St Helens Edition
December 2015
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Local News Food & Drink Jack’s Tracks Health & Fitness What’s On Motoring... www.locallife247.co.uk
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or a modest scribe with much to be modest about, I find writing about Christmas is fraught with danger; a hazard usually best avoided. Why? Because it unleashes every writer’s most dreaded nemesis, the cliche. ‘Most wonderful time of the year’, ‘chestnuts roasting on an open fire’. They trip off the tongue like boiling hot brandy sauce. Then comes the New Year, with its promise of a ‘clean slate,’ ‘fresh start’ etc. And after 12 months has passed, like Bobby Vee’s rubber ball, we come bouncing back for more. The reason is fairly simple; as humans we actually love, or even crave, routine. Even down to the most simple things, like watching the same programme or going to the local park, we do like familiarity. So in that sense, it would be a bit odd if Christmas wasn’t the same as last year, and the year before. Heck even the curmudgeons are reassuringly repetitive in their gripes, usually about it starting earlier every year and bemoaning its overcommercialisation. Personally, I enjoy Christmas because it allows us to break from the norm. It gives us licence to eat, drink and be merry, usually in that order, without feeling much sense of guilt. And even though it represents a holiday from the day to day routine, it is still reassuringly familiar. There are downsides; fewer sweets in the Roses tin are a bugbear, but I’ll save that for another time. Merry Christmas!
David Sudworth - Editor Pimbo Garden Centre, Pimbo Lane Up Holland, WN8 9QQ
Next issue - January 2016
www.pimbogardencentre.co.uk
Advertising deadline - Tuesday 18 December Published - Friday 08 January
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In this issue The small
Cooking up a
screen
storm
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42
Avoiding dizzy
Jack’s Tracks
spells
Lightshaw
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53
From Sutton to the
Jeep
Senate
Cherokee
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57
Regulars 14 Class from the past 18 Planning 36 Puzzle Corner
Publisher: Chris Pearce Sales: Clare Glover, Nicola Gray
47 Eating out guide 48 What’s On 53 Jack’s Tracks
Sections 6 Local News 26 Health 42 Food & Drink
chrisp@locallife247.co.uk sales@locallife247.co.uk
Editorial: David Sudworth sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk Design: Peter Bretherton
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Distribution: Sally Boon
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Accounts: Sam Garrahan
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Local Life is published every month and distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis.
48 Leisure 57 Motoring 60 Home Services
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Bert’s back On The An Eccleston man who worked as a conductor on London’s famous Routemaster buses stepped on one again for his 90th birthday! Bert Waters moved to the area 26 years ago having spent his life on the buses. So to celebrate his birthday, a double decker was hired to transport family, friends and neighbours up to Blackpool to see the illuminations. His son Jimmy explained: “Dad worked for London Transport as a conductor out of many garages in London for 34 years. He would often organise social trips to clubs or to the coast for staff and their
Buses! families using the garages’ spare double decker buses. So to try to re-create these sometimes eventful trips, a bus of the type he worked on, was hired from RM Buses Ltd of Wigan. “The afternoon began at the Lester Drive Centre in Eccleston, where he met and chatted with family, who came from all over the country, as well as friends and neighbours while they were having refreshments. “Just before dark, the bus arrived and after a short presentation to Bert by the bus company in recognition of his 90 years and a few photos, everyone climbed aboard. There was music and singing on the way, although some of the lyrics
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Rainhill St Ann Church Christmas Tree Festival 10th - 13th December Carol Service Sunday 13th December 4:30pm Carol & Crib Service Christmas Eve 4pm Midnight Eucharist Christmas Eve 11.30pm Please join us this Christmas www.stannsparishchurch.org.uk
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were changed to ‘’I’d like to get you on a slow bus to Blackpool’ or ‘My old man’s a busman, he wears a busman’s hat!’ “The evening was a great success and many people said they had never enjoyed themselves so much in a long time, but to dad and the immediate family, this was perfectly normal!”
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Distributors wanted Local Life requires distributors aged 13 and above for this edition of our magazine. Distributors will typically work for 2/3 hours every eight weeks. The areas we currently require distributors is as follows: Eccleston Park – Fairholme Avenue, Albany Avenue, Forest Grove & Watling Way Prescot - Honeybourne Drive, Sandfield Crescent, Vining Road & Sinclair Avenue
Dash for the Dash!
Prescot Road Area – Laurel Road, Regents Road & St Anns Road
Time is running out to sign up for this year’s St Helens Santa Dash. The event, to raise money for Willowbrook Hospice and the Steve Prescott Foundation will take place on Saturday, December 5, starting in Church Square at 11am. Entry is £12 for adults who will receive a complimentary Santa Suit and £6 for children who will get a Santa hat. Children under five go free. For more information and to register, visit www.sthelenssantadash.co.uk
Eccleston – Hawthorn Drive, Knowsley Road & Long Meadow Nutgrove – Easington Road, Consett Road & Thornaby Grove If you are interested, please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk
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Festive and fabulous The Big 3 Day Beauty Event Wed 2nd Dec, Thurs 3rd Dec, Fri 4th Dec Discounts on all skincare and make-up prodcuts Beautifully wrapped gift sets from Clarins and Environ Come and join us for a glass of fizz Gift cards for any amount available Purchase £100 gift card and recieve an extra £10 gift voucher for yourself
Let’s Celebrate!
Join us at our pre-Christmas get-together for a glass of bubbles, lots of fun and the chance to choose from the best of Clarins. Much-loved skin care favourites, festive make-up collections or luxurious body treats. And of course, we have a little something for you too!
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£4m Windle Island A £4m congestion-busting scheme for Windle Island is poised to step up a gear. The plan, unveiled by St Helens Council, suggests a series of pedestrian crossings, lane widenings and redesign of certain parts. Regeneration experts believe the scheme will create 78 jobs and be completed by September 2017. A consultants’ report presented to councillors said: “Windle Island has been identified as a key pinch point on the Liverpool City Region road network for a number of years. In 2008, a fatal accident occurred at the junction which raised questions about safety. Further investigations concluded that the accident was not due to
Prescot Chiropody Clinic
scheme
the design of the junction and highlighted the high levels of congestion experienced daily that can increase the risk of dangerous pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle movements. The junction acts as a barrier to vehicular, pedestrian and cyclist movements and is unable to sustain any level of future traffic growth. The A580 East Ahead Left, A580 East Right, A570 South Right and A570 North Left Ahead arms of the Windle Island junction are operating over capacity at present (over 90% degree of saturation); while the other arms are operating close to capacity.” A decision on whether St Helens Council should commit around £500,000 to the scheme was due to be made as Local Life went to press.
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Bills chaos fear Next door neighbours in Eccleston could end up paying different council tax bills unless a parish boundary is redrawn. That was the warning from St Helens Council over the ongoing development at the former Triplex site adjacent to Millfields. Currently, small part of the site falls inside the Eccleston Parish Council boundary. Plans are now afoot to push the boundary back to the rear edge of Brentwood Close and The Avenue, meaning that the whole site will no longer be part of the parished area. A final decision is due in January.
Healthy Hearts welcome New members are being welcomed to Healthy Hearts Rainhill. The not-for-profit class is for over 60s or anyone who has mobility problems due to joint stiffness or arthritis. It is run by Kathryn Dixon at St James’ Church hall, Church Road Rainhill, on Tuesdays from 10.30 -11.30am Call 07863 632092.
Willy exhibition An exhibition of artefacts from Whiston-born playwright Willy Russell’s career have gone on display. The Educating Rita and Shirley Valentine author, who spent time in Rainhill as a child, has allowed archive film, posters, handwritten notes and scripts to be exhibited at Kirkby Gallery, Norwich Way, until January 23.
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Funeral debt help
¿Te gusta el fútbol?
St Helens Citizens’ Advice is offering help to people who are struggling to pay off funeral debts. The organisation says it can assist people by encouraging them to apply to the British Gas Energy Trust, which provides free grants to pay outstanding expenses. It comes after Local Life reported how local people are turning to loan sharks to give their loved ones “a good send off.” A spokesman said: “Applying to the Trust is free and grants do not have to be paid back so it is a better alternative than getting into debt with a loan shark or commercial lender. You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply and we help employed people as well as those in receipt of benefits as the only criteria is financial hardship. “ For more information, call 01744 751380.
Do you want to get fit or improve on your foreign language skills in the New Year? Spanish classes start at Eccleston Library, Broadway, for 10 weeks from Monday, January 11, from 1.15pm-3.15pm. The registration fee is £5 and concessions are available. Call 01744 677675. The following week, walking football is kicking off on Thursday, January 21, from 7pm at the YMCA Beacon Building Sports Hall. Walking football is basically the Beautiful Game but without the running - perfect for older people or those who have limited mobility. The cost for this is £2.50 per session. Call 01744 675400 for more information.
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Class from the
past
This month’s Class from the Past is from Bleak Hill School. It’s believed this photo was taken in the 1950s. Maybe you can spot a familiar face?
Remember, if you have a photo you’d be willing to share, contact David Sudworth today by emailing sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk
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Reduce, reuse, recycle
rewards
Residents across St Helens are being encouraged to join the new green incentive scheme.
runner-up in their community will win £50.00 and £25.00 respectively to spend on a choice of vouchers including M&S and iTunes, products, family experiences or local charity donation.
Recycling Rewards is an initiative from St Helens Council and funded by the Department of Communities and Local Government. By now you’ll likely have received your Welcome Pack through your door, containing all you need to start earning rewards for what you recycle.
Once activated, your card can then be used to get exclusive offers and discounts from local businesses and retailers across St.Helens, with new discounts and offers added regularly. The full directory can be found at www.sthelens.gov.uk/recyclingrewards.
How does it work? Recycling is broken down into a ward-by-ward competition – the same areas you’d use for local voting – with reward points given to residents based on their individual and community performance. To start earning you’ll need to activate your account online using the activation code enclosed inside your welcome pack. To do this, go to www. s t h e l e n s . g o v. u k / recyclingrewards or call 0207 326 5055 to request a freepost activation form. Recyclers will start receiving their points straight away! Alternatively, activate using the free council app. To download, search ‘St.Helens’ in your app store. Rewards for you! Each month, the top performing recycler and
Rewards for your community! At the end of the scheme, the community that has accumulated the most points will have a greater say on how the £10,000 is donated. There are 4 charities to choose from and all activated members of the scheme can vote for the charity they’d like to win. So the more you recycle, the more money you can earn for the Steve Prescott Foundation, Willowbrook Hospice, the Honeyrose Foundation or The Hope Centre. Cllr Seve Gomez-Aspron, cabinet member for Green Smart and Sustainable Borough, said: “We’re all aware of the need to recycle what rubbish we can, reducing our impact on the environment. In St Helens, we recycle 42 per cent of our waste – an achievement to be proud of – but there’s still much more we can do to reach the 50 per cent by 2020 target. “The more you reduce, reuse and recycle, the more exclusive offers you’ll earn for yourself, and the more money you could earn for key local charities like HoneyRose Foundation, Steve Prescott Foundation and Willowbrook Hospice.”
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Planning Matters Eccleston 60 Brookside Avenue: First floor rear extension (ref: P/2015/0831/HHFP) A decision is due soon. 6 Ackers Lane: Remodelling of detached bungalow together with extensions to the sides and rear (ref: P/2015/0815/HHFP). A decision is due soon. Rainhill
6 Lawton Road: Demolition of existing flat roof garage with new pitched roof garage, enlargement of existing roof to rear along with insertion of three dormer windows with removal of existing chimney stack with associated alterations to existing elevations. (ref: P/2015/0832/HHFP). A decision is due soon. Windle
814 Warrington Road: Erection of part two storey, part single storey extension (width increase from 2.85m to 3.45m) (ref: P/2015/0849/FUL). A decision is due soon.
31 Fistral Drive: Single storey rear in-fill extension. (ref: P/2015/0813/HHFP). A decision is due soon. For more information on these plans, visit www. sthelens.gov.uk
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Angel
delight
Local people are being asked to help decorate a Christmas tree to raise money for church funds. St Ann’s in Rainhill hopes to fill its tree with angels which people can decorate or write a message on. The angels are available from the Millennium Centre, on View Road, or the church for a minimum donation of £2 each. Sheila Jones, church council secretary said: “People can return their decorated angel to church or the Millennium Centre at any time that is convenient or they may wish to visit during our Christmas Tree Festival from December 10-13 to place the angel on the tree themselves. A small craft table will be set up at the Christmas Tree Festival with glitter, sparkles and pens available for people to use. All
money raised will go towards the much needed modernisation and upgrade of our Church sound system.” If you are unable to visit in person, you can make your donation by texting BAPT99 £2 to 70070 or www.justgiving.com/RainhillStAnnChurch After the Twelfth Night (January 5) the angels will be available for collection, if you wish to keep them, until Sunday, February 7.
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The small
screen
David Sudworth meets the people bringing a slice of city culture to St Helens
A
former unitarian church, sandwiched between the town’s courthouse and a 1970s council building, is perhaps the last place you’d expect to find a burgeoning celebration of everything non-mainstream. Yet in the shadow
of these three pillars of The Establishment, it’s happening. Ann Shacklady, Alison Donnelly, Paul Jones and Len Saunders, are the driving force behind the St Helens small cinema project. For the past few months, they’ve been showing little-known films from across the world. Recently, it was the turn of German 2006 drama Das Leben Der Anderen (The Lives of Others). In early December, Sweden’s Så Som i Himmelen (As It Is In Heaven) will be beamed into the 65 year old building. “You’d normally have to go to places like Liverpool to see things like this,” says Ann. “But we decided it was time to give people in St Helens that opportunity.” It’s believed the building itself has been owned by the YMCA since it ceased being a
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church some 20 years ago. Since moving in, they’ve made some improvements and also installed some proper cinema seating, which came from Stockport Plaza. They’re now working on plans to make it accessible for wheelchairs, and hope to launch a crowdsourcing appeal soon. The group itself was started by Ann, who has lived in New Zealand where there is a thriving independent film scene. When she came back to live in Windle, she started Take2Films and, in 2013, began putting on screenings as The Cinema Bar on Duke Street. However, they eventually outgrew that and, thanks to the support of St Helens YMCA chief executive Justin Hill, managed to secure the use of the old Unitarian Church: “The difficulty was that the film licences cost anywhere between £85-£125 plus VAT
per showing, but The Cinema Bar only had 22 seats, so the scope for raising enough money was limited. The bar owners understood that so that’s why we’ve got 60 seats.”
“I loved the fact it’s not big and corporate” Alison, a former deputy headteacher, got involved by simply attending one of the Cinema Bar events: “I’ve always loved quirky films so was completely enchanted by the experience. I also loved the fact that it wasn’t some big, corporate thing - it was something about our town.”
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Alongside operations director Paul, from Blackbrook, and Len, who is an actor has appeared on shows such as Shameless, they are now looking at submitting grant bids. But they are determined to ensure that the same ethos of community involvement which has got them to this stage continues: “There’s very much a social aspect to this,” says Len, “People come and chat to each other before and after the film.” Paul agrees: “A lot of the older generation haven’t got anywhere to go, and they don’t necessarily want to go to a cinema where there are younger children and the experience is flat.” Så Som i Himmelen is being shown on Friday, December 4, from 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 and £3 for concessions. It’s A Wonderful Life is being shown on Friday, December 18, from 6.30pm. Tickets are £5 and £10. Visit www.facebook. com/take2filmsStHelens or www.twitter.com/ take2filmssth
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Health & Fitness
Avoiding
dizzy spells By Ella Walker
E
ver felt a bit light-headed after standing up? Most of us have experienced that momentary dizziness from time to time - but researchers at Harvard have warned that those who regularly experience more severe dizziness, at least three minutes after standing up (known as ‘delayed orthostatic hypotension’), may have a higher risk of early death and developing degenerative brain diseases. The study, carried out by Dr Christopher Gibbons of Harvard Medical School, looked at the nervous systems of 165 adults with an average age of 59, over 10 years. Those who did suffer with delayed orthostatic hypotension had death rates of 29% over the decade (9% in healthy subjects) and their rates of degenerative disease (such as Parkinson’s or dementia) was 31%, compared to 8%. Dr Gibbons said: “Our findings may lead to earlier recognition, diagnosis and treatments of this condition, and possibly other underlying diseases that may contribute to early death.” Again, the results only apply to these regular, significant delayed orthostatic hypotension events - so there’s no need to panic that every wave of light-headedness indicates a serious problem. There are many ways to explain fleeting faint spells and waves of dizziness, and often the causes are harmless - though ‘attacks’ can be alarming. If you are concerned, or experiencing more frequent bouts of dizziness, always speak to your GP to get things checked out, just in case. In the meantime, here are eight ways to help keep dizzy spells at bay...
Hydrate Even mild dehydration can affect your balance and induce light-headedness. Aim to drink six glasses of water a day, and always carry a bottle of water so if you get too hot or feel unwell, you have something cool to sip.
Rest and recuperate If you get hit by a wave of dizziness, sit down immediately so you don’t have a fall. If you are experiencing vertigo, lying down
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on your side can help everything shift back into focus. Take your time when standing up, and if you are feeling faint or dizzy, relax. Don’t push yourself to get on with things, it might make you worse.
Drugs Extreme dizziness, or vertigo, is not always related to heights, in fact, in most cases it is related to an inner ear infection, labyrinthitis. For people who regularly suffer from vertigo, doctors may prescribe benzodiazepine to calm the central nervous system and antiemetics, which prevent nausea.
problem that knocks you off balance, Vestibular Rehabilitation Therapy can be an option. Using a series of exercises, it’s a method of teaching your central nervous system to compensate for the deficit in the inner ear. Ask your GP for a referral.
Stress less Stress and anxiety are often linked with dizziness. If you feel like you’re about to start panicking, sit down. That way, if you do faint you won’t hurt yourself. Take deep breaths to steady your heart rate and have a sip of water until it passes.
Boost B12
Sugar hit
A lack of the vitamin B12 can lead to low blood pressure and feeling off-balance. Invest in a supplement, and make sure there’s enough meat, dairy products, and fortified breakfast cereals in your diet - all good sources.
If your blood sugar levels are running low, you will become more prone to a dizzy spell. Make sure you’re eating regularly, and have snacks on hand for an extra boost if you feel like you’re flailing.
Retrain your brain If your dizziness is linked to an inner ear
Things to avoid Bright lights, alcohol, hunger and loud, grating noises can all exacerbate an attack of dizziness.
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Free publicity for YOU! Are you in a local community group? Do you want to publicise a talk, school fair or charity fundraiser? If so, get in touch with us today! Local Life is distributed to over 100,000 homes across Wigan, St Helens, Chorley and West Lancashire. Each edition is crammed with stories for local events, and your group could be appearing in our next edition. The types of events we publicise are as follows:
We’re also on the look out for old school photographs, street scenes from yesterday and want to hear from you if your group is celebrating a special milestone.
by
- Talks which are open to the public
Simply contact our Editor David Sudworth with the details - what, where, when, why, who for, how much - and anything else you want to tell our readers. The earlier you can provide the information, the better the job we can do.
- Pleas from community groups or associations for new members
So don’t delay – contact David today by emailing him directly at sthelensnews@locallife247.co.uk
- Charity fundraising events - Local school, church or community fairs - Amateur concerts community groups
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Conveyancing
C
made simple onveyancing is the term used for dealing with the legal side of moving home.
Katherine Ball, Conveyancing expert at local firm of solicitors, I E Legal Solicitors, explained: “For most, it’s the single biggest transaction we will ever deal with. Not only are we talking about a large sum of money, but the property you buy will need to be enjoyed as your home for many years. “The actual legal transfer of the property is by far and away the easy bit. This is done by what we call a ‘Transfer Deed’, which in most cases is a simple form that is registered at the Land Registry. However, a pitfall is that each property in England and Wales has its own ‘title’, what lawyers call the documents which establish who owns what. This ‘title’ is a lot more than just ‘42 Acacia Avenue’ - it can include things such as easements, rights of way for you to go over other land, rights of other people to go over your land, rights for the local council to demand payments, obligations to pay money such as ground rent. Signing a transfer deed is not what conveyancing is about - it’s about making sure that when that deed is signed, every person knows what they are going to get, and every person gets what they should. And horror stories abound about cases where people
have bought gardens with pipes under that the homeowner can do nothing about, or bought a home without planning permission that needs to be knocked down.”
Fortunately, expert conveyancers I E Legal Solicitors deal with property transactions all the time. Their experts understand all the issues which may arise, and can take tsteps to undertake all the necessary searches, as well as knowing how to interpret the documents and the title. But how for much? “Actually, to get the benefit of professional legal expertise from us costs as little as £350, depending on the property value,” said Katherine. “Unfortunately, there are other charges, that are out of out hands, including estate agents’ fees and stamp duty. But by coming to us, you get the benefit of professional expertise, and local knowledge, at the best possible price.” For a no-obligation quote, contact I E Legal on 0845 467 0217, visit the website, or just pop in!
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Katherine Ball, conveyancer
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Love
it!
hen it comes to the art of giving gifts to loved ones, inspiration and good taste make the difference between the recipient being thrilled to bits and facing a long wait in the returns queue at M&S.
The gorgeous Love It Gallery isn’t like other shops, it’s a virtual potpourri of giftware, home furnishings and art in an elegant and spacious setting. Headed up by the owners of Morpheus Glass, Stephanie O’Brien and Ian O’Brien, Love It Gallery is a welcome and imaginative addition to the North West’s world of retail.
For those of us hanging around the back of the queue when inspiration and good taste were given out, there’s a range of perfect Christmas gifts at Love It Gallery, which is based at the old Billinge Garden Centre site on Winstanley Road (near Winstanley College).
Morpheus Glass now supplies fused glass work to galleries, shops, interior designers, architects and independent traders both nationally and internationally, and Fused Glass artist Stephanie enjoys working with clients on a range of varied and exciting bespoke commission projects.
W
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As you’d expect, Love It Gallery carries a beautiful, unique and original range of contemporary fused glass products from Morpheus Glass, but there’s so much more on display at the Gallery, including gifts, ceramics, hand-crafted jewellery, furnishings, bags and more from many talented UK designer/makers. Adjacent to the gallery is the inspirational splashback showrooms, where customers can see how fused glass splashbacks can make a stylish enhancement to a dream kitchen or bathroom. Coming soon to the site is the new Bag & Bean Café, where you can enjoy delicious coffee, yummy cakes and light lunches six days a week. With Christmas just round the corner, a trip to Love It Gallery is a must! Love It Gallery Winstanley Road, Billinge WN5 7XG 01695 624182 Opening hours are; Tuesday-Saturday 10-5pm Sundays 10.30am-4pm www.loveitgallery.co.uk www.morpheusglass.co.uk
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Puzzle
corner
Guess where? Wordsearch Sudoku 6
4
3 8
7
4 1
9 3
5
4
7
5
9 3
6
8
Yuletide fun
3
1 6
5
8
Answers are on page 62 of this magazine
2
Carols Snowflake Turkey Presents Elves Bells
Tinsel Sleigh Snowman Cards Frankincense Mistletoe
Reindeer Yule Santa Noel Holly
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38
From Sutton to the
Senate
David Sudworth examines the link between a St Helens road name and the 44th President of the USA
A
s leader of the Free World, Commander-in-Chief of our biggest superpower and the man who captured Osama bin Laden, Barack Hussein Obama is probably the most recognisable person alive today.
Such honours tend to go with the job. But being the United States’ first black president meant that, throughout his two terms of office, which come to an end in just over a year from now, his background has been the subject of endless fascination. Born in Hawaii, he had a Kenyan father and a mother whose family came from England. Researchers now believe that they can trace part of his heritage back to St Helens and the New World pioneers, whose names are still seen on a street names by thousands of local people each day.
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At just under two miles long, Elton Head Road is an important route which links the A570, Rainhill Road and Marshalls Cross Road. Its name comes from the Eltonhead family which resided at Eltonhead Hall in Sutton. Around 1640, Willian Eltonhead left the town to take up the post of special envoy to Lord Baltimore in Maryland, on the east coast of America. Baltimore was himself English, having been born in Kent. As a Catholic - a religion which was banned in Britain at the time - he sought refuge in Maryland, an area which his family had colonised. William Eltonhead’s job was to be Lord Baltimore’s eyes and ears and protect his interests at all times. Around five years after his arrival, his five nieces, Jane, Agatha, Martha, Eleanor and Alice, all emigrated from England to America. The reason for their flit was down to the fact that their father Richard - William’s brother - had supported the Royalist Cavaliers against the Earl of Derby and King Charles I in the first English Civil War. So when the cavaliers lost, their supporters, Richard included, lost most of their wealth. As a consequence, he was no longer able to afford dowries for his five young daughters - and he sent them over to America.
Upon receiving his nieces, he set about finding them husbands within Maryland and neighbouring Virginia. One of those who was successful was Martha, who married Worcester-born Edwin Conway. Their great great grandson was James Madison who was President of the USA between 1809 and 1817. No ordinary president, he was instrumental in drafting the US Constitution, and to this day is remembered through Madison Avenue and the iconIc Madison Square Garden in New York City. Presidential pedigree seems to be in the Eltonhead blood because another descendant of Martha and Edwin is the current US president, who are his 11th
“Maybe Barack Obama will pay a visit...” great grandparents. Research also shows they are the 11th great grandparents of American actor Brad Pitt. The link comes through Obama’s mother’s side, whose own ancestry throws up names such as Superman actor Christopher Reeve (eighth cousin).
Lord Baltimore
Local historian Stephen Wainwright who publishes the Sutton Beauty & Heritage website said: “I doubt that few people who travel down busy Elton Head Road know that the noble family who gave the street its name were New World pioneers with a direct connection to both the American and English civil wars and two US presidents. Perhaps we can persuade Barack Obama to pay a visit to Sutton! “
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Named after Henry Ellam, who was an influential figure in Sutton in his day, and who also owned property in Parr and Lymm. Ellam’s will, dated June 16, 1796, showed that one of his executors was his friend, Thomas Greenall of the brewery family. Ellam’s estates were bought by Michael Hughes of Sherdley Hall in 1797 for £1,463. The most notable property was Ellam’s House, also known as Tripe Shaws, which was demolished in the mid-20th Century.
Bretherton Road is named after the family which owned virtually the whole of Rainhill’s land in the late 1800s. In 1807, stagecoach company owner Bartholomew Bretherton (pictured) moved to Loyola Hall in the village and less then a century later, they were a well-known family. St Bartholomew’s Roman Catholic Church was paid for by Bartholomew, and completed in 1840.
... And here’s some with not-so-world-famous links!
A source of much amusement, but this type of Ogle actually relates to the name of a family which purchased large pieces of land in the Whiston area. John Ogle, the earliest known, is said to have been a son of Sir Robert, first Lord Ogle, who died in 1469. Early in 1472 John Ogle of Prescot purchased lands in Rainhill from John, son and heir of Hugh Woodfall. By the 1600s, the Ogles, whose coat of arms is pictured above, were recorded as Stewards of the Manor of Prescot.
This stretch is named after the man who, in 1707, founded Prescot’s first workhouse on Warrington Road. More workhouses followed in Sutton, Moss Bank, Bold, Eccleston and Rainford. A school was also named after Oliver Lyme, and charity set up in his name exists to this day for the prupose of adminstering the block of Almshouse Flats, on St James Road.
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Competition
Win a
Christmas Hamper O
ur popular Christmas hamper competition is back and this year, one lucky reader in St Helens will win a luxury Christmas Hamper! This Christmas hamper will be filled to the brim with luxury produce, much of it locally sourced. Most of our food is from the Food Hall at Derby House in Wrightington. The Food Hall at Derby House in Wrightington carries a great range of tasty local and regional produce, particularly in the run up to Christmas. The finished contents of the hamper was still being finalised as we went to press, but we can tell you that each hamper will include Christmas cake, chocolates, mince pies, cheese, shortbread, wine, real ale, nuts, sweets and lots more besides. The goods are packaged in an attractive and sturdy wicker basket, and expertly wrapped in cellophane and ribbons. Even if you’re not a foodie, these hampers would make a wonderful present for someone special in your life. To win one of these hampers simply visit our website (www. locallife247.co.uk), click on the competition graphic, complete your contact details and tell us the name of the Lancashire village where Derby House is located.
Your entry MUST be with us by Sunday 13th December, and the lucky winner will receive their hamper on the weekend of 19/20 December 2015. Competition Rules Only one entry per household. Entrants must be over 16 years of age. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition.
Good luck to all who enter - and a Happy Christmas to all!
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Food & Drink
Cooking up a
storm By Jeananne Craig
T
he sun didn’t always shine during Rachel Allen’s recent road trip along Ireland’s stunning Atlantic coast, but the chef and writer insists that was all part of the charm. “When the weather wasn’t great, it was wild and dramatic and windy. We had a couple of boat trips that did more than clear out the cobwebs,” says Allen, who spent a month journeying along the rugged western terrain from Ballymaloe in County Cork to the rugged headlands of Donegal. She visited numerous foodie locations along the route - and each stop-off forms a chapter in her new book, Coast, which is packed full of recipes inspired by her ‘culinary odyssey’. There was Sneem village in Kerry, where she met black pudding-producing butchers; Galway City, to stock
up on farmhouse cheese, and Rathmullan House in County Donegal, where Allen sampled some locallybrewed Kinnegar beer. “The characters you meet along the way and their passion is just wonderful,” says the author and TV presenter, who teaches at the acclaimed Ballymaloe Cookery School. “I also learnt how to free-dive for crabs and went snorkelling, looking at different seaweeds. I was constantly learning.” Allen believes Ireland’s gastronomic output in recent years has helped reverse the opinion that it houses a “nation of potato and cabbage eaters”. Want to try one of Allen’s tasty recipes at home? Here are three from Coast...
Coast: Recipes Inspired By Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast by Rachel Allen is published by Harper NonFiction, priced £25 (eBook £12.99). Available now
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Irish onion
with blue cheese toasts
soup
Method
Serves 4 as a starter Ingredients 25g butter 600g onions, peeled and cut into 5mm thick slices Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1L chicken or beef stock 150ml double or regular cream For the Blue Cheese Toasts: 8 x 1cm thick slices of baguette, white yeast bread or sourdough 75g blue cheese, crumbled
Melt the butter in a saucepan large enough to take the onions. Add the onions, season with salt and pepper and stir. Turn the heat down to medium-low and cook for one-and-a-quarter to one-and-a-half hours, until the onions are very deep golden brown. You’ll need to stir the onions and scrape the bottom of the saucepan every few minutes while cooking. When the onions have caramelised, add the stock and bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 15 minutes. Add the cream, bring to a simmer and season to taste again with salt and pepper, then take off the heat. When ready to serve, preheat the grill, then toast the bread on both sides and cut into smaller pieces, about 4cm. Pour the hot soup into heatproof bowls and top with the toasted bread. Crumble the blue cheese over the top, place the bowls under the hot grill and cook for one to two minutes until bubbling.
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A family
tradition by David Sudworth
I
f Christmas means one thing, it’s tradition. Whether it’s Aunt Mabel nodding off after one too many snowballs, or gathering everyone around the TV to watch Her Majesty deliver her seasonal message, there’s something reassuringly familiar about the festive period.
years, the retail landscape has changed but Ali says Tyrers’ continued success is down to consistently providing quality, choice and something different for the customer. It’s an ethos which is even more important at Christmas time, one of Tyrers’ busiest and most important trading periods of the year.
However, the world in which we celebrate Christmas has changed substantially in recent years. The high street has taken a battering since the growth of internet shopping. But despite this, the signs for the future are encouraging. Experts predict that UK retail sales this Christmas will grow by 2.5%. It’s said this is partly to do with the general economic picture improving, and that there was a mini baby boom during the recession - meaning people will be spending more on children!
Visiting Tyrers, it’s not hard to see why it is described as ‘traditionally fashionable’, and known
One local company which has withstood this and many other recessions is boutique department store Tyrers, on Bridge Street, St Helens. Founded 125 years ago by William Tinsley Tyrer with just a £50 loan and a box of boots, Tyrers has been passed through the family for generations and is now headed by Ali Tyrer, the great granddaughter of William. Over the
as being ‘the Harrods of the North West’. The store is beautifully laid out. Its five floors are serviced by an elegant staircase and art on the walls. On each floor, you will find leading names in its men’s and ladies’ clothing, fashion accessories, lingerie, fragrances, cosmetics and formal hire departments. The Eating Place restaurant on the top floor was
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continued to invest and ensure it looks modern and contemporary. We have the ‘wow’ factor, our store wouldn’t look out of place in a large city, but people love the fact they don’t need to do that when they have it here on their own doorstep.” The high street may have changed substantially, but a lot like Christmas itself, Tyrers continues to offer a traditional service in a modern setting. Whether it is a gift for a loved one, a chance to take the children or grandchildren to see Santa, or an opportunity to spoil yourself, choosing Tyrers is the perfect way to ensure all your Christmases come at once.
refurbished recently and complements the rest of the store beautifully. During my visit, I managed to sample its Christmas Dinner which was quality on a plate. Succulent turkey, perfectly roasted potatoes, aromatic sage and onion stuffing along with a dainty addition of half a peach accompanied by cranberry sauce. For dessert, I had what can only be described as the most delicious ‘award winning’ mince pie and cream I have tasted for a very long time. The phrase ‘melt in the mouth’ is very much overused but for these, I can think of no better or more accurate description. All the floors are tastefully adorned with decorations and Christmas trees. Mother-of-three Ali is especially proud that Tyrers has a ‘proper Santa’s grotto’ located in the menswear section on the lower ground floor (ticket only – call 01744 20261 for more information). Next to the grotto is a selection of high quality, but value-for-money, Christmas decorations. It’s difficult not to start humming Wizzard or Slade while choosing what to purchase.
Tyrers is open 9am - 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and on Sundays in the run up to Christmas between 11am - 4pm
FREE AWARD WINNING
Mince Pie
with every Christmas Lunch! e diference at Tyrers! Taste th Name
..........................................................................
..........................................................................
Postcode ..........................................................................
Offer available every day (except Saturdays) until 23rd Dec 2015
Ali knows these next few weeks in the run up to Christmas are important for Tyrers, and she is determined to provide her customers a fantastic festive experience. “Christmas is a traditional time of year, and as a company we are driven by tradition, and also family values. I want people to come into our store and enjoy the experience. That’s why we have
www.tyrers.com 14-16 Bridge Street, St Helens, WA10 1NR T: 01744 26551
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( Former Little Chef ) Next to Texaco Garage, East Lancashire Road, WIndle, St Helens WA10 6QY
BOOK NOW FOR XMAS DAY ‘’Great meal, great staff, great atmosphere’’ ‘’Curry at its best’’
Hurry up & Book Now For Christmas Day Lunch to avoid dissapointment We are serving from 12.30pm till 4.30pm Traditional Lunch
Indian Christmas Day Lunch
To Start To Start Choice of: Choice of: Chicken Chatt Puri Spring Veg Soup & Onion Bhaji Crusty Bread Lamb Somosas Prawn Cocktail Chicken Tikka Honeydew Melon Mix Starter Main Course Main Course Turkey Crown Tikka Massala Served with Stuffing, Chicken or Lamb Roshuni Steamed Vegetables, Balti Exotica Roast Potatoes accompanied with Chicken Munchuriya Gravy & Cranberry Served with Boiled Rice or Pilau Rice Plain or Garlic Naan Sauce. Desserts Xmas Pudding with White Sauce Fresh Berries with Ice Cream Finished with Fresh Ground Coffee & Bisciuts Only £24.95 per Adult & £13.95 per child (under age 10)
Enquire About New Years Eve Call to Book a Table or Collect a Take Away
01744 737 911 or visit www.babursi.co.uk
Ba’Bursi Contemporary Restaurant & Bar
WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU
Dont Forget we also have a fantastic Early Bird Menu Available from Monday to Thursday between 5.30pm till 8.30pm Only £11.95 per person & Sundays now from 2.30pm till 7.30pm Only £10.95 per Person
10% off*
your takeaway on collection Between Sunday & Thursday when you present this on your first visit
Call 01744 737 911 FOR BOOKING & INFO
East Lancashire Road, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 6QY
*Voucher not redeemable on our specials or on Christmas menu
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Eating out
guide Sing Faye Restaurant Dine at Sing Faye and enjoy a taste of Oriental Cuisine. Amazing Sunday banquet, Early Bird & A la Carte menu. Open 7 days a week. Book a table to avoid disappointment. 01744 738882 East Lancashire Road, Carr Mill, St Helens, WA11 9AE singfayerestaurant.co.uk
Advertise
here £48 + VAT
Call 01744 649722
The Eating Place Located on the top floor of Tyrers Department Store, open six days a week serving freshly prepared, beautifully presented meals in a friendly welcoming atmosphere. 01744 26551 14/16 Bridge Street, St Helens WA10 1NR tyrers.com
Rigby’s Coffee Shop
rigby’s Coffee Shop
Enjoy a trip out to Pimbo Garden Centre and tuck into a wide selection of delicious home cooked, locally sourced, food served seven days a week at Rigby’s Coffee Shop. 01695 622601 Pimbo Garden Centre, 32 Pimbo Lane, Up Holland, WN8 9QQ pimbogardencentre.co.uk
Quattro’s A family run Italian restaurant situated on the Rainford By-pass at Bickerstaffe. Being just off the slip road of the M58 makes this an ideal location for meeting friends and business lunches. 01695 720800 54 Rainford Road, Bickerstaffe, Ormskirk L39 0HF quattros.co.uk
Advertise
here £30 + VAT
Call 01744 649722
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Events & Leisure
What’s
on
Manchester Christmas Markets Until Monday, December 21 Spread across the city centre, the Christmas Markets are all located within roughly a quarter of a mile of each other and accessible to all. Albert Square is open 10am to 9pm daily. Other sites: 10am to 7.30pm (8pm in December). Bars open until 9pm on all sites. Visit www.manchester.gov.uk
The Ultimate Christmas Fair Thursday, November 26-Sunday, November 29 Held at Liverpool Exhibition Centre, Kings Dock. Opening times are Thursday, 10am – 9.00pm; Friday and Saturday 10am-6pm and Sunday 10am-3.30pm. Tickets are £14.95 for adults and £5 for those aged six-16 in advance, or £18 and £6 respectively on the door. Book via www.theultimatechristmasfair.co.uk
Promote your class
here! Reach an estimated 75,000 readers in St Helens Ad prices start from £30 + VAT Call 01744 649722 for details
Grassington Dickensian Festival Saturday, December 5, 12 & 19 For three Saturdays before Christmas between 11am-5pm, Grassington travels back in time for the annual Dickensian Festival. Visitors are treated to a glorious array of sights, tastes and smells from a bygone era. The village is adorned in Christmas lights, the square and streets come alive with a traditional market with shopkeepers and villagers dressed in Victorian costume. Visitors can revel in delight at the musicians, dancers, street entertainers and exhibitions of traditional country crafts. The Park and Ride at Threshfield Quarry costs £10 per car. The postcode (for sat nav users) is BD23 5PA. For all enquiries please contact the Dickensian Co-ordinator on dickensian@grassington.uk.com
Christmas Lantern Parade Friday, November 27 Tatton Park welcome Father Christmas and his Reindeers during a beautiful lantern parade. Enjoy the glow and atmosphere of this wonderful welcome. Light his route with your own lanterns as he makes his way through the twilight parkland to Tatton’s festive stableyard. Please take along
49
any unwanted toys to donate to the Manchester Children’s Hospital. Starts at 6pm. Free entry. For further information about the lantern parade please call Bridget Roberts on 01625 374405.
Charity Fashion Show Friday, November 27 Starts at 7.30pm in Downall Green & Garswood Community Church, Victoria Road, Garswood. Profits will go equally to the church and to Indian child rescue centre El Shaddhai. There will be refreshments and stalls. Tickets are £3 in advance or £4 on the door. Contact Louise on 01942 714607.
Showtime Friday, November 27 Performance by St Helens U3A Entertainment Group at De La Salle High School, Mill Brow, Eccleston. Starts at 7.30pm. Tickets £8. For more information, visit http://u3asites.org.uk/entertainment or call Neil Williams 01744 345985.
The Snowman Thursday, December 10 This Christmas, The Snowman is coming to The Blackpool Tower Ballroom! The timeless film will be shown on a large screen accompanied by a live, professional orchestra. Tickets £17.50 for adults, £11.50 for children or £51 for a family of four. Starts at 7pm and finishes at 8.30pm. Visit www. theblackpooltower.com or liverpoolphil.com
Choir concert Saturday, November 28 St Helens Ladies Choir is holding a concert at St Thomas Church, Westfield Street, St Helens, with guest organist Michael Wynne and guest choir from Brook Lodge School, Rainford. It starts at 7.30pm, tickets are £7 and available by calling 01744 884813 or from any choir member.
Christmas Fair Saturday, November 28 Held at Prescot Parish Church Meeting Room, Vicarage Place, Prescot from 10am to 2pm. There will be a wide variety of stalls, refreshments available. Free admission.
Christmas Model Railway Show Saturday, November 28 Organised by Rainhill Model Railway club and held at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court, from 10am5pm. There will be layouts on show covering all the popular gauges and the show also welcomes back
the Merseyside and South West Lancashire 009 Narrow Gauge Group Exhibition. Admission prices are £2.50 for adults and £3.50 for children, which includes a visit to Santa and a small gift. Santa himself will be flying in from Lapland for the Day to meet as many youngsters as possible.
Not Forgotten Sunday, November 29 An evening of entertainment at Birchley St Mary’s, Billinge, in two parts presented by Jamie SinnottDavies. In addition to tenor Nathan Blackburn performing, this event will include a number of special guests as solo and duo acts. St Helens Male Voices will also be performing throughout the evening. There will be live accompaniment. Doors open from 7pm for curtains prompt at 7.30pm. No food will be served at this event although the bar will be open throughout. Tickets are £10 each and available via www.nathanblackburn.co.uk
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Clarins Christmas Shopping Event Wednesday. December 2 Held at Beauty By Helen French, Kiln Lane, Eccleston. A large selection of exclusive Gift packs for men and women will be available. 6.45pm for a 7pm start . Bubbles and nibbles served.
Christmas Tree Lighting Wednesday. December 2 At Bispham Methodist Church, Crank Road, Billinge. Carols at 6.30pm with Trinity Girls Brass Band followed by switching on of Christmas tree lights by Father Christmas.
Magic of Christmas Friday, December 4-Sunday, December 6 Rainford Parish Church will be holding its second Christmas Tree Festival called The Magic of Christmas. It will be opened by Anne Morris, Deputy Lieutenant of Merseyside, on the Friday at 11am, followed by Christmas songs from Rainford C of E School Choir. In the afternoon, the choirs of Corpus Christi and Brook Lodge Schools will sing at different times, and viewing of the 50-plus real trees will end at 6pm. At 7.30pm Rainford Ladies Choir will perform a carol concert in church, tickets £6 including light refreshments. On the Saturday, the church will be open for viewing from 10 am-6pm. On the Sunday, viewing will be from 12.30pm and Rainford Band will perform a concert in church from 3pm until 3.45 pm. At 4pm there will be a service of thanksgiving. Entry to the festival is £4, including light refreshments. All proceeds go to the charity Compassion. For more information, contact Pam Rigby on 01744 884024, or Myra Hartley on 01744 883350 to sponsor a tree.
Rainford Christmas Fair Saturday, December 5 Organised by Rainford Hub and held between 11am-3pm in the village centre. There will be the usual shops as well as stalls, Christmas music, mulled wine, donkey rides, a fun fair, Santa’s grotto and lots more.
Cinderella with Torvill & Dean Saturday, December 5, to Sunday, January 3 Torvill & Dean make their pantomime debut as the Fairy Godparents at Manchester’s Opera House, and will be wowing audiences with their amazing routines. They will be joined on stage by Wicked star Liam Doyle as Prince Charming with his loyal sidekick, funny-man Samuel Holmes. Stand-up comedian and actor Andre Vincent will play the smitten Buttons with the beautiful Eloise Davies in the title role alongside the best boo-able ‘Uglies’ in pantoland Tim Hudson and Dave Lynn as her nasty stepsisters. Usually two performances a day, at 1pm and 5pm, and tickets are priced from £11.90 upwards via www.atgtickets.com
Farm Fun Saturday, December 5 Festive fun down at Greenslate Community Farm, Tracks Lane, from 11am to 3pm. There will be craft demonstrations, local artisans, and fresh produce from the farm shop. For more information, email info@greenslatefarm.org.uk or call 01695 229150.
Christmas Craft Market Saturday, December 5 Starts at noon at Rainhill Millennium Centre, View Road. Refreshments available and closes at 4pm.
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Mayor’s Christmas Concert Thursday, December 10 Mayor of Prescot’s charity event from 7pm-8.20pm at Prescot Parish Church, Church Street. Featuring Evelyn Community Primary School and Staff Choirs, St Mary & St Paul’s Primary School Choir, Prescot Parish Church Choir, Knowsley Ladies Choir and a local brass ensemble. Tickets £5 on the door (accompanied under 16s free). All proceeds donated to the Mayor of Prescot’s charities which, this year, include Willowbrook Hospice and Prescot Army Cadets.
Christmas Tree Festival Thursday, December 10-Sunday, December 13 Held at St Ann’s Church, Rainhill. All welcome. Opening times are; Thursday & Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday 10am – 5pm and Sunday noon – 4pm. There will be in excess of 25 Christmas trees on display that have been decorated by local businesses, schools, organisations and community groups. Refreshments will be available. A Fair Trade stall will be open which is run by St Bartholomew’s Church CAFOD group.
Norway’s Fairytale Fjords Thursday, December 10 Gordon Bartley returns to address members of National Trust St Helens from 2.30pm in St Thomas’ Church, Westfield Street. Free entry for NT St Helens Centre members and volunteers. Non-members will be asked for £1 donation to the National Trust.
Roy Wood’s Rock & Roll Band Big Christmas Party Friday, December 11 What better way to party during the festive season than the man who wrote and sang Wizzard’s 1973 hit I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday? Having written more than thirty UK to 30 chart singles Roy Wood is without doubt a true British song writing legend, he has won many awards, including the Ivor Novello Award for Most Outstanding Song Collection. More recently a Kerrang Songwriter
Spirit of Christmas Wednesday, December 23 Christmas begins at home as Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra gathers its family of musicians for classic carols and seasonal readings from Classic FM’s John Suchet, while folk star Kathryn Tickell brings the timeless magic of the Northumbrian pipes to the sound of the Phil’s choruses and full orchestra. Starts at 7.30pm and tickets cost from £18-£43 via www.liverpoolphil.com
Award, Rock Radio’s Classic Songwriter Award , and Mojo Honours List , Classic Songwriter Award. Held at Warrington’s Parr Hall from 8pm. Tickets are £20 via www.pyramidparrhall.com
Christmas Concert Friday, December 11 Held at Haydock Conservative Club and starts at 7.30pm. The concert will feature a mix of traditional and contemporary Christmas music and tickets, which will be available on the door, are £6 and £5 for concessions. Tickets can be reserved by contacting Diane on 01942 718229.
The Santa Special Saturday, December 12-Sunday, December 13 Visitors to the North West Museum of Road Transport, at Hall Street, St Helens, can visit Santa in his grotto between noon-4pm on both days. Entry is adults £3.50, children £7.50 (they get a present and other goodies) and concessions are £3.
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Kiddies’ Christmas Party Saturday December 12 Held by the Honey Rose Foundation at the Wishes Function Room, 2-4 Cotham Street, St Helens, from 11am-4pm. Tickets are £10 and includes a disco, sweets, grotto and a present from Father Christmas. Call Lynn on 01744 451919 or 07838 238309.
Christmas Tree of Remembrance Service Saturday, December 12 Held at 11am at St.Helens Crematorium Chapel, Rainford Road, St.Helens. All invited to attend this annual event. Music provided by Gareth Owen and The Citadel Choir. Service led by the Rev Phillip Collard. Hang your Christmas message on the tree and join in with the carols, music, mince pies and hot drinks. Call 07989 251376 or hello@ friendsofsthelenscemetery.co.uk
Lyon’s Coal Yard - 200 Years of History Monday, January 18 Talk by David Thornton as part of St Helens Historical Society’s Frank Pope Memorial Lecture evening. Starts at 7.30pm at the Friends Meeting House, Church Street, St Helens. For more details call secretary Mary Presland on 01744 23141.
Lancashire Folk Night Friday, January 22 Held at Simms Road pub, Garswood, starring Chonkinfeckle plus AD Cooke. Free entry. Telephone 01744 894 246 for any enquires.
Jack and the Beanstalk Thursday, January 14-Sunday, January 17 Rainhill Musical Theatre Company production at the village hall on Dane Court. Performances at 7.30pm each day, and 2.15pm showings at the weekend. Tickets are £7 for adults and £6 for concessions via 0151 292 4458 or sephtons@hotmail.com
Strictly Come Dancing Tour Tuesday, February 2 An arena tour of the hit BBC1 show at Liverpool Echo Arena. As with the TV version, the show will pit celebrity dancers and their partners against the judges. Audiences at each venue will then be able to vote live from their seats via text message. Tickets for two shows, one in the morning and again in the evening, via http://prideofmanchester.seetickets. com/
Last Tango In Whitby Thursday, February 11-Saturday, February 13 Rainhill Garrick Society performance directed by Lynn Aconley at Rainhill Village Hall, Dane Court. Performances at 7.30pm - tickets cost £6 for adults and £5 for concessions via Mrs E. Swift on 01744 813429.
Whiston Workshouse Thursday, February 25 Talk by Pauline Hurst to members of Prescot Historic Society at the parish church hall, Church Street, Prescot. Starts at 7.30pm - entry is £1.50 for nonmembers.
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sponsored by
Dover Lock &
Lightshaw by David Sudworth
Y
ou can’t make a omlette without cracking a few eggs. So if the new High Speed Rail (HS2) line goes ahead, expect a fair few shells to be cast aside for what some say is for the national good. Sadly though, it’s not only foodstuffs which are likely to be affected; in this part of Wigan it would cut through designated green areas and be close to at least two Grade II listed buildings. So there is a sense of ‘enjoy it while you can’ about part of this walk. We parked up in a small layby just off Warrington Road (WN2 5XY). Although cars are allowed on it, do ensure you don’t block the bus stop, which according to the signage, is used for school buses only.
From here, we headed south-eastwards down Crankwood Road. I always get a bit nervous when venturing down roads which, to all intents and purposes, look like private drives or tracks. The signage on the gate at the entrance to Lee Lane Farm indicates that while it is a private road, walkers are welcome. As we carry on, past Chadwick’s Farm, the formal path turns into a woodland path but soon, after dodging the overhanging vegetation, we find ourselves on the adopted part of Crankwood Road. At this point, we pass through this hamlet with only really a handful of houses to its name. A bit of open countryside and some
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the horses were too busy feasting on the luscious pasture to give us the time of day. From here we picked up the pace and headed over Gerrard’s Bridge, which allowed us access over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. At this point, there is the option of simply picking up the towpath back towards the starting point, but we decided to venture further south. Around two minutes in, there is a clearing on the right hand side where you get a lovely view across South Lancashire.
grand houses later and we find ourselves, again, at another small clutch of properties. Opposite the junction in Montreal Street/Durban Street, there’s a signposted public footpath on the right, down the side of the farm.
It wasn’t long before we found ourselves on disused railway banking which now acts as a public footpath. Back in its day, this used to be part of the Wigan Junction Railway, which was constructed in 1876 and allowed a connection between Glazebook in Warrington with the old Wigan Central Station. It was closed in 1964 to passengers and in 1968 to
Regular readers will know I’m a bit nervous of animals at the best of times, but this path is quite narrow so with horses on one side and cows on the other, I was a little trepidatious. There was no need to fear though as the cows, resting in the mid afternoon sun, barely batted an eyelid while
By poplar demand Lightshaw Meadows is home to the rare Black Poplar tree. During the 1900s, many of them died in the Wigan area due to air pollution. Although action was taken, they are now under threat from a scab disease common in poplar trees. Those at Lightshaw’s Copse Field are taken from root cuttings from mature trees in Cheshire , and have been DNA fingerprinted to ensure they are the correct type. This is because poplars often hybrise and it can be difficult to tell them apart.
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freight as part of Dr Richard Beeching’s infamous cull of rail lines. Having pondered on what types of thunderous locomotives made their way down this very path years ago, we find ourselves at Slag Lane. Turn right and within a few yards we take another right down the path leading to Apple Tree Stables Equestrian Centre. This is where the walk does test your skills of awareness. This is primarily a private site, Critchley House, with a public footpath running through it. The signage is of the homemade variety which is great in one respect, but you do have to wonder why there are no official waymarkers. I suspect this is why perhaps this part of the route feels as if it’s not used very often; certainly the vegetation is much denser here. That said, having been left to its own devices, there are plenty of wild plants growing. Once you’ve ploughed your way through, you start noticing signage for the Lightshaw Meadows project. Managed by the Wildlife Trust, the Meadows is a very sensitive site for wildlife and part of it is protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It was once home to a hive of coal mining activity from the 19th to mid-20th Century, leaving large voids underground. This ground has since collapsed and become flooded, creating the landscape we see today. The Copse field is also
home to a species of tree called The Black Poplar, which is now under threat. Around 10 minutes later, we go past Lightshaw Hall, one of the Grade II listed building mentioned earlier. The hall dates from the 16th Century and at one point was surrounded by a moat. It was among the first in Wigan to be listed, with it being granted the honour in 1966. Once at the end of this path, we found ourselves, very briefly, on the A573 Wigan Road before turning right onto yet another disused line heading towards the canal towpath. This line was one of the very many mineral tracks in the area which transported coal from the old Garswood Hall Colliery, where the Three Sisters Racing Track is today. From here, it’s pretty much a straight line to the canal, and another one to Dover Lock, where you leave the towpath at Aye Bridge Road. The Dover Lock pub awaits thirsty or hungry walkers, but for us time was of the essence so we simply walked right, across the bridge, and back to the car. I was surprised this walk was 5.1 miles (10,682 steps according to my smartphone app). It’s not a route which can be done wholly on a bicycle as some of the paths are narrow and/or muddy in part. However, if you’re just getting into walking or even a seasoned pro, this is a cracking little trek which takes you to an area which only really the locals know about. And if HS2 becomes a reality in the next few years, it’s likely there will be little time left to enjoy unencumbered access to a peaceful and delightful part of Wigan.
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Please ensure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear whilst walking. Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the walk is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.
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Test drive
New Jeep
Cherokee 2.2 Diesel by Tim Barnes-Clay
J
eep is celebrating its most fruitful year in Britain ever. It is a vital market for the company because we Brits buy more Cherokees than anywhere else in Europe or Africa. The American auto maker aims to echo this success in 2016. But how is it going to do it? Well, one way is to give the admired Cherokee line-up more ‘oomph’. So, that’s why the good-looking Jeep is now obtainable with 185hp and 200hp outputs. It offers an appreciably wider spread of pulling power from low revs, giving greater bang for your buck. But it isn’t just about enriched performance,
the 2.2 Cherokee oil-burner now offers better fuel economy than the departing two-litre 170hp automatic lump. Available only with Jeep’s smooth changing ninespeed automatic gearbox, and paired to the company’s Active-Drive four-wheel-drive systems, the all new Cherokee 2.2 versions are inundated with equipment. The range now has more spec as standard, including an electrically adjustable driver’s seat, an automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirror with built-in microphone and an electric tailgate. Perhaps more
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significantly, though, all Cherokees score highly with safety – achieving the maximum 5-stars in Euro NCAP’s tough tests. But back to the new engine under the bonnet. It is assembled for our market in the Pratola Serra plant, near Avellino, Italy. Armed with the 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I system, the Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200hp reaches a maximum speed of 127mph. It accelerates from zero to 62mph in 8.5 seconds, has a typical combined fuel consumption figure of 49.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 150g/km. The Cherokee 2.2 MultiJet II 200hp with Active Drive II and low-range has a top speed of 126mph, 0-62mph time of 8.7 seconds, and a combined fuel consumption of 46.3mpg, with 160g/km of CO2 emissions.
step-up from the unit it supersedes. You no longer have to work the engine like a dog to make spirited progress. It is even quite soothing when you’re not pushing the pace. Undeniably, one of the Cherokee’s fortes is its ride. For a mid-sized sport utility vehicle (SUV) with offroad know-how, the Cherokee handles adeptly. The
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Finally, Longitude and Longitude+ trim levels are provided with a 2.2 MultiJet II 185hp variant, in combination with 4x4 Jeep Active Drive I and the nine-speed automatic transmission. Prepared in this way, the Cherokee reaches a maximum speed of 125mph and gets from zero to 62mph in 8.8 seconds. Combined fuel economy and emissions are 49.5mpg and 150g/km. Behind the wheel of the quickest diesel – the 2.2 MultiJet II 200hp Limited 4WD automatic with Active Drive I - I found everything rapid enough. Certainly, the more commanding motor is a real
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only time you notice the Jeep get a little unsettled is if you throw it in to a bend. Then there is perceptible body roll.
Honda’s CR-V – and is sure to put the fabled motor manufacturer on track for even more success in the United Kingdom next year.
The new 2.2 MultiJet II engine certainly places the Jeep Cherokee towards the crest of the mid-size SUV class for pace, poise and proper efficiency. It is no BMW X3 but it brings the fight to the likes of
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