Local Life - St Helens - Jul/Aug 2021

LocalLife St Helens Edition

Jul/Aug 2021

Making of Muncaster Hall Pages 40-42

Days out with the Kids Pages 44-47

Win tickets to Tom Jones Pages 36-37

Bold Summer Vibes Pages 20-21

Olly’s Haydock Return Page 36

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

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L

ife is always better when you have something to look forward to.

Because of restrictions though, it’s been difficult to safely plan for any overseas travel, big events or family parties.

Whilst everyone is surely grateful for the fantastic and extremely efficient way that the vaccine rollout has progressed, full freedoms remain elusive and that may be the case for some weeks to come.

But as you read through the following pages, you’ll get the impression that things are beginning to open up again; village fetes, music concerts and sports matches are amongst many more events scheduled for this summer,

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I’m sure you would join us in saying a big ‘Thank You’ to those event organisers who have bravely taken a chance and decided to push forward with their plans. Every event, big or small, gives us something else to look forward to.

And here at Local Life HQ, whilst we’re a bit sad at not being able to travel easily to our favourite holiday destinations, we’re all looking forward to doing something different this summer in different parts of the UK that we haven’t visited before.

So no matter whether you’re staycationing, birdwatching in the South Sandwich Islands, or parking up on the front at Southport with your butties and a flask - it might not be the summer break of your dreams but it’s something to look forward to and to be thankful for.

Til next time, Chris Pearce, Publisher chrisp@locallife247.co.uk

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Local Life 247 Ltd, PO Box 779, Wigan WN1 9UB Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication 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. No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

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This month’s highlights 44. Days Out with the Kids

Contents 10. Beauty Skin saviours.

18. Health Best tech for healthy living.

20. Home Bold Summer Vibes.

24. Books Celebrity authors.

32. Indoors Out

36. Win Tickets to Tom!

48. Recipe Flaked trout with rocket and lychees.

52. Puzzle Pages Try these brainteasers for size!

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

40. The Making of Muncaster Hall

49. Quinoa Burgers

54. Land Rover Discovery

Want to promote your business in

LocalLife?

Next Issue - Sep/Oct 2021

Advertising deadline - 18th August Published - 1st September

01744 649722 www.locallife247.co.uk

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Campaigning Carla Hundreds of UK travel industry professionals made a stand outside Westminster recently, rallying against the government’s restrictions on global travel.

“I didn’t really know what to expect, I was a bit nervous, but I got over my embarrassment and joined in with the chants for an important cause.”

It is estimated that 195,000 travel jobs have been lost during the pandemic and the industry body, ABTA is demanding that the government eases the restrictions on the traffic light system. At the time of the protest only a handful of countries had been granted green status, making it difficult for people to travel abroad.

ABTA wants the government to add more countries to the green list and remove testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated people returning from green and amber countries. It is also calling for a package of tailored financial support, including an extension of the furlough scheme until April 2022.

Amongst the 800-strong crowd was Carla Hesketh, owner of Marken Travel in Billinge. Carla told Local Life, “I felt that it was important to come here to show support for the travel industry and all of our fellow partners.

Carla added, “Our customers have showed us continued support throughout the last 16 months; they have kept our spirits high, and we are so thankful for that. As an industry we have carried on quietly, basically being ignored and now we need help.”

the auction centre The leading Auctioneers and Valuers

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Comp. Winners

Outdoor Theatrics

There was a bumper response to the competition in the last issue of Local Life and three lucky Local Life readers each won a pair of tickets to a live show at Liverpool’s M&S Arena.

If you have been pining for a curtain call and a trip to the theatre, why not treat yourself to a bit of outdoor theatre?

Andrea Hurman of Tatton Way in Eccleston won tickets to X-treme Magic, Sandra Spencer of Pintail Close in Haresfinch secured tickets to Sleeping Beauty, and Steph Fletcher of Saunderton Close in Haydock won tickets to Circus Spectacular. Our thanks go to all who entered the competition.

To enter the competition in this magazine to win one of two pairs of tickets to the Tom Jones concert at Haydock Park on Saturday 28th August, turn to pages 36-37.

parkrun Returns Weekly parkrun events are due to return in July after a 15 month pause due to the pandemic.

The popular 5k events, which are held at 700 venues globally, were due to restart in June but following the UK Government’s announcement of a delay to Step 4 of the restrictions, the events in England will now restart on Saturday 24 July in England.

The local parkrun event is held at Victoria Park on City Road, with the run starting from near the Bandstand. All parkruns start at 9am every Saturday, runs are timed and are suitable for all ages and abilities.

To join in the parkrun, first visit the website www.parkrun. org.uk to register your details. Once you have registered and have a number, all parkruns are free.

Out on the Floor Northern Soul nights are returning to Garswood on the 3rd Friday of every month.

Hosted by Brian James, the next Northern Soul and Motown night will take place at Garswood Sports and Social Club on Garswood Road in the village on Friday 17th July from 7.30pm until late.

Admission is £3. For more information call Brian on 07974 306180.

The Folksy Theatre company will be giving a rousing rendition of Shakespeare’s The Tempest at The Cherry Orchard Tearooms at Inglenook Farm on the Rainford bypass.

The performance will take place on Sunday July 18 at 7pm and is filled with live music, colourful characters, enchantment and a little touch of magic!

Tickets are £15 per adult and £12 per child, to book your tickets, please call 07724 660079 or email thecherryorchard@hotmail.com

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Garswood Hamilton Rd, Garswood Rd & Thornhill Rd area 526 copies £38.14 + leaflet pay Abinger Rd, Victoria Rd & Coldstone Dr area 330 copies £22.28 + leaflet pay

Billinge Roby Well Way, Sefton Fold Dr & Elm Dr area 321 copies £21.67 + leaflet pay

Haresfinch Green Leach Ln, Carr Mill Rd & Newlands Rd area 330 copies £25.58 + leaflet pay Kingfisher Dr, Blenheim Way & Dearham Ave Area 232 copies £17.98 + leaflet pay

Interested?

Please email your name, address, contact number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk

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Kickstart for 16-25’s

Grants for Junior RL

St Helens Chamber have been working hard to fill vacancies on the Government’s Kickstart scheme.

Grant awards of up to £500 have been made available to local rugby league clubs by St Helens Borough Council.

Each of these vacancies are exclusively available to young people aged 16-25 who are unemployed and claiming Universal Credit.

The grants, made up from RL World Cup 2021 Legacy Funding, can be used by clubs to purchase the necessary equipment to enable youngsters in Under 7s and below age groups to play the sport in a Covid-safe way.

Working closely with DWP, St Helens Chamber aim to successfully place local young people into these new roles.

Aaron Unsworth, Kickstart Co-ordinator at St Helens Chamber, commented: “With over 300 approved vacancies so far, and 42 young people already placed into roles, it’s really encouraging to see this kind of investment from businesses as we move out of the lockdown.”

Businesses taking part in the Kickstart scheme benefit from a range of funding and support, and the young person benefits from a placement for at least 6 months to help them boost their employability and get valuable experience in the workplace.

To find out more about the latest Kickstart vacancies, email kickstart@sthelenschamber.com

The Council has committed to match fund £500,000 to a ‘Createdby’ RLWC2021 legacy funding pot to deliver at least one project at each of the 11 amateur clubs in St Helens borough.

Blackbrook Royals, Clock Face Miners, Thatto Heath Crusaders, Haresfinch and Haydock amateur clubs have all been successful with applications.

Councillor Anthony Burns, the Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, said, “If your club is in a position to help young players become fit and active while encouraging them to get involved as the RL World Cup comes to our borough later this year, then please email sportsdevelopment@sthelens.gov.uk for more details and an application form.”

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Skin

Saviours Whether you’re suffering from dry hands, cracked heels or sunburn, we might have the solution…

I was aiming for bronzed goddess, but I got cooked lobster…

Ouch! Have a cool bath with a handful of porridge oats tied up in a thin cloth. The water will help to cool your skin and the oats will soothe irritation. Then apply aloe vera gel. It’s sticky, but effective.

Don’t have any aloe vera or aftersun to hand? Use a gentle moisturiser, such as unscented baby lotion.

Avoid Vaseline and other petroleum jelly, as it’ll lock the heat in. You’ll want to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration and cover up outdoors until the burn has gone.

When you’re ready to brave the sun again, arm yourself with a decent sunscreen and make sure you reapply it regularly, even if it’s waterresistant.

Sunscreen gives me spots Sunscreens are often too rich for facial skin so can lead to breakouts, redness and irritation. Try switching to a lighter face cream with a high SPF. Hello Sunday’s

The One That’s a Serum (£20, www.hellosundayspf.com) is SPF 45, lightweight, non-greasy and enriched with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C to boost hydration.

Help, my hands are really dry and sore!

First off, switch to a gentler soap.

Look for a more natural one that doesn’t contain sodium lauryl sulphate. Generally, bars of soap tend to be kinder to skin than liquid ones. You may also want to swap your hand sanitiser for one with added botanicals. (It’ll still need to be at least 60% alcohol to work.) I like Bramley’s Hand Sanitiser Gel, which includes rosemary, spearmint and peppermint essential oils. It’s kinder to skin and smells gorgeous (£4, www.bramleyproducts.co.uk).

It can be tempting to pile on the hand cream, but some lotions can end up irritating your skin even more. Look for an unscented cream designed for sensitive skin, or just reach for a natural seed or fruit oil. Almond oil is ideal, but olive oil will also do the job and we’re guessing you may already

have a bottle in the kitchen. Just massage a few drops of it into your hands before bed.

My cracked heels look awful in sandals Soak your feet in warm water for fifteen minutes before gently exfoliating. You can use a loofah or a homemade foot scrub (mix a handful of brown sugar with a tablespoon of olive oil). Avoid any areas with open wounds.

Rinse and pat dry, then apply a thick moisturiser or balm. Lyonsleaf’s Calendula and Marshmallow Balm (£10.95, www.lyonsleaf.co.uk) is a good choice, as it’s designed to soothe and repair dry, cracked and irritated skin. It can also help skin complaints such as eczema and psoriasis. Pull on some thin cotton or bamboo socks to keep the balm from greasing up your bed sheets.

Do this every night and you should see an improvement pretty quickly.

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Friendship for All

Stop in St Mary’s Market and on July 22nd they will meet at Hotties in the World of Glass.

As life opens up after lockdown, local friendship group, St Helens and Warrington Oddfellows, are inviting people new to the area to give one of its social events a try. As the Society returns to holding face-to-face activities, it wants to help those who have recently relocated to get to know more people in their neighbourhood, something which has been difficult to do throughout the pandemic.

Due to COVID-19 Guidelines for events, booking is required, so anyone interested in joining in should contact Julie for information email Julie.webster@oddfellows. co.uk or call 01744 895536. For more information about St Helens and Warrington Oddfellows, or to find out about events near you, go to www.oddfellows.co.uk/newstart, or visit the Facebook page oddfellows.sthandw

The Friendly Society gets together regularly to enjoy events such as coffee mornings, day trips and meals together.

Plant a Tree!

Julie Webster, District Social Organiser said: “The Oddfellows is all about helping people forge local friendships and offering others help in times of need.

She added: “Most of our members have lived here for years and love to meet new people. So, if you’re looking to explore the area in friendly company, we’re always ready to welcome new members to our group.”

Julie added: “We’ve been very busy online during lockdown, but now we’re able to run face-to-face events again, we’re excited to welcome more people to the group.”

Currently the group are meeting at Rhode Island Coffee in Warrington, The Hotties Café located inside The World of Glass and the Coffee Stop Café inside St Marys Market St Helens.

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On July 14th and July 20th the group will meet at Coffee

Free trees are available in a tree planting initiative to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022. Organisers of the Queen’s Green Canopy (QGC) initiative are encouraging planting to start October 2021, but you can register for your free tree/s now.

The Queen’s Green Canopy was launched by Prince Charles earlier this year and will create a network of individual trees, avenues, copses and whole woodlands in honour of The Queen’s service. This will create a green legacy of its own, with every tree planted bringing benefits for people, wildlife and climate, now and for the future.

You can apply for trees as an individual or part of a community group, school or other organisation, and the trees can be planted between October to March.

To apply for a free tree pack, visit www.woodlandtrust. org.uk.

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Park Farm Activities Now that lockdown restrictions are easing, Park Farm Community Centre at Carr Mill has something for everyone!

For the children there is a Dinky Dancers class every Tuesday from 9.50-10.50am or 11.15–12noon and Diddikicks pre-school football classes every Saturday morning from 9am.

For the older children there is after school club for ages 6-11 every Wednesday from 4.30–6pm, where the children can get involved with arts, crafts, sports, games and many more activities.

A youth project session takes place every Tuesday between 6–8pm for ages 10-15. Over the course of six weeks your child will be able to get involved with these fun, creative and recreational sessions, aimed at boosting confidence, self-esteem and team building skills.

If you’re looking to fill a bit of time and while away the hours trying something new, there are adult art groups, fitness classes, gardening sessions and Age UK meetings.

For more information about any of the sessions available please visit www.parkfarmcommunitycentre.co.uk or call 01774 754367.

Hip Hop ends Stop The award-winning Hip-Hop organisation UC Crew have restarted their Break Games classes at Chain Lane Community Centre on Hinckley Road in Blackbrook. The classes are perfect for 4–6-year-olds that are full of energy, love superheroes, enjoy spinning and want to dance.

The class runs every Saturday from 12.30-1.30pm. For more details email hello@uccrew.co.uk

Village Fete Nugent House in Billinge are holding a summer fete this Saturday (10th July) at the school on Carr Mill Road (WN5 7TT).

Attractions for all the family include craft stalls, games, morris dancing, a bouncy castle and live music from EXS. Liquid refreshments will be served from a mobile alcohol bar, and hot and cold food will also be available.

The fete runs from 11am-3pm.

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Race for Life People are being urged to look beyond lockdown by making a date to join Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life.

Every year around 42,300 people are diagnosed with cancer in the North West and one in two people in the UK born after 1960 will get cancer in their lifetime.

The Race for Life event for St Helens takes place at Haydock Racecourse on Sunday 17 October. The event includes a 3K, 5K and 10K and are open to people of all ages and abilities.

Siobhan Byrne, Cancer Research UK’s spokesperson for the North West, said: “Race for Life offers the perfect opportunity for people across the area to run, walk or jog and raise money for life-saving research.

Money raised funds world-class research to help beat 200 types of cancer - including bowel cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, testicular cancer, brain cancer, children’s cancers and leukaemia.

Thanks to the generosity of its supporters, Cancer Research UK’s work into the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer has been at the heart of the progress that has seen survival in the UK double in the last 40 years.

People can visit raceforlife.org to enter. If any Race for Life events are cancelled, people will be entitled to a refund of their entry fee or can choose to donate the fee to help fund Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work.

Enter now at raceforlife.org or call 0300 123 0770.

“All 400 mass participation Race for Life events across the UK were cancelled last year to protect the country’s health during the COVID-19 pandemic. So this year, more than ever, we need people to enter the Race for Life - for the people we love, for the people we’ve lost and for the one in two of us who will get cancer.”

The Race for Life, which has been in partnership with Tesco for 20 years, is an inspiring series of 3K, 5K, 10K, Pretty Muddy and Pretty Muddy Kids events which raise millions of pounds every year to help beat cancer by funding crucial research.

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Willow Woofers 5k An innovative new way of raising money for Willowbrook Hospice takes place later this month in St Helens, and your four-legged friends are invited too.

Willow ‘Woofers’ sponsored dog walk will take place on Saturday July 24 at Victoria Park on Bishop Road.

The 5k walk will start from the bandstand at 11am, with registration opening at 10am from Gamble Hall for participants to sign in and sign out at the end of the walk.

There will be a quick pep talk before the walk starts and then you’ll be set to complete three and a half laps around the park.

Once the walk is finished you will be welcomed over to Gamble Hall on City Road to attend ‘Fur on the Field’, a family-and-dog-friendly fun day run by volunteers from St Mark’s.

You can now sign up online for just £5 per family by going online at https://willowbrookhospice.enthuse.com/cf/ willow-woofers-5k.

Quiz Theme: Stars

1. The football team Red Star Belgrade are based in which European country?

2. What colour is the star on the flag of Israel?

3. Together with his wife, who owns and runs The Hand And Flowers in Marlow, which, in the 2012 Michelin Guide, became the first ever pub have two Michelin stars?

4. What type of animal goes before “star” to give a name by which Sirius, the brightest star in the night sky, is commonly known?

5. What is the main colour of the stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame?

6. What is the Queen’s star sign?

7. Released in 2016, Blackstar is the 25th and final studio album by which famous singer?

8. How many “lucky star” numbers do you have to select when you buy a EuroMillions lottery ticket?

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18

The best tech for healthy living

From fitness to fat monitoring, smart trackers and smart tape

APPLE WATCH SERIES 6

Health technology is big business: we all want to live healthier, happier lives, and gadgets range from the relatively simple, such as smart scales, to all-singing devices such as the Apple Watch with its built-in heart rate monitor, blood oxygen monitoring and fitness tracking – tracking that can include dancing as well as more traditional forms of workout. There’s a wide range of stand-alone health devices too, such as Omron’s blood pressure monitor, and a whole host of infrared thermometers that give you instant results.

You don’t need to be an athlete in training to benefit from a fitness tracker: a dedicated tracker such as a Fitbit is a great way to motivate yourself to walk more, and the kid-focused Fitbit Ace 3 has our young ones charging around the garden trying to beat each others’ step counts. More advanced models for the grown-ups, such as the gorgeous Fitbit Luxe, include a wide range of health-tracking features including sleep tracking, menstrual cycle tracking, GPS route recording and blood oxygen saturation monitoring.

Smart scales can be a useful way to monitor your progress, because weight alone is a terrible indicator: if you start working out you’ll often find you put on weight because muscle is heavier than fat. Eufy’s Smart Scale C1 connects to your phone and to fitness apps, enabling you to measure and track your body composition over time – and with support for sixteen different users you can use it for the entire family. And you can team it up with a smart measuring tape such as Bagel Labs’ Pie, which you can use to measure and track the size of biceps, bust, calves, hips, thighs, waist and shoulders. It’s not cheap – it’s around £70 – but it’s clever and there are similar, cheaper alternatives that do much the same thing. As with smart scales, smart tapes connect via Bluetooth to an app on your phone, so you can track changes over time as you become more buff.

The Apple Watch has evolved into an elegant, powerful and very useful health tracking device thanks to its mix of sensors and a world of healthrelated apps. It looks great too. £379, apple.com

ANKER EUFY SMART SCALE C1 Eufy comes from electronics giant Anker and the C1 is a typically well-made product that does exactly what you’d expect and does it really well. It’s great for tracking body composition. £29, shop.bt.com

OMRON H4 BLOOD PRESSURE MONITOR If you need to monitor your blood pressure at home, Omron’s products are affordable, easy to use and deliver accurate results very quickly. £66, currys.co.uk

FITBIT LUXE Not all Fitbits are plasticky: the Luxe is gorgeous and looks great with a formal outfit as well as when you’re in activewear. It’s a superb fitness tracker. £169, fitbit.com

PIE SMART TAPE The Pie is no ordinary tape.

It’s a Bluetooth tape with an app designed to track changes in specific bits of your body, such as your biceps or your thighs. £70, amazon.co.uk

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Bold Vibes Set the mood for summer with gorgeous furnishings and accessories in bright and cheerful shades.

Intentionally clashing colours and patterns add drama and interest.

Frida Kahlo-style Flower Crown canvas art, £102; Aziza gold console table, £255; Marilyn Blush velvet armchair, £545; colourful Berber-style rug, from £172; all audenza.com

GO ALL OUT FOR COLOUR

• Update any room instantly with some vivid wall art. There is a huge choice available both in the high street and online, including very affordable printable art that you simply download and print out yourself. Alternatively, you might even want to make some art of your own: buy blank canvases from an art shop and choose co-ordinating tester pots of paint for some modern abstract originals.

• Accessories such as throws, cushions, vases, plant

This colour collection by Dulux mixes standout pinks and reds with subtler shades of the same tones – a palette that will add verve and vitality to any home. dulux.co.uk A colourful, marbled jesmonite lamp base contrasts with a bright red fabric cable. Immediately eye-catching.

Marbled jesmonite table lamp, £60, nineangels.co.uk

pots or lamp bases can make all the difference, even in a relatively neutral room, adding colour to liven up your day. Group small items together for greater impact, and don’t worry too much about conventional good taste – a few clashing colours can be exciting and uplifting.

• The floor is one of the largest visible areas in any room, so a new rug will have a dramatic impact and can completely change the look and feel of the space. A flat-woven rug in a single block or colour, wide stripes or a geometric pattern is a great choice.

•

A rainbow vase handmade from jesmonite.

Brunswick vase, £39, concretecandy.co.uk

If you are feeling particularly bold, consider repainting wooden furniture, such as chairs, wardrobes, chests of drawers or even kitchen cabinets. To do the job properly, remove handles, knobs or other hardware first, sand down thoroughly and prime before painting. Use a mini foam roller on any large, flat surfaces for a perfectly flat finish.

21

An eye-catching artwork in fresh, modern colours will look great in any room.

Bold Jungle Tiger art print, £15, abstracthouse.com

Group houseplants in a variety of pots against a brightly coloured wall.

The range pictured is from dobbies.com

Add a bold throw to the back of a sofa or chair for a pop of brilliant colour and pattern.

Arizona terracotta throw, £23, albertandmoo.com

A contrast trim helps accentuate vivid colours.

For real impact, add a large item of furniture upholstered

Mardi Gras cushion in tangerine,

in a colour that you adore.

£19.99, dobbies.com

Reece armchair in orange velvet, £229.99, daals.co.uk

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22

New First Responders Two Rainford residents have completed their training with North West Ambulance Service and are now the fully-fledged Community First Responders (CFRs) for the Rainford area.

as an Emergency First Responder instructor in the Caribbean before returning to Rainford, are the new CFR’s for the village and Peter Gregory is to remain on hand in an administrative and advisory capacity.

The rural setting of Rainford and outlying villages of Crank and Kings Moss means that the contribution of CFRs is crucial but, after the untimely death of volunteer CFR (Team Leader) Mike Olley in November 2019 followed by the planned retirement from front-line service of CFR Peter Gregory, the area has been without CFR coverage for over a year.

If you’ve like to find out more about becoming a CFR please email Peter Gregory at rainfordcfr@gmail.com.

In Merseyside, Manchester, Cheshire, Lancashire and Cumbria, the Community First Responder scheme is administered by the North West Ambulance Service.

Once trained and equipped, volunteer CFRs are asked to be available for around 16 hours per month, although in many cases that figure is considerably exceeded.

Vicky Callaghan, a 41-year-old Mum of two from Rainford and Christine Ball, who spent some time

Chris Ball, Peter Gregory and Vicky Callaghan.

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23

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24

Celebrity authors Actors and other celebrities often try their hand at fiction writing, with various degrees of success (and often a lot of help from a ghost writer). The authors we’re looking at this month have all managed to prove their writing skills to both readers and critics, in some cases carving out a whole new career for themselves.

Neil Patrick Harris – The Magic Misfits 1 & 2 The How I Met Your Mother star has written several books, including a choose your own adventure-style autobiography. His children’s series follows a street magician who teams up with other like-minded kids to stop villains in their tracks. Aimed at children aged eight and up, The Magic Misfits series is ideal for fans of Pseudonymous Bosch and Lemony Snicket. It’s very well-written, very different and very funny.

Us Three – Ruth Jones Ruth Jones brings her usual Gavin and Stacey wit and warmth to her second novel. Us Three centres on a trio of women who became best friends at primary school. We follow their lives over the next 40+ years, through love and loss and all of life’s usual ups and downs. Like any relationship, friendship isn’t always easy, and this one is stretched almost to breaking point.

Because of You – Dawn French While Dawn French’s latest novel contains a dash of humour, it’s also heart wrenching, dealing as it does with stillbirth, abduction and grief. Two women give birth at the same hospital. Only one mother leaves with a baby. As the baby, Minnie, grows into a teenager, she becomes pregnant herself and discovers that everything she thought she knew may well be based on a lie.

A Bright Ray of Darkness – Ethan Hawke The actor Ethan Hawke has returned to fiction writing after a break of almost two decades. A Bright Ray of Darkness draws on his own experiences and tells the story of a celebrated actor, William, whose personal life is crumbling around him, much to the delight of the press. William turns to the theatre, throwing himself into the world of Henry IV. A fascinating glimpse into the world of acting, privilege and fame.

Troy – Stephen Fry The third book in Stephen Fry’s series retelling the Greek myths centres on probably the most famous myth of them all – the battle of Troy. Whether you think you know the full story or can just recall something about a queen called Helen and a wooden horse, this book is well worth a read. Fry really brings the tale to life, adding his own wry humour to the mix.

Uncommon Type – Tom Hanks Uncommon Type is Tom Hanks’ collection of seventeen short stories. Most offer a slice of American life, whether it’s from the viewpoint of a ten-year-old boy or a war veteran. Each one references a typewriter and some characters appear in more than one story. Other than that, the stories are very diverse, ranging from one about a bowling whizz who becomes an unwilling celebrity, to time-travelling sci-fi.

25

Start your Digital Marketing or Accountancy Career St Helens Chamber are running two exciting study programmes starting September 2021 in Accountancy and Digital Marketing.

Ambitious school leavers aged 16-18 can fast track their way to success with a mix of expert training, nationally recognised qualifications and a guaranteed interview for a Level 3 Apprenticeship!

Each study programme is designed with employers to give young people the skills they need to succeed in local roles.

The programmes also introduce students to the world of work, and gives students access to employability training so they know exactly what to expect.

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27

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28

Murphy for Mayor Billinge and Seneley Green ward councillor, Sue Murphy, has been sworn in as Mayor of St Helens Borough for 2021-22.

“Being mayor is a wonderful honour for me and my family. When we emigrated all the way from Liverpool we never imagined for one minute that the people of St Helens would open their arms embrace us in the way they have, they are proud strong hardworking people who I will represent with great pride.”

Councillor Murphy, who was born in Aigburth in Liverpool, moved to Garswood in 1984 where she brought her family up which has now been extended to seven grandchildren.

Husband Mike will join Sue during her year as mayor by carrying out the role as consort.

Councillor Murphy has been involved in local politics for the past 27 years before being elected to represent the people of Billinge and Seneley Green on St Helens Borough Council 17 years ago.

During her mayoral year, Councillor Murphy will look to raise money for two causes very close to her heart – Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, where her 10-year-old granddaughter Antonia recently underwent successful brain surgery, and the Helen Marie Friends charity which supports sick and disabled children.

Speaking of her pride to be given the opportunity to represent St Helens Borough as mayor, Councillor Murphy said:

This year’s Mayor Making ceremony also saw Councillor Linda Maloney MBE, ward councillor for Blackbrook, named deputy mayor for 2021-22.

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29

Food & Fun Families from St Helens that are in receipt of free school meals can enjoy a range of fun, free events for their children during summer as part of a government scheme The Department for Education-funded Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme will see St Helens Council work with several partners, including Saints Community Development Foundation, Cabbage Hall, and UC Crew, to deliver an action-packed programme of events. As well as fun activities, each session will include a healthy lunch.

Starting Monday 26 July, events have been designed to appeal to children and young people aged 4-18, from sports camps and arts and crafts – to animation and coding classes, as well as treasure hunts, outdoor family

creative activities, and much more besides.

For more information, including an activity timetable and how to book, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/holidayfun

Volunteers Wanted Willowbrook Hospice is searching for volunteers to work within their stores in Billinge, Four Acre, Prescot, St Mary’s Shopping Centre and Sutton. If you can spare some time to help out at any of these stores, then your generosity would be appreciated.

You don’t need to have experience of retail work but having a friendly and willing personality helps. If you would like to learn new skills and meet new people whilst helping Willowbrook then please get in touch with The Volunteer Hub on 01744 453798.

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32

Bringing the Indoors Out Get truly comfortable in the garden by turning it into a fully functioning outdoor living room, warm and well-lit, with relaxing seating and lovely finishing touches.

This decorative textured rope light has a warm white solar bulb with an amber filament. After charging during daylight hours, it works for up to eight hours at a time.

This tiled table contains its own fire pit (or ice bowl) and is surrounded by four low-level dining chairs with weather-resistant cushions.

Ava four-seater tile firepit outdoor living set, £899, dobbies.com

ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR AL FRESCO LIVING • If you’re planning on spending lots of time outdoors this summer, and keeping those sunny days going well into the evenings, think first of providing shady spots, and

LED solar garden light, £65, ellajames.co.uk

then of some form of warmth. Pile up blankets and throws, for sure, but consider a gas or electric heater or – more romantically – a fire pit.

• To extend day into night you’ll need outdoor lighting: some functional, simply to see what you’re barbecuing or pouring into a glass, and some decorative, just to make the space look and feel gorgeous. It may be relatively easy Woven around a strong metal frame in a smooth egg shape, this hanging chair is made from durable materials that look just like rattan. It’s big enough to snuggle up in with a book and a glass of wine.

Indoor outdoor hanging chair, £425, coxandcox.co.uk

to add a protected outdoor plug socket (ask a qualified electrician), and add a dramatic floor lamp or set of fairy lights. Alternatively, there’s a vast range of good-quality solar lights to choose from these days and, of course, candles and night lights look incredibly pretty, and can be protected from breezes with lanterns and jars.

• Seating is all-important, whether it’s upright seats and a table for dining, bar sets for informal drinks with friends or sofas and squashy chairs for lounging. These days, outdoor furniture can look just like your upholstered living room furniture, but of course there are always the classics of outdoor rattan, wood and metal. Look for versatile furnishings such as rise-and-fall tables that take you from coffee to dining, or pieces that are grouped around their own fire table. Have fun by adding cocoons, hammocks and swing seats as occasional spots for relaxation.

Made from recycled plastic bottles, this rug can withstand moisture, mildew, mould and UV light. Its design is reversible: simply flip over for a new look.

Fab Hab Tokyo outdoor rug in burnt orange, £59.95, cuckooland.com

• Finishing touches pull the whole indoor/outdoor look together, from patterned outdoor rugs to piles of cushions, plus quirky outdoor eating sets and colourful glassware.

With imagination and flair you can have great fun setting up a welcoming garden ‘room’, a truly special place to spend the days – and nights…

33 This retro-meetsmodern garden bench features a traditional peacockstyle metal frame and an ultra-chic pattern in a playful shade of pink.

Pretty pink metal garden bench, £195, rockettstgeorge.co.uk

A rust-resistant steel frame holds a 3m polyester canopy for protection from sun and rain. Elegant and practical.

Sail shade gazebo, £299, dobbies.com

Hand-made in the UK using high-quality British steel, this fire pit comes with a detachable barbecue swing arm and in seven sizes.

Plain Jane fire pit, from £233, firepitsuk.co.uk

When a real lawn just isn’t possible, a spot of fake turf can add a splash of colour and a quirky sense of comfort.

Bute artificial grass, £14.99 per square metre, carpetright.co.uk

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36

Win Tickets to

Tom Jones!

Summer just wouldn’t be the same without live music from Haydock Park and, after a year-long hiatus due to COVID, live music is back with a bang with some huge names, including Tom Jones and Olly Murs, to look forward to this summer. Local Life have two pairs of tickets for the Tom Jones concert on Saturday 28th August to give away to readers!

But first up at Haydock Park this summer is Olly Murs. Local Life caught up with the legend himself earlier his month for a chat about his return to Haydock Park on Saturday 17th July.

Are you looking forward to finally getting back out on the road again?

Yeah, I can’t wait! I did Haydock Park a few years back, great energy, great vibe so it will be good to get back on stage, get my mic out, get my ears in, get my dancing shoes on, and just get out there and perform. Can’t wait!

This has been the longest period that you’ve gone without live shows or touring. How are you going to get rid of the rustiness?

It’s been two years as I hadn’t toured since 2019, but I’m born ready - there’s no rust here, get the WD40 out! I’m actually excited to get out there again and start singing - I think it’s just something that I’m born to do, I enjoy it.

What was it like to go out in lockdown wearing a mask and not get stopped every five minutes?

I hated it because I like seeing people’s faces, it felt really eerie. Everyone didn’t really speak and was really quiet, you couldn’t really see people’s facial expressions, and I didn’t enjoy it very much to be honest. I just get this really weird vibe when I go shopping. I know we’re all doing it for a good reason, but I can’t wait to see people’s faces again. That’d be nice.

A lot of people know you from The Voice but you have a new TV show coming soon, Starstruck Yes, I’m hosting the show. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time to get back on TV again, on a primetime Saturday night. It’s pretty much a modern-day version of ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ but it’s got a new format, it’s got new ideas, we have a celebrity judging panel on there.

Did you think back when you did your first audition for X Factor you would, a decade later, become this all-round entertainer doing television, voiceover acting and of course singing?

I never expected any of this, I was very lucky. I knew I was an entertainer more so than just a singer, I knew there was a few more strings to my bow, that I was a jack of all trades! Singing is

37 obviously what I love doing, I never chased being a presenter of a TV show and I never chased being a voiceover artist. These were things that people just asked me to do and I was like, “Yeah, why not? Let’s give it a go”.

So what can we expect from your Haydock show?

Just a fun, energetic show - I’m going to give everything, I want people to be smiling again. I miss seeing lovely smiles and that’s why we’re on stage.

It’s just so people having a good time, enjoy themselves. You’ve had such sadness over this last year, such difficult times as a nation so it’d be great for me anyway, I’d love to come to Haydock, have a great night with everyone enjoying themselves everyone have a good time and I can’t wait - bring it on!

A stellar line-up talent has been announced for the Tom Jones concert on Saturday 28th August.

The concert, which will be taking place on a nonraceday, will see Dublin-born Imelda May and television personality-turned bona fide star Megan McKenna joining the bill.

Tom Jones’ career has spanned over half a century and has seen him win many accolades including a BRIT Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music and a Silver Clef Award for Lifetime Achievement.

A global star, who was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen in 2006, he has amassed 36 top 40 UK hits and has a continued worldwide reputation as one of the great vocalists, earning the nickname ‘The Voice’. He continues to be a coach on the hit ITV show of the same name.

Returning to Haydock Park he will be performing from his huge repertoire of hits, spanning genres and generations including ‘Kiss’, ‘Delilah’ and ‘It’s Not Unusual’.

Released last month, Imelda May’s sixth studio album ‘11 Past The Hour’ is a record that brims with sensuality, emotional intelligence, spirituality and intuition, marking a new chapter for Imelda and showcasing her at her most authentic. Imelda has toured extensively and performed with the likes of Van Morrison and U2, appeared on multiple shows (notably some jaw-dropping performances on Later… With Jools Holland), and hosted her own programme on Irish TV, The Imelda May Show.

Megan McKenna first came to prominence as a television

personality on shows like ‘The Only Way Is Essex’ and ‘Celebrity Big Brother’. After her debut country album ‘Story Of Me’ was released in 2018, two singles from the album debuted at #1 & #2 on iTunes and the following year she won ‘The X Factor: Celebrity’. She has proven her talents in the live arena too, completing two nationwide headline tours and is booked to play the main stage at the Isle of Wight Festival this summer.

To enter the competition to win one pair of the two 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 what year was Sir Tom Jones knighted by the Queen?

The expiry date for this competition is midnight on Sunday 8th August 2021.

The winners will be personally contacted within three working days and the results will be posted on our Facebook account by 13th August 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.

Tickets are on sale now for these concerts via thejockeyclublive.co.uk. There will be hospitality packages available to suit all budgets and you can book with confidence as The Jockey Club Live offers a money back guarantee if cancelled. Please note that the Tom Jones concert at Haydock Park is a standalone concert and does not feature racing prior.

38

Know who to Trust...

Trusts can be a very useful tool to protect assets, and to ensure that the money you have set aside ultimately ends up with the people you want to benefit.

named beneficiaries detailed on the form after our client, the trust fund would then pass to children, spouses of children and then to charity.

We recently had an unusual case at the office that emphasised the importance of partnering with the right financial planning firm when considering something like this yourself.

The critical point was that our client doesn’t have any children.

A solicitor referred a client to us last year. She had set up a trust 15 years ago to avoid inheritance tax. Her adviser had recently retired, and she wanted someone like us to check what had been set up and review matters.

The first thing I noticed was how poorly the paperwork was completed. The trust deed is an important document and there were numerous mistakes, crossings out, spelling mistakes and initials all over it.

The investment structure itself wasn’t great, with a random set of funds that, in my opinion, lacked thought into how these assets would interact and it was much too risky for our client.

We managed to create a portfolio for her within the fund range, which was quite similar to our own, following our principles for investing safely.

However, during a change of circumstances for our client it was apparent that a fundamental error came to light – one that could have had catastrophic consequences for our client’s family.

The old adviser had completed the trust form for the client. The trust was a discretionary trust, which gives flexibility by having a wide potential class of beneficiaries, but they should either named individuals or detailed as a wide class of potential beneficiaries, such as ‘my grandchildren’.

The problem for our client was that the box where these beneficiaries should have been named was left blank by the old adviser and not picked up by the insurance company. This meant that because our client was the settlor, she was also a beneficiary. As there were no

Therefore, this trust fund that our client wanted to give to her sisters and nephew after her death was at risk of being left wholly to charity, because of a fundamental error. To make matters worse, we found out that our client was about to go into a care home the next day in the middle of the Covid pandemic!

The solicitor who referred the client to us drafted a deed of assignment straight away and we needed to have the deed signed and witnessed. Thankfully, our client’s sister was able to go to the care home and get this done with some help from the care home manager.

Our client sadly passed away just two months later, so it was very fortunate that this was spotted and acted on.

Trusts do have their place in financial planning and can be invaluable in certain cases. It is, however, very important that the people you are dealing with know what they are doing.

At Callisto we have extensive experience in dealing with complex cases and have the qualifications to back this up. We also have several law firms, tax advisers and accountants that we can bring in to help us to create the right plan and to ensure that everything is completed properly.

If you have a trust or are considering using a trust in your financial affairs, then please feel free to call us for a second opinion. It’s better to measure twice and cut once!

Andrew Platt CFPTM Chartered MCSI

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

40

The making of

Muncaster Hall

by Nicola Gray

St Helens has its fair share of listed buildings and notable properties dotted around the borough, but the back story of Muncaster Hall, an elegant Victorian property that once stood proudly on the outskirts of Rainford village, is more fascinating than most. This is a story of wealth, love, adultery and foul play more befitting of an episode of Downton Abbey, Local Life looks back at Muncaster Hall’s colourful past.

Many Victorian homes didn’t have the modern comforts that we take for granted today; poorer members of society lived in cramped conditions in run-down houses, often with whole families in one room. Homes for the upper classes were much more accommodating, with wealthy Victorians decorating their homes in the latest styles; including flowery wallpaper, carpets and wellmade furniture.

Driveway and entrance gate

Muncaster Hall lived up to the Victorian stereotype in its styling and architecture, the origins of the building however were steeped in somewhat of a scandal. In 1857 a young Richard Pennington, the son and heir of

Muncaster Hall & Pennington Family

Living quarters at Muncaster Hall

41 be generous with his time and money. Richard and Elizabeth had seven more children throughout their marriage, but the couple separated in December 1874.

Three years later, Richard discovered that Elizabeth had formed a new relationship with a former gamekeeper of the estate, and they were divorced.

a very wealthy cotton mill owner from Hindley, Wigan, was ordered by his family to find a suitable residence away from his hometown. Richard was advised to move away to set up home after he started a relationship with Elizabeth Cash, a young mill girl he had fallen in love with.

The couple already had a child when they moved to the Rainford area and their second child was born at School Brow in January 1858. To accommodate their growing family, Richard and Elizabeth bought a farm house known locally as Mount Pleasant in October 1859, and their third child was born shortly after. The story goes that Richard’s mother disapproved of the relationship and so the couple had to wait four years until her death before getting married in Liverpool in 1861.

Throughout this time Richard continued the management of the family cotton mills in Hindley and eventually became the sole owner.

During the next five years he bought several farms and houses in Rainford and entertained his wealthy friends with shooting parties on his land. In a bid to keep up appearances, Richard started to build a grand stone mansion house on the site of Mount Pleasant and used his neighbouring land to set out the gardens, lake and parkland surrounding it. The work on the hall was completed in 1866 and Muncaster Hall came into existence.

Richard took an active part in village life; he was the first chairman of the Local Board, he rebuilt the old Church School in Cross Pit Lane and was reported to Entrance Hall & Staircase

Richard died at the age of fiftyseven on the 10th of July 1887 leaving all his estate in trust for his children until they reached the age of twenty-one. However, in January 1895 the Rainford and Hindley properties were put up for auction and the whole of the Rainford estate including Muncaster Hall, the farms, cottages & houses totalling 315 acres were bought by the Earl of Derby for £37,000.

In February of the same year, one month after the hall was acquired by the Earl of Derby, the furniture and other belongings at Muncaster Hall were auctioned off in a three-day sale which left the house empty and with no trace of the family who once occupied it.

Plans show that in 1905, alterations were made to the building, with the whole of the left wing of the hall being demolished; even with the missing wing, Muncaster was still a substantial property. Over the next few decades, the hall and its surrounding parklands were leased by

42 the Earl to several tenants, the last of which moved out in 1938 and the property was offered for sale. Unfortunately, there was no interest in the estate, and it stood empty until 1940, when Richard Heyes, who also owned Mossborough Hall in the village, bought the estate to use for poultry breeding and agriculture.

World War II had been begun in 1939 and almost as soon as the sale went through, the hall was immediately commandeered by the War Department as an officers’ mess and living quarters for the officers of the military units which had been set up in the village. Due to the size of the building, part of it was used as a Ministry of Food office as well. After the war Richard Heyes and his son James resumed their poultry business and the stately home became the most magnificent hen house in the history of egg production.

Plans were put forward in 1945 as to a number of potential uses for the hall, and several schemes were considered including a children’s home, an old folks’ home and even as an extension to the current Rainford High School. None of the plans were deemed cost effective and Richard passed the property to James, who decided to use the hall as a home for his growing flock of birds, producing upwards of 12,600 eggs a week.

In the late 1950’s, James started to sell a few plots of land for the development of homes for the village, and over

Member of the Pennington Family

the following years larger plots were sold until almost the entire estate was covered with houses and bungalows, known today as Heyes Avenue and Muncaster Drive.

As the land around Muncaster Hall was developed, the hall itself and its outbuildings were demolished and by 1966, just 100 years since its foundations were laid, no trace of the once elegant Victorian residence remains.

With thanks to St Helens Archive Service.

The Archive Service collects, preserves and provides access to unique historic materials that relate to different aspects of life across the borough of St Helens.

Find out more information here www.sthelens.gov.uk/libraries/archive-service/

43

West Lancashire Tailors ltd Serving the community for over 60 years

We’ve finally re-opened ..and we’re looking forward to welcoming customers old and new.

New opening times: Mon, Tues, Fri 9am-4.30pm Thu, Sat 9am-1pm

Great Dry-Cleaning Offers!

3 x Trousers: Only £15 2 x 2-piece suit: Only £20 25% off household dry cleaning 10% off all alterations Dry Cleaning Prices Suits

Alterations & Repairs

from £12.95

Garments

Trousers

from £7.50

Shortened

from £10.50

Dresses

from £11.95

New Zips

from £10.50

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Repairs

from £5.00

and so much more!

1st for QUALITY

1st for HELPFUL & FRIENDLY SERVICE

y Call in toda

DRY CLEANING EVERYDAY LAUNDRY BEDDING & COMFORTERS ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS Laundry & Ironing Services Garments ironed from £1 per item or 90p with a service wash Service Wash

from £8

1st for UNBEATABLE VALUE

2, Ormskirk Road, Rainford, WA11 8BT T: 01744 883 444

44

DAYS OUT WITH KIDS

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Six of the best

T OF H

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EST

Here’s the second part of our ‘6 of the Best’ series, this time highlighting how to enjoy some of the NW’s best days out with kids this summer without breaking into your savings. Please note that there may be some COVID restrictions in place so please check these with the venue before setting off.

MARTIN MARTIN MERE MERE WETLAND WETLAND CENTRE CENTRE There is a whole host of summer fun adventures for you and your family to enjoy at WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre. Enjoy splashing, dipping, playing, feeding, paddling and getting up-close-and-personal hand feeding some of nature’s most wonderful wildlife. This 800 acre centre is home to thousands of rare birds; a cheeky family of otters; an all-star cast of pretty pink flamingos and a group of white storks to mention a few.

Grab a paddle and try the award-winning canoe safari or delve into the ponds and see what creatures are lurking beneath. You can build a den, go on a wild walk adventure, brave the stepping stones or get a total rush from the huge adventure playground with its zip wires, scramble nets and treehouses.

FACTS FACTS Address: WWT Martin Mere, Fish Lane, Address: WWT Martin Mere, Burscough, Lancashire, 0TA Fish Lane, Burscough,L40 Lancashire, L40 0TA Website: www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere Website: www.wwt.org.uk/martinmere Costs from: Child (4-16) £7.54, Adults £14.09, (2+2)(4-16) £36.77, Under 4’s Costs Family from: Child £7.54, Adults go free. £14.09, Family (2+2) £36.77, Under 4’s go free.

Suitable For: All ages. Adventure Playground is 3-12 Suitable For: All ages. Adventure Playground is 3-12

DELAMERE FOREST

45

A shady oasis amid the agricultural landscape of the Cheshire Plain. Delamere, is a place to let off steam, escape the crowds and find peace in the heart of the forest and has something for everyone.

There are easy-going walking and cycle trails for all abilities, bike hire is available and you can even hire a Segway for the best fun you can have off-road without having to pedal!

You can try your hand at Gruffalo Orienteering, following a family map reading challenge to find twelve Gruffalo markers hidden in the deep, dark wood. Or if you would rather get a bird’s eye view of the forest, treat your group to an outdoor adventure at Go Ape!

FACTS Address: Delamere Forest, Linmere, Delamere, Northwich, CW8 2HZ Website: www.forestryengland.uk/ delamere-forest Costs: Free, certain activities extra Suitable for: All ages

SCOTMAN’S FLASH ACTIVITY CENTRE If your kids love water adventure, there’s no need to travel far because there’s a fantastic outdoor adventure centre just up the road in Wigan that features lots of exciting experiences for everyone of all ages to enjoy.

The flashes in Wigan are a result of mining subsidence, and Scotman’s Flash is the largest of the bunch – the perfect place for water sports, whether you’re brand new to canoeing, sailing, kayaking or paddle boarding. The site is run by Wigan Council’s Outdoor Adventure Team and the team also run off-site activities including rock climbing, archery and mountain biking.

Booking the activities online is a bit clunky compared with other commercialised operations but do persevere – the activities are great value and just as much fun! Advance booking is essential.

FACTS Address: Rushdene, off Poolstock Lane in Worsley Mesnes, Wigan, WN3 5HJ Website: www.wigan.gov.uk/BeWell/ Activities-sports/Scotmans-FlashActivity-Centre.aspx Costs From: £11.37 p.p. depending on activity Suitable for: Ages 6+ depending on activity

46

HEATON PARK The 640-acre Heaton Park in Manchester is Europe’s biggest municipal park, which is approximately 25% of the city’s green space. An iconic outdoor concert and festival venue, Heaton Park can also boast an impressive selection of everyday activities.

A major attraction at Heaton Park is Treetop Manchester, which is an elevated woodland adventure for the whole family, consisting of walkways, trampolines, treehouses, slides and ball parks. The less brave can visit the Animal Centre, or take the tram to the tram Museum, try the sedate sport of bowls or even navigate your way across the lake in a boat or pedalo.

There are a couple of large play areas, a pitch and putt and a packed events programme that takes place each year including outdoor concerts, dramas and plays.

FACTS Address: Middleton Road, Higher Blackley, Manchester M25 2GT Website: www.manchester.gov.uk/ heatonpark Costs: Free, certain activities extra Suitable for: All ages

HOVER FORCE ACTIVITY CENTRE FACTS Address: Moorditch Lane, Frodsham Marsh, Frodsham.

WA6 7BT Website: www.hoverforce.co.uk Costs: Varies by activity Suitable for: Varies by activity

Hover Force is Cheshire’s number one Outdoor Activity Centre, and can offer a huge range of adventurous activities, including hovercraft racing, off-road karting, mud buggies, drone racing, axe throwing, archery, crossbow, a shooting range and an experience involving a DTV shredder (a cross between a jetski and a mini-tank). The main activities for children are hovercrafts, off road karting and axe throwing.

Hover Force welcome group activities such as family days out, birthday parties and Stag and Hen activities, but theirs is no need to come with a group, and the organisers we will mix you together with other individuals in groups, depending on the activity you choose.

47

FACTS Address: Great House Barn, Rivington Ln, Horwich, Bolton BL6 7SB Website: www.goape.co.uk/locations/ rivington Costs: £28 (10-15) £30 (16+) Suitable for: 10+

GO APE – RIVINGTON Rivington’s rugged hills, picturesque reservoirs, terraced gardens and woodland bustling with wildlife has been a major attraction for visitors for over a hundred years, but the addition of Go Ape has given the location added impetus for adrenaline junkies.

Go Ape Rivington nestles high up in this open and spacious site, and with the 13-metre-high platforms and a free-falling Tarzan Swing, this is the only Go Ape location in the UK to feature a zip wire over water!

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And once you’ve landed back on terra firma, you can explore the terraced gardens with its hidden paths, caves, structures and lakes, climb the Pike (or Winter Hill) or head over to the Great House Barn and Tearoom for some refreshments.

T OF H

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Flaked Trout with Rocket, Lychees and Sweet Lime Dressing Serves 2 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 30 seconds

Ingredients 225g hot smoked trout 150g mangetout 2 large handfuls of rocket leaves ½ cucumber, cut in half lengthways, seeds removed and sliced 10 lychees, peeled, stoned and cut in half Handful of basil leaves, roughly chopped Handful of mint leaves, roughly chopped Handful of coriander leaves, roughly chopped 1 red chilli, deseeded and diced ½ red onion, diced 60g toasted cashew nuts

The oily richness of the trout contrasts beautifully with the sweet lychees and peppery rocket leaves. Hot smoked trout requires no preparation, making this an ideal speedy healthy lunch or evening meal. Use any lettuce leaves in this dish and plenty of fresh herbs. You could use smoked mackerel or hot smoked salmon instead of the trout if wished.

Method 1. Blanch the mange tout in boiling water for 30 seconds, drain and refresh under cold water.

2. Place the mangetout in a bowl with the rocket, cucumber, lychees, herbs, chilli and onion. Break up the trout and scatter over the top with the toasted cashew nuts. Mix together the lime juice, xylitol or honey and fish sauce.

3. Season the salad with a little black pepper and drizzle over the dressing to serve.

Lime Dressing Juice of 2 limes 2 tsp xylitol or honey 1-2 tbsp fish sauce to taste

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING: Calories 449kcal, protein 36.6g, carbohydrates 35.8g (sugars 30.5g), total fat 20.1g (saturates 4g)

Quinoa and Feta Burgers

49

with Tomato Relish Makes 6 burgers Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 40 minutes A vegetarian burger packed with flavour and topped with a simple tomato relish.

Ingredients 80g / scant ½ cup quinoa 2 tsp bouillon vegetable stock powder or a vegetable stock 2 tbsp olive oil ½ red onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tsp ground cumin 1 x 400g can kidney beans drained 115g / 4oz feta cheese, crumbled 1 tbsp parsley, chopped 1 tbsp mint, chopped 2 tbsp cornflour Salt and pepper

Tomato Relish 4 tomatoes, quartered 1 red onion, quartered 1 tbsp olive oil ½ small chipotle chilli, soaked in warm water for 20 minutes 1 tbsp fresh coriander 2 tsp xylitol 2 tsp balsamic vinegar

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER BURGER WITH RELISH (NO BUN): 215kcal, protein 8.5g, carbohydrates 24g (of which sugars 6.2g), fat 9.7g (of which saturates 3.4g)

Method 1. Add the quinoa to 250ml water with the bouillon powder or stock cube and bring to the boil. Lower the heat and simmer with the lid on for 15 minutes until cooked. Keep the lid on and let the quinoa sit in the pan for another 10 minutes. Place in a bowl.

2. For the relish, preheat the oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas mark 4 and place the tomatoes and onion on a baking tray. Drizzle over the oil and cook in the oven for 15 minutes until soft. Place in a food processor with the remaining ingredients and pulse to form a thick and chunky puree.

Allow to cool.

3. Heat 1 tbsp of the olive oil in frying pan. Add the onion, garlic and cumin. Cook, stirring for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add the beans, feta and cooked quinoa. Stir in the herbs and cornflour and mash with potato masher to break up the beans. When cool enough to handle, divide into 6 portions and shape into burgers.

4. Heat the remaining olive oil in a frying pan on a medium-high heat. Add the burgers and cook until browned on each side, about 5-6 minutes.

5. To serve, place the burgers into burger buns and arrange over the toppings of your choice.

50

Newsletter KEEPING YOU UP-TO-DATE

Quiz Nights

Business Around Rainford

The Village Hall bar, which had a complete refit

This is a forum for Businesses in Rainford and for

just before the first lockdown, will be open for

Rainford residents who have businesses.

socially distanced Friday night quizzes on 02, 09 and

meeting will take place on 21.07.2021 and COVID-19

16.07.2021. Doors open at 7pm and the free quiz

restrictions allowing, it will be an in person breakfast

starts at 7.30pm.

meeting at the Village Hall.

Parish Council Meetings Parish Council meetings are back in the Council Chamber at Rainford Village Hall. Full meetings take place on the 4th Monday of the month. Members of the public are very welcome to attend. Please contact the Clerk’s office for further information on 01744 884709 or visit the Parish Council website: www.rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

The next

If you would like more information, please contact Victoria

Swainbank

on

01744

884709

admin@

rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk The Parish Council is currently compiling a Business Directory which will be available on the Parish Council website. Paper copies will also be available.

Parking in the Village Parking continues to be an issue frequently raised by

Residents are encouraged to address members on

residents. Please try to park legally and thoughtfully in

matters of concern to them.

and around the Village and remember to display your

The Annual Meeting of the Parish Council The Annual meeting of the Parish Council took place on 24.05.2021.

Councillor John Long was elected

Chairman of Rainford Parish Council for 2021/22 and Councillor Stuart Bardsley as Vice Chairman. The committee structure was reviewed and members were appointed to the following committees and Working Parties: • Community Liaison Committee • Finance Planning & Administration Committee • Executive Working Party • Health & Safety Committee

blue badge if using the disabled bay.

The Village Hall Rainford Village Hall is gradually opening up and is available to hire for classes, meetings, parties, anniversaries,

events

and

Wedding

Receptions.

Please ring 01744 884709 and speak to the Event Co-ordinator, Victoria Swainbank or email admin@ rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk At present, essential building works are taking place on the Village Hall. Please take care if you are visiting the hall.

Bench in Memory of Mike Olley A bench in memory of Mike Olley has been placed on the lawn in front of the Village Hall. Mike was leader of the First Responders in Rainford and helped save many lives. A dedication ceremony took place on 29.06.2021.

51

Road Safety The issue of Road Safety has long been of great concern to the Parish Council, which has requested numerous traffic calming measures within the Village.

Unfortunately, St Helens Council have not implemented any of the initiatives so far. Given the recent tragic collisions on the A570, Parish Councillors are renewing efforts to effect changes by joining with the Borough Councillors and leaders of local organisations to work with St Helens Council to make our roads safer.

Everyone can do their part by observing the speed limits on roads and driving with care and consideration.

Rainford Christmas Fayre The Parish Council is delighted to announce that Rainford Christmas Fayre will be back this year on 4th December 2021!

If you are interested in being a stall holder, please contact Vicky on 01744 884709 or email clerk@ rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk 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.gov.uk

Annual Governance & Accountability Return The AGAR for 2020/21 has been submitted to the external auditor. Further details can be found on the website: www.rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk Residents can make an appointment to view the Parish Council accounts by contacting the Clerk, Sally Powell on 01744 884709 or by emailing clerk@ rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk

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

01744 884709 clerk@rainfordparishcouncil.gov.uk @rainfordvillagehall

@rainfordparishcouncil

52

Puzzle Pages CROSSWORD

DOWN

1. Australian term for a young kangaroo (4) 2. State of extreme delight or exaltation (7,6) 3. Heavenly body also known as Sirius (3,4) 4. Small canoe made watertight with animal

skins (5)

5. Period of the French Revolution marked by

extreme repression and bloodshed (5,2,6)

6. Sleeveless dress resembling an apron (8) 12. Pile of waste matter from coal mining, etc (4,4) 14. Flower associated with alpine regions (7) 17. Craftsman who works with stone (5) 20. Singing jazz where nonsense syllables are

substituted for the words of the song (4)

ACROSS

7. Spanish dance in triple time (6)

15. Racing vessel (5)

8. Acid found in vinegar (6)

16. Small falcon that hovers in the air (7)

9. Funeral pile (4)

18. Long-tailed game bird (8)

10. Chinese port city on the estuary of the Yangtze (8)

19. Red eruption of the skin (4)

11. Receptacle used by smokers (7)

21. Small, roofed building affording shade and rest (6)

13. Non-metallic element, atomic number 5 (5)

22. Hooded waterproof jacket (6)

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: 60 or more words GOOD: 52 words FAIR: 43 words

O T

R

N

C U

E N

H

53

WORDSEARCH

Sports

SUDOKU

ARCHERY

GOLF

SOCCER

BADMINTON

HOCKEY

SOFTBALL

BASKETBALL

JUDO

SQUASH

BOXING

LACROSSE

CANOEING

NETBALL

CURLING

POLO

CYCLING

ROWING

DARTS

RUGBY

DIVING

SAILING

FISHING

SKIING

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.

B U S H

WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: Someone who’s recently arrived!

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

L B E H

O W K T

C E I N

K N D O

T R E E All the puzzle solutions can be found on page 60 of this magazine

54

This is the history of the Land Rover Discovery The Discovery has been a core part of Land Rover’s line-up for decades.

Incorporating premium touches and a comfortable interior while retaining the off-road prowess expected from a Land Rover model, it’s little wonder why it has proved so popular over the years.

The most recent Discovery model represents the greatest evolution of the nameplate yet, but to see how it got there it’s worth looking at how things have changed over time. Let’s take a look at the history of the Land Rover Discovery.

1989: The Discovery arrives The late ‘80s proved to be a time when SUVs started gaining in popularity. Though Land Rover already had some offerings in this segment with both the Defender and Range Rover, the firm didn’t have an option between them.

To address this, Land Rover introduced the Discovery.

First revealed at the 1989 Paris Motor Show, the Discovery initially arrived as a three-door model but was quickly offered with a five-door option too. It was facelifted in 1994 while at the same time a stripped-back Commercial version was launched.

1998: The three-door version gets dropped Though the Discovery had been on sale for close to a decade, the second-generation arrived looking more like a mid-life refresh. However, with a comprehensively new chassis and a five-door-only layout, it represented quite the change from the earlier version.

This new model had a greater focus on practicality, which was why the interior was made more spacious than before. Again, Land Rover introduced a facelifted version later on in 2002.

55

2004: A whole new look The arrival of the Discovery 3 really got the motoring industry talking. Though it was still square and boxy, the look of it represented a radical departure from earlier models, while every single component was new.

Incorporating a wheelbase that ran close to three metres long, it offered plenty of space for seven people yet was packed with high-end features.

Land Rover also fitted it with its most advanced terrain response system to date, which meant that despite the increase in quality the Discovery was no less capable offroad.

2009: Slicker than ever The fourth Discovery hit the road in 2009 but, in truth, was more of a facelifted ‘3’. The looks remained largely unchanged - the headlights were more modern in their design while the grille was more complex. Yet these subtle updates ensured the Discovery continued to look fresh.

Land Rover made some big changes to the powertrains available with the Discovery, while a range of special editions was launched. One highlight was the XXV, which was released to celebrate the car’s 25th anniversary in 2014.

manner of manufacturers were producing their own high-riding options.

During this time Land Rover decided to scrap its Freelander, replacing it with the Discovery Sport – a more compact 4x4 that used the Discovery name to capture some of the premium appeal of the larger model.

2016: The fifth generation arrives Land Rover revealed its striking fifth-generation Discovery at the 2016 Paris Motor Show, unveiling a car that was substantially different to the car it replaced. Sales kicked off from the start of 2017.

2014: Discovery becomes a subbrand

The interior made another shift upmarket, while a range of Jaguar Land Rover’s latest Ingenium engines provided more than enough performance. The level of technology on offer was considerably improved, yet the Discovery’s off-road abilities were retained, thanks to even more complex terrain assistance systems.

The start of the 2010s represented a turning point for SUVs. Gaining in popularity, off-roaders and four-wheeldrive were being snapped up thick and fast, while all

Today, the 2021 Discovery update has brought electrified powertrains to the seven-seater, in the form of mildhybrid petrols and diesels.

56

Smart Gardening If you want more time to enjoy your garden, there’s plenty you can do to reduce the maintenance work.

every year. Varieties that are relatively short and sturdy are less likely to flop and should not require support.

Soil Condition

If plants do need staking or supporting, the quickest, easiest way to do this is to drive a few 45-60cm twiggy sticks, taken when you’ve had to cut back shrubs or trees, into the soil around the base of the plant. Twiggy sticks are unobtrusive and attractive enough to be left in place all year round, with no need for you to keep replacing them.

Get your soil in good condition before planting, by digging in bulky organic matter such as compost, wellrotted manure or leaf mould. This improves soil fertility and moisture retention.

Mulch flower beds and borders, and vegetable and fruit areas too. This hugely reduces the time you need to spend watering, weeding and generally titivating your plants.

Make sure the soil is moist before you apply the mulch, to help it retain moisture during dry conditions. Remove big or deep-rooted weeds such as dandelions before you mulch; once in place the mulch will help prevent smaller and annual weeds from appearing.

Big Containers Containers make for a lot more work than flowerbeds, as plants in a container are totally dependent on you for food and water. Grow as much as you can in the soil and choose pots and planters that are as big as possible and incorporate controlled-release fertiliser and moistureretaining granules at planting time.

Grow lots of bulbs; they are great labour-saving plants, as once planted they reappear every year with little need for care. In the current warmer climate even those plants like dahlias, gladioli and tulips – which traditionally were lifted and replanted each year – often seem able to withstand the winter without this effort.

Perennials Grow lots of relatively short herbaceous perennials i.e. plants that reappear every spring and die back late in the season, as they are more low-effort than annuals, which need planting and removing

Shrubs Shrubs are great plants, as once established they need little effort and often provide colour and interest for more than one season. If you want to minimise your input even further, go for shrubs such as Chaenomeles, rhododendrons and azaleas, deciduous cotoneasters and Magnolia stellate, which need little, if any, pruning.

Grow ground cover plants – either herbaceous perennials or low-growing shrubby plants. These don’t need a lot of maintenance and will soon cover bare soil, meaning less weeding will be needed. Dense groundcover reduces evaporation from the soil and so also makes for less watering time. Plants such as Cistus x hybridus, lavenders and rosemaries work well on a dry site. Other good choices include hypericum, Euonymus fortune and Cotoneaster dammeri.

57

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59

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• Brand New Bathrooms • Boiler + Central Heating Installs, Servicing + Repairs • Extended warranties available FINANCE OPTIONS • 24 Hour Call-out AVAILABLE • Domestic + Commercial

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rated by oFStED as oUtStANDINg FUNDED PLACES Available for 2/3/4 year olds

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ALPINE LTD

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NEWLY rEFUrBISHED in 2019

term time 8am till 5.30pm the for Open Mon-Fri: a booking system We operate saves you money holidays which entitlement 30 hours free We deliver day £29 for a full available Flexible sessions from 2 years old We take children beautiful woodland in a01744 Call gain Sarah on to more situated 886166 childfor Nursery is information or admin@cranknursery.net for your Little Acorns vibrant place s. a safe and l experiencewww.cranknursery.co.uk is It setting. educationa in the forest lots of wonderful being down outdoors & well-being on the great health and We are big for your child’s which is good

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Convert your bath to a

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65

Our Focus Is Quality & Price Call us now for ALL your roofline requirements!

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11th August

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march 2020

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LOCAL NEWS | EVENTS2GO | FOOD | HEALTH | WALkS | COmpETiTiON S | HOmE & GArDEN SErViCES

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18th August

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Heritage

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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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Tomorrow’s Home Improvements Today!

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