Local Life - St Helens - May/Jun 2021

LocalLife St Helens Edition

May/Jun 2021

WINto

Tickets

Live Show!

St Helens’ Civic Pride Pages 15-18

Jack’s Tracks visits

Crank Pages 46-48

Rainford’s Music Maestro Pages 44-45

Create a Relaxing Bathroom Oasis Pages 26-27

WFH? Update your Home Office Page 30

LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALKS | COMPETITIONS | HOME & GARDEN SERVICES

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Luxury Coach Holidays & Excursions Here’s a small sample of our luxury coach holidays and day excursions Luxury HoLidays

Luxury HoLidays

Isle of Wight

Norfolk

12th July ~ Dinner, B&B

6th June ~ Dinner, B&B

5 days £355

5 days £539

Ocean View Hotel is an attractive 3 star hotel situated in a prime cliff top location looking out across Sandown Bay. What’s included: 3 Home Pick Up 3 Executive Coach Travel 3 Indoor swimming pool

Located in the picturesque seaside town of Old Hunstanton on the North Norfolk coast, Le Strange Arms Hotel is the perfect venue for the ultimate relaxing seaside break.

3 Entertainment every night 3 Excursions to Newport, The Needles, Yarmouth and Godshill

What’s included: 3 Home Pick-up 3 Executive Coach Travel 3 Norfolk Broad Cruise

3 Coach excursions to WellsNext-the-Sea, Sheringham and Thursford 3 Train Journey to Sandringham

for more details about our luxury coach holidays, call 01942 728 960 for a holiday brochure or visit www.memorylanetravel.co.uk

Our SPaCIOuS aND COMfOrTaBLE LuxurY COaCHES HavE; 3 Full air-conditioning 3 Onboard entertainment system with DVD screens and WiFi 3 Individual Reclining Seats fitted with Seat Belts, Foot & Arm Rests 3 Toilet facilities, fridge, sink and boiler 3 Huge luggage space with driver assistance

day Excursions

Springtime in York Sunday 30th May ~ £20 p.p.

Arriving in this beautiful city arriving at 10.30, we’ll have lots of time to visit the attractions and shops before leaving at 4pm.

day Excursions

Liverpool Bay Cruise & Shop

Sunday 4th July ~ £29.50 p.p.

We start the day at Liverpool One shopping centre and from there, we’ll make our way to the Pier Head for the Liverpool Bay Cruise.

for more details about our day excursions, call 01942 728 960 for an Excursion Supplement or visit www.memorylanetravel.co.uk All excursions will pick up from the closest main road to your home.

Please note that this is a tiny selection of our luxury coach holidays and day excursions available – for more details call 01942 728 960 or visit www.memorylanetravel.co.uk

Moss Industrial Estate, William Way, Leigh WN7 3PT

01942 728960 • www.memorylanetravel.co.uk Memory Lane Holidays is a trading name of Ashcrofts Mini Travel Ltd. Company Number 06950361

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4

W

ith restrictions easing across the UK, life is slowly returning to normal. More relieved than most are the owners of businesses that have had to close their doors during the lockdowns, in particular those businesses in the hospitality, personal care and non-essential retail sector.

Owners of small businesses like these often exist on next to nothing in their business’s formative years with the plan that rewards will follow if the business succeeds.

During the pandemic, many businesses, particularly the newer ones, were faced with a life-changing ‘stick or twist’ decision. Some threw in their cards whilst others are hanging on in the hope that the easing of restrictions brings a change in fortunes. Your support can help.

Let’s also be patient with our hospitality industry when it opens up. Ordering perishable supplies when there is no trading pattern of post-pandemic sales, training new staff to replace those who left, keeping customers safe by ensuring social distancing rules are in place, and having to keep records of everyone who walks through the door is not an easy task.

Walking into your favourite pub and restaurant and expecting the quality of food and the ambience to be perfect from Day 1 post-lockdown is like expecting your team’s star player to be at peak form on the first day of pre-season training. To achieve perfection takes time. #bekind #shoplocal

New Brand in store

Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

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38 Church Road Rainford WA11 8HD 01744 881 588 www.ellamora.co.uk

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This month’s highlights 15. St Helens’ Civic Spirit

Contents 28. Tech Check out the best kitchen gadgets.

42. Puzzle Pages Try out our new word ladder!

49. Outdoors Cycling with bionic legs

50. Health Cope with stress and anxiety.

26. Bathroom Oasis

30. Office Uplift

52. Health Should you be taking supplements?

56. Gardening Love your lawn.

57. Home & Garden Services Find the best local traders for you.

46. Jack’s Tracks visits Crank

44. Music Maestro

53. Switch to Electric

Want to promote your business in

LocalLife?

Next Issue - Jul/Aug 2021

Advertising deadline - 23rd June Published - 7th July

01744 649722 www.locallife247.co.uk

6

Libraries Re-Open

In Bloom

Five St Helens libraries re-opened on 12th April as lockdown restrictions eased. St Helens Library, Chester Lane Library, Eccleston Library, Newton-le-Willows Library and Parr Library are now fully open for those residents who want to browse, borrow books and use the PC facilities.

Community-minded Rainford residents are being urged to help Rainford in Bloom in their efforts to visually enhance the local area.

In addition, Click and Collect facilities are now available at Haydock Library, Moss Bank Library and Thatto Heath Library. These three sites will all offer essential computer access, which is available to book by appointment for up to 45 minutes at a time during opening hours. This is to assist with essential tasks such as study, access to benefits, searches for work and training opportunities.

For library members wanting to use the Click and Collect service, you can view the catalogue here; https:// sthlibrarieswp.koha-ptfs.co.uk/ and reserve up to 6 books for free.

For latest information on the re-opening of other St Helens libraries, visit the Facebook page; www.facebook. com/STHLibraries

y Now full open!

Rainford in Bloom launched in 2014 and won awards from In Bloom from 2015-2018, before landing a Gold award in 2019 for the in the Large Village Category, the highest individual award available.

The organising committee meets every month in the Rainford Village Hall and is supported by more than 30 regular volunteers, including those from ‘Friends of Rainford Station’. The volunteers work in groups that plan and manage specific projects, planting schemes and planters throughout the year.

Each year the team looks to improve new areas while maintaining and developing existing projects.

Rainford in Bloom is self-funded by donations from the community, fundraising events and applications for grants from various organisations and groups throughout the year.

Volunteers don’t have to be expert gardeners. The team has a diverse range of skills including experienced gardeners and horticulturists, new gardeners, volunteers with building experience and also those with business expertise to help with fund raising and finance.

To contact the group, either message them via their Facebook page @RainfordinBloom or email rainfordinbloom@gmail.com

Volunteers Wanted St Aidan’s Church in Billinge is looking for volunteers to help tidy and improve the grounds around the church.

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The church’s aim is to make different spaces in the church grounds more relaxing and pleasant for those people who visit their loved ones resting places. They also want to plant areas with spring bulbs and some trees and shrubs.

As part of the eco-Church awareness strategy, the church plans to erect bird boxes, bat boxes and other natural habitat areas to encourage our local wildlife.

If anyone would like to contribute a few hours each week to help with these projects, please call Tracey Holland on 01744 893905 or 07866 955 316.

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Kickstart Placements Local businesses are being encouraged to create job placements for young people as part of a national initiative backed by St Helens Borough Council.

for the council’s Ways to Work programme, which has supported hundreds of residents during the coronavirus pandemic, said:

The government’s Kickstart scheme provides funding to employers to create six-month job placements for 16 to 24-year olds on Universal Credit at risk of long-term unemployment, with St Helens Borough Council’s Ways to Work team helping deliver the programme locally as a gateway organisation.

“The Kickstart scheme is a brilliant opportunity for businesses of all sizes looking for additional staff members to nurture young people so that they can develop the skills and experience required to find work after completing the scheme.

The Government hopes that the scheme will give young people the chance to build their skills in the workplace, and gain experience that will improve their chances of going on to find long- term, sustainable work.

For each placement, the government will fund salaries for 25 hours per week, paid at the national minimum wage – as well as applicable national insurance and employer pension contributions. Any additional working hours will be paid by the employer.

Commenting on the benefits of local businesses taking up the offer, Andrew Beresford, Delivery Coordinator

“As a gateway organisation, we will assist businesses that register to the Kickstart scheme through us every step of the way with a full wrap-around support offer.

“With more restrictions lifted, meaning businesses are now able to open again, initiatives like this are vital to the reset and recovery period as we look to build back better for this pandemic”.

For more information about the support St Helens Borough Council can offer, call 07872113654, email andrewberesford@sthelens.gov.uk or visit sthelens.gov. uk/waystowork

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MEEtiNg FriENdS, EAtiNg Out ANd SuMMEr HOlidAyS are BaCK!

It’s time for the New You! Here are a selection of our top treatments to help your body to recover from the pressures and temptations of lockdown.

Clarins Well-Being Treatments are the ultimate me-time.

New head-to-toe massage treatments to relieve stress and tension, and to re-energise and improve your mood.

3D-Powersculpt is a new treatment that can burn fat, tone muscle, build muscle and tighten your body. A 30-minute treatment is equivalent to 20,000 crunches, squats, curls or leg extensions.

CACI Non-Surgical Facial will lift and tone facial muscles, whilst improving the skin elasticity and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

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Cricket for Kids The English Cricket Board return this summer with their popular cricket programmes for kids.

June. Contact Gary Greener on 01744 812266 or email suttoncc@uwclub.net.

5 to 8-year-olds can play in the All Stars Cricket programme, which is described as ‘An activity and gamebased programme that is suitable for all skill levels, providing your child with the foundations to begin a lifelong love of physical activity and cricket, while making friends in a safe and enjoyable environment’.

Rainford CC on Fridays between 5-5.45pm starting 4th June. Contact John Williams on 07767 441 978 or e-mail johnawilliams1@btinternet.com

Meanwhile, 8 to 11-year-olds can play in the Dynamos Cricket programme. This programme is described by the ECB as ‘providing boys and girls from 8-11 years old with 6+ sessions of non-stop fun. Each week there will be a focus on a different cricket skill to build their confidence and ability, before they take part in a 60-ball countdown cricket match’.

St Helens Town CC (Denton’s Green) on Wednesdays between 6-6.45pm starting 28th July. Contact Matthew Bielby on 07572 754 431 or email sthelenstowncc@ymail. com

Dynamos (8-11 years) Earlestown CC on Mondays between 6-7pm starting 10th May. Contact Karl Allan on 07434 904 904 or email earlestowncc@hotmail.co.uk

The programmes are running at the following Cricket Clubs:

Newton-le-Willows CC on Fridays between 6-7pm starting 21st May. Contact Ian Walkden on 07368 478 787 or email ianwalky112@gmail.com.

All Stars (5-8 years)

St Helens Town CC (Denton’s Green) on Wednesdays between 6-7pm starting 2nd June. Contact Chris Meadows on 07860 373 229 or email sthelenstowncc@ ymail.com

Earlestown CC on Mondays between 5.30-6.15pm starting 10th May. Contact Karl Allan on 07434 904 904 or email earlestowncc@hotmail.co.uk Newton-le-Willows CC on Fridays between 6-7pm starting 21st May. Contact Ian Walkden on 07368 478 787 or email ianwalky112@gmail.com.

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To book a place on the All Stars or Dynamos programmes at any of these venues, visit www.ecb.co.uk/play/all-stars

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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!

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15

St Helens’

Civic Spirit

by Nicola Gray Civic buildings have been used for generations as central landmarks, symbols of power, dominance and authority, providing public services and meeting points for local people. Over the years buildings under the civic umbrella have come to include libraries, town halls, concert halls, theatres, public squares, government buildings and schools.

There are civic buildings in St Helens which are still being used for their original purpose whilst others have undergone a merry-go-round of re-purposing over the years. Some are iconic and recognisable in equal measure and a few are hidden in plain sight.

Local Life takes a closer look at some of St Helens’ best examples of civic buildings, to try and understand the history behind them and how important they were, and still are, to our community.

The Town Hall The first Town Hall, which was designed in the Italianate style, was completed in 1839. It contained a large

assembly hall for holding legal courts, concerts, balls, and public meetings, as well as a lock up for holding prisoners.

The Town Hall became the headquarters of the new municipal borough of St Helens on 2nd February 1868, but the building was badly damaged in a fire in 1871.

Civic leaders decided to build a new Town Hall on the same site and the larger Victorian style building was completed in 1876 and still stands on Bickerstaffe Street in the town centre.

Although the town hall itself, which is still the headquarters of St Helens Council, is not a listed building, there are two telephone kiosks flanking the entrance which are listed.

The pair of kiosks were designed by Giles Gilbert Scott in 1935 and are constructed in cast iron with a square plan and a dome.

Old St Helens Town Hall

St Helens Town Hall

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Transport Depot

North West Museum of Road Transport This red-brick building started life as home to the town’s horse-drawn trams in 1881; the first horse tram service began on 5th November that year.

It continued in use for public transport purposes, housing steam and electric trams, trolleybuses and motor buses, with The St Helens & District Tramway Corporation running steam trams from 1889. They were replaced by electric trams a decade later and the first ever motorbus was stored here from 1921; with trolleybuses running from 1927.

In 1930 a new garage was added onto the original depot and they were later converted into workshops. The depot fell into disuse when new large single

The Bus Sheds

decker buses were introduced in the early 1980s.

The museum society was able to obtain a lease on the premises, which remained in the ownership of St Helens Council, and moved into building in 1986. In 1994 the

17 poor condition of the roof meant that the facility had to be closed to the public.

The building underwent renovation, the roof was replaced, and the museum reopened in 2006. The building is now home to over 60 heritage buses from all over the North West including a trolleybus, open top buses, coaches, and vehicles built by Daimler, Leyland and Crossley.

Transport Depot Hall St

Victoria Square

Earlestown Town Hall Earlestown Town Hall was designed in 1891 by local architect, Thomas Beesley following a competition. The two-storey brick building was constructed in 1892 at a cost of £10,200 and is finished with stone dressings and slate roofs. There is a five-stage clock tower on the northeast corner complete with bells, produced by Messrs Potts & Sons of Manchester.

It has been suggested that the cost of the hall was provided as a gift for the community by William John Legh, the local lord of the manor (Lord Newton), to celebrate his rise to a peerage in 1892.

Through the years the Town Hall has been home to events and community groups such as Newton Amateur Dramatic & Operatic Society. The hall even had some famous guests in 1962, when the Beatles visited and played a gig.

The Town Hall Earlestown closed its doors to Town Hall public use in 2008 but plans are now underway to transform the building and bring it back into public use once again. The restoration of the Grade II listed building began last summer with the demolition of two annex buildings and the caretaker’s house.

Earlestown Town Hall and its fascinating history are now featured on information boards that have been placed around the building, detailing some of the building’s historic moments.

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Gamble Building

Gamble Building

Situated in Victoria Square in the town centre, the Gamble building was built in the late 1800s and officially opened on 5th November 1896, as a gift to the people of St Helens from Sir David Gamble. Built in brick with terracotta dressings and a slate roof, it began its life as the Gamble Institute, housing both a library and a technical school.

At the end of the 19th century, the town had a few elementary schools but lacked schools capable of providing its pupils with qualifications of a more advanced technical nature that would be needed by local industries.

Sir David, a chemical magnate and first mayor of St Helens, offered to build a technical school, donating £30,000 to the project, around £3.5 million today. He stated that he wanted to assist local people in making themselves equal or superior to those countries where technical education is already an institution.

Originally, the library housed in the Gamble Building Gamble Institute

occupied the ground floor complete with a ladies-only reading room. The basement was devoted to manual training including engineering and plumbing. The first floor was home to various technical classrooms, a laboratory, a geometrical drawing room, and cookery and laundry departments. The second floor was mostly used for chemical works and art.

The Archive Service is still based there, along with many council staff, but the library closed in 2017 due to water damage, making that section of the building unsafe. St Helens Council has announced plans to bring the Gamble building back into full use and after engaging the public in several drop-in events to talk about how the building should be used in the future; senior councillors signed off on £1.4m in funding for the restoration. January 2022 has been earmarked as a potential date for the completion of work.

Images courtesy of St Helens Archives & Geoff Sandford of The North West Transport Museum

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Rein It In A Billinge horse owner is asking members of the public not to feed horses whilst out and about.

With country walks on the increase during the pandemic, horse owners across the UK have reported incidents where horses and ponies have suffered and died due to well-meaning passers-by feeding them without permission.

Jenny Walsh, along with fellow horse owners on the same Billinge yard, is the latest horse owner to take action to stop these incidents happening. Jenny said, “We have put new signs on the field fences and gates and have posted messages about this issue on local community blogs, but some people continue to disregard all this.

treat without asking its owner, don’t feed a horse or pony.

“Look at the horses and take pictures, but please don’t touch or feed them. I know people mean well but, whilst they can just walk away after feeding horses, owners can be left with vet’s bills for thousands of pounds because of their actions”.

Fellow horse owner Tracey Holland, pictured above with 11-year-old Troy, also warned against petting horses.

“If you pet horses at the gate, they think that they are being fed, so they can bite your fingers”, said Tracey, admitting that her own horse Troy had even bitten her a few times.

The campaign to stop the public from feeding horses gathers momentum, with extensive coverage in national magazine, Horse and Hound, and the campaign has also reached social media. ‘Stop Feeding our Horses’ is a Facebook group consisting of almost 10,000 members and was created by former horseowner Hannah Johnstone whose Welsh gelding Lightning died after he was fed a raw potato.

“Horses have delicate digestive systems and are unable to be sick, so ingesting something that their body cannot deal with can often lead to a very painful and distressing death.

“Just as you wouldn’t give a child some sweets without permission or feed a dog a

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Tiddlers Return Tuesday Tiddlers, a play group for toddlers in Garswood, was just one community project which closed the doors when the pandemic took hold last year, but thanks to local resident Lauren Quinn, the popular toddlers’ group has resumed.

parents in our community, for them and the children”.

The group now meets from 9am-10.30am every Tuesday at St Andrews Mission Hall on Garswood Road in the village.

Lauren said “If anyone is having a clear out and has any unwanted toys that are suitable for young children, it would be lovely to have them for the church.

Lauren has two children, including a lockdown baby born in May 2020, and she has experienced first- hand the isolation that parents and children have suffered in the past year.

She said “I am keen on giving back some normality to the

As the toys and equipment for the original Tuesday Tiddlers group were disposed of last spring, an appeal has gone out for help in re-stocking the toy provision for the group.

“Due to COVID any toys we use have to be easy to disinfect so this means no soft toys unfortunately.”

If you have anything to donate or need further information about the group, then call Lauren on 07903 736143.

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26

This hybrid bath is designed for smaller rooms, allowing luxury, comfort and choice to fit into even a modest space.

Mini Ebb shower bath, £1,495, Waters Baths of Ashbourne.

12 ways to make your bathroom a

Relaxing Oasis Functionality comes first in the bathroom, but there’s no reason why you can’t combine efficiency with aesthetics – and gain all the benefits of a space that looks good and feels good at the same time. Here are a dozen ideas to start you off: • Lighting is vital. Check that the bulbs in your light fittings are giving off the light you prefer, though try not to mix different light temperatures (warm or cool) in the same room. Smart bulbs can be switched on and off and the colour temperature changed or dimmed using a remote control or an app. Or, if you have a light switch outside the bathroom door, consider swapping it for a dimmer.

• Sort out your storage. Slim wall cupboards, shelves, ladders, caddies, peg rails and over-door hooks are options, while small storage items – such as wicker baskets, pretty ceramics or bright plastic tubs – bring texture, colour and interest.

• If your shower is pathetic, investigate whether you can add a pump to make it more powerful.

• Get rid of the grunge and scrape out the old grout and silicone between and around your tiles, especially if there’s any mould. Redoing them will make an extraordinary difference.

• Replace a shower curtain with a shiny glass shower screen – the look is clean and minimally efficient (and won’t need replacing regularly).

• Jazz up your windows. Options include decorative window film, a beautiful blind (Roman or roller) or some minimal wooden louvres.

Wooden blinds are elegant and practical, and come in a range of natural colours, or brighter, painted shades.

Luxury Clay Brown wooden Venetian blinds with tapes, price depends on size, English Blinds.

• Add a large mirror – it’s not only useful and a focal point but increases the feeling of light and space in the room.

• Buy a set of coordinating towels. The fluffier the better, in clean, bright, hotel-white or a colourful pattern.

• Add plants, large and small, high and low – they usually thrive in a bathroom’s humid atmosphere. Choose pots that complement your overall scheme.

• Lay a woven cotton or ‘outdoor’ rug on the floor – it can easily be washed or wiped down and will introduce a softer feel, adding colour, pattern and texture, too.

• Change a dated pair of taps for some good-looking, modern ones. Check that they will suit your water pressure, and make sure the new spout extends the correct amount over the bath or basin – they should reach about as far as the plug hole.

• A chair or stool is always useful in a bathroom, even if it’s just to throw clothes over or to hold soap and books next to the bath.

27

Incredibly glamorous, these pink wall tiles have a glossy, crackle-glazed finish, and fit right into this luxurious bathroom, which features huge amounts of built-in storage.

Bella Pink wall tiles, £35.99 per square metre, Tile Mountain.

Recharge and Revive in a bathroom that makes you

LONGER-TERM CHANGES If you are rethinking your entire room, decide on basic layout issues at the start. Should the WC be in a separate room, for example? Do you need to knock down or add partition walls? Or would you like a walk-in shower, extensive fitted storage or perhaps a pair of his and hers basins? Avoid moving existing plumbing, if possible, as it will save money and effort. However, if the floorplan of your current bathroom really isn’t working for you, this one-off plumbing cost could be worth it in the long run.

When thinking about the overall room design, it makes sense to build shallow false walls within which to hide cables and pipework, while installing underfloor heating

Feel Great allows you to remove a radiator, thus freeing up some wall space for a statement towel warmer as well as providing cosy, constant heat.

A brand new lighting scheme can provide a real upgrade and, if you’re renovating the whole bathroom, it may be possible to install two lighting circuits: one for working lights and the other, on a dimmer switch, for soothing, ambient lights. Some gorgeous new flooring is a must: for the look of luxurious stone or marble on a lower budget, lookalike porcelain tiles are a great option, while vinyl flooring comes in a huge range of colours and patterns.

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The best gadgets for every kitchen

Now that many of us are cooking so much more at home, there are lots of gadgets that promise to make our kitchen time better. Some of them enable you to do much more with much less washing up; others ensure brilliant results for every meal; and still others enable you to cook like the pros.

One of our favourite kitchen gadgets is the electric pressure cooker. The most famous one is the Instant Pot, but there are lots of rivals. It’s a one-pot machine that you can use to make soup, stews, casseroles and even yogurt, and unlike many multi-cook devices it’s good at all of them. One of the best things about it is that it enables you to slow cook quickly: pressure cooking means you get all the flavour and tenderness of slow cooking in less than an hour. And when you’re done, there’s only one dishwashersafe pot to clean.

Another firm favourite in our kitchen is the air fryer, which gives you deep fried taste without the mess, smell

or unhealthiness. They’ve come a very long way in just a few years and they’re brilliant for fantastic fried chicken, amazing chips and quickly reheating takeaways: the only thing they’re not great at is food with lots of runny batter, which just falls off.

If you’re feeling really fancy, a Thermomix can do pretty much everything: it can vacuum cook meat, fish and vegetables for sous vide cooking; it can slow cook; it can caramelise, brown, blend, boil, knead, emulsify and more.

It even has a display to show you video tutorials. It’s very expensive but it’s an incredible device.

If you prefer to cook manually we’d thoroughly recommend the Thermapen, an instant thermometer that enables you to test the temperature of things like large roasts. It takes the guesswork out of cooking times, ensuring that every roast is perfectly done, and it’s also really useful in barbecue season when you don’t want to risk giving people undercooked meat.

ANOVA PRECISION COOKER NANO

THERMOMIX TM6 The TM6 is incredibly expensive but it’s a truly extraordinary intelligent cooking machine that’ll replace many of your existing appliances. £1,145, Vorwerk.co.uk

THERMAPEN This instant-read digital thermometer takes the guesswork out of cooking meat, fish and bread, and while clones are cheaper they’re not as accurate.

Sous Vide – gently cooking food for hours in warm water – delivers incredible tenderness and flavour, and the Anova enables you to do it in any big pot. It’s appcontrolled, easy to use and produces amazing results. £129, Anovaculinary.com

£51, Thermapen.co.uk

PHILIPS AVANCE COLLECTION AIR FRYER

INSTANT POT DUO EVO PLUS

Philips’ air fryers are easy to use, easy to clean and deliver excellent results. This is one of the larger models, with a 1.2kg capacity that makes it ideal for families.

This isn’t the cheapest Instant Pot – the Duo is half the price – but this is more flexible and has a brilliant display that makes it even easier to use.

£250, Amazon.co.uk

£129.99, Amazon.co.uk

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30

Give your Home Office an Uplift

Working from home may not be all fun and games, but there is no reason why your home office has to be dull. Add some personal touches and transform it into a space in which you actually enjoy spending time.

To take your home office to the next level, add some abstract art, with prints featuring organic shapes and complementary monochrome colours Selection of framed prints, all Desenio.

Working from home at least gives you more time to tend to your plant collection. If you haven’t got one, now’s the time to start.

Terracotta plant pots, from £2 each, Scaramanga.

Combine support and style with an office chair that raises

A HOME OFFICE ‘GLOW UP’

and lowers to a comfortable

Colour is important. If a particular colour makes you feel happy – add it! If you don’t want to go as far as painting the whole room, just refresh the wall behind the desk (that you spend the majority of your time looking at) with a small pot of emulsion.

position, swivels easily and looks good enough to fit into your overall room scheme.

Calgary office chair in faux leather, £164.99, Lakeland Furniture.

You can also add colour in the form of furniture and accessories, from an office chair to the essential adjustable desk lamp, as well as pen holders, clocks or paperweights.

Add a spot of cheerful colour in the form of an adjustable desk lamp.

Ginaz table lamp, £25, B&Q.

A home office need never be drab. Add some colour with well-chosen shades of paint.

Shown here: Greek Blue, Louis Blue, Giverny, Napoleonic Blue and Athenian Black, all £5.95 per 120ml, Annie Sloan.

Personalise the walls with your favourite prints, posters, paintings and photographs. For a formal look, frame them identically and hang them symmetrically. Alternatively, you could peg small pictures to a string, stick postcards to a corkboard with coloured drawing pins or prop them, facing outwards, on a narrow shelf.

It’s all about comfort, so make sure you’re working at the right temperature. A small desk fan for the summer may be useful, while in the winter a heater can be an essential. For an even cosier feel, choose a woolly throw that looks pretty and feels soft.

A few plants dotted here and there go a long way to making an office feel more homely. Increase the sensory experience with a vase of fresh flowers, scented candles or an aromatic diffuser.

31

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36

Invest Today.

Change Tomorrow A Guide to Responsible Investing Responsible, sustainable and environmentally friendly investing is here to stay. However, while demand is growing among all age groups, genders and income bands, some savers and investors are missing their biggest opportunity for responsible investing, which is through their pension.

We all want to make responsible choices as more of us are becoming aware of global challenges, such as environmental issues, human rights and climate change.

We’re also starting to care more about how our behaviours affect the planet and society.

Future Success Taking ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) factors into consideration when investing is becoming more mainstream. It is acknowledged that companies that act responsibly to their employees, the environment and the public have a better chance of future success than those that don’t. Investing in these companies is now a logical approach financially as well as ethically.

Many pension holders understand this approach and see the value of it. In a recent survey, more than one-third of respondents said that the option to invest their pension only in sustainable companies is important to them.

Nearly two-thirds said having clearly branded funds for investing in environmentally and socially responsible companies is important to them.

Pension Investments The same survey suggests that pension holders feel that sustainable investing isn’t just important, but interesting.

More than half of respondents said that a fund focused on clean energy and lowering carbon would make them more interested in their pension. A similar number felt that way about a zero-plastic fund.

and interesting, that isn’t yet affecting the way they invest.

Most people don’t manage their pension investments personally so, more than two-thirds of pension holders do not know how sustainable their pension is.

Environmentally Friendly Many pension holders don’t know that they can choose their own funds, and therefore that they can choose sustainable or responsible funds. Around half are unaware of ways to ensure their pension is environmentally friendly.

Clearly, many pension holders would like to invest pension funds more sustainably and responsibly but don’t know where to start. There are plenty of options, but without specialist advice, it can be difficult to select those companies that are truly responsible and environmentally friendly and will also deliver the financial return you’re seeking.

Investing with Purpose Responsible investors essentially take responsibility for the impact that the companies they invest in have on the world. Thankfully, investing with an ESG focus has moved from a niche area of investing to the mainstream, with many well-known investment firms now offering a large number of funds in this area.

Speak to us at Callisto about what responsible investing options are available in your pension scheme and any other investment, and for advice on how to help your money have the greatest impact. We look forward to hearing from you.

Andrew Platt CFPTM Chartered MCSI

But while pension holders feel these issues are important A pension is a long-term investment not normally accessible until age 55 (57 from April 2028). The value of your investments (and any income from them) can go down as well as up, which would have an impact on the level of pension benefits available. Your pension income could also be affected by the interest rates at the time you take your benefits.

The tax implications of pension withdrawals will be based on your individual circumstances, tax legislation and regulation which are subject to change in the future. You should seek advice to understand your options at retirement.

Planning for your future is hard if you don’t have the necessary financial expertise.

Callisto Wealth Management will work with you to help you achieve your financial freedom once you reach retirement.

Take the first step today towards enjoying the rest of your life.

Call us on 01744 881421 to arrange a no-obligation consultation at Rainford Hall.

Remote consultations also available.

Call us now for your FREE Smart Money guide!

Callisto Wealth Management Ltd Rainford Hall | Crank Road | St Helens | WA11 7RP 01744 881421 www.callistowealth.co.uk enquiries@callistowealth.co.uk

38

o t s t e k c i N WI T

! w o h Live S Local Life has teamed up with Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena to give our readers a chance to win a pair of tickets to one of three fantastic live shows taking place at the waterfront venue after lockdown restrictions are eased on 17th May. X-treme Magic will be staged on Saturday 22 May; Sleeping Beauty will run from Saturday 29 May until Saturday 5 June; and audiences can look forward to Circus Spectacular on Saturday 12 June. All shows will be staged in The Auditorium at Liverpool’s M&S Bank Arena, and tickets are on sale now.

X-treme Magic Billed as The World’s Most Dangerous Thrill Show and is packed with fire, illusion and death-defying stunts. Master illusionist Richard Cadell will be joined by a full supporting cast of magicians including Pete Firman, Elizabeth Best and Craig Christian, as well as fire artistes, speciality acts and dancers. Highlights include making a motorcycle appear from nowhere; Russian roulette with sticks of dynamite; and even trying to escape from a straightjacket while hung from a burning rope.

Sleeping Beauty Billed as the Pantomime Of Your Dreams, Sleeping Beauty will star singer Gareth Gates, comedy star Bippo, and Peppa Pig’s Emma Grace Arends. When the Evil Carabosse curses Princess Beauty to die on her 21st birthday, Beauty’s Fairy ensures she only falls into a deep sleep which can be broken with

a kiss from her true love. A handsome Prince must come to her rescue and save the day. The show also features a live band, beautiful scenery and costumes, special effects, and lots of laughs.

Circus Spectacular Billed as Madness and Mayhem For All The Family, Circus Spectacular is a circus variety show bursting with fun for all the family, starring comedy performer Bippo The Clown and friends. The firstclass artistes will also present production numbers and comedy to make the show a fantastic experience. Every show is unique as audiences are given the rare opportunity to choose acts of the show in the ‘what’s next?’ section, with both sets of artistes fighting it out for the winning vote. The show culminates in a grand finale, which includes the first four rows being provided with rain macs.

39 Organisers are keen to reassure theatregoers that all necessary safety measures – including social distancing – will be in place to ensure a relaxing and enjoyable return to indoor live entertainment.

Producer James Shone commented: “We are thrilled to announce these new shows for Summer 2021. Audiences have missed out on so many live experiences over the last 12 months, so it’s a real privilege that we will be presenting some of the very first shows once lockdown restrictions are eased.

“The three spectacular shows promise fun, laughter and magic – something we all really need right now.

We want to reassure theatregoers that social distancing and safety measures will be in place to ensure Covidsecure performances – audience, cast and crew safety is paramount.”

To enter the competition to win one pair of the three pairs of tickets on offer, simply visit our website, www.locallife247.co.uk, click on ‘free stuff’ and then on ‘competitions’ and then answer the following question;

In which city is the M&S Bank Arena located?

Please hurry, the expiry date for this competition is Friday 14th May 2021.

The expiry date for the competition is midnight on Friday 14th May 2021, and the winners will be personally contacted within three working days and the results will be posted on our Facebook account by 31st May 2021. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. Strictly one entry per household – multiple entries will be disqualified. Local Life 247 cannot accept responsibility for entries that do not reach us.

Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd and their families are not eligible to enter this competition.

To book tickets for these shows visit www.mandsbankarena.com

40

Newsletter KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE

The On-Going War Against Litter

The Parish Council organised a litter pick on 11.04.2021.

Residents joined with Councillors, The Girl Guides and the Boy’s Brigade & Girl’s Association and sadly collected large quantities of rubbish from around Rainford.

Grateful thanks to all those who were involved and to all those who created the need, please stop desecrating our beautiful village by dropping litter. Use the many bins provided or take it home.

Rainford PC will be supporting Rainford-in-Bloom on the next assault against litter, as part of the Keep Britain Tidy - Great British Spring Clean campaign.

Friday night quizzes on 21.05.2021 at 7pm. These will continue for 5 weeks and will be a good way for people to ease back into social situations. Entrance to the quiz is free and it will start at 7.30pm.

Boundary Commission Review

The Local Government Boundary Commission for England issued draft recommendations on the new electoral arrangements for St Helens Borough Council. There were two parts of the draft recommendations that involved Rainford. The Parish Council made a submission which can be viewed at: www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk Please contact the Clerk’s office if you would like a paper copy.

Elections May 2021

There are elections for members of St Helens Council on 06.05.2021. Some people make a point of always voting.

Others choose not to. But if you’re not sure whether there is any point, here are some points to consider: 1) It’s free and the polling station is a quiet place to make decisions in peace.

Cllrs Reynolds, Lamb and Monk

Business Around Rainford

2) It affects where you live. Westminster and European elections can feel a little remote, but local councils are where decisions are made that matter on a day-to-day basis; schools, libraries, street cleaning, leisure centres, the bins etc. Many of the services you need, love and maybe despair of.

This Parish Council initiative had a virtual launch on 21.04.2021. It is a forum for Businesses in Rainford and for Rainford residents who have businesses. The next meeting will take place on 21.07.2021. If you would like more information, please contact Victoria Swainbank on 01744 884709 admin@rainfordparishcouncil.com

3) Councillors are important. It’s worth thinking about the qualities each candidate would bring to the role as they will be the people (along with the Parish Councillors), you can get in touch with if you want to improve your lives over the next few years. You will be able to vote for one of three candidates for Rainford.

The Parish Council is currently compiling a Business Directory which will be on the Parish Council website.

Paper copies will also be available.

4) Lots of your money is at stake. Councils account for a whopping one quarter of public spending. This equates to billions of pounds. Even divided area-by-area, this is a fortune. Have a say over how your money is spent.

Parking in the Village

The Parish Council has received numerous complaints and concerns from residents about the way some people park their vehicles in and around the Village, particularly in the vicinity of the schools. It is therefore involved in a number of initiatives which will hopefully result in less thoughtless and illegal parking.

Quiz Nights

The Village Hall bar, which had a complete refit just before the first lockdown, will re-open for socially distanced

5) It gives you the right to moan! You only have the right to criticise the “powers that be” if you didn’t do your bit to help choose them.

6) Voting can be fun. Polling stations are not dull. The staff are usually very pleased to see you and will help with any problems or concerns.

7) It’s anonymous. The candidate and party you choose are not made public and you don’t have to tell anyone how you voted. If you don’t want to vote for any of those standing, you can make your point by “spoiling” your ballot paper.

41 8) You could be helping the prime minister of the future.

Who knows how far the political career of your chosen candidate will go? You could be helping someone on their way on a great political journey.

9) It should turn out nice. The weather is usually very pleasant at the beginning of May, so why not take a stroll to your local polling station. It will be open from 7am to 10pm, so plenty of time to get there.

10) It doesn’t happen often. We don’t get to vote on every issue or even every year, so it’s worth taking advantage of when we get the chance to have our say.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh

The Parish Council was saddened to learn about the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. The Chairman attended a special service at All Saints Parish Church.

Wildlife Cameras

The Parish Council is exploring the possibility of locating wildlife cameras around the Village.

Parish Council Meetings

Parish Council meetings are currently taking place via Zoom but that doesn’t mean that you can’t join in. Please contact the Clerk’s office for the link. 01744 884709.

Further details can be found on the Parish Council website: www.rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk The Full Council meets on the fourth Monday of the month and residents are encouraged to address members on matters of concern to them.

Annual Parish Meeting

The Annual Parish meeting will take place on 10.05.2021 at 6pm. The meeting will be held via Zoom and residents are encouraged to attend. Please contact the Clerk’s office for the link. The meeting will also be streamed live.

If you have a question for the Parish Council you can ask it at the meeting or submit it in advance to the Clerk: 01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com Please do take this opportunity to engage with your Parish Council.

RAINFORD PARISH COUNCIL Rainford Village Hall, Church Road Rainford WA11 8HB

01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com @rainfordvillagehall

@rainfordparishcouncil

The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

Not to be confused with the Annual Parish Meeting! This will take place at 6.30pm on 24.05.2021 and is when the Chairman and Vice Chairman are elected for 2021/22.

The Standing Orders and Code of Conduct are approved and the Internal auditor is appointed. Additionally, the committee structure is reviewed and members are appointed to committees. Finally, the dates for the full Council meetings for 2021/22 are decided.

Residents are very welcome to attend this meeting. It will be decided nearer the time whether this meeting will be held virtually via Zoom or in person. You can register your interest by contacting the Clerk’s office.

Bookings now being taken

Rainford Village Hall is available to hire for classes, parties, anniversaries, events and Wedding Receptions.

Please ring 01744 884709 and speak to the Event Co-ordinator, Victoria Swainbank. email admin@ rainfordparishcouncil.com If you are interested in getting involved, would like further details of events or have suggestions for ways the Parish Council can engage with the community, please contact the Clerk, Sally Powell on 01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.com

42

Puzzle Pages CROSSWORD

DOWN

1. Father or mother (6) 2. Daphne du Maurier novel (7) 3. River which flows through Paris (5) 5. Fishermen (7) 6. Follower of a major religion (5) 7. Rough shelter at the side of a house (4-2) 8. Root used in the preparation of a sharp-tasting

condiment (11)

14. Underground prison (7) 15. Japanese paper-folding art (7) 16. French sweet blackcurrant liqueur (6) 17. With hands on hips and elbows extending

outward (6)

19. Compass point at 180 degrees (5) 21. Unprocessed thick sap from a tree (5)

ACROSS

18. Malicious burning to destroy property (5)

1. Local church community (6)

20. Framework erected over an oil well (7)

4. US artist, Andy ___ (6)

22. Receptacles for cups (7)

9. Leader of a Jewish congregation (5)

23. Medieval and Renaissance wind instrument resembling

10. Fabric made of silk (7)

11. Centre of an atom (7)

24. Statue with the body of a lion and the head of a man (6)

12. Spew forth lava and rocks (5)

25. Colour of the rainbow (6)

an oboe (5)

13. Mythical container enclosing all human ills (8,3)

WORDWHEEL Using only the letters in the Wordwheel, you have ten minutes to find as many words as possible, none of which may be plurals, foreign words or proper nouns.

Each word must be of three letters or more, all must contain the central letter and letters can only be used once in every word. There is at least one word that uses all of the letters in the wheel.

TARGET EXCELLENT: 24 or more words GOOD: 18 words FAIR: 15 words

T

O

A M L R

43

WORDSEARCH

INSECTS

SUDOKU

ANTS

EARWIG

MOSQUITO

APHID

FIREFLY

MOTH

BEDBUG

FLEA

SILKWORM

BEETLE

FLIES

TERMITE

BUMBLEBEE

HORNET

TICKS

CATERPILLAR

LADYBIRD

WASP

CICADA

LICE

WEEVIL

COCKROACH

LOCUST

CRICKET

MAYFLY

WORD LADDER Change one letter at a time (but not the position of any letter) to make a new word - and move from the word at the top of the ladder to the word at the bottom, using the exact number of rungs provided.

HAND

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: an implausible story used as an explanation or excuse.

Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.

T S L L

O C B U

R O D N

Y C K A

FOOT All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 55 of this magazine

44

Rainford’s Music Maestro

by Nicola Gray It has been said that self-doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will; but for Rainford’s Ross Harrington, failure simply wasn’t an option when it came to pursuing his passion for music.

The 21-year-old, better known to the music world as producer, NAVOS, has just been signed by Island Records and is tipped to be the sound of the summer as his new hit ‘Believe Me’, rockets up the official charts.

Ross’s story is a modern day fairy-tale backed up by passion and lots of hard work. Ross grew up in Rainford and has lived in the village all his life, attending Rainford CE Primary, before moving on to Rainford High Technology College and Sixth Form.

Ross added, “I’ve spent a lot of my time here and I love a night out in Rainford, some of my favourite places to go are The Golden Lion and the Junction Pub. I worked in the Junction Pub, that was my first real job.

Ross continues, “Music has always been my passion though, since I was 12 or 13 years old. I have always been into music, I played guitar in primary school and it just grew and grew from there.

“I went to an Avicii show in Manchester in 2015 and I thought that’s what I want to do as a job. From there it started as a hobby, I got a computer for Christmas and the necessary software and the rest is self-taught. It all comes with a lot of time and effort.

And effort is exactly what Ross has in abundance; last year saw him finishing his last year at Edge Hill University and up until a few months ago was working in Dunelm in Liverpool. Ross added, “It was a lot of work, I was completing the last year of my Sport Therapy degree, so there was a dissertation to write. I enjoyed University but I’m concentrating on producing music, I think you get one shot at this and I intend to give it my all.”

I like a good back story, so I wanted to know where Ross came up with the name NAVOS, he laughs, “That’s a funny one, when I was little, I wanted to be in the Navy so that together with the last part of my first name gave me NAVOS. Ross’s name isn’t the only thing that has changed in the last few months; he’s made the move from University and Dunelm to the studio and the heady heights of the music charts. Ross explains, “My work mates are always texting to say I’m smashing it and that they’re really happy for me.

Everyone has been so supportive.

“Life is quite a bit different, sometimes I can’t believe that I’m doing interviews and going to photo shoots, but it’s cool and I’m loving it.”

The pretext to all of Ross’ success is his hard work, when I ask him about an average day his head is most definitely

45

Quiz

Theme: Land and Sea

1. Which country is sometimes referred to as the “land of the rising sun”?

2. Who used the stage name “the Sea Monster” when she first began her career in stand-up comedy?

on his music, “I just want this to happen, so I’m willing to put the work in and that means putting the hours in at the studio. I also like to get out for a walk and I’m looking forward to being able to go for a drink with friends when we can.”

Born in lockdown, ‘Believe Me’ became an instant hit and currently stands at number 27 in the charts, with more than 16 million streams on music site Spotify. Ross says, “Lockdown has given me time to focus on my music, being locked in the house, I got my head down and it was a way for me to keep myself occupied and doing something.

3. Which act won the 2004 Brit Award for Best British Album for their debut album, Permission To Land?

4. Marked by dropping a ring into the sea inscribed with the Latin for “we wed thee, sea, as a sign of true and everlasting domination”, the Marriage of the Sea ceremony is an ancient ceremony that is still performed today in which European city?

5. What is the only landlocked country with a name ending in “land”?

6. The Sea of Marmara separates the European and Asian parts of which country?

“I put aside quite a few hours a day and without that time I wouldn’t be where I am today. This is the dream and I’ll keep working hard for it.”

7. The poem The Waste Land by T.S. Eliot begins by saying that which month of the year “is the cruellest month”?

So, what is next for Ross and where would he like to take his music career? Ross explains, “I would love to go on tour, have a few top 10’s and to headline Creamfields or Glastonbury.”

8. The Suez canal links which two seas?

For now, though he intends to enjoy his success, work hard and continue to keep his feet firmly on the floor, he says, “My friends always keep me grounded, the banter is always there and although they like my work they still treat me the same, I’m still me; my hobby just turned into my job!”

9. According to the book of Genesis, which “land” was Cain exiled to by God after murdering his brother, Abel?

10. Which famous fictional bar is located directly below a restaurant called Melville’s Fine Sea Food?

Quiz solutions can be found on page 55 of this magazine

46

Crank

by Chris Pearce

Distance: 7.5 miles Difficulty: Medium The landscapes of most walks have an element of ‘old’ and ‘new’ about them, and this latest Jack’s Tracks has more than most. Ancient country estates, old railway lines, attractive churches and beautiful countryside make this 7.5 mile walk around the northern villages of St Helens a real treat for walkers.

Park up on Crank Hill (WA11 7SD) near the bend at the higher end of Alder Lane. Follow the footpath away from the village and up an incline. You’ll pass the reservoir on the right as you arrive at the top of the hill; carry on in the same direction downhill. The path bends as you enter the

wooded area and you’ll go slowly uphill again, rewarded with great views of Billinge as you exit the trees.

Go through two stiles, pass Forsters Farm Shop and turn right when you arrive at Moss Bank Road. The handsome alms-houses appear soon after on the right, which date back to 1725 and give you an idea of the rich history of the hilltop village, followed shortly after by Moss Bank Mission, which was built in 1855 and donated to the village by Lord Daresbury for the education of local children.

Take the footpath that runs between the boundaries of 59 and 61 Moss Bank Road, and as you exit through a metal turnstile you can expect to see great views from your lofty position. You’re now on the Rainford Hall estate, which is far off to your right and straight ahead on the top of that hillock, you can see the rooftops of Windle Hall. Both homes were once owned by members of the Pilkington family.

Follow the path downhill and then turn right down the wide bridleway, which in years past was the track bed for the St Helens to Rainford Junction railway, opened in 1858 and closed to passengers 93 years later. Other stations on the line included Crank Halt, Old Mill Lane, Rookery 1 & 2 and Rainford Village.

47

For those with the OS Maps app on your desktop, mobile or tablet, this walk is named: JT-Crank

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Follow the bridleway as it bends to the left and then cross Rainford Brook via the metal footbridge on the left.

Follow the footpath to Crank Road, cross then turn left for 50 yards, then turn right into Berrington’s Lane.

Berrington’s Lane is just under a mile long and as you walk away from the noisy East Lancs Road, the lane becomes alive with wildlife. It was early morning when we did the

walk and we were lucky enough to spot a couple of deer, a few rabbits and numerous songbirds.

At the end of Berrington’s Lane, turn right and follow Mill Lane for 600 yards crossing Rainford Brook once more.

Look closely for a path on the left-hand side once the Saint-Gobain site ends and in the vicinity of the bus stop.

Follow the path, which takes you down the back of the

48 industrial site, for ½ mile until you arrive at Rookery Lane in Rainford. Turn right, go straight past the junction for Derby Drive and then turn left into Rainford Linear Park.

Once again, the walk returns to the track bed of the St Helens to Rainford Junction railway. Rainford Linear Park runs straight through the village like an arrow, bringing a green sanctuary to the residents. The park is a real delight, it’s so well kept and is a haven for walkers and cyclists of all ages.

You’re going to follow the path for until you reach a road called Cross Pit Lane (the site for the old Rainford Village Station). Turn right here and walk up to the mini roundabout at the top of the road. Turn left and just after you pass the Rainford URC Church, turn right into Muncaster Drive.

Follow Muncaster Drive for 650 yards as the walk opens up to views of Billinge Hill. Once you reach the crossroads of paths, go straight on for a further ½ mile and then turn right at Fire Clay Farm and follow the path for a further 400 yards until you emerge on Higher Lane. Turn left.

Follow the road away from Rainford for just over ½ mile until you reach Mill Lane Farm on a dogleg bend. Just after the dogleg, turn right and follow the path at the side of the field. Hop over a couple of stiles, then turn left and follow the well-used path around the perimeter of the field until you reach the driveway to Crank Hall Farm. Turn

left to reach Crank Road and then turn left again towards Crank. Follow the road for 1/3 mile into the village.

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.

49

Cycling

with bionic legs!

An introduction to e-bikes E-bikes are like normal bikes given super powers: you still pedal them, but they have an electric motor that gives you some extra help. It feels rather like having bionic legs: you can pull away from traffic lights quickly and easily tackle steep hills.

That makes them brilliant for commuting and urban cycling, and a great choice for people who want to improve their fitness and haven’t been on a bike for years.

What kind of e-bikes are there?

Commuter bikes are all-rounders while MTBs are mountain bikes and road bikes are racing bikes. The former have big tyres and great suspension, while the latter use super-light materials and aggressive geometry to achieve high speeds. Cargo bikes are for carrying loads that are too big for panniers or a backpack, and usually have bigger tyres and better brakes.

How do I get the right e-bike size?

E-bike sizes are usually expressed as S, M, L and XL. Small bikes are generally suitable for riders up to 5’5” while XL bikes are designed for six footers and above. Some e-bikes have very adjustable seats and handlebars that enable them to skip between sizes.

Swifty E-Mountain Bike, £799 from Amazon.co.uk

Volt Metro Folding Commuter Bike, £1,599 from Voltbikes.co.uk

Cyrusher XF690 folding fat bike £1,799 from Cyrusher.co.uk

Is there more than one kind of e-bike motor?

Crank drives connect directly to the bike chain, while hub drives sit in the wheel hub – usually the rear wheel. Crank drives are more energy efficient and feel more natural when pedalling but hub drives are usually much cheaper.

What about gears?

E-bikes come with the same kind of gear systems as ordinary bikes and the gears adjust how much pedalling is needed.

With e-bikes you’ll usually be able to control the assistance level the motor gives you. You might choose Turbo for fast pulling away from traffic lights but Eco (or equivalent) when on a relaxing country ride.

Which battery should I choose?

Most manufacturers provide a battery range estimate, or you can calculate the range by dividing the battery’s power by 20 – a battery with a 400Wh rating should give about 20 miles on full assist, which is when the electric motor is operating at full power. Most e-bikes have a little bike computer that shows battery charge and the range remaining before recharging is needed. When the battery runs out of power, your e-bike behaves like a normal bike, albeit a heavier one. Typical recharge time is three to four hours and batteries typically last for two to four years.

How much should I spend?

You can get perfectly decent e-bikes for around £500, or you can spend over £4,000 on a carbon road bike.

The more you spend the lighter the bikes become and the better the hardware: where cheaper e-bikes are designed for everyday use, the most expensive e-bikes are serious bits of sporting equipment with matching price tags. Whatever you buy, make sure you acquire a very good U-lock: sadly, all e-bikes are targets for bike thieves.

50

Stress and Anxiety Are you feeling stressed and anxious about the future?

During the pandemic, we are experiencing more stress and anxiety than ever before. This is caused by uncertainty and ever-changing information. According to the mental health charity Mind, 60% of adults said their mental health became worse during lockdown.

that can be difficult to put into words, so is ‘acted out’ by slamming doors, banging around, road rage and so on.”

Stress and anxiety can manifest itself in many different ways. Physical symptoms can include an increased heart rate or muscle tension, ‘jelly’ legs or tingling in the hands and feet, breathing too heavily or dizziness. You may experience feelings that you might lose control, faint, think people are looking at you and noticing your anxiety. Dave Smithson from Anxiety UK says “Those who are usually outgoing may become withdrawn or those who are reserved may become erratic.

Everyone is different and anxiety can be triggered by a range of things.”

Lorraine says “If there is a threat of redundancy, it’s quite normal to feel stressed and anxious about your security and future. It can be like a constant feeling of dread and impending doom. You may experience a sinking feeling in the stomach. There may be a tendency for catastrophic thoughts about what the future might hold.”

Other symptoms can include lack of concentration, catastrophic thoughts, poor memory, excessive alcohol intake, under or overeating, a short temper and tearfulness.

A key indicator is blowing things out of proportion. As Lorraine Collins, psychodynamic counsellor, psychotherapist, Cognitive Behavioural Therapist and member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), says “If you’re stressed, how you view situations can become altered and distorted due to the brain not being able to process information in a more balanced way. It can also be a cry for help in communicating distress

If you are under threat of redundancy as a result of the pandemic, this is additional stress as a job provides selfesteem, purpose and a social network. Losing your job unexpectedly affects all this, so stress accumulates.

If you are suffering from extreme stress, it may be difficult to recognise it. Lorraine advises checking your ‘internal dialogue’, which will reduce the risk of stress and tension building up. By that she means asking yourself “Am I tired and wired?” as a kind of self-monitoring.

“I often suggest to my patients to use the HALT method – am I hungry, angry, lonely or tired? Getting into the habit of addressing these things can help to monitor your levels of stress and keep a more balanced sense of wellbeing,” she says.

How To Manage Stress and Anxiety The good news is there are plenty of practical and useful tools to manage anxiety and reduce stress: • Getting back into nature is a great way of calming your anxiety.

This can be a local park, woodland, nature reserve or your garden.

Lorraine says “You can practice naming what’s around you, the

51 things you see and hear, and this will interrupt the constant looping of anxious thoughts.”

• Looking after mind and body: “Go to bed at a reasonable time without screens and mobiles or other things that will decrease the winding-down time we need to settle into a relaxed state and leave the day behind,” says Lorraine. “Watch your diet, as excessive caffeine and refined sugars will only stimulate an already stimulated body and mind.”

• Learning to relax: relaxation techniques can include exercises to release the tension in your body by easing your muscles. The Mind web site lists plenty of options.

• Switch off the news: if you find it difficult coping with news coverage, it may make you feel better if you limit what you read, watch and listen to for a while.

• Connecting with other people: “Plan to have regular chats with friends and family over the phone,” says Stephen Buckley from Mind. “This is a vital way of maintaining wellbeing.”

• Sharing the problem: talking to someone you trust

about what is making you stressed can be helpful. If this isn’t possible, you could call a confidential helpline such as Mind’s Infoline or those run by Anxiety UK and the Samaritans. You could also join a support or self-help group – talking to people in the same boat can be reassuring.

If these self-care techniques don’t work, it’s best to talk to your GP about treatment options. This can include talking therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). www.lccounselling.com www.mind.org.uk www.anxietyuk.org.uk

52

Should you be taking

supplements?

We should be able to get all the vitamins and minerals our bodies need from the food we eat. However, modern day life is making it increasingly difficult to achieve a balanced diet.

That’s where supplements come in.

Supplements are considered ‘top-ups’ for the vital vitamins and minerals our bodies require to function.

They can take the form of vitamins, probiotics, herbal products, powders, drinks – and more.

There is still much debate surrounding their effectiveness.

However, although medical professionals insist that supplements aren’t a substitute for a healthy diet, it’s proven that some could have a positive effect on your health.

For example, many vegetarians and vegans will benefit from iron and vitamin B-12 supplements, while those trying for a baby are advised to take folic acid supplements until twelve weeks into their pregnancy. It’s also recommended that children aged between six months and five years take vitamin A, C and D supplements every day.

Other supplements, however, could be a waste of money.

If you’re wondering whether supplements could benefit your diet, it’s worth speaking to your doctor or nutritionist first. But to start you off, we’ve put together a list of the top five supplements people take in the UK, and what they are taken for.

Vitamin D A vital vitamin for regulating our bodies’ calcium and phosphate content, vitamin D is a key contributor to healthy bones, teeth and muscles.

We get most of our vitamin D from the sun, but living in the UK means we have limited daylight hours during the autumn and winter. For this reason, many people in the UK choose to take vitamin D supplements between late September and early April, when the sunlight is weaker.

Zinc

Best known for its ability to boost immunity and fight off bacteria and viruses, zinc is another vital mineral our bodies need to function.

Red meat, shellfish and dairy foods all have high levels of zinc, as do chickpeas, lentils and beans. In supplement form, you can top up your zinc levels with over-thecounter capsules, tablets and lozenges.

Magnesium

Found naturally in foods such as pumpkin, spinach, soy beans and brown rice, magnesium is important for bone health and energy production. It’s a known stress-reliever too, and studies have proven that it can even help sleeping problems.

Omega 3

Swallowing fish oil first thing in the morning might not sound appetising. But, there’s solid evidence to suggest that omega 3 fatty acids can help contribute towards a healthy heart and brain, while also reducing inflammation.

That’s why omega 3 supplements, often in the shape of fish oil capsules, are so popular. Vegans and vegetarians can also top up their intake with algae oil supplements.

Iron Iron is responsible for making red blood cells. It’s particularly important in younger women, but according to the 2018 National Diet and Nutrition Survey, 27% of women are deficient.

It’s predominantly found in red meat, which is why many vegans and vegetarians take iron supplements to make up for any potential deficiencies. However, smaller amounts can be found in beans, nuts and fortified cereals.

Prescot Chiropody Clinic

53

Making the switch to an electric vehicle:

what you need to know Government announcements mean more EVs will be on our roads, but what do you need to know about them?

Last year’s announcement by Boris Johnson that sales of new petrol and diesel cars and vans will be phased out by 2030 means that electric vehicles are going to become a more important part of our driving lives very shortly.

But even with this change, there remains a level of

mystery surrounding all things electric. Fortunately, we’ve got some of the key things you need to know about making the leap to an EV.

How much range do you need?

Range is a word which has great importance in the EV world, as it’s what governs how far you’ll be able to travel in between trips to the plug. However, there’s no need to get worried about a car’s range if you think carefully about how far you travel.

If you’re someone who only does shorter trips around town and does fewer than 100 miles a week, for instance, then a car with a shorter range will suit you down the ground.

However, if you’re a driver who travels further afield, then a car with a bigger battery might make more sense. Don’t be scared of cars with shorter ranges, though, as they’ll still offer more than most people do on average each week. Plus, cars with smaller batteries offer quicker charge times.

54

How do I add charge when I get home?

Home charging is one of the crucial aspects of owning and running an electric car. Being able to add energy to the vehicle while it’s at your home really does make things a lot more flexible – and cheaper, too.

Whenever you buy a new car, there are incentives in place for charging at home. Government grants and even manufacturer schemes will make installing a home wall box much cheaper. Yes, you can use a three-pin socket, but this isn’t as quick or as safe as having a wall box.

therefore, relaxing to drive around in. You’ll notice quite a difference compared with a petrol or diesel car, in fact.

Will it actually be cheaper to buy and run an electric car?

Another positive is performance. Even lower-powered EVs really zip away from the line, and they give acceleration that regular cars simply can’t hope to match.

Of course, the initial upfront cost for an EV is often more than an equivalent internal combustion-engined car.

However, as the technology progresses, this is becoming less common. The new Renault Zoe, for instance, is priced from £26,495, which though still relatively expensive is more in line with the segment.

The Prime Minister also outlined up to £582 million in extra grants to help those buying zero or low-emissions vehicles to lower the cost.

It’s charging where the cost savings really come into play.

As with petrol, the prices do vary between chargers, with some costing from around 25p/kWh up to around 35p/ kWh. For around 100 miles of additional charge, you’ll be looking at about £6-7.

When it comes to charging at home, that really depends on your own energy tariff. Plenty of companies are now offering EV-friendly plans that take advantage of lowerpriced charging times, such as in the middle of the night.

However, for an average EV with around 200 miles of range and a 60kWh battery, you’ll be looking at around £8.40 for a full charge. It represents good value compared with petrol and diesel.

Are there any benefits that aren’t as obvious?

Though the cost-saving benefits are quite easy to see, there are some other positives to owning an electric car.

One of them is simply refinement – EVs are quiet and,

But isn’t the UK lacking in charge points?

The number of charging stations in the UK has grown enormously in recent years. According to ZapMap, there are over 35,000 connectors across the country, made up of around 20,000 charge points in about 13,000 locations.

In terms of how they’re spread out across the country, 26 per cent are in central London alone, with 13.5 per cent in the south east and 12.3 per cent in Scotland. This figure is only set to rise, too, as government funding looks to make fast chargers more widespread across the country.

Furthermore, the Prime Minister has stated that an extra £1.3 billion in investment will be rolled out in order to improve the country’s charging structure and thus make charging easier.

Doesn’t the energy for electric cars only come from fossil fuels anyway?

Of course, an electric vehicle is only as environmentally friendly as its energy source. However, many energy and charger unit suppliers are working to ensure that their energy comes from green suppliers. All of BP Chargemaster’s charging stations, for example, are certified as providing renewable energy, while home energy providers like Octopus Energy provide power that is completely green.

55

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56

Love Your

Lawn Look out of your window at your lawn and you’ll probably see that it has suddenly taken off and is growing rapidly. This means that now is the perfect time to get to grips with a bit of spring maintenance. True, your lawn will survive without it, but if you want it to look a good deal better than average, then get your skates on! In most areas temperatures should have evened up a little and the soil in beds, borders and under your lawn should hopefully not be wet and soggy.

Grass needs regular mowing from now on; in some areas this may mean once a week, so make sure that the mower blades are good and sharp. On so-called utility lawns you will need to cut to about 2.5cm or 1”, while on higher grade smart lawns cut to about 1-1.5cm.

Lawns benefit from a specially formulated spring feed at this time of year to encourage good strong growth and strengthen the grasses up after any winter setbacks. If you use a granular formulation, make sure that you water it in well if you cannot time the job so that the rain does this for you!

Give yourself a bit of a workout too and scarify the lawn. This means using a spring-tined rake to pull out any accumulated debris or thatch from the base of the

grasses. This allows for a better flow of moisture and air, thus ensuring that the grass grows stronger and more healthily.

If your lawn has developed a lot of moss (especially likely if it has suffered compaction, is shaded or has been particularly wet), then apply a proprietary moss killer before scarifying. Use a combined feed and moss killer to save yourself time if you like, but whichever product you choose, make sure that you leave the specified time between applying the treatment and raking the dead moss out. If you don’t, the moss problem could become a lot worse, as you’ll spread the pieces of living moss as you rake.

Worm casts may be there in abundance now too, so if necessary simply use a besom or brush to brush them away or distribute them over the lawn.

Humps and bumps in the lawn or indeed any other sort of uneven surface can be dealt with now, but you will need to get this done promptly, just in case the weather gets hot and dry soon. A minor problem can be dealt with using a sandy top-dressing mixture, but if there are some prominent problems then use a sharp spade to cut an ‘H’ shape over the bump or hollow. Now carefully peel back the turf and then remove or add soil as necessary before replacing the turf flaps, firming well and providing a good drink.

It is also worth sorting out any stepping stones that have sunk too low or become uneven. Use a spade to ease them out of the lawn and lift and readjust the level beneath before replacing them.

It may sound as if there’s a lot to do, but remember that every hour spent now will make a huge difference to how the lawn looks for the rest of the year!

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Do you have Failed Double Glazing Units?

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Parbold, Whitley, Newburgh, Beech Hill, Red Rock, Springfield, Standish Lower Ground, Wigan Lane LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALkS | COmpETiTiON S | HOmE & GArDEN SErViCES

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march 2020

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Come and visit the largest showroom in the North West Quality installations of windows, doors, fascias, soffits and gutters First for quality First for service First for reliability No contractors No salesmen Just a smile and a honest price from a family run business

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