 Hill Farm Forge……..….57 Signs & Print General Store Sign & Print Direct…….44 Damian’s………………...9 Skip Hire Home Tutoring Dickinsons……………...43 One to One Tutor ……..27 Solar Panels Interior Homeware Skyline …………………...6 Bloom…………………....67 Solicitors Jewellery Sedgwick Legal………...8 Platts Jewellery……….19 Temperley Taylor….......79 Joinery Television Services / Alkrington Joinery…....55 Repairs Collier Property Alkrington Aerials……..39 Developments……..… ..26 Tree Specialists Elite Joinery…………….57 Wilkinson Tree Lark …………….…….….18 Contractors………...…..29 Kitchens Kitchen Envy…………..47

Tuition Kip McGrath……………..2 One to One Tutor ……..32

Locksmith Mobile Locksmith & Key Van Maintenance Cutting…………………..65 Van Parts………………..28 Painter & Decorator Vaping R Cullen………………....55 Vape Shop……..…10 & 11 Ray Worrall ………….....5 Windows Pest Control Vista……………………..38 Pro Kill…………………..33 Your Choice……,..17 & 18

Pet Services Window Cleaning Event Planning Birch Pet Hotel………...4 Skyline………..………....23 Up in the Clouds……….47 Mucky Paws…………….53