Local Life - St Helens & Ashton Nov/Dec 2013

St Helens & Ashton Edition

Nov/Dec 2013

Your Local Bonfire Guide Jack’s Tracks visits Dalton Class from the Past Rainford CE Panto Tickets to !

WIN Theatre Royal www.locallife247.co.uk

At Byrchall High School we believe in equipping students with the skills to succeed in the 21st century.

That’s why we invest heavily in the latest technology, to ensure that our students are adaptable and have a competitive advantage when they enter the world of work in the future. We also ensure that they succeed academically, with 91% of our students gaining 5 or more GCSEs. That’s what we call a smart education! For further details please call:

01942 728221

or alternatively email: enquiries@admin.byrchall.wigan.sch.uk

2 Byrchall Ad A5 15 8 13.indd

1

15/08/2013 16:09

Local. Valued. Trusted.

Boundary Battles

In this issue

The debate about whether our area is still part of Lancashire has been ongoing for almost 40 years now, and shows no sign of abating. This month, to coincide with Lancashire Day on November 27, we take a look at the confusion which emanated from the local government reorganisation of 1974. Some readers may recall how the old Lancashire urban district councils were abolished, with Ashtonin-Makerfield going into a newly-created Wigan Council area, and places including Rainford, Crank, Newton-le-Willows, part of Billinge and Garswood into St Helens. However, many think this meant that we were taken out of Lancashire. As an Ashtonian born at Billinge Hospital, I’m pleased that the truth is somewhat different – see our feature starting on page 48 for the full story.

12/14 22 26 36 40 42 44 46 48 52 56 58 60 62

And if the thought of not being part of Lancashire is enough to turn you to drink, then you may want to have a look at feature on page 36 about local pubs which have been given the CAMRA seal of approved.

This is the last issue of Local Life before Christmas in our St Helens & Ashton distribution area. We’d all like to wish you a very merry Christmas and to say a big thank you to our advertisers, our hardy distributors and, most of all, to you for reading and supporting Local Life all year round.

Best wishes,

New! Planning Ahead Puzzle Corner Recipe of the Month Ale & Hearty New! Class from the Past Bonfire Guide Christmas Events Guide Win Panto Tickets Win a ‘Lanky Spoken Here’ Book!

Jack’s Tracks visits Dalton Garden Diary Home Services Puzzle Solutions Useful Numbers

Publisher: Local Life 247 Ltd, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB T 01744 649 722

@

info@locallife247.co.uk W www.locallife247.co.uk

Editorial: David Sudworth Sales: Julie Carroll Design & Production: Peter Bretherton Accounts & Distribution: Sally Boon

editorial@locallife247.co.uk sales@locallife247.co.uk design@locallife247.co.uk accounts@locallife247.co.uk

Local Life is published every month. The magazine will be distributed into the following edition areas on an alternate monthly basis.

The St Helens and Prescot edition 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. Copies are also available to pick up free from Tesco Extra Stores in Peasley Cross and Prescot.

The St Helens and Ashton edition is delivered to over 12,500 private home and businesses in Rainford, Billinge, Newton-le-Willows, Garswood, Crank, Kings Moss and parts of Ashton and Moss Bank. Copies are also available to pick up free from Tesco Stores in Haydock and Earlestown.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure that the data in this publication is accurate, neither the publisher or its editorial contributors can accept, and hereby disclaim, any liability to any party to loss or damage caused by errors or omissions resulting from negligence, accident or other cause.

editorial@locallife247.co.uk

Next issue - December

No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced without the prior written consent of Local Life 247 Ltd.

Advertising deadline - Thursday 14 Nov Published - Friday 29 November Local Life Media

@locallifemedia

www.locallife247.co.uk

When you receive the new edition of Local Life - remember to recycle the old one.

3

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Australia Day

Santa’s Helper?

St Helens town centre will be celebrating its very own ‘Australia Day’ on Saturday, November 2, to celebrate the arrival of the Rugby League World Cup tournament favourites. As Australia prepare to take on Fiji in their group match that evening, (kick off 8pm at Saints’ Langtree Park stadium), fans and locals alike will be encouraged to contribute to an Aussie themed communal artwork in Church Square from 11am.

There’ll also be an opportunity to get your face painted for free in the green and gold of Australia.

The Rotary Club of Ashton -in-Makerfield with Haydock is searching for volunteers to assist with its Christmas collections in aid of charities. The club operates a “Santa’s Workshop” Christmas Float around the streets in Ashton, Haydock and Garswood and volunteers are particularly required from persons with experience of towing. Former articulated vehicle drivers will be especially welcome. The collections are in weekday evenings from 6.30pm to 9pm and volunteers would have to be prepared to give up four hours.

Distributors Wanted Local Life requires distributors (13+) for our St Helens magazine. Distributors will typically work for 2/3 hours every 8 weeks, delivering in their own neighbourhoods.

We are particularly keen to hear from potential distributors in the Newton-le-Willows areas of; the Crownfields estate, the Makerfield Drive/Highmarsh Crescent estate, The Copse estate, and we are also looking for distributors in the Simms Lane End area of Garswood, the Ashfield Crescent area of Billinge and the Liverpool Road area in Pewfall. You must be fit, enthusiastic and reliable. If you are interested, please email your name, address, landline number and date of birth to sallyb@locallife247.co.uk.

Christmas Craft & Gift Fayre d joy a glass of mulallels en d an n w do e Com ng the fabulous st wine whilst browsi

The club also operates static collections at Tesco in Haydock and Sainsbury’s at Marus Bridge, generally at weekends. Volunteers are required for two hour shifts during the day.If anyone feels they can assist, please contact Ray Edwardson on 01744 609965, Paul Parkinson on 01744 605767 or via www.ashtonrotary. org.uk

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Lots of great ideas for Christmas gifts so come and support small local businesses

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For more information or to book a stall e-mail kierasoccasions@live.co.uk

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5

Magic of Christmas

Grave Tour

A three day “The Magic of Christmas” festival is being held at Rainford Parish Church on Friday, December 13, Thursday, December 14, and Friday, December 15.

It features a display of Christmas trees and musical performances at 11am each day by Rainford C of E School Choir. All proceeds go to WaterAid. Entrance, including refreshments, is £4 for adults, and £1 for children over 5 years old. The opening times for the festival are as follows: 11am - 6pm on December 13; 10am-6pm on December 14 and from 10am on December 15, with the closing service and blessing of the crib taking place at 4pm. For further information, call Pam Rigby on 01744 884024. There will also be a Christmas concert by Rainford Ecumenical Ladies Choir and guest artists at 7.30 pm on Friday December 13.

Tickets are £6, which includes refreshments, and are available from Linda Pilkington on 01744 633100.

A tour of graves with military significance takes place at St Helens Cemetery on Sunday, November 10, between 10am-1pm. To book a place, call event organisers the Friends of St Helens Cemetery on 07989 251376 or email hello@friendsofsthelenscemetery.co.uk. For more information go to www.friendsofsthelenscemetery.co.uk

Artisan Framing Services

have moved

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this Christmas

We frame pictures, photos, memorabilia & much more – great for personalised Christmas presents!

Same people, same great service, same expertise, just a different location… with its own car park.

Our opening hours are; Mon-Thurs 9-5pm Fri 9-4pm Sat 9.30-12noon

Call - 01942 718602

25 Bolton Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield, WN4 8AA (opposite the American Bar)

www.artisanframingservices.co.uk

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We now offer an in-store alterations/repairs service for ladies, gents and kids clothes

Aubergine www. a u b e r g i n e l a d i e s w e a r.c o .u k 721 Ormskirk Road, Pemberton, WN5 8AQ

Free parking at rear | Closed Weds | Repairs & alterations

Call - 01942 212 520

Off Licence Bid

Fun Night

A new shop has applied for permission to sell alcohol.

Fleece News & Off Licence, on Heath Road, Ashton, wants to be able to supply alcohol for consumption off the premises from Monday to Saturday, 10am9.30pm, and Sunday 10am-9pm. The deadline for representations is November 7. For further details, contact the council’s Licensing Team by ringing 01942 404627, or alternatively visit the Licensing Team at the Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan.

A family fun night is being held at The Park Lane Club, Downall Green Road, Ashton, on Saturday, November 23. Kids’ entertainment with Fun Phil D starts at 7pm followed by a disco, raffle and a hot pot supper. All funds raised on the night will go towards Macmillan cancer support. Tickets are £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s, or pay on the door. For more information, contact 07912 746618 or 07875 740473.

Afternoon Tea Newton-le-Willows Library, on Crow Lane East, is holding an afternoon tea on Monday, November 4, between 2.15pm-3.15pm. Local historian Geoff Simm will be in attendance to give a walk on The Life and Times of George McCorquodale. All welcome.

www.locallife247.co.uk

Full Steam Ahead!

The Newton-le-Willows branch of the Locomotive Club of Great Britain welcomes Steve Fort to its next meeting.

He will give a talk on Thursday, November 21, about the Carlisle to Crewe line. The meeting starts at 7.30pm and is held at The Pied Bull Hotel, High Street, Newton-leWillows. All welcome and admission is free.

7

New Store?

A supermarket unit in Ashton town centre could be knocked down and replaced with one double its size.

Plans have been submitted to bulldoze the building currently housing The Co-operative Food, in The Gerard Centre. In its place would be a new retail unit with a gross floor space of 3,160 metres.

Separate plans have also been lodged to keep the current unit but extend it to provide an additional 1,350 square metres of floor space. Both applications are from Altrincham-based Hollins Murray Group Limited and would involve losing car parking spaces and the current exit. If either plan was passed the entrance would be amended so it could provide a two-way entrance and exit route for drivers.

A spokeswoman for The Co-operative Food wouldn’t be drawn on the future of its operations in the town, but

told Local Life: “We are aware the landlord of The Gerard Centre in Ashton-in-Makerfield wishes to redevelop parts of the site. Our store remains open and is trading as usual.”

The plans can be viewed at www.wigan.gov.uk and the application references are A/13/78618 and A/13/78617.

The deadline for neighbour representations for both applications is November 4.

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Prints Charming!

Two local businesses have teamed up to capture the area’s most beautiful scenes on canvas. Billinge Garden Centre, on Winstanley Road, now has works of art on the walls of its centre and brand new café supplied by MB Signs, based just half a mile down the road at Hewitt Business Park.

Among the works of art on show in the new build café include a photo of Billinge Hill, Gathurst Woods and the windmill at Parbold. This is complemented by a new Weatherproof Garden Art section, again in conjunction with MB Signs, which offers images which customers can put outside in their own gardens.

Andrew Smith, owner of Billinge Garden Centre for the past three-and-a-half years, said: “These are two great additions for us, and it’s great to be working with another local company. I think it gives us a distinct local feel and we’ve had some good feedback from it.”

Mark Breheny, who started MB Signs over 25 years ago, added: “I took some of the photographs myself, and others are images of paintings from my friend John Higham. It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a while so it’s great to be working with Andrew on this .

It’s a fantastic venue.”

PARTY THIS CHRISTMAS AT COTTAGE TANDOORI! Choose a Traditional Christmas Dinner

Starter Prawn Cocktail, Soup of the day or Fried Scampi.

Main Roast Turkey and Stuffing with all the trimmings.

Dessert Choice from the menu, plus coffee

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Starter Mixed Starter Main Cottage Special (House Special) with Aloo Gobi, Special Pilau Rice & Nan Bread Dessert Choice from the menu, plus coffee Adults £22.95 Children (under 10) £12.50 Complimentary bottle of wine with every table booked for 4 adults or more.

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Planning Ahead

2.57m to the eaves (application reference P/2013/0769).

The deadline for public consultation is October 31.

ASHTON White Rushes Farm, Woods Lane: Proposal to extend dwellinghouse - two storey to side and single storey to rear (application reference A/13/78592). The deadline for neighbour consultation responses is November 2.

Great Houghwood Farm, Red Barn Road: Landscaping works to the front and side including stone retaining wall and block paved driveway and gate posts (application reference P/2013/0795). The deadline for public consultation is November 11.

GARSWOOD

CRANK

46 Hamilton Road: Single storey side and rear wrap around extension (application reference P/2013/0781).

The deadline for public consultation is November 5.

19 Crank Hill: Single storey rear extension, dormer window to rear, porch to front, and replacement detached garage (application reference P/2013/0772).

The deadline for public consultation is November 4.

BILLINGE 16 Gorsey Brow Close: Single storey rear extension (application reference P/2013/0788). The deadline for public consultation is November 6.

65 Rainford Road: Single storey rear extension projecting 5.54m from the rear, 3.73m high overall, and

NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS The District C of E Primary School, Patterson Street: Siting of a storage container (application reference P/2013/0765). The deadline for public consultation is November 6. ...continued on p16

Sunday Lunch with Santa Let our chefs lay on a festive feast of food and drink, while Santa makes an appearance with gifts for the children.

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Planning Ahead NEWTON-LE-WILLOWS Housing estate at Gooch Drive: Estate renewal works comprising demolition of garage, store and laundry areas, new entrance areas to apartment blocks, new parking courts and in curtilage parking, landscaping scheme, sculptural installations on village green and wildlife interventions (application reference is P/2013/0770). The deadline for public consultation is November 13.

2-8 Market Street: Change of use from retail (A1) to tattoo studio (application reference P/2013/0773). The deadline for public consultation is November 1.

48 Belvedere Road: Single storey rear extension projecting 4m from the rear, 3.2m high overall, and 2.3m to the eaves (application reference P/2013/0776). The deadline for public consultation is November 4.

RAINFORD 110A Higher Lane: Remodelling of property incorporating a single storey side and rear extension, raising of ridge height on roof with the addition of dormers windows to front and rear (application reference P/2013/0774). The deadline for public consultation is November 4.

T. Wilson and Sons, Maggot Nook Farm, Maggots Nook Road: Installation of two cycle shelters (application reference P/2013/0771). The deadline for public consultation is October 31.

Applications relating to Rainford, Billinge, Crank, Newton-le-Willows and Garswood can be inspected at www.sthelens.gov.uk. For more about planning applications covering the Ashton area, visit www.wigan.gov.uk .

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Christmas Fair St Aidan’s Church in Billinge will be holding its regular Christmas fair on Saturday November 30, in aid of church funds. It takes place at the John Eddleston Centre, Main Street, Billinge, from 10am to 1pm, Stalls include cakes, tombola, raffle, books, bric-a-brac and face painting. There will also be a visit from Father Christmas. Admission is free and refreshments are available.

Surgery Details

Here’s Johnny!

Rainford and Crank’s representatives on St Helens Council, Cllrs Allan Jones, David Monk and Rupert Nichols, hold regular surgeries for villagers who want to discuss local issues. The surgeries are as follows: first Saturday in the month, 11am-noon at Rainford Village Hall, Church Road; third Thursday of the month between 7pm-7.30pm at Rainford North End Club, Bushey Lane; and every third Saturday from 11am-11.30am at Crank Nursery, Crank Hill.

TV funnyman Johnny Vegas is returning to his roots.

Johnny – whose real name is Michael Pennington - will be discussing his new book ‘Becoming Johnny Vegas’ at St Helens Town Hall, Victoria Square, on Monday, November 4, from 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £20 and available from Wardlesworths, on Westfield Street.

The price includes an individual hardback copy of the book, a book signing session on the night and a complimentary pie.

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So come along on the 9th & 10th November 2013 open from 10-4 both days.

Unit 11, Hewitt Business Park Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB t/f 01695 624182 w www.morpheusglass.co.uk e info@morpheusglass.co.uk splashbacks | panels | coasters | jewellery | hangings | sculptures | bowls

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Centre Classes

In The Zone

Newton Community Centre, on Park Road South, holds a number of courses for those looking to either learn new skills or improve existing ones. A card making course takes place 1-3pm on Wednesdays and is billed as a fabulous course for lovers of crafts to learn new skills in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The course will cover card making and decoupage, which is the art of decorating an object by gluing colour paper cut outs onto it in combination with special paint effects.

A free Urban Zone activities programme with workshops for children and teens is being offered to those in the Newton-le-Willows area. If you are interested in street dancing, music production, world crafts, rapping, African drums, graffiti art, DJ’ing/MC’ing or break dancing, you can sign up on Wednesdays, from 4.45pm-6.15pm, at Crownway Community Centre, Crown Street, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows.

And for those who enjoy painting or drawing, art courses are held on Thursdays from 6.45pm -8.45pm. It is aimed at those with an interest in all mediums of art watercolours, oils, pastels, coloured pencils, and acrylics.

The class caters for beginners and students who have had experience. Finally, a jewellery making class for experienced students is held on Thursdays, 1pm-3pm, or for beginners on Fridays (10am-noon).

Licence Application

For further information on all courses, contact the centre on 01925 224731 or e-mail: contact@ newtoncommunitycentre.co.uk

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Haydock Park Golf Club, on Newton Lane, Newtonle-Willows, has applied to Wigan Council for a licence to provide regulated entertainment and alcohol from 10am-1am Mondays to Sundays and until 2am on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. The deadline for representations is November 2. For further details, contact the council’s Licensing Team by ringing 01942 404627, or alternatively visit the Licensing Team at the Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan.

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Rainford Fundraiser Home Start, which supports local families, is holding a charity quiz night at All Saints Parish Church Hall, on Church Road, Rainford, on Friday, November 8, at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6, which includes hotpot and dessert. Take your own drinks. For tickets, call 01744 882288.

No Corpsing!

Peter Gordon comedy Secondary Cause of Death is being staged by Rainford Amateur Dramatics Society between Wednesday, November 20, and Saturday, November 23. It is being held at Rainford Church Parish Hall, on Church Road, and the curtain rises at 7.45pm.

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Wordsearch Sudoku

Puzzle Corner

22

Guess where?

Photo courtesy of Wigan World www.wiganworld.co.uk Answers are on page 60 of this magazine Armagh Bangor Bath Belfast Bristol Canterbury Derby Derry Durham Ely Exeter Leeds Lisburn Manchester Newport Newry

Norwich Nottingham Oxford Perth Preston Ripon Salford Sheffield St Albans Sterling Swansea Truro Wells Wolverhampton Worcester York

History Meeting Local historian Geoff Simm will be giving a slide show presentation at Newton-le-Willows History Group’s next meeting on Wednesday, December 20, between 5pm7pm at Newton Library. All welcome to attend.

Visit a Winter Wonderland at

Reet Gradely!

Rainford Heritage Society is holding a Lancashire Evening at the village hall, Church Road, on Saturday, December 7. This is the society’s main fundraising event of the year and locals are encouraged to give it their support. The reception starts at 7.30pm and the entertainment commences at 8pm. Tickets are £10 each and can be bought individually or in tables of six. Those interested in attending are advised to book as soon as possible as a number of tables have already been allocated. For more information, call Ray Waring on 01744 885547 or email rayw91141@yahoo.co.uk

Cafe Now Open!

Spooky Writing Do you enjoy writing short stories? A Spooky Creative Writing workshop is being held between 4pm and 6pm on Wednesday, November 6, at Central Library in St Helens. For more information or to book your place, call 01744 676689 or email amandabrown@sthelens.gov.uk

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Recipe of the month

Granny’s Christmas Pudding The stout in this recipe will add the moisture to the pudding and the cocoa powder makes the pudding look dark

Ingredients

Method

• 1oz mixed peel

Place all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix together.

• 1oz ground almonds

Add the eggs and the brandy and mix then pour in the stout gradually and keep stirring until your mixture is the consistency of a loose cake mix.

• 2 medium sized eggs • ¼ teaspoon almond essence • 2 teaspoons brandy • 1 can of stout • 2 teaspoons cocoa powder • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg • ¼ teaspoon baking powder • ¼ teaspoon mixed spice • 4oz plain flour • 4oz breadcrumbs • 4oz beef suet • 4oz brown sugar • 4oz raisins

Grease your pudding bowl (2 pint pyrex bowl) with a little butter and pour in the pudding mix.

Cover with foil and then a tea towel or pudding cloth and tie it to the top of the bowl, this is to prevent any water getting in.

Place in a large boiling pan and fill with water ¾ of the way up the side of the bowl.

Boil on a moderate heat for 6 hours keep topping up the water with boiled kettle water if the level starts to drop.

When the pudding is ready turn it out and leave to cool. These puddings can be stored wrapped in foil from now until Christmas, to reheat just place the pudding back in the bowl and boil for another 2 hours on Christmas day.

Can be served with a sprinkling of icing sugar on the top or pour on ¼ brandy and light for a flaming Christmas pudding.

• 4oz sultanas • 4oz glace cherries • 1 grated lemon rind • ½ apple grated • ½ carrot grated

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Recipe courtesy of chef Lindsey Crozier & photograph by Nigel Maisey

MPs’ Surgeries Local MPs Dave Watts and Yvonne Fovargue have announced details of their residents’ surgeries. Mr Watts, who represents Newton, Billinge, Garswood and Rainford, holds surgeries at following location: Rainford Council Offices, Church Road, Rainford on the Friday preceding the second Saturday in each month between 6pm and 6.30pm; at Billinge Library, Main Street, on the Friday preceding the second Saturday in each month from 6.45pm to 7.15pm and at Newton-leWillows Library, Crow Lane East, on the second Saturday of each month between 11.30am and noon. To make an appointment call 01744 21336 or davewattsmp@ hotmail.com Ms Fovargue, whose constituency includes Ashton, holds a surgery on the third Saturday in the month at Ashton Library, Wigan Road, from 10am-noon. To make an appointment, call 01942 824029.

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27

Business Review

Laser Precision

Alternative therapy has come a long way in the past decade.

David Sudworth goes under the laser…

Being a man, I am pre-programmed to be naturally suspicious of ‘therapies’. Even going to the barber’s is an ordeal. On the other hand, women will happily spend hours having their ‘do’ done. So when I was, ahem, ‘volunteered’ to undergo holistic therapy treatment in front of the entire office, I was a trifle apprehensive but determined to give it a try. The reasons were purely out of necessity; for years now, my back has been giving me the odd ache and pain. Could Joanne Hurst, from Newton-based Clearwater Holistic, be my saviour?

A NHS psychiatric nurse by profession, Joanne specialises in providing laser and hand treatments for a range of ailments and habits, such as smoking, as well as helping those who are trying to lose weight. Joanne, who has a husband Andrew, a daughter Abigail, aged 7, and a son, Michael, aged 4, was converted to the benefits of such treatments when she saw how it had in instant impact on her late mother Diane, who up until having laser treatment was a 40-a-day smoker for the best part of 50 years: “It helped her to stop immediately, which was quite something when you consider she was a heavy smoker,” says Joanne. “It’s something I believe can help other people too, and my mum’s experience is my inspiration. I have completed Anne Penman laser therapy training with Anne herself and am studying Korean hand therapy from the University of Seoul. I basically do multiapproach holistic treatments.”

Ah, there’s that word ‘holistic’ again… but seeing as she also said the magic phrase, ‘pain-free,’ I was prepared to be the office guinea pig. First, I would undergo the laser treatment, for which I had to put on some very

28

fetching goggles. “You probably won’t feel anything at first, but some people do,” a confident Joanne told me. “It all depends on the individual.” Being a natural cynic, I wasn’t expecting anything but, curiously, after a few minutes of having the laser pointed at certain parts of my head, it did produce a soothing effect, even in the middle of a busy office. The Korean hand therapy was where it started to get really interesting.

Joanne produced a metal implement with a small ball on the end which she then started pressing around my knuckle. It turns out when she hits ‘pain’, it has a direct correlation with the part of your back which also suffers pain. I was impressed.

Joanne is keen to get across this treatment is for everyone, even a Doubting Thomas like me. She’s already had a positive response from customers at the Skin and Body Centre, on High Street, Newton, as well as at Preston Brook, Halton. She also does home visits. Would I have it done again? Yes. Does it work? Undoubtedly. Does that mean I’m now positively looking forward to my next trip to the barber’s? Don’t be silly…

For further information on Joanne’s services, visit www.clearwaterholistic.co.uk

Win a FREE therapy session!

Local Life has teamed up with Joanne to offer you the chance to win a free therapy session. To be in with a chance, simply answer the following: Joanne is studying for a qualification from which Korean university?

Please email your answer together with your name, full address, and daytime phone number to joannehurst70@gmail.com Entries must be received by 5pm on Saturday, November 30.

Normal competition rules apply and the editor’s decision is final.

Parish Council

Quiz Night

Garswood residents are invited to Seneley Green Parish Council’s next meeting on Wednesday, November 13, from 7.15pm in the Parish Hall, Montrey Crescent, Garswood. All welcome.

Haydock Conservative Club, on Bellerophon Way, is hosting a quiz night in aid of charity on November 8.

Money raised will go to the Motor Neurone Disease Association’s South Lancs Branch. Doors open at 7.15pm. Tickets are £6 each and hot food is included.

For tickets, call Joan on 01744 894298 or Eric on 07841 108540.

Permission Sought Morrisons has applied to Wigan Council for permission to sell alcohol between 6am and midnight, seven days a week, at 373-385 Wigan Road, Ashton. If passed, the licensing hours would match its opening hours.

A decision is set to be made once the deadline for representations has passed on November 7. For further details, contact the council’s Licensing Team by ringing 01942 404627, or alternatively visit the Licensing Team at the Town Hall, Library Street, Wigan.

Friendly Faces Feeling lonely and looking for a friendly face to chat to?

Oasis Community Café at St Luke’s Community Centre, on Golborne Road, Ashton, offers a meeting place for people who may be single parents, unemployed, elderly or lonely. All welcome between 11.30am and 1pm every Friday.

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29

Tower to Tower An Ashton family has thanked generous local folk who donated more than £4,000 following a gruelling Paris-Blackpool charity bike ride. One-year-old Daisy Easton suffered brain injuries after being resuscitated following her birth in April 2012. Since that day, she has battled hard and now attends the Little Stars Group at Hope School in Marus Bridge. Her family and friends decided to thank the school for all their continued help by undertaking a 480 mile ‘Tower to Tower’ ride from the Eiffel Tower to Blackpool Tower, raising the impressive amount in the process.

The ride was undertaken by Daisy’s uncle, Adam Walsh, and friends Alex Reeves and Andrew Brown. Adam’s wife, Laura, drove the support vehicle alongside Andrew’s fiancée, Suzanne Norcross, who are also all from Ashton. Locations visited along the way included Dieppe, Portsmouth, Chester... and the Sir Thomas Gerard pub in their hometown before heading on to Blackpool!

Adam said: “I have been lucky

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30

enough to visit this wonderful school with Daisy, and the impact the dedicated staff and amazing facilities have on children with varying disabilities is immeasurable. We, as a family, are under no illusions about the difficulties ahead. However it’s with the help of facilities like Hope School that families like ours are offered help and hope for the future. After speaking with the headteacher, all money raised will go towards purchasing new equipment which will be available for both the Little Stars Group and the school.”

www.locallife247.co.uk

31

Visit Disneyland® Park and you’ll be enchanted by Sleeping Beauty Castle and thrilled by Frontierland, while it’s lights, camera and action at Walt Disney Studios® Park. You’ve got so many ways to add extra magic to your stay at Disney! Mosey on down to an exciting Wild West Show featuring Mickey and friends. Then share special memories and picture-perfect moments at breakfast, lunch or dinner with Disney Characters, to ensure you avoid disappointment, book before you go with Jet2holidays.

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Free Child Places Jet2holidays’ famous free child places offer just got even better! We’re now offering completely free child places to Disneyland Paris. This means that children can now stay, play and even fly for FREE! These amazing Free child places can now even be combined with other spectacular offers such as Up to 2 DAYS & 2 NIGHTS (subject to availability, terms and conditions apply)

There’s an endless world of fun to be had inside the magical ® kingdom of Disneyland Paris!

DISNEY’S HOTEL NEW YORK Disney’s New York Hotel recreates the iconic city of New York where dreams are made, from soaring skyscrapers to sporting heroes combined perfectly with the vibrant atmosphere of Manhattan where the possibilities are limitless and the energy endless.

Take a bite and enjoy the taste of the Big Apple.

DISNEY’S SEQUOIA LODGE Getting back to nature with a fun filled break in Disney’s Sequoia Lodge. Inspired by the great American national parks you will be greeted by a friendly park ranger and a warm comfortable atmosphere with a cosy fire and that mountain lodge feel.

With a peaceful and tranquil setting you will find your self surrounded by luscious pine trees and located next to Lake Disney, a magical setting for any lover of the great outdoors.

DISNEY’S HOTEL SANTA FE Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe brings New Mexico to life with its bright light Navajo theme combined with traditional monumental landscapes worn by time. There is a real fiesta atmosphere at this fantastic hotel which combines the iconic sites of route 66 with a traditional New Mexico feel of Cacti and fun trails for all the family.

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33

Children in Need A coffee afternoon fundraiser for BBC Children in Need is being held at Rainford Library, Church Road, on Friday, November 15, from 1pm-4pm. All welcome to go along.

In Remembrance Baby Competition Billinge-based Windy Arbour Farm Shop held a ‘Guess the Weight of the Baby’ competition recently to raise money for charity. Rachel and Geoff Rigby, who run the popular farm shop, ran the competition in the last few months of Rachel’s pregnancy. Their son, George, weighed in at 8lb 6oz and no fewer than nine customers guessed the correct weight. £220 was raised for Lancashire charity Miles of Smiles - www. milesofsmileslancashire.com The winning customers were Nicky Martin (who won a £20 voucher for Windy Arbour) and the runners-up were Dorothy Thompson, Ann Greenall, Neil Fanning, Margery Shaw, Catherine Marle, Becky and Andy Kay, Susan McCann, Anne Fanning, who all received a voucher entitling them to 10% off at the farm shop.

34

A ceremony of remembrance in honour of those who have died in conflict will be held at The Cenotaph, Victoria Square, in St Helens town centre on Sunday, November 10, at 10.45pm. All are welcome.

Beer Festival Ale and cider lovers are in for treat in November as a charity beer festival comes to the area. Rainhill Rotary Club is hoping to top the £14,500 raised last year by drawing a large crowd who will be able to choose from 100 cask ales.

The real ales include many Champion Beers plus a 12% brew called Baz’s Bonce Blower from The Parish Brewery. The Festival is being held at Rainhill Recreation Club (Rainhill Cricket Club), Victoria Terrace, Rainhill, on the evenings of Thursday, November 7, and Friday, November 8, ( from 7pm to 11pm) and then on the Saturday (November 9) from 1pm until 11pm. For more details, visit www.rainhillbeerfest.org.

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35

Ale and Hearty!

Local pubs which embrace real ales are thriving.

David Sudworth pops in for a pint…

It’s been a worrying time for the local pub. Latest figures suggest that, across the country, they’re closing at a rate of 26 per week. Even those offering televised sports and cut price drinks in a bid to lure in the punters are finding they are no longer viable. As a result, many have either been converted into new homes and apartments, or been razed to the ground.

However, there’s one group of watering holes seemingly bucking the trend, and drawing in customers from across the nation. Their secret? A well-stocked cellar of cask ales and a mention in the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) Good Beer Guide – the ‘Bible’ for any serious ale-quaffing gent and, as I discovered, an increasing number of ladies.

The recently published 2014 guide, just shy of 950 pages, is crammed with listings of CAMRA-approved hostelries spanning the length and breadth of England, Scotland and Wales.

One of those mentioned is the Delph Tavern in Tontine, near Wigan, which is run by Ian Roscoe. Ian has deep roots in the licensing trade; his parents John and Linda worked in pubs across the area, including in Blackpool, Manchester and the old Horse Shoe pub in Wigan, since the 1960s. They arrived at the Delph in 1986 and Ian succeeded them nine years ago. Not long afterwards, he started to take a keen interest in cask ales.

“I saw it as a growth market and breweries were offering a very diverse range of real ales. It was a nice, little project and it’s grown since then,” says Ian. “As a pub we’re very old school with our values, very community driven but with professional business acumen. We do a lot with Orrell Rugby Union, Wigan Rally Club, Orrell St James and so on. However, we get people coming from all over the country. When Wigan

36

Athletic were in the Premier League, we’d have West Brom and Chelsea supporters coming in to have a few pints of real ale before going to the match, purely because of the Good Beer Guide. Cask ale used to be an old man’s drink but now the younger ones are drinking it. You also have younger women drinking it in half pint glasses. We also offer real ales in glasses which are a third of a pint so people can try them.”

Part of real ale’s attraction is that, unlike the major brands, they are easily identifiable as being ‘local’. And in the case of The Wayfarer pub in Parbold, that’s very much the case - with some it brewed less than 50 yards away from the bar pump.

Husband and wife team Jonny and Rachel Birkett, from The Wayfarer, started Problem Child Brewing in June. With literally years in the planning stages, they now produce three lines; Scallywag, Scoundrel and Rapscallion.

“We called it Problem Child because when I was younger I was called that so it sort of stuck,” jokes Rachel, 40. “The microbrewery is now in what was our house. We moved into Parbold Village and the living room now houses the brewing equipment. However, we are determined to keep a variety of ales on offer in the bar, not just our own.”

TASTE TEST Name: One Twenty (4% ABV) Brewery: Prospect, Wigan Price: £2.35 a pint Location: The Delph Tavern, Tontine Background: Part of Propsect’s core range. Named after 120 Wigan Road in Standish, which housed the original Prospect Brewery. Brewed in memory of head brewer Patsy’s mother-in-law, Beth Slevin, who lived at 120.

Taste: Delicious, refreshing ale full of flavour. Very pleasing hints of barley and flowers with a crisp taste.

Our Verdict: An excellent Prospect!

Name: Scallywag (3.7% ABV) Brewery: Problem Child Brewing, Parbold Price: £3 a pint Location: The Wayfarer, Parbold Background: First ale brewed by its creator, Jonny Birkett, at their microbrewery, which opened in June 2013.

Taste: Easy drinking, good creamy head and not too hoppy. Good flavour and firm bodied.

Our Verdict: No ‘Problem’ with this one – top of the class!

Jonny, 42, is delighted with their success in a relatively short space of time: “I only started in June and I can’t produce it quick enough. We’ve produced more than 11,000 pints since we started. It’s a quick process though, you can start brewing on the Monday it can be ready for serving the following week. We’re now hoping to offer them for sale in bottles.”

From the new to the old, the Mason’s Arms in Billinge is also listed in the guide. With its 18th Century charms, friendly locals and quite frankly the best smoking shelter I have ever seen – complete with comfy chairs, a wood burning stove and even a piano – it is a thriving venue. It was taken over by John Ruffell, his late wife Sue, and Gill and Ian Smith, in 2007. Despite the changing social attitudes, the Mason’s seems to have no problem pulling the punters in.

John explains: “We only used to have two hand pumps on but then we started hearing about cask ale. We decided to see what all the fuss was about so we went to the Turks Head in St Helens and couldn’t believe it – the place was packed and it was only 4 o’clock on a Tuesday afternoon. There and then we knew what we had to do. Now, we get people in from all over.”

www.locallife247.co.uk

Name: Norman’s Conquest MM (5% ABV) Brewery: Cottage Brewing, Somerset Price: £2.90 Location: The Mason’s Arms, Billinge Background: Originally launched winter 1999 (hence the MM), it is brewed to the exact same recipe as the original 7% ABV Norman’s Conquest, however this has a lower ABV version.

Taste: Full bodied, deep ruby beer with hints of chocolate, orange peel and fruit. Perfect Christmas/ winter ale.

Our Verdict: A corking Conqueror!

Name: Cumberland Ale (4% ABV) Brewery: Jennings, Cumbria Price: £2.80 a pint Location: Rose & Crown, Chorley Background: Jennings’ best-selling brand outside the Lake District. Traditionally brewed using pure Lakeland water drawn from the brewery’s own well, and won silver in 2009 and bronze in 2010 International Beer Challenge Taste: Full flavoured with a delicate hop character. Great ‘half way house’ between lighter and darker ales.

Our Verdict: Cumbrian class in a glass

37

Unlike a lot of pubs, the Mason’s doesn’t serve food, except for an order of pies from Birchall’s, St Helens, on a Friday.

For the final stop off, I headed to the Rose & Crown on St Thomas’s Road, in Chorley town centre. Even for a mid-afternoon, there were a number of people around enjoying a quiet drink. The one thing which struck me almost straight away was how knowledgeable the barmaid was about real ale, and even offered me small samples of a few before I made up my mind. In the end, I opted for Jennings Cumberland ale, poured expertly by the same barmaid who clearly knew how the locals like their beer.

Roger Protz, editor of The Good Beer Guide, believes this local, knowledgeable approach is sparking a resurgence: “Despite all the problems besetting pubs, the beer outlook could not be more promising. Real ale continues to out-perform other types of beer and is the only area of growth in a sector that, overall, continues to decline. Many new breweries have opened in the past year and Britain can boast it has the biggest number of breweries since the 1930s.

CAMRA-APPROVED PUBS “We even encourage walkers and hikers to stop off here and eat their sandwiches… if they buy a drink of course,” smiles John. “I think we are quite unique but we want to be a traditional pub and because of that, we have a good mix of regulars and visitors.”

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Sir Thomas Gerard, Gerard St, Ashton-in-Makerfield Hare & Hounds, Upholland Road, Billinge Masons Arms, Carr Mill Road, Billinge Starr Inn, Church Road, Rainford The Anvil, Dorning Street, Wigan town centre Berkeley, Wallgate, Wigan town centre Boulevard, Wallgate, Wigan town centre Royal Oak, Standishgate Brocket Arms, Mesnes Road, Swinley Standish Unity Club, Cross Street The Delph, Sefton Road, Tontine Hop Vine, Liverpool Road North, Burscough Ring O’Bells, Ring O’Bells Lane, Lathom Ship Inn, Wheat Lane, Lathom Stocks Tavern, Alder Lane, Parbold The Wayfarer, Alder Lane, Parbold Farmers Club, Burscough Street, Ormskirk Hesketh Arms, Liverpool Road, Rufford Red Lion, New Street, Mawdesley White Lion, Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington Malt ‘n’ Hops, Friday Street, Chorley Potters Arms, Brooke Street, Chorley Railway Inn, Steeley Lane, Chorley Rose & Crown, St Thomas’s Road, Chorley White Bull, Market Street, Chorley Red Lion, Blackburn Road, Wheelton

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39

Class from the Past - Rainford CE Junior School

Welcome to our new column where we help Local Life readers rekindle memories of their school days by publishing your photographs.

This photo is of a class at Rainford CE Junior School and was taken in 1981, which means the children in this are likely to be in their early 40s now.

Do you have a school photo to share?

Send your photos via email with as much information as possible to editorial@locallife247.co.uk

Why not try the best little club in the N.W.

Bispham Hall Recreation Club Rear of 12 Smethurst Road, Billinge, WN5 7DW

01695 622350

Extensive range of beers, wines and spirits Also, Cask Marque Approved real ales Darts, dominoes, pool and bowls teams Beer garden for families and friends Live sports shown on large flat screen TVs Private functions can be accommodated Ring Phil on 07956 638432 Tuesday night bingo with a jackpot of up to ÂŁ500 Saturday Night Acts see our website for details

www.bisphamhallclub.co.uk

40

Garswood Rambling

Santa in Rainford

Garswood Rambling Club is looking for new members.

Meetings are held on the first Wednesday of every month from 8pm at Garswood Labour Club, on Garswood Road, and those interested in joining are invited to go along. For further information, contact Colin Boardman on 01942 718318.

Santa will be visiting Rainford on his sleigh again this year. The routes are yet to be confirmed but he will be touring the village between November 30 and December 7. Locals are asked to keep an eye out for posters around the village as well as on the 1st Rainford Scout Group Facebook page.

Evening of Brass

Ashton advent

An Evening of Music with Old Hall Brass is being held at St Peter’s Church, Bryn Road, Ashton, on Saturday, November 9, starting at 7.30pm. The concert is being held in aid of the Boys and Girls Brigade. Tickets will be available on the door at a cost of £5 for adults and £2 for under 16s.

St Thomas’s Church, on Warrington Road, Ashton, is holding a night of live music on November 30.

‘Advent – the King is Coming’ will feature bands Heath Robinson and Sound Purpose, plus guest soloists and refreshments. Admission to the event is free and it starts at 7.30pm. All welcome.

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41

Local Bonfire Guide

Remember!

Saturday, November 2

Rainford Fireworks Event The event is organised by the Rotary Club of St Helens and held at the Church Field and Rainford Cricket Club.

Bonfire is lit at 7.15pm and the fireworks start at 7.45pm.

Admission - Tickets are £3 in advance or £4 on the gate (under 5s go free). Tickets can be bought from All Saints Primary, Brook Lodge Primary, Corpus Christi Primary, Houghton’s newsagents and Wendy’s Flowers.

Bonfire & Fireworks Extravaganza (Ticket only) The Holts Arms (aka The Foot), on Crank Road, Billinge, hold their regular and hugely popular event. Last year, 1,600 people turned up so this year is ticket only. Doors open at 5pm, Bonfire lit at 7pm and fireworks 7.45pm.

Full bar available inside and a well-stocked bar with draught lager and bitter outside, as well as a selection of bottles and soft drinks. Sweets,chilli, hotpot, hot dogs, toffee apples and sparklers also available outside.

Admission - £3 for adults, £1 for children. Admission is strictly by ticket only, available from the bar now.

Bonfire & Fireworks Display The Rotary Club of Prescot is inviting people to its celebratory event at Whitaker’s Garden Centre, Liverpool Road, Prescot. The bonfire and firework display, plus funfair rides and food stalls, will be held on Saturday, November 2, starting at 5.30pm. The bonfire will be lit at 6.15pm and the fireworks start at 7pm.

Admission - Advanced ticket sales are £5 for adults, £4 for children and a family ticket (two adults, two children) will cost £14. These are available at Whitaker’s. Pay on the gate charges are as follows: £6 for adults, £5 for children and a family ticket (two adults, two children) will cost £15. Funds raised on the night will go towards Willowbrook Hospice and other local charities.

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Sunday, November 3

Haigh Hall Bonfire Supper Haigh Hall once again plays host to one of the Borough’s largest and best bonfire and firework events. This year, bring the family into the warmth of the Hall. Enjoy a hot supper before stepping outside and enjoying the evening’s celebrations. Supper served from 4pm. Bonfire lit at 6pm. Fireworks 7pm. Reservations essential. For further information, telephone 01942 832895.

Admission - £12 adults. £7 children, £34 family ticket (2 adults and 2 children). (Advanced ticket sales. Bonfire only: £7 adults, £5 children, Family ticket £20. On the day ticket sales - Bonfire only: £8 adults, £6 children. No family tickets on the day.

Tuesday, November 5

Community Family Bonfire & Firework Spectacular Held at YMCA Orrell Cricket Club, off Winstanley Road, gates open at 5.30pm, the bonfire will be lit at 6.30pm and the fireworks start at 7.15pm. On offer will be a burger van, treacle toffee, a children’s fun house, a bar and hot and cold drinks. Admission - £3 adults, children go free if accompanied by an adult.

Spark in the Park This year’s St Helens Council organised, bonfire and firework display at Sherdley Park is expected to be one of the biggest and best displays yet. The display starts with a children’s display and the main event, the grand firework and bonfire display, starts at 8pm. Silcocks fair will also be there (open from 6pm to 9pm) and stalls selling hot food and drinks to keep everyone warm.

Visitors are asked to arrive in plenty of time as the event gets very busy. Public transport is available close to the venue, with Arriva buses, and Lee Green train station close by. Free secure, stewarded and fully lit car parking will be available at nearby Sherdley Primary School, Robins Lane Primary School, Chester Lane and Chester Lane Centre. Secure, chargeable, stewarded and fully lit car parking is available (£5 per car) at Lea Green Station, Mere Grange, Sutton Leisure Centre and Sherdley Park.

For further information, phone St Helens Council on 01744 675492. Admission - Free

COME & JOIN THE FUN!

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www.witwchildcare.co.uk www.locallife247.co.uk

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Christ�as Events Thursday, November 8, - Sunday, November 10,

Wednesday, November 13 & Thursday, December 5

Crafts for Christmas

A Taste of Christmas at Warbeck

This event is organised by Rural Crafts & takes place on the Great Yorkshire Show Ground. Exhibitors taking part in this show include Oakwood Aromatics, Vive, Gracie Mae, June Onigbanjo and Hungry Hippo Designs.

Enjoy a welcome glass of mulled wine, Christmas displays, speciality food tasting and pick up tips from demonstrations at Warbreck Garden Centre in Lathom, near Ormskirk.

Great Yorkshire Showground, Wetherby Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG2 8PW Time: 9am-5pm each day Cost: Advance - adults £7, seniors £6 Daily - Adults £9, Seniors £8. Children free Details: www.ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk

Where:

Monday, November 11-Tuesday, November 12,

Manchester Christmas Market

Where:

Arley Hall Shopping Spectacular Join the incredibly popular Champagne and Shopping evening where you can enjoy a drink or two while you shop on the Monday evening, or make a day of it on the Tuesday, have a shop and meet up with your friends for a bite to eat in the Tudor Barn Cafe. There will be around 60 hand picked stalls from all over the UK offering a wide variety of stunning gifts and treats for all of the family. The event is held in aid of Seashell Trust, a charity for profoundly disabled children.

Where: Time: Cost:

Tickets:

Arley Hall & Gardens, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 6NA 6pm - 9.30pm on the Monday 10am - 3.30pm on the Tuesday Monday Champagne reception £10 in advance/£12 on the door.

Tuesday Shopping Spectacular £5 on the door or free entry with an evening ticket.

0161 610 0170 (credit card booking facility) tickets@arleyhallshoppingspectacular.co.uk

Time: Cost: Details:

Warbreck Garden Centre, Lyelake Lane, Lathom, Ormskirk, L40 6JW 5pm-8.30pm Free, and free car parking on site www.warbreck.co.uk

Friday, November 15, - Sunday, December 22, If you want to get in the mood for Christmas, a visit to the Manchester Christmas Market is a must. With chalet-lined streets, colourful displays and the smell of mulled wine in the air, it’s an event which all the family can enjoy. This year the market will be celebrating its 15th year and will take over nine different spaces around the city, each with its own distinct character and atmosphere.

Where:

Time:

Cost: Details:

Manchester City Centre: Albert Square, Brazennose Street, King Street, St Ann’s Square, Exchange Street, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Square, The Corn Exchange, Corporation Street.

10am-7.30pm, weekdays in November 10-8pm, weekdays in December 10am-7.30pm, Sat and Sun in November 10am-8pm, Saturdays in December 10am-6pm, Sundays in December Free www.christmasmarkets.com

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Guide

Sunday, November 24,

Vibrant Vintage Fair at Haigh Hall Taking place over two floors, there will be a wide selection of stalls selling vintage and retro clothing and accessories as well as collectable items, cupcakes, homemade chocolate and retro craft items.

Haigh Country Park, Wigan, WN2 1PE 10am - 4pm £1 www.vibrantvintage.co.uk

Thursday, November 21, - Saturday, December 21,

Where: Time: Cost: Details:

Chester Victorian Christmas Market

Friday, November 29, - Sunday, December 1,

If you are looking for the perfect place to hunt out those special Christmas gifts, then look no further than this year’s Christmas Market in Chester with local crafts, gifts and food and drink vendors, it’s the perfect way to spend the day. This Christmas, Chester has a vibrant calendar of festive events to tempt you, with Winter Wonderland: Chester’s first ever Christmas destination, sparkly, magical lanterns, winter parades, carol concerts, festive theatre and more.

Tatton Park Gift Fair

Where: Time: Cost: Details:

City Centre, Chester, Cheshire, CH1 2HJ 10am-6pm, seven days a week Free 01244 405631

Thursday, November 21 – Sunday, December 22,

Liverpool Christmas Market Set in the heart of the city centre, Liverpool Christmas Market provides the perfect opportunity to get those Christmas stocking fillers.

Where: Cost: Details:

Lord Street, Church Street and Whitechapel, Liverpool, L1 8LT Free www.visitliverpool.com

A chance to look for those special Christmas gifts for all the family, and ideas for presents not usually found in the high street.

Where: Time: Cost: Details:

Saturday, November 30, December 7, and 14,

Grassington Dickensian Festival For three Saturdays before Christmas, 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.

Where:

Sunday, November 24,

Samlesbury Hall Christmas Fair Samlesbury Hall showcases a wonderful array of traditional and contemporary crafts - a wonderful family day out. There will be lots of Christmas food to sample; ample free parking and refreshments to complete a fantastic day out, plus Father Christmas will be making a visit between 12noon and 2pm Where: Time: Cost: Details:

Samlesbury Hall, Preston New Road, Samlesbury, Preston, PR5 0UP 11am-4pm Adults £3, children £1 www.samlesburyhall.co.uk

Time: Cost: Details:

Grassington town centre, North Yorkshire.

Park & Ride at Threshfield Quarry: BD23 5PA. No car parking in Threshfield or Grassington on the day of the event.

11am-5pm Free Email dickensian@grassington.uk.com

Sunday, December 8,

Croston Christmas Fair The village comes together once again for this festive delight. The day culminates with a torch lit procession to St Michael’s Church for Carols for Croston, a prayer and collection for Christian Aid. Where: Time: Cost: Details:

www.locallife247.co.uk

Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire, WA16 6QN 11am-4.30pm, but noon-7.30pm on Friday Free, but £5 car entry charge applies www.tattonpark.org.uk

Trinity & St.Michaels Primary School, Croston Old School and Croston Community Centre 1pm-5.15pm Free, and free car parking at Bishop Rawstorne CE Academy www.crostonfestivities.co.uk

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Competition

Win Family Panto Tickets!

Each year the St Helens Theatre Royal Christmas panto gets bigger and bigger and this year’s outing is set to be the most adventurous yet as Regal Entertainments present Peter Pan; a swashbuckling adventure of a lifetime!

By arrangement with Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and Samuel French Limited, and based on J.M Barrie’s timeless novel, Peter Pan is the classic tale of crocs, clocks and pirates, never wanting to grow up and is suitable for the whole family!

We’ve got FIVE family tickets to the opening night of Peter Pan on Friday 6th December at the Theatre Royal on Corporation Street in St Helens. For your chance to win a family ticket, simply fill in the easy crossword on the right and return it to Local Life Crosswords, Unit 8 – Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan WN5 7XB or email your answers along with your name, address and contact number to crossword@locallife247. co.uk.

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The closing date for the competition is Friday 29th November 2013.

Every panto needs an all-star celebrity cast and this year the Theatre Royal has a strictly superb treat lined up as the lead of flying into St Helens all the way from LA as American Strictly Come Dancing star Brian Fortuna steps into the role of Peter Pan; The Boy Who Never Grew Up! A familiar face and a household name across the nation, Brian is known for his being light on his feet with his role on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars and its parent programme, BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing where he performed with the likes of Heather Small, Kelly Brook and Ali Bastian.

Although known for his detailed dance steps, Brian is no stranger to treading the boards, with theatre roles including the national tour of Over the Rainbow as Danny Cassidy and a headlining role, alongside Strictly partner Ali Bastian in Burn the Floor’s run at the Shaftesbury Theatre in London’s West End. Fortuna was the featured dancer in the Oscar award winning film The

Aviator, with Leonardo DiCaprio; appeared in TV series South Beach with Vanessa Williams; and had a starring role in the Canadian documentary, Live to Dance.

A number of Theatre Royal favourites will help Brian to bring this much loved classic tale to life. Master of

 Illusions Richard De Vere is back at his most villainous as the infamous Captain Hook. Every baddie needs a sidekick and the Theatre Royal have lined up Corrie actor turned Theatre Royal regular Nick Cochrane to play Hook’s right-hand man Smee.

Local actress Leah Murphy is the prim and proper Wendy and no stranger to the airwaves, Radio City’s very own Claire Simmo will be on hand as Peter’s loyal companion, Tinkerbell.

Running from 6 December 2013 – 12 January 2014 the clock is ticking away for this festive extravaganza so grab your tickets and head to the second star to the right, then straight on ‘till morning for the grandest adventure of 2013.

PERFORMANCE DETAILS: When:

Friday 6 Dec 2013 – Sunday 12 Jan 2014

Where:

St Helens Theatre Royal Corporation Street St Helens WA10 1LQ

Details:

01744 756 000 www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

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Across 1. Star of the Show, _ Fortuna 5. Richard De Vere plays Captain _ 6. Peter Pan is a novel by J.M. _ Down 2. Ex-Corrie star, _ Cochrane 3. Venue for pantomime, Theatre _ 4. Name of pantomime, _ Pan

Name ..............................................................................................................................

Address ........................................................................................................................... .............................................................................. Post Code ........................................

Phone .............................................................................................................................

Email ..............................................................................................................................

Crossword Competition Rules 1. Only one entry per household 2. Entrants must be over 16 years of age 3. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date.

4. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed or damaged in the post.

5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition.

Local Life 247 Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act and abides by the guidelines of the act. We will never sell or pass your data to any third party company. However, we would like to contact you occasionally by email with news of great local offers and also to check our magazine distribution in your area.

If this is acceptable to you, please tick this box.

47

Borderline Madness Almost 40 years of confusion over ‘Lancashire’ shows no signs of abating.

David Sudworth reports…

It’s a date which is etched on the calendar of many a proud Lancastrian.

Each year, on November 27, devotees of the Red Rose County gather in town squares, village halls and other community spaces to hear the Lancashire Day Proclamation, a rousing piece of script which aims not only to entertain, but perhaps more importantly, inform.

The need for the educational part of the proceedings can be traced back to 1974. Almost overnight, , a large-scale reorganisation of local government took place with the old, two tier system of Lancashire County Council, supported by smaller urban and rural district councils, was abolished. In their places, new, larger, metropolitan authorities were created. Areas such as Rainford, Garswood, Crank, Newton-le-Willows and Billinge would now come under St Helens Council, overseen by Merseyside County Council. Wigan became an authority in its own right with the upper tier of governance coming from Greater Manchester Council.

And so the idea of the residents of these areas being suddenly stripped of their ‘Lanky’ status began to grow.

Although the Greater Manchester and Merseyside County Councils were themselves abolished in 1986, many who live in the ‘new’ areas still think they are no longer officially recognised as Lancastrians – a myth which campaigners say has been perpetuated by the media, the retention of the names of the local police forces and a redrawn Lancashire County Council area.

Chris Dawson, founder of the Friends of Real Lancashire, explains: “New administrative counties were created, but these did not affect the boundaries of the ancient and geographical counties. The boundaries of Lancashire remained unaltered. However, because the media began to refer to these new administrative counties instead of continuing to use the names and identities

48

of the geographical counties, some people were misled into thinking that they had been moved over night into a new county.”

This is backed up by the Government, which issued a statement at the time saying: “The new county boundaries are administrative areas, and will not alter the traditional boundaries of counties, nor is it intended that the loyalties of people living in them will change despite the different names adopted by the new administrative counties.”

Government Ministers have subsequently reaffirmed this. However it’s fair to say the battle to preserve ‘Lancashire’ is not without its challenges, particularly as the 1974 reorganisation becomes an ever-distant memory.

David Monk is the Chairman of Rainford Parish Council.

His village, nestled between St Helens and Ormskirk, became part of the Merseyside council area in 1974.

There’s also consternation from some quarters about the ‘new’ authorities’ seeming reluctance to officially recognise the area’s Lancashire heritage.

Despite this, David says Rainford still holds a fond place in its heart for Lancashire: “There is nostalgia among people who were born in Lancashire to identify themselves with the old county; they have never felt part of St Helens. The younger people, never having been involved in the change, would probably not have a strong opinion on the topic. Rainford’s demography has changed considerably over the last 40 years - a large part of the population have only known ‘Merseyside’.”

A spokesman for Wigan Council said: “We do not use Lancashire on our official documents or letterheads. We have not promoted Lancashire Day in the past and have no plans to this year.”

That’s not to say people who remained in the administrative area of Lancashire have been able to rest on their laurels. Only relatively recently, there was uproar at proposals from a Government quango to carve up West Lancashire and divide it up between the Sefton and Wigan council areas.

However, the Friends of Real Lancashire say they can now actually see the benefits of the abolition of ‘Lancashire’ in the administrative sense.

In comparison, last year, many of the councils still in the administrative area of Lancashire held celebrations.

Among those was Chorley Council which held cooking demonstrations of Lancashire food, using produce from Chorley market and local shops.

Chris Dawson, who set up the group in 1992, told Local Life: “There’s no chance now of Lancashire County Council going back to the time when its boundaries

Win a copy of ‘Lanky Spoken Here’ To celebrate Lancashire Day this Wednesday, November 27, we’ve got four copies of Dave Dutton’s ‘Lanky Spoken Here’ to give away. To be in with a chance of winning, simply match the following phrases with their meanings.

Send your answers to Lancashire Quiz, Local Life magazine, Unit 8, Hewitt Business Park, Winstanley Road, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 7XB. The deadline for entries is Friday, November 15, at noon. Usual competition rules apply and the editor’s decision is final.

#

a. Am gooin’wom

Name ......................................................................................................

Address ................................................................................................. ................................................................................................................... ............................................. Post Code ...............................................

Phone .....................................................................................................

Email .......................................................................................................

Crossword Competition Rules

b. As forgeet baggin’/jackbit

1. Only one entry per household

c. Givvus th’ommer

2. Entrants must be over 16 years of age

d. As geet bellywarch

3. The winners will be notified within 14 days of the closing date.

e. Tha needsapow thee

4. Local Life 247 Ltd cannot accept responsibility for entries that are delayed or damaged in the post.

Pass me the hammer

5. Employees of Local Life 247 Ltd or their immediate relatives are not eligible to enter this competition.

You definitely need a haircut

I’ve got stomach ache

Local Life 247 Ltd is registered under the Data Protection Act and abides by the guidelines of the act. We will never sell or pass your data to any third party company. However, we would like to contact you occasionally by email with news of great local offers and also to check our magazine distribution in your area.

I’ve forgotten my lunch

If this is acceptable to you, please tick this box.

a

I’m going home

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49

mirrored the old traditional boundaries as they did before 1974. The way things are going, the County Councils will be abolished which to some extent would help as there wouldn’t be a ‘boundary’ for people to get confused over.”

is Atherton-born actor Dave Dutton. Over the years, Dave has starred in Coronation Street, Brookside and Emmerdale. He’s also written a book, ‘Lanky Spoken Here’, which is billed as a comic guide to Lanky words, phrases, sayings and customs.

Whether this prediction Chris Dawson, founder will come true remains to of The Friends of Real be seen. But regardless Lancashire what happens, Local Life readers can say with 100% accuracy that no matter where they live – be it in the Wigan, St Helens, West Lancs or Chorley council areas – they are all in fact residents of the County Palatine of Lancashire.

Reet On! Along with its culinary delights and stunning scenery, Lancashire is well known for its unique dialect. It’s one of the country’s most recognisable regional accents – and some of its words can be traced back to Viking times. Old Norse can be found in many ‘Lanky’ words, such as ‘nay’ and ‘nowt’. Even everyday English words such as ‘gate’ are still used today in Swedish, Danish and Norwegian. One of those fascinated by the dialect

Billinge &

Rainford Service and MOT Centre

Dave told Local Life: “My love of Lancashire dialect stems from my upbringing in Atherton where virtually everybody spoke it, and lots of people who live there still do today. My grandma, who was born in the late 19th Century, spoke broad Lancashire so it was natural that I picked up on it. I love it for its pithiness and its dry sense of humour which I have tried to encapsulate in all my Lancashire books; Lanky Spoken Here, Lanky Panky and Lancashire Laughter and Tears. It’s also an amazing link with our forebears with echoes of the Saxons and Vikings still lingering in our dialect words today.

“It is tough, it is tender, it is beautiful and it is worth preserving. Long live Lanky – and a Happy Lancashire Day to all your readers!”

For more information on Dave, visit www. davedutton.co.uk

Free pick up and drop off service available

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Lanky dialect aficionado Dave Dutton, from Atherton

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Diabetes Talk Lara Wessels, of the Five Boroughs Partnership Trust, will give a talk on Making Your Favourite Meals More Diabetes Friendly at the St Helens Diabetes UK Group meeting on Wednesday, November 6. The talk will start at 7.30pm in St Helens Town Hall. All are welcome. For further details, contact 0151 4800821.

Parking Restrictions New parking restrictions are being proposed for a busy Ashton road. Wigan Council wants to amend the ‘no waiting’ on Bolton Road at a point 15 metres north east of George Street to a point 38 metres south west of its junction with Bryn Road South. A copy of the proposal, including map, is available at Ashton Library, on Wigan Road. Any objections must be made in writing and specify the grounds of the objection to the J. Mitchell, Assistant Director, Town Hall, Wigan, WN1 1YN, quoting reference RD/LR/JOH/N22/703-/N-003016 no later than November 8.

Billinge Meeting Billinge Chapel End Parish Council’s next meeting is on Monday, November 11, from 7.30pm at the Public Hall, Pingot Road. All welcome.

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51

Jack’s Tracks

Dalton Autumn is possibly the best time of year to pull on the walking boots. The leaves are turning a golden colour, the weather is mild and nature’s bounty is in full flow, with conkers, acorns and fir cones covering the ground. So it was in high spirits we headed towards Ashurst’s Beacon near Up Holland for this month’s stroll. It’s an area I know well from my days working on the local paper but perhaps, like many people, I spent my leisure time exploring places miles away rather than what was on my own doorstep, which made this walk extra special.

No sooner had we parked the Local Life charabanc and Jack, as per usual, was raring to go. We chose a car park just opposite The Beacon pub, fronting onto the golf course, which gave us a sneak preview of the views to come, as well as giving Jack a few minutes to find his ‘fetch’ stick from the undergrowth. Walking boots on and armed with copious energy-boosting chocolate bars, we crossed the road and headed toward Ashurst’s Beacon. The pathway towards the monument is just to the left of the pub and not signposted. Once at the top we had an early treat; stunning 180 degree views from Cheshire in the south to Blackpool Tower in the north.

The wind was blowing quite a bit, and had a distinctive autumnal chill, but it wasn’t enough to distract us.

To give some perspective of distance, Dalton Parish Council’s 100 year centenary stone, just a bit further up, advises that standing at the top of the Beacon, we are five miles from Wigan Parish Church, 27 miles to the Bowland Fells and 84 miles to the Isle of Man.

52

We started the walk from the Beacon itself, but you need to have your wits about you as the paths aren’t immediately obvious. We had to walk in a north westerly direction towards the woodland. As a rule, If you can see Blackpool Tower, basically you need to head towards that, and the informal pathway will become apparent.

Once in the woods, we were greeted with a floor scattered with pine cones. Having picked up a few for my six-year-old daughter, we headed westwards and eventually hit a cobbled footpath with fields on either side. Around five minutes later, continuing eastwards, we cross a stile onto a bit of a grass clearing and an old stone house, complete with a rather large, solid wooden gate. If you turn around you should see some sort of rusted farm machinery at the boundary of the grassland. We bore left down the side of the house and carried straight on. What greeted us at the end of the path was a beautiful 17th Century stone dovecot, which as we discovered was restored by the North West Buildings Preservation Trust in 1985. Alongside this was a small pond and trees groaning with conkers and

acorns. Suffice to say, being a big kid at heart, I started hoovering these up in anticipation of being able to use my haul to stage a mass conker challenge back at Local Life Towers. However, Jack being a dog and therefore having no interest in conker fights was in no mood to hang around so headed off towards the car park of the magnificent St Michael & All Angels Church. The church faces the equally impressive and historic Ashurst’s Hall, a

Grade II listed building which was originally the seat of the Ashurst family. Coming out of the car park, we took a right past the primary school and down Higher Lane.

Before long, the pleasing sound of acorns crunching underfoot was ringing in our ears – they were all over the place and to be honest my heart sank a little when I saw the street sweeper a little further down the road.

Before I became too disheartened, we peeled off rightwards onto a tree-lined Dungeon Lane, where we came across some very colourful wild, but I am advised highly poisonous, mushrooms. As a seasoned walker, Jack didn’t pay much attention to the various fungi on display but for a novice like myself, I couldn’t resist whipping out my lens for a quick photo op. At the end of the lane, we turned left and then around 50 yards down we turned right. Now admittedly, at first we were hesitant as it looked very much like a private driveway (signage says Blackbird’s Farm/Lees Lane Nursery/Mobility Store) but according to our trusty Ordnance Survey map, it was a public footpath so went down it. Towards the rear of the property, we saw the

Ashurst’s Beacon Ashurst’s Beacon is one of the area’s most prominent landmarks.

Predominantly overlooking the 1960s Liverpool overflow new town of Skelmersdale, the Beacon dates back to 1798 and is believed to be one of a chain of Lancashire beacons stretching from Liverpool up to Lancaster. Archives suggest it was built by Sir William Ashurst to serve as an early warning system against invaders ahead of the Napoleonic wars.

all-important way markers and a stile so headed over it.

Eventually we came to a field and spotted a bridge over the River Douglas in the distance. However, before that, we had a challenge we just couldn’t avoid – a field full of cows. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love animals but these cows were a bit too friendly for my liking. Jack didn’t seem to mind them and pleasantly sauntered off like he was on a Sunday stroll. I, on the other hand, was

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It attained listed status in 1967 and is owned by Wigan Council. Despite being targeted by vandals and graffiti artists over the years, the Beacon remains a popular spot locally due to its views spanning as far as the Welsh Hills.

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breaking into what became a rather brisk walk/slow jog.

This only seemed to intensify the cows’ interest in us and they eyed us far too keenly as we hot-footed it towards the bridge. Once safely out of harm’s way, I looked back and to my horror saw that the preponderance of cows masked the fact that, in the middle of them, was the largest bull I had ever seen. Gulp.

Wood and started to get some lovely views towards Standish, with Winter Hill in the distance. We continued heading southwards before taking a right onto Long Heys Lane. It’s at this point the walk becomes quite steep so, in anticipation of the energy sapping gradient I was about to embark upon, I cracked open one of my choccie bars and steeled myself for the challenge.

I’ve no idea how Jack – at this point on his lead due to the frequency of vehicles using the road - managed it without refuelling but he did. After about 10 minutes or so, we spotted a small path off to the right and headed down it. Cross the driveway to Bradshaw Farm and Bradshaw Barn and head off again into the wooded area which adjoins the properties. Before long, the pathway comes out near the Beacon and, five miles later, the walk was complete.

All in all this was a very enjoyable afternoon. Due to the informal nature of some of the pathways, and some possible confusion which can arise due to lack of signage, you do need to keep your wits about you. But the rewards are plentiful; beautiful buildings, historical points of interest, stunning views. And If that doesn’t grab you, then there’s always the lure of a pocket full of free conkers…

After thanking my lucky stars, we headed off towards the Leeds-Liverpool canal via the Douglas. We went over a stile and ended up at what felt, again, to be like private property with some well- tended grass and bushes adorning the landscape. Just to the right was a rather pleasant and unexpected feature of this walk, a memorial stone showing the site of the Old Douglas Chapel, which existed for 400 years before being demolished in 1875. The memorial cross is carved from the old church’s threshold stone, and erected in 1906 as a lasting memory of somewhere which was clearly an important focal point for this rural community.

Once past the stone, and a cluster of old dwellings, we carried on, taking the towpath on the Dalton side heading towards Wigan. Although he maintained his usual ice-cool exterior throughout, I suspect the recent bovine drama must have caused Jack some anxiety as he decided to crouch down by the canal and take some hearty slurps to quench his very sudden thirst. Once suitably refreshed, we started to head back, over the Douglas and headed towards Keckle Hey Wood.

The pathway went past a few barn conversions on the right, before emeging on to Lees Lane. Going left, it was a short walk before we turned up the track opposite Lower House Farm. We headed up through Wigan Lane

54

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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Garden Diary - by Angie Barker

Don’t give up on the garden just yet!

Many people assume that come November there is nothing more that can be done in the garden. When actually you can make a beautiful garden during the winter months, just be careful not to plant when the ground is very wet or frosty, then you’ll be ready to enjoy your new garden next year. In spring any reputable contractor will already be booked up for months ahead so now is the perfect time to start planning your garden transformation.

Even if you feel your garden just needs an injection of colour and interest to enliven winter borders, you can still plant now. Bare root trees and shrubs are available for planting now and they are often cheaper than container grown plants because they come straight from the nursery’s ground where they have been raised.

There are some wonderful shrubs that produce scented flowers in the colder months and here are just a couple of my favourites.

Sarcococca confusa (Christmas Box) is a small evergreen shrub, which produces sweetly scented white flowers during the winter months and grows well in

Angie is a qualified award-winning garden designer who will plan your garden to your needs from start to finish, supplying reputable contractors and the ideal plants.

56

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shade. If you can, plant it near a door so you can benefit from the wonderful perfume.

© Amanda Slater

Mahonia x media ‘Charity’ is also evergreen, producing yellow scented flower spikes and can get to around 4 metres so you need room for this one. Perhaps not the best choice if you have young children as its leaves are prickly.

Shrubs like these are invaluable in the garden at this time of year not only to cheer up us humans but for wildlife too.

And give a thought to next spring as well by planting some Tulips. There is an incredible range available now but I prefer the subtler shades like ‘Queen of Night’ which is a single late tulip with deep purple petals and looks fabulous teamed with white tulips – very elegant.

(Oh, that’s nice - Hubby says just like me… hmmm what is he after ...)

So as well as starting to think about your Christmas shopping list, please do give some thought to your garden at this time of year - next year you will be so glad you did.

Call Angie now for your free consultation!

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