St Helens Edition
March 2016
Life after
Sooty
Local News Food & Drink Jack’s Tracks Health & Fitness What’s On Garden Diary... www.locallife247.co.uk
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Acting
up
T
hey always say never meet your heroes, as they’re bound to disappoint. While the term ‘hero’ would be stretching it a bit, I admit to being slightly in awe of Peter (aka Matthew) Corbett, the subject of this month’s big interview. Throughout my early childhood, I was glued to the Sooty Show. Even as an adult, I can still appreciate the good, clean humour, as can my daughter, who is equally mesmerised by its charms every time it appears on the TV. Peter was equally as charming, and great company during our afternoon together at his canal side cottage. For Peter, the decision to relinquish involvement in Sooty must have been tough, given the family links, but there was no sense of him hankering after the past. He struck me as someone who likes to look forward, to tackle new challenges. That particularly struck a chord with me, as someone who likes to try new things. There was more than a small ripple of amusement in the office recently when I let slip that I’d gained a part in a local play. After the predictable, but entirely accurate, claims that I’m a born drama queen, there was I sense a genuine interest in my new hobby. The only things stopping most people trying something new is either time or shyness. The former has always proved more problematic than the latter for me. But I work on the premise that if you are determined, you’ll always find a way.
David Sudworth - Editor Next issue - April 2016
Advertising deadline - Tuesday 22 March Published - Friday 1 April
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In this issue Saturday
Life after
Breakfast
Sooty
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44 Jack’s Tracks
Mark’s coming
home
Culcheth
16
52
Planting seeds of
Garden
change
diary
38
56
Regulars 24 Class from the past 26 Puzzle Corner
Telephone: 01744 649 722 46 What’s On
Sales: Clare Glover, Nicola Gray sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: David Sudworth sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Peter Bretherton
design@locallife247.co.uk
Distribution: Sally Boon
sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
Accounts: Sam Garrahan accounts@locallife247.co.uk
Sections 6 Local News 27 Health 34 Travel 38 Food & Drink
Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis.
46 Leisure 56 Gardening 58 Home Services
Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, WN5 7XB
This issue is delivered to over 12,000 private homes and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Garswood, Moss Bank, Haresfinch, Carr Mill and selected areas of Haydock. The next issue is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston Park, Windle, Prescot Road and parts of Nutgrove and Sutton Heath.
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Post office change granted
M6 closure at Haydock
Proposals to change Garswood Post Office into a beauty salon have been given the green light. Planners dismissed concerns from a local resident about parking provision at the Station Road facility, saying the amount of vehicles using the salon would be similar to that when it was a Post Office.
A project to upgrade a motorway bridge which carries the M6 over Penny Lane near Haydock is due to end within the next five weeks. Contractors for Highways England have been closing a two-mile stretch of the southbound carriageway overnight while work takes place to waterproof and resurface the bridge. This means temporary overnight closures of the M6 southbound carriageway between junction 24 in Ashton-in-Makerfield and junction 23 at Newton-le-Willows. The next closure is set to take place on Sunday, March 6, between 10pm and 5am.
The salon has been granted permission to open from 9am-8pm Mondays to Fridays, 9am-4pm on Saturdays but it must stay closed to customers on Sundays and Bank Holidays. A report by council planner Alan Kilroe said: “The change of use would bring a disused property back into use with the creation of 2.5 jobs (and) would bring economic benefits that weigh in favour of the scheme.”
New Stock Now In
Once the M6 carriageway re-opens, two lanes will be open with a 50mph speed limit in place. Between the hours of 8pm and 5am on each Saturday and Sunday, the main carriageway will be reduced to one lane. Further overnight lane closures will be required to complete the jointing and surfacing works for an additional two weeks.
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Well, well, well...
Distributors wanted
A final plea is being made for people to step forward with information on any hidden wells within Rainford. The local heritage society started a research programme two years ago into local wells, and it is now reaching its final stages. The idea is to gather all the information and put it into a book, which will be available to view in Rainford Library.
Local Life requires distributors aged 13 and above for this edition of our magazine. Distributors will typically work for 2/3 hours every eight weeks. The areas we currently require distributors is as follows:
However, before the book goes to press in May, the society wants anyone who may have any snippets of information on Rainford’s wells to come forward, to help ensure the book is as comprehensive as possible. If you can help, contact Ray Waring on 01744 885547 or email rayw91141@gmail.com
Haydock – Taylor Road, Moor Drive & Rose Avenue Blackbrook – Legh Road, Wagon Lane & Loweswater Crescent Laffak – Renfrew Avenue, Paisley Avenue, Bosworth Road & Drayton Crescent If you are interested, please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
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Egg-citing
idea
Billinge’s Windy Arbour Farm has stepped forward to boost the new Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers initiative. The family-run business, along with Up Holland butchers H. Greaves & Son has agreed to supply the first week’s foodstuffs free of charge for the Saturday Breakfasts, to help organisers to gauge subsequent order levels for this fundraising initiative, which is backed by Local Life. Windy Arbour co-owner Geoff Rigby, said: “Local people have been supporting us for over 40 years so it’s a welcome opportunity to be involved in something to put back into the local community” The Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers
Geoff Rigby from Windy Arbour consist of a pop-up breakfast café, along with up to 12 stalls and attractions, which will run every Saturday from 9.30am-noon at St Luke’s church hall, Lodge Road, Orrell, from Saturday, March 5 If you represent a charity/community group and you would like to get involved email Michael on mwinstanleym@aol.com
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Pub asset
24 grand gestures!
A campaign to get the Hare and Hounds pub in Billinge listed as a community asset has ended in victory. Locals Roger Buckner and David Stevens, supported by Billinge & Orrell Transition Group, led the bid. Roger said: “Well run pubs play a pivotal role in local communities, but are increasingly under threat of closure. Over the last few years we have lost the Black Horse, Moss Bank; The Brown Cow, The Unicorn, Billinge; The Old Dog, Alma Hill; The Abbey Lakes, The Owls,The Rose & Crown,The Sandbrook, Orrell and The Crawford Arms.”
Big-hearted members of the public donated over £24,000 in just two weeks. The Haydock, Ashton and Garswood branch of the Royal British Legion, set up collection points in Costco on Andover Road, which raised £10,021, and at Tesco on Bellerophon Way, which yielded £9,001. Bucket collections at Haydock Park brought in £4,627. The RBL has thanked all those who gave generously.
Meanwhile, St Helens Council has refused latest plans for a convenience store in existing pub car park at the Stork Inn, Newton Road, Billinge. Reasons for turning down the bid include concerns over parking, and that the application failed to show there would be no significant, adverse impact on the centre of Billinge.
Powerboating returns The usually tranquil waters of Carr Mill will once again play host to the National Powerboat Grand Prix championships this spring. Engines will be roaring on the weekend on May 28 and 29. The event is organised by the Lancashire Powerboat Racing Club, which has been based at Carr Mill since 1937. For more information on times and price, visit www.lancashirepowerboat.com
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Centre
celebrates
Rainford Heritage Centre celebrated its second birthday by hosting a visit from the village’s MP. Conor McGinn was shown the facility at Inglenook Farm, on the Rainford Bypass, by society chairman Ray Waring. Among the items on display were artefacts from the Derby Metal Detecting Exhibition. The MP was later shown the business side of the farm by managing director. Conor said: “The group have done a fantastic job in preserving and promoting the history of Rainford village. “Volunteers like those I met today play such an important role in helping our community
maintain its sense of identity, and preserve a past that should not be forgotten.” “I want to thank Ray for the invitation and congratulate the society on their ongoing work.”
Editor Required Could you be the face of Local Life? Local Life is the fastest growing community magazine in the North West and we’re looking for an Editor/Editors to work from our offices in Orrell near Wigan.
To apply
The successful candidate/s will be flexible, highly motivated, well organised and be able to fit in with a small and friendly team.
please email your CV to chrisp@locallife247.co.uk
We will expect you to be NCTJ qualified and be able to demonstrate experience in print media, ideally local newspapers.
Closing date 11th March
This post is a full time position, but we also welcome applications from those candidates who are happy to job share. Car required – generous mileage allowance provided. Salary dependent on experience
The little magazine with a big reach
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Mark’s coming
home
A Billinge man left paralysed following a motorcycle accident in Australia is set to return home in March. Mark Middlehurst was on a working holiday in Perth when, on November 3, disaster struck. His mum, Julie, and her husband Malcolm flew out immediately to be by his side. He sustained severe head injuries and is still unable to respond. And because he needed a full medical team, the cost of bringing him home ran into the tens of thousands of pounds. A rallying call went out for donations and the family is now looking forward to bringing him home. Speaking from Perth, Mark’s mum Julie told Local
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Life: “Mark is a likeable and popular lad and his many friends and family have fundraised to help sustain our stay here and for his repatriation. They raised money to enable us to bring our son home where we are hopeful that having family and friends around him may encourage a response.
“Bringing Mark back means so much to us all” “We want to say a massive thank you to each and every person who has donated to Mark’s fund. We are overwhelmed by the generosity of family, friends, local businesses and complete strangers.
“A special thank you goes from me, Malc, his brother David and girlfriend Caro to everyone who has organised the fund raising events, you have gone out of your way to help bring Mark home to where he belongs. It means so much to us all.”
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Praying for the go-ahead Rainford Parish Church’s community hall is set to expand. Plans have been submitted to extend the hall, on Church Road, to create a vicar’s office. Papers submitted to St Helens Council’s planning department say the proposal will fit in with the surrounding area as well as providing a valuable service: “The hall is a social focal point within the village used by many local organisations. It is convenient and appropriate to site the new vicar’s office in close proximity to the church, where it is readily accessible to parishioners. This much used facility is a key part of community life in the village and one which is available to all. It is used by church and non-church organisation alike for a variety of social and academic uses.” A final decision is due soon.
Tell us your story! Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve. Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about? Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition! Simply email us at sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk
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Church’s dilemma
DIR ER
EC
R
T FROM
AC U F TU N
Voters in Rainford are set to return to their old Polling Station after a three year break. Since 2013, those in the RFA Polling District have been using a mobile unit on Springfield, following the closure of Rainford North End Recreation Club. Council chiefs say the club has now re-opened as Rainford X Sports & Social Club and approval is requested from councillors to move the polling station back to the club itself. If passed, the move could be in place for this year’s local elections in May.
E TH MA
Voting back in club
A Billinge church is discussing ways of trying to retain children’s involvement in worship through their teenage years and into adulthood. St Aidan’s Parochial Church Council debated the “extensive difficulties” over how to keep children interested in church life as they got older. A proposal to lower the age of Confirmation to those aged eight to nine years has been put on ice for the time being, but members say they will look at it afresh in the future. Meanwhile, PCC members are set to hear from the Rev Tim Montgomery on the forthcoming changes within the deanery as part of the Transforming Wigan project. Part of its remit is to reduce the average age of those attending and engaging with the church as an institution.
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Class from the
past This month’s Class from the Past is from Blackbrook R.C. School. It’s believed this photo was taken in the 1960s. ? If you have a photo you’d be willing to share, email sthelensnews@ locallife247.co.uk
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Puzzle
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Guess where? Answers are on page 51 of this magazine
Sudoku
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Suffering in A third of cancer patients say they’ve felt lonely or isolated, but most (84%) admit they’d rather put on a ‘brave face’ than talk about how they’re feeling, according to research to coincide with Macmillan Cancer Support’s Cancer Talk Week back in January. A survey revealed that one in seven would feel too ‘embarrassed’ to talk about feeling alone, while 88% said they wouldn’t want to make their feelings ‘someone else’s problem’. To help combat loneliness and isolation among cancer patients, the charity recently re-launched their online community, where patients are
silence
welcome to share their experiences, ask questions and chat via the forum with others going through cancer. Jacqui Graves, head of health and social care at Macmillan Cancer Support, says: “There is an army of people within the cancer community who can help, no one has to face cancer alone. Whether in hospital or at home recovering from treatment, you’re only one click away from someone who knows exactly what you’re going through. The Online Community can be found at community.macmillan.org.uk
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Conveyancing
C
made simple onveyancing is the term used for dealing with the legal side of moving home.
Katherine Ball, Conveyancing expert at local firm of solicitors, I E Legal Solicitors, explained: “For most, it’s the single biggest transaction we will ever deal with. Not only are we talking about a large sum of money, but the property you buy will need to be enjoyed as your home for many years. “The actual legal transfer of the property is by far and away the easy bit. This is done by what we call a ‘Transfer Deed’, which in most cases is a simple form that is registered at the Land Registry. However, a pitfall is that each property in England and Wales has its own ‘title’, what lawyers call the documents which establish who owns what. This ‘title’ is a lot more than just ‘42 Acacia Avenue’ - it can include things such as easements, rights of way for you to go over other land, rights of other people to go over your land, rights for the local council to demand payments, obligations to pay money such as ground rent. Signing a transfer deed is not what conveyancing is about - it’s about making sure that when that deed is signed, every person knows what they are going to get, and every person gets what they should. And horror stories abound about cases where people
have bought gardens with pipes under that the homeowner can do nothing about, or bought a home without planning permission that needs to be knocked down.”
Katherine Ball, Fortunately, expert conveyancers conveyancer I E Legal Solicitors deal with property transactions all the time. Their experts understand all the issues which may arise, and can take tsteps to undertake all the necessary searches, as well as knowing how to interpret the documents and the title. But how for much? “Actually, to get the benefit of professional legal expertise from us costs as little as £350, depending on the property value,” said Katherine. “Unfortunately, there are other charges, that are out of out hands, including estate agents’ fees and stamp duty. But by coming to us, you get the benefit of professional expertise, and local knowledge, at the best possible price.” For a no-obligation quote, contact I E Legal on 0845 467 0217, visit the website, or just pop in!
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Travel
South African
adventures by David Sudworth
A
re you looking for stunning scenery, incredible natural wildlife, amazing activities and endless adventures?
If so, you can find it all and more in South Africa with Billinge-based Marken Travel and Premier Holidays, who have teamed up to offer you something special in this most beautiful of countries. A vast and beautiful land of contrasts, South Africa offers spectacular experiences for all who visit. One of the best starting points is the capital city of Cape Town, where in just a few days you can explore majestic Table Mountain, watch the penguins play at Boulders Beach and visit iconic Robben Island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned. Take your pick from
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the many incredible hotels in the area and don’t forget to take advantage of the amazing food at the choice of restaurants along the V&A waterfront, followed by fantastic sundowner cocktails. One of the best things about South Africa is the incredible value, particularly when it comes to food and drink. People don’t often realise how affordable the destination is or how fantastic their local food can be. With the excellent exchange rate at the moment, there’s a huge range of choice for every guest and you can enjoy a delicious meal with wine for around half the price you would expect to pay in the UK.
the sun rises for the chance to catch them in their natural habitat, a magical start to any day.
Adventure is also a huge part of this amazing country - a wildlife safari is top of most visitors’ lists and the world famous game reserves such as Kruger and the Eastern Cape are some of the best places to spot the ‘Big Five’. During a morning game drive listen for lions, rhino, elephants, giraffes and cheetahs waking up and keep your eyes peeled as
If you’re keen to sample a taste of the finest wines in the area then there’s no better place than Stellenbosch. Set in the heart of the Winelands with an impressive reputation for the very best grapes, no visit would be complete without trying the local produce. You can indulge at one of the many beautiful wine estates or vineyards and relax
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Africa Checklist Language: English, Afrikaans, Zulu... Currency: South African Rand Time difference: +2 hours Cost of a beer: 99p Cost of a cappuccino 84p 2 Course meal: £4 at some of the finest hotels, which are the perfect place to unwind. There are also plenty of opportunities to discover the country’s rich heritage with guided tours of the fascinating Swazi Villages, Drakensberg Mountains and Rorke’s Drift Battlefields; taking in the wealth of history and culture which South Africa has to offer. Alternatively, beach lovers will be more than at home on the glorious golden sands of Durban, an ideal destination to end your South African itinerary. Marken and Premier Holidays’ tailor-made South African itineraries offer the perfect introduction to
South Africa’s main highlights. Choose from their action-packed Cape Town, Winelands, Garden Route and Game Reserve itineraries; an escorted Glimpses of South Africa tour, a self-drive holiday encompassing Cape Town, the Drakensberg Mountains, Battlefields and Beach or simply contact them to create your own incredible South Africa holiday.
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Food & Drink
Planting seeds of
change
O
riginally from Derry, Northern Ireland, Carlin had always been interested in food and cooking from scratch, but her vegan transformation took place during a stint living in Chicago. “Chicago itself had a massive, massive effect on me,” says the 34-year-old. “They were so far ahead of us in regards to vegetarianism and veganism - I’d never seen vegetarian food like it. So when I’d seen the possibilities of what it could be like, it became exciting to me, whereas before, it seemed like you were depriving yourself”
By Ella Walker
there isn’t anything she misses from her previous, cheese-tastic diet. The premise of her latest book, The New Vegan, is to make vegan eating accessible to everyone. If you’re tempted to switch to a vegan lifestyle, get started with this recipe from Carlin’s new book...
Not only has going vegan given her a whole new career avenue, it’s had a huge impact on her health and how she feels about herself. “We weren’t feeling 100%, I would say. We weren’t ill or anything like that, but we’d both put on a bit of weight, we were very lethargic, we were having terrible sleep, my skin and my hair and my nails were never looking worse,” she says, explaining how she and her now-husband were feeling in the run up to deciding to ditch meat and dairy. Dairy “was the first thing to go”, she says, but claims
The New Vegan by Aine Carlin is published by Kyle Books, priced £14.99. Photography by Nassima Rothacker.
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Gluten-free orange
polenta cake Method
Preheat the oven to 170C/gas mark 3 and grease and line a 15cm cake tin.
Serves 8 - 10 Ingredients 120g polenta 80g ground almonds 100g gram flour (made from ground chickpeas) 1tsp bicarbonate of soda Zest and juice of 2 blood oranges 100ml olive oil 100ml agave nectar 1/2tsp orange extract 100ml soya yogurt 40g crushed pistachios, to decorate For the cashew frosting: 150g cashews, soaked in water for at least 6 hours 100ml agave nectar Juice and zest of 1/2 orange 1/2tsp orange extract 1tsp (heaped) coconut oil 2-3tsp water
First, make the frosting. Drain and rinse the cashews and blend in a food processor or high-speed blender with the agave, orange juice and zest, orange extract, coconut oil and two tablespoons of the water. Scrape down the sides frequently until it becomes completely smooth, adding a little more water if necessary. The frosting will go through several stages; nutty, coarse and eventually silky smooth. Don’t take a shortcut by adding too much liquid. Keep blending and refrigerate until needed. Mix the polenta, ground almonds, gram flour and bicarbonate of soda together in a large bowl. Stir through the blood orange zest to ensure it is evenly distributed. In a separate bowl, vigorously whisk together the oil, blood orange juice, agave, orange extract and yogurt. Make a well in the centre of the flour and pour in the orange and olive oil mixture. Fold gently and transfer to the prepared cake tin. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check whether the cake is cooked by inserting a skewer to see if it comes out clean. Once baked, leave to cool briefly on a wire rack before removing it from the tin. Set aside until completely cool. Slather over the chilled cashew frosting, smoothing it around the sides with a spatula. Finally, decorate with crushed pistachios. The cake is best eaten fresh, but will keep for up to three days.
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Taste test
Staying ahead at
The Foot by David Sudworth
A
t more than 300 years old, the Holts Arms in Billinge has served up a fair few meals in its time.
My mission today though is to see whether their food is 21st Century sophistication, or more akin to 17th Century gruel. My colleague Clare and I make the short journey to The Foot, as locals call it, (being at the bottom of Crank Road), in time for some midday nourishment. It’s worth noting at the outset just what a lovely old building the Holts Arms is. Erected around 1690, its Tudor Revival facade is a relatively new addition and gives it a striking presence in this semi-rural setting.
After marvelling at the architecture outside, and roaring fire inside, it was time to order food. For starters, Clare had Pan Fried King Prawns in a chilli & garlic sauce, served with warm crusty bread while I had the Baby Back Pork Ribs served with a classic Jack Daniels BBQ sauce. For me, ribs are a bit of an unknown quantity, but - I guess in an embarrassing attempt to evoke memories of my rock music teenage years - I was drawn to the JD sauce. After all, if it was good enough for MotĂśrhead hell-raiser and lead singer Lemmy (RIP), it was good enough for me. And it certainly made the ribs rock, but not in an overpowering way.
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The meat was plentiful and succulent, and there was a nice selection of salad; just enough to keep my GP happy. Clare enjoyed the tangy taste of the sauce which complimented the prawns very well. Although a refined thing, I did catch her using the bread to ‘mop up’... high praise indeed! For the mains, Clare opted for the Chicken and Pancetta Gourmet Pie, served with mash, mushy peas and a pot of gravy. Again, Clare was extremely impressed, this time with how they delivered a quintessential pub dish with a modern twist. Pancetta can, if overused, ruin a dish - not a trap the Holts ever seems likely to fall in to. Because by this time, it was clear that the kitchen knew exactly how to work with potentially tricky ingredients. My mains came in the form of Pasta De Napoli. Billed as classic Italian comfort food, it consisted of spicy meatballs, Italian sausage, roasted red peppers and onions in a chilli tomato sauce, over Rigatoni pasta. As a side order, we got some rosemary, garlic and parmesan fries. Now, I do like Italian food, so can be quite fussy, but I defy any carnivore not to enjoy this dish. The meat is abundant and tasty, and the roasted peppers just ooze flavour. The fries are ridiculously more-ish, so if you’re trying to cut down on carbs, beware! For dessert, Clare had the Chocolate Fudge Cake with cream while I ordered Mint Chocolate Cheesecake. Our comments to each other were almost identical; a great end to an extremely tasty meal.
In many ways, The Holts Arms has everything; the history, the location, the decor and the food. I also spied a good selection of ales which, when off duty sometime, I hope to try. So while even after 300 years, this pub may still be at the ‘Foot’ of the road, its pulling power makes it streets ahead of many others. The Holt Arms Crank Road, Billinge, WN5 7DT 01695 628006
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43
Eating out
guide Delph Tavern Award-winning CAMRA freehouse with a fast growing reputation for excellent quality food at reasonable prices. Traditional British classics served, plus some exotic surprises too. Food served Wed-Sun only. 01695 622239 Tontine, Orrell, WN5 8UJ facebook.com/TheDelphTavern
Sing Faye Restaurant Dine at Sing Faye and enjoy a taste of Oriental Cuisine. Amazing Sunday banquet, Early Bird & A la Carte menu. Open 7 days a week. Book a table to avoid disappointment. 01744 738882 East Lancashire Road, Carr Mill, St Helens, WA11 9AE singfayerestaurant.co.uk
The Simms Road Inn Homemade pub food classics made with locally sourced produce - featuring our award winning Steak & Ale pie, supplemented with cask ales and quality wines from around the world. Food served every lunch and dinner. 01744 894246 Garswood, WN4 0XH burtonandrew55@yahoo.com
Advertise
here ÂŁ30 + VAT
Call 01744 649722
Quattro’s A family run Italian restaurant situated on the Rainford By-pass at Bickerstaffe. Being just off the slip road of the M58 makes this an ideal location for meeting friends and business lunches. 01695 720800 54 Rainford Road, Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk L39 0HF quattros.co.uk
Plantation Restaurant Now Open! From wholesome breakfasts and a delicious lunchtime menu to traditional Lancastrian afternoon teas, the new Plantation Restaurant at Warbreck Garden Centre is the place to go. 01695 722960 Lyelake Lane, Lathom, L40 6JW warbreckgardencentre.co.uk
44
Life after
Sooty Peter Corbett talks to David Sudworth about fame, fortune and why he retired at 50
“I
normally wear a hat, if that’s okay? Photographers sometimes ask me to take it off as it hides the face. But this is me...”
For Peter Corbett, the desire to be himself is understandable. After all, for a quarter of a century, he was known as Matthew; the hapless, slightly boastful but good-natured presenter of The Sooty Show. In real life, he’s nobody’s fool. Upon selling the rights to Sooty for £1.4m, Peter retired aged just 50 to a whitewashed cottage by the Bridgewater Canal in Lymm, Cheshire. “The actors’ union, Equity, were very strict back then about not having two actors with the same name. That’s the reason Harry H. Corbett, who starred in Steptoe & Son, had to put the ‘H’ in between, to distinguish him from my father. But nobody calls me Matthew anymore. In the village, I’m known as Peter.” Born on March 28, 1948, in Guiseley, West Yorkshire, Peter literally grew up alongside Sooty: “Dad bought Sooty for 7s 6d from a shop in Blackpool the same year I was born.” Their big break came during a TV appearance on Saturday Special in 1952, and from then on Britain - and Harry - became obsessed with Sooty. Meanwhile, Peter was striking out on his own “At school, I was hopeless at everything apart from playing the fool. And I soon learned that not only could you do that on stage, but I was very good at it.”
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During Christmas 1975, Harry suffered a massive heart attack, and it was touch-and-go as to whether he’d live. With shows booked, Peter was asked to step in. “Because of my time on Rainbow, I was familiar with children’s shows but having to step into my father’s shoes so quickly was a hell of an ordeal. “I had about three shows the following day and didn’t know the words. It was like a Generation Game sketch, we had words taped to the lighting, the backs of the puppets’ heads... everywhere. At the time, my mum Marjorie did Soo’s voice. So there we were; she was missing her husband and I was almost grieving for my dad as we didn’t know whether he survived, but we struggled through. There was a sort of wartime spirit about it all, and although it sounds awful, it was quite funny, in the way when you’re not supposed to laugh at a funeral but you can’t help it.”
“I said: ‘No dad, you can’t do this...’” Although Harry survived the heart attack (he eventually passed away in 1979), the ordeal had left him facing a long recovery. At that point, Peter had to make a choice: “I said to my father that if I took Sooty on, he can’t come back six months later. He understood, but three years down the line, you can guess what happened. “I said ‘no dad, you can’t do this. We have a formal understanding’ to which he said that if he couldn’t do Sooty, he’d rather die. It was a terrible situation for a father and son, who loved each other, to be in. “Eventually, we worked out a compromise whereby he could do live shows on the south coast. My father was much more sentimental than me. I renegotiated the contracts because Thames TV pay was appalling. They were building office blocks and car parks on the back of the profits they were making from Sooty! “When I left Thames to go independent I was approached by someone who offered his services
Peter (back) with dad Harry and brother David as my financial director. When I asked why I should employ him, he said: ‘Because I was the little b*****d who kept your money down at Thames and if you want me to do the same for you, I will’ - so I hired him!” In 1998, Peter sold the rights to Sooty to a Japanese bank. Although the move didn’t work out for the Sooty brand, Richard Caddell bought the rights for Sooty eight years ago and is now the show’s presenter. Richard planning a film, and Peter has been asked to star in it: “Richard asked me if I’d play the part of the Mayor of a seaside town, and I said I’d love to. If I could do a film before I popped my clogs that would be fantastic. I approve 100% of Richard. He has so much respect for my dad and for me. Matthew has three things he’d like to do which have been talked about; a film, a documentary and a screenplay about our family with me playing my father, which may or may not come off. As far as Peter is concerned, he just wants his three children and six grandchildren to be fit, happy and well. The grandchildren watch old Sooty Shows from time to time, and they just see it as gramps being silly...”
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Events & Leisure
What’s
on
St Helens 2k Saturday, March 5 Departing from the bandstand at Victoria Park at 11am, this fun run is now open for people to sign up. All runners will receive a medal, chocolate bar and certificate. It’s £5 to enter and for more information, visit www.facebook.com/sthelens10krun
Saturday Breakfasts Saturday, March 5 Saturday Breakfast Community Fundraisers’ first event. The initiative is organised and run by the volunteers of the Saturday Breakfast Group, which is affiliated to the Billinge & Orrell Transition Group. Saturday Breakfasts run every Saturday between 9.30am and noon at St Luke’s church hall in Lodge Road, Orrell. Everyone is welcome.
James Martin Monday, March 7 This Plates, Mates and Automobiles tour marks 20 years since Saturday Kitchen presenter James first graced our TV screens. His show will be a fast-paced, interactive and high tech extravaganza. Packed with James’ signature cooking demonstrations, full of surprises and not to mention some very special guests, the audience at Southport Theatre will be thrilled as this multi media production is brought live to the big stage. Doors open at 7.30pm at tickets cost £34.15. They can be purchased via www.atgtickets.com
Charlie Chocolate Easter Friday, March 25 to Monday, March 28 It’s a magical chocolatey Easter at Tatton Park. The year-long magic of Roald Dahl’s Tremendous Adventures at Tatton Park starts on Good Friday when you’re invited to go on the most incredible journeys with Danny the Champion of the World, Matilda and Fantastic Mr Fox in the Gardens, Farm and Mansion. Over the Easter weekend, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-inspired jollities will add to the fun. Opening hours: Gardens 10am-6pm (last entry 5pm); Farm 12pm -5pm (last entry 4pm); and Mansion 1pm-5pm (last entry 4pm). There’s a £6 entry charge. Contact Tatton Park on 01625 374400.
Adult Poetry Session Wednesday, March 9 Here’s a chance for you to air your poetry to a wider audience, from 5.30pm-6.30pm at Billinge Library, Main Street. All welcome.
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Organ Concert Thursday, March 10
A concert on the newly refurbished organ will be performed by Professor Dr Ian Tracey, Organist Tutilaire from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral, at All Saints Parish Church, Church Road, Rainford at 7.30 pm Tickets £6 (including light refreshments) obtainable from Ralph Rigby on 01744 884024. All proceeds to Help for Heroes.
Ed Byrne
Peter Kay’s Dance For Life
Join the Irish comedian on his Outside, Looking In Tour at Warrington’s Parr Hall from 8pm. His live performances have received five-star reviews from the national media, including The Times which said: “A masterful display of the comic’s art…Comedy’s holy grail – go see!” Tickets cost from £19 and can be purchased via www.pyramidparrhall.com
For the first time ever the award winning comedian Peter Kay will be hosting an ambitious fundraising dance-a-thon party at Liverpool’s Echo Arena, with all of the profits going to Cancer Research UK. The three-hour dance-a-thons will have enormous dance floors, which will feature state of the art sound and lights as DJ PK takes to the turntables. Join Peter’s ‘Dance for Life’ Team at www.justgiving. com/teams/danceforlife, all the money raised will be going to Cancer Research UK. Tickets cost £28 to book call 0844 8000 400. Over 18s only.
Friday, March 11
Rainford Spring Ball Saturday, March 12
A four-course dinner, entertainment and dancing awaits at Rainford Village Hall, Church Road. This event is being hosted by the chairman of Rainford Parish Council’s Fund for Rainford in Bloom. Tickets are £25. Email clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com or call 01744 884709.
Local Walk Sunday, March 13
A Healthy Living Walk will take place at 2pm, meeting at the car park opposite Rainford Village Hall. The walk lasts two hours and is free. For more information call 0300 300 0103.
Here’s Johnny! Sunday, March 13
Gloucestershire folk singer and songwriter Johnny Coppin makes a return to the North West when he guests at the Wooden Horse Folk Club, Junction Inn, Rainford Junction, at 8.30pm. One-time member of the band Decameron, Johnny has enjoyed a 40 year career on the folk scene with over 20 albums to his name.
Saturday, March 26
Promote your class
here! Reach an estimated 75,000 readers in St Helens Ad prices start from £30 + VAT Call 01744 649722 for details
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Disney on Ice Silver Anniversary Wednesday, March 16-Sunday, March 20 Commemorate 25 years of the most memorable Disney tales with all your favourite characters at the Liverpool Echo Arena. Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the timeless worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Frozen. Tickets from £18.25 - £44.50 via www.echoarena.com
Chalkey’s Catering (Lesley and Wayne)
The Professional Caterers
Wedding Receptions - Dinners & Banquets Corporate Lunches - Bereavements Christenings , Holy Communions Celebratory Hot & Cold Buffets House Parties Hot Pot Suppers
01744 608880 / 07988 640 557 or 07988 640 557 wchalkey@blueyonder.co.uk www.chalkeyscatering.co.uk
Soup Lunch Wednesday, March 16 The Overseas Committee at St Aidan’s Church, Main Street, Billinge, is holding a soup lunch in the church at 12.30pm. The lunch, priced at £6, will consist of a selection of homemade soups, desserts and tea or coffee. All welcome. For more information, call Julia Birchall on 01744 892360 or email jjbirchall@ supanet.com
Volunteering with the National Trust Thursday, March 17 Jacqui Dexter has been a volunteer with the National Trust for several years, and is giving a talk to the local Trust branch from 7.30pm. After the talk there will be the Annual General Meeting of the National Trust St Helens branch. These events take place in the Lecture Theatre, United Reformed Church, King Street, St Helens. It’s free entry for NT St Helens Centre members and volunteers. Nonmembers will be asked for £1 donation to the National Trust.
Musical Evening
Rick Astley Tuesday, April 5 The Newton-le-Willows born star is back on familiar turf for this show at Parr Hall in Warrington. His career began in 1987. aged just 21, and his debut single Never Gonna Give You Up went to the top of the charts within two weeks of its release. The rest of the world soon followed suit. Rick decided to leave the music business in 1991, only to re-emerge 13 years later with an eight-date tour. Since then, Rick has re-discovered his love for playing live, gradually increasing his international gigs and he continues to tour all over the world. Tickets cost £29.50/£19.50 via www.pyramidparrhall.com
Friday, March 18 Event to commemorate the 37th anniversary of the Golborne Mining Disaster. This musical evening features a performance from Haydock Male Voice Choir and is held at St Thomas’ Church, Church Street, Golborne, from 7.30pm. Tickets, which cost £5, are available from Eric Foster (01942 729587), Colin Rooney (01942 720819) or simply pay on the door.
Heather Small Friday, March 18 As the lead signer in M People, who had hits such as Moving On Up, One Night In Heaven and Search For The Hero, Heather Small was one of the most recognisable voices of the 1990s. She’s now appearing at Wigan’s Monaco Ballroom, The
50
Rose Club, Atherton Road, Hindley, from 7.30pm on March 18. Tickets cost £27.50 and £35 via www. roseleisure.com
From The Jam Thursday, March 24 Original The Jam bassist Bruce Foxton along with guitarist Russell Hastings will be joined on stage at The Citadel by pianist Tom Heel to perform a selection of songs from The Jam’s extensive back catalogue as well as handing over the microphone to the audience for a question and answer session. Tickets from £20 via www.citadel.org.uk
Peter Pan at Easter Friday, March 25-Sunday, April 17 Lewis Bloor, from The Only Way Is Essex, leads this star-studded cast at St Helens Theatre Royal. He will be joining Laura Gregory as Wendy, Radio City’s Claire Simmo as Tinkerbell, Philip McGuinness as Captain Hook, Charlotte Gallagher as Tigerlilly, Liam Mellor as Smee and Simon Foster as Mrs Smee. Based on JM Barrie’s timeless classic about the Boy Who Never Grew Up, audiences are invited to join Peter, Wendy and the rest of the crew on their adventures through Neverland. Tickets from £14
Promote your class
here! Reach an estimated 75,000 readers in St Helens Ad prices start from £30 + VAT Call 01744 649722 for details
Wizard of Oz with Sooty & Friends Sunday, April 10 Click your heels, clap your hands and journey over the rainbow as Dorothy and her dog Toto enter the wonderful land of Oz at Preston’s Charter Theatre. During their travels down the yellow brick road our two friends meet some colourful characters including a Scarecrow, a Tin Man and even a Lion, who really wants some courage. The four new friends travel to see the great and powerful Wizard of Oz, but this won’t be easy as the Wicked Witch of the West is determined to stop them by any means necessary. Tickets from £18 and a family ticket is £58 via www.prestonguildhall.com
for children and £15 for adults and are available via www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com
Grand Easter Concert Saturday, March 26 Held at St Helens Town Hall in aid of Willowbrook Hospice. Featuring Rainford Ladies Choir, Haydock Male Voice Choir, Tom Loughlin and Lynn Jones. Tickets £10 - available from Frank on 01744 309760 or secretary@haydockmvc.com
PCSO Coffee Morning Tuesday, March 29 Enjoy a brew with Moss Bank’s local Police Community Support Officers at Moss Bank Library, from 10.30am-noon. All welcome. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/STHLibraries
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Charity Band Night Saturday, April 2 This Alzheimer’s Society fundraiser takes place at St James’ Social Centre, St James’ Road, Orrell. There will be two live bands playing and a disco to end the night - a hot and cold buffet is included in the £7 a ticket price (of £5 for children of all ages). Call Aimee Williams on 0781 7034363 or email aimee-williams9292@hotmail.co.uk. Alternatively tickets are available from behind the bar at St James’ Social Centre.
Little Angels Staffie Rescue Bingo and Bobs Friday, April 8 Fundraiser evening at St James’ Social Centre, St James’ Road, Orrell. There will be bingo, Play Your Cards Right, hotpot, cake stall, raffle, Pound Coin Roll, a mini quiz, an Open The Safe game and more. Doors open at 6.30pm. Bingo starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £5 per adult and £3 for a child. Contact Suzy Finch for tickets on 07944 084971.
Puzzle
Rory McGrath: Remembers... (Or Is It Forgets?) Sunday, April 17 The star of BBC’s Three Men In A Boat and They Think It’s All Over looks back on his life and career. Join Rory as he remembers some bits and makes up the rest. Contains adult themes and traces of peanut oil. Tickets £14 via www.thelowry.com
Winstanley Tennis Club Open Day Sunday, May 1 Held from 1pm–4.30pm at the Hall Lane venue. Enjoy an afternoon of free tennis (rackets and balls provided) and meet the club’s head coach, Chris Anders. There will also be a tombola, cake stall, refreshments and a bar. For more information visit www.winstanleytennisclub.co.uk
Choir Concert Saturday, May 21 St Helens Ladies Choir will be in concert at King Street United Reformed Church, St Helens, at 7.30 pm. Tickets are £7 and are available from any choir member or by calling 01744 884813.
solutions
The photo on page 26 is of Clipsley Lane, Haydock
52
Culcheth
Circular
by Chris Pearce
B
elieve it or not, it didn’t rain every day in January. It was a long time coming but one day, when the sun finally made an appearance, we loaded our Border Collie, Jack, into the car and headed south for a short trip to Culcheth for this 6½ mile walk. Culcheth is a quintessential English village located NE of Warrington. Its buzzing village centre boasts of many independent shops and there are also pubs and restaurants aplenty, so it’s well worth stopping for a bite to eat after or during your walk.
Your starting point for today’s Jack’s Tracks is the car park for the Culcheth Linear Park, off Wigshaw Lane in Culcheth (WA3 4LX). Once you’ve parked, start off by walking under the road bridge carrying Wigshaw Lane and carry on down the linear path for 600 yards until you reach the main Warrington Road bridge. Climb up the path leading to Warrington Road and turn left. Cross over and then follow the road 500 yards, into the pretty Cheshire village of Culcheth, passing Newchurch Primary School on the way.
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House Farm. Turn right at the footpath sign and look for a bushy hedge on the left hand side. At the end of that hedge, there’s an opening which you need to go through and once you’re through, follow that fenced off pathway right the way past the farm. Once you’re approximately 175 yards past the farm, the track you are on takes a sharp bend to the right. Right on the bend, take a minor pathway which goes straight on. If you go under an old rail bridge (like I did!), you’ve gone too far so turn back. Follow the path in the same direction for over ½ a mile cutting across a few fields and a farm track along the way, until you eventually reach the B5212 (Holcroft Lane). Turn left and you’ll immediately spot a public footpath sign approximately 150
Once you reach the junction with Church Lane where the Culcheth Arms is, turn right down Church Lane, heading out away from the hustle bustle of the village. Just before you reach the handsome lych-gates of the Newchurch Parish Church, bear right down Bent Lane. 200 yards further on you’ll see that Bent Lane forks into two; follow the public footpath sign and take the left hand fork down the track. Follow the track for 300 yards, enjoying the views of Culcheth over your left shoulder. Keep your eyes open for the public footpath on the right just before Ratcliffe
54
yards in the distance on the right hand side. Turn right at that point and stick on the left hand side of the field parallel to the leylandi trees. 07
Leigh Colf Club
Lin
ne
th
nL
ea
La
he
mo
rP ark
WA3 4LX
ha w
Cu lc
Co m
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The lane eventually merges into Hawthorn Avenue, so carry on in the same direction as the road narrows once more into Heyshoot Lane which comes out at the 16th century Raven Inn and the A574. Turn left and follow the main road for 200 yards, then cross over and turn right down Fowley Common Road.
B52
Just as you arrive at a copse, a slight left hand fork will take you into a field. Follow the right hand perimeter of the field until you reach the tarmac driveway leading to Holcroft Hall. Turn right towards the hall, and then take an immediate left and follow Heyshoot Lane for just over half a mile. All along this lane, you’re just a few yards away from following the course of the Glaze Brook, the other side of which is a plethora of farms forming a welcome barrier between Culcheth and Manchester’s unremitting urban sprawl.
Follow this road for 300 or so yards and just after number 30, turn down the public footpath on the right. Follow the path for 200 yards, ignoring the
Holcroft Hall Built in the late 15th Century or early 16th Century, Holcroft Hall was the home of landed gentry, the Holcroft family. Sir John Holcroft was a soldier and politician, having been twice elected to serve as an MP for Lancashire. In the mid 1600s, it became connected to the infamous Blood family through Holcroft Blood, whose father Thomas had stolen the Crown Jewels from the Tower of London. In 1679, the hall came into possession of the Tyldesley family through the marriage of diarist Thomas Tyldesley to his first wife Eleanor Holcroft. The building was given Grade II listed status on November 15, 1966 - making it among the rarest examples of 15th/16th Century architecture in the UK.
metal kissing gate on the left around halfway down the path. Once you reach the brook, bear left and follow the path besides the brook. Once you reach Hitchfield Wood, the pathway diverges from the brook and you should bear left through the wood. Once you reach a boundary fence on the outskirts of the wood (you’ll see Culcheth High School in the distance) turn right and follow the path in the same direction for 1/3 of a mile until you reach a brook. Cross the bridge over the brook and turn left, then take the right hand bend almost immediately afterwards to head towards Leatherbarrow Farm. Once you’ve reached the farm turn left and follow the farm track right out onto Jibcroft Brook Lane. Turn right at the junction with Twiss Green Lane and follow the road to the main B5207.
an
e
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A574
Glaze Brook
Ho
lcr of
Culcheth
Warr ing
ton R
oad
A574
disma
ntled railwa y
Turn right, cross over and take the next left down Broseley Avenue. After 350 yards, turn down a clearly marked path on the right directly after the golf course. There’s multitude of paths as you cross 450 yards of scrubland by the golf course, but if you keep heading in the same direction you’ll eventually find your way to Culcheth Linear Park. Once you have done that, take a left turn and follow the linear path for approximately ½ mile and you’ll end up at the car park where you started. Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.
tL
an
e Holcroft Hall
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Plan now for summer
scent by Angie Barker
Award Winner
W
hen I was a little girl (Hubby is chuckling to himself as he ponders just how long ago that was!) our garden had a large Lilac tree. The flowers were pale mauve with the most wonderful perfume and now that I have a Lilac growing in my garden, I look forward to every spring when I can breathe in its perfume and be transported back in time to my childhood. It’s funny how scent is so closely linked to memory. This is the perfect time of year to start planning for summer scent in your garden and whilst we all have our favourites, I think these are some of the best: Lavender – Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’ is one of the nicest. They do like good drainage so if you garden on heavy clay, best to put them in pots with free draining compost. A line of them edging a path looks lovely and as you brush past you can take in the perfume. Sweet Peas – annuals have the best perfume and there are lots of colours to chose from. Remember with these that you can’t plant them out until the last frost has passed.
Angie is a qualified award-winning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.
Herbs – these are a wonderfully fragrant group of plants, Thyme. Mint and Rosemary being my favourites. A word of caution, don’t plant Mint in a border – it will completely take over – keep it in a pot. And of course you can’t mention perfume without thinking of Roses. Be careful when selecting your Rose because not all of them are scented and some more so than others. David Austin has a wonderful selection and the website is excellent, giving lots of detail of each one’s particular perfume. Pergolas and trellis will give you the opportunity of growing scented climbing plants. Jasminum officinale (needs a warm sheltered spot) and Lonicera periclymenum ‘Serotina’ (Honeysuckle) are fabulous. Place near a patio and before you know it you’ll be sitting in your garden on a warm summer’s evening, not only sipping a glass of wine but drinking in some heady perfume – life doesn’t get much better! (Hubby agrees).
Call Angie now for your free consultation! Angie Barker Dip GD (Inst GD) BA (Hons) Garden Design For All Seasons Tel: 01942 522 405 Mob: 07857 008 383 www.angiebarker.co.uk
Award Winner
57
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Home services
Decorators, plumbers, builders... Mark Mitchell
GARAGE DOOR
REPAIRS
Stained Glass & Leaded Lights • Traditional Leaded Lights & Stained Glass • Manufactured & Repaired • New Commissions • On-Site Repairs • 25 Years Experience
All GARAGE DOORS REPAIRED : Springs, Cables, Locks, Rollers etc. Doors of all ages repaired
01744 894939 07891 330214 NO FIX, NO CHARGE!
Unit 15, Chalon Way Industrial Estate, St Helens, WA10 1AU Tel: 0151 426 2814 Mob: 07711 841735 www.markmitchellstainedglass.co.uk
www.garagedoorandlock.co.uk Strawberry Cottage, Pimbo Lane, Upholland WN8 9QL
A Genuine Family Run Business With Friendly & Courteous Staff
Domestic + Commercial Boiler + Central Heating Installs, Servicing + Repairs Extended warranties available 24 Hour Call-out Brand New Bathrooms
SPECIALISTS IN CENTRAL HEATING INSTALLATION, BOILER REPLACEMENTS AND UPGRADES
Accredited Installer & Ser vice Partner • Annual Boiler Servicing • Landlord & Home Owner Gas Safety Checks • Gas Fire & Cooker Installations • Under Floor Heating Specialists • Home Efficiency Control Upgrades
Freephone 0300 3030121 Dave 07769 942218 / Matt 07969 183809 21, Naburn Drive, Orrell, WN5 8SB
Email: info@orrellheating.co.uk
www.orrellheating.co.uk
506515
FITTED BEDROOM FURNITURE DESIGNED FOR FREE IN THE COMFORT OF YOUR OWN HOME By our experienced craftsman at a fraction of the cost of other manufactures. MANY STYLES AND COLOURS
ALL WORK GUARANTEED Call Today on 01744 821390 www.matthewgreendesign.co.uk
10 YEARS
EXTENDED WARRANTY ON SELECTED BOILER INSTALLATIONS
Finance available
WE REPAIR ALL MAKES OF BOILERS!
Telephone:
01744 649 676 Registration No.
88604
MOBILE:
07931 766 684
www.fgwelch.co.uk
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Our Focus Is Quality & Price
LOCAL FAMILY FIRM
From a Loose Slate to a Complete Construction
Extensions & Alterations Specialists
All aspects of Building & Roofing UPVC Rooflines References Available
• WILSON BROS • Est. 1985
Roofing & Roofline Specialists • All aspects of maintenance & repair • Fascia & soffit installation • Guttering and felting services Call us now for a free estimate
01744 892732 Colin: 07958 302 166 Brian: 07760 160 988 www.wilson-bros.co.uk
Call us on... 01744 600074 Mobile: 07867 592460 13 Hawes Ave, Carr Mill, WA11 7EA
All aspects of Roofing & Roofline Est.1999
ing & Joinery Jobs The Complete Answer to Build
• Extensions & New Builds • Conservatories & Sun Rooms • Loft & Garage Conversions • Fitted Kitchens & Bathrooms • Other building & joinery works If you plan to improve your home, call Gareth today for
a free quotation Billinge Based
01744 603 231 / 07501 270 436
Call today for a free quote 01942 665270 / 0774 876 7845 www.protecroofingnw.co.uk
NO CALL OUT FEES
The Old Coach House, George Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 8QD
60
A
AG E S
61
CLE
A
UPVC CLEANING
CK
LL
20% OFF N
I N G PA
• Windows, Fascias, Gutters etc.
CONSERVATORIES
• Exterior & Interior (Cleaning)
Sadie .… The Cleaning Lady • Domestic Cleaning • Quality Cleaning & Ironing • One Off Cleans • Weekly / Fortnightly • Free Estimates • Flexible to Individual Needs
01744 635977 07954 139821
JETWASHING
• Driveways & Patios etc.
EXTERIOR PAINTING • Fascias, Rendered Walls etc.
TILE, STONE & GROUT • Floor cleaning & sealing
Call Clint for a free no obligation quote.
01744 470 051 or 07834 241 642 www.justcleanpropertycare.co.uk
We don’t cut corners! we clean them
01744 644061
www.dailypoppins.com
MARDEC Painters & Decorators
A.J.Davies
Painter & Decorator • Paper hanging a speciality • Friendly & very reliable service • City & Guilds qualified • Both domestic & commercial • Trading for over 25 years
Call Adam on 01744 755005 e-mail ajdaviesdecorator@hotmail.co.uk
Internal and external work Domestic or commercial jobs welcomed Free inspirational advice & quotes No job too small Established 1992
01744 894 431 07931 282 896
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Need An Electrician? 24/7 call out Consumer unit upgrades Rewires No job too small or big Quality and reliable service NICEIC registered and on the electrical safety register
steve pearson your local electrician
Call for a Free quotation
01744 818564
or
07790 752457
www.bodtree.co.uk
tabernelectrical.co.uk / dan@te-pm.co.uk
• All types of electrical work undertaken • Friendly, fast & reliable • Free estimates
Tel: 01744 881194 Mob: 07554 425580
COMPUTER PROBLEMS?
Broadband broken, computer slow printer packed up, virus/spyware or your keyboards gone kaput Bodtree Systems fix all types of PC problems in the comfort of your own home
Call Catherine Now 07540 222787
No Call Out Charges • Local Company • PC Experts Tel: 01744 778381 - 01942 418763 - Mobile - 07540 222787
MultiSkilled Handyman Roofing & Roofline- repairs and replacement Decorating, Building, Gates supplied & fitted Plastering, Gardening Based in Eccleston
For all your home improvements - No job too small
40 years Experience
All types of tiling work welcomed;
PlC MAINTENANCE
07847 394040 ~ 01744 606938
Bathrooms Conservatories Kitchens Ensuites Call Harry McNally for a FREE estimate
01744 739176 or 07947 802641
01744 602931 or 07756 274503
7 Albany Avenue, Eccleston Park, L34 2QN
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