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Happy Christmas
Call 07516 910082 for great prices on valets, vans, caravans EAST LANCS RD, HAYDOCK LANE JUNCTION
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Inside this issue... 06 recoMMended reads The Gift of Reading.
10 rainford parish council Keeping You Up-To-Date.
14 coffee break 16 19 20 25 28 32 34
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Take 5! coMpetition tiMe with Alpine Podiatry Practice. rainford conservatives Your Councillors’ latest news. festive gadget survival Happy tech - Happy Christmas! chocoranges revolution Make a Difference this December. rainford in blooM Celebrating Gold! Midweek Marvels Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup. a living garden Create a Hedgehog Highway in your Street.
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Answers on page 14
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K E E P I N G YO u
Newsletter u P - TO - D AT E
Community Cinema
Christmas Party
The provisional programme for 2020! Tickets are £4 for adults and £2 for children for normal showings, available from the Clerk’s office in the Village Hall. Tickets also available from the link on the Rainford Community Cinema Facebook page, call 01744 884709 or email: clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com
Christmas Party Nights at the Village Hall Gather your friends, relatives and colleagues and boogie on down to the Village Hall to get your Christmas celebrations going! Some tickets still available, but you need to be quick! 13th and 14th December, 7pm for 7.30pm. 3 Course Dinner with fabulous live entertainment from Tom Wills followed by dancing until late. Tickets £35 available from the Clerk’s Office.
All showings start at 7.30pm 22nd January - Rocket Man (15) 19th February - Murder on the Orient Express (12A) 18th March - Red Joan (12A)
Local Fundraising
15th April - The Hustle (12)
Support the Chairman of Rainford Parish Council in his efforts to raise funds for the award-winning Rainford Band. The following events will be taking place at the Village Hall. Come along for a great evening, helping a fantastic organisation in the process. Tickets now available for all events:
20th May - The White Crow (12A) 17th June - Only You (15) 15th July - The Keeper (15) 19th August - Wild Rose (15) 16th September - Tolkien (12) 21st October - Ghostbusters 2020 (12) 18th November - Men in Black International
(12)
16th December - Sometimes, Always, Never Summer Holiday showings Wednesdays in August at 2pm 5th - Toy Story 4 12th - The Jungle Book 19th - Dolittle 26th - Sonic the Hedgehog We may show additional films for children during the school holidays. Is there a film you would like to see at the Community Cinema? Let us know and we can add it to the programme. Cinema parties also available! 10
QUIZ NIGHT 21st February 2020, tickets £7 Pit your wits against Councillor Jones with the customary Hotpot! SPANISH EVENING 14th March 2020, tickets £20 Tapas, Flamenco and Sangria! COUNTRY NIGHT 17th April 2020, tickets £20 Yeeha! Bring your banjo, tap your feet and have a great night out! AFTERNOON TEA 17th May 2020 Tickets £10 Adults £5 children A lovely way to spend an afternoon with friends and family
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Beer Festival 7th, 8th & 9th February, 2020 Into its 5th year in 2020, the Parish Council will be hosting the increasingly popular Beer Festival. Listening to local feedback and suggestions, the Beer Festival will be open on 9th February from Noon until 4pm for a Family Funday, Sunday when children will be welcome and free games available. New for this year is the ‘Fizz Bar’ along with the ever-popular Gin Table and Cider Bars. All proceeds from the Gin Table goes to the Chairman’s Fund for Rainford Band. Sponsorship opportunities are available.
Community Speed Watch Plans are moving forward on the Community Speed Watch Scheme to help Merseyside Police slow down drivers in Rainford. If you would be interested in becoming a Speed Watch volunteer, please contact the Clerk’s office. Full training will be given by Merseyside Police.
Parish Council Meetings The Parish Council were delighted to welcome members of the School Council from Rainford High who attended the full council meeting held on 25th November, 2019. The Parish Council is working to make links with all the schools in Rainford. The following meetings of the Parish Council will take place in December 2019 and January 2020:
The Press and public are invited to attend full Council Meetings when residents are encouraged to address the Council on local matters concerning them. Please let the Clerk know a week in advance if you would like to attend.
Community First Responder The Parish Council members and staff were saddened to hear of the sudden death of Mike Olley, a Community First Responder. Mike worked tirelessly to provide defibrillators for Rainford and teach people how to use them. He will be sorely missed.
Updating the Village Hall Bar Due to the support received from the local community and beyond in making Rainford Village Hall their venue of choice, the Parish Council is able to announce that a complete overhaul of the bar area will take place in January 2020. The new look bar will provide more space for customers and a better working environment for staff, giving all those who have contributed by having a drink at the Village Hall something to be proud of! The additional space created will also provide an additional meeting area and small function room. The work will be undertaken by a Rainford company.
Other Dates for your Diary
11th December 2019, 6.30pm Finance, Planning & Administration Committee
12th December 2019 General Election 18th December 2019 Blood Donor Session at the Village Hall 24th December 2019 - 2nd January 2020 Clerk’s Office Closed
16th December 2019, 7pm Full Council
Apprentice
15th January 2020, 6.30pm Finance, Planning & Administration Committee
The Parish Council are happy to announce that the staff team have been joined by an apprentice.
27th January 2020, 7pm Full Council
RAINFORD PARISH COuNCIL Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HB 01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com Please mention The Connection when responding to adverts
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DRESS CODE no o sports wear or training shoes
AS SEEN IN
goodtaste MAGAZINE
RESTAURANT • PIANO BAR CHAMPAGNE & COCK TAIL LOUNGE Brand new a la carte menu now being served
8 Course Taster Menu Live music all evening
£120pp
Adults only
For further details take a look at our Facebook page or call the restaurant
For reservations call 01744 362566 thedeanrestaurant@gmail.com www.thedeanrestaurant.co.uk
BARROW STREET ST. HELENS WA10 1RX AFTERNOON TEA | SUNDAY LUNCH | PRIVATE HIRE
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C O M P E TI T I O N
T I M E
in Rainford and Sutton, are proud to have played our part in keeping a lot of locals upright for the last 12 years. Our thanks to everyone who has helped us achieve this feet, sorry feat, and we look forward to making many more feet feel happy in the New Year. We love all kinds of feet – the more unusual the better (yes, really) and here are just a few interesting facts for you to mull over during the festive period, followed by a mini quiz. The lucky winner will receive a £30 M&S Giftcard PLUS a free consultation worth £75. FOOT
FAC T S
1. Butterflies taste with their feet, gannets incubate eggs under their webbed feet and elephants use their feet to hear – they pick up vibrations of the earth through their soles. 2. Feet are spreading to support extra weight as our populations pack on the pounds. According to a 2014 study by the College of Podiatry in the UK, the average foot has increased two sizes since the 1970s. 3. The average woman walks 3 miles more per day than the average male. 4. During the first year of a child’s life, their feet grow rapidly, reaching almost half their adult size. By 12, a child’s foot is about 90% of its adult length. 5. Typically in a person’s 30-40’s, the natural fat pads on the bottoms of the feet made from collagen and elastin gradually thin out, causing foot pain by the end of the day unless properly cushioned footwear is worn*.
6. Foot ailments can become your fi firstt sign of more serious medical problems. Your feet mirror your general health, so conditions like arthritis, diabetes, nerve and circulatory disorders can show their initial symptoms in your feet*. 7. The average person takes 8,000 to 10,000 steps a day, which adds up to about 115,000 miles over a lifetime. That’s enough to go around the circumference of the earth four times. 8. Shoe sizes were devised in England by King Edward II who declared in 1324 that the diameter of one barley corn - a third of an inch would represent one full shoe size. That’s still true today. 9. The afternoon is the optimum time to shop for shoes as the feet tend to be more swollen then. 10. 25% of all the bones in the human body are down in your feet. When these bones are out of alignment, so is the rest of your body*. *Alpine Podiatry are always on hand (and foot) to offer advice and treatment.
QUIZ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
QUES T I O N S
How many millimetres does the average healthy toe nail grow per month? How many pints of sweat does the average per of feet produce per day? How many bones are there in one foot? Which is more tiring – standing on one spot for 5 minutes or walking for 10 minutes? When you have a problem with your foot who do you call?
Email your answers to joanna@connectionmagazine.co.uk, quoting ‘ALPINE’. Deadline for enteries 4th January 2020, winners will be informed by 31st January 2020.
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EDITOR Cllr Robert Reynolds
BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ NEWSLETTER FOR RAINFORD RESIDENTS
Speeding
Many residents have emailed your Councillors regarding speeding all over Rainford. This has been a problem for some time and now we have met with both police and council officials to see what can be done. The police have set up speed cameras on Higher Lane and Bushey Lane and have spoken to businesses regarding speeding wagons etc. The Borough Council has promised to have more signage on Bushey Lane and following insistence by your Councillors they will also look at making more areas 20mph. Next year, parts of Church Road will be resurfaced and a further speed table will be situated along the stretch from Mossborough to Rookery. A speed table has also been discussed for Higher Lane (between Rookery and Cross Pit); much work is being done and more will follow. We are determined to slow traffic down as it travels through our village.
Rainford In Bloom – GOLD!
Your Councillors would like to congratulate the Rainford in Bloom Committee for achieving a Gold Medal at this year’s judging, also the satellite organisation in Crank/ Kings Moss for achieving an ‘Outstanding’ assessment. Several people worked very hard in preparing the village, which looked very colourful and all residents owe these people a debt of gratitude – WELL DONE TO ALL.
Toy Appeal
St Helens Healthwatch will be a drop off point for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital Toy Appeal. Help please if you can. If you want to help, and wish to donate, please drop into the 2nd floor at the Beacon Building, College Street.
Self Care
MIND, a mental health charity, reminds us that when it comes to self care, different activities work for different people. Do you have any to share that work for you? Do let Healthwatch know if activities such as reading, swimming, baking, meditation or going for a walk help you.
Rainford First Responder
It was with absolute shock that your Councillors heard of the sad passing of Rainford First Responder MIKE OLLEY. Mike had been a First Responder in Rainford from the start and several residents have been very glad of his services throughout the years. He was a fine servant to the people of Rainford and surrounding areas and will be missed by us all. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife and family and to his colleague Peter. R.I.P YOU TRUE AND FAITHFUL SERVANT Lorna and her family have asked us to pass on their thanks to everyone who has called to see them or sent messages of sympathy at this very sad time.
Finally...
It’s cold out there, so remember to keep warm. Coughs and colds are everywhere at the moment so make sure you take steps to look after yourself! Keep an eye on your neighbours!
YOUR RAINFORD CONSERVATIVE BOROUGH COUNCILLORS ARE:
Contact name
Cllr Rob Reynolds Cllr Linda Mussell Cllr Allan Jones 19
Telephone number
07786 965 135 07714 569 021 01744 893367 or 07715 254 692
Email address
Cllrrreynolds@sthelens.gov.uk Cllrlmussell@sthelens.gov.uk Cllrajones@sthelens.gov.uk
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Printed and published by Jem Publishing Ltd, 97 Springfield Park, St Helens WA11 0XP. Written by A.L Mussell on behalf of J A Jones, 30 Pimbo Rd, St Helens WA11 8RD.
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Rainford in Bloom wins Gold! ainford Bloomers attended the North West in Bloom Awards on Friday 1st November.
R
We are pleased to announce that Rainford in Bloom won a Gold Award in the Large Village Category, the highest individual award available. The previous day, Crank Bloomers won an Outstanding Award in the Neighbourhood Category, again this is the highest award available and equivalent to a Gold Award. The gold and outstanding accolades are wonderful achievements for everyone involved and the culmination of all the work done by the volunteers with the support of the local community. Our Gold award willll take pride of ong with our previous p place along Silver and Silver Gilt Awards. Rainford in Bloom is a no voluntary group, now a an registered charity, and is fro the funded by donations from W must community and grants. We give a special thank you to everyone encou us who supported and encouraged efforts. One of the delights d in our efforts. vill when working in the village is peopl about being able to talk to people d and answer all the work we do th their questions. The number one question is always about our Cannas.
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Our team is extremely diverse and includes many different skill sets. One of our number has shared his knowledge gained from a lifetime’s work in horticulture. Rainford is very privileged to have so many people who offer p their help. This year has been spectacular with magnificent floral displays in the village, a delightful new border at the Spinney and the ever changing, beautiful ‘Mossorough’ bed. borough’ bed. We ave worked with have e Parish Council the Council, signi designing and maintaining the planting in the Village Hall Memorial Garden and with the ‘Friends of Rainford Station’, making our station an environmentally friendly space as well as providing colour and year round interest in the new mixed plant borders. We have collaborated with our local schools and St Helens Council and Rangers, building bird and bat boxes and planting wildflowers as part of the ‘Year of the Environment’. Crank team members have planted an orchard with the help of Mersey Forest and the children from Crank Nursery. The aim from the beginning was to achieve Gold by 2020. We had “20-20 Vision”. We have, therefore, achieved our goal a year early! We are not going to rest on our laurels however. We will continue to work hard to improve our village to make it an even better place to live.
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LOCAL NUMBERS Sponsored by AtoB Taxi! rainford schools Corpus Christi C of E Primary Brook Lodge Rainford High Rainford Library Eccleston Library Dentons Green PO
eccleston schools Bleak Hill St Julie’s St Teresa’s St Thomas-Canterbury Eccleston Mere Queens Park
health Rainford Health Centre Clinic Rainford Health Centre Clinic Kenneth MacRae Centre NHS Direct NHS Walk In Centre St Helens Hospital Whiston Hospital Blood Donor Helpline
01744 678102 01744 883281 01744 678816 01744 885914 01744 677820 01744 677535 01744 23477 01744 678190 01744 25032 01744 678667 01744 621380 01744 678280 01744 29354 01744 882855 01744 884036 01744 882606 0845 4647 01744 627400 01744 646461 0151 426 1600 0845 7711 711
Travel Train Times UK Passport Service Merseytravel Liverpool Airport Manchester Airport
general numbers Merseyside Police Electricity-Power Loss Gas - Emergency United Utilities Floodline BT Faultline Tax Credits Helpline St Helens Council Rainford Parish Council
helplines Childline NSPCC RSPCA Victim Support Samaritans Missing Persons Helpline National Domestic Violence St Helens Dyslexia Association Rainford Carers Group St Helens Cancer Support Crimestoppers
08457 484950 0870 521 0410 0151 236 7676 0870 750 8484 0161 489 3000 0151 709 6010 08457 331 331 0800 111 999 0845 746 2200 0845 9881188 0800 800 151 0845 300 3900 01744 676789 884709 0800 1111 0808 800 5000 0870 5555 999 0845 3030900 08457 90 90 90 0500 700 700 0808 2000 247 0844 884 9725 882598 884097 0800 555 111
To save Time Call firsT and make an appoinTmenT on 0300 123 23 23
Blood donor dates can be found on the website together with who can give blood, why you should donate if you can and fascinating facts about blood itself.
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