Local Life - St Helens - August 2017

LocalLife St Helens Edition

August 2017

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up

t happens about once a year. I pick up the Sunday paper to see some London-based writer’s 500 word whinge about his/her visit to The Grim North. Observations about tea, rain and poverty feature prominently. I saw one the other week and, quite frankly, it wasn’t dissimilar in tone to those written 30 years ago.

In 1987, perhaps some of the observances could have been justified. After all, The North (for it is one homogenous mass to those who sip lattes in SW1) was in the middle of mass de-industrialisation. But in 2017, we are in a different place altogether. The coal pits have gone, the air is clean, unemployment is no longer as rife as it was and quinoa/avocado sales are rocketing.

While it’s true that some of the scars remain - chronic health problems here still far outstrip the more leafy parts of the Home Counties - great progress has been made. The fact that the old Tyrers store in St Helens town centre is being redeveloped as a sign of growing confidence in the area (see page 9). Had Tyrers closed 10 years ago, it’s doubtful that another use would have been found for the building so quickly. Even some regeneration experts have raised an eyebrow at the idea of turning it into apartments, but town centre living is in vogue again.

0151 426 1412

Those who live down south will regale you of tales of pollution, stress and the cost of living. I’m off to London soon and I can’t say I’m looking forward to it. Maybe on my return, I’ll pen my ode to The Grim South. I wonder if that ditty will make the weekend broadsheets...

thebigchippy.co.uk

David Sudworth, Editor

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In this issue Summer days

out

12 Bowel

cancer

Regulars 8 Planning 35 Events2Go 16 Class From The Past 39 Jack’s Tracks 32 Puzzle Corner 44 Test Drive

Sections 6 Local News 44 Motoring

43 Gardening 47 Home Services

Next issue - September 2017

Advertising deadline - Tuesday, 22 August Published - Friday, 1 September

20 Chef out of

water

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Telephone: 01744 649 722 Publisher: Chris chrisp@locallife247.co.uk Sales: Clare sales@locallife247.co.uk Editorial: David sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Dylan, Peter design@locallife247.co.uk Distribution: Sally sallyb@locallife247.co.uk Accounts: Sam accounts@locallife247.co.uk Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following areas on an alternate monthly basis.

This issue is delivered to over 12,500 private homes and businesses in Rainhill, Eccleston, Prescot, Eccleston Park, Windle, Prescot Road and parts of Nutgrove and Sutton Heath.

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NHS review

Tell Us Your Story!

Treatment of piles, cataract surgery, laser tattoo

Local Life is always on the look out for news stories from the local communities we serve. Are you raising money for charity? Are you a member of a community group with something to shout about?

Maybe you’ve got an unusual talent, or have a claim to fame? If so, let us know and you could be appearing in the next edition!

Simply contact us on sthelensnews@locallife247. co.uk or call us on 01695 627999.

removal and hairloss are being put under the spotlight in St Helens. They’re part of a wideranging review, which will take up to 12 months to complete, and will see around 100 policies scrutinised. A spokesman said: “In some cases, treatments and operations are being carried out with little or no difference to the patient, which is putting a huge strain on the NHS.” For more information, visit www.sthelensccg.nhs.uk

In Sheila’s memory Lavender bushes are being planted in memory of a school governor and Windle parish councillor.

Sheila Barton, who was one of Bleak Hill Primary’s longest-serving governors, died last year. The bushes will be planted at the J. Malone Garden on Rainford Road.

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Saints stars cheer on youngsters 13 primary schools from across St Helens took part in the Year 5 and 6 Wargrave Primary School Contact Rugby Festival - cheered on by some of Saints’ top players. Ashurst, Bleak Hill, Queens Park, Wargrave, St. Aidan’s, Newton-le-Willows, Nutgrove, Sherdley, Willow Tree, Broad Oak, Legh Vale, St Peter’s and Rainford all took part, with Ashurst, Bleak Hill, Broad

Oak and Sherdley making it through to the semifinal stage. Refereed and cheered on by Saints’ first team members Ryan Morgan, Regan Grace, Dominique Peyroux, Jonny Lomax, Alex Walmsley and Adam Swift, Ashurst and Bleak Hill made it to the final. Extra time was needed but eventually Ashurst came out on top with the golden point try.

Planning Matters Eccleston Burrows Lane Equestrian Centre, Burrows Lane: Erection of single storey classroom block with associated office spaces (ref: P/2017/0530/FUL).

Rainhill Rainhill Business Centre Ltd, Signature House, 232A Rainhill Road : Prior notification for change of use of existing office building to nine self contained flats at first and second floor (ref: P/2017/0470/O2DPA).

Windle 33 St Georges Avenue: Replacement dwelling (ref: P/2017/0493/FUL).

For more information on these plans, visit www.sthelens.gov.uk

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Tyrers store bid approved Proposals to turn the old Tyrers store building into apartments have been given the nod by town planners.

They approved the application for the site at 14-16 Bridge Street after no objections were raised.

The building has been empty since Tyrers shut down in January 2016. It represented the end of an era for Ali Tyrer, the fourth generation of Tyrer who had to make the painful decision to shut the business after 128 years.

The building was bought by developers, the Luxor Group, which vowed to invest £1m into a regeneration scheme.

The plan is for 15 apartments and a restaurant,

which will be situated on the ground floor. It currently has permission from open 7am-midnight, seven days a week.

Stephen Gill, planning case officer for St Helens Council, said in a report: “This residential proposal would bring into use a site which currently services no purpose to the local community and town centre in its current state. The positive re-use of the building would improve the quality of development in the town centre.

“No end user has been identified for the ground floor. Given the sensitive nature of the use proposed for the upper floors, it is reasonable in this instance to attach an hours of operation planning condition.

This would protect the amenity of any future residents on the upper floors.”

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Prescot fire probe Firefighters’ efforts to tackle a major blaze in Prescot was hampered because of a problem with the water supply.

Safety Executive and the Environment Agency.

The finding was revealed in a Knowsley Council report into the fire at Remondis Waste Treatment Centre on Carr Lane last December.

It also outlines how concerns were also raised in the local media and on social media regarding potential health and environmental risks from the fire.

Officers say that the water problem, due to the fact that the mains are gravity-fed, led to an increase

Council bosses have now called for awarenessraising sessions for councillors “to understand their roles in emergencies, and in particular where they should go to obtain information so that accurate and consistent messages are given to the public.”

in the number of appliances needed at the scene.

The Fire and Rescue Service is now liaising with United Utilities to look at the issue, which “had a detrimental impact on water pressure and supply”.

The cause of the blaze is still to be determined and there is an ongoing investigation by the Health &

The report, which details the operations and activities once the fire was detected, confirmed that the blaze was not declared a major incident by either the police or fire service.

The report adds: “The effects of the fire were clearly felt within the local community and there were

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11 concerns raised about the impact on the local environment. Fortunately, water sampling tests carried out by the Environment Agency in the nearby brook and air quality monitoring conducted by specialist contractors on behalf of the council both at the site and in the surrounding area have demonstrated that the fire has not caused any adverse environmental impacts.

“The Environment Agency is continuing to work with Remondis to ensure that the area affected is fully cleaned and it is a condition of the Environmental Permit that, should Remondis cease to operate at the site, the company must restore the land to its condition at the time when operations commenced.”

Cinema’s funding plea A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to provide wheelchair access at St Helens’ independent cinema, Lucem House. The Corporation Street venue, housed in an old church, needs to raise £25,000 for the combination of ramps and lifts which are be necessary to meet the need. A spokesman said: “St Helens serves a community with diverse needs and we know that particular groups would visit the cinema and form clubs were the access issue resolved. Local people also have a generous spirit and if everyone who can afford to donates £2 to the fund does, we’ll soon reach our target. To pledge money, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/liftoff_physical-access-for-community-cinema

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Summer days

W

out!

ith the holiday season around the corner, Local Life looks at some of the many attractions in the North West that are perfect for a day out this summer. We’ve included some for sunny days and some for the showery ones too!

Botany Bay

Acorn Farm

Canal Mill, Botany Brow, Chorley PR6 9AF

Depot Road, Kirkby, L33 3AR

01257 261 220

0151 548 1524

www.botanybay.co.uk

www.acornfarm.co.uk

Five fantastic floors of unique and interesting shopping, events and food. Botany Bay has some wonderful family days out awaiting you. Every Tuesday is filled with Folk and Fairytales, magical storytelling and workshops based on Brothers Grimm stories. Parents explore the variety of shops this wonderful building has to hold whilst your children adventure through Puddletown Pirates play area.

An award-winning, family friendly attraction in Kirkby where you can meet a wide range of animals, many of which you can feed and stroke.

Sheep, cows, goats, pigs, horses, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and even meerkats are all waiting to meet you. As a working farm, there are often baby animals including lambs, goat kids, piglets and chicks to see too. There is also a petting corner and horse rides throughout the summer holidays and many special events throughout the year.

The farm also has two outdoor play areas, a woodland walk, plant sales centre and a farm shop, where you can buy many items produced on the farm.

To conclude the summer holidays join Botany Bay as they host their annual Canal Fest. Relax over the bank holiday weekend with entertainment and festivities such as boat rides, classic car displays, hook a duck, birds of prey and much more.

Apple Jacks Adventure Farm Stretton Road, Warrington, Cheshire WA4 4NW 07980 973 475 www.applejacksfarm.co.uk A family farm on the outskirts of Warrington with attractions aimed at children with the addition of rides and zip-wires for older children. There’s also a massive maize maze (subject to availability) to challenge your powers of direction. The park has a big free car park and places to eat but feel free to being a picnic with you if you prefer.

Enjoy a summer day out with AJ, Sammy Squirrel and Dusty Bear, and let the adventure on the farm find you.

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Bowland Wild Boar Animal Park Chipping, Preston, PR3 2QT 01995 61554 www.wildboarpark.co.uk This family run Animal Park, situated in the Forest of Bowland, has something for the whole family this summer. Discover and learn about animals whilst hand feeding them, with not only animals but walks, tractor and barrel rides and even the opportunity to stay overnight in one of their pods.

Many of the walks follow the scenic route along the River Hodder and with 30 acres of woodland to explore there is more than one adventure to be had at this attraction. Take in the beautiful views and spot the wild boars, Longhorn cows and many types of deer that wander throughout the woodland.

If you’re looking for a great summer time present, you could also gift them with an animal lovers dream, being a park keeper for the day. You will help out with the public activities and feeding animals throughout the day, what’s not to love?

Chester Zoo Moston Road, Upton-by-Chester, Chester, CH2 1EU 01244 380280 www.chesterzoo.org There’s so much to see and do you’ll not know where to start! There are over 15,000 of the world’s most exotic and endangered animals to discover in 125 acres of award-winning gardens. Start your exploration this summer and find out more about the wonderful wildlife and their immersive habitats.

Chill Factore Trafford Quays Leisure Village, Trafford Way, Stretford, Manchester M41 7JA 0161 749 2222 www.chillfactorie.com Enjoy thrills and spills of an indoor snow park which has age specific attractions to ensure nobody is left out.

Get a taste for skiing or snowboarding in a safe, fun environment and maybe even sign up for lessons!

There are also other activities such as a climbing wall, indoor skydiving, shops and restaurants.

Cedar Farm Back Lane, Mawdesley, L40 3SY 01704 822038 www.cedarfarm.net This year Cedar Farm celebrates 30 years of business, to celebrate they will be hosting multiple workshops, events and demos throughout the summer months for all the family to enjoy.

Cedar Farm has grown over the past 30 years continuously changing and creating a loving environment for their customers. A variety of shops, studios, a converted pig barn and design shed have formed a welcoming site for all ages. As the original pig farm has expanded, many other animals became additions to their family, unfortunately there are no longer any pigs but there are many other friendly farm animals for children to feed.

The converted pig barn plays host to multiple shops such as The Blonde and the Bears Hair Salon, Higham Beauty Studio, Julie Langan Glass and The Course Room which is a buzzing hive of activities throughout the week.

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Crocky Trail Cotton Abbotts, Waverton, Chester, CH3 7PH 01244 336084 www.crockytrail.co.uk Get the whole family outdoors and enjoy a mile long adventure of pure adrenaline drenched fun as you run along the famous Crocky Trail scrambling through trees, climbing over crooked bridges and swinging over the fast flowing Crocky Stream.

Farmer Ted’s Flatman’s Lane, Downholland, Ormskirk, L39 7HW 0151 526 0002 www.farmerteds.com Originally a working pig farm, Farmer Ted’s has expanded and opened themselves up to the public. They listened to what their customers had to say and with two extra special attractions that happen throughout the year; Farmer Ted’s has only expanded.

With special Summer events such as Birds of Prey, Sheep Racing and the a spectacular Magic show at the Hectare’s Theatre, make sure you plan a day out to Farmer Ted’s.

Greenslate Greenslate Road, Billinge, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7BG 01695 229150 greenslatefarm.org.uk Have a great day out at your local community farm.

Greenslate Farm is an up and coming community farm, with their brand new Straw Bale Café (opening 16/07/17). Come and meet the animals that reside at the farm and learn many new skills whilst there.

With special events going on throughout the summer months including their monthly vintage farmers market, there is lots of fun to be had down on the farm.

Haigh Hall Woodland Park School Lane, Wigan, WN2 1PE 01942 828280 www.haighwoodlandpark.co.uk If you don’t know what you want to do this summer, Haigh Hall has it all. The new crazy golf reopened earlier this year, and the Kitchen Courtyard is complete with brewery, bakery, chocolatier and even their own ice cream maker. Adults can relax whilst the kids climb their way to the top in the adventure playground.

Although Haigh Hall is known for their golfing, they’ve introduced the brand new craze of FootGolf. This blend of sports means you think like a golfer but let your feet do the talking for you! It’s fun, simple and enjoyable for the whole family.

If FootGolf isn’t your cup of tea, then why not follow the Pig Trail, one of the many walks you can do around the 250 acres of Woodland Park, it will certainly tire the kids out!

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Hoghton Tower

The Old Courts

Hoghton, Preston, PR5 0SH 01254 852986

Gerrard Winstanley House, Crawford Street, Wigan, WN1 1NA

www.hoghtontower.co.uk

01942 834747

High on a hill in the heart of Lancashire sits an enchanting and unique destination for all to see. Dating all the way back to 1565, Hoghton Tower is a destination for culture, education and entertainment.

www.theoldcourts.com

This summer you can enjoy some of the historical events the tower has to offer, with a traditional farmers market held every third Sunday of the month and an outdoor theatre summer season performing some of the classics.

Find something to enjoy this summer at The Old Courts. From art exhibitions in the Isherwood Gallery, to regular music, dance and exercise classes and of course the one-off music events in the Grand Vault. The venue ensures a range events and activities that the whole community can take pleasure from.

Martin Mere Fish Lane, Burscough, L40 0TA 01704 895181 www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/martin-mere Join Dusty Duck and team for lots of exciting adventures this summer. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, which aims to maintain and save the wetlands, encourages everyone to become one with nature.

There is 3,000 hectares of wetland with some of the rarest birds in the world and you could have the chance to learn about them and even feed them.

You could be one of the million visitors they have every year and become involved with the charity.

St. Helens North West Transport Museum The Old Bus Depot, Hall Street, St. Helens, WA10 1DU 01744 451681 (voicemail during weekdays) www.nwmort.co.uk The museum houses a large collection of historic road transport vehicles including buses, cars, lorries and motorbikes. Take a journey back in time and enjoy a free ride on one of our heritage buses on the first Saturday and Sunday of each month. With classic shows and events throughout the year, learn about what used to drive along our roads.

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Class from the past

This month’s Class from the Past is from Bleak Hill Primary. It’s believed this photo was taken in the 1960s. Maybe you can spot a familiar face?

Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to share, contact us today by emailing sthelensnews@ locallife247.co.uk

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Success all round New mum Joanne Cannon will be getting some well-deserved R&R courtesy of Local Life and Beauty By Helen French.

Joanne, of Regal Drive, Eccleston, was the winner of our competition, in conjunction with the Kiln Lane business and Environ Skin Care. It’s been an exciting year for Joanne, who is now also pregnant with her second child.

Likewise, it has been a successful month for Helen French, which won Salon of Excellence For The North West Award from The International Institute for AntiAgeing (IIAA).

She was presented with the award in London recently.

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Distributors

wanted

Local Life require distributors for the following areas; Eccleston Park St Helens Rd/Portico Lane area Rainhill Rainhill Road, Ellerslie Avenue area Mossdale Drive & Bishopdale Drive St Helens Prescot Road, Taylor Park area Scholes Lane, Lowther Cres area

New logo wanted Locals with a flair for design could win £250 by designing a new logo for Rainhill Parish Council.

The authority is wanting a new look as part of the Rocket 190 celebration. The brief includes that logos should reflect the railway heritage of the parish, remain effective when photocopied and reproduced in monochrome and include the potential for combining it with a strapline of ‘Rainhill – Birthplace of the Railways’.

There will be a prize of £250 for the winning entry, and the competition is free to enter.

The closing date for entries is September 30.

Submissions should be made to the parish council clerk at rainhillpc@hotmail.co.uk. The outcome of the competition will be announced on October 27.

For full details of the brief, visit www.rainhillparish. org.uk

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Health & Fitness

Bowel

cancer

By Abi Jackson

reached a crisis point - despite the fact they may have been seen a doctor numerous times.

Mark and Beth Lyson recall how their daughter Hannah - the 20-year-old who amassed thousands of followers when she blogged about fighting bowel cancer, before passing away in January this year - was “back and forth to the doctor” for years.

N

early 98% of people will survive bowel cancer if it’s detected at stage 1, a figure that drops to 10% if diagnosed at stage 4.

Awareness campaigns, plus the NHS screening programmes for people aged 55 and 60-plus, mean generally, the prognosis has improved for older age groups, those most likely to get the disease (around 94% of the 41,200 people diagnosed with bowel cancer every year in the UK are over-50s).

But the number of younger people with bowel cancer has increased by 45% since 2004. There are currently more than 2,500 new cases a year in the UK in under-50s - and they are much more likely to be diagnosed late. According to Bowel Cancer UK, three out of five will be diagnosed with cancer that’s already stage 3 or 4. A third (34%) only find out they have cancer in an emergency situation, after having to visit A&E, for instance, because symptoms have

At first diagnosed with an inflamed gut, later in 2013, her GP said she probably had irritable bowel syndrome [IBS], the common, benign condition associated with a range of digestive symptoms.

Hannah was prescribed medications to help with chronic constipation and worsening back pain, but no tests were carried out.

“The main thing she went back with was her back, she was always complaining about her back,” says Beth, 55. “Then in August 2015, she went to Florida with her boyfriend and was sick a few times. We thought perhaps it was something she was eating, because of the doctor saying it was irritable bowel.”

But the vomiting continued, on and off. “She’d be sick for a day, then she’d go a couple of weeks and be fine, then she’d be sick again,” says Beth. Mark, 52, recalls encouraging Hannah to return to the doctor, but “she was saying, ‘Well it’s a waste of time going because they don’t do anything’.”

The tipping point came when summer 2016 approached. “Hannah was due to go to Camp America in June, and we were getting frightened that she couldn’t go, she was in that much pain,” explains Mark. Beth took Hannah to see an on-call GP, and pleaded that tests be done to make sure

21 she was well enough for her trip to the US. All they wanted was reassurance it was safe to allow their daughter to jet off to America. But two weeks later, in May 2016, Beth and Mark found out that their sporty, Disney-loving 19-year-old girl, who didn’t drink, didn’t smoke - didn’t fit any of the at-risk categories - had a tumour in her bowel, and four tumours in her liver.

“She already had her case packed for America, she was that organised,” recalls Mark. “She had her T-shirts, shorts, flip-flops and all these things. The case was in the conservatory with name tags on it...

It was devastating.”

Even the doctors were shocked, saying it was the youngest case they’d ever seen. And it was shocking, but looking back, Beth and Mark, from

Burscough, Lancashire, can see that opportunities to discover the cancer sooner were missed.

“Bowel cancer in younger patients is becoming more common; we don’t really know why,” says Willie Hamilton, professor of primary care diagnostics at the University of Exeter Medical School.

What he and his colleagues - who’ve teamed up with Bowel Cancer UK’s Never Too Young Campaign, Durham University and University Hospital of North Tees - are certain of, is that more can be done to ensure young people with bowel cancer get diagnosed as early as possible.

Based on research, they’re launching a new risk assessment tool, published in the British Journal Of General Practice and funded by the Department of Health, designed to help GPs identify when

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22 symptoms in the under-50s might indicate a serious bowel condition, including cancer or inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s, as opposed to more common conditions like IBS. A scoring system will indicate whether the GP should simply monitor how the symptoms progress, recommend tests such as checking stool samples for signs of inflammation, or refer somebody for an urgent colonoscopy or to a specialist. “The key thing is we now have a much stronger idea which patients with bowel symptoms might have an unpleasant disease - like cancer. We know which symptoms, like rectal bleeding or diarrhoea, should be tested, and what test to use,” says Hamilton.

Systems like this level out the playing field too, as often symptoms can be vague, plus the severity of symptoms doesn’t always reflect the seriousness of the underlying cause.

For Dave Smale, 36, who was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer this January, the only symptom was

Prescot Chiropody Clinic

stomach pain. “He started getting stomach pains, which correlated with when he’d been eating,” explains his wife Katie, 31. “We thought perhaps it could be a food intolerance, or IBS.”That’s what Dave’s GP thought too at first. But a few months on, the pain became severe, and Dave was referred for tests. He was told he could be facing a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, but the results were far worse - cancer, that had spread to his liver and stomach lining.

Dave’s already had major bowel surgery and is currently undergoing chemo, with more surgeries to come. Life’s been turned upside down for the couple, but their 15-month-old daughter, Maisie, is keeping them laughing and little things, like pre-chemo date nights, plus support from family and friends is helping. Katie’s grateful Dave persisted with going back to the doctor, and says “I think he’d started Googling about how people had been misdiagnosed with IBS and it turned out to be something worse”.

Of course, “IBS is real, common and troublesome”, stresses Professor Hamilton. “We need to identify bowel cancer as early as we can, but we do have to remember most patients with bowel symptoms do not have cancer. GPs have always had to do a delicate balancing act between testing too few patients and testing too many. “Most patients can be managed entirely within their GP’s surgery, but some will benefit from tests of their faeces, and a few will need an urgent colonoscopy.”

In the eight months Hannah fought bowel cancer, she managed to inspire thousands, and help fundraise, through her positive blog posts.

“No parent should have to go through what we went through,” says Beth. “When it’s caught early, you can save somebody’s life. People need to wake up.

“Even when she was really poorly, Hannah always wanted to keep positive, she’s always been like that, she wanted to raise awareness with her blogs and videos. That’s why we’re supporting the Bowel Cancer UK’s Never Too Young campaign. It’s what Hannah would have wanted. “ For more information about bowel cancer, visit bowelcanceruk.org.uk

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25

Food & Drink

Chef out of

A

water

By Ella Walker

pparently, Nathan Outlaw still can’t quite master the art of roasting a chicken.

This is a man who has a two Michelin star restaurant, was mentored by Rick Stein and has written four cookery books.

And he can’t roast a chicken?!

“It always turns out differently every time,” says the Kent-born, Cornwall-based chef, with a laid-back, self-deprecating laugh.

Don’t be taken in; Outlaw can handle chicken, he just doesn’t do carbon copy, identikit chickens but when you’re best known for your seafood, who cares?

His latest book then, Home Kitchen, is something of a detour. “I wanted to write a book that covered all the bases if you had no other cookery book - a book that had all the recipes you needed for life.”

It features some fish, of course, but is also packed with nostalgic classics like toad-in-the-hole, soups, risottos, how to do a proper Sunday roast (yes, chicken included), plus desserts - including his daughter’s sticky toffee pudding - which is to be expected when Outlaw’s last-night-on-earth meal is, without question, trifle.

Throughout the writing process, he had his children (Jacob and Jessica) in mind, imagining the kind of cookbook they’ll need when, eventually, they go off to university or college.

“If they took this one book,” he says, “there’d be enough in there for them to survive.”

Keen to dive in and cook some fish? Try one of these Outlaw recipes on pages 28/29 at home (Recipes courtesy of Great British Chefs. For more inspiration, visit www.greatbritishchefs.com)...

Nathan Outlaw’s Home Kitchen by Nathan Outlaw, photography by David Loftus, is published in hardback by Quadrille, priced £20. Available now

26

Taste Test

Fire up the

Quattro’s B

ack in the 1980s, Audi’s new Quattro model was synonymous with style and speed. A few years ago, its popularity was rekindled in the TV cop show Ashes To Ashes.

Unlike the car, Quattro’s Itailian Ristorante has never fallen out of fashion. Started in 1997, it has been a constant byword for authentic cuisine, stylish surroundings and very friendly, helpful staff.

My colleague Lisa joined me at the restaurant, located just off the Rainford Bypass, for a lunchtime meal recently.

The first thing which hits you as you enter is the fabulous aromas emanating from the kitchen. The reception bar area is stylish and the staff are very chatty and approachable.

For starters, I had the Antipasto, a selection of Italian cured meats, cheese, bread and olives.

Although a fairly standard dish, the taste was anything but that. Top marks to the olives, which were plump and flavoursome. I also loved the gently roasted peppers which acompanied them. Italy may be known for pasta and pizza, but their love and devotion to bringing vegetables into their own is a lesser-heralded triumph.

Lisa’s Burrata E Prosciutto - a creamy Mozzarella cheese with Parma ham drizzled with truffle oil - was wonderfully refreshing. The tomatoes gave the dish an added lift, and you could definitely see yourself eating this on a hazy evening as the sun sets over the Bay of Naples.

27 My mains, Filleto Monte Mare, was, on the face of it, a straightforward surf and turf. However, the steak - cooked rare as ordered - transformed it into a real carnivore’s dream. The king prawns also lived up to their name, provided some lovely seafood to the dish.

Lisa opted for the Pollo Quattro’s - chicken breast with mushrooms, garlic, peppers, shallots and fresh chillies in a white wine and tomato sauce. Once again, top marks to the tenderness of the chicken.

So many times, you go to a restaurant to find a piece of rubber hiding below a beautiful sauce. At Quattro’s, the elements were equal partners in a dish which was truly bellisimo.

For desserts, there was only really one choice for me.

Italy is famous for its ice creams, so I had strawberry and chocolate. It was less creamy than traditional English ices, but that’s no bad thing as it allowed the favours to stand on their own.

Lisa went for the chocolate fudge cake and, like me, wasn’t disappointed with her choice. A lovely end to a fine meal.

Quattro’s has been around for 20 years now, and they’ve adapted to changing eating habits while staying true to their Italian heritage. The staff are magnificent - one even wrote down the name of his hometown and implored me to visit it if I ever had a spare day in Sicily.

I’m not sure if I’ll make it to Italy, let alone its islands, any time soon. But with Quattro’s just around the corner, I’m not sure there’s much need to...

Quattro’s Ormskirk, Rainford Road, Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk, Lancashire, L39 0HF Tel : 01695 720800

28

Baked Pollock with a Cheddar & Herb Crust

Serves 4 Ingredients 4 pollock fillets 75g of white breadcrumbs 1 garlic clove 4tbsp of parsley 1tbsp of dill

Method Preheat the oven to 220C/gas mark 7. Season the pollock with salt and pepper on both sides and lay skin-side down on a well-oiled baking tray.

Put the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, dill and garlic into a bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the melted butter and mix well with a fork. Divide the mixture between the fillets and press on top of each piece in a thick, even layer.

50g of cheddar, finely grated

Drizzle over a little olive oil and bake for 10-12 minutes (eight minutes per inch of fish thickness) or until the crust is crisp and lightly golden, and the fish is cooked through.

Olive oil

Lift onto warm plates and serve.

Salt and pepper 25g of butter, melted

29

Mackerel, Tomato & Samphire Salad

Method Serves 2 Ingredients 2 mackerel fillets, gutted, filleted, pin-bones removed 4 slices of smoked streaky bacon, large dice 8 cherry tomatoes, halved 2 little gem lettuces, leaves separated 110g samphire 10 basil leaves, torn Salt Olive oil For the tomato stock: 8 vine tomatoes, ripe and roughly chopped 2tbsp of white wine vinegar 2 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tbsp of sugar 1 red chilli, de-seeded and chopped Salt For the mayonnaise: 3 free-range egg yolks 1tsp English mustard 1tsp white wine vinegar 300ml of light olive oil 50ml of double cream

For the tomato stock, place the tomatoes, vinegar, garlic, sugar and chilli into a bowl. Season with salt and stir until mixed. Spoon the tomatoes into a large piece of muslin cloth and hang over a bowl in the fridge for at least six hours or overnight. Reserve the liquid collected from the tomatoes.

For the mayonnaise, mix the egg yolks, mustard and vinegar together in a bowl until well combined. Slowly add in the olive oil until the mixture thickens and then whisk in the cream. Add 150ml of the reserved tomato stock to the bowl.

Pour the contents of the bowl into a saucepan over a low heat, whisk continuously until heated through. Allow to gently simmer.

Meanwhile, place a frying pan over a medium-high heat and add a dash of oil. Once the pan is scorching hot, add the bacon and fry until crisp, remove from pan. Add the mackerel fillets, skin-side down, add the bacon back to pan and cook for one minute.

Add the cherry tomatoes, drizzle with a little oil and a sprinkle with salt, cook for a further three to four minutes. Remove the mackerel and tomatoes from the pan and set aside.

Add the lettuce and samphire to the same pan and cook for one minute.

To serve, ladle the warm mayonnaise into the middle of the plate, add the bacon, tomato, and lettuce mixture on top. Finish with the mackerel and small drizzle of olive oil.

Sprinkle the torn basil leaves and serve.

30

Win tickets to Southport

flower show!

W

ith its fabulous floral displays, celebrity gardeners and top family entertainment, there are always so many reasons to visit the Southport Flower Show.

And this summer, lucky readers of Local Life could also be strolling into the annual event completely free of charge. We have THREE pairs of tickets to give away to the show, which has been held at the same seaside venue in Southport for over 80 years.

More than 50,000 people visited the event last year and Southport is the biggest independent flower show in the UK, attracting amateur growers and gardeners from around the country. This year’s Southport Flower Show runs from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th August.

Many of Britain’s best-known gardening experts from TV and radio are on hand to offer guidance, tips and advice at the show. This year’s line-up of garden stars includes Christine Walkden, Carol Klein, David Domoney, Matthew Wilson and Professor Stefan Buczacki.

31

In the Grand Floral Marquee, there are more than a million blooms on display and there are a series of amateur growers’ competitions throughout the show, but the event is far more than just a gathering for gardeners with a packed programme of entertainment to delight visitors of all ages.

Kids go free (with an accompanying adult) at the Southport Flower Show, and this year they will be treated to performances by children’s TV favourites Justin Fletcher and Mr Bloom. Justin Fletcher stars on CBeebies as Mr Tumble in Something Special and also features as himself in Justin’s House. He will headline the family show on Saturday 19th August. Mr Bloom is played by performer Ben Faulks in the CBeebies show Mr Bloom’s Nursery and returns to Southport on Sunday 20th August after entertaining audiences at last year’s show.

Another popular attraction at Southport is the food village which features top chefs showing their skills in the demonstration kitchen.

And for older visitors interested in home improvements, TV presenter and professional ‘upcycler’ Max McMurdo will share his unique design expertise. Max starred in ‘How to Live Mortgage Free with Sarah Beeney’ on Channel 4, and will park up in his mobile workshop inside a converted double decker bus to show guests how they can turn household junk into quirky home treasures.

The Southport Flower Show takes place at the 36acre Victoria Park, which is right beside the coastline sand dunes and a short walk away from Southport town centre.

The theme for this year’s show is the ‘Curious Garden’ with organisers aiming to showcase the sense of wonder and discovery that inspires all gardeners as they unravel the mysteries of the natural world.

General Manager Ray Roukin said: “We are delighted to welcome all our famous guests to this year’s Southport Flower Show and we know our visitors will be thrilled to see them.

“Families have always enjoyed coming to the Southport Flower Show and this year our line-up of children’s entertainment will be better than ever.”

To win a pair of tickets to Southport Flower Show, just visit our website www.locallife247.co.uk, click on the ‘Free Stuff’ tab and then click on ‘Competitions’.

Online readers can click on the following link http:// locallife247.co.uk/free-stuff/competitions/.

Just answer this question; What is the theme for this year’s Southport Flower Show?

Your answer must be with us by 12 noon on Friday 11th August 2017, and winners will be notified that same afternoon. Details of the competition winners will be publicised in our October magazine.

For tickets to the show please go to www.southportflowershow.co.uk

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Puzzle Corner

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SUDOKU WIGGLE WORDS CLUE: A bit of a botch Trace a path through all the letters to find the word or phrase that fits the clue.

T I A K

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Henry runs a book store and has several old maps for sale. Using the clues below can you match each of the maps to the cartographer, subject matter, publication year and price?

CLUES 1. The most expensive map was created by Senex 2. Bowen did not create the map dated 1767 3. The map costing £300 was for Scotland 4. Desbarres created the map for Russia 5. The map for Eastern Europe was created in 1713

All the puzzle solutions are on page 46 of this magazine

LOGIC PROBLEMS

33

Need legal advice?

Don’t delay!

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ocal law firm I E Legal Solicitors, are able to give you the legal advice you need.

Their Prescot Office is located at 20 Eccleston Street, just next door to Prescot’s indoor shopping centre.

There is plenty of free parking at the centre, and being on the pedestrianised shopping street means that you can pop in for legal advice whilst visiting the other local shops and independent stores Prescot has to offer.

2017 marks an exciting year for I E Legal as they have recently moved into the newly refurbished premises, and also have some new members of the team.

Thomas Hurley is the latest addition.

Thomas has experience in helping people with disputes, such as consumer problems and recovering unpaid debts.

“It’s great being able to help Thomas Hurley people with their legal issues, and as we can offer no-win no-fee for collecting outstanding bills, and low-cost fixed fee services for

dealing with other problems, our client’s can always rest assured that they are in safe hands!” said, Thomas.

Principal solicitor, and director of the firm, Dominic Cooper said “It’s great having Thomas on board especially now we are in our new spacious offices.

Thomas is a great lawyer with a friendly and approachable manner and clients find that he puts people at ease.”

“And with myself and other team members looking after our clients, we can help with everything from wills and probate, advice on inheritance issues, disputes, court proceedings, family law, children issues, property law, conveyancing and business law - we really offer the full service in a nice approachable way, in our local community.”

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Dominic Cooper

34

35

Upload your event for FREE at www.locallife247.co.uk/events Follow us on Facebook

events2go

Willy Russell: Another Aspect

Summer Activities on the Farm

Until Saturday, Sept 2, 9am – 5pm

Tuesday, July 25 – Friday, August 25, Noon – 5pm

Following his successful exhibition in Kirkby Gallery in 2015, Willy Russell is returning this time to show an entirely new side to his creative portfolio. For his first solo exhibition as a visual artist he presents a gallery packed with a stunning range of works inspired by the places and people in his life.

Summer activities filled with fun at the Farm; meet the newly-hatched chicks in the hatchery. Learn more about the rare breed animals in daily farmyard facts. Storytelling, milking demonstrations and, not to be missed, the highlight of the day - sheep racing!

The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby, Knowsley, L32 8XY. Contact: tina.ball@knowsley.gov.uk

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN. Contact: 01625 374400

The RHS Flower Show

Bat Watch

Wed July 19 – Sun July 23, 10am – 6.30pm

Friday, July, 28, 9pm

Returning to the magnificent deer parkland of Tatton Park, the 2017 RHS Flower Show offers an exciting mix of gardening inspiration, spectacular summer floral displays, delicious artisan food from specialist producers and superb live entertainment.

Join St. Helens rangers on bat watch this summer, the Friends of St. Helens Cemetery invite you to bring a torch, bring your kids (not your pets) and find out more about the animals that come out at night. Meet in the cemetery car park on the Rainford Road entrance.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN. Contact: www.rhs.org.uk/tatton

Tennis Club Open Weekend Fri, July 21, 7.30pm & Sun, July 23, 1pm – 4pm Winstanley Tennis Club is hosting a weekend of Wimbledon themed events, with Friday providing a Summer cocktail evening at the clubhouse which includes refreshments and music. Tickets are £5.

On Sunday, there is an open day which invites families to join in an afternoon of free tennis and strawberries and cream.

Winstanley Tennis Club, Hall Lane, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XN. Contact: billdow@hotmail.com

St. Helens Cemetery, Rainford Road, St. Helens, WA10 6DF. Contact: friendsofsthelenscemetery@ gmail.com

Manchester Jazz Festival Friday, July 28 – Sunday, August 6 Manchester Jazz Festival is celebrated for its diverse and inviting mix of musical cultures and its adventurous approach to creative music-making, bringing together local, national and international artists of many backgrounds. With events across Manchester the week of music is not to be missed.

Find out more at: manchesterjazz.com

36

An Evening with Carol Drinkwater

Knowsley Feelgood Festival

Friday, July 28, 7pm – 9pm

Saturday, August 5, 1pm – 5pm

Carol Drinkwater, Sunday Times best-selling author, filmmaker and actress, talks about her latest novel, The Lost Girl. Cost & booking: £4 (£3 if member of St Helens Libraries). Includes refreshments.

Bring your family and friends along to the third Knowsley Feelgood Festival and enjoy a range of fun and creative activities and attractions guaranteed to boost your mood and improve your wellbeing.

Chester Lane Library, 132 Chester Lane, Sutton Manor, Saint Helens WA9 4DE Contact: culturalhubs.eventbrite.co.uk

Court Hey Park, Gladstone Field, Roby Road, Huyton, Knowsley, L16 3NA.

Star Night Saturday, July 29, 7pm A night of entertainment, with the likes of John Martin, Andie Dee and Magician Johnathan. Tickets are £5 with all proceeds from the night going to Derian House Children’s Hospice.

St James Social Club, St James Rd, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7AA. Contact: 01695 623902

Welly Walk Thursday, August 3, 10am – 11.30am Wiggle with the worms as you search the sea edge for jiggly jelly fish and their friends. Wellies or Jellies essential for full exploration! Ideal for 4 to 8 year olds. Tickets £3.00 per child, normal admission charges apply.

National Trust Formby, Victoria Road, Formby, Merseyside L37 1LJ. Contact: 01704 874949

Brookfest Saturday, August 5, Noon – 10pm There are bands throughout the day, a large outdoor bar, food, and festival traders. It’s a family friendly event, donations are welcome with proceeds going to local charities. Children under 12 are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

Blackbrook Rugby & Recreation Club, Boardmans Lane, St. Helens, WA11 9BB. Contact: 01744 730492

Summer Fair Saturday, August 5, 11am – 3pm Visit Greenslate Farm at their annual Summer Fair, where there will be fun for all the family and plenty of food and drink. Enjoy a day in the sun (hopefully!), with stalls, entertainment and much much more.

Greenslate Community Farm Greenslate Road Wigan, WN5 7BG. Contact: 01695 221950

Wigan Pride Saturday, August 12 Wigan Pride is back for 2017. Following the huge success of the first ever Wigan Pride back in August last year. This year they are going gold to celebrate 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK. Believe Square, The Wiend, Wigan WN1 1PF. Contact: wiganpride.com

Southport Flower Show Thursday, August 17 – Saturday, August 20 Southport Flower Show is the largest independent flower show in the country, attracting over 50,000 visitors over 4 days. This year’s theme is: The Curious Garden. Inspired by a sense of mystery, wonder and curiosity – this year, you’re invited to something very strange indeed. Through a twist, a turn and a secret door, what surprises will you discover?

Southport Flower Show, Esplanade, Southport, PR8 1RX. Email: info@southportflowershow.co.uk

37

Wigan Live Festival

Jaguar Cars Past & Present

Friday, August 18 – Sunday, August 20,

Sunday, September 3, 11am – 4pm

Wigan Live is a free festival hosted from many of the venues in Wigan Town Centre. To get the full ‘Wigan Live Festival Experience’ we highly recommend that you try visiting most of the venues. Think of it as a musical pub crawl and you’ll be on the right track!

St. Helens Transport Museum, in association with the Jaguar Drivers Club, is hosting a display of Jaguar cars from past to present. This family friendly day out consists of model railway displays, refreshments served from a Wartime Fire Service Canteen and free vintage bus rides, on a 1950s bus, for all to enjoy. Family tickets (2 adults 2 children under 18) £12.25. Children under 5 are free. Adults £4.25, Children £2.50 Concess.£3.25.

Various Venues throughout Wigan Town Centre.

Contact: wiganlivefestival.co.uk

Outdoor Cinema Friday, August 25 – Sunday, August 27, 6.30pm Following last year’s sell out screenings, The Luna Cinema returns to Tatton for three nights of classic cinema under the stars! With three classic films over this one weekend including: Back to the Future, Grease and finally Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. There’s delicious hot food and a full bar on site throughout. Capacities are strictly limited, so book early to avoid missing out.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN. Contact: thelunacinema.com

Obstacle Colour Fun Run Sunday, August 27, 1pm – 4pm Register for the fun run now, as a fundraising event, don’t miss out. Starting at the playing field there will be obstacles, inflatables, water guns, colour paint throwers and much more throughout your run. Raise money for a cause you care about and have a great day doing it! Find out more from the Facebook account below.

Windermere Avenue, Moss Bank, St. Helens, WA11 7AP. Contact: facebook.com/ clinkhamwoodcarnival

The Old Bus Depot, 51 Hall Street, St Helens WA10 1DU. Contact: 01744 451681

Rainford in Victorian Times Sunday, September 10, 10.30am – 4pm The Rainford Heritage Society will once again be celebrating Open Heritage Sunday. This year’s theme is Victorian Times and there will be a video running throughout the day to display activities for children that went on throughout that era. There will be live entertainment from the Mucky Mountain Morris Dancers and a talk held by Liverpool City Town Crier, Terry Stubbings.

Rainford Village Hall, Church Rd, Rainford, St Helens WA11 8HB.

Artisan Market Sunday, September 10, 10am – 3pm Find over 40 stalls packed into the barns and courtyard and discover gorgeous, unique art and craft that would make a perfect one of a kind gift for that one of a kind person! Discover dozens of award winning, local produce stalls and get your fix of your favourite cheese, pie, jam or cake after two long months without! Cotton Town Hot club will be back with a bang with swing music and fun and, of course, the cafe and shops will be open from 9am!

Inglenook Farm, Moss Nook Lane, Rainford, St. Helens, WA11 8AE. Contact: 01744 886812

38

80s Mania

Charity Fashion Show

Friday, September 15, 7.30pm – 10pm

Monday, September 25, 2pm (2.30pm start)

Europe’s Official 1980’s Multi-Tribute Concert featuring 25 chart topping pop icons recreated with live band and awesome dancers. Performing over 35 chart topping smash-hits with tributes to Duran Duran, The Human League, Kim Wilde, Culture Club, Madonna, Wham!, Nena, Toni Basil, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Dead or Alive, Madness and more!

A fun packed afternoon of fashion and beauty. All proceeds will go to Willowbrook Hospice and Multiple Sclerosis. Tickets are £10 and available from Ella Mora Rainford, Beauty by Helen French in Eccleston and Willowbrook Hospice. Bubbles on arrival.

St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens WA10 1LQ. Contact: 01744 756000

Southport Air Show Friday, September 15 – Sunday, September 17 Combining a spectacular air display with a host of ground activities, the Southport Air show is an exhilarating and fun-filled experience that the whole family can enjoy. The event promises to be one of the aviation calendar’s most spectacular events, providing stunning views of the best jets, fighters, bombers, helicopters and aerobatic aircraft.

Southport Beach, Southport, PR8 2PP. Contact: visitsouthport.com/airshow

Paws in the Park Sunday, September 17, 11am – 7pm This year will be bigger and better than ever, especially with their famous dog show! There will be a concert featuring lots of local acts and dance groups, donations to the event are always welcome.

Sherdley Park, St. Helens, WA9 5DE. Contact: frasersevents.org.uk/

Artisan Food and Craft Fair Sunday, September 24, 11am – 3pm A great trip out for the whole family. Expect to find anything from cheese, fresh bread and chocolate to jewellery, local artwork and scarves.

Rainford Village Hall, Church Road, Rainford, WA11 8HB. Email: makinandmoore@outlook.com

Houghwood Golf Club, Billinge Hill, Crank Road, Billinge, WA11 8R. Call Marion on 01744 885322

Macmillan Fundraiser Friday, September 29, 3pm Join St. James for their annual Macmillan fundraiser with doors opening at 3pm for the sale for lots of fresh produce and homemade baking. Continuing on into the evening with the main event of a beauty and fashion show which starts at 7pm. Tickets are £6 and available by calling Kath on the number below.

St James Social Club, St James Road, Orrell, WN5 7AA. Contact: 01695 721038

Firework Show Friday, Sept 29 – Sunday, October 1, 6pm – 9pm Set in the beautiful Victoria Park, the British Musical Fireworks Championship are firework displays like no other. Over three nights, prepare for breathtaking displays, an array of light and a mixture of music which will have you dancing away. The British Musical Fireworks Championship is a pyromusical competition. This means that the fireworks are timed with the music and the entire show is choreographed to give you, the audience, some of the most spectacular fireworks you will ever see.

Victoria Park, Rotten Row, Southport, PR8 2BZ. Contact: visitsouthport.com

39

sponsored by

Jolly’s Valley A

little research beforehand can make even the most seemingly average walk very interesting. For this trek though, I had a local tour guide – my colleague Peter who prowls this parish on a regular basis.

Peter, who doubles as our fearless cameraman, was born in this part of Wigan and, as a boy, it was literally his playground. The mere fact he is still around 50-odd years on to tell the tale is miraculous given some of his escapades in the local highways and byways.

We parked up at Red Rock car park on Red Rock Lane. Apparently, this used to be the railway yard of the old Red Rock Station. Leaving the car park, we headed back to the main road, turned right

by David Sudworth

and headed down Red Rock Brow. On reaching the bottom of the hill, we crossed over to the other side of Chorley Road, going left towards Wigan.

After about 100 yards you come to a public footpath on your right. Follow this up through the trees, out across the meadow and over the foot bridge that spans the West Coast Main Line. It’s a busy old route and if you stick around for a few minutes, you’re bound to see at least one loco.

Once across the bridge, follow the road along the side of the railway until it reaches Fairhurst Lane. At this point turn right and head up the lane for about 20 yards, then take the path on your left which climbs up into a meadow, which was, up until 1959, Victoria Colliery.

40 Keeping to the left, follow the path round until it splits, taking the path that leads off through the trees and out onto Lordy Close. Form here go left and follow the road out onto Water Drive, which you continue along to Chorley Road. Go right along Chorley Road until you reach the roundabout at Boars Head, where you cross Wigan Road (A49).

Having crossed Wigan Road (A49), you go right for about 100 yards, at which point you turn left into Gidlow Cemetery. As we ambled through, we passed the final resting place of renowned artist Lawrence Isherwood.

A friend of L.S. Lowry, Isherwood was one of those artists whose stock has risen immeasurably since his death from cancer in 1989. Collectors of his works include Prince Charles.

We followed the road through to the other end of the cemetery, then turned left, eventually leaving the cemetery through a small gateway. Here you go left and follow the path round to the bridge which brings you to Walter Scott Avenue.

Quite why the road is named after the Scottish novelist, playwright and poet is a bit of a mystery. As

far as one can tell, he had no direct links to Wigan. If you happen to know, do drop us a line.

Go left up the road to its junction with Wigan Lane, where you cross over the main road and go right.

After about 150 yards you’ll come to a pathway on your left named Sicklefield. Take this path and follow it down past Sicklefield House, down the

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42 64 steps, then left across the footbridge over the River Douglas and out onto Wingates Road. Here you go left and follow the road, which leads into Pendlebury Lane.

Heading up the lane you pass under the viaduct that once carried the L&NWR, Lancashire Union line, Standish Loop. Continuing up the lane, you pass open fields before reaching the LeedsLiverpool Canal. Here you take the path on the left, down onto the canal towpath. On the opposite bank you’ll see a lovely little garden with massive Gunnera plants on either side of it. Continue along the towpath taking in to views until you reach the bridge at Red Rock.

Here you cross over the road and head down the hill and back to the car park.

A lovely little walk in a part of Wigan which really only the locals know. Most people who visit the town tend to retrace George Orwell’s footsteps. So for a change, why not follow Jack’s paw prints on this four and a half mile stroll?

Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear while walking. While 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.

43

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Test Drive

3008

Peugeot SUV 1.2 GT Line

I

t is not unusual to see some big changes between an older and newer generation of the same model, but the all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV looks radically different to the outgoing one.

That exiting generation, introduced in 2008, was a frumpy, chubby SUV that did little to inspire buyers. The all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV, though, is a different animal, burying the clumsy image of the last car six-feet under and achieving the European Car of the Year crown.

Sometimes it can be difficult to separate SUVs out on the road because most of them drive alike. Many are set up for comfort, and that’s what the all-new 3008 is tuned for. The small steering wheel and light handling gives a feeling of sprightliness, even if that’s not the case, as it’s a tall, heavy car. However; that’s not a complaint, the designers and engineers have done a good job covering the traditional flaws of an SUV’s dynamics.

by Tim Barnes-Clay

There’s a wholesome medley of engines on offer, as with most Peugeot models: two petrol’s in the shape of a 131PS 1.2-litre unit and a 165PS 1.6-litre turbo.

Then there are a couple of turbo diesel engines of 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre capacity. What suits you best is largely going to depend on what sort of driving you do. Short urban trips suit the 1.2-litre petrol more, whereas longer journeys will fit the potential 70mpg obtainable from the 1.6-litre diesel.

I drove the 1.2 petrol in GT Line spec with 131PS, fitted with a manual gearbox. Behind the wheel, things feel dynamic, and the weighting of the steering is spot on. The car grips bitumen like a cat’s claws cling to flesh, and mid-range pulling power is good, so you can pick up the pace easily. The six-speed transmission is slick shifting, and the car delivers a hushed ride. Tyre roar and wind whistle is kept out of the cabin, too. All this just adds to the 3008’s sense of refinement.

45 The Peugeot offers a composed ride with seats that provide the sort of comfort and support required for long distance motoring. Furthermore, the car’s suspension sops up potholes without complaining.

Significantly, the all-new 3008 doesn’t tip into bends. Indeed, body roll is very well contained. This surprised me, as smaller SUVs aren’t always the type of vehicle to stay so unflustered on twisty tarmac.

The new 3008 comes in four levels of trim: Active, Allure, GT Line and GT. Factory fitted safety kit includes automatic emergency braking and rear parking sensors. The GT Line hasn’t got any extra safety equipment - just sportier looks. But it has all the safety kit you really need, and as with all 3008s, it has a top five-star Euro NCAP safety score.

A car can look great and have all the equipment in the world crammed into it – but it’s no good if it isn’t economical and it doesn’t drive decently. There are no concerns to be had in this area with the 3008 SUV. The 1.2 GT Line’s average fuel consumption of 55.4mpg and 117g/km of CO2 means low running costs, combined with effective performance. 0-62mph is achieved in 10.8 seconds and the Pug’s maximum speed is 117mph.

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The all-new Peugeot 3008 SUV’s entry price is £21,795, but expect to fork out £25,655 for the petrol-powered GT Line I drove. A basic Nissan Qashqai costs £18,545, and the new SEAT Ateca is priced from £17,990. But I think the 3008’s extra cost is justified because it feels more upmarket inside than these two rivals. Cabin materials include brushed chrome, large areas of carbon decoration and textiles. They even cover some areas less commonly found in SUVs, such as the dashboard inlay. It’s all very contemporary and attractive. The Peugeot is just as stylish outside, and it drives well, while delivering a comfortable ride for all.

Fast Facts • 0-62 mph: 10.8 secs • Combined mpg: 55.4 • Engine layout: 1199cc 3-cylinder turbo petrol • Max. power (PS): 131 • CO2: 117 g/km • Price: £25,655

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